For a moment, Egric had become animated and the light of excitement glowed in his eyes. Eadulf wondered whether to point out that his tone hardly reflected a religious calling.
‘Of course,’ he replied quietly. ‘I was older than you.’
‘So you remember how we went with our father to the great court of King Athelwold at Rendel’s Ham?’
Eadulf sighed at the memory. ‘And how we ran off on our own to see the royal burial site nearby, a place where only members of the royal line were allowed to enter, to witness the ancient rituals?’
‘They were thrilling times, Eadulf.’
‘Soon after that, I left Seaxmund’s Ham to pursue my studies. I came here to the Five Kingdoms as directed by Fursa.’
‘You abandoned the role of gerefa, which should have been yours when our father perished.’ Did Eadulf hear a rebuke in the voice of his younger brother?
Eadulf shrugged. ‘Learning from him something of the role of a lawgiver has stood me in good stead. What he gave me has not been abandoned. But when I left Seaxmund’s Ham to pursue the Faith, why didn’t you take on the role?’
Egric laughed sharply. ‘Me? A gerefa, a lawgiver? I was still pursuing the dream of being a warrior defending our people. You left our village — did you ever go back?’
‘A few times. I was even a witness at Rendel’s Ham when King Swithhelm of the East Saxons converted to the New Faith and was baptised at the royal court there, with Athelwold acting as his godfather. That was when I asked what had become of you. I attended the Council at Streonshalh and then I returned to Rome in the company of Wighard, the archbishop-designate of Canterbury. He had gone there to receive the blessing of the Bishop of Rome. He was murdered there and it was Fidelma and I who helped resolve that.’
‘And you never returned to our home after that?’
‘Once more. Do you remember my old friend, Botulf? He, too, converted to the Faith and went to serve at the Abbey of Aldred. Five years ago, Fidelma and I went to see Archbishop Theodore at Canterbury, and while there, we received a message from poor Botolf. He wanted to see me urgently. We went to the Abbey of Aldred, but arrived too late. Botulf had been murdered and we had to discover the culprit. Thankfully, the forest around Rendel’s Ham proved a sanctuary for Fidelma and me when we were in danger of our lives. That was the last time I enquired for you.’
‘And what were you told?’
‘People who remembered you assumed that you had gone away to serve as a warrior in the King’s army. A local farmer, Mul. .’
‘Mul? Mad Mul of Frig’s Tun?’ Egric chuckled. ‘He never would convert to the New Faith! He swore that he had followed Woden all his life and would never change his allegiance.’
‘That was he,’ confirmed Eadulf. ‘He remembered me, but didn’t remember you converting to the Faith.’
Egric shrugged. ‘I did not stay in Seaxmund’s Ham after I decided to follow the Faith, nor did I return as you did. But you say that you have not been there for five years now?’
Eadulf shook his head. ‘I am settled here and happy.’
Egric was cynical. ‘Truly happy? A foreigner in a strange land?’
‘I am accepted,’ Eadulf replied defensively. ‘My wife is here, my son is here. I have friends. Is that not enough?’
‘There is no longing in you to see the places of your childhood and youth?’
‘Those places remain in the memory only. It cannot be otherwise, for the motion of the days continue and things must change with them. Is it not said that there are no footsteps that go backwards?’
‘Perhaps,’ Egric said softly. ‘But if that is what you want, brother, so be it. I mean no insult to your decision. It is just strange to meet up after so many years and find our life paths have diverged so widely. In spite of all, I trust you are happy.’
‘It seems our paths have not diverged so widely. You have also become a religieux. Also, oddly, you seem to have grasped some of the tongue of these people in your travels and, indeed, here you are in Cashel. A curious coincidence.’
‘It is a coincidence nevertheless,’ his brother said curtly.
Eadulf paused to glance out of a window. The rain had ceased. It was still cloudy but the clouds were lighter in shade and beginning to move quickly as the wind gathered strength.
‘Alas, I have matters to attend to, Egric. I will introduce you to one of the King’s bodyguards, a warrior called Dego. He was one of those who found you on the river. He will show you the township below the palace and explain something about this place and its history since you are a newcomer.’
The truth was that Eadulf had no matters to attend to. He felt guilty that he had suddenly made the excuse to leave his brother’s company and tried to reason why. Of course, it was easy to explain that the great changes in Egric since Eadulf had last seen him were a cause for the alien feelings that now caused him unease. The eager young man, who enjoyed life, had an ambition to be a warrior — albeit as all young men do at a certain age — who enjoyed the company of girls, feasts and dancing, seemed to have vanished. Eadulf was not sure he liked the surly self-contained man with his unfriendly look and his open condemnation of Eadulf’s chosen lifestyle. Yesterday, Eadulf had been happy to find his long-lost brother. Now he was trying to avoid his company.
Later, Eadulf met Fidelma crossing the main courtyard.
‘You look troubled,’ she greeted him.
‘And you look as though you have a problem,’ he said in an attempt at a light-hearted deflection of his thoughts.
Fidelma decided the matter in hand should have priority. ‘Yesterday, it seemed no one saw anyone near the chapel, yet now we have several sightings. I find that strange.’
‘I told you that I saw old Brother Conchobhar and Deogaire,’ Eadulf pointed out.
‘But now we have Abbess Líoch and an unknown religieux, who might have been Brother Madagan, close to the chapel. Deogaire said he saw Brother Madagan while Sister Dianaimh saw an unknown religieux while she was standing waiting for the abbess inside the gates. It might have been the same person.’
Eadulf raised his eyebrows slightly. ‘I presume that you are still suspicious of the abbess?’
‘I never discount anyone until all the facts are in, Eadulf,’ she replied. ‘I need a word with Brother Madagan. Maybe he can confirm that the unknown religieux was himself.’
‘I saw him enter the main door of the chapel just now.’
‘Excellent. Where is your brother, by the way? I thought you were introducing him to our little Alchú?’
‘I don’t think he is much good with children. I’ve left Alchú with Muirgen and have asked Dego to take Egric to see the township.’
‘Something is wrong, I can tell. What is it?’
‘Let’s say Alchú did not seem too enamoured with his new uncle. Not that the boy was to blame. Egric just seemed awkward. That was all.’ Eadulf did not want to go into his own inexplicable feelings.
‘I wouldn’t worry about it.’ She tried to give him assurance. ‘After all, it must be a shock for him — that is, arriving in the manner he did. His companion killed and then rediscovering his brother after all these years. A brother with a child. .’
‘And married to the sister of a foreign King,’ Eadulf finished. ‘You think this is why he seems so tense?’
‘I am sure of it. When was the last time you said you saw him?’
‘Over ten years ago.’
‘There you are, then. You cannot expect to regain those lost years in one evening. Give him time. He has much to learn about you, and you about him.’
Eadulf was uncertain for a moment and then he grimaced dismissively. ‘I suppose you are right. Maybe I was expecting too much, too soon.’
‘Indeed,’ she smiled. ‘So, let us now go and find Brother Madagan.’