Valley of the Shadow by Peter Tremayne

as the supreme authority of the Faith in the five kingdoms. He claimed kinship with me by virtue of the fact that we both wear the tonsure of St Peter of Rome.’
    Fidelma chuckled softly.

    ‘And what did you say to that?’
    ‘Little enough. I thought I would let him have his say in order to find out what he was about. He was very concerned to try to make me accept that Ultan of Armagh was the chief bishop of all Ireland.’
    ‘As I have said before, Armagh is not supreme, though its bishop affects the title “archbishop”. The title our people accord to the bishop of Armagh is Comarb of Patrick; that is, the successor of Patrick, just as the bishop of Imleach is accorded the title of Comarb of Ailbe. Both Armagh and Imleach are coequal among the centres of the Faith here.’
    ‘Brother Solin seems to think that is not so. He told me that anyone who bears the tonsure of Rome should shun the company of those who do not accept the authority of Armagh.’
    Fidelma was annoyed.
    ‘I know that Ultan has ambition for his paruchia but that is nonsense in itself. What did you reply?’
    Eadulf thrust out his chin.
    ‘I restrained myself from telling him what I felt. I merely pointed out that Theodore, the archbishop of Canterbury, has sent me as emissary to the court of Colgú of Cashel and to no other king or bishop in the five kingdoms.’
    Fidelma smiled briefly.
    ‘And how did Brother Solin react to that?’
    ‘He inflated his cheeks like a fish and his face grew red with mortification. It was then I stepped away from him and ended the discourse.’
    ‘Strange, though, that he should have thought he could speak to you in such a fashion,’ she mused.
    Eadulf coloured a little.
    ‘I think he wanted to separate us,’ he confided.
    ‘In what way do you mean?’
    ‘I believe that he did not realise that we were old friends and thought that I was merely travelling with you. I think that he hoped to isolate you in your mission here.’
    ‘For what purpose?’
    ‘I am not sure. I believe that he was actually trying to warn me that it would be better if I travelled on alone rather than be with you.’
    Fidelma was intrigued.
    ‘He made a threat?’
    ‘I do not think it was a threat … not exactly.’
    ‘Exactly what, then?’

    ‘He spoke in hypothetical abstractions so that I was unsure of his true meaning. All I know is that he means you no good.’
    ‘We will keep a close watch on Brother Solin, then. We must discover what he is up to.’
    ‘That he is up to something there is no doubt, Fidelma,’ affirmed Eadulf.
    There was a short silence before Fidelma spoke again: ‘This feast this evening will be a formal affair so I am told. You know that there is a priority of places at such gatherings?’
    ‘I have been in Eireann long enough to know this,’ he acknowledged.
    ‘Very well. I shall be seated with Laisre and his immediate family simply because I am sister to the king of Cashel. I would imagine Brother Solin will be seated with the ollamhs and the learned men like Murgal. You will probably find yourself seated on the same table with Brother Solin’s young scribe – Brother Dianach. He is not only young but artless. Try to see what information might be garnered from him about the motivations of his master. I would be happier knowing exactly what Solin is up to in Gleann Geis.’
    ‘I will do what I can, Fidelma. Leave that to me.’
    Fidelma paused for a moment, pursing her lips in thought.
    ‘I thought this negotiation was going to be a simple matter, Eadulf. Now I am not so sure. There is something odd going on here, something beneath the surface that we must uncover. I can feel it.’
    A hollow cough interrupted them. They had been so intent in their discussion they had failed to notice that a fair-haired warrior had approached them. The man stood a few yards away regarding them quizzically. It was the same warrior who had greeted Orla at the gates of the fortress.
    ‘I noticed you and the