Atonement of Blood(34)
‘I’ve no understanding of these matters,’ protested Eadulf.
‘The Red Mare is what we sometimes call the sun; the Fair Mare is the moon. We call what you might know as Sagittarius, the warrior; the watergate of heaven is Aquarius and the star of knowledge is …’
‘I know that is Mercury, and the Defender is what you call Mars,’ interrupted Eadulf irritably. ‘I know those names.’
‘And it means one is in the sign of Scorpio and the other in that of Leo,’ explained Fidelma.
Brother Conchobhar smiled in approval. ‘Exactly so, my young friends. I do not say this will be the entire influence but, if you find that you are given to impulsive behaviour and decisions, then be warned. Avoid such tendencies.’
‘That we will,’ Fidelma solemnly assured him.
‘Yet that is not what we came to see you about,’ Eadulf added.
The apothecary’s eyes widened. ‘Then … what? Oh, about the girl Aibell? Have no fear. I shall keep an eye on her. I have already spoken to Dar Luga and together you may trust us to keep her safe and secure.’
‘It is not even about her, this time,’ Fidelma said. ‘It’s about Alchú.’
‘He is a bright, intelligent boy,’ Eadulf added.
‘And that is natural in view of his parentage,’ observed the old man with a smile.
‘In seriousness, he is learning many things and his mind needs to be engaged so that he continues to learn,’ pressed Eadulf. ‘While we are away, we thought you might speak with him, teach him things, and especially watch his vocabulary and his knowledge. He is already counting in my own language.’ Eadulf spoke the last sentence proudly.
Brother Conchobhar’s smile broadened. ‘Alas, I do not know much of your language, friend Eadulf. But you may rest assured that I can impart a little of Latin and Greek and much of my own mother tongue.’
‘That would be of tremendous help,’ Eadulf assured him. ‘It is just that …’
‘Just that you realise that the boy is of an age where he is absorbing information very quickly,’ suggested Conchobhar. ‘While Muirgen can teach many things, she is not exactly of a scholarly disposition. The time has come when his mind needs to be engaged with knowledge that she cannot impart.’
‘Exactly so,’ said Eadulf, feeling a little guilty over Muirgen’s role for she had been essential to them in the early days, especially when Fidelma had been seized with a curious depression about the baby and her behaviour had begun to worry Eadulf.
‘Do not worry, my friends. I understand. As a matter of fact, I have recently made a purchase from your old college, Eadulf, which I was going to tell you about before … before …’ He raised a shoulder and let it drop.
‘What sort of purchase?’ asked Fidelma curiously.
‘One that will help with the education of the young. It is a book that has been copied at Tuaim Drecain and much of it is attributed to Cenn Fáelad who was a chief professor at the school. I am told, however, that it was Longarad of Magh Thuathat who devised the entire book. It is a book called Auraicept na nÉces – The Scholar’s Primer. It gives knowledge on grammar, rhyme, and the meaning of the old alphabet we called after Ogma, the old God of Literacy. It has the new alphabet and shows how children may remember the letters by calling each one after a known tree.’
‘I don’t understand,’ frowned Eadulf.
‘Easy enough. A is ailm, a pine tree; B is beith, a birch tree; and C is coll, a hazel tree and so on.’
‘Ah, it is the way some of our scholars teach young children. A is for apple; B is for boy; and C is for cat.’
‘It seems a good idea,’ Fidelma conceded. ‘So long as someone in the future does not think that there is more symbolism in the concept and start forming other ideas beyond seeing it as a simple way of children remembering their letters.’
Brother Conchobhar chuckled. ‘I don’t think we need have any fear of that.’ He turned and picked up a leather-bound vellum book from a shelf and showed it to Eadulf. ‘I shall leave it in the tech screpta, the library, for your return, friend Eadulf. Then you will see some of the matters that I shall pass on to your son.’
‘Fair enough,’ Eadulf nodded. ‘I will rest easy now that you will look after him, for he is an intelligent lad and has the sharp mind of his mother.’
Fidelma playfully punched Eadulf on the arm for she was not displeased with the compliment.
‘And now we must find Gormán and warn him of our journey tomorrow,’ she said.
As Eadulf was about to pass out of the door after Fidelma, Brother Conchobhar suddenly tugged at his sleeve and pressed something round and metallic into his hand. The old man said softly: ‘Fidelma has left the religious, I know. She believes that she no longer needs their help. The time may come when you might – especially where you are going. This is the silver seal of Ségdae of Imleach, whose authority is known throughout Muman. He gave it to me some time ago. Show it to any religious in the kingdom and they will respect its authority.’ Then he raised his voice and wished Eadulf ‘good luck’ on his journey.