The ship rode at anchor in the river, waiting to bear us away-the same ship that had brought the bishop and his companions from Britain. It was a low, sleek vessel with a tall, slender mast. Knowing nothing of seafaring or boats, I thought it a fine thing-if somewhat small for thirteen monks.
Upon arriving at the settlement, the head man met and greeted us in the name of his lord. "We have kept watch as you bade us," he told Bishop Cadoc. "I will send men to bring the ship now."
"My thanks and blessings on you, Ladra," answered the bishop. "We will ready our supplies and await you on the wharf."
Inbhir Patraic was little more than a handful of mud huts perched precariously on the Boann's steep northern bank, near to the sea mouth. A small holding, the women kept swine on the water meads, and the men fished from two sturdy boats, occasionally sailing down the south coast to trade with folk along the way-sometimes venturing as far as Atha Cliath. Therefore, the place was deemed of sufficient importance that the king had paid for a handsome wooden wharf to be built and maintained. While the head man and several of his sons rowed their small round coracles out to the ship, six of us younger monks set about unloading the wagon.
We had just begun this chore when Lord Aengus arrived with his queen, and ten of his warriors. He dismounted at once and embraced the abbot and bishop, saying, "I am glad I reached you before you sailed, friends. My men told me of your journey and its purpose. I have come to bid you farewell, and beg your indulgence-for I, too, would have you carry a gift to the emperor."
"Certainly!" cried Abbot Fraoch in a hoarse croak, delighted that King Aengus should honour the enterprise in this manner. "Your gift shall be a most welcome addition to our undertaking."
With that the king bade his wife approach. Dismounting gracefully-for all Queen Eithne was a most beautiful woman, dark-haired and fair-skinned as befitting a Sister of Brigid-she signed to one of the warriors who brought out a small, flat wooden casket from behind his saddle. This, he placed in her slender hands. The queen, back straight and head erect, carried the casket to where the abbot and bishop stood.
"Worthy men," she said, her voice sweet and low, "I am told the Emperor of the Romans is a man of great learning and wisdom. Yet, even such men have need of diversion from time to time." With that she opened the casket to reveal a small gaming board of the kind used to play brandub. "The pieces," she explained, reaching in and taking up a tiny figure, "are gold, for the king, and silver, for the hunters."
The craftsmanship of both the casket and the gaming board were exquisite; the individual pieces were finely made and very costly.
"Lady," replied Fraoch, "it will be my pleasure to deliver this gift into the emperor's hands and dedicate the first game to your honour."
The king looked on, beaming his good pleasure. "In consideration of your service," Aengus said, "I would offer a token of my regard." He summoned three more of his men, who approached bearing three large sheepskin bundles which they placed at their lord's feet. When the first was opened, the king withdrew a cowl of fine, black wool. "There is one for each member of the travelling party," he said.
The second bundle was opened to reveal a selection of wide leather belts, while the last bundle contained new leather shoes, of the kind we made at the abbey: one piece of good thick leather cut and folded in such a way as to produce a strong, covered sandal secured by a braided leather cord. Again, there were enough to choose from so that each monk would have a new pair of shoes with which to begin the journey.
"Your generosity, Lord Aengus," Bishop Cadoc said, "is surpassed only by your thoughtfulness. We stand in your debt."
"I will hear no word of debt from you," Aengus replied, to which Queen Eithne quickly added, "Only say a prayer for us when you reach that holy city."
"It shall be done," Cadoc vowed.
The woollen hoods, belts, and shoes were passed hand to hand then, and each monk selected those items that suited him best. For myself, I was glad to have a stout belt and new shoes; the cowl would be no less welcome when the cold wind blew. I slipped the hood over my head and let it rest on my shoulders, then buckled the belt around my waist and put the shoes on my feet. The articles were finely made, and fit me well. Strangely, I felt better for wearing them. If I were going to die, at least it would be with good new shoes.
Nor was the gift giving finished yet. Abbot Fraoch called to Dugal, who brought out a number of leather water pouches and staves-a new water pouch and staff for each monk. "All our hopes go with you," the abb said. "Therefore, walk worthy of your charge in all boldness, equipped for every good work. Fear nothing, my friends. God goes before you."
