Abbot Fraoch looked to the bishop, but the bishop said, "I leave the choice to you. For myself, I am happy to proceed if another can be found to take Libir's place." He indicated some of his own monks standing nearby. "There are good men with me who would serve us well. But, as Libir was one of your number, I will abide by your decision."
Fraoch hesitated, glancing around the ring of faces, determining what best to do.
"I see no harm in it," Cellach agreed. "If someone were prepared to take Libir's place, we would not have to wait. Perhaps it is the Devil's wish to thwart our purpose. I would not like to see that happen."
Though he spoke reasonably, I could tell that the master scribe saw in this turn of events an opportunity to put himself forward.
"Very well," replied the abbot slowly, regarding the unconscious Libir with an expression of sorrow and pity. "We will choose another-though it will be a bitter disappointment to this good monk."
"I do not see what else we can do," Cellach said.
"Abbot Fraoch," said Dugal softly, "would you allow me to take his place?" Before the abbot could reply, Dugal continued, "I feel responsible for Libir's injury-"
"You caused Libir's injury!" Brocmal cried, pressing forward again. "Abbot Fraoch, hear me: Dugal pushed Libir on the path. I saw him do it."
"Brother, please," said Cellach, "this is neither the time nor place for such accusations."
"But I saw it with the very eyes in my head!" Brocmal insisted. He threw a finger in my direction. "Ask Aidan-he saw it, too."
Suddenly, I became the centre of this dispute. I looked from Brocmal, red face alight with anger, to Dugal, calmly, quietly, still kneeling over the stricken Libir, unruffled, apparently unconcerned by Brocmal's indictment.
"Aidan," the abbot whispered hoarsely, "I do not need to remind you that this is a serious matter. Did you see what happened?"
"Yes, abbot."
"Tell me now. What did you see?"
I answered without hesitation. "I heard a cry and turned. Libir had fallen. Dugal raised him up and tried to help him, but Libir would not-he pulled away and started down the bank on his own strength. That was when he fell."
"He fell twice?" asked Fraoch.
"Yes. Twice."
"And you saw this?"
"I heard the cry first and saw Dugal trying to help him. I saw Libir pull away; I believe he was embarrassed to have fallen. I looked to my own feet then, and I had only just turned away when he fell again."
"Not so!" shouted Brocmal. "Liar! You two are in it together. I saw you scheming, the two of you."
"Brother scribe," cautioned Fraoch gently, "you are overwrought. It seems that you are mistaken in your assessment of what happened."
Brocmal shut his mouth, but continued to glare furiously at us. The abbot turned to Dugal. "Brocmal is distraught, brother. Do not hold his anger against him. He will make amends when he is in a better mind. As for myself, I am satisfied that you tried to help Brother Libir in every way."
"I only wish he had not been injured at all."
"Sure, your quick thinking saved an old man a worse injury," Lord Aengus put in. "You have done well."
"Still, I wish it had not happened," Dugal said. He stood up and turned to the abbot. "Good abb, though I am no scribe, I stand ready to take his place. If you will have me, so be it."
"Brother," Cellach told him, stepping near, "your offer is most noble, but you speak neither Latin nor Greek. And as you say, you are no scribe-"
Before he could finish, however, Lord Aengus said, "Forgive me, my friends. But it seems to me that you have scribes and scholars aplenty for this journey. It seems to me that a ready-handed man is wanted. Who better than a warrior to serve in this?" He placed a hand on Dugal's shoulder, as if commending him. "Forgive my intrusion, friends, but these are dangerous times. I would be to blame if I did not offer my best advice in this matter."
The bishop, nodding agreement, spoke up, "The king argues well. I think we must consider his suggestion in all seriousness."
"It may be that God has allowed this to happen," Queen Eithne suggested pointedly, "so that you would not leave your homeland without the protection of a stout warrior in your company. If I were choosing men for such a journey, I would travel with an easier mind if I knew that at least one of our number had served in the king's warband."
"I can think of no better warrior for such a chore," the king added, "and I have good reason to know whereof I speak."
There came a call from the wharf below. "The tide is ebbing!"
"It is choose now," Bishop Cadoc said, "or wait until another day. I leave it to you, Fraoch."
The abbot made up his mind at once. He turned to Cellach. "I am sorry, brother. I know you would gladly come with us, but you are needed at the abbey." Then, facing the warrior before him, he said, "Brave Dugal, if it is in your heart to take Libir's place, then perhaps God himself has placed this desire in you. So be it. I say you shall go. May God bless you richly, brother."
