Free Sacrifice by Philip Freeman

wants. In fact, I might leave in any case. I can’t stand the thought of being at Kildare without you.”
    â€œDari,” I said, “don’t be foolish. Kildare is your home. I’m not going to be responsible for your leaving all that behind.”
    â€œI don’t want to leave the monastery, but it’s not the same without you there.”
    â€œAre the others being unkind to you for being my friend?”
    â€œSome are a bit cold, but not exactly unkind—well, except for Eithne, who has managed to say ‘I told you so about Deirdre’ at least ten times since yesterday. I’m ready to pound her with a frying pan.”
    â€œForget Eithne. How are the solitaries doing inside the monastery?”
    â€œThat’s one of the things weighing on Sister Anna. Even with all that’s happened, most of them refuse to come to Kildare. They say they’ll trust in God to protect them.”
    â€œThey’re ignoring the orders of the king?”
    â€œI think they’re more afraid of Sister Anna than the king, but they won’t even come to the monastery for her sake. The problem is that they’re uncomfortable living with other people. Many of them have been alone for years. It’s a terrifying thought for them to suddenly move into crowded sleeping quarters with other nuns. In fact, those few solitaries who have come to the monastery have settled into other buildings so they can be by themselves. I think Sister Coleen has set up her bed in the nook above the granary.”
    â€œWhat about Riona?”
    Sister Riona was a solitary who lived about a mile from my grandmother’s home. She was a cousin of mine on my mother’s side, a couple of years younger than me, and a much better nun than I had ever been. Her grandfather had been a druid, though she never knew him. Her father and mother had become Christians before she was born and encouraged Riona in her desire to be a sister of holy Brigid. She was an only child, so when they died a few years ago she moved back into the family home as a solitary. She raised sheep there and gave the meat and wool to the monastery.
    â€œShe’s one of those who has refused to come to Kildare,” Dari said. “Sister Anna told me to visit her and try to persuade her to return. It’s nearby, so I’m on my way there now.”
    â€œLet me come with you. Maybe she’ll listen to a kinswoman. I don’t like the thought of her out there alone. If she doesn’t want to go to the monastery, I’ll see if she wants to stay here with my grandmother and me.”
    â€œI’d be grateful. She’s as sweet as can be, but there’s a stubborn streak in your family.”
    â€œNot stubborn, Dari, just . . . determined.”
    We laughed again and went out the door. Kevin was taking his role as protector very seriously, marching backand forth in front of the hut as if the Saxons were about to invade.
    â€œKevin, I’m going with Dari to Riona’s hermitage to see if I can’t talk her into returning to Kildare. You can wait here until I bring her back. Maybe you could help my grandmother in the garden. Dari will be safe with me.”
    He scratched his head.
    â€œWell, I don’t know, Deirdre. Sister Anna told me to guard her. Are you sure you’ll be safe? I mean, I don’t want anything to happen to either of you.”
    Kevin was one of the best men I knew. He was loyal and brave and kind, not to mention tall and handsome. If he hadn’t been such a pious monk, I would have invited him into my bed years ago.
    â€œPlease don’t worry, Kevin,” I said. “You know that no one would dare to touch a bard or anyone under their protection. If it makes you feel better, I’ll take a sword with me.”
    â€œAll right, but please promise you’ll be back here before dark.”
    â€œI promise.”
    I told my grandmother where we were going and took my