Did I say unimaginable fate? That evening was too close to surreal for my poor brain to cope with and it caused me to anguish about what destiny awaited me in Ériu. Yet, it began well enough with King Auisle providing a warm welcome.
“This is our friend Master Aella, the finest leather-craftsmen in Northumbria. He has come to us to seek illumination in our monasteries.” As he said this, I noticed he looked hard at the man sitting to my right, and he proceeded with an introduction, “Master Aella, by your side sits one of the most learned men in Christendom, Mo-Chuaróc moccu Neth Semon, Abbot of Les Mór Mo Chutu—or what we call Lismore!” With that, he howled with laughter and added, “You may find our native tongue a little difficult to master, my friend,” and roared with mirth again, most a
