A few days after our triumphant return, I met with defeat. The end of year reporting had been delayed owing to the situation at Kilcrumper but as abbey life returned to normal, a summons arrived. My encounter with Abbot Mo-Chuaróc began cheerfully when he praised me for my excellent contribution to the scriptorium and the war. Since he was in an amiable mood, he proceeded by saying,
“It makes me wonder, my son, whether your calling that we oft-times discussed may involve your talent with the quill and the brush. You have all the skills to make a complete book from the covers to the contents—it’s quite remarkable!” He chuckled, amused at his discerning observation.
For my part, there and then, I barely gave it a thought, being far more occupied with thoughts about my progress in Latin. No
