The devil's seal

Ireland, 671 AD. Representatives from the Anglo-Saxon church have travelled to Cashel to argue over a set of religious regulations issued from Rome. Leading the Irish side is the Abbot of Imleach, who resents the rules being imposed by outsiders. Eadulf finds himself on the opposing side of the table, because his younger brother Egric is part of the visiting group, and the two have been apart for many years.

As the talks grow bitter, a local abbess steps forward to try to bring the two parties together. Less than a day later, she is found dead, killed by repeated blows to the head.