The Secret of Kells by Eithne Massey Read Free Book Online Page B

of Colmcille, it had an ancient name. Named for the creature that Colmcille won it from. It was called the Eye of Crom Cruach.’
    Brendan gasped, remembering Crom Cruach’s cave and the way he had been pulled towards its terrible darkness.
    Aidan sat for a moment with his head in his hands. Then he looked up and rubbed his eyes wearily. He began to draw the crystal on a piece of parchment.
    ‘I can’t tell you which parts of the story are true. But the Eye looked like this.’
    He showed the picture to Brendan. It was a strange, many faceted pattern which somehow terrified Brendan. And yet it reminded him of the designs that had been carved on the entrance to the cave of the Dark One. He placed his hand on it to hide it; but when he lifted his hand, the Eye stared back at him, imprinted on his palm. He shivered. Aidan was looking into the fire, his shoulders bent in sorrow. His voice was shaking when he spoke.
    ‘I have failed you too, Brendan, for you could have used the Eye to create something that would be treasured forever. I am just a useless old man …’
    ‘You are not,’ said Brendan. He tried to think of something else he could say to make Aidan feel better. But there was nothing to say.

    That night, as darkness lay over the monastery, Brendan slipped from his bed and pulled on his cloak. Pangur sat in front of him, meowing in a worried way.
    ‘I know it will be dangerous,’ Brendan said to her. ‘But it was Crom Cruach that Colmcille fought, and that is why Crom Cruach has only oneeye. So his other eye must be a crystal too. And it’s up to me to get it so that the Book can be finished …’
    He shivered. Even the thought of going back to that dreadful place in the woods where Crom Cruach had his den was enough to make the hairs on the back of his neck rise up in fear. But I have to get it, he thought; Aidan is too old and there is nobody else to do it.
    Even if I do manage to do it, he thought ruefully, and am not killed by the monster, Uncle will probably kill me anyway if he finds out I’ve left the monastery again. But somehow the thought of his uncle’s anger no longer seemed so frightening. He moved carefully to the door of his room. Picking Pangur up and cuddling her, he said, ‘Don’t worry, Pangur, I won’t be alone. But it is too dangerous to bring you along this time. You stay here and mind Aidan while I’m gone.’
    Brendan left the tower and began to creep down the steps into the mist, looking back to make sure that Pangur had stayed behind. And so, not looking where he was going, he walked straight into a tall figure. There, blocking his way andlooking angrier than he had ever seen him, was the Abbot. His uncle’s voice was very cold when he said, ‘And where do you think you are going?’
    Brendan gulped and said nothing.
    ‘This has gone on long enough, Brendan. It has to stop. You will have to learn obedience. That is one of the great lessons of this life. Not to question those who know better. You have been getting worse, more foolhardy and disobedient by the day. Especially since you started spending time with Brother Aidan, who no doubt has been putting all sorts of ideas into your head. You have been forbidden to leave the Abbey. Now you are forbidden to enter the Scriptorium. You are forbidden to speak to Aidan, and you are forbidden to paint or draw or illustrate. Your days will be spent doing chores or helping with the wall. Is that clear?’
    ‘Crystal,’ muttered Brendan, thinking of the Eye. But he couldn’t leave it at that. He had to try to make his uncle understand. He began, ‘But Uncle, just let me explain …’
    Cellach interrupted him. ‘There is no need for explanations. I understand perfectly well. Iunderstand that you are a wilful, disobedient little boy with a head full of dreams and nonsense! I understand that every day the Northmen come closer to us and that the work on the wall cannot be delayed by dreamers and artists! Now it is you who must