Chapter 18
The SuccessionThe Oracle of Sul was dead. One of the priestesses found her body slumped on the floor of her bedchamber when she went to take the old lady her usual cup of hot herbal tea at bedtime. It was clear she had been lying there for some hours. In her hand she held a small object. When her stiffened fingers were prized open it was found to be a small and ancient effigy of Sul carved long before the goddess had been associated with Minerva, passed down from Oracle to Oracle as symbol of office. Those closest to her knew that she intended to give it to Ethne as a mark of succession.
All associated with the Temple were summoned at once by Bridget, the High Priestess, the Mother. A messenger was sent into the town to fetch Ethne while the news was broken to the others. Brid
