Dancing With Demons

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Brother Rogallach had been taken to have his wound dressed by the old physician, Iceadh, and Abbot Colmán had been summoned. The abbot had confirmed their identification of the old woman.

‘Poor Mer,’ he sighed. ‘I told you, Mer the Demented One was well-known as a scavenger around the kitchens of the houses of Tara, yet I have never heard of her deliberately breaking into pantries to steal food. She was mad, but she was harmless. Whoever did this terrible thing?’

‘We do not know,’ replied Fidelma. ‘I have yet to question Brother Rogallach in depth. However, it would appear that he must have entered the pantry a moment after it happened. The murderer was still in the souterrain and when Rogallach was about to enter, he was knocked unconscious.’

Abbot Colmán looked sad. ‘And it was the murderer who knocked him unconscious? Did he see him? Can he identify him?’

‘Unfortunately, he did not. Whoever did it came up behind him.’

‘Well, at least there is no need for you to question him further.’

Fidelma frowned, her query obvious on her features.

‘Of one thing we may be sure,’ Abbot Colmán said gravely. ‘The old woman’s death is unconnected with the assassination of the High King. So one of the other Brehons can undertake the investigation into her death and leave you clear to continue to pursue the matter of Sechnussach’s assassination.’

‘Can we be sure that there is no connection?’ mused Eadulf. ‘After all, the woman first appeared warning us that our presence here investigating the murder was unwelcome. It seems a coincidence that she should now be killed as well.’

‘She was crazy,’ the abbot assured him. ‘Maybe she was stealing fromthe storehouse here and someone else, with the same intent, encountered her and panicked. There is obviously no other connection.’

‘I suppose so,’ Fidelma agreed. Eadulf thought she acquiesced perhaps a little too readily — but her expression discouraged him from saying anything. ‘Anyway, we still have to question Brother Rogallach on the matters related to Sechnussach’s assassination. That was why we had come to the kitchen in search of him.’

Abbot Colmán nodded. ‘I had forgotten. Well, let me know when you want to speak to him. Meantime, I will take care of …’ he waved his hand towards the pantry‘ … of this matter.’

They had been aware during this time that Torpach, the cook, was hovering nearby with an anxious expression, as if trying to judge the right time to interrupt their conversation. Abbot Colmán finally noticed him and turned with a frown.

‘What is it, Torpach? Do you wish to say something?’

The cook nodded unhappily. ‘Forgive me, Abbot … forgive me, lady …’

‘Well, speak, man!’ snapped Abbot Colmán, otherwise it would seem that Torpach would ask forgiveness of everyone.

‘I could not help overhearing that Mer was killed with a knife. I wonder if I could see it?’

‘See it?’ The abbot was astonished. ‘What for?’

Sister Fidelma smiled encouragement at the cook, who was obviously nervous about asking permission.

‘Why do you want to see it, Torpach?’

‘Well, lady, one of our kitchen knives is missing. To be truthful, it’s a favourite knife of mine for cutting meat. I reported it to Brother Rogallach but it has not been found.’

‘When did it go missing?’

‘Some time ago. I discovered it was missing the day after the death of the High King.’

‘At least we know which knife killed him. You saw it yourself,’ the abbot said grimly. ‘But you are welcome to look at the knife which killed Mer.’

He unwrapped it, for he had taken it as evidence.

‘You’ll see that it is a warrior’s knife,’ he went on. ‘I doubt if you would use it in your kitchen.’

Torpach glanced at it and then nodded sadly.

‘I am sorry to have bothered you,’ he said. ‘It was merely a thought as we have not found it. I was particularly fond of it.’

Fidelma looked sympathetic. ‘I understand. A favourite tool is a favourite tool in any art or craft. Did you also see the knife that killed Sechnussach?’

‘I did and it was not that one.’

‘Then I hope you find your own one again.’

Abbot Colmán re-wrapped the knife and, with a nod to Fidelma, went back to the yard outside where Mer’s body was being taken away.

After they left the kitchen, walking back towards the guesthouse, Fidelma was silent. Eadulf, conscious of her moods, said nothing. Then she halted abruptly and looked round, as if wondering where she was. One of the Fianna was passing by.

‘Where will I find the physician?’ she asked.

‘Iceadh, is it?’ asked the man.

‘It is. Where is his apothecary?’

‘You see the building with the blue-painted posts ahead of you?’ The man pointed. ‘Turn to your right and you will see a small building with a yellow sign, and there you will find the physician.’

Fidelma thanked him and began to hurry forward with Eadulf falling in step with her.

‘Have you thought of something?’ he asked.

‘Not really. I want to question Brother Rogallach now.’

‘I thought Abbot Colmán wanted to be informed?’

‘It wastes too much time to go back and inform him. But I think that I need to put my questions while things are clear in my mind.’

The apothecary of Iceadh was easy to find.

The old physician himself opened to Fidelma’s knock and let them into a room packed with shelves of jars and bottles and with drying herbs hanging from all the beams. Although it was daylight outside, it was as if they were entering a darkened cave. Several lamps were burning and their heated tallow smell, combined with the powerful odours of a myriad of plants, caused them to catch their breath. It reminded Fidelma of old Brother Conchobhar’s apothecary at Cashel. In answer to her question, the old physician replied in his curious staccato manner.

‘Brother Rogallach is resting a moment. Given him a restorative. Superficial wound. Cut will heal in a day or two. Cleaned it. Bandaged it.’ He indicated a door into another chamber in the wooden building.

It was a small, simply furnished room with two wooden beds, a table and chairs. It was clearly where Iceadh treated his seriously ill patients. Brother Rogallach was sitting on the edge of one of the beds, holding his bandaged head in one hand while the other held an empty glass from which he had apparently been taking Iceadh’s medication.

The physician went to him, took the glass and nodded in satisfaction.

‘Good, good. You may return to your own chambers, Brother. Lie down a while. No work. Not until tomorrow. Might have a headache. No matter. Bad blow. You’ll be all right.’

Fidelma glanced at the pale face of Rogallach.

‘Can we speak with him a moment?’ she asked.

The physician shrugged. ‘If he wishes. I have things to clear up.’ He went out and Fidelma pushed the door shut behind him before turning back to the patient.

‘How are you feeling now, Brother Rogallach?’

‘Better, lady. Has the person who attacked me been caught?’

‘I am afraid not.’

‘But Mer is dead?’

‘Yes, I am afraid so. Did you know her?’ Fidelma asked.

‘Of course. Most people around Tara knew her.’

‘Do you know why she would be in the food cellar?’

Brother Rogallach gave a guffaw, then winced and put a hand to his head.

‘Mer would steal when she could not beg, and beg when she could not scavenge.’

‘So you think she had broken in to steal food?’

‘What other reason would there be?’

‘That is what I am trying to discover. We also have to place someone else in the seallad — the person who killed her.’

Brother Rogallach looked indignant. ‘I hope you don’t mean-’

‘What I mean is that I want to know who would be there and who would want to kill her?’

‘If anyone who worked in the ircha saw her, they would chase her out, certainly, but not without throwing her some bread or a piece of cheese, and she would go away cursing but content. They would not kill her nor attempt to kill me. It must have been some stranger.’

‘A stranger who infiltrated the royal enclosure in daylight?’ mused Fidelma.

‘If Dubh Duin could infiltrate the High King’s house at night, then anything is possible,’ replied Rogallach defensively.

‘Your point is a good one,’ agreed Fidelma. Then she added thoughtfully: ‘We either have Mer encountering a stranger in the uaimh or someone whom she knew and who did not want her to reveal that they were there. Since we are here, tell us about Bishop Luachan’s visit.’

Brother Rogallach looked startled. ‘I swore an oath to Sechnussach not to speak of it.’

‘Sechnussach is dead,’ Fidelma reminded him. ‘Maintaining your oath might be aiding his killer.’

Brother Rogallach examined her for a moment. Doubt and indecision were plain in his features. Then he shrugged.

‘Since you know that Bishop Luachan was here, then you must know all I know.’

‘Let us hear what happened, in your own words.’

‘It was the evening before the assassination. Sechnussach called me to him and told me that Irél, the captain of the Fianna, would arrive at the main gate around midnight. He would be escorting Bishop Luachan of Delbna Mór. I was to meet them at the gate and escort them to Tech Cormaic. Then I was to tell Irél to care for the horses, refresh himself and be ready to depart before dawn. I was to bring Luachan to Sechnussach in his bedchamber. I did so, and was told to wait outside and let no one in.’

‘Did the High King himself instruct you?’

Brother Rogallach nodded. ‘And not only that, but I was surprised when he closed his chamber door and locked it.’

‘So that was unusual?’

‘It was. Bishop Luachan was not a confidant of the High King. He never usually came to Tara. I would have known.’

‘You had no idea what business brought Luachan here?’

‘None at all.’

‘Was Luachan carrying anything?’

Brother Rogallach looked surprised. ‘You know that?’

‘Tell me.’

‘He was carrying a heavy saddlebag.’

‘Did you see the contents?’

Brother Rogallách shook his head, then winced and added: ‘Whatever it contained, he did not carry it away with him. The saddlebag was light on his arm when he left.’

‘So whatever the object or gift was, it was left in the possession of Sechnussach. Therefore, it should be in his chamber. But his chamber is empty. Who cleared it?’

‘I did,’ Rogallach said. ‘I cleared it with Brónach, but I can tell you there was nothing there that could account for the gift.’

‘It could not have been hidden somewhere?’

‘After Sechnussach had dismissed me, when Bishop Luachan had departed, it was approaching dawn. I had seen Irél and Bishop Luachan to the gate and then returned to my own chamber. I was just entering it when I heard the door of the High King’s apartments swing open. My room is at the far end of the corridor and I have a view of his door from there. I saw Sechnussach emerge and was about to call out to enquire if he needed me. But I noticed that he was carrying something heavy in his hands; I could not see what it was because it was wrapped in cloth. Something made me press back into my room for the manner in which he emerged was surreptitious. When I looked out, he had crossed the landing and disappeared down the stairs.’

‘Carrying the object?’

Brother Rogallach nodded.

‘You did not follow to see if you were needed?’

‘I concluded that he would have come to find me if he needed me. I believe that whatever it was Bishop Luachan had given him, he went to place it elsewhere than in his chamber.’

‘Did he have a special place for storing things? Treasures and the like?’ enquired Eadulf.

Brother Rogallach shook his head. ‘Not specifically. However, I did hear the door that led out to the kitchen open and concluded that he had gone outside.’

Eadulf leaned forward excitedly. ‘You suspect that he may have gone to the pantry … perhaps to the uaimh?’

‘It is not beyond the realm of possibility,’ agreed Brother Rogallach.

‘But it is speculation,’ Fidelma pointed out, turning her remark to Eadulf.

‘You’ve absolutely no idea what it was that Bishop Luachan brought to the High King that night?’ pressed Eadulf, ignoring her.

Brother Rogallach sighed. ‘Only that it was a circular object. The only other person who would have such knowledge is Bishop Luachan himself.’

Eadulf was disappointed.

‘Well,’ Fidelma said, ‘you need not worry further about it, Brother Rogallach. At least you are looking better.

‘Thanks to Iceadh’s noxious potion, my head is not aching as much,’ admitted Rogallach. He raised a hand to massage his brow a little and gave a rueful smile. Then he frowned. ‘What made you come to the pantry, lady? It was certainly a lucky thing for me that you and Brother Eadulf did so.’

‘We were actually looking for you,’ Fidelma told him.

‘Why me?’ asked the bollscari.

‘We have been questioning everyone who was there on the night that Sechnussach was slain,’ explained Eadulf.

Brother Rogallach nodded in understanding. ‘Of course. I was not thinking. I knew that you had arrived and were questioning witnesses. There is not much I can add to what you must know already. Like the others that night, I was roused by a noise … ’

‘A scream?’ suggested Eadulf.

‘Perhaps. It is hard to say. You know what it is like when a noise arouses you from your sleep. You don’t really know what it was and you spend a few moments trying to identify it. When I had all my senses, I heard others waking and there was movement in the corridor. I left my bed and went to see what the commotion was.’

‘And was everyone in Sechnussach’s chamber by the time you arrived?’

Brother Rogallach looked thoughtful. ‘We crowded around the door together. Irél has his chamber on the lower floor and he arrived and pushed through us. I can’t remember the order in which everyone arrived. Oh, I just remembered. As I passed by the rooms of the other servants — the senior servants are on the same floor with me — I saw Torpach’s door opening and he was just coming out. He asked me what was happening. I replied that I did not know and then I realised that people were at the door of the High King’s chambers. I noticed that Brónach’s door was still closed. I paused to tap on it to alert her in case she had not been roused. I called to her and receiving no answer, opened the door. She was not in her chamber and so I moved on, thinking she was already awake and in attendance.’

‘And was she?’ asked Fidelma.

‘I am not sure. I had the feeling that she was not there when I arrived and that she only turned up later.’

‘And you took charge?’

‘As I pushed my way into the chamber, I think Irél was just behind me. In matters of this sort he has precedence, being the commander of the High King’s bodyguard. So I stood to one side while he took charge to ensure that the assassin was dead and that a search of the apartment was made to make certain there were no accomplices.’

At Fidelma’s request, Brother Rogallach sketched what had happened but it was substantially the same story as they had been told before.

Outside the apothecary of Iceadh, Fidelma glanced reprovingly at Eadulf.

‘One of the secrets of being a good investigator is never to reveal what you know or suspect, and to avoid showing your reactions to what others might tell you. Nor is it wise to suggest ideas to witnesses.’

Eadulf was apologetic. ‘I was thinking about Sechnussach hiding the object and it is just that sometimes, after so long a time trying to demolish a stone wall, when it starts to crumble a little, you cannot help giving a shout of joy.’

Fidelma was still disapproving. ‘I cannot agree with your specific analogy, Eadulf. But I do see your point.’

‘I think that this object, this circular thing, is linked with the assassination. Sechnussach obviously hid it in the uaimh below the pantry. Whoever killed Mer was looking for it. I think that when Torpach said he saw Sechnussach in the kitchen at an early hour, it was because the King had sneaked down there to hide it.’

‘It would seem a logical speculation, but it is a speculation nevertheless.’

‘It is a speculation that needs to be followed by a search for information.’

Fidelma acquiesced. ‘I mean to go directly to the uaimh and see if I can find any trace of this circular object. While I do so, I want you to find Caol and Gormán and discover how the search for Cuan is progressing. We should have heard something by now.’

‘But … ’

She sighed impatiently. ‘It is no good both of us going on the same errand.’

Eadulf knew when to compromise. He was leaving the Tech Cormaic when he almost collided with someone. It was the young girl, Báine.

‘You seem to be in a hurry, Brother Eadulf,’ she observed in admonition as she recovered her balance.

‘I am sorry.’ Seeing that the girl was unhurt, he asked: ‘Since I have bumped into you, so to speak, could I ask a question?’

Báine waited with an expectant expression.

‘What is your opinion of Brónach? I was wondering if she is well-liked.’

Báine laughed. ‘Brónach? I think you have been talking to Cnucha. It’s not that she is dislikeable — she has high standards, that is all, and her temper can be sharp. Don’t get me wrong. It is hard to find oneself ordered about all day. Cnucha does not like her, that’s for sure.’

‘And you?’

‘You do not enter service in a great house and expect to be treated as the wife of a lord. Anyway, I shall soon be leaving here … ’

Eadulf was surprised and said so. ‘I thought you had been here some years?’

‘That I have. But it is time for me to leave. This period in my life seems to have ended with the death of the High King. I do not think I could serve another.’

‘Where will you go?’

‘Home.’

‘Which is where?’

‘You would not know it.’

‘Try me.’

‘A little place under the shelter of a mountain to the north-west. The mountain is called Sliabh na Caillaigh.’

‘The Hag’s Mountain?’ asked Eadulf.

The girl smiled and nodded.

‘It sounds a forbidding place.’

‘A place of wisdom much favoured by the ancients,’ replied Báine solemnly. ‘There are sacred buildings set up by the ancients that still stand on the top of the hill. It is a beautiful place. A holy place.’

‘So when will you leave?’

‘None of us can leave until after the investigation that you are conducting. The Great Assembly has to meet and hear the conclusion of that investigation before anyone can depart.’

‘Won’t you have any regrets at leaving Tara? In leaving your friends — say Cnucha, for example? She seems a pleasant girl to have as a friend.’

Again the girl smiled. ‘Cnucha? Everyone thinks she is such a timid luchóc.’

‘A what?’ Eadulf had not heard the expression before.

‘A little mouse. She is a strange one. Be advised, her meekness is superficial. I once made a joke at her expense and she threw a jug of water at me. I swear, she could have killed me. No, she is not my choice of friend.’

‘Oh. But you must have made some friends here?’

Báine shook her head.

‘Not with Brónach?’ teased Eadulf, making it into a joke but hoping to guide the girl back to information about the voluptuous senior maid.

‘Certainly not. She prefers friends of the male variety anyway.’

‘Indeed?’ Eadulf arched an eyebrow. ‘Oh yes, I heard that she had ended some kind of an affair recently.’

Báine stared at him for a moment. ‘I do not know where you got that from,’ she began, and then said suddenly. ‘Ah, from Cnucha?’

‘Is it not true, then?’

‘Perhaps. You can see for yourself, Brónach is very attractive still and you can tell by the speculative gaze in her eyes when she meets men that she is not averse to amours. You must have noticed it yourself, Brother Eadulf. You are a handsome, red-blooded male.’

Eadulf actually found himself blushing but the young girl’s remarks were not displeasing to his ego.

‘Any idea who she was having an affair with?’ he asked.

Báine shrugged. ‘If it is gossip that you want, Cnucha did tell me that she thought it was someone with access to the royal enclosure.’

‘Why did she say that?’

‘I suppose because Brónach never leaves here, to our knowledge. Anyway, you don’t need me gossiping about Brónach, surely?’

‘You were saying that you are going to leave here. Won’t you regret anything? Don’t you get on well with Muirgel, for example?’

He asked the question slyly and, for a moment, Eadulf thought he detected a spark of fire in the girl’s eyes and then it vanished quickly.

‘What gave you that impression?’

‘I thought you were often asked to attend her?’

‘That is my task here. I am a servant. Muirgel is not the best of people to serve. You might have noticed that if you were ever in her company.’

Eadulf chuckled. ‘It is the one thing I have noticed, Báine. So you will not mind leaving her service?’

For a moment, a longing look came over the features of the girl.

‘There are many things I regret, Brother Eadulf. But that will not beone of them. I long for the open countryside where one is not stuck behind forbidden walls with warriors patrolling up and down. I long for the hilltops where one can touch the stars and be in tune with nature. There will be no regrets when I pass through the gates of Tara and go on my way to the north-west to rejoin my people and comrades.’

‘Feeling like that, I wonder you ever came to Tara to take service at all?’ mused Eadulf.

The girl opened her mouth, closed it again and then smiled.

‘We often do things we think are for good reasons at the time we do them. Do not the ancients say that it is at the end of the year that a fisherman can tell his profits?’

‘Tempus omnia revelat,’ intoned Eadulf unctuously, supplying a Latin equivalent.

‘Just so,’ Báine agreed with bowed head. Then she straightened and smiled. ‘And time will reveal that I am dilatory in my work unless I return to the guesthouse to prepare the meals for you and the lady Fidelma.’

She turned and walked away, leaving Eadulf gazing thoughtfully after her.

‘Brother Eadulf!’

He turned at the call and saw Gormán striding towards him.

‘Gormán! I was just about to look for you or Caol. Is there any news of Cuan yet?’

The young warrior shook his head immediately. ‘No word as yet. Personally, I think he has gone from the royal enclosure. There is nowhere left that he can hide, if hide he wants to. Where is the lady Fidelma?’

‘Gone to search the souterrain beneath the pantry.’

‘Alone?’ Gormán asked disapprovingly. ‘Is it wise, in view of what has just happened? We heard about it from Abbot Colmán.’

Eadulf did not take offence at the implied censure.

‘Can you tell a fish to walk on land?’ he replied moodily. ‘She sent me to look for you or Caol and discover the news about Cuan.’

‘Perhaps we should go and find her, now you have accomplished your mission, Brother.’

Together they turned their footsteps to the Tech Cormaic and walked around it to the kitchen area at the back.

Fidelma was just emerging from the pantry building and seeing Eadulf and Gormán, asked immediately: ‘Any sign of Cuan?’

‘None, lady,’ replied Gormán.

‘And your search?’ asked Eadulf.

‘Nothing,’ she admitted. ‘If the object that Sechnussach had was ever there, then whoever attacked Rogallach and killed Mer took it.’

At that moment, Irél came striding through the kitchen, obviously in search of them. He raised his hand in greeting.

‘Bad news. I am afraid our search for Cuan has proved useless. But just now I spoke to one of our sentinels at the main gates and he reported seeing Cuan leave Tara.’

‘When was that?’ demanded Fidelma.

‘Not long after Rogallach was discovered. He was seen riding westward. He will be way beyond the west bank of the Bóinn by now.’

Eadulf looked annoyed. ‘So he has fled. He probably recovered the object. Where is he taking it — and what is it? And does it indeed point to the reason why Sechnussach was assassinated?’

Irél was looking bewildered. ‘I am not following any of this.’

‘No need for you to be concerned,’ replied Fidelma quickly, with a warning glance at Eadulf. ‘My companions and I will be leaving Tara for a few days.’ She glanced at the sky. Darkness came early in winter and it was too late to set off now. ‘We will have to start at first light tomorrow. Gormán, go and find Caol and tell him of my intention.’

‘Do you intend to chase Cuan?’ Irél asked. ‘If so, I could send a cóicat, a company of fifty warriors after him, and bring him back without you having to stir from here.’

‘Cuan is one thing that draws me away. There are other things that I must do,’ she assured him.

‘But if you are going after him, you do not know the country beyond the great river.’

‘Are there no roads? No stars in the sky to tell directions?’ She dismissed his protests. ‘Do not concern yourself for us, Irél.’ Sending him away, she turned back into the Tech Cormaic.

Brónach was in the hall as they entered.

‘Is Brehon Barrán still here?’ Fidelma asked her.

‘No, lady. I think he left just after you spoke to him,’ the housekeeper said. ‘He was going to his homestead outside of Tara.’

‘And Abbot Colmán?’

‘He is in the library room with the tánaiste, Cenn Faelad, lady.’

‘Then we will announce ourselves,’ Fidelma said firmly, moving off to the room with Eadulf following.

Cenn Faelad was peering over some papers with Abbot Colmán as Fidelma and Eadulf entered after a cursory knock.

‘Ah, we were just examining the protocols for the hearing before the Great Assembly,’ Cenn Faelad said, glancing up. Then, seeing her expression, he asked: ‘Have you some news for me?’

Fidelma’s voice was flat: ‘Not the news that you are wanting, I am afraid.’

Abbot Colmán had also straightened up from the papers that he had been showing to the tánaiste.

‘We cannot delay the report to the Great Assembly indefinitely, Fidelma. They will want something soon.’

‘Then they will get it.’

‘But we should already be sending couriers to announce a date when the Great Assembly can convene to hear your findings.’

To Eadulf’s surprise Fidelma did not argue but said: ‘Tell the couriers to announce that the Great Assembly should be able to meet in about a week’s time. That will give them time to alert all in the five kingdoms who will send delegations to hear the result.’

Even Cenn Faelad looked astonished. ‘You will be able to give a full report in a week’s time?’ he asked.

‘I would not have suggested it if I did not think I could do so,’ replied Fidelma waspishly. ‘But I have come to say that, for the time being, we must conduct our enquiries elsewhere for a while.’

‘Elsewhere?’

‘We plan to travel west to Delbna Mór and then on to the Cinél Cairpre to see what we can learn about the character of Dubh Duin.’

Cenn Faelad frowned. ‘The journey to see Ardgal of the Cinél Cairpre … that I can understand. But why Delbna Mór? There is nothing there but a few farmsteads and a religious community run by Bishop Luachan.’

‘It is Bishop Luachan I wish to see.’

Cenn Faelad shook his head to express his bewilderment. ‘How long do you intend to be away from Tara?’

‘No more than a few days.’

‘And you can tell me nothing as to how things are progressing?’

‘I can only say that they are progressing in spite of the inability of some to volunteer information. Getting at the facts has been like drawing teeth, and that applies to some I would not have expected to be reticent.’

‘Are you referring to Brehon Barrán?’ smiled the young King confidently.

Fidelma raised an eyebrow in surprise. ‘What makes you say that?’

‘Barrán is a good man, a fine man and wise counsel. That is why I am nominating him as my tánaiste. But like all professional men he is jealous of his abilities and reputation. That was why he may be reticent in responding to your questions. He told me that he had neglected to keep you fully informed.’

‘He told you?’

‘Of course. He is an honest man. He warned me that you might be criticising him because of his choice to pursue a diplomatic frugality of information.’

‘Is that how he sees it?’

‘You heard him say that it was the Great Assembly that decided we should send for a Brehon or dálaigh who was unconnected with our Uí Néill family? As Chief Brehon, he felt the investigation of the High King’s death should have been his. In honesty, I think he resented your coming to take charge of it.’

‘That is a natural enough response, I suppose,’ replied Fidelma, unperturbed.

‘Indeed,’ Abbot Colmán joined in. ‘But I understand that you have both reached an understanding now.’

‘I hope we have.’

‘Irél has told me of the flight of Cuan, a member of the Fianna,’ said Cenn Faelad. ‘I advised him to report that matter to you. I hope it is not because of him that you leave? Irél could easily send warriors to overtake him and bring him back, no matter where he is hiding.’

‘There are other things that must claim my attention.’

‘So you are not concerned with Cuan?’

‘I am very much concerned with Cuan. He was part of the conspiracy and he deliberately acted as a decoy, getting Lugna to desert his post that night. Furthermore, he took your key to a smith and had it copied.’

‘So it was Cuan?’ Cenn Faelad started in surprise. ‘That is a serious charge.’

‘Which is obviously why he fled,’ confirmed Fidelma.

‘Yet you stop Irél from the pursuit. Why?’

‘As I have said, I have other matters to attend to. Cuan is heading west.If my suspicions are correct, I think that we may well encounter him before too long.’

Cenn Faelad gave her a hard look. ‘Do you know something that you are not telling me?’

She shook her head. ‘If I knew anything of pertinence, I would tell you. But it is no use to theorise at this stage.’

‘Who are you taking on your trip?’

‘Eadulf, of course, and Caol and Gormán, the warriors who accompanied me from Cashel.’

‘Only two warriors? Come, I can give you a cóicat, a company of fifty warriors, or a céit, a hundred warriors, to escort you.’

Fidelma, smiling, declined. ‘It will not be necessary.’

‘Then take Irél, at least, for he has the authority of the Fianna behind him.’

She shook her head decisively. ‘As we started out, so we’ll go on, Cenn Faelad. It is better. But an authority from you might be welcome. Will you provide me with a wand of office on your behalf, in order that I can act accordingly when we get to the territory of the Cinél Cairpre?’

‘Willingly.’ Cenn Faelad gestured to Abbot Colmán. The latter moved to a locked cupboard that he opened with a key, and withdrew a wooden box. The box was locked also and another key opened it. From it he took a small wand of white rowan wood on which was fixed, at one end, a small upraised golden hand — the symbol of the Ui Néill. He handed it to Cenn Faelad solemnly.

The tánaiste held it out to her.

‘By this wand you derive authority from the High Kings of Tara and speak with my voice,’ he intoned the ancient formula.

Fidelma took the symbol and bowed her head slightly, remembering that the last time she had received such an emblem was from her brother when she had gone to Gleann Geis — the valley of the shadow.⁴ It seemed so long ago.

‘I will not dishonour it,’ she said quietly.

‘And may it not dishonour you,’ Cenn Faelad replied. Then, more brightly: ‘When do you set out?’

‘At first light in the morning. We might be able to reach Delbna Mór by evening tomorrow.’

‘Have you good horses? If there is anything I can provide, you need only ask.’

‘We have everything we want.’

‘Then, success to the journey and may we see you back safely as soon as possible.’

‘Tonight we shall have a special feasting,’ Abbot Colmán added, ‘to wish you well on the journey.’