Dancing With Demons

CHAPTER FIVE

There was no mistaking Cenn Faelad as anyone other than the brother of Sechnussach, the late High King. He was only a year or so younger but they might have been twins. He was of the same height — tall, above six feet — with hair as dark as a raven’s wing and eyes as grey as the restless seas of winter. He was handsome and his features would cause many a maiden to simper and swoon at his smile. But beyond that superficial exterior, so Fidelma had heard, he spoke several languages, excelled in many arts, and knew the law.

When Abbot Colmán showed Fidelma and Eadulf into chambers that Cenn Faelad was using, later that evening, the High King elect actually rose from his chair and came forward to greet them both with outstretched hands. His face, albeit composed, showed the marks of grief. There was one other person in the chamber and that was the Chief Brehon of the five kingdoms, Barrán. Fidelma and Eadulf knew him of old. He also greeted them without ceremony. He was a tall man, still handsome in spite of his age and greying hair, exuding an air of quiet authority. There were no servants in Abbot Colmán’s house; indeed, they had all been dismissed to their quarters for the evening, and Cenn Faelad offered the visitors drinks from his own hands as he gestured to chairs already set out for them to be seated.

‘I thought that we should gather in private at first,’ the young heir to the kingship explained. ‘Abbot Colmán has provided us with a meal in the next room but first let us speak of why you are here. We can conduct ourselves without ceremony and without protocol.’

Fidelma inclined her head in approval of the idea while Eadulf remained silent, his expression grave.

When Cenn Faelad had seated himself and they had all taken the first dutiful sip of their drinks, the tánaiste glanced at his Chief Brehon.

‘Perhaps you should explain, Barrán.’

The elderly man cleared his throat before addressing them in his crisp, legal voice: ‘The situation is simple and I believe it was outlined by the messenger whom we sent to Cashel. The High King Sechnussach, being alone in his chamber, was murdered in his bed by the chief of the Cinél Cairpre, a distant relative and descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and therefore a member of the Uí Néill, Sechnussach’s own family. You follow?’

The last question was directed more to Eadulf than to Fidelma. Eadulf indicated that he did.

‘I am also of this same family,’ Barrán admitted. ‘This being so, and because of the implications which might arise, the Airlechas, the Great Assembly, decided that it would be inappropriate for me to investigate this matter, nor would it be appropriate for any of the Ui Néill to be involved. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done … ’

‘Fiat justitia, mat caelum,’ muttered Eadulf. Let justice be done even though the heavens fall.

Cenn Faelad smiled thinly. ‘Even so,’ he agreed. ‘Abbot Colmán reminded the Great Assembly of the services that Fidelma has rendered to Tara in the past. He suggested that they send for her, an Eóghanacht, someone who is not involved in the internal politics of the Uí Néill. So, Fidelma of Cashel, it falls to you to resolve the mystery of why Dubh Duin killed my poor brother and whether anyone else was involved. Only when all is known can we mourn his passing and prepare for my succession.’

Fidelma looked thoughtfully at him. ’I am to have a free hand?’

‘Of course.’

‘And there is no restriction on Eadulf assisting me?’

‘We regard Eadulf as one of our own,’ Brehon Barrán told her. ‘Your names are inseparably linked. Cenn Faelad and I will withdraw from any connection to this matter except as witnesses. Abbot Colmán will act as your adviser on matters connected with Tara.’

‘Very well,’ agreed Fidelma. ‘I presume that any witnesses have been detained in Tara?’ When Brehon Barrán nodded, she added: ‘We will want to examine the chamber where the murder took place.’

‘Whenever you are ready.’ Abbot Colman spoke for the first time since they had entered Cenn Faelad’s presence.

‘I would like to ask some questions of all of you first.’

The Chief Brehon frowned slightly. ‘Questions already? I thought this was just an informal discussion?’

‘I have no objection,’ Cenn Faelad said immediately. ‘The sooner a start is made, the sooner the matter is concluded. What question do you wish to ask, Fidelma?’

‘On the night of Sechnussach’s death, where were each of you?’ There was a brief silence.

Cenn Faelad decided to answer first.

‘I was not in Tara but staying near the Hill of Uisnech.’

Eadulf tried not to show his surprise. Uisnech, the sacred hill, again.

In this weather, Fidelma knew it to be two days’ easy riding from Tara, but a good horseman such as Cenn Faelad could make it in a single day on a fast horse. She glanced at him, feeling guilty for having such suspicious thoughts without good reason.

‘So when did you first hear of your brother’s death?’

‘It was when a messenger from Abbot Colmán arrived at Uisnech.’

Fidelma turned to the abbot. ‘So you were here at Tara that night?’

The abbot gave an affirmative gesture. ‘I was here in my chambers. A servant roused me, saying something had happened.’

‘What time was that?’

‘Before first light. It was light by the time I had dressed, hurried across to the royal enclosure and entered the High King’s chamber. Irél, the captain of the guard, had already taken charge. He it was who sent for me as steward.’

‘I assume, therefore, that you were not at Tara, Barrán?’ Fidelma said. ‘Otherwise, that duty would have fallen to you?’

The Chief Brehon smiled faintly. ‘You are correct in your assumption. I was on my way to Emain Macha.’

‘May I ask what business took you to the capital of the King of Ulaidh?’

‘It has no relevance to this matter but it is no secret. I was to advise on a case involving a territorial dispute between the Dál Riada and Emain Macha. However, I did not reach Emain Macha as a messenger overtook me on the road and told me to hasten back to Tara. It was then that I heard that Sechnussach had been slain.’

Fidelma turned back to Abbot Colmán. ‘So in the absence of the heir apparent and the Chief Brehon, you took responsibility at Tara, Abbot Colmán?’

‘I did. As you know, I stand not only as spiritual adviser to the Great Assembly but also hold office as High King’s rechtaire, his steward.’

‘And, in taking charge, what did you do?’

‘The High King’s physician was sent for but that was merely a matter of procedure because we could see that he was dead. After all, his neck had been cut open so that the blood must have spurted like a great fountain.’ He looked apologetically at Cenn Faelad, whose face was strained. ‘I ordered a search of the adjoining rooms to ensure that the assassin acted alone, and then confirmed the identity of the assassin who had killed himself as soon as he had killed the King.’

‘You confirmed his identity?’ pressed Fidelma. ‘So you knew him?’

‘I had been told who it was by Irél. Irél had already recognised him. Dubh Duin was a member of the Great Assembly, and known in Tara. I had also seen him at the Assembly several times.’

‘And then?’

‘I ordered Irél to despatch messengers to alert Cenn Faelad and Brehon Barrán … ’

‘No one has mentioned the High King’s wife and his daughters,’ Eadulf pointed out. ‘Were they not present?’

The abbot seemed suddenly defensive. ‘They were not and I felt that it was more important to contact the heir apparent and Chief Brehon first.’

‘Very well. What then?’

‘Then I called a scribe to come and make such notes as I thought necessary to be placed in the tech screpta, the library. I asked the guards to give their statements … ’

‘Indeed. I will examine them later. It is more important to question a witness in person. The matter of the guards interests me. Was the High King’s chamber not guarded that night?’ asked Fidelma.

‘The assassin eluded the two guards, Lugna and Cuan. They had been in the kitchen investigating a suspicious noise. Alerted by screams issuing from the King’s chamber, they ran up the stairs and burst in just as the assassin turned his knife on himself.’

‘Alerted by screams?’ frowned Fidelma. ‘What — from the High King?’

Abbot Colmán looked puzzled at the question. ‘Who else would scream in these circumstances?’

‘And were the guards able to explain how the assassin had managed to enter the royal enclosure, even gaining entrance to the High King’s house and bedchamber while it was still dark? Was the building not locked from the inside?’

Abbot Colmán looked uncomfortable. ‘In the centre of Tara, in the royalenclosure, it has always been thought unnecessary to bolt the doors, for two guards are always standing without.’

‘And the door to the High King’s bedchamber, was that not locked?’

This time, Abbot Colmán reached into his leather purse and drew forth a bronze key. He held it out to her.

‘We think it was, but the assassin carried a key.’

She took it and held it up. It was a well-crafted key and had a pattern on it.

‘Where was this found?’

‘In the assassin’s sparrán.’

‘Before you go further, Fidelma,’ Cenn Faelad said softly, looking embarrassed, ‘I know the key to be mine. It bears the same marks that are on my key.’

Fidelma looked curiously at him. ‘You keep a key to the High King’s bedchamber? When did you find your key was missing?’

‘As heir apparent, I have a duplicate set of keys to all the royal apartments. But as for your second question,’ he held out his hands helplessly. ‘I didn’t. I mean, it isn’t.’

‘I do not understand,’ she replied impatiently.

Cenn Faelad drew forth another key and handed it to her. She took it and examined it. Then she held out both keys side by side and looked at them carefully. Now she understood.

‘They have been cast from the same mould but also filed with exactly the same markings. That is unusual, but the explanation is simple. The intruder’s key must have been copied from your key.’

Cenn Faelad nodded quickly. ‘I agree. A locksmith has made both keys to bear the same personal markings. The keys of important buildings are given different markings so that their holders can be identified. In this case, the locksmith has ensured that both keys bear marks that identify them as mine.’

‘How long have you had your key, Cenn Faelad?’

‘Since I was elected tánaiste — that is, five years ago, and it has been in my possession ever since. But, look, that mark at the end of the key … ’

‘Like a deep score in the bronze?’

‘That was made only three weeks ago. Yet the other key also has it.’

Fidelma compressed her lips thoughtfully. ‘How was it done?’ she asked. ‘The mark, I mean.’

‘I had been carrying out an inspection of all the locks with the bollscari, the head of the household staff, as he felt that some of them neededreplacing. We tested the keys of the royal house. At the end of the inspection I was late for a sword practice with Irél, the commander of the guard, and I took the keys with me. I had laid them aside with my purse and belt. My sword was a new one and I was not sure of the balance. I made a swing to test it and the sword came down on this key. The blade nicked the bronze which, of course, was then dented.’

‘And that was just three weeks ago? Did you leave the key with anyone during this time? Was it out of your possession at all?’

The young man shook his head. ‘That is the frustrating part. I did not miss it at any time. To be honest, I never even check the keys unless there is a reason. They are kept in a box in my chamber in the royal house. The chamber is locked when I am not there.’

‘Is the box also locked?’

‘It was not felt there was a need.’

‘Could any other person gain access to your chamber?’

‘The bollscari, Brother Rogallach, is the person who keeps the only other key.’

‘And you are there most of the time?’

‘No. I have my own residence outside of Tara and am more often there.’

Fidelma sighed softly. ‘We must return to this matter later. But it seems that our assassin was able to enter the High King’s bedchamber because he had a key, one copied from your own within the last few weeks. Further, our assassin was able to get through the main gate of what should be the most fortified palace in all Éireann without challenge and walk directly into the High King’s house without being seen.’

Brehon Barrán coloured a little at the note in her voice. He said, ‘It seems that a guard on the main gate let him pass, through, without proper challenge. That guard has been held, pending your interrogation. He may have been in collusion with the assassin.’

‘His name?’ This was from Eadulf.

‘Erc the Speckled.’

‘You have said that the High King was alone in his bedchamber when he was murdered. This is a certainty?’ Eadulf asked next.

‘It is,’ Brehon Barrán replied with a frown. ‘Why, are you implying that-’

‘What Eadulf meant,’ Fidelma explained hurriedly, ‘was that we have not been told where Sechnussach’s wife, the lady Gormflaith, was that night. I think Abbot Colmán implied that she was not at the royal residence.’

‘That is correct. The lady Gormflaith and her daughters had gone to Cluain Ioraird to spend the night in prayer for the repose of the soul of her mother,’ Cenn Faelad told Fidelma.

‘The abbey of Cluain Ioraird is on the road to Uisnech … ’ said Brehon Barrán.

‘I accompanied Gormflaith to the abbey before riding on to Uisnech,’ the young man said hastily.

‘And presumably, once you heard the news of your brother’s death, you returned to the abbey as it was on your way back here?’

‘Of course,’ replied Cenn Faelad, and he sighed. ‘It was a logical thing to do. It was my sad task to inform the lady Gormflaith of her husband’s death. It was decided that it would be best if she remained in the abbey until more was known about the assassin and his motives. But when it became clear that there was no immediate danger to her and her daughters, then they returned here.’

‘So, at the moment,’ Fidelma summed up, ‘if there was no one else in the King’s chamber, we may presume that the alarm was given by Sechnussach’s death scream? Yet it seems unlikely. If a person’s throat is cut open, there is little chance of emitting any sound, let alone a scream.’

Abbot Colmán was puzzled. ‘Are you saying that someone else must have screamed?’

‘What is known of Dubh Duin?’ Fidelma went on, ignoring the question. ‘What is known of his personality, of his family? I am aware that he was the chief of the Cinél Cairpre, but what else can you tell me about him?’

‘Little else, except he was a member of the Great Assembly.’

‘That was his right as chieftain of the Cinél Cairpre,’ added Brehon Barrán.

‘Is that the clan who dwell around the Plain of Nuada?’ queried Eadulf.

Cenn Faelad smiled and shook his head. ‘No. That is the Cairpre of Magh Nuada. The Cinél Cairpre Gabra dwell around the shores of Loch Gomhna, the lake of the calf. They are mainly hunters and farmers even though Dubh Duin was a direct descendant of my ancestor Niall of the Nine Hostages. He was proud of his lineage and boasted that he had some claims on the High Kingship. His ancestor Tuathal Maelgarb was the last successful claimant to the throne of Tara, but that was three or four generations ago. The only other thing I know is that Dubh Duin was not married.’

‘Who is now chief of the Cinél Cairpre Gabra in his stead?’ Fidelma asked.

‘Ardgal,’ supplied Brehon Barrán. ‘A cousin of Dubh Duin.’

‘Has any contact or embassy been sent to Ardgal and the Cinél Cairpre?’

Cenn Faelad answered. ‘Given the circumstances, it could not be otherwise. The slaughter of a High King by the chief of a clan is no insignificant event. When Aonghus of the Terrible Spear blinded the High King Cormac mac Art, he and his clan, the Déisi, were driven into exile. Half were given sanctuary in your own lands of Muman while the others fled across the sea to Britain and settled in the kingdom called Dyfed.’

Fidelma knew the story well and was impatient. ‘I presume that is a confirmation that Ardgal has been contacted?’

‘Of course. Irél and members of the Fianna, with the Brehon Sedna, were sent to the Cinél Cairpre. Ardgal, the tánaiste, was instructed to pick eight of the leading men of the clan, especially members of Dubh Duin’s immediate family, and send them to Tara to present themselves as hostages for the good behaviour of the clan while the crime of their chief was investigated.’

‘And did they?’ asked Eadulf sceptically. As a Saxon he was, in many ways, still unused to the curious rituals of the law of the Éireannach.

‘Naturally. Ardgal sent eight leading men of his clan as hostages. They have been here for several days at the Mound of the Hostages.’

Fidelma smiled at them all. ‘That is all I need to know from you at this time. Tomorrow I propose to start with questions to the witnesses, such as they are. And, of course, I will wish to see where the assassination took place.’

‘Abbot Colmán will see to all your needs,’ Cenn Faelad agreed quietly. ‘He has full authority to take you wherever you wish to go and also to force all and every one to answer your questions, should they seem reluctant.’

‘That should not be necessary, seeing that I am a dálaigh qualified to the level of anruth,’ Fidelma informed him somewhat tartly.

‘Agreed, but these are not normal times,’ Cenn Faelad sighed. ‘And there is much suspicion here, especially against strangers.’

‘We will do our best to find a resolution to this mystery so that we may return to normal times as soon as possible,’ Fidelma said, not unkindly.

Cenn Faelad rose and they followed his example.

‘And now we have had food for our thoughts,’ he said, ‘let us refresh ourselves with food for our bodies.’

Abbot Colmán opened a side door, revealing a small chamber where a table had been laid out ready.

‘My servants have prepared a cold meal as I did not know what time our discussion might end and, of course, it was better that no servants were present to hear it.’

Eadulf glanced at the table in approval. There were plates of sercoltorsan or cold venison, and slices of mairt-fhéol or beef. A dish of hardboiled goose eggs stood to one side, with dishes of gruth-caisse or curd cheese and hard cheese called tanag, and several kinds of bread. There were salads of cneamh or wild garlic with cress and wood sorrel, mixed with sloes as a condiment, and dishes of hazelnut, apples, whortleberries and honey. Drink was plentful: jugs of cider, juice made from elderflower and apples, and even imported red wine. It was truly a feast.

The conversation as they ate studiously avoided the matter of Sechnussach’s death but turned on the state of the kingdoms, the harvest and the threat of a new outbreak of the feared Yellow Plague that had devastated the country.

Finally, it was time for Fidelma and Eadulf to return to the guesthouse. Cenn Faelad held out his hand to Fidelma.

‘God guide your work, lady. Let us hope for a quick resolution. It is dangerous for the five kingdoms to be without a High King confirmed in ancient ceremony. We have much work to do before we call the provincial kings to my inauguration. We will also need to call the Brehons of Ireland to appoint a new Chief Brehon as well.’

Fidelma was puzzled and glanced towards Brehon Barrán with an unspoken query.

Cenn Faelad saw the glance and explained. ‘As we have said, Barrán is my cousin and I have persuaded him to stand as my tánaiste, for his will be a steady hand in helping to govern. Therefore, we need to find a new Chief Brehon to fill his place. That is why there is now urgency in resolving matters.’

‘Then I will do my best to ensure that the result matches the urgency,’ she promised. ‘We will have to make an early start in the morning when it is light. I would like to see over Sechnussach’s chambers.’

‘There is not much to see there,’ Cenn Faelad replied. ‘Since the assassination took place, most things have been cleared from the apartments.’

‘Nevertheless,’ insisted Fidelma, ‘it is good to see where the crime took place so that I can visualise the events.’

Abbot Colmán said: ‘In that case I will come by the guesthouse after you have broken your fast and take you there. As Cenn Faelad said, you have only to ask, and I am at your service.’

‘Then we will make a start after breakfast,’ replied Fidelma solemnly.