The Subtle Serpent

Chapter Fifteen

‘That defies all the laws of hospitality,’ Ross burst out indignantly. ‘It is outrageous. If merchants can’t trade without fear of being made slaves then the world has come to a sorry state.’

‘Outrageous wasn’t the word which the Gaulish captain used,’ Eadulf observed bitterly.

‘Wasn’t a resistance put up?’ asked Fidelma.

‘The surprise was total. While the young chieftain told us that we were now all his hostages, slaves would have been a better word. The crew were put to work in the copper mines but as I was a religieux, I was treated with more privileges than the others. I was taken to a cabin where I found Sister Comnat. I was outraged to find her manacled like an animal.’

Sister Comnat broke in for the first time since they had begun to talk.

‘Brother Eadulf is right. I had been their prisoner for nearly three weeks and more. Thanks be to God that you came, sister. I was hoping that Sister Almu had managed to find someone to help us.’

Fidelma held the elderly woman’s shaking hand comfortingly.

‘It was not Sister Almu who warned us.’

‘Then how did you come to find that place?’

‘Again, it is a long story and, at this moment, I am more concerned to know your story for much depends on my knowing. I understand, Sister Comnat, that you and SisterAlmu set out from the abbey of The Salmon of the Three Wells three weeks ago. What happened?’

The old librarian hesitated.

‘Do you know anything of Sister Almu’s whereabouts?’ she insisted.

Fidelma decided that she must be blunt.

‘I believe that Sister Almu is dead. I am sorry.’

The old woman was clearly shocked. She swayed a little and Brother Eadulf reached forward a hand to steady her.

‘You are among friends, good sister,’ Brother Eadulf reassured her. ‘This is an advocate of the courts. Fidelma of Kildare. I know her well. So do not be afraid. Tell her your story as you told it to me.’

The old woman managed to pull herself together though she was obviously distressed. She rubbed her forehead with a frail hand as if trying to dredge up the memory.

‘Fidelma of Kildare? The Fidelma who solved the mystery of the deaths at Ros Ailithir?’

‘Yes. I am Fidelma.’

‘Then you are sister to Colgú, king of Cashel. You must warn your brother. Warn him immediately.’ The old woman’s voice was suddenly strident and Fidelma had to place a placating hand on hers.

‘I do not understand. Of what must I warn him?’

‘His kingdom stands in danger. He must be warned,’ repeated Sister Comnat.

‘Let me understand fully; what has happened since you and Sister Almu set out from the abbey?’

Sister Comnat gathered her wits and took a deep breath.

‘Just over three weeks ago I set out with Sister Almu for the abbey of Ard Fhearta with a copy of a book which we had made for them. We reached as far as Gulban’s fortress. We were thinking to rest there for the night. We received hospitality there but the next morning we perceived that there were countless warriors in training around the fort. Moreover, we saw many strange warriors among them.

‘Sister Almu recognised Torcán of the Ui Fidgenti in the company of Gulban. We know that the Ui Fidgenti are no friends to the people of Loigde so we asked ourselves what could this mean. Almu found a young woman whom she had once known before she entered the abbey. This woman told us that Gulban had formed an alliance with Eoganán of the Ui Fidgenti.’

‘An alliance? For what reason?’ demanded Ross anxiously.

‘It seemed that Gulban was angered at the decision of the assembly of the Loigde to elect Bran Finn, son of Mael Ochtraighe, as chieftain in the place of Salbach.’

‘I know that Gulban argued that he should be made chieftain since Salbach had disgraced the office,’ Fidelma said. ‘I was there at that assembly.’

‘Since Gulban did not get sufficient support from the assembly and Bran Finn is now chieftain, it seems that he is resorting to other means,’ interposed Ross.

‘Does he plan to launch an attack on Bran Finn with the help of the Ui Fidgenti?’

‘Worse still,’ Sister Comnat replied. ‘The Ui Fidgenti princes are very powerful, as you may know. They plan to march on Cashel and overthrow Colgú, the king. In the lands of the Ui Fidgenti, there is an army gathering which Eoganán plans to lead in a direct assault on Cashel. If Colgú is overthrówn, then doubtless Eoganán will reward Gulban by making him ruler of the Loigde and of all southern Muman.’

‘Are you sure of this?’ Fidelma was surprised at the duplicity of the Ui Fidgenti even though she knew full well their prince’s long cherished ambition to seize control of Cashel.

‘If I did not trust the mouth of the young woman, who had thought we were supporters of Gulban, and if I did not trust the evidence of my own eyes, having seen the warriors of Gulban being trained under the direction of Torcán of the Ui Fidgenti, then my own capture, and that of Almu, was enough to confirm the story.’

‘How and why were you captured?’

‘Sister Almu and I discussed what we had learned and wondered what best we should do. We are loyal to Bran Finn who, in turn, is loyal to Colgú of Cashel. We realised that we should warn them of this insurrection. But we were stupid for we roused the suspicion of Gulban’s men by setting off back along the road which would return us to our abbey instead of travelling forward on the road to Ard Fhearta, which we had told them was our destination.’

‘So Gulban made you both prisoners?’

‘Gulban doubtless ordered the deed though we were not confronted by him. We were taken by his warriors to the copper mines where you found me. We were told that we could look after the spiritual and medical needs of the hostages working the mines until such time as Gulban further decided on our fate.’

Brother Eadulf intervened at this point.

‘That is where I met the sister,’ he repeated. ‘It was a week after Sister Comnat’s companion had escaped.’

‘Do you know what Eoganán’s plans are against Cashel?’ Fidelma asked Sister Comnat.

‘Not in the specific,’ she replied with regret. ‘Sister Almu and I were shackled at the end of each day, just as you found me. Sister Almu, being younger and more vigorous than I, decided that she would attempt to escape. I supported her decision and urged her to take whatever opportunity presented itself for her to escape. If she could return to the abbey and alert the community, that was the most important thing. My rescue could come later.’

‘And she was able to escape?’

Sister Comnat gave a long sigh.

‘Not at first. She made one attempt but was recaptured and flogged to ensure we all learnt a lesson. She was beaten on the back with a birch rod! Words are not adequate to describe that sacrilege. It took her several days to recover.’

Fidelma remembered the welts on the back of the corpse. She needed no further identification now.

‘Ten days ago,’ continued Sister Comnat, ‘at the end of the work day, she did not return to the cabin where we were shackled for the night. I later heard that while she had been tending some of the sick, she had, apparently, disappeared — she had escaped into the woods. There was a great furore. However, I believe that she had help in this escape for she told me that she had now made friends with a young man of the Ui Fidgenti who was in a position to help her.’

‘That might imply that he had some authority among them,’ Fidelma observed cautiously. ‘You had no warning that she was going to make an attempted escape?’

‘A sort of warning, I think.’

‘A sort of warning?’

‘Yes. As she left that morning she smiled at me and said something to the effect that she was going to hunt wild boar. I can’t quite remember exactly what she said. It didn’t make sense.’

‘Wild boar?’ Fidelma was perplexed.

‘Anyway, she did not return. I was told that the guards did not even bother to send out search parties after her. Each day I prayed for the success of her escape, although a rumour was spread that she had probably perished on the mountains. Yet I hoped. I hoped for the coming of a rescue party.’ The old woman paused for a moment: then continued: ‘Then, alas, more prisoners arrived, Gauls, and also this Saxon monk, Eadulf, who speaks our tongue so well.’

‘What Sister Comnat says makes sense of what happened to me,’ Eadulf added. ‘The capture of the Gaulish ship with the tormenta aboard, that is. I judge these were arms bought by Gulban on behalf of the Ui Fidgenti.’

‘Weapons to help Eoganán overthrow Cashel?’ queried Ross, wide-eyed.

‘They are good siege weapons,’ Eadulf confirmed.

‘A score of these terrible engines of destruction, togetherwith warriors from Frankia trained in their use,’ muttered Ross, ‘would rain terror on Cashel. I see it. Such weapons have never been seen or used in the five kingdoms before. Our warriors fight face to face, sword, spear and shield. But with these weapons Eoganán or Gulban thinks to take an advantage.’

‘Could the Franks and their tormenta really have such an advantage?’ asked Eadulf, ‘These weapons are well known among the Saxon kingdoms and in Frankia and elsewhere.’

‘I have been a merchant for many years,’ replied Ross, solemnly, ‘but when the fiery cross has been sent out by the king of Cashel, I have answered. I was a young man when I fought at the battle of Cam Conaill during the feast of Pentecost. I don’t suppose you recall that, Fidelma? No? It was when Guaire Aidne of Connacht tried to overthrow the High King, Dairmait Mac Aedo Slaine. Naturally, Cúan, son of Almalgaid, the king of Cashel, led the host of Muman, in support of the High King. But his namesake Cúan, son of Conall, the prince of the Ui Fidgenti, supported Guaire. The Ui Fidgenti were perverse even then, always looking for a short cut to power. That was a bloody battle. Both Cúans were slaughtered. But Guaire ran away from the battlefield and the High King was victorious. That was my first taste of bloody warfare. Thanks be to God, it was my last battle.’

Fidelma was trying to keep her patience.

‘What has this to do with the tormenta?’ she challenged.

‘Easy to see,’ replied Ross. ‘I have seen slaughter. I know the damage that could be inflicted with such machines. Warriors could be slaughtered in their hundreds and Cashel would have no defence. The fortifications of Cashel itself could be breached. The range of such machines of destruction is, as the Saxon says, over five hundred yards. I know from what I have heard while trading in Gaul, such engines of war made the Romans almost invincible.’

Fidelma regarded them all sombrely.

‘So that is why the importation of these weapons had to bekept a secret. Gulban and Eoganán of the Ui Fidgenti plan to use them as a secret weapon, doubtless to spearhead a surprise attack on Cashel.’

‘It all makes sense now,’ Eadulf sighed. ‘And explains why, as soon as the weapons and the Franks were landed, the men of this Gulban seized the Gaulish ship and its crew, and me, too, as the only passenger. It was a means of preventing any news of that cargo reaching outside of this place. It was a bad day that I took passage in that ship.’

‘Tell me how the Gaulish captain escaped,’ Fidelma suddenly invited.

‘How did you know about that?’ queried Eadulf. ‘I was about to tell you of that.’

‘Again it is part of a long story but suffice to say we discovered the Gaulish ship.’

‘I spoke to some people who had seen a Gaulish prisoner on board,’ Ross explained. ‘They told me that he had escaped and the ship had vanished while the Ui Fidgenti warriors were ashore.’

Fidelma motioned him to be silent.

‘Let Eadulf tell his story.’

‘Very well,’ Eadulf began. ‘A few days ago the captain and two of his sailors managed to escape from the mines. They took a small boat and headed towards an island off shore …’

‘Dóirse,’ interrupted Ross.

‘The Gaulish merchant ship was still in the harbour. Some of the guards set out in pursuit using the ship. They raised the sails and chased after the smaller vessel. They returned a day later without either the ship or the three Gauls.’

‘Do you know what happened?’

Eadulf shrugged.

‘There was some gossip among the prisoners which I picked up while attending to them … that is if gossip is to be credited. It was said that the warriors had chased and sunk the small boat, killing two of the Gaulish sailors. The captainwas rescued and taken prisoner. It being nearly dark by that time, the warriors put in at the small island harbour. Everyone went ashore to enjoy the hospitality of the local chieftain. That is, with the exception of a warrior and the Gaulish captain. During the night, the Gaul managed to escape again. I think they said that he killed the warrior left on board to guard him. He managed, single-handed, to raise sail and make off into the night. He was a good sailor. I had hoped that he had managed to organise a rescue party for his men.’ Eadulf paused as he remembered. ‘But you said that you found him and his ship?’

Fidelma made a negative gesture.

‘Not him, Eadulf. He didn’t survive. We encountered the merchant ship under sail the next morning but with no one aboard.’

‘No one? Then what happened?’

‘I think I now know that mystery,’ Fidelma said quietly. Ross and Odar were leaning forward with eyes straining in eagerness, awaiting her solution to the puzzle that had mystified them these last several days.

‘Can you really explain?’ asked Ross.

‘I can hypothesise and be fairly certain that my account is accurate. This Gaulish captain was a brave man. Did you ever know his name, Eadulf?’

‘Waroc was his name,’ Eadulf supplied.

‘Waroc was a brave man then,’ Fidelma repeated. ‘Well, he escaped from the island of Dóirse where the ship was moored. We know that part of the story from the information which Ross gathered there, and which fits into your tale, Eadulf. Waroc, having escaped his captors again, decided that he would attempt to sail his ship single-handed. A brave but foolhardy adventure. Perhaps he thought only to move it along the coast to a friendly port and raise assistance.’

‘How did he do it?’

‘He cut the mooring ropes with an axe. We saw the severed ropes when we came upon the ship.’

Odar nodded grimly as he remembered pointing out the severed ropes to Ross and Fidelma.

‘Then he probably let the tide drift him out of the sound,’ Ross said, knowing the waters there.

‘He managed to raise his main sail,’ continued Fidelma. ‘The most difficult sail to raise was the tops’l. We cannot be sure whether he was hurt or not by his captors or during his escapes or even by his efforts to raise the sails single-handed. However, he went aloft and almost succeeded in raising it into place. Perhaps the ship lurched, perhaps there was a gust of wind, or he may have lost his footing. Who can say? But Waroc fell. A spar or a nail ripped his shirt and perhaps his flesh. We found a blood-stained strip of linen on the rigging. We also found blood on the rigging itself. As he fell, he made one desperate attempt to clutch at something. His hand caught the rail of the ship. A blood-stained hand print was there. Then, unable to keep his hold, he went over the side. He could not have lasted long in those winter waters. Perhaps he was dead in moments.’

There was an uneasy silence for a moment or two before Fidelma concluded.

‘It was later that morning that Ross’s barc came close to the merchant ship being blown hither and thither in the currents. Ross is an excellent sailor and was able to trace the tides and winds. I was determined to find you, Eadulf.’

Eadulf looked surprised.

‘You were on this barc?’

‘I had been asked to go to Sister Comnat’s abbey to investigate the discovery of a corpse.’

‘But how did you know I was on the ship? Ah!’ A look of understanding came into his eyes. ‘You found my book satchel in the cabin where I left it?’

‘I have your Missal safely,’ confirmed Fidelma. ‘It is at Sister Comnat’s abbey which is not far from here. And we must reach it before dawn, otherwise questions will be asked.’

Sister Comnat was examining Fidelma anxiously.

‘You mentioned a corpse? You said that Sister Almu had not successfully escaped … You said that she was dead.’

Fidelma reached forward a hand and gently pressed the arm of the elderly religieuse again in comfort.

‘I do not know for sure, sister, but I am fairly convinced that the corpse discovered over a week or so ago is that of Sister Almu.’

‘But someone must have recognised the corpse?’

Fidelma did not want to cause the sister further grief but it was no use keeping the truth from her.

‘The corpse was decapitated. The head was missing. It was that of a young girl, barely eighteen. There were ink stains on the right hand, on thumb, index finger and along the little finger which tells me that she worked as a copyist or in a library. There were also signs that she had recently worn a manacle and had been scourged on the back.’

Sister Comnat caught her breath.

‘Then it is poor Almu but … where was the body discovered?’

‘In the main well of the abbey.’

‘I do not understand. If she was caught by Gulban’s men or anyone of the Ui Fidgenti why would they draw attention to the matter by placing her in the abbey’s well?’

Fidelma smiled tightly.

‘That is a mystery that I have still to sort out.’

‘We must make a plan,’ interposed Ross. ‘It will not be long to daylight and as soon as Sister Comnat and the Saxon are found missing there will be search parties sent out.’

‘You are right, Ross,’ Fidelma agreed. ‘One of us must sail to Ros Ailithir and alert Bran Finn and my brother. Some warriors must be sent here so that these infernal engines — the tormenta as Eadulf calls them — can be destroyed before they can be used against Cashel.’

‘We should all go. The abbey is no safe place now,’ repliedRoss. ‘If Adnár suspects something, you will not be safe. Adnár holds the fortress opposite the abbey,’ he explained for Eadulfs sake, ‘and, at the moment, his guests are Gulban’s son Olcán, and Torcán of the Ui Fidgenti.’

Eadulf whistled softly.

‘That does not augur well.’

‘And Adnár, if he is involved in this conspiracy, may have accomplices in the abbey itself,’ added Fidelma meditatively.

‘So we should all get to my barc and head for Ros Ailithir. We can be there by tomorrow evening.’

‘No, Ross. You will take Sister Comnat and sail immediately for Ros Ailithir to inform Abbot Brocc. Sister Comnat will be your witness. Messengers must also be sent to my brother at Cashel in order that he may prepare for any Ui Fidgenti attack. At the same time, ask Bran Finn to send warriors to the copper mines as soon as possible so that the tormenta may be destroyed and the Frankish mercenaries captured before they can set off for Cashel.’

‘And what about us?’ Eadulf asked.

‘I must return to the abbey, otherwise it will be realised that the plot is uncovered and Gulban’s men may act that more quickly against Cashel. Because of this, the Gaulish ship must remain where it is, otherwise its disappearance would also alert our enemies. As for you, Eadulf, you will go with Odar. Odar and a few of Ross’s men have been acting as a skeletal crew on board the Gaulish ship. You will hide on board. Odar and his men will act as an escape route in case I am discovered.’

‘What if they suspect you, already? They know that you are Colgú’s sister,’ protested Ross. ‘They may take you for a hostage.’

‘It is a chance that I have to take,’ Fidelma replied determinedly. ‘There is another mystery here. as well as this plot to overthrow Cashel. I must stay and see it through. If all goes well, Ross, you could return within three days.’

‘And who guarantees your safety for these three days,Fidelma?’ demanded Eadulf. ‘If you stay at the abbey, I should also stay there.’

‘Impossible!’

But Ross was nodding in agreement.

‘The Saxon is right, sister,’ he offered. ‘Someone should stay and keep close to you.’

‘Impossible!’ repeated Fidelma. ‘Once Sister Comnat and Eadulf’s escape is noticed, someone will think of looking for them at the abbey. Eadulf will stand out like a sore thumb. No, Eadulf will stay on board the Gaulish ship with Odar.’

‘But surely that is equally as dangerous,’ Odar objected. ‘Once Ui Fidgenti know where the Gaulish ship is, they will come to reclaim it.’

‘They have known where it was for some days now,’ Fidelma pointed out. ‘The Gaulish ship was probably recognised as soon as Ross sailed it into the Dun Boí inlet. That was probably why Adnár tried to claim salvage rights on it. It was a method of recovering it without attracting attention. I think it suits our enemy’s purpose to allow it to anchor off Dún Boí for the moment. The Gaulish ship will be the last place that they will think of looking for you, Eadulf. I will arrange a system of signals to let Odar and you know if there are difficulties.’

‘A good idea,’ Odar finally gave his slow and deliberate opinion. ‘If there is any trouble, you must signal, sister, or make your way to the ship so that we may sail if danger threatens.’

‘I still cannot see why you must remain at the abbey?’ Eadulf objected.

‘I have my oath as a dálaigh to fulfil,’ Fidelma explained. ‘There is some evil at the abbey that I must resolve. An evil which I believe is unconnected with what is happening here, something which is above the desire for political power. There have been two deaths at the abbey which need to be resolved.’

Sister Comnat let forth a soft moan.

‘Another death, one apart from poor Sister Almu? Who else has perished at the abbey, sister?’

‘Sister Siomha, the rechtaire.’

Sister Comnat’s eyes widened.

‘Sister Almu’s friend? She is also dead?’

‘And slain in the same manner. There is something that is malignant there and I must destroy it.’

‘Wouldn’t it better to wait until Ross returns with help?’ Eadulf suggested. ‘Then you can pursue your investigation without fear of an assassin or worse.’

Fidelma smiled at the Saxon monk.

‘No; I must work while there is no suspicion that the plot has been discovered. For, if I am wrong, and there is some involvement, then my quarry might well flee before I can resolve these crimes.’

Sister Comnat was shaking her head.

‘I have no understanding of this.’

‘No need. We must now be on our way, and you must tell Abbot Brocc at Ros Ailithir and Bran Finn, chieftain of the Loigde, all that you know of the events here.’

Fidelma stood up and helped the elderly sister to her feet. She could see that Ross kept peering at the sky and was clearly in some agitation at the approaching onset of the dawn.

‘Calm yourself, Ross,’ she admonished with humour. ‘Horace in his Odes adjures aequam memento rebus in arduis servare mentem — maintain a clear head when attempting difficult tasks. Take the good sister to your barc. I shall expect to see you back here within three days.’ She glanced at Odar. ‘When you have seen Eadulf safely aboard the Gaulish ship, make sure that you return the horses. We do not want Barr coming in search of them and alerting Adnár.’

She swung up on her own steed. They set off at a swift canter just as the eastern sky was beginning to dissolve into lighter shades along the horizon.