âIs this true?' Dacan had said the heir of Illan was being looked after by his cousin but she was hardly expecting the cousin to be this aging Father Superior.
âI am not in the habit of lying, woman,' snapped the old man. âNow, do you believe me to be in danger of my life?'
Fidelma slowly shook her head. Father Mel himself was certainly no threat to the security of the current petty kings of Osraige nor a possible rallying point for any future insurrection.
âNo. There is no danger for you. But I am told that there is a young heir of Illan. That his cousin, obviously yourself, was taking care of him.'
Father Mel's face was set like stone.
âThere is no young heir to Illan on this island,' he said firmly, âYou may take my holy oath of office on it.'
Could this long, arduous journey have really been for nothing? Had Dacán made that same mistake? Father Mel could not take such an oath unless it were true.
âIs there anything else?' came Father Mel's curt tone.
Fidelma rose to her feet trying to hide her disappointment.
âNothing. I accept the truth of what you say. You shelter no young heir of Illan.' She hesitated. âHave you been visited by a merchant named Assid of Laigin?'
Father Mel met her gaze evenly.
âThere are many merchants that land here. I do not recall all their names.'
âThen does the name of the Venerable Dacán mean anything to you?'
âAs a scholar of the Faith,' replied the Father Superior easily. âEveryone has surely heard of the man.'
âNothing else?'
âNothing else,' affirmed the old man. âNow, if that is all â¦?'
Fidelma led the way from the building, bitterly disappointed. Cass followed with bewilderment on his features.
âIs that all?' he asked. âSurely, we did not come all this way for this?'
âFather Mel would not have taken oath that there was no young heir of Illan in this monastery if there was,' Fidelma pointed out.
âReligious have been known to lie,' countered Cass darkly.
They were suddenly aware of an anchorite, a flat-faced, lugubrious-looking man of middle age, blocking their path.
âI â¦' the man hesitated. âI overheard. You asked if there was anyone from Osraige here. Refugees.'
The monk's face mirrored some deep conflict of emotions.
âThat's right,' she agreed. âWhat is your name?'
âI am Brother Febal. I tend the gardens here.'
The monk abruptly took out of his robes a small object and handed it with all solemnity to Fidelma.
It was a corn doll. It was old, weather-worn, with the stuffing bursting out from broken joins where the weave had burst or torn.
âWhat's this?' demanded Cass.
Fidelma stared at it and turned it over in her hands. âWhat can you tell us about this, brother?'
Brother Febal hesitated, throwing a look towards the hut of the Father Superior and he motioned them to follow a little
way down the path, out of sight of the main complex of buildings.
âFather Mel has not told you the exact truth,' he confessed. âThe good Father is afraid, not for himself but for his charges.'
âI was sure that he was being frugal with the truth,' Fidelma replied gravely. âBut I cannot believe he would lie so blatantly if there was a young heir to Illan of Osraige on this island.'
âThere is not, so he spoke the truth,' Brother Febal replied. âHowever, six months ago he brought two boys to the island. He told us that their father, a cousin of his, had died and he was going to take care of them for a few months until a new home could be arranged for them. When the younger child became bored here, as young children would, the elder boy made him this corn doll to amuse him. When they left, I found that the boy had left it behind.'
Fidelma looked puzzled.
âTwo boys. How old?'
âOne about nine years old, the other only a few years older'
âThen there was not an older boy with them? A boy reaching the age of choice?'
To her disappointment, Brother Febal shook his head.
âThere were only the two lads. They were from Osraige and cousins of Father Mel. That I know.'
âWhy do you tell us this?' demanded Cass suspiciously. âYour Father Superior did not trust us with the truth.'
âBecause I recognise the emblem of the king of Cashel's bodyguard and because I overheard that you, sister, are an advocate of the courts. I do not think that you seek to harm the boys. Above all, I tell you because I fear great danger may come to them and hope that you will help them.'
âWhat makes you think that danger threatens?' Fidelma asked.
âJust over two weeks ago a ship arrived here with a religieux who took the two boys away with him. I heard Father Mel address the man as “honourable cousin”. Yet within days
another ship arrived here on the same mission as yourself. There was a man who demanded the same information as yourself.'
âCan you describe him?'
âA large, red-faced man, clad in a steel helmet and woollen cloak edged in fur. He claimed he was a chieftain and wore a gold chain of office.'
Fidelma swallowed in amazement.
âIntat!' cried Cass triumphantly.
Brother Febal blinked anxiously.
âDo you know the man?'
âWe know that he is evil,' affirmed Fidelma. âWhat did he learn about these boys?'
âFather Mel told him the same story as he told you. But one of the brothers, just as this man was departing, unintentionally mentioned the two lads and the fact that they had been taken away a short time before by a religieux.'
âAnd Intat went away?'
âHe did. Mel was outraged. He demanded that each of us forget the boys. But I have faith that you act in the children's best interests. But not the man who came searching for them. If he finds the children â¦' The monk ended with an expressive shrug.
âWe do seek to protect them, brother,' Fidelma assured him. âIt is true that they are in grave danger from that man, Intat. Do you know who the boys were, what their names were and where they have gone?'
âAlas, even Father Mel would not pronounce their names but called them by the Latin forms of Primus and Victor. See on the doll, that piece of rag is marked with the words “
Hic est meum. Victor
”. It means, “this is mine, Victor” in Latin.'
âCan you describe them?' Fidelma did not point out that she knew well what the words meant.
âNot really. They both had burnished copper-coloured hair.'
âCopper-coloured?' Fidelma felt frustrated, hoping to hear something which she might have recognised.
âDid you learn where they were sent when they left here?'
âOnly that the religieux who took them was from an abbey somewhere in the south. The young one, Victor, was a nice child. Return this doll to him and I shall pray to Michael the Archangel, guardian of our little monastery, for their safety.'
âCan you tell us about the religieux ⦠what did he look like?'
âThat I cannot. He kept his robes wrapped around his body and head for the weather was inclement. I did not observe his features well. He was not young but neither was he old. That is all I can say.'
âThank you, brother. You have been most helpful.'
âI will lead you down the path and signal your ship. My conscience is easy now that I have made confession to you of this burden.'
Cass laid a restraining hand on Fidelma's arm.
âWhy don't we go and confront that old goat again?' he demanded. âLet's tell him what we know and demand to know where this cousin has taken the two boys?'
Fidelma shook her head.
âWe will get nothing further from a man such as Father Mel,' she replied. âOur path is back at Ros Ailithir.'
Once on board Ross's
barc
again, the ship close-hauled along the thin, poking figures of the southern peninsulas of the kingdom, heading swiftly southward.
âA long trip for so little,' mused Cass, as he stood watching Fidelma turning the worn doll over and over in her hands.
âSometimes even a word or sentence might resolve the greatest puzzle and put it all into shape,' countered Fidelma.
âWhat did we learn from this arduous trip to Sceilig Mhichil that we did not suspect before? Had we questioned that old religieux further â¦'
âSometimes confirmation of knowledge is as important as
the knowledge itself,' interrupted Fidelma. âAnd we have linked Intat into this mystery of Dacán's killing. Dacán was looking for the son of Illan whom he thought was at the age of choice. Now we know there were two young sons, not at the age of choice at all. Intat arrives here looking for the offspring of Illan. Dacán was working for Laigin but Intat was a man of the Corco LoÃgde. There is a picture beginning to form here.'
âApart from Intat's involvement in this conundrum, what else have we learnt?' demanded Cass.
âWe have learnt that the monastery on Sceilig Mhichil has, as its patron, Michael the Archangel. That its very name means “rock of Michael”. And we have learnt that Mel called the man who collected the boys “honourable cousin”.'
Cass was not sure if Fidelma was joking.
âBut what practical information have we learnt?' he demanded.
Fidelma smiled blandly.
âWe have learnt several other points. There are two heirs to Illan. They left Sceilig Mhichil two weeks ago about the same time that Dacán was murdered and they are now being hunted by Intat. I believe that Intat was looking for them when he burnt Rae na ScrÃne. I do not think he found them and I will lay a wager that they may be found at Ros Ailithir or nearby.'
âIf they are still alive.' Cass suddenly became interested. âWe don't even know who they are. Two copper-haired lads. I have encountered no copper-haired boys. We don't even know their true names. We know that Primus and Victor were not their real names. That presents no clue that we can follow.'
âPerhaps not,' Fidelma admitted thoughtfully. âThen, again â¦' She shrugged abruptly and was silent.
Abbot Brocc's thin features relaxed with relief when Fidelma entered his chamber.
âI had just heard that you had landed. Was your trip fruitful, cousin?' he asked eagerly, rising to greet her.
âIt has added to my knowledge,' Fidelma replied evasively.
The abbot hesitated, apparently wondering whether to press his cousin further on the point but then decided against it.
âI have news.' He indicated that she should be seated. âHowever, I think it is bad news.'
Fidelma seated herself as Brocc held up a wax tablet.
âYesterday I received this message â the High King means to arrive here within the next few days.'
Fidelma's surprise obviously gratified him. She sat up straight. Her eyes were wide.
âSechnassach, the High King? Is he coming here?'
Brocc nodded emphatically.
âHe has ruled that the court should hear Laigin's claims against Muman, in the matter of the death of Dacán, in the abbey where Dacán was killed. His words are that it was â¦' Brocc hesitated and squinted at the tablet, â
⦠appropriate
that the hearing should be in this place.'
âSo?' Fidelma lingered over the word, like a long sigh. âAnd the entire court is coming with him?'
âOf course. The Chief Brehon Barrán will sit in judgment with the High King and Archbishop Ultan of Armagh is
coming to represent the ecclesiastical orders of the five kingdoms. Your brother Colgú and his advisors will also be arriving any day now.'
âAnd I suppose young Fianamail, the king of Laigin, and his advocates will be here soon?'
âFianamail is bringing the Abbot Noé and his Brehon Forbassach.'
âForbassach! So Forbassach will plead the case for Laigin?'
As much as she disliked the hawk-faced advocate of Laigin, Fidelma knew that he was possessed of a quick wit and was a capable counsel, one who certainly should not be underestimated. He would undoubtedly be at his sharpest for he would want to repay Fidelma for having had him ejected from Cashel.
âExactly when are they all expected to arrive?' she asked, feeling, as Brocc had forewarned, it was not good news.
âWithin a few days, by the end of the week at the latest.' Brocc was clearly nervous at being host to such an assembly where he stood in place of the accused. âTell me, cousin, are you any nearer to resolving this mystery?'
His voice was almost pleading but Fidelma could not allay his obvious fears.
She stood up and moved to the window, peering down into the inlet.
âI saw, as we were coming into Ros Ailithir, that Mugrón's warship still rides at anchor out there.'
Brocc's shoulders sagged a little.
âLaigin will not give up their plaint before the assembly meets.'
Fidelma turned back into the chamber towards the abbot.
âI presume the High King and his entourage will come by ship around the coast?'
âAs will the king of Laigin and his retinue,' confirmed Brocc. âI am expected to give hospitality to all of them. Brother Rumann and Brother Conghus are at their wits' end
to find extra accommodation and food. Oh, and that means that the extra chamber in which you have conducted your investigations can no longer be available to you. You may still use the same chamber in the hostel for personal use, as befits your rank, but the young warrior, what's his name ⦠Cass? He will have to use a bed in one of the dormitories.'
âIt cannot be helped. You have much to do to prepare for the assembly.'
Brocc examined her with a pessimistic eye.
âAnd you also, cousin, for on you depends all our futures.'
Fidelma did not need Brocc to remind her. The words of the Gospel of Luke came suddenly into her mind: âUnto whomsoever much is given, of them shall much be required.' Never, since she had received her qualification in law, had so much been required of her. She felt that responsibility was like a heavy weight. Despite her most strenuous efforts she was still looking into a smoked mirror where enticing shadows could be seen but nothing that was clear nor which made any sense.
Brocc saw the anxiety on her face and relented his own attitude.
âIt is just that I am truly beginning to worry now, cousin. I have never attended a High King's assembly before,' he added with some morbid fascination. âWere it not that I am charged as responsible in this matter it would have been an exhilarating experience.'
Fidelma raised a cynical eyebrow.
âExhilarating experience? It may also be a fatal one if I cannot present a case that will clear you and prevent the claim of Laigin leading to a war between the two kingdoms.'
There was an uncomfortable silence, then Fidelma said, without expectation of a positive answer: âYou have not told me whether there is any news of Sister Grella. I presume she has not returned?'
Brocc grimaced gloomily and confirmed her expectation.
âNo. She has simply vanished. From what you told me I fear that she has fled with her guilt.'
Fidelma frowned and rose.
âThat we shall see. I shall need the material which I left with you.'
Brocc nodded readily, reaching under his table for the keys. She watched as he went to the cabinet and unlocked the door, swinging it open. He took out her
marsupium
and handed it to her.
She rummaged through its contents to check everything was there.
Fidelma gave a sharp intake of breath. Someone had been through the contents of the bag. The burnt piece of Ogham stick and the pieces of vellum that she had found in Sister Grella's chamber were gone. Yet the linen bonds and the skirt from which they had been taken were still there.
âWhat is it?' Brocc asked, moving swiftly to her side.
She stood quietly awhile. It was no use responding emotionally to the disappearance of the crucial evidence which she had gathered and placed there for safekeeping.
âSomeone has removed some vital pieces of evidence from my bag.'
âI do not understand, cousin,' breathed Brocc. He looked genuinely bewildered. His face was flushed with mortification.
âWhen was the last time you opened this cabinet, Brocc?' she asked.
âWhen you asked me to deposit the bag into it for safekeeping.'
âAnd where have you kept the keys?'
âThey are hung, as you have seen, on hooks under this table.'
âAnd many people knew of that?'
âI thought that I was the only one who knew exactly where the keys were kept.'
âIt would not take a great deal of effort to find them. How many people knew that valuables were sometimes kept in that cabinet?'
âOnly some of the senior members of the abbey.'
âAnd, needless to say, anyone could have access to your chamber while you were performing the duties of your office?'
Brocc exhaled softly.
âNo member of the brethren of this abbey would commit such a crime as theft from their abbot, cousin. It trespasses against the boundaries of the rules of our order.'
âSo does murder,' Fidelma replied dryly. âYet someone in this abbey killed both Dacán and Sister Eisten. You say only the senior members of the abbey knew that valuables were sometimes placed there. Such as who?'
Brocc rubbed his chin.
âBrother Rumann, of course. Brother Conghus. Our chief professor Brother Ségán. Brother Midach ⦠oh, and Sister Grella, of course. But she is not here. That is all.'
âIt is enough.' Fidelma was irritated. âDid you by any chance mention that I had left some valuables with you while I was away?'
Brocc started nervously and a red glow suffused his thin cheeks.
âMy senior clerics did ask me where you had gone,' he admitted reluctantly. âI could not tell them, as I did not know. But they were all concerned that this matter be cleared up. I said that I thought you had evidence, that you left ⦠well, I think I mentioned that ⦠I said that Sister Grella was to be held until you returned and â¦'
He faltered under Fidelma's angry gaze.
âSo, perhaps it would not take long for anyone to find the logical hiding place for these keys. You might just as well have issued instructions.'
âWhat can I say?' Brocc spread his hands as if to shield himself from the scorn in her voice. âI am truly sorry.'
âNo more sorry than I, Brocc,' Fidelma snapped, moving for the door, angered at Brocc's careless attitude which had led to the loss of her salient evidence. âBut the loss of that material will not prevent me from discovering the culprit, only, perhaps, from proving their involvement.'
The first person she saw as she crossed the quadrangles to the hostel was the young Sister Necht. She looked startled as she caught sight of Fidelma.
âI thought that you had left us,' she greeted in her slow, husky voice.
Fidelma shook her head.
âI cannot leave until my investigation is complete.'
âI heard that you have ordered that Sister Grella be held.'
âSister Grella has disappeared.'
âYes. Everyone knows and believes that she has fled. Has anyone looked for her at Cuan D6ir, Salbach's fortress?' the novice suggested.
âWhy so?' demanded Fidelma, startled.
âWhy?' The sister rubbed her face and considered for a moment. âBecause she has frequently visited there without telling anyone. She is a good friend to Salbach.' Necht paused and smiled. âI know this because Sister Eisten told me.'
âWhat did Eisten say?'
âOh, that Grella once invited her to Salbach's fortress because Salbach was supposed to be interested in her orphanage. She told me that they seemed very good friends.'
Fidelma looked at the guileless eyes of the novice for a minute.
âI understand that Midach is your
anamchara,
your soul-friend?'
Fidelma wondered why the question brought such a look of panic to the novice's face. Yet it was gone in a trice. Sister Necht forced a nervous smile.
âIt is true.'
âHave you known Midach long?'
âMost of my life. He was a friend of my father's and introduced me to the abbey.'
Fidelma wondered how best to approach the subject on her mind and decided that the best way was the most direct.
âYou do not have to put up with abuse, you know,' she said. She remembered Midach's rough handling of the young religieuse; of the slap on her head.
Sister Necht flushed.
âI am not sure what you mean,' she countered.
Fidelma grimaced in conciliatory fashion. She did not want the girl to feel humiliated by another seeing her being abused.
âIt is just that I overheard Midach giving you a tongue-lashing for something and thought he might have maltreated you. It was in the herb garden a week ago just before I left.'
Fidelma realised there was something more than humiliation in the eyes of the novice. There was something akin to fear.
âIt was ⦠was nothing. I had failed to perform a task for Midach. He is a good man. Sometimes his temper becomes a little frayed. You will not report this to the abbot? Please?'
Fidelma smiled reassuringly.
âNot if you do not want me to, Necht. But no one, especially no woman, should put up with verbal abuse from others. The
Bretha Nemed
makes it an offence in law for a woman to be harassed and especially to be verbally assaulted. Did you know this?'
Sister Necht shook her head, gazing at the floor.
âNo woman need stand by and be abused by anyone,' went on Fidelma. âAnd the abuse need not be a physical assault but if a person mocks a woman, criticises their appearance, draws attention to any physical blemish or wrongfully accuses them of things that are not true, then they have redress under the law.'
âIt was not so serious, sister,' Necht said, with a further
shake of her head. âI thank you for your interest but, really, Midach meant me no harm.'
The midday Angelus was sounding and Sister Necht muttered an excuse and hurried off.
Fidelma sighed deeply. There was something more to that matter, she felt. There was definitely an aura of fear about the young girl when Fidelma had mentioned the scene in the herb garden. Well, she could do no more than advise Necht of her rights under law. Perhaps she ought to have a word with Midach himself.