Peter Tremayne - The Devil's seal

Eadulf was startled. He recalled how he and Fidelma had been shipwrecked on the shores of Dyfed and realised that there was some close affinity with the people there and those of the Five Kingdoms.

‘When were they sent into exile?’ he enquired.

‘Oh, that was centuries ago. Don’t worry — the Déisi of Muman are peaceful enough and pay regular tribute to Cashel.’

‘I realise that,’ Eadulf replied, a little defensively, ‘for have I not often accompanied Fidelma through their territory?’

A horn suddenly sounded from the path leading up to the palace gates. It was customary for armed strangers to announce their presence in such a fashion.

‘Make the response,’ called Gormán to Enda. ‘I will greet them.’

Enda drew his hunting horn and gave an answering blast as Eadulf followed Gormán across the courtyard to the main gates. By the time they reached them, the band of horsemen were entering and Eadulf stood back in the shadows while the Commander of the King’s Bodyguard went forward to formally greet them.

The leader was a broad-shouldered man, with wiry brown hair and beard and an expression of authority. His colourful clothes, the cloak and arms, proclaimed him as a man of rank. Next to him rode a warrior carrying a pole with a banner — the emblem of the Déisi. Behind them came a man of advancing years, his dress and insignia proclaiming him to be a Brehon. It was the youth who accompanied him who caught Eadulf’s attention, for his hands were tied with rope before him. His clothes were torn and dirty. There was dirt and blood on his face and his mouse-coloured hair was ragged and askew. In spite of his appearance, the boy wore a smile of superiority and seemed to concentrate his gaze upon the middle distance. Bringing up the rear of the group were two warriors.

Gormán moved forward and greeted the leader.

‘Welcome to Cashel, Cummasach. I am Gormán, Commander of the Nasc Niadh, Bodyguard to the King.’

Cummasach glanced down at the warrior, his glance neither friendly nor antagonistic. The ritual of greeting was a formality.

‘I thank you for your welcome, warrior of the Golden Collar. I have come, with my Brehon, Furudán, to speak with Colgú.’

‘I will have Colgú informed of your arrival, Cummasach. Your escort will be attended to, but who is it that accompanies you as a prisoner?’

‘His name is Rudgal and he is, alas, a renegade of my people.’

Gormán glanced quickly at the indifferent prisoner. ‘Is he. .?’

Cummasach interrupted irritably, ‘You were to inform your King, if you please. It has been a long and tiring ride and I do not wish to tarry longer than can be helped.’

Gormán remembered protocol and turned quickly to one of his warriors.

‘Call the echaire and attend to the horses. Have the warriors conducted to the House of Heroes and offered refreshment.’

Eadulf stepped forward and said to Gormán: ‘I will inform Colgú.’

He was aware of the sharp gaze of Cummasach directed at him as he turned and hurried off. As he left, he heard Cummasach telling Gormán that he wanted his prisoner taken to a secure place under guard. Eadulf bumped into Fidelma as he hurried along the corridor to the King’s council chamber.

‘I heard there are new arrivals,’ she said breathlessly.

‘Cummasach and his Brehon,’ Eadulf informed her. ‘They have a prisoner with them. I think it is one of the men who attacked Egric and his companion on the river. Cummasach has demanded to see your brother.’

Fidelma’s eyes had grown wider. ‘That is good news. At least one of the attackers has been caught. But why does Cummasach need to see Colgú?’

‘We’d best not keep them waiting,’ was all Eadulf said. She accompanied him to her brother’s council chamber. Colgú was inside meeting with Abbot Ségdae and Beccan, the steward. The King looked up in surprise as they entered. Fidelma waited while Eadulf quickly explained the reason for the interruption.

‘Cummasach has brought his prisoner here in person?’ The King was puzzled. ‘That is unusual behaviour for a Déisi prince.’

‘I believe he must be one of those who attacked my brother and his companion, the Venerable Victricius,’ Eadulf confirmed.

Colgú turned to Beccan. ‘You had better inform Brehon Aillín that his presence is required, and find Eadulf’s brother, Egric.’ As an aside he said to Eadulf: ‘If this is the man, your brother should be available to identify him. You and Fidelma should stay to hear what this is about.’

It was almost as if Brehon Aillín were waiting outside the door, for Beccan had hardly left when the elderly judge came in. A few moments passed before there was a tap on the door and Beccan re-entered.

‘Cummasach, Prince of the Déisi,’ he began ponderously, only to be interrupted by an impatient Colgú.

‘I know, I know. Bring them in.’

‘Prince Cummasach and his Brehon, Furudán,’ the steward announced, as they entered, followed by Gormán.

Eadulf could not help but notice that the greetings between Cummasach and Colgú were fairly stilted. Colgú resumed his chair of office but, while the others stood, a chair was placed for the Prince of the Déisi. The ceremonial drinks were offered and an attendant hurried round dispensing them.

‘And now, lord Cummasach?’ prompted Colgú.

‘I will let my Brehon tell the story.’ Cummasach made a motion with his hand in the direction of his companion. ‘It will save time.’

There was silence for a moment until Colgú realised that the Brehon was waiting for his formal permission to speak. He gave it impatiently.

‘I heard from the Brehon at Cluain Meala about the attack near Brother Siolán’s chapel on the river. My lord, Cummasach, had been having trouble with a band of wild young men who refused to obey the elders of the clan and ignored the laws of the Brehons. My suspicions immediately fell on these troublemakers, for they had attacked several travellers passing through the mountains of the confluences, even as far as the church of Míodán.’

‘Míodán’s church?’ interrupted Fidelma. ‘That lies just south of the Siúr before you reach the harbour of Láirge?’

‘That is so, lady,’ Furudán agreed. He evidently knew Fidelma by sight. ‘They attacked a merchant boat coming up the river some time ago. Therefore, when I heard of this attack, I felt it sounded like their work. It so happened that we had information about where they were hiding that very day. They had fled south from the river into their lair in the mountains. My lord Cummasach summoned a score of his warriors and we made our way there, attacking their camp just before dawn.’

As he paused, Cummasach put in: ‘They were foolish young men. They chose to resist rather than give themselves to justice. They fought and were so determined that two managed to escape but the others fell to my men’s swords.’

Brehon Furudán added softly, ‘Except one.’

‘The one you have brought here as a prisoner?’ Eadulf asked.

Cummasach glanced at him with a frown.

Seeing the look, Colgú said immediately: ‘You may speak freely to the husband of my sister, for he has our complete confidence.’

‘The prisoner’s name is Rudgal,’ confirmed the Brehon.

‘What of the two that escaped?’ asked Eadulf.

‘They have not been found. But they cannot hide forever.’

‘If their companions fought to the death, why did your prisoner surrender?’ Colgú mused.

‘He did not appear to me to be in any apprehension of punishment when I saw him in the courtyard.’ Eadulf could not help making the observation aloud. ‘Yet he certainly seemed the sort who would fight rather than surrender.’