Peter Tremayne - Chalice of Blood

Saor looked up with a resigned expression. ‘It was not only that I obeyed the call of my chieftain,’ he said slowly. ‘My brother was the carpenter working on the building that fell. He was killed. I was willing and pleased to help against Glassán.’

‘So when you were called by your chieftain, you came willingly?’

‘Of course.’

‘Thank you for confirming that your chieftain is here with us. Was it him or was it you who paid Gealbháin, the previous carpenter and assistant master builder on this job, to leave the site so that you could present yourself to Glassán as his replacement?’

Saor’s lips compressed and he shook his head. ‘I will say no more.’

‘No matter.’ Fidelma swung round and looked at the physician, Brother Seachlann. ‘Your chieftain can speak for himself.’

The physician stood up and gave her a curious half bow.

‘I am Seachlann of the Uí Bairrche,’ he said quietly.

There were several gasps round the hall.

‘Do you deny these charges that are levelled against you?’ demanded Brehon Aillín.

Seachlann stood erect, his head held high.

‘There is no need to deny them. I am the díglaid and, as such, I claim that the law supports me. When the perpetrator does not compensate the victims and their families, the Críth Gabhlach says that the díglaid can pursue a blood feud even into other territories where the perpetrator might seek refuge.I have done so and I rejoice that I have fulfilled an obligation to my family and clan.’

‘Are you, in truth, chief of the Uí Bairrche and therefore related to King Fáelán of Laighin?’ queried Colgú in surprise.

‘I am. Both my parents perished in the building that Glassán was supposed to construct. My brother, who was heir to my father, also perished, along with fifteen others of my people, including Saor’s brother. I was a young man and had newly entered the religious. I was just finishing my studies in the healing arts at the abbey at Sléibhte.

‘Glassán showed no remorse for his negligence. He claimed he should not be held responsible in any way. He complained when the King imposed the fines and exiled him, although we whose family members perished felt it was a mild punishment. Glassán was clever and he disappeared quickly and for years we could not discover where he had fled. I had been inaugurated chieftain. My tanist , my heir, was chosen, and so I left the affairs of my people to him while I continued in the practice of medicine. Then I heard from Brother Echen’s relative at the palace of my kinsman, King Fáelán, that Glassán was here. As you rightly deduced, Fidelma of Cashel, that is why I came.’

‘And is everything else correct as Fidelma has charged?’ demanded Brehon Aillín.

‘Everything else is correct. But, as the Críth Gabhlach states, I acted as the díglaid . I acted under the law and therefore no charge can be brought against me.’

‘Except that you may have overlooked one thing,’ Fidelma said quietly. ‘In my preamble, I explained carefully what the basis of our law was. Recompense and rehabilitation. The matter of blood feud can only be enacted against an incorrigible, one who refuses to come to law and be judged. Underspecial circumstances, a king’s Brehon could approve of the díglaid . Glassán had been judged and paid the requirements of the law.’

There was a murmuring throughout the hall and then Fidelma approached Brehon Aillín and whispered to him. He nodded slowly and she returned to her place. The murmuring dissolved to silence as the Brehon spoke.

‘There may well be exonerating circumstances, Seachlann. But a judgement cannot be pronounced as a legal finding until you have argued it before the Chief Brehon of Laighin and your King. Glassán was judged before them and paid the fines imposed on him. Technically, according to the law, he was then a free man and entitled to the protection of his freedom. My advice to my King,’ he glanced at Colgú, ‘would be to have you and Saor escorted to the King of Laighin and for him and his Chief Brehon to consider your case accordingly.’

Seachlann acknowledged the authority of the Brehon with a slight bow. ‘I am most willing to accept that course of action. Our main task here is done and I am prepared to answer for all my actions.’ He glanced at Saor who nodded slightly. ‘And so is my companion in this matter.’

Colgú leant forward to Brehon Aillín and held a whispered conversation before the judge turned to Seachlann and Saor.

‘The recommendation has been accepted. After these proceedings are over, and a record made of these events, two of the King’s warriors will accompany you and your companion to Ferna, where the King of Laighin may sit in judgement on this matter. As victims and perpetrators are men of Laighin, it is no longer in our jurisdiction and the matter is turned over to Laighin for judgement.’

Seachlann glanced to Saor and smiled encouragement before reseating himself.

Brehon Aillín sat back and looked at Fidelma. ‘Are you prepared to proceed on the other matters?’

Fidelma allowed a moment of silence. Eadulf gave her an encouraging smile.

‘I am. I am now ready to proceed in the matter of the murder of Brother Donnchad.’

‘ Brother Donnchad was the victim of extreme virtue, or should I say intolerance disguised as virtue,’ began Fidelma. ‘He was a great scholar. Had he lived, he might have been one of the greatest scholars of the Five Kingdoms.’

‘His name will be remembered in such a light,’ came the stern voice of Lady Eithne. ‘That is why I sanctioned the rebuilding of this abbey. By these stone buildings, he will be remembered as a great teacher of the Faith.’

Fidelma allowed the murmuring to die away. Then, without looking at Lady Eithne, she said loudly, ‘Is that what he would have wanted to be remembered as?’

There was a stir of surprise among the brethren.

‘Truth is great and will prevail, so let us consider what the truth is. For some time I did not know why Brother Donnchad was killed. Without a motive, I could not present a case against the killer. Finally, I discovered that motive.’

Everyone was hanging on her words now, leaning forward in their seats in silent expectation.

‘The reason why he was killed was because he had lost his Faith.’

There was immediate uproar. Lady Eithne shouted in outrage but her words were lost in the hubbub. Abbot Iarnla was whitewith shock and Brother Lugna’s features were drawn into a mask of barely controlled fury.

‘It is well known that Brother Donnchad was a great scholar of the Faith,’ Brehon Aillín admonished. ‘I cannot allow such a statement to be admitted in this court.’

Even Abbot Ségdae looked astounded at her words.

‘You can if it can be proved,’ protested Fidelma.

‘I must accept the proof, as we know it. The knowledge and respect accorded to Brother Donnchad and his known writings on the Faith constitute proof of his views and are a precedent, a fásach , which cannot be challenged.’

Eadulf stood up and coughed nervously. ‘I am not qualified to speak here, Brehon Aillín, but could I bring to your attention, through the dálaigh , that the Uraicecht Becc states that among the senfásach there is this admonition: that a Brehon cannot expect to find all truth contained in a fásach . It empowers the Brehon to consider any argument designed to overturn the precedent.’

Fidelma turned to Eadulf in surprise. He passed her the text and she read it rapidly. Then she approached Brehon Aillín and handed it to him. The Brehon read it, pursed his lips and shook his head.