Peter Tremayne - The Dove of Death

‘I suggest that we all return to Brilhag now, where we can await the coming of this bretat Bro-Gernev,’ Fidelma concluded.

‘It will probably take three or four days before the man can arrive here,’ Brother Metellus warned them. ‘Our messenger has to travel west to the city of Kemper, which lies at the junction of two rivers, a few days’ ride from here.’ He paused and then looked embarrassed. ‘I nearly forgot — the Widow Aourken was here earlier and asking to see you.’

Fidelma was momentarily distracted because Trifina was still worried.

‘Let us make sure the mob understands that it is to allow us safe passage back to Brilhag.’ Trifina had swung round to Barbatil, who reddened under the fire in her eyes and from the tone of the young woman’s voice as she addressed him. Fidelma was not sure what she was telling the man. However, at the end of it, the farmer turned to Fidelma and spoke firmly and with dignity. Brother Metellus interpreted.

‘He says that he has given his oath to you, Fidelma. He will abide by it and instruct his family, his neighbours and his friends to keep it.’

‘Your word and honour is acceptable.’ Fidelma smiled reassuringly at him. ‘And Macliau will also keep his word.’

They left the chapel and saw Barbatil walk across to his friend Coric and begin speaking with him. The little man was shaking his head in apparent disagreement but finally he shrugged, shouldered his weapons and strode off into the gathering dusk with Barbatil.

Eadulf saw that Brother Metellus had been talking quietly to Fidelma and she turned to their companions.

‘Eadulf and I have some business to discuss with Brother Metellus before we return to Brilhag.’

At once Bleidbara raised objections to leaving them alone there.

‘Lady, night will soon be upon us and who knows that the mob may change its mood? It is dangerous to be abroad without escort.’

‘I shall have Eadulf and Brother Metellus with me. And we shall not be long following you.’

When Bleidbara insisted, she finally agreed that he should leave one of his men as their escort.

When the rest of the party had left, she turned to Brother Metellus with a query in her eyes. ‘You say that Aourken wanted to see me?’

‘She did,’ he confirmed.

‘Then let us see what it is she wants.’

Brother Metellus led the way along the path to the fishing village, the warrior walking a respectful distance behind. They went directly to Aourken’s cottage and found the elderly woman sitting outside, obviously awaiting them. She rose with a smile of welcome.

‘I have heard that much has happened since you left me,’ she greeted them, and offered them refreshment. ‘Biscam and his merchants dead, Abbot Maelcar murdered and Macliau, the son of the mac’htiern , accused of killing Argantken. I didn’t know Argantken well but her father Barbatil is a good man, a farmer who is well respected on this peninsula.’

‘Even good men can be mistaken,’ replied Fidelma, after they had all declined the offer of refreshment. ‘Brother Metellus tells me that you wanted to see me about something specific.’

The elderly woman nodded. ‘You remember that you mentioned a black cat to me?’

When Fidelma indicated that she had, Aourken went to her door and beckoned Fidelma to follow. Then she pointed inside.

Before the hearth, in an old basket, a black cat was curled up. Fidelma took a pace towards it and the cat, hearing the noise, glanced up and gazed at her. Then it rose slowly and stretched on all four legs and let out a ‘miaow’.

‘Luchtigern!’ breathed Fidelma, reaching down to stroke the animal. ‘Is it you?’

The cat purred and stretched again. Fidelma checked carefully and felt the telltale lump of pitch still entangled in the fur on the back of its neck.

‘It is the ship’s cat from the Barnacle Goose . So it did manage to get to land. I was almost convinced that I was imagining it. That means the ship must have put in somewhere in this vicinity. Maybe the crew has survived as well.’

Eadulf silently wished that he had not been so ready to dismiss Fidelma’s claim when they had first arrived at the abbey.

Fidelma turned to Aourken. ‘Is it possible for you to keep hold of this cat until…until…’ She was hoping that the young cabin boy, Wenbrit, who looked after the ship’s cat, had survived.

Aourken gave her a sympathetic smile of understanding.

‘Until it can be returned to its rightful home? Have no fear, I will keep it. I hope that you and Brother Eadulf will look after yourselves. It seems that these are dangerous times now. I disliked Abbot Maelcar, but no one deserves to be killed in such a fashion.’

‘You heard how he was slain then?’ Fidelma glanced at her in curiosity.

‘Iuna told me.’

‘When was this?’ Fidelma asked quickly.

‘This morning.’

‘This morning? Where did you see her?’

Aourken was puzzled at the sharp interest that Fidelma was displaying.

‘Is something wrong?’ she countered.

‘Nothing that need cause you alarm,’ Fidelma replied with a tight smile.

‘Well, I went to get some oysters with a few other women of the village. There is a bay to the north of here.’

‘Facing the Little Sea, as you call it?’

‘On the north side of the peninsula, yes. It is not a long walk from here. And the oysters are good.’

‘And that is where you saw Iuna?’

‘Indeed it was. She was there, choosing oysters for Brilhag. She likes to choose them herself.’

‘At what part of the morning was this?’

‘When was it that I saw her…about mid-morning, I suppose.’

Fidelma frowned, mentally calculating the time, and becoming aware that she had made a mistake. A bad one. Trifina had not been lying. Iuna could not have sailed to Govihan with Iarnbud, after all. However, she had no time to waste on rebuking herself.

‘That is most helpful, Aourken. And you will look after the cat for a while?’

‘I will. He is no trouble, but I think he is pining for his real owner.’

Fidelma was about to leave when she turned back.

‘One more thing. You told me that you knew Abbot Maelcar when he was a young man here. Did he ever speak about his family?’

Aourken was surprised by the question.

‘Not much. His parents had been killed in a Frankish raid when he was scarcely more than a baby. He was sent to be fostered at the abbey of Meven. Then he came here.’

‘The abbey of Meven — where is that?’

‘In the forests of Brekilien, north of here.’

‘Did he have any siblings?’

The old woman frowned. ‘I do not think so. He always spoke of himself as an only child.’

‘I see.’ Fidelma was thoughtful. ‘That is very helpful. My thanks again.’

The small party left the old woman at her cottage door and walked back towards the abbey. They found their horses where they had left them and bade farewell to Brother Metellus before mounting and heading back to Brilhag.

They had arrived back at Brilhag well after nightfall, and everyone was exhausted. Fidelma wanted to question Iuna immediately, but Eadulf persuaded her that the morning would be more appropriate. After a hurried evening meal, everyone went to their bedchamber.

When Fidelma and Eadulf descended to the great hall the next morning they found only Bleidbara standing moodily before the fire.

‘Riwanon left the fortress early this morning,’ he stated with a bleak expression. ‘She decided that she wanted to pray at the oratory, just along the coast from here.’

‘She has gone to do what ?’ demanded Fidelma in amazement. ‘Why was she allowed to go outside the fortress when there is such danger abroad?’