Peter Tremayne - Dancing With Demons

‘May I ask what business took you to the capital of the King of Ulaidh?’

‘It has no relevance to this matter but it is no secret. I was to advise on a case involving a territorial dispute between the Dál Riada and Emain Macha. However, I did not reach Emain Macha as a messenger overtook me on the road and told me to hasten back to Tara. It was then that I heard that Sechnussach had been slain.’

Fidelma turned back to Abbot Colmán. ‘So in the absence of the heir apparent and the Chief Brehon, you took responsibility at Tara, Abbot Colmán?’

‘I did. As you know, I stand not only as spiritual adviser to the Great Assembly but also hold office as High King’s rechtaire, his steward.’

‘And, in taking charge, what did you do?’

‘The High King’s physician was sent for but that was merely a matter of procedure because we could see that he was dead. After all, his neck had been cut open so that the blood must have spurted like a great fountain.’ He looked apologetically at Cenn Faelad, whose face was strained. ‘I ordered a search of the adjoining rooms to ensure that the assassin acted alone, and then confirmed the identity of the assassin who had killed himself as soon as he had killed the King.’

‘You confirmed his identity?’ pressed Fidelma. ‘So you knew him?’

‘I had been told who it was by Irél. Irél had already recognised him. Dubh Duin was a member of the Great Assembly, and known in Tara. I had also seen him at the Assembly several times.’

‘And then?’

‘I ordered Irél to despatch messengers to alert Cenn Faelad and Brehon Barrán … ’

‘No one has mentioned the High King’s wife and his daughters,’ Eadulf pointed out. ‘Were they not present?’

The abbot seemed suddenly defensive. ‘They were not and I felt that it was more important to contact the heir apparent and Chief Brehon first.’

‘Very well. What then?’

‘Then I called a scribe to come and make such notes as I thought necessary to be placed in the tech screpta, the library. I asked the guards to give their statements … ’

‘Indeed. I will examine them later. It is more important to question a witness in person. The matter of the guards interests me. Was the High King’s chamber not guarded that night?’ asked Fidelma.

‘The assassin eluded the two guards, Lugna and Cuan. They had been in the kitchen investigating a suspicious noise. Alerted by screams issuing from the King’s chamber, they ran up the stairs and burst in just as the assassin turned his knife on himself.’

‘Alerted by screams?’ frowned Fidelma. ‘What — from the High King?’

Abbot Colmán looked puzzled at the question. ‘Who else would scream in these circumstances?’

‘And were the guards able to explain how the assassin had managed to enter the royal enclosure, even gaining entrance to the High King’s house and bedchamber while it was still dark? Was the building not locked from the inside?’

Abbot Colmán looked uncomfortable. ‘In the centre of Tara, in the royalenclosure, it has always been thought unnecessary to bolt the doors, for two guards are always standing without.’

‘And the door to the High King’s bedchamber, was that not locked?’

This time, Abbot Colmán reached into his leather purse and drew forth a bronze key. He held it out to her.

‘We think it was, but the assassin carried a key.’

She took it and held it up. It was a well-crafted key and had a pattern on it.

‘Where was this found?’

‘In the assassin’s sparrán. ’

‘Before you go further, Fidelma,’ Cenn Faelad said softly, looking embarrassed, ‘I know the key to be mine. It bears the same marks that are on my key.’

Fidelma looked curiously at him. ‘You keep a key to the High King’s bedchamber? When did you find your key was missing?’

‘As heir apparent, I have a duplicate set of keys to all the royal apartments. But as for your second question,’ he held out his hands helplessly. ‘I didn’t. I mean, it isn’t.’

‘I do not understand,’ she replied impatiently.

Cenn Faelad drew forth another key and handed it to her. She took it and examined it. Then she held out both keys side by side and looked at them carefully. Now she understood.

‘They have been cast from the same mould but also filed with exactly the same markings. That is unusual, but the explanation is simple. The intruder’s key must have been copied from your key.’

Cenn Faelad nodded quickly. ‘I agree. A locksmith has made both keys to bear the same personal markings. The keys of important buildings are given different markings so that their holders can be identified. In this case, the locksmith has ensured that both keys bear marks that identify them as mine.’

‘How long have you had your key, Cenn Faelad?’

‘Since I was elected tánaiste — that is, five years ago, and it has been in my possession ever since. But, look, that mark at the end of the key … ’

‘Like a deep score in the bronze?’

‘That was made only three weeks ago. Yet the other key also has it.’

Fidelma compressed her lips thoughtfully. ‘How was it done?’ she asked. ‘The mark, I mean.’

‘I had been carrying out an inspection of all the locks with the bollscari, the head of the household staff, as he felt that some of them neededreplacing. We tested the keys of the royal house. At the end of the inspection I was late for a sword practice with Irél, the commander of the guard, and I took the keys with me. I had laid them aside with my purse and belt. My sword was a new one and I was not sure of the balance. I made a swing to test it and the sword came down on this key. The blade nicked the bronze which, of course, was then dented.’

‘And that was just three weeks ago? Did you leave the key with anyone during this time? Was it out of your possession at all?’

The young man shook his head. ‘That is the frustrating part. I did not miss it at any time. To be honest, I never even check the keys unless there is a reason. They are kept in a box in my chamber in the royal house. The chamber is locked when I am not there.’

‘Is the box also locked?’

‘It was not felt there was a need.’

‘Could any other person gain access to your chamber?’

‘The bollscari, Brother Rogallach, is the person who keeps the only other key.’

‘And you are there most of the time?’

‘No. I have my own residence outside of Tara and am more often there.’

Fidelma sighed softly. ‘We must return to this matter later. But it seems that our assassin was able to enter the High King’s bedchamber because he had a key, one copied from your own within the last few weeks. Further, our assassin was able to get through the main gate of what should be the most fortified palace in all Éireann without challenge and walk directly into the High King’s house without being seen.’

Brehon Barrán coloured a little at the note in her voice. He said, ‘It seems that a guard on the main gate let him pass, through, without proper challenge. That guard has been held, pending your interrogation. He may have been in collusion with the assassin.’

‘His name?’ This was from Eadulf.

‘Erc the Speckled.’

‘You have said that the High King was alone in his bedchamber when he was murdered. This is a certainty?’ Eadulf asked next.

‘It is,’ Brehon Barrán replied with a frown. ‘Why, are you implying that-’

‘What Eadulf meant,’ Fidelma explained hurriedly, ‘was that we have not been told where Sechnussach’s wife, the lady Gormflaith, was that night. I think Abbot Colmán implied that she was not at the royal residence.’