Peter Tremayne - The Leper's bell

Colgú shook his head. ‘Bishop Ségdae sent him on a tour of the western islands. He left over a week ago.’

‘So that eliminates Petrán,’ Fidelma said with satisfaction.

‘But Petrán has followers, and it is precisely because he has strong views and leads a group who are fanatic about their ideas that such things should not be overlooked. I will ask Finguine to check the religious quarters of the palace as a matter of course.’

Fidelma shrugged. ‘I doubt whether it will reveal anything, because, if such a plot was envisaged, exacting minds such as Petrán and those around him would not leave any evidence of it in their quarters,’ she said, as if dismissing the matter.

‘That is true, but even the most clever mind can sometimes overlook the obvious,’ commented Colgú.

‘I think we should set out before the day is older.’ Fidelma rose abruptly from her chair.

‘You still wish to catch up with the pilgrims at Imleach?’ Colgú demanded.

‘There is still no other path to follow.’

‘Then, in view of what I have just said, I am sending Capa, my commander of the guard, with you. I told him to stand ready.’

Fidelma exchanged a glance with Eadulf.

‘Are you are concerned, brother, that we are really in some tangible danger?’ she asked softly.

‘For the very reasons that we have just been discussing, sister,’ Colgú replied solemnly.

For a moment or two, Eadulf thought that Fidelma would argue with her brother. He knew she hated to be accompanied by armed warriors, even for her own protection. But Fidelma simply shrugged.

‘Then make sure that Capa is at the gates within the hour, for Eadulf and I will depart for Imleach before the noonday bell has finished striking.’

They left the king’s apartments, passing Capa as he entered to receive his instructions. They were passing down the corridor back to their own chambers when a young warrior halted them by the simple expedient of standing in their way in the narrow corridor.

‘Forgive me, lady,’ he began awkwardly.

He was a youthful man with a shock of raven-black hair, a fair skin and eyes to match the colour of his hair. He was well muscled, and a scar on his arm showed that he had already served in combat. In spite of his youth, he wore the golden torque of the élite bodyguard of the king and his clothes were well cared for. His features were pleasant and seemed vaguely familiar to Fidelma. She presumed that she must have seen him about the palace. His eyes held a look of anxiety, and she controlled her impatience at being waylaid.

‘Well, warrior? You wish to speak to me?’

The young man swallowed. ‘Lady, my name is Gorman.’

‘Well, Gorman?’ Her voice was frosty and not encouraging.

‘Lady, I have heard that Capa, our captain, is looking for a couple of warriors to accompany him. The rumour says that he is to escort you to Imleach in search of Sárait’s murderer, the kidnapper of your child. Capa has already chosen Caol for this task.’

‘And?’ snapped Fidelma, angry that the news had spread so rapidly.

‘I would like very much to go with you, lady.’

Fidelma’s annoyance increased. ‘It is no concern of mine what choice Capa makes. You must speak to him.’

The young warrior shook his head. ‘Capa has taken a dislike to me, lady, although I have done him no wrong. But I must, I must go with you.’

Fidelma stared at him in surprise for a moment.

‘Must? Why?’

The young man shrugged awkwardly.

‘I… I knew the lady Sárait. I feel… feel…’

Fidelma’s forbidding features softened as the young man stood with reddening face.

‘I presume that you were in love with her?’

The young warrior coloured hotly, dropping his gaze as if he were confessing to some heinous crime.

‘I am … was.’

‘Why does Capa dislike you that you need my intervention with him to ensure you come on this journey?’

‘My youth, I suppose. I think that is why Capa ignores me.’

He hesitated and Fidelma felt that he was holding something back.

That is not the real reason, is it?’ she pressed.

The young man blushed. ‘I am baseborn. My mother was a prostitute.’

‘But you wear the golden torque,’ Eadulf pointed out. ‘I thought that…’ He hesitated, feeling awkward. ‘I thought that only nobles could join the élite bodyguard?’

‘Donndubháin, who was heir apparent to Colgú before Finguine, promoted me to the élite bodyguard when I was instrumental in turning back an Uí Fidgente attack at the battle of Cnoc Áine. Capa thinks only sons of nobles should serve in the Nasc Niadh — the bodyguard. I want a chance to prove myself to him.’

Eadulf sniffed in dismissive fashion. ‘A young man wanting vengeance to prove himself with his commander disliking him…’ He shook his head. That sounds a recipe for disaster to me.’

Gorman turned pleading eyes on Fidelma.

‘Please, lady…’

‘Gorman!’

It was the stern voice of Capa, who appeared behind them on his way back from Colgú’s chambers. The commander of the guard raised his hand in salute as he recognised Fidelma and Eadulf.

‘I beg your pardon, lady. I wanted a word with young Gorman here.’ He glanced at the warrior, now stiffening to attention. ‘You will be ready to accompany Caol and me within the hour. We are to be escort to the lady Fidelma and Brother Eadulf.’

The young man dropped his jaw in surprise at the announcement. Capa inclined his head in salute again and turned down the corridor.

Fidelma smiled at the confused young man.

There, you did not need to ask for my intercession. Have you heard of the saying si finis bonus est, totum bonum erit?’

The young man shook his head.

‘If the end is good, everything will be good.’ Eadulf smiled. ‘We will see you at the main gate within the hour.’

It was just before midday when Fidelma and Eadulf, followed by Capa, with Gorman and Caol riding behind, reached the dark flowing waters of the River Suir, west of Cashel, at the point where a bridge crossed to a small island in the middle before continuing on to the far bank. On the island stood a small fortification which served to protect the approaches to Cashel in times of war. Dense woodland grew on either side of the broad waters.

Eadulf recalled the last time he had ridden along this highway with Fidelma. He shivered slightly, for then they had been held up by warriors of the Uí Fidgente when they had been on a journey to Imleach to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the holy relics of St Ailbe and Brother Mochta, Keeper of the Holy Relics. Eadulf glanced nervously about him as they rode up to the bridge. They had been waylaid by enemy warriors at this very spot and he had been forced to swim with his horse, gasping for breath as the icy river clutched at him.

The brooding waters were beginning to reflect the spreading dark clouds coming from the west, which reared up into a flattened anvil shape dominating the sky. Fidelma glanced up.

Thunder clouds,’ she muttered. ‘We might have to seek shelter before we reach Imleach.’

Eadulf recalled that beyond the bridge there was a settlement called the Well of Ara where they had stayed before. A man called Aona who had once commanded the bodyguard of the king of Cashel ran the inn there.

He started nervously.

‘What is it?’ whispered Fidelma, catching his movement.

‘I think that there is someone hidden in the fortress on the island. There is someone watching us.’

Capa edged his horse forward, overhearing Eadulf ‘s alarm.

They should be our warriors, lady. Men were sent out to patrol the roads soon after we discovered the body of Sárait and realised the child was missing. I posted three of my men to check all travellers crossing the bridge.’