Peter Tremayne - Badger's Moon

‘Does it need a purpose?’ queried Accobrán in amusement. ‘They say that all the Uí Fidgente are cattle thieves and plunderers.’

‘Does it not strike anyone that this is a long way to come in search of plunder — just ten men, passing through the lands of many rich clans before they reached here?’

No one responded. Fidelma tapped her foot impatiently.

‘Does no one have an explanation to offer?’

Eadulf turned to her and opened his mouth but the look he received from her caused him to snap his jaw shut. He was about to point out that she had heard the Uí Fidgente discussing why they had come and for a moment he had not realised what she was doing. He had almost given away her intention to prise information from Accobrán.

‘It is a pity that you took no prisoners in order to find out the reason behind the raid, Accobrán. You heard nor saw nor found anything to give you an answer to that question?’

‘Nothing, lady,’ vowed the tanist earnestly.

‘Don’t forget that Suanach was in their company for a long time. Perhaps she has some knowledge,’ Becc pointed out.

‘Then I must ask Suanach,’ Fidelma said softly.

‘An excellent idea,’ Becc approved. ‘And now let us allow Accobrán to rest and refresh himself after his exertions.’

When they were alone, Eadulf glanced apologetically to Fidelma. ‘Why keep silent about what you overheard the Uí Fidgente say?’

‘Come, let us speak with Suanach,’ she said, without replying to his question.

The girl was sitting up having a bowl of broth with Menma at her side. They both smiled broadly as Fidelma and Eadulf entered.

‘Well, this is a reversal of fortunes,’ Fidelma greeted them. ‘I seem to remember that last time it was I who was in bed being fed broth by you, Suanach. Are you injured?’

‘No, lady. I am only a little tired for I have not slept this last night.’

‘Then I am afraid that there is a question that I must ask of you, and of you, Menma, before I leave you to rest.’

‘Ask away,’ invited the young hunter.

‘I will ask you first, Suanach. During the time that you were the captive of the Uí Fidgente, did they speak of the reason behind the raid?’

Suanach placed her bowl of broth on a bedside table and clasped her hands before her. She considered the question thoughtfully.

‘One of them…no one mentioned any names…told someone to make sure that a trail was left so that Menma could follow them without difficulty.’

‘They mentioned Menma’s name?’ interposed Eadulf quickly, confirming what Fidelma has already told him. ‘They wanted Menma to follow?’

She nodded assent.

‘Did they say for what purpose?’

‘They wanted to capture him and ask him some questions.’

Fidelma turned to Menma with eyebrows raised in interrogation. The hunter shrugged before she said anything.

‘I have no idea what they could want. I have neither friends nor enemies among the Uí Fidgente. I have been to their lands neither in peace nor in war. Why they would come hither to attack me, burn my home and kidnap my wife to lure me after them, I cannot begin to understand.’

‘I heard snatches of conversation as we rode along.’ They turned to Suanach who had spoken and waited expectantly. She went on: ‘Nothing made any sense at all. One of the men mentioned something about a ship’s captain. Something about the cargo at the house of Molaga. Then something about enough gold to finance a kingdom.’

Fidelma left out a soft breath. ‘You say that these were snatches of conversation?’

‘I can tell you no more than what I have said. I heard no more that made any sense.’

Fidelma turned to Menma. ‘Does this make any sense to you?’

The hunter shook his head.

‘Would it make any sense if I mentioned that the Uí Fidgente wanted to question you about the Thicket of Pigs?’ added Fidelma. ‘I, myself, overheard this.’

Menma’s astonishment was not feigned. ‘I do not understand it, Sister. What could I tell them that would be of value to them? Riches? Well, Brother Eadulf here will confirm that it was only yesterday that we discovered the old mine was being worked again.’

Fidelma turned back to Suanach. ‘Was gold mentioned at all?’

She shook her head. ‘Nothing more was mentioned in my hearing than what I have said.’

Fidelma tuned to Menma. ‘Do you have any cause to go to the house of Molaga and speak with the merchants or captains of ships that put in there?’

‘Now and again,’ he admitted. ‘I am known only as a hunter in these forests. I knew nothing about the working of the mine until yesterday so if you are saying that I mentioned it to some merchant who then told these Uí Fidgente…’

‘I am not saying that,’ replied Fidelma. ‘I am not sure of the connection yet. There is something else which worries me. Accobrán says that the raiding party’s tracks were hard to follow. Suanach hears one of them telling his men to make it easy for Menma to track them. The idea was to be able to capture you. These two views do not balance each other.’

Menma looked genuinely puzzled.

‘Their tracks were easy enough to see. I suppose the tanist would like to make the chase sound more arduous and exciting than it was. We came on two sentinels waiting for us but Accobrán had them shot before they could raise an alarm.’

Fidelma said nothing for a moment and then: ‘We will leave you for a while. I would not mention anything of this conversation to anyone.’

‘Accobrán has already asked if I had overheard anything about the purpose of the raid,’ Suanach said.

‘And did you tell him what you told me?’

‘I was tired and not thinking. It is only now that you have asked me that those snatches of conversation have come back to me.’

Fidelma compressed her lips a moment. ‘In which case, I would say nothing further to anyone about this matter until I ask you.’

‘I do not understand. Sister, but I…we…will do as you ask. Is it not so. Menma?’

Her husband nodded a little morosely.

‘Then we will leave you in peace for the time being.’ Fidelma hesitated a moment. ‘Tell me, Menma, did you ever attend when old Liag was giving instruction in star lore?’

‘Of course, when I was younger. So did Suanach.’

‘Beccnat, Escrach and Ballgel also attended, I am told.’

‘Indeed, but not in my day. They were all far younger than I was.’

‘I think most people of the Cinél na Áeda learnt the ancient tales at the feet of old Liag,’ added Suanach. ‘He appears unfriendly and eccentric but he is really a nice old man.’

‘Even our fierce tanist used to attend,’ added Menma.

‘And these tales of Liag’s — were they no more than the folk stories associated with the ancient beliefs of what the moon and stars represented?’

‘Of course. Liag was very particular,’ Suanach replied at once. ‘He used to tell us that knowledge was power and to know the hidden names was to possess a very dangerous knowledge…’

She broke off and Fidelma was just quick enough to see a warning glance from Menma. She turned back to the door.

‘Thank you, Suanach. A special thanks for what you did for me. I am beholden to you. The Uí Fidgente are enemies of my blood and there is no need for me to say-’

‘No need,’ interrupted Suanach with an answering smile.

Outside, Eadulf was still puzzled. ‘What was all that about? Surely the raiders were not looking for this gold mine…?’

Fidelma turned to him and placed a finger to her lips. ‘No word of the cave to anyone yet, Eadulf.’

At that moment the door opened behind them and Menma came out, drawing it shut. He looked troubled.