Peter Tremayne - Smoke in the Wind

Gwnda continued: ‘Idwal went to the community expecting to break his fast. There was no sign of anyone and so he came on to tell me.’

Eadulf was about to say something when he caught another warning glance from Fidelma.

‘Which brings me to another question,’ she continued. ‘Just as a matter of clarification, you’ll understand. How was it that you found Mair’s body and Idwal?’

‘I have told you that you have no authority to inquire into the subject of Mair’s death,’ he replied testily.

‘I was talking about Idwal.’

‘The same thing.’

‘Not at all. Idwal called to see you about Llanpadern but you were not here. It is natural to ask, how did you meet up with Idwal?’

‘I was out in the woods, that’s all.’

‘And you came across him purely by chance?’

‘That is so. I think I have answered enough questions.’ From his curt tone, Fidelma realised that she would be able to extract no more information from him. She smiled with good grace. ‘Thank you for your time, Gwnda. You have been most helpful,’ she said. ‘And you too, Iorwerth.’ She motioned to Eadulf to follow her as she turned to leave.

‘Remember, Gwyddel,’ Gwnda snapped, ‘your authority ends with the matter of Llanpadern.’

‘I shall remember that, lord of Pen Caer,’ she replied softly.

They walked back along the street towards Gwnda’s hall. As soon as they were out of earshot, Eadulf spoke. His voice was almost bubbling with fury.

‘The man is hiding something! Why didn’t you let me press him?’

‘Because it would have done little good except to alert him against us.’

Eadulf’s jaw slackened. ‘You knew he was lying?’

‘I know that he was not telling the whole truth. But it would be pointless to pursue him unless one had solid ground to stand on.

Eadulf considered the matter. ‘I know that Gwnda was involved with the hanging of poor Idwal. He put Iorwerth up to reciting that Latin phrase as a defence.’

‘I realised that Gwnda was not averse to the killing of Idwal even on the evening when we first arrived in this place,’ Fidelma agreed. ‘Iorwerth let the truth slip when he indicated that Gwnda made no effort to protect Idwal.’

Eadulf was startled. ‘You suspected him that first evening?’

‘Do you remember the story that was given to us? That Gwnda was a law-abiding ruler who had sent for the barnwr , and that it was Iorwerth and Iestyn who led the mob who dragged Idwal from his custody by force?’

‘I remember. Gwnda was held prisoner in his own hall by the mob.’

Fidelma smiled dryly. ‘Held prisoner? There were two young men at the door of his hall and both were unarmed. Yet when we arrived, Gwnda came bounding out with a sword in his hand. If Gwnda had been held prisoner, it was effected by two unarmed men against an armed one well versed in the use of weapons.’

Eadulf considered the event, reflecting on the details. ‘He did seem over-anxious to forgive his people for their rebellion against him. By why the subterfuge? These pieces of fact do not seem to fit into a pattern.’

‘I am not sure that we have even the framework, let alone sufficient pieces to make a pattern.’

They had reached Gwnda’s hall, but before entering Fidelma laid a hand on Eadulf ’s arm.

‘You must ride for the abbey of Dewi Sant immediately. I need that authority of Gwlyddien to set aside this blockage by Gwnda.’

Eadulf grinned smugly. ‘There is no need for me to leave you alone here and unprotected.’

Fidelma stood uncertainly. ‘Of course there is need.’

Eadulf shook his head firmly. ‘While you went in to question Iorwerth, I had a word with young Dewi. He is a bright lad. I asked him if he would be willing to ride to the abbey of Dewi Sant and deliver our message to Abbot Tryffin.’

Fidelma received the news with a moment’s silence. ‘Do you trust him to do so? After all, until we know what is happening in this place, we should be wary of whom we trust.’

‘You are a wise counsellor. But I trust the boy and I trust the silver piece which he will receive from me when he returns.’

‘I see. And the message you sent?’

‘That Brother Meurig was dead. That we were being prevented from investigating and that there was an armed band in the area from whom we had a narrow escape. That we needed the authority of Gwlyddien to negate Gwnda’s objections to our presence.’

Fidelma gave her reluctant approval. ‘You really feel that you can trust the boy?’

‘I have backed my trust with our lives,’ pointed out Eadulf. ‘There is danger here and I think it wise not to leave you alone.’

Fidelma quickly reached forward and squeezed his arm. ‘Faithful Eadulf,’ she said in an unexpected moment of tenderness. Then she added: ‘You are sure about the boy?’

Eadulf nodded. ‘He also told me why his parents, Rhonwen and Goff, became scared when you mentioned the name of Clydog. Clydog had called at their forge and treated them both harshly, robbing them and promising to return and do something worse if they spoke about him.’

‘That would explain the fear,’ agreed Fidelma. She suddenly became silent and Eadulf followed her gaze.

Down the street came Iestyn, the dour-looking farmer, seated on a two-wheeled farm cart pulled by a sturdy little donkey. He glanced towards them, his features forming in an expression of dislike, then quickly returned his concentration to guiding the cart along the track.

‘This is luck,’ Fidelma said in a quick aside to Eadulf before stepping forward and raising a hand. ‘Iestyn! Hold a moment. I need a word with you.’

In spite of himself, Iestyn felt compelled by her commanding tone. He pulled on the reins and sat glowering expectantly down as she approached the cart.

‘What do you want of me, Sister?’ he demanded gruffly.

Fidelma returned his sullen look with a faint smile. ‘Answers,’ she replied brightly. ‘Answers to a few questions. ’

‘What questions?’ came his suspicious response.

Eadulf had joined Fidelma. ‘If you alight from your cart for a moment, we will tell you.’

‘I am busy,’ replied the farmer, but in spite of his unwillingness he twirled the reins around the brake which he had applied and climbed down to join them.

Fidelma, who was tall anyway, seemed to tower over him and he stared defiantly up at her.

‘Well? What questions? I did not say I had the rest of the evening to waste time in.’

‘Do not be concerned, Iestyn.’ Fidelma ignored his pugnacious rudeness. ‘We do not suspect you of anything. We merely need to clarify a few matters with you.’

Iestyn was perplexed by her reply. ‘Suspect me? Of what? Anyway, you are no branwr , but a Gwyddel. You have no right to stop me.’

‘We have every right,’ Fidelma assured him, with such conviction that she surprised even Eadulf, who groaned inwardly. It only needed Gwnda to arrive again and denounce her authority to cause more trouble.

‘What do you want?’

‘Let us talk about the death of Mair.’

‘What of her death? She was the daughter of my good friend, Iorwerth.’

‘We have been talking with Iorwerth. He tells us that on the morning Mair was killed, it was you who came to his forge and told him that you had seen Mair and Idwal arguing with one another.’

Iestyn sniffed defensively. ‘So?’

‘Tell us about it.’

The farmer was suspicious. ‘There’s nothing to tell. I was coming through the woods. .’

‘What took you there in the first place?’ asked Eadulf innocently.

‘My farm is by the stream that runs through the woods. I was coming on foot to the township, having delivered some fruit to a neighbour of mine. In fact, I was coming to call on Iorwerth.’