Peter Tremayne - Valley of the Shadow

‘So Brother Dianach bought your cows. How did he explain the arrangement? Did he offer any reason why he should suddenly buy the cows and give them to Artgal? I presume he told you that these were for Artgal at the time?’

‘Yes. Artgal is Ronan’s cousin. I only see him when he has won at some game of chance. When the boy told me that the cows were for Artgal, I presumed that the boy was in debt to Artgal over some wager or other. I don’t care anyway. The boy simply told me that Artgal would collect two of the cows later today. The third cow would be collected in a week or so. Artgal then came to see me soon afterwards to ensure that I had the cows. He confided in me that he thought the boy had been joking with him. He was surprised that I actually had the cows to give him. He said that he would collect them later today but I have seen nothing of him since.’

Eadulf compressed his lips in annoyance.

‘So Artgal knew the real identity of his mysterious benefactor all along. He lied to the court when he said it was not Brother Dianach.’

‘That much is obvious.’ Fidelma was phlegmatic. ‘More importantly, Brother Dianach lied. Why would he want to ensure I was incarcerated or found guilty?’ She turned back to Nemon. ‘Have you seen Brother Dianach since this dawn transaction?’

Nemon shook her head.

‘And when was the last time that you saw Ibor of Muirthemne?’

‘That was a few hours ago. I saw him saddling his horse over in Ronan’s field,’ the woman replied. ‘He rode off with both his horses. He went as if the hounds of Goll of the Fomorii were chasing him. Then Ronan came riding down in search of him. What is that about?’

There came the sound of horses outside.

Fidelma turned and glanced through the door.

‘It seems Murgal and Rudgal have returned. Eadulf, tell Murgal we are here. I want a word with him before he proceeds to Artgal’s farmstead.’

Eadulf hurried outside to stop the horsemen before they passed by.

Nemon was puzzled.

‘What is happening? What is all this activity?’

‘Are you sure you have not seen Artgal since this morning when he came to see the cows Brother Dianach had given him?’

‘I have already told you that. Now tell me what is amiss!’

‘Artgal seems to be missing.’

Nemon did not even register surprise.

‘So long as he appears to collect his cows.’

‘You may have to keep them longer than you have anticipated. Not only has Artgal disappeared but Brother Dianach has been found murdered on his farm.’

Nemon’s features remained stony.

‘Well, if I keep the cows,’ she finally said, having apparently thought the matter over, ‘at least I will not have to return the money. Dead men kill their liabilities.’

Even Fidelma was nonplussed at this unscrupulous attitude. She decided there was nothing more to be said and left the cabin. She found Eadulf at the gate talking with Murgal and Rudgal; both men were still mounted.

Murgal greeted her with immediate disapproval.

‘You were told not to leave the ráth until your business with Laisre was finished.’

‘Have you been told that Brother Dianach is dead?’ she replied, ignoring his reproof.

‘Rudgal brought me the news.’

‘You will find his body on Artgal’s farm. Artgal himself is missing. It was, however, Brother Dianach who gave the cows as a bribe to Artgal and not Ibor of Muirthemne. Your foster-daughter … Nemon is the witness to the transaction. Andthere stand the cows, still in her field because Artgal has not collected them.’

Murgal regarded her with narrowed eyes.

‘Are you telling me that Artgal has killed the young man Dianach?’

‘I am not telling you anything,’ replied Fidelma solemnly. ‘As you have pointed out, I am not allowed to investigate, according to you and your chieftain. You may conduct what inquiries you wish. Eadulf and I are now returning to the ráth.’

They left Murgal seething with irritation and proceeded to walk back to the ráth.

It was obvious that Rudgal had not told anyone else of the discovery of Brother Dianach’s body other than Murgal. There were a few people about but no one seemed interested in them and the sounds of festivity were emanating from the feasting hall.

It was dusk when they entered the hostel. There was no one about. Fidelma lit the lamps and made a search for something to eat. While she prepared a meal, Eadulf sat at the table resting his hands on his chin.

‘I don’t understand it.’ He finally broke the silence. ‘Why would Brother Dianach pay such a large sum to Artgal, simply to ensure that he did not change his claim that you killed Brother Solin?’

Fidelma put down some dried bread and cheese on the table, all she could find, and sought out a jug of mead.

‘I think we can speculate. Dianach was involved in whatever Solin was involved in. If we knew what that was, we would know why he was prepared to risk much to ensure that I was imprisoned or tried for murder. I think there is some inevitable link in the chain of events from the murder of the young men to Dianach’s own slaughter. But I do not know where the chain even starts. Why would Dianach want to do me such harm?’

Eadulf cut himself a slice of cheese.

‘Retribution? He believed that you killed Brother Solin. Perhaps he was emotionally tied to Solin to the point where he wanted vengeance?’

She shook her head firmly.

‘No. It does not make sense. He would have waited until the outcome of the hearing. Why spend a whole cumal in a bribe which he did not have to pay? Artgal was prepared to swear against me anyway.’

Eadulf grimaced negatively.

‘I don’t know.’

Fidelma’s expression was firmly set.

‘I have made up my mind what we should do,’ she announced. ‘This is too important to wait until after the negotiations. Ibor of Muirthemne remains the one link from which we might trace our chain. If we find him, we will start on the path to a solution. The way to Ibor lies in tracing those tracks from the site of the ritual massacre. I am sure of it.’

‘So what shall we do?’

‘We will leave here before dawn tomorrow, when everyone is asleep, and make our way to the site.’

‘Laisre will not be happy,’ Eadulf sighed.

‘Better for him to be unhappy and get these mysteries solved so that there is no bad blood between Cashel and Gleann Geis,’ she replied firmly. ‘The more that I have thought about this, the more I believe that the answer to this mystery is of greater importance to Cashel than agreeing with Laisre about the placing of a church and school here.’

Eadulf stirred uncomfortably.

‘More important than converting this corner of the kingdom to the Faith?’ he queried. ‘Surely Ségdae of Imleach will not agree?’

Fidelma shook her head.

‘I fear that there is a common answer to what has been happening here. According to Brother Solin, he was involved in something that would bring about the fall of Cashel before the summer ended. My oath to my brother and the laws of this land forbid me to ignore such a threat.’

There was a tap on the door of the hostel and before either could answer it was opened and Orla’s young daughter entered. She carried a basket on her arm. A momentary expression of irritation passed over her features when she saw Fidelma but then her eyes brightened as they alighted on Eadulf.

‘I knew Cruinn was not here,’ she said in a husky voice. ‘I have come to make some supper for you.’ She glanced quickly at Fidelma and added: ‘For you both.’

Eadulf rose and glanced down at the dried bread and cheese that he had been contemplating eating. He grimaced wryly then smiled.

‘It will be very welcome, Esnad.’