Peter Tremayne - The Spider's Web

Eadulf’s identification of the rider on the path behind Muadnat’s farmhouse was, at Fidelma’s insistence, a matter between them. In fact, when Fidelma pressed Eadulf as to why he was so sure of the rider’s identity at that distance, Eadulf told her it was only by means of the parti-coloured cloak which he had seen Crón wearing in the hall of assembly.

The thunder of hooves on the wooden planking of the bridge was the first sound to alert Fidelma to something unusual. She moved to the window in time to see the single horse and its rider racing into the rath. Fidelma was surprised to see that it was Muadnat’s nephew Agdae. He flung himself from the beast and went racing towards the hall of assembly.

‘What now?’ demanded Eadulf gloomily.

Fidelma looked composed as she resumed her seat to finish her meal.

‘I have a feeling that we will discover the answer to your question soon.’

Indeed, it was only a few moments later that Dignait arrived to summon them to join Crón in the hall of assembly. The face of the young tanist was grim.

‘It is Muadnat,’ she announced as they entered the hall.

Fidelma drew a breath of annoyance.

‘I suppose our litigious friend is now charging young Archú with burning down his own stable. What is it now?’

‘It may well be that Archú will be charged with a serious crime, Fidelma,’ replied Crón. ‘But it will not be Muadnat who does the charging.’

‘I think you need to explain further,’ Fidelma suggested softly.

‘Muadnat has been found dead. He was found hanged on the high cross of Eoghan that marks the road into Araglin.’

Fidelma’s eyes went wide. She remembered Eadulf pausing to admire the cross as they arrived at the valley of Araglin.

‘If memory serves me right, the high cross is not on the road to Muadnat’s farmstead but stands by the road which comes into the valley in the opposite direction. Who discovered his body?’

‘Agdae. The high meadow beyond the cross belongs to him. Agdae said that Muadnat left his farm yesterday afternoon to go hunting. It was only early this morning that Agdae realised that Muadnat had not returned home. He went in search of him. And found him dead at the high cross. Muadnat often went hunting in the hills beyond there. Agdae rode here to get help and has now returned there with some men.’

Fidelma made a cynical grimace.

‘Doubtless Dubán has told you of our visit to Muadnat’s farmstead yesterday?’

Crón nodded.

‘It seems that Agdae did not think of directing us to that quarter at that time when we were looking for Muadnat.’

‘Is that important?’

‘We shall see. But Agdae did not know where Muadnat was to be found when we inquired for him yesterday. However, this morning, when he became worried about Muadnat’s absence, he was able to go directly to that spot.’

‘Well, Agdae is already accusing Archú of this murder.’

‘On what grounds?’

‘Because Archú is the only person in Araglin who has been at enmity with Muadnat. He says that Archú, through you, blamed Muadnat for the raid on his farmstead yesterday.’

‘That is not quite accurate.’ Fidelma turned to Eadulf. ‘We’d better ride out to this cross and see for ourselves.’

He was in agreement and asked Crón: ‘How long will it be before Dubán returns?’ Adding: ‘It may be that we shall have need of his services in protecting Archú from the wild accusations of Agdae.’

Crón was annoyed.

‘Why should you spend time on this matter? It has nothing to do with the death of my father, Eber, or Teafa. Surely you should be devoting yourself to uncovering the murderer if, as I believe you now claim, it is not Móen … though I think it will take much persuasive power to convince the people of Araglin that he is innocent.’

Fidelma suppressed a passing feeling of exasperation.

‘I find it is better to keep an open mind when conducting an investigation. There is much secrecy in Araglin. I have been told things which are not true. I do not know whether the death of Muadnat has anything to do with the deaths of Eber and Teafa. If you know differently then perhaps you would share your knowledge with me?’

Crón had difficulty in controlling her features and, with grim satisfaction, Fidelma saw uncertainty and even fear in her eyes. After a moment or two, Crón controlled her emotions.

‘No, I do not have such information. I only make what I consider a logical observation. If you must ride out to the big cross, thenyou must. But I think your investigation into this matter is taking an overly long period to complete.’

‘It will take as long as it takes,’ replied Fidelma resolutely. ‘People must have patience.’

‘Agdae may not have patience. He has sworn to find Archú and exact vengeance.’

Fidelma looked sharply at her.

‘Then I would advise you to send after Dubán and have him restrain Agdae unless you want to see one injustice follow another. Perhaps Archú and Scoth should be brought here to this rath for their own protection until I can investigate the matter properly.’

‘Agdae was kin to Muadnat, as, indeed, I was. He will not let his killer escape justice,’ Crón said coldly.

‘Then,’ replied Fidelma equally icily, ‘we must ensure that the killer is found — whoever he or she is.’

She turned and strode quickly from the assembly hall with Eadulf trailing in her wake. In a short while they were riding at a rapid pace uphill towards the distant high cross.

The young warrior Crítán was already there with a couple of burly men, farm workers by the look of them. Nearby stood an ass which had obviously been prepared to receive the body of Muadnat. The purpose of the gathering seemed to be a preparation for the taking down of the body. Muadnat was hanging by his neck by a rope which had been passed over the cross-bar of the granite cross. His feet were little more than a few inches above the ground. Yet Fidelma could immediately see the stains of blood over the front of the man’s shirt as if massive wounds had been inflicted while he was alive.

One of the farm workers who had been about to place a ladder against the back of the cross suddenly saw the approach of Fidelma and Eadulf and paused, muttering something to his two companions. They turned and regarded the two religious with hostility.

Young Crítán moved forward disdainfully.

‘You are not welcome here,’ he greeted.

Unperturbed, Fidelma halted her horse and dismounted.

‘We do not ask a welcome,’ she said calmly.

Eadulf also slid from his mount and hitched his reins together with those of Fidelma’s horse.

Crítán stood hands on his hips. He gazed resentfully at Fidelma. His was a character which would never forgive her for apparently humiliating him. Now he made his aggression clear.

‘It would be well if you left here, woman. Twice you have exonerated Archú in his feud against Muadnat. Now see where this has led. This time Archú shall not succeed. Nor will your attempts to conspire with that creature of the Devil and let him go free after he has murdered Eber and Teafa.’ His tone of menace matched his words.

Fidelma did not appear troubled, standing hands demurely folded in front of her, even smiling at the youth.

‘I am an advocate of the courts of the five kingdoms, Crítán,’ she said pleasantly enough. ‘Do you dare threaten me?’

Arrogance and inexperience combined in Crítán to cause stupidity to replace even his natural cunning. He thrust out his jaw.

‘This is Araglin, woman. You do not have the protection of your church or of your brother’s warriors here.’

He was disconcerted to see Fidelma’s smile broaden.

‘I do not need them to exert my authority here,’ she replied.