Peter Tremayne - Act of Mercy

Murchad shrugged.

‘Precious little. There was some conflict between the High King Blathmac and Faelan of Laigin — some dispute about whether the Ui Cheithig should pay tribute to Blathmac at Tara or to Faelan at Fearna.

‘I know a treaty was agreed. But it seemed that Blathmac wanted to teach Faelan a lesson for his defiance and sent a band of his elite warriors by ship down the coast to the country of the Ui Enechglais. They marched on the fortress of Faelan’s brother at Rath Bile and there was a great slaughter. It is true that many old men, women and children died as well as the handful of Laigin warriors who were defending the place.’

Fidelma was troubled.

‘This is a complication which we did not want on this voyage.’

Murchad shared her anxiety.

‘And you are no nearer solving the murder of Sister Muirgel? There is a whisper that Sister Crella is responsible. Is that true?’

‘I am not satisfied yet. There is more here than meets the eye. How long before we reach harbour in Ushant?’

‘With this wind, we will be there within the hour. You will have to advise me what to do about Toca Nia and Cian, lady.’

Fidelma shook her head. ‘If I remember the laws appertaining to crimes committed in war in the Crith Gablach , it states that once the cairde , the peace treaty, is agreed, only a month is allowed for anyone to pursue claims under its condition. Those wishing to exact retribution under law for any unlawful deaths that might have occurred have to make claim by that time. This massacre you speak of took place several years ago.’

Murchad looked morose.

‘Murder and now war crimes! Never in all my sailing days have I encountered the like. What must we do? Toca Nia is quoting the Holy Book at me and demanding vengeance.’

‘Vengeance is not law,’ replied Fidelma. ‘This matter needs to be heard before a senior Brehon, for I am not competent to advise what should be done.’

‘Well, I certainly am not, lady.’

‘I will speak with Cian,’ Fidelma decided, rising. ‘The first thing to do is see what he has to say on this matter.’

Cian was lying back on his bunk, though in a semi-sitting position with a bloodstained rag at his nose. The cabin he shared with Brother Bairne was in gloom. A lantern swung from a hook in the ceiling, casting flickering lights which chased one another about. No one, asyet, had apparently told him of Toca Nia’s accusation. He removed the rag and gave Fidelma a lopsided smile as she entered the cabin.

‘Our shipwrecked mariner has a curious way of expressing gratitude to his rescuers,’ he greeted her wryly.

Fidelma remained impassive.

‘I presume that you did not recognise the man?’

Cian shrugged and then winced painfully.

‘Should I have recognised him?’

‘His name is Toca Nia.’

‘Never heard of him.’

‘He was not a mariner but a passenger on the ship that went down. In fact, he was a warrior of the Faelan of Laigin.’

Cian was dismissive.

‘Well, I do not know all the warriors of the Five Kingdoms. What is his quarrel with me?’

‘I thought you might know him, as he knows you.’

‘What was his name again?’ frowned Cian.

‘Toca Nia.’

Cian thought for a moment and then shook his head.

‘Toca Nia of Rath Bile,’ added Fidelma coldly.

There was no doubting that the addition of Rath Bile meant something to. Cian.

‘Do you want to tell me about it?’ Fidelma went on.

‘About what, precisely?’

‘About what happened at Rath Bile.’

‘It was at Rath Bile that I lost the use of my arm.’ There was bitterness in his voice.

‘What were you doing at Rath Bile?’

‘I was in the service of the High King.’

‘I think I need a little more information than that, Cian.’

‘I was commanding a troop of the High King’s bodyguard. We fought a battle there and I received an arrow in my upper arm.’

Fidelma heaved a deep breath, indicating her frustration.

‘I do not want to fight for every detail.’

Cian’s mouth tightened.

‘What exactly is it that this Toca Nia accuses me of?’

‘He is claiming that you are the “Butcher of Rath Bile”. That it was on your orders that some one hundred and forty men, women and children were slaughtered and the village and fortress put to the torch. Is there truth in that?’

‘Did Toca Nia tell you how many warriors of the High King were slain there?’ Cian countered in anger.

‘That is no defence. If those warriors were attacking the village and fortress, then it was their choice to put themselves in harm’s way. The death of women and children is no compensation for their deaths. There is no just cause that exonerates mass slaughter.’

‘How can you say that?’ challenged Cian. ‘Just cause enough if the High King wills it!’

‘That is a precious morality, Cian. It is no justification at all. I would urge you to tell me what happened, otherwise it might be argued that Toca Nia’s charges must be true and that you are answerable for them.’

‘Not true! Not at all true!’ cried Cian in frustrated anger.

‘Then tell me your version of events. There was some border dispute between the High King and the King of Laigin, wasn’t there?’

Cian reluctantly agreed.

‘The High King believed that the Ui Cheithig who dwelt around Cloncurry should pay tribute directly to him. The King of Laigin argued that he was lord over them. The High King said that their tribute stood in place of the boramha .’ Cian used an old word meaning cattle-computation.

‘I do not understand this,’ Fidelma told him.

‘It goes back to the time when the High King Tuathal the Legitimate sat in judgement at Tara. Tuathal had two daughters. The story goes that the King of Laigin was then called Eochaidh Mac Eachach and that he married the first daughter of Tuathal but found he did not like her as much as he liked the second daughter. So he returned to the court of Tuathal and pretended that his first wife had died and thus he was able to marry the second daughter.’

Cian paused and grinned despite the seriousness of his position. ‘He was a sly old goat, that King Eochaidh.’

Fidelma made no comment. There was no humour in the deception.

‘Well, naturally,’ continued Cian, ‘the two daughters eventually discovered the truth. The second daughter learned that she was married illegitimately, for her sister was still alive. When they found out that they had a husband in common, it is said that they died of shame.’ He interrupted his narrative and smirked. ‘What stupidity! Anyway, the story came to the ears of their father, the High King, and as revenge he marched his army into Laigin and met Eochaidh in battle. He slew him and ravaged the kingdom.

‘The men of Laigin came forward and sued for peace and agreed to pay an annual tribute — predominantly in cattle. From that time onwards the Ui Neill successors of Tuathal demanded this boramha or cattle tribute, but often they had to use force to obtain it. That was why Blathmac ordered us to go south and raze Rath Bile as a demonstration to show he was determined to extract the tribute from the Laigin King.’

‘But hadn’t a treaty already been agreed?’ Fidelma pointed out.

‘Didn’t you go south after both kings agreed the treaty?’

Cian replied with a gesture of impatience.

‘It is not for a warrior to question his orders, Fidelma. I was ordered to go south. South I went.’

‘You admit that you were in command?’

‘Of course I was. I do not deny it! But I was acting under the legitimate orders of the High King. I went to extract the tribute.’