Peter Tremayne - Penance of the Damned

‘Abbot Nannid! You presume upon your office!’ It was Conri who moved forward with his hand on his sword hilt. Prince Donennach waved him back.

Only then did Abbot Nannid seem to realise that he might have gone too far. He bent his head. ‘I apologise,’ he said, his voice not conveying the meaning of his words. ‘I allowed strong words to reflect my concern that a killer of a saintly abbot might find escape through an advocate with a smooth tongue. With your permission, I will withdraw from the evening’s meal and proceed to the abbey so that I can spend the night in contemplation and prayer for the hope that those guilty of crimes may receive their due.’

‘In the circumstances, it would not be of benefit for you to continue here when the purpose of this meal was to sit and drink and eat in friendship prior to discussing ways of coming to an amicable agreement on this matter of contention,’ agreed Prince Donennach without emotion.

Abbot Nannid turned and, followed by his steward, Brother Cuineain, he left the hall.

There were a few moments of silence before the prince resumed his seat and looked sadly at the newcomers.

‘I extend my apologies to you, Fidelma of Cashel, to you, Eadulf and to you, Prior Cuan. However, you see demonstrated the dilemma that I find myself in. Gorman must be tried by the law of the land. Frankly, I can see nothing so far that gives me any sign that we have over-estimated his guilt in the matter. I am still left with the final judgement – a judgement under the law of the land. If guilty, then we must return to this vexed matter of punishment, and whatever path is chosen there will be conflict.’

‘Well, at least the lady Fidelma has provided us with some respite,’ Brehon Faolchair pointed out. There was relief in his voice but no happiness. He turned to Fidelma and forced a smile. ‘Thankfully you seized the opportunity that I allowed by purposely failing to fulfil my legal obligations. You have now bought us several more days to consider the matter before a decision is made and we are plunged once more into argument and aggression.’

While Eadulf was surprised by Brehon Faolchair’s admission, Fidelma was not. She had suspected that a Brehon of Faolchair’s standing would not have neglected the legal rules. Obviously, he had been hoping that she would recognise the legal point to give Prince Donennach some extra time to consider if there was a solution that would avert trouble.

Fidelma inclined her head in acknowledgment of the Brehon’s sleight of hand. ‘Then tomorrow I will begin to question the witnesses to this matter.’

‘You will want to see Gorman first, no doubt?’ asked Brehon Faolchair.

She shook her head. ‘As Gorman is the accused in this matter, it is often best to hear from those who have witnessed what he is accused of; to hear their stories first. This puts an advocate in a better position to examine the accused. I shall visit him after I have seen the witnesses.’

‘Well, there are only two witnesses to the event. Brother Tuaman there and one of the warriors called Lachtna.’

‘I am at your service, lady,’ the tall steward of Imleach offered.

‘Thank you. I shall also need to examine the place where the murder happened.’

‘It was in the guest-house where we are staying,’ supplied Prior Cuan. ‘It is within the fortress, just across the courtyard.’

‘Who else is staying there?’ asked Eadulf.

‘Only our delegation,’ replied Prior Cuan.

‘Which consists of …?’

‘Myself, the steward and two of our brethren – Brother Mac Raith here,’ he motioned to the scribe, ‘and Brother Mael Anfaid.’

Seeing a thoughtful frown crossing her features, Brehon Faolchair added: ‘The chamber in which the abbot died has not been touched. We felt this should be left as it was because of the circumstances.’

‘Your foresight shows excellent judgement, Faolchair,’ acknowledged Fidelma.

Prince Donennach finally seemed to relax in his chair. It was clear the stress of the events was affecting him. ‘Let us leave these difficult concerns until tomorrow. Tonight was destined to be a means to welcome our distinguished visitors.’ He turned and signalled to one of the attendants. ‘Now is the time to eat, drink, listen to the singing of the bards and discuss the more pleasant matters of life.’

On the following morning, when Fidelma and Eadulf left the private guest chambers of the prince’s palace, they found Ciarnat waiting for them at the steps leading down to the main courtyard. She appeared agitated. Enda was at her side, attempting to pacify her.

‘You have been to see neither Gorman nor Aibell,’ Ciarnat greeted them in angry accusation. ‘They think that you have abandoned them.’

‘I am afraid that we are prisoners of protocol, Ciarnat,’ Fidelma said, in an attempt to reassure her. ‘We had to see Prince Donennach first and then were obliged to discuss certain matters. You live in this household and therefore you will know something of the rituals of hospitality. After the meal, I sent one of the attendants to find either you or Aibell, to tell you both that I would come to see you as soon as I was able to, later today.’

The girl was not appeased. ‘The attendant spoke to Aibell but simply said that you would not be seeing her or Gorman immediately.’

Fidelma expressed her irritation. While it was not wrong, the message did not convey her meaning. ‘The reason for the delay was that I had to point out flaws in the previous hearing. This will allow me time to examine the witnesses myself and arrange for a new hearing. That was the message that was intended to be conveyed to Gorman and Aibell.’

The girl started a little in surprise. ‘That was not explained to us.’

Enda seemed delighted. ‘That is good news indeed, lady.’

‘At least it is something. You go back to Aibell, Ciarnat, and inform her of this. You go with her, Enda, as I shan’t need you for a while. Make sure that the news is passed on to Gorman. My investigation now demands that I have to see several people first as well as inspect the chamber in which Abbot Segdae was killed. After that, I shall pay a visit to Gorman.’

‘People will say exactly what they said before,’ Ciarnat stated gloomily. ‘No one believes Gorman.’

‘It will be my task to ensure that he is fairly heard,’ Fidelma promised her.

‘But what of the demands for his death?’

‘One thing at a time. No one outside Abbot Nannid and his supporters would be happy that our law is changed for these church rules. We will argue that matter when, or if, the time comes to do so.’

The girl nodded slowly. ‘Very well. I will go with Enda and inform Aibell of what you say.’

‘You must tell her and Gorman to be of good cheer,’ added Eadulf. ‘Make sure of that.’

‘You can rely on me to tell them that,’ Enda said fiercely.

The girl allowed herself to be led away by Enda, walking across the sloping courtyard towards the stone buildings by the fortress gates that were clearly the laochtech or warriors’ barracks.

Eadulf turned to Fidelma. ‘I wish I felt more confident about this.’

He expected a rebuke but she agreed glumly. ‘Everything seems to be weighted against Gorman. A locked room and witnesses to testify that no one could have gone in or out during the time he was there. On top of this, Abbot Nannid seems intent on getting his revenge. I never thought I would feel sorry for a prince of the Ui Fidgente, but Donennach’s two choices will lead to trouble whichever one he chooses.’

There came the sound of a stick tapping on the flagstones nearby. They looked round and saw Prior Cuan limping towards them, leaning heavily on his blackthorn stick. He smiled and nodded a greeting to them both.