Peter Tremayne - Penance of the Damned

‘There was no third person,’ the steward firmly assured them. ‘You have examined the chamber. There is nowhere to hide without either the abbot or the warrior seeing them. And there is nowhere to enter or leave except through this solid oak door. Perhaps you would like to examine the window more carefully …’

‘We have seen the iron bars,’ Eadulf cut in. ‘Anyway, it would have been difficult enough for someone to climb up or to climb down the outside wall – even if they could get in or out through the window.’

‘Then you will agree with me.’ Brother Tuaman’s tone was again arrogant. ‘The idea that anyone else could have killed the abbot is preposterous. Even Brehon Faolchair pointed out that the abbot was standing in front of the warrior. Had someone crept up behind Gorman to deliver the blow, the abbot would surely have seen and given warning of the attacker. Unless,’ the steward said insolently, ‘you will argue that the abbot connived in his own murder by having the warrior knocked out first?’

After they left Brother Tuaman, Conri conducted them to a group of single-storey stone buildings to the far side of the fortress and took them into the centre of a well-cultivated herb garden.

‘You’ll find the lady Airmid there,’ he said, pointing to one of the buildings. ‘It is where she prepares her concoctions. She is usually there at this hour. I’ll leave you here as I have business at the laochtech . Should you need me, any warrior will know where to find me.’

The woman who greeted Fidelma and Eadulf as they entered the small apothecary was tall – as tall as Fidelma. Her fair hair had a reddish tinge, making it almost copper. She regarded Fidelma and Eadulf with curiosity. Her features were pleasant, while her shapely mouth had a humorous quality to it. The couple paused a moment on the threshold to allow their senses to adjust to the pungent smells of the spices and herbs of the apothecary. Eadulf was immediately reminded of Brother Conchobhar’s apothecary in Cashel, except here a little grey terrier ran up to them and sniffed excitedly at the new scents they had brought with them. The woman had to shout an order and the dog immediately desisted and went off to examine other things.

‘Come in, I have been expecting you.’ Her voice had an attractive musical quality. ‘I heard that you had arrived in the fortress last evening but I was unable to attend.’

Fidelma stared at the familiar face of the woman for a moment.

‘Have we met before?’ she asked.

The woman chuckled. ‘We have not, but people often see in me a reflection of my brother, Donennach.’

Eadulf recalled that Donennach had mentioned his sister. ‘Then you are also his tanaise , his heir-apparent?’

‘I am Airmid. I prefer to be known simply as the physician to this household.’

‘It is an appropriate name for one of your calling.’ Fidelma returned the woman’s smile. Airmid was the legendary daughter of Diancecht, the old pagan God of Medicine. Her father had been a jealous god. He had killed his own son Miach, who had begun to outshine his father’s healing knowledge. Airmid had then collected all the 365 healing herbs that had grown from the grave of her brother, and arranged them so that everyone would have knowledge of their use. However, Diancecht, in a temper, then destroyed the arrangement of her collection so that the secrets would become lost for ever.

The physician grimaced. ‘Much sport was made of my name when I was studying at Inis Faithlcann. I rather think my professor hoped I would fail to qualify because of my name. However, I should apologise to you, lady.’

‘For what reason?’ Fidelma frowned.

‘I could not attend the feast to welcome you last night for I was called to attend an injured man in the Abbey of Nechta. One of the brethren had contrived to break his arm and it needed to be set. Thankfully, it will heal well,’ she added. ‘Now, how may I serve you? I know you are investigating the circumstances of Abbot Segdae’s murder.’

‘I was told that a physician had examined the abbot’s body,’ explained Fidelma. ‘Conri conducted us here.’

‘I am that physician,’ Airmid confirmed easily and indicated a bench for them to be seated while taking a stool opposite. ‘This is a sad event, and one that has upset my brother considerably. He was hoping to strengthen the peace that he has made with your brother. This murder has provided an opportunity for Abbot Nannid to pursue his ambitions.’

‘Abbot Nannid has ambitions?’ Eadulf asked in surprise. ‘So far as I am aware, Mungairit is the largest abbey among the Ui Fidgente. He is its abbot. What other ambition could he have?’

‘The abbots of our kingdoms are usually of the royal families. Abbot Nannid is a cousin of Crundmael of the Ua Coirpri. Crundmael’s son, Eoghanan, led the Ui Fidgente against Cashel at Cnoc Aine where Colgu defeated him. If anything happened to my brother, Nannid could have a legitimate right to claim that he be ruler.’

‘I did not know that,’ admitted Fidelma. ‘But you are Donennach’s heir-apparent.’

‘I hold the office only on sufferance; that is, until someone better qualified in the eyes of the derbhfine emerges,’ smiled the physician. ‘My brother’s son is not yet of the age of responsibility but it is hoped that he will prove himself a worthy successor. However, Nannid’s ambition is one that concerns us. If my brother stands against Nannid and his newfound views, then who knows what might happen?’

‘Newfound views?’ Eadulf picked up the phrase.

‘It was not that long ago that Nannid decided to become a champion of the Penitentials, claiming that they superseded the laws of the Brehons. Having now claimed the role of spokesman for those who believe this, Nannid is making himself very popular among several of our clerics.’

‘And this is why your brother finds it hard to challenge him about Gorman? I see … Nannid has decided to make this an issue of magnitude.’ Fidelma could understand Donennach’s dilemma.

‘Whichever choice Donennach makes, I am afraid it will mean war and perhaps the destruction of our house.’

‘Let me finish my investigation first before the sentence is given on punishment,’ Fidelma advised. ‘Gorman has yet to be proven guilty beyond all doubt.’

Airmid looked sceptical. ‘Well, I do not think that I can help you.’

‘What do you mean?’ Eadulf demanded.

‘Oh, it is not that I won’t,’ Airmid explained hastily, ‘but I can’t present you with any magical evidence that would prove your warrior friend is innocent as he has claimed. I was summoned to the abbot’s chamber and found that he had been stabbed several times in the chest and in the neck. The wounds were such that they seemed to have been struck in a frenzy of anger.’

‘Did you also examine Gorman?’

‘Only afterwards, when he had been dragged to the cells and handled roughly by our guards. I could discount the superficial bruises from that beating. He maintained that he had been struck from behind and rendered unconscious, as you already know. He had certainly been struck on the head,’ Airmid told them. ‘There was evidence of a blow on the right side of the skull.’

‘Had the skin been cut there?’ Eadulf asked.

‘The bruising and swelling could have been made with a staff striking the area above the right ear, with some force. But there was no sign of the skin being perforated and bleeding.’

‘No blood?’

‘None. Is that important?’

‘It is claimed that he was struck with the abbot’s staff,’ Eadulf pointed out.

‘So I was told,’ she nodded. ‘It seems logical that the abbot would use it to defend himself with.’