Peter Tremayne - Penance of the Damned

She left the hall with a thoughtful-looking Eadulf in her wake. Outside, they paused in the warmth of the sunlight. Eadulf spoke first. ‘If the guard was allowed to escape simply to stop him from talking to us, why not make sure he would never speak to us? He could have been killed in the cell. Why just allow him to escape and risk recapture?’

‘Unless he could be more useful as a messenger,’ she replied.

Eadulf was perplexed and said so but Fidelma did not answer him directly.

‘Any other thoughts?’ she asked.

‘Only that Prince Donennach has now confirmed what Conri already told us – that he did take Gorman’s warning seriously. So who spread the false story that Gorman went to see Abbot Segdae in an angry mood?’

‘Don’t you think we should talk to Ciarnat?’ Fidelma asked in a mild tone.

Eadulf was annoyed with himself. ‘Of course! It was Ciarnat who told us the story.’

Enda was crossing the courtyard towards them. ‘Have you heard the news?’ he greeted them morosely.

‘About the escaped guard?’

‘Yes, him. I have been speaking to the warriors in the barracks this morning,’ Enda said. ‘It seems the man had only recently joined their company and there was not much love lost between them. Nobody liked him. They said he was from Sliabh Luachra …’

Fidelma nodded on hearing this, and they made their way to the physician’s house in silence. They were greeted at the door by Airmid. The little grey terrier came bounding out, sniffed at them and then went off to examine more interesting scents.

‘There is certainly a threatening atmosphere hanging over this place, lady,’ Airmid said as she greeted them.

‘Wherever there is death, there is gloom,’ Fidelma replied. ‘But surely, as an apothecary, you are used to that?’

Airmid was not amused by the levity. ‘Well, this gloom seems to permeate the very countryside and our people. It seems to threaten our very existence.’

‘So far as I feel it, the gloom emanates from Abbot Nannid,’ muttered Eadulf.

‘He is like a brooding storm cloud,’ Airmid agreed. ‘When he approaches, there is darkness. Everyone waits for the storm to erupt and only when he passes does the brightness reappear. My brother has been sunk in the darkness for many days – and I hear that you have been able to offer no solution.’ She suddenly drew herself up. ‘I suppose you have come to question young Ciarnat?’

‘We have,’ Fidelma acknowledged. ‘Has there been any problem about submitting her to your charge?’

Airmid shook her head. ‘She has been upset, of course. I have known the girl since her mother, Etromma, brought her here when she worked as a cook in the palace. I remember that Ciarnat used to play with that girl, Aibell, when they were little. So she was pleased to meet her again when Aibell arrived here with the warrior, Gorman. Ciarnat grew up to be an attendant here. She started in the days of Eoganan. I have found her level-headed and trustworthy, so I was glad when my brother suggested that she should be placed in my care instead of being incarcerated as Nannid thought she should.’

Airmid led the way through the apothecary to her living quarters where they found Ciarnat sitting sewing a garment at a table. She paused and stood slowly as they entered, looking fearfully from one to another.

‘Just a few questions,’ Fidelma reassured her, then paused and glanced at Airmid.

‘I will leave you then,’ the physician said, withdrawing.

Eadulf and Enda stood by the door while Fidelma sat down and motioned Ciarnat to reseat herself. The girl spoke first.

‘You must believe me, lady. What I said was true. I did not know that Aibell and Gorman would attempt to escape. I really was with my mother. She is elderly and I often call and stay with her.’

‘There are many matters that need sorting out, Ciarnat,’ Fidelma told her gently. ‘But it is not that which I have come to see you about.’

‘What then?’ The girl’s chin came up a little defiantly.

‘When you waited for us on the road as we were coming here, you told us how you met up with Aibell and Gorman and what they said to you.’

Ciarnat frowned. ‘That is so.’

‘It is a matter of clarification about something you mentioned. You told us that Gorman was disappointed because Prince Donennach did not take his warning about Glaed of Sliabh Luachra seriously?’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘Then you were present when Gorman spoke to Prince Donennach? You clearly heard the prince dismiss Gorman’s concerns?’

Ciarnat said, ‘No, I was not present, but was told about it afterwards.’

‘Then Gorman told you?’

‘I didn’t see Gorman after he met with Donennach. In fact, I do not think I saw him again until the hearing before Brehon Faolchair.’

‘Then who told you about Gorman’s disappointment? Was it Aibell?’

Again the girl said, ‘No. When Gorman went to the prince’s chamber to speak with him, I remained chatting to Aibell for a while. Then I had to leave the fortress and go to the township to see my mother. I did not come back until the next morning and it was then I heard about the killing. Aibell was held until midday.’

‘I must then ask you again how you heard that Gorman was disappointed with Donennach’s response to his warning,’ Fidelma repeated. ‘If neither Gorman nor Aibell told you, then who was it?’

Ciarnat shrugged. ‘It is no secret. When Gorman went to see Donennach, there were several people with him.’

‘So we have heard,’ confirmed Fidelma. ‘Are you saying that one of them told you?’

‘Apparently someone told a member of Abbot Segdae’s party – one of the scribes who attended him. Everyone was talking about Gorman and the news of the killing. It was said that when Gorman had left Prince Donennach, he was annoyed that his warning had been cast aside.’

Fidelma breathed out long and slow. ‘I do not like this. Someone told someone who told someone else.’ She turned back to the girl in irritation. ‘Answer a straight question, Cairnat. Who told you?’

‘As I said, it was one of Abbot Segdae’s scribes – Brother Mael Anfaid.’

There was a pause while Fidelma examined the girl thoughtfully. ‘Brother Mael Anfaid? And he was told by whom?’

‘He did not say.’

Fidelma slowly rose to her feet. ‘Very well. We must ask you to remain in the custody of Airmid until matters are sorted out. Is there anything that you want us to do in the meantime? You mentioned that you are concerned about your mother, Etromma. Do you want me to call upon her to reassure her of your welfare?’

Ciarnat hesitated a moment and then replied: ‘If you ask for the aistreoir , the doorkeeper, at the Abbey of Nechta. He also acts as uaithne .’

Seeing Eadulf’s puzzled expression, Fidelma explained: ‘Under the law of the Crith Gabhlach , an uaithne is legal officer appointed by the community whose task is to ensure the well-being of the poor and elderly.’

‘In this case that office is held by the doorkeeper of the abbey?’ Eadulf asked.

‘Yes. His name is Brother Eladach,’ confirmed the girl.

Fidelma was now growing used to surprises. ‘Brother Eladach just happens to be the uncle of Brother Mael Anfaid,’ she pointed out.

‘He is,’ confirmed Ciarnat without guile.

‘Very well,’ Fidelma said firmly. ‘We will inform him and hope you will not be kept long from the care of your mother nor to the return to your duties in the prince’s household.’

Enda opened the door and followed Fidelma and Eadulf back out into the sweet scent of the herbal garden. There was no sign of Airmid as they walked through it and into the main courtyard of the fortress. Fidelma was taking them to the guest-hostel where Abbot Segdae had met his death.