Peter Tremayne - Penance of the Damned

Only once did Gorman signal that he needed to halt. It was then that Eadulf realised he was barefoot. ‘It’s all right, friend Eadulf,’ Gorman said, wincing. ‘I can manage awhile but the stones are hard. They took my shoes from me to make sure I did not run off.’

Eadulf knew that most warriors of the King’s bodyguard wore maelan , shoes of fully tanned leather with hard soles and heels. Warriors needed the comfort of good footwear and were unused to going barefoot.

‘It won’t be long now,’ Enda promised his friend. ‘Just to that corner.’

‘Where are we going?’ Gorman asked.

‘A safe house. Aibell has arranged it.’

Gorman grunted but said no more. A moment later, they arrived at Etromma’s house on the border of the township. Enda halted and rapped softly on the door. It was opened immediately and they entered. A lamp was lit and Etromma came forward.

‘So you have him. Did all go well?’ she asked.

‘Yes, but I am afraid that we had to kill the guards – the two men of Sliabh Luachra,’ admitted Eadulf.

‘May their troubled souls find rest in the Otherworld,’ the old woman muttered, but it was only a formula without meaning. ‘What of Eladach?’ It was clear that she was concerned for the doorkeeper.

‘He is fine. Everything went as planned,’ confirmed Enda.

‘As soon as they realise this man is missing they will start searching,’ the elderly woman said.

‘We are hoping they will think he has fled eastwards, thanks to Brother Eladach.’

‘But realising that you are on foot, Gorman, they will still search the township,’ the old woman pointed out. ‘I have a place ready for you, but it may be a little uncomfortable.’

Gorman grinned. ‘It will not be as uncomfortable as where I was during the last day. Anyway, to whom do I owe this hospitality?’

‘I am the mother of Ciarnat, who has been murdered by your enemies.’

Gorman gazed at her in amazement.

‘There is a lot to explain,’ Eadulf told him hurriedly, ‘but I am afraid that Enda and I must leave it to Etromma to do so. We have to ensure that we are back inside the fortress before daybreak.’

‘One question,’ insisted Gorman. ‘Where is my wife? Is she safe?’

‘Aibell is with Fidelma in the fortress,’ Eadulf said. ‘They are making sure that their presence is recorded there, for I don’t doubt that there will be much happening tomorrow morning when your escape is discovered.’

They left Gorman looking bemused as the old woman showed them to the door, carefully extinguishing the lamp before opening it.

With a whispered ‘good luck’ they slid once more into the shadows of the township. Again, Eadulf was happy to let Enda take the lead but the way was easier, for this time they kept along the riverbank, passing the entrance to the bridge after checking that the town square remained deserted.

Instead of attempting to follow the main track up to the fortress gates, which stood invitingly open, but with the entrance lit with burning brand torches, Enda took them up the slope above the riverbank to the towering fortress wall. At the foot of the wall was a small ledge-like pathway. The wall enclosed the fortress and palace complex. First, they had to follow the northern wall. Then they must turn to follow the path that curved round the contour of the hill on the eastern side of the fortress, towards the side gate.

‘Let’s hope Fidelma’s plan has worked,’ whispered Enda as they approached it – the very gate through which Gorman and Aibell had escaped from the fortress only a few days ago.

Their heart in their mouths, they pushed against it. It moved quietly inwards and they slipped through, all feeling a sense of elation that they had got away with it.

‘Take care – there’s too much light here,’ Enda hissed in disapproval, for several brand torches lit up this area of the fortress. He put his weight against the wooden gate to swing it shut while Eadulf fumbled with the bolts. He took the large key hanging on the nearby hook and turned it in the lock before replacing it on its hook. Then he paused and wiped the sweat from his brow.

‘It’s a chilly night to be out for a walk, my friends,’ came a familiar voice, filled with amusement.

Eadulf and Enda turned with a start. In front of them stood Conri and the guard commander, Ceit. Both men were smiling broadly.

‘We … we were unable to sleep because of what’s happening tomorrow,’ Eadulf stammered, knowing he sounded ridiculous. ‘We needed some air.’

‘Of course you did,’ Conri assured him nonchalantly. ‘The lady Fidelma told me you were unwell, friend Eadulf. What better than a walk in the cool night air to regain clarity of thought and purge the evil?’

Ceit at his side was nodding agreement as if pleased at his companion’s wit.

Eadulf stood silent, wondering if he could bluff it out.

‘I hope Enda was of help in resolving the problem and that the breaking dawn will bring a better day,’ went on the warlord mildly.

Eadulf frowned; it was as if there was some other meaning in Conri’s words.

‘I certainly hope so,’ he mumbled.

‘Well,’ the warlord said pleasantly, ‘we had best be on our way; we have duties to perform, Ceit. Try not to disturb anyone when you return to your chambers. I am sure the lady Fidelma is anxious for you.’

Eadulf and Enda watched the warriors in bemusement as they turned and strolled away.

Fidelma was not the only one anxiously waiting for them in the guest chamber. Aibell was present, and trembling with anticipation.

‘Gorman is safe with Etromma,’ Eadulf told her straight away. ‘Brother Eladach carried out his tasks exactly as we planned. But when Enda and I returned to the fortress and entered by the side gate, we found Conri and Ceit waiting for us. Their behaviour was very curious.’

‘What did they say?’ Fidelma frowned. She did not seem surprised when he told her.

‘It seems,’ she reflected, ‘that Conri was not misleading me when he told me earlier this evening that the last thing Prince Donennach wanted was to see Gorman executed. In fact, he implied that if we could devise a plan of rescue without implicating Donennach, he would look the other way.’

‘But will they look the other way when Nannid finds Gorman missing at first light and comes looking for him here?’ Enda wanted to know.

‘We’ll deal with that in the morning. Were you able to subdue the men guarding Gorman?’

‘I am afraid we were forced to kill them,’ Enda replied bluntly.

‘Was there no other alternative?’

Enda shook his head. ‘No. It was a case of their lives or ours, lady. Brother Eladach dealt with one. Eadulf thought he had rendered the man unconscious, but he recovered and was about to raise the alarm. I dealt with the other. We left the bodies locked in the hut where they had kept Gorman. With luck they might not be discovered until morning.’

‘But is Gorman safe with Etromma?’ Aibell pressed anxiously.

‘He is as safe there as anywhere,’ Enda said. ‘The plan was followed and, hopefully, it will be thought that Gorman has fled eastwards towards Cashel.’

Fidelma was not completely convinced. ‘Remember that Nannid is not a stupid man,’ she cautioned them. ‘He must know that Gorman would not leave Aibell behind here. Where Aibell is, there too will Gorman be. I fear that Nannid will descend on Donennach’s fortress with such rage that Nebuchadnezzar in his fury will seem like a lamb by comparison.’

Aibell looked bewildered. ‘Neb … who?’

‘Just a story from the old scriptures that Nannid is so fond of,’ Fidelma told the girl. ‘More importantly, tomorrow is going to test my ingenuity and I shall need all your support.’