The ‘house of the territory’ was the name given to the building for the reception and treatment of the old, sick and injured.
‘Don’t be alarmed, cousin,’ Becc said quickly, seeing the expression on her face. ‘The girl is merely exhausted and a little shocked by the experience. She was anxious for your safety.’
‘I would have no safety had it not been for her,’ admitted Fidelma. ‘The Uí Fidgente would not have treated one of our family well. I will see her in a moment. But. Accobrán, I seem to have interrupted you in the telling of your story. How did you fare in the pursuit and what prisoners have you taken?’
Accobrán shifted his weight and smiled wanly. ‘I was saying that it was a good thing that we had Menma along with us as our tracker. The Uí Fidgente were devious. We could have lost their trail several times, but Menma was equal to the task.’
The tanist paused while Fidelma seated herself, and when Eadulf had done the same he went on with the story.
‘We set off in pursuit at the time you returned to alert Becc,’ he began again, initially speaking to Eadulf. ‘It was dark by then and so we soon had to halt as we could see nothing. We waited until first light and then moved on again. The first part of the trek was easy as it lay through muddy woods. It seemed their leader knew what he was about because he soon took to the rivers and stony ground, which made tracking almost impossible. At least the dark had forced the Uí Fidgente to halt for the night as well. As I say, only Menma was able to keep us on their trail.’
‘Did you get the impression that they were part of a larger body?’ interrupted Eadulf. ‘Were they were trying to link up with a real invasion force?’
Accobrán shook his head. ‘There were ten of them all told. We came on them just before midday when they thought they had shaken us off and had paused to rest. In their confidence that we were far behind, their leader was not clever. I placed my men in ambush positions.’
‘Good,’ Fidelma said approvingly. ‘So you were able to take all of them prisoners?’
Accobrán dropped his gaze to the floor for a moment and made a dismissive motion. ‘I am afraid I did not. Thanks be, however, Suanach was not injured in the fight which developed…’
Fidelma was frowning.
‘How many did you capture?’ she said quietly.
‘None.’
‘Not one of the ten was captured?’ she cried, aghast. ‘Not one of them injured?’
Accobrán was defensive. ‘In battle, lady, it often happens.’
‘It does,’ agreed Becc amiably. ‘I think that Accobrán has done well to bring Suanach home safely. One of Abbot Brogán’s brethren is leaving this afternoon for Cashel and then will proceed to Imleach. He will take news of this matter to the king and doubtless Colgú will know what to do. Compensation must be forthcoming from the Uí Fidgente, and especially for Menma for the loss of his home and the insult to his wife. In the meanwhile, Menma may rely on the Cinél na Áeda to help rebuild his bothán.’
‘It shall be so ordered, Becc.’ Adag, the steward, nodded with satisfaction.
‘With your permission then, my chieftain, I will wash the dirt from my body and take some refreshment before going to my rest,’ the tanist said, preparing to leave.
‘One question!’ Fidelma’s quiet tone stayed them as they were about to disperse. Everyone turned and looked expectantly at her. ‘Did you discover the purpose of this Uí Fidgente raid?’
‘Does it need a purpose?’ queried Accobrán in amusement. ‘They say that all the Uí Fidgente are cattle thieves and plunderers.’
‘Does it not strike anyone that this is a long way to come in search of plunder — just ten men, passing through the lands of many rich clans before they reached here?’
No one responded. Fidelma tapped her foot impatiently.
‘Does no one have an explanation to offer?’
Eadulf turned to her and opened his mouth but the look he received from her caused him to snap his jaw shut. He was about to point out that she had heard the Uí Fidgente discussing why they had come and for a moment he had not realised what she was doing. He had almost given away her intention to prise information from Accobrán.
‘It is a pity that you took no prisoners in order to find out the reason behind the raid, Accobrán. You heard nor saw nor found anything to give you an answer to that question?’
‘Nothing, lady,’ vowed the tanist earnestly.
‘Don’t forget that Suanach was in their company for a long time. Perhaps she has some knowledge,’ Becc pointed out.
‘Then I must ask Suanach,’ Fidelma said softly.
‘An excellent idea,’ Becc approved. ‘And now let us allow Accobrán to rest and refresh himself after his exertions.’
When they were alone, Eadulf glanced apologetically to Fidelma. ‘Why keep silent about what you overheard the Uí Fidgente say?’
‘Come, let us speak with Suanach,’ she said, without replying to his question.
The girl was sitting up having a bowl of broth with Menma at her side. They both smiled broadly as Fidelma and Eadulf entered.
‘Well, this is a reversal of fortunes,’ Fidelma greeted them. ‘I seem to remember that last time it was I who was in bed being fed broth by you, Suanach. Are you injured?’
‘No, lady. I am only a little tired for I have not slept this last night.’
‘Then I am afraid that there is a question that I must ask of you, and of you, Menma, before I leave you to rest.’
‘Ask away,’ invited the young hunter.
‘I will ask you first, Suanach. During the time that you were the captive of the Uí Fidgente, did they speak of the reason behind the raid?’
Suanach placed her bowl of broth on a bedside table and clasped her hands before her. She considered the question thoughtfully.
‘One of them…no one mentioned any names…told someone to make sure that a trail was left so that Menma could follow them without difficulty.’
‘They mentioned Menma’s name?’ interposed Eadulf quickly, confirming what Fidelma has already told him. ‘They wanted Menma to follow?’
She nodded assent.
‘Did they say for what purpose?’
‘They wanted to capture him and ask him some questions.’
Fidelma turned to Menma with eyebrows raised in interrogation. The hunter shrugged before she said anything.
‘I have no idea what they could want. I have neither friends nor enemies among the Uí Fidgente. I have been to their lands neither in peace nor in war. Why they would come hither to attack me, burn my home and kidnap my wife to lure me after them, I cannot begin to understand.’
‘I heard snatches of conversation as we rode along.’ They turned to Suanach who had spoken and waited expectantly. She went on: ‘Nothing made any sense at all. One of the men mentioned something about a ship’s captain. Something about the cargo at the house of Molaga. Then something about enough gold to finance a kingdom.’
Fidelma left out a soft breath. ‘You say that these were snatches of conversation?’
‘I can tell you no more than what I have said. I heard no more that made any sense.’
Fidelma turned to Menma. ‘Does this make any sense to you?’
The hunter shook his head.
‘Would it make any sense if I mentioned that the Uí Fidgente wanted to question you about the Thicket of Pigs?’ added Fidelma. ‘I, myself, overheard this.’
Menma’s astonishment was not feigned. ‘I do not understand it, Sister. What could I tell them that would be of value to them? Riches? Well, Brother Eadulf here will confirm that it was only yesterday that we discovered the old mine was being worked again.’
Fidelma turned back to Suanach. ‘Was gold mentioned at all?’
She shook her head. ‘Nothing more was mentioned in my hearing than what I have said.’
Fidelma tuned to Menma. ‘Do you have any cause to go to the house of Molaga and speak with the merchants or captains of ships that put in there?’