CHAPTER FIVE
There was no mistaking Cenn Faelad as anyone other than the brother of Sechnussach, the late High King. He was only a year or so younger but they might have been twins. He was of the same height — tall, above six feet — with hair as dark as a raven’s wing and eyes as grey as the restless seas of winter. He was handsome and his features would cause many a maiden to simper and swoon at his smile. But beyond that superficial exterior, so Fidelma had heard, he spoke several languages, excelled in many arts, and knew the law.
When Abbot Colmán showed Fidelma and Eadulf into chambers that Cenn Faelad was using, later that evening, the High King elect actually rose from his chair and came forward to greet them both with outstretched hands. His face, albeit composed, showed the marks of grief. There was one other person in the chamber and that was the Chief Brehon of the five kingdoms, Barrán. Fidelma and Eadulf knew him of old. He also greeted them without ceremony. He was a tall man, still handsome in spite of his age and greying hair, exuding an air of quiet authority. There were no servants in Abbot Colmán’s house; indeed, they had all been dismissed to their quarters for the evening, and Cenn Faelad offered the visitors drinks from his own hands as he gestured to chairs already set out for them to be seated.
‘I thought that we should gather in private at first,’ the young heir to the kingship explained. ‘Abbot Colmán has provided us with a meal in the next room but first let us speak of why you are here. We can conduct ourselves without ceremony and without protocol.’
Fidelma inclined her head in approval of the idea while Eadulf remained silent, his expression grave.
When Cenn Faelad had seated himself and they had all taken the first dutiful sip of their drinks, the tánaiste glanced at his Chief Brehon.
‘Perhaps you should explain, Barrán.’
The elderly man cleared his throat before addressing them in his crisp, legal voice: ‘The situation is simple and I believe it was outlined by the messenger whom we sent to Cashel. The High King Sechnussach, being alone in his chamber, was murdered in his bed by the chief of the Cinél Cairpre, a distant relative and descendant of Niall of the Nine Hostages, and therefore a member of the Uí Néill, Sechnussach’s own family. You follow?’
The last question was directed more to Eadulf than to Fidelma. Eadulf indicated that he did.
‘I am also of this same family,’ Barrán admitted. ‘This being so, and because of the implications which might arise, the Airlechas, the Great Assembly, decided that it would be inappropriate for me to investigate this matter, nor would it be appropriate for any of the Ui Néill to be involved. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done … ’
‘Fiat justitia, mat caelum,’ muttered Eadulf. Let justice be done even though the heavens fall.
Cenn Faelad smiled thinly. ‘Even so,’ he agreed. ‘Abbot Colmán reminded the Great Assembly of the services that Fidelma has rendered to Tara in the past. He suggested that they send for her, an Eóghanacht, someone who is not involved in the internal politics of the Uí Néill. So, Fidelma of Cashel, it falls to you to resolve the mystery of why Dubh Duin killed my poor brother and whether anyone else was involved. Only when all is known can we mourn his passing and prepare for my succession.’
Fidelma looked thoughtfully at him. ’I am to have a free hand?’
‘Of course.’
‘And there is no restriction on Eadulf assisting me?’
‘We regard Eadulf as one of our own,’ Brehon Barrán told her. ‘Your names are inseparably linked. Cenn Faelad and I will withdraw from any connection to this matter except as witnesses. Abbot Colmán will act as your adviser on matters connected with Tara.’
‘Very well,’ agreed Fidelma. ‘I presume that any witnesses have been detained in Tara?’ When Brehon Barrán nodded, she added: ‘We will want to examine the chamber where the murder took place.’
‘Whenever you are ready.’ Abbot Colman spoke for the first time since they had entered Cenn Faelad’s presence.
‘I would like to ask some questions of all of you first.’
The Chief Brehon frowned slightly. ‘Questions already? I thought this was just an informal discussion?’
‘I have no objection,’ Cenn Faelad said immediately. ‘The sooner a start is made, the sooner the matter is concluded. What question do you wish to ask, Fidelma?’
‘On the night of Sechnussach’s death, where were each of you?’ There was a brief silence.
Cenn Faelad decided to answer first.
‘I was not in Tara but staying near the Hill of Uisnech.’
Eadulf tried not to show his surprise. Uisnech, the sacred hill, again.
In this weather, Fidelma knew it to be two days’ easy riding from Tara, but a good horseman such as Cenn Faelad could make it in a single day on a fast horse. She glanced at him, feeling guilty for having such suspicious thoughts without good reason.
‘So when did you first hear of your brother’s death?’
‘It was when a messenger from Abbot Colmán arrived at Uisnech.’
Fidelma turned to the abbot. ‘So you were here at Tara that night?’
The abbot gave an affirmative gesture. ‘I was here in my chambers. A servant roused me, saying something had happened.’
‘What time was that?’
‘Before first light. It was light by the time I had dressed, hurried across to the royal enclosure and entered the High King’s chamber. Irél, the captain of the guard, had already taken charge. He it was who sent for me as steward.’
‘I assume, therefore, that you were not at Tara, Barrán?’ Fidelma said. ‘Otherwise, that duty would have fallen to you?’
The Chief Brehon smiled faintly. ‘You are correct in your assumption. I was on my way to Emain Macha.’
‘May I ask what business took you to the capital of the King of Ulaidh?’
‘It has no relevance to this matter but it is no secret. I was to advise on a case involving a territorial dispute between the Dál Riada and Emain Macha. However, I did not reach Emain Macha as a messenger overtook me on the road and told me to hasten back to Tara. It was then that I heard that Sechnussach had been slain.’
Fidelma turned back to Abbot Colmán. ‘So in the absence of the heir apparent and the Chief Brehon, you took responsibility at Tara, Abbot Colmán?’
‘I did. As you know, I stand not only as spiritual adviser to the Great Assembly but also hold office as High King’s rechtaire, his steward.’
‘And, in taking charge, what did you do?’
‘The High King’s physician was sent for but that was merely a matter of procedure because we could see that he was dead. After all, his neck had been cut open so that the blood must have spurted like a great fountain.’ He looked apologetically at Cenn Faelad, whose face was strained. ‘I ordered a search of the adjoining rooms to ensure that the assassin acted alone, and then confirmed the identity of the assassin who had killed himself as soon as he had killed the King.’
‘You confirmed his identity?’ pressed Fidelma. ‘So you knew him?’
‘I had been told who it was by Irél. Irél had already recognised him. Dubh Duin was a member of the Great Assembly, and known in Tara. I had also seen him at the Assembly several times.’
‘And then?’
‘I ordered Irél to despatch messengers to alert Cenn Faelad and Brehon Barrán … ’
‘No one has mentioned the High King’s wife and his daughters,’ Eadulf pointed out. ‘Were they not present?’