‘Well, at least we have seen some sort of bargain being made between Abbot Nannid and Glaed,’ Conri commented.
‘But what bargain?’ queried Fidelma. ‘By the way, the man who was pouring the drink seemed familiar but I can’t place him.’
‘No? That was the guard who was bribed to let Gorman escape.’
They finally decided that the only thing to do now was to return to the others and then work out a plan of action after they had rested. Aibell was distressed that there was no news of Gorman, but Eadulf was excited to hear about the involvement of Abbot Nannid and his steward.
‘The trouble is,’ Fidelma observed as they prepared to snatch some rest, ‘there are questions. The merchants told Gorman that Glaed was hiring himself as a mercenary to a powerful person who intended to overthrow Prince Donennach. Is that person Nannid?’
‘It seems obvious to me,’ Conri said.
‘The fact that Abbot Nannid is involved with Glaed and his murdering cut-throats is good enough for me too,’ agreed Eadulf.
It was well after first light when they were sitting down to a simple meal. Eadulf heard it first. The cry of the nightjar again; the curious ‘churring’ sound. There was a pause and then the call was repeated – this time closer to hand. Conri turned, hand cupped to his mouth, and imitated the call. A short while later, they heard a figure approaching through the undergrowth and Socht emerged. His eyes widened in surprise on catching sight of Aibell and then Fidelma and her companions. Quickly composing himself, he took Conri aside and had a swift exchange with him. The warlord listened with a stony expression.
A few moments later, he turned to them, addressing Fidelma.
‘I have good news and bad news, lady.’ It was obvious that he was trying hard to control his feelings.
‘What is it?’ she asked.
‘Socht and his companion have just spotted Gorman alive and looking comparatively well.’
Aibell gave a little scream, hand to mouth.
‘That is, indeed, good news.’ But Fidelma did not give way to relief. ‘So let us have the bad news?’
‘Gorman was seen on the road back to Dun Eochair Mhaigh. He was a prisoner on horseback. Abbot Nannid and Brother Cuineain were leading the escort, which comprised four of Glaed’s men.’
‘Then the abbot is making no secret of his connection with Glaed by openly riding with his men?’ Fidelma was clearly puzzled.
‘It seems that Glaed has handed Gorman over to Abbot Nannid to take back to Prince Donennach’s fortress as a prisoner,’ Conri said.
It made no sense. ‘Why would he do that!’ Eadulf exclaimed. He received no answer but Conri and Fidelma exchanged a worried look.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
They arrived back at Dun Eochair Mhaigh, exhausted in the heat of the late afternoon. Ceit, the commander of the fortress guard, came running forward to greet them as they dismounted. He was obviously bursting with news, but Fidelma got in first.
‘Has Gorman been taken back to the cells?’ she demanded.
The expression on his face told them that Gorman’s recapture was part of his news. Then he surprised them by shaking his head. ‘He has not, lady.’
She stared at him. ‘Where is he then? I presume that he has been brought back to the fortress?’
‘I was about to tell you,’ Ceit replied with dignity. ‘It was at noon that we saw Abbot Nannid and his steward returning to the Abbey of Nechta. He was escorted by four unknown warriors …’
‘Warriors!’ Conri snorted. ‘They were brigands from Sliabh Luachra.’
Ceit’s jaw dropped in astonishment. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Continue,’ Fidelma snapped in irritation. ‘They went directly to the abbey, you say? Do you mean that Gorman has been taken there?’
‘He was.’
‘Where is he now?’ she wanted to know.
‘Still in the abbey – they did not bring him here. I alerted Brehon Faolchair, of course. He waited a while, thinking the prisoner would be returned to him, but when no word came from the abbey, he asked me to accompany him there.’ He paused for a moment. ‘It was the aistreoir – the doorkeeper, Brother Eladach – who opened the gates but he said he had strict orders not to admit anyone. I could see that Brother Eladach was unhappy at this for I have known him for some time and know that he is an honourable man.’
‘I presume, Ceit, that you will eventually come to the point.’ Conri’s voice was slow and studied.
‘I am telling you,’ complained Ceit. ‘Brehon Faolchair demanded to see Gorman as it was his duty by right of law. Brother Eladach appeared to agree with him on his rights as a Brehon but could not let him pass. Abbot Nannid had issued strict orders. He had declared governance of the community by the rules of the Penitentials. Therefore, Brother Eladach said he could admit neither the Brehon nor me.’
Fidelma was almost speechless. ‘He refused a Brehon entrance?’
‘At that moment,’ went on Ceit, ‘the abbot’s steward arrived – a smirking man whom I dislike. He confirmed that Brother Eladach was obeying the wishes of the abbot, who was then resting from the ardours of his journey. When Brehon Faolchair pressed him about Gorman, he replied that – I quote his words – “the murderer was being held under guard until such time as the abbot disposed of him”.’
Aibell almost fainted and would have fallen, had not Eadulf caught her.
Fidelma turned to Eadulf and said, ‘Take Aibell to our chamber and see she is attended to. Don’t leave her.’ She watched as he helped the girl across the courtyard and then turned back to Ceit. ‘In what way did he mean “disposed of”?’ she asked.
Ceit grimaced. ‘I only tell you what was said. The abbot’s steward added that the abbot would explain matters to Prince Donennach after he had rested from his trip. Brehon Faolchair felt there was nothing to be done until the abbot makes an appearance and explains himself.’
Conri was grim-faced. ‘It seems we must prepare.’
‘Prepare?’ Ceit echoed uncertainly. ‘For what?’
‘You saw the four men who provided escort for Abbot Nannid?’ Conri said. ‘We have told you they were brigands. Well, Abbot Nannid met with their leader at Sliabh Luachra.’
The guard commander looked from Fidelma to Conri, an expression of bewilderment on his face.
Conri put it in simpler terms. ‘I think we are going to be attacked by the men of Sliabh Luachra. We know they are now within the vicinity of this township.’
‘What? You really believe that Glaed intends to attack us?’ Ceit was incredulous. ‘Even my lucht-tighe, the household guard, could defeat the brigands of Sliabh Luachra if they come out of their lairs.’
‘I do not question your training or your courage, Ceit,’ said Fidelma. ‘However, I do question the fact that we do not know exactly how many men Glaed has, nor his exact purpose; nor – which is worse – who else he is in league with in this fortress other than, it seems, Abbot Nannid.’
‘How many men do you have here, Ceit?’ Conri enquired.
‘The household guard are not currently up to full strength but are a company of maybe fifty. The rest are posted on the hills as sentinels.’
Conri was worried. ‘And I have fewer than ten fighting men.’
‘Should we ask the prince to issue a summons for a sluagud?’ asked Ceit.
The sluagud was the general summoning of clansmen raised by individual chieftains when the territory and its prince was under threat.
‘I doubt there is time for that,’ Conri said. ‘But as we know where Glaed’s marauders are, I would advise that sentinels be doubled.’