Behind the body stood the shaking figure of Brother Eladach.
‘Deus miseratur,’ he prayed. ‘May God have mercy on me.’
Enda quickly realised what had happened. ‘I am sure God will forgive you,’ he whispered, regaining his sense of humour. ‘Meantime, silence.’
He turned back to the door and with Eadulf they pulled it open. In the shadows a figure had risen awkwardly into a sitting position on the straw palliasse.
‘Is it time?’ muttered a familiar voice.
Eadulf replied in a light-hearted whisper, ‘Yes – time for you to leave this den of evil.’
There came an audible swallow. ‘Is that you, friend Eadulf, or am I hearing things?’
‘You are not hearing things and I am with him,’ Enda said, moving forward with his sword. ‘Now keep quiet and still, while I cut those bonds.’ He sheathed his sword and took out his dagger.
‘Enda? What is happening?’ gasped Gorman and was immediately told to be quiet again.
‘What is happening,’ hissed Eadulf, ‘is that you are being rescued. Now save your questions until we get you away from this place.’
Gorman knew enough to turn and hold out his bound wrists behind him so that Enda could get to work on severing them. Having done so, it being the work of a few moments, Gorman began to rub his wrists to restore the circulation. ‘I wondered what Brother Eladach meant by his cryptic Latin,’ he croaked.
Enda now motioned to Eadulf and Brother Eladach to help him carry the bodies of the two dead guards into the hut. He closed the door on them and noiselessly pushed the two bolts back into place. Brother Eladach waved at them to follow him and they trod softly back to the side gate through which they had entered.
Before they went through it, they paused, listening in the darkness. Apart from the distant bark of a dog and the mourning cry of a night owl, it was quiet.
‘I regret I had to kill that man,’ Brother Eladach whispered. ‘But he was about to raise the alarm.’
‘You did well,’ Enda assured him. ‘If no one notices that the guards are not on watch, it might not be until first light before their bodies are found.’
‘Are you sure that you want to stay?’ Eadulf asked Eladach. ‘Nannid is of a suspicious mind and he will work out that Gorman had help from someone here.’
Brother Eladach shook his head ruefully. ‘I have already prepared the east gate so it looks as though Gorman has fled in that direction. But I must stay to try to help my people. Deus vult. God wills it.’
‘Then it is time for us to move. The sooner we are away, the better,’ Enda said.
‘Go with God and I will secure this gate after you.’
With quick gestures of farewell, the trio hurried silently along the wall and, with Enda leading, were soon swallowed by the shadows. As they passed the darkened houses, moving away from the newly constructed walls of the so-called Abbey of Nechta, Eadulf felt thankful he could rely on Enda, with his warrior’s training, to guide them with such certainty towards the house of Etromma. The sudden bark of a dog from a nearby building caused them to halt, breaths catching in their throat. There came the rattle of a chain and then a masculine voice swore and shouted at the animal to be still. There was a further bark, then a clatter as if something had been thrown, followed by a protesting whine before silence descended again. No one spoke as the men moved on.
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.’