‘I am at your service, lady,’ the tall steward of Imleach offered.
‘Thank you. I shall also need to examine the place where the murder happened.’
‘It was in the guest-house where we are staying,’ supplied Prior Cuan. ‘It is within the fortress, just across the courtyard.’
‘Who else is staying there?’ asked Eadulf.
‘Only our delegation,’ replied Prior Cuan.
‘Which consists of …?’
‘Myself, the steward and two of our brethren – Brother Mac Raith here,’ he motioned to the scribe, ‘and Brother Mael Anfaid.’
Seeing a thoughtful frown crossing her features, Brehon Faolchair added: ‘The chamber in which the abbot died has not been touched. We felt this should be left as it was because of the circumstances.’
‘Your foresight shows excellent judgement, Faolchair,’ acknowledged Fidelma.
Prince Donennach finally seemed to relax in his chair. It was clear the stress of the events was affecting him. ‘Let us leave these difficult concerns until tomorrow. Tonight was destined to be a means to welcome our distinguished visitors.’ He turned and signalled to one of the attendants. ‘Now is the time to eat, drink, listen to the singing of the bards and discuss the more pleasant matters of life.’
On the following morning, when Fidelma and Eadulf left the private guest chambers of the prince’s palace, they found Ciarnat waiting for them at the steps leading down to the main courtyard. She appeared agitated. Enda was at her side, attempting to pacify her.
‘You have been to see neither Gorman nor Aibell,’ Ciarnat greeted them in angry accusation. ‘They think that you have abandoned them.’
‘I am afraid that we are prisoners of protocol, Ciarnat,’ Fidelma said, in an attempt to reassure her. ‘We had to see Prince Donennach first and then were obliged to discuss certain matters. You live in this household and therefore you will know something of the rituals of hospitality. After the meal, I sent one of the attendants to find either you or Aibell, to tell you both that I would come to see you as soon as I was able to, later today.’
The girl was not appeased. ‘The attendant spoke to Aibell but simply said that you would not be seeing her or Gorman immediately.’
Fidelma expressed her irritation. While it was not wrong, the message did not convey her meaning. ‘The reason for the delay was that I had to point out flaws in the previous hearing. This will allow me time to examine the witnesses myself and arrange for a new hearing. That was the message that was intended to be conveyed to Gorman and Aibell.’
The girl started a little in surprise. ‘That was not explained to us.’
Enda seemed delighted. ‘That is good news indeed, lady.’
‘At least it is something. You go back to Aibell, Ciarnat, and inform her of this. You go with her, Enda, as I shan’t need you for a while. Make sure that the news is passed on to Gorman. My investigation now demands that I have to see several people first as well as inspect the chamber in which Abbot Segdae was killed. After that, I shall pay a visit to Gorman.’
‘People will say exactly what they said before,’ Ciarnat stated gloomily. ‘No one believes Gorman.’
‘It will be my task to ensure that he is fairly heard,’ Fidelma promised her.
‘But what of the demands for his death?’
‘One thing at a time. No one outside Abbot Nannid and his supporters would be happy that our law is changed for these church rules. We will argue that matter when, or if, the time comes to do so.’
The girl nodded slowly. ‘Very well. I will go with Enda and inform Aibell of what you say.’
‘You must tell her and Gorman to be of good cheer,’ added Eadulf. ‘Make sure of that.’
‘You can rely on me to tell them that,’ Enda said fiercely.
The girl allowed herself to be led away by Enda, walking across the sloping courtyard towards the stone buildings by the fortress gates that were clearly the laochtech or warriors’ barracks.
Eadulf turned to Fidelma. ‘I wish I felt more confident about this.’
He expected a rebuke but she agreed glumly. ‘Everything seems to be weighted against Gorman. A locked room and witnesses to testify that no one could have gone in or out during the time he was there. On top of this, Abbot Nannid seems intent on getting his revenge. I never thought I would feel sorry for a prince of the Ui Fidgente, but Donennach’s two choices will lead to trouble whichever one he chooses.’
There came the sound of a stick tapping on the flagstones nearby. They looked round and saw Prior Cuan limping towards them, leaning heavily on his blackthorn stick. He smiled and nodded a greeting to them both.
‘I am going to the hall to meet with Brehon Faolchair and break my fast,’ he said. ‘Have you eaten?’
‘We have, indeed. We are now heading for the guest-house,’ Fidelma answered.
‘Ah, yes. Let me congratulate you on the mastery of law that you displayed last night. It was impressive.’
‘There was something I meant to ask you,’ replied Fidelma, ignoring the compliment. ‘You are clearly a man of experience, Prior Cuan, otherwise I doubt that Abbot Segdae would have chosen you as his deputy. But I am sure that you were not always at Imleach.’
The prior shrugged. ‘When I was young I joined the community of Cluain Eidnech and received my learning there. I have but recently joined the community at Imleach.’
‘Cluain Eidnech?’ Fidelma’s eyes widened. ‘Isn’t that in the north of Osraige territory, towards the east of the mountains of Sliabh Bladhma? It has a reputation for scholarship. Indeed, it has been famous ever since Fintan, son of Gabhran, founded it a century ago.’
‘That is so, lady. You are well versed in the history of my old community. We must continue these reflections later, however, as I promised to meet with the Brehon. And you have yet to conduct your investigation. I pray that you may come up with something that we have all overlooked.’
He turned and limped towards the feasting hall. They stood looking after him for a moment or two before Fidelma straightened her shoulders and said, ‘Come – let us find the room where Abbot Segdae met his death.’
They had barely crossed the courtyard when Conri hailed them.
‘We are trying to find the hostel where the abbot was killed,’ Eadulf replied when he asked their intent.
‘I have ordered that the warrior Lachtna make himself available.’
‘That is good thinking.’
‘May I accompany you, unless it would not be deemed proper according to the procedure of law?’
‘You are welcome, Conri. There should be no secrets in the gathering of information in this matter,’ Fidelma told him.
The hostel was a two-storey stone building, rising beside the main warriors’ barracks. It was not very large and, to their surprise, many of the windows had iron bars across them. It seemed more like a prison than a hostel for guests. A warrior stood outside the large oak door which appeared to be the only entrance into the building. Fidelma stopped and was examining the exterior with a critical eye. Conri caught her expression and smiled.
‘I know what you are thinking, lady. I will explain. This used to be the quarters for the commander of the guard, a couple of warriors and any prisoners that needed to be confined. When Abbot Segdae arrived with his small party, he expressed the need for them to be housed together. The prince’s palace is not so extensive with its buildings. Therefore, it was considered that, with some modification, this entire building could be handed over to Abbot Segdae and his delegation.’
‘But Abbot Nannid is staying in this newly built Abbey of Nechta in the township. Why was the delegation from Imleach not sent there?’
‘That you will have to ask of others,’ Conri replied. ‘As I said, I was not here until the day after Abbot Segdae’s murder.’
‘But it seems a curious arrangement for delegates to a council on religious matters to be so divided,’ commented Eadulf.