"Children cannot testify under law," Salbach snapped. "They have no legal obligations until they reach the age of choice."
Fidelma noted that point of law came trotting swiftly from Salbach's tongue.
"There was also one adult with them," she said softly. "And if the one adult is not enough, then bring this man Intat before Cass and myself, and we will testify whether he is the man we saw leading those who held burning brand torches and swords in their hands and who threatened our lives."
"How was Intat identified anyway?" demanded Salbach sullenly. "How could you know the man's name?"
"He was identified by Sister Eisten," answered the abbot.
"Ah! So she is the survivor of whom you speak?"
Salbach's eyes were hooded again. Fidelma would have given anything to hear the thoughts which appeared to be tumbling in his mind. His face was a mask but there seemed to be a frenzy of thoughts behind those hooded eyes.
"It is hard to believe this of Intat." Salbach sighed suddenly, putting down his drained goblet of wine, as if he were finally convinced. "I am saddened to hear of this evidence against him. Are Sister Eisten and the children staying in Ros Ailithir?"
Brocc replied again before Fidelma could speak.
"Yes. We will probably send them shortly to the orphanage run by Molua."
"I would like to see them," pressed Salbach.
"It may be some days before that can be," Fidelma said hurriedly, with a meaningful glance at Brocc. The abbot stared in bewilderment at her. "The abbot has ordered them to be placed in quarantine so that they can be cleared of any contagion from the Yellow Plague."
"But…" began Brocc. Then bit his tongue.
Salbach had not appeared to notice this unfinished protest and was rising to his feet.
"I will be back to question Sister Eisten and the children when it is more convenient," he said. "But, since the matter contained a grave accusation against one of my magistrates, I felt I had to come immediately to test the evidence. I shall set out to find Intat and see what he has to say. If the crime is laid at his door, then he will answer for it before my own Brehon. You may rest assured of that, Sister Fidelma."
"Cashel would expect no less," replied Fidelma gravely.
Salbach stared hard at her, seeking some hidden meaning but Fidelma continued to return his look without expression.
"We are a proud people here, Sister Fidelma," Salbach said. His voice, while soft, was full of hidden meaning. "The Corco Loigde claim their descent from the family of Mil Easpain, who led the ancestors of the Gaels to this land at the beginning of time. A challenge to the honor of one of us is a challenge to the honor of all of us. And if one of us betrays his honor, he betrays us all and will be punished."
He hesitated a moment, as if he would say something else, then he turned to the abbot.
"I will be on my way then, abbot," he began but Fidelma interrupted.
"There are some questions on another matter which you may help me with, Salbach."
Salbach glanced at her in astonishment for he had made clear that the meeting had ended. It was clear he was used to dictating his own way.
"I am busy now…"
"In this I am acting on behalf of the king of Cashel," insisted Fidelma. "It concerns the murder of the Venerable Dacán."
Salbach hesitated as though he would dispute with her but then shrugged indifferently.
"It is a grave business," he conceded. "I know nothing of the death of the old man. So how can I help you?"
"Did you know the Venerable Dacán?"
"Who did not know him by reputation?" Salbach parried.
"I believe you met him?"
The question was merely a guess and Fidelma saw the quick flush on Salbach's face. It had only been an instinct which had made her chance the question.
"I did meet Dacán a few times," Salbach admitted.
"Was that here, at Ros Ailithir?"
Fidelma had to conceal her surprise when Salbach shook his head.
"No. I met him at Cealla, at one of the great residences of the chieftains of Osraige."
"In Osraige? When was this?"
"A year ago."
"May I ask what you were doing in Osraige?"
"Visiting my cousin, Scandlán, who is king there." Salbach could not keep the vanity out of his voice.
Fidelma was again reminded that her brother, Colgu, had told her that the kings of Osraige were related to the chieftains of the Corco Lofgde.
"I see," she said slowly. "Yet you did not meet the Venerable Dacán when he came to Ros Ailithir?"
"No, I did not."
Something prompted Fidelma to doubt him. Yet she could not get beyond that hooded buzzard expression. She realized that she did not like Salbach at all. Then she flushed as she remembered her homily to Sister Necht. In spite of that, Fidelma believed that there was something sinister about Salbach and that was why she disliked him. There was something evil and harsh in those pale eyes of his. He reminded her so much of a bird of prey.
"But you did meet with Assi'd of Laigin?" she switched the question abruptly, still relying on her instinct.
Salbach's mouth slackened a little. There was a momentary glint in his eyes.
"Yes," he admitted slowly. "He came to my fortress at Cuan Dóir to trade."
"He is a coastal trader?"
"Yes. He traded at our copper mines. He brought us Gaulish wine which had been landed in Laigin and we traded copper for the wine."
"So you have known Assi'd for a long time… in his role as a merchant, that is?"
Salbach grimaced negatively.
"I said that I have met him. That is all. He was trading here last summer and the summer before that. Why do you ask these questions?"
"It is my task to do so, chieftain of the Corco Loigde," she replied with patient humor.
"Am I free to go now?" There was a condescending sneer in his voice.
"I trust that we shall hear soon that you have been successful in your search for Intat?"
"I will make a point of informing you," Salbach replied stiffly.
With a brief bow in her direction and a curt nod to the abbot, Salbach left the room.
Abbot Brocc was looking unhappy.
"Salbach is not a person who likes losing face, cousin," he commented anxiously. "I felt I was witness to two cats meeting to dispute the same territory."
"It is a pity then he places himself in such a position where confrontation results," replied Fidelma coldly. "He carries an insufferable arrogance in his demeanor."
The midday Angelus bell struck.
Fidelma felt obliged to join the abbot in the ritual prayer for the hour.
When Brocc raised himself from his knees, he regarded Fidelma for a moment or two in awkwardness.
"There is other news," he began, somewhat hesitantly. "I did not want to say anything in front of Salbach before I told you."
Fidelma waited uncertainly, for her cousin's face had grown unusually solemn.
"Just before Salbach arrived, a messenger came from Cashel. The king, Cathal mac Cathail, died three days ago. Your brother, Colgu, is now king of Muman."
Fidelma's features did not change. As soon as Brocc had mentioned a messenger from Cashel, she knew what it must be about. She had known it was a matter of time even before she had left Cashel. Then she rose and genuflected.
"Sic transit gloria mundi. May our cousin rest in peace," she said. "And may God give Colgu strength for the hard task which he now faces."
"We shall say a mass for the soul of Cathal tonight, sister," Brocc said. "It lacks a short while before the bell sounds for the midday meal. Perhaps you will join me in a cup of wine before going to the refectory?"
To his obvious disappointment, Fidelma shook her head.