Fidelma inclined her head in agreement.
The Chief Brehon turned to Forbassach as advocate for Laigin. His expression was dour.
"Forbassach, the evidence here is clear. I now have to warn you. The law text, the Din Techtugad, states that a person who gives false testimony loses his honor price. False testimony is one of the three falsehoods which God avenges most severely. I will not impose the penalty at this stage, giving the Abbot Noé time to reflect on this matter." He turned back to Fidelma. "Please, proceed, sister."
"Do you accept or deny this, Assi'd?" she demanded.
Assid hung his head.
"I accept that I came here to pick up a message from Dacán to take to his brother Noé. After the evening meal, I met with Dacán and he gave me the letter. We exchanged some heated words when he refused to reveal what was in it and made me swear an oath not to open it. I still have no idea of what the letter contained. I went to bed. In the morning, I heard that Dacán had been slain. Brother Rumann, who was the steward of the abbey, questioned me as to my whereabouts. Satisfied that I knew nothing, he gave me permission to leave. I left the abbey and sailed directly for Laigin, taking the letter. I reported what had happened to the Abbot Noé. That is all I have to do with this matter."
"A few more questions. When did you last see Dacán alive?"
"Just after the completa, the last service of the day. A little after midnight, I should say."
"Where did you see him?"
"In his chamber. It was when he handed over the letter to me."
"And where was your chamber?"
"On the floor above Dacán's."
"And so you heard nothing after you had left him? At what time was that?"
Assid drew his brows together, trying to recall.
"After midnight. I only heard one thing more, as I went up the stairs. I heard Dacán ringing the bell for the young novice who attended to our wants in the hostel. I heard his voice demanding that she fetch him water."
"You may stand down, unless Forbassach wishes to question you."
Forbassach had been talking rapidly with the grim-faced Abbot Noé. He replied that he had no questions for Assi'd.
Fidelma now addressed the Chief Brehon.
"We have heard that Dacán had been successful in locating Illan's heir. He told his brother Noé that he was about to set off for Sceilig Mhichil to identify him the next day."
"Are you telling us that he was killed to prevent him doing so?" asked Barràn.
"He was killed because it was feared he would bring harm to Illan's heir."
"But you said that the sons of Ulan had already been removed from the monastery and placed in Sister Eisten's charge. Is this not correct?"
"The story grows complicated. When Ulan was killed, his sons had been placed in the care of a cousin who would foster them."
Dramatically, Fidelma swung round and pointed at the abbey benches.
"It was Brother Midach of this abbey who was the foster-father of the two boys who were known at Sceilig Mhichil as Primus and Victor."
Midach sat unblinking. His face was fixed in a thin smile. He said nothing. Fidelma continued:
"Dacán thought that it was Illan's cousin, Father Mel of Sceilig Mhichil, who was the fosterer. In that he did not read the will carefully enough. The will of Ulan states clearly 'let the resolve of the honorable one determine the fosterage of my children.' Is there anyone here who does not know that the meaning of the name Midach is 'honorable?' Midach was appointed the aite or foster-father of the sons of Ulan."
"Midach, either by suspicion or accident, read the notes of Dacán in the library and realized that the old scholar was searching for Illan's children. Dacán discovered Midach reading his notes and an argument ensued. Brother Martan was a witness to this. Anxious to protect his charges, on that same evening, Midach left this abbey and sailed to Sceilig Mhichil. He removed the boys and took them to Sister Eisten, who was a former pupil of his. He was able to visit them a few times afterwards on the pretext of visiting the village and helping them with
medicine against the plague. He was seen and described to me. The real names of the children of Ulan, known at Sceilig Mhichil as Primus and Victor, were Cetach and Cosrach. If one attempted to put Latin names on these they would translate in such a fashion."
"Midach was shocked when he heard that Intat had raided Rae na Serine. He believed that Dacán was working for Salbach and through him for Scandlàn of Osraige. Alas, he did not realize that Grella was part of the conspiracy and was Eisten's soul-friend. However, after the attack, he found that his two wards were safe. He decided to get the two boys away from this kingdom and asked Sister Eisten to arrange passage for them."
"Cetach, the elder boy, at least, had. been warned that Salbach was looking for them so when Salbach came here, Cetach pleaded with me not to mention him or his brother to the chieftain. Then they both disappeared."
"While Midach now hid the children, Eisten went to book passage for them on a merchant ship in the bay. At first she chose the wrong ship—she asked a sailor who was from the Laigin warship captained by Mugron. Unfortunately, Intat then spotted Eisten. The rest of that tale we know. In spite of torture, Eisten would not tell where the children were and finally, in anger, Intat killed her. The children had to remain in hiding until Midach could get them safely away."
Fidelma paused for her throat was now dry.
Barrán took the opportunity to address Midach.
"Do you deny this story or any part of it?"
Midach sat, his arms folded, without expression.
"I neither confirm nor deny it."
The Chief Brehon turned back to Fidelma.
"There is one point in your explanation that I do not follow. You have not dealt with Dacán's death, which, as important as these events are, is the main cause of this action brought by Laigin."
"I will come to it, Barrán," Fidelma assured him, coughing slightly as she attempted to clear her drying throat.
"Midach was hiding the boys, Cetach and Cosrach, here in the abbey where he continues to hide them. I think that we can now bring them safely forth from the sepulchre of the Blessed Fachtna, for they will be under the protection of the High King. Is this not so?"
The question was directed to Sechnassach.
The High King returned Fidelma's interrogative look with a brief smile.
"They are so protected, Fidelma of Kildare."
"Midach, will you bring them forth?"
The physician rose unsteadily. He found difficulty speaking.
Fidelma decided to prompt him.
"If you go to the statue of the cherub behind the High Altar and twist it one half turn to the left it will release the spring which pivots a flagstone." Midach's mouth slackened in surprise.
"How did you discover this?" he demanded in consternation.
"The steps beneath lead down to the secret sepulchre of the Blessed Fachtna, the founder of this abbey," went on Fidelma. "It is there, since the death of Sister Eisten, that Cetach and Cosrach have been in hiding. Is that not so, Midach?"
Midach's shoulders slumped in resignation.
"It is even as she has said," he mumbled. "She seems to know everything."
A couple of the High King's guards moved at a gesture from Sechnassach and followed Fidelma's instructions. A few moments later the two young black-haired lads were brought blinking from the underground tomb to stare in fear at the mighty assembly.
The Chief Brehon immediately sought to reassure them of their safety.
Forbassach was on his feet.
"I must point out that we, of Laigin, have no wish to harm these boys… if they, indeed, are the sons of Ulan."