However, it was not this that had caught Fidelma’s attention; she was staring at the rocks beyond.
‘Look!’ she said softly. ‘There is the mast of a boat. Beyond those rocks must be the harbour for the fortress. I thought it odd that they would use an open beach without a jetty.’
Eadulf followed her gaze towards the sea end of the line of rocks. Indeed, there was a boat’s mast poking above them. He estimated it was a small sailing craft. At the top of the mast was a strip of white silk. Although the emblem was not clear, for it hung limply as the morning breeze had dropped away, Eadulf was sure that it was the dove emblem of the mac’htiern of Brilhag.
‘Come on,’ Fidelma urged. ‘Let’s have a look at it. We can easily scramble over these rocks.’
The water from the stream trickling across the sands barely came over her insteps and she crossed it in two strides and went enthusiastically onward.
Eadulf was halfway across the stream close behind her when he suddenly recalled where he had seen the texture of the sand before.
‘Stop!’
By the time his yell had resounded, she was up to her ankles in quicksand.
He came quickly up, searching the sands behind her, before he grabbed her and pulled her backwards. They tumbled down together into the cold water of the stream — but at least the stream was flowing across a thickly compacted, firm stretch of sand. Then they scrambled hastily to their feet and moved back to where they knew the sand was safe. Fidelma had lost her sandals in the quicksand; indeed, they had already vanished beneath it.
She stood looking at the innocent-looking expanse, breathing heavily.
‘I’m sorry,’ muttered Eadulf, trying to dislodge the clinging wet sand from his clothing. ‘I should have realised it sooner. Remember the quicksand across the stretch of water to the fortress of Uallaman the Leper? It eventually killed him and could have killed many others. I knew I had seen such a texture of sand before, It is not the same as normal sand. There is something about it…’
‘Well, thankfully you recognised it in time,’ Fidelma interrupted. ‘Had I been moving more quickly, then-’
‘Hóigh!’ They heard the voice faintly and glanced back. The familiar form of Brother Metellus was hurrying across the sands, waving at them.
Fidelma looked at Eadulf with a grim expression.
‘I wonder if we have just found out the answer to our question?’ she mused softly.
‘The answer…?’ Eadulf’s eyes widened as he took in what she meant. ‘Do you think that we were intended to go into that quicksand?’
‘It is a thought,’ she said, and turned to face Brother Metellus who came panting up to them, red-faced and a trifle out of breath.
‘Deo favente!’ he gasped. ‘I have caught you in time. Do you know that you were walking into an area of quicksand?’
Fidelma answered with an ironic smile. ‘I am afraid that we have already learned that,’ she said.
The monk glanced down at their soiled clothing and his mouth opened and for a moment he could say nothing. Then he stammered, ‘Th-thank God you have been saved. How?’
Eadulf was watching Brother Metellus’ face closely.
‘By the grace of God,’ he replied simply. ‘But how came you here after us?’
Brother Metellus blinked. ‘I was told by Iuna that you had gone walking on the shore alone.’
‘Alone?’ Eadulf jerked his head towards the hills. ‘I thought Iarnbud was watching over us from a discreet distance.’
‘Iarnbud? I saw no one on my way here. No, when I heard that you had set out for this shore I wondered if anyone had warned you of this area of quicksand. It is notorious among locals and people avoid this side of the rockline between there and the stream.’
‘That we can imagine. But we were not warned.’
‘I came hurrying after you — to warn you.’
‘Why were you so sure that we had come this way?’
Brother Metellus looked bewildered for a moment.
‘There is only one strand where there is danger. This one. To get to the safer little harbour you have to leave the fortress through the kitchens and out a side door. But you came through the main gates. So I came here immediately and saw you from a distance. I shouted to warn you. Why do you ask these questions? Do you not believe me? Do you not trust me?’
Fidelma reached out a hand and laid it on the man’s arm in reassurance.
‘Forgive us. It was a close escape from danger and we are slightly distraught. But for your timely assistance, Brother Metellus, we are most grateful. And now, I’m afraid, we must return to the fortress and prevail upon our hosts for more clothing and footwear, for I am afraid I have lost my sandals and our clothes need washing.’
They turned together and began to walk slowly back along the beach.
‘Were you looking for anything in particular?’ Brother Metellus asked after a few moments, breaking the silence. ‘You seemed interested in the lights on the foreshore last night.’
‘What should we be looking for?’ queried Fidelma innocently.
‘Bleidbara explained that his men were taking supplies to his ship last night. I thought perhaps you took the opportunity to come to see. But I note that Bleidbara has already sailed.’
‘Did you know that the Lord of Canao kept a ship?’
‘Many of the lords around Morbihan have ships.’ Brother Metellus smiled and shrugged. ‘It is a tradition among the people whose ancestors were the Veneti.’
His words gave Fidelma food for thought.
There was no sign of Iarnbud as they returned up the hill towards the fortress. Nor was there any sign still of Macliau when they entered the great hall, but Iuna came forward, allowing her eyes to drop to Fidelma’s bare feet and the dishevelled clothing.
‘You have met with misfortune, lady.’ Her voice was flat, unemotional.
Fidelma wondered for a moment if the girl was being sarcastic. Iuna’s features were composed as if carved from wood.
‘You did not warn us about the quicksand on the beach.’ She made it into a statement and not an accusation.
‘I did advise that you take a guard with you, lady, but you seemed adamant to proceed on your own. I had no means of knowing that you would take that path to that beach. It is not a place that leads anywhere.’
Fidelma realised it was pointless to pursue the matter.
‘Well, Eadulf and I shall need new clothing and these should be cleaned.’
Iuna lowered her gaze a fraction. ‘It shall be done, lady.’
It was only a short while before they both rejoined Brother Metellus in the great hall, by which time the youthful Macliau had risen and joined them, his ever-present dog Albiorix trotting closely at his heels. It was clear that he was suffering from his over-indulgence of alcohol on the previous evening. However, he greeted them warmly, as if relieved to see them both again.
‘I was told that you nearly walked into the quicksand on the beach. It is a bad area indeed — you should have avoided it. Why did you leave the fortress without a guard?’
‘We merely wanted to go for some exercise along the beach,’ Fidelma replied. ‘We were in sight of the fortress and thought no harm would have come to us.’
‘Ah well, no matter. What is the ancient saying — si finis bonus est, totum bonum erit — if the end is good, everything will be good.’ Macliau paused a moment and then said: ‘Boric and his men have returned from the abbey. He tells me that he has seen Aourken and brought back your few belongings. Iuna will send them to your room. The bodies of Biscam and his men have been taken to the abbey and Abbot Maelcar has agreed to give them burial.’