They relapsed into silence as they rode through Cashel. Many people recognised her and some greeted her with a smile while others stood in groups along the way, watching her in undisguised curiosity and whispering among themselves. They continued up to the gates of the towering royal palace of the Kings.
Capa, the captain of the guard, was at the gate.
‘Welcome back, lady,’ he greeted, as they rode in. ‘The Prince of Cnoc Aine arrived this morning, so we knew you would be arriving sometime late today.’
Fidelma exchanged a look with Eadulf.
Before she could speak, her cousin Donndubhain, the heir-apparent to Colgú, came hurrying out of some nearby buildings, smiling in welcome.
‘Fidelma! Thank God that you are safe. We have heard all about the attack on Imleach. Of course, Prince Donennach is denying any Uí Fidgente involvement in it … but he would, wouldn’t he?’
Fidelma dismounted and was embraced by her cousin. She turned to unstrap her saddle bag while Eadulf followed her example.
‘You must have a lot to tell us about the attack on the abbey!’ Donndubháin sounded excited. ‘When we heard — why, I was hard pressed to prevent your brother leading a guard to Imleach. But-’ he glanced around in conspiratorial fashion — ‘that would have leftCashel unguarded and there is Gionga and his Uí Fidgente troop to consider.’
Fidelma turned to Capa and instructed him to ensure that the horses were taken to the stables and cared for. Then she turned back to her cousin.
‘Has anything else transpired here that I should know of?’
Donndubháin shook his head. ‘We were hoping that you had brought some news that will resolve the mystery.’
Fidelma smiled wanly. ‘Things are never simple,’ she commented in a tired tone.
‘Your brother, the King, wants to see you right away,’ her cousin went on. ‘Do you mind? Or do you want to refresh yourself from your journey first?’
‘I’ll see Colgú first.’
‘There is no need for Brother Eadulf to accompany you,’ Donndubháin said hurriedly, as he led the way.
‘I will see you later then,’ Fidelma smiled, a trifle apologetically at her companion.
Colgú was waiting for Fidelma in his private chambers. Brother and sister exchanged affectionate greetings and Fidelma immediately asked after her brother’s wound.
‘Thanks to our Saxon friend, the wound is healing well. See?’ He raised his arm above his head and moved it about to show its mobility. ‘There is slight discomfiture but no infection and it will be all right soon, just as he promised it would.’ He paused then asked: ‘Is Brother Eadulf not with you?’
Fidelma glanced to Donndubhain who was standing by the door with a frown.
‘I understood that you wanted to see me alone?’
Colgú looked puzzled for the minute.
‘Ah, so I did. Very well, Donndubháin. We will join you shortly.’ After he had left, Colgú motioned her to a chair. ‘Donndubháin has become an ardent believer in the conspiracy theory, that enemies lurk everywhere. I hope Eadulf was not insulted. He is a person whom I can trust.’
Fidelma smiled quickly as she seated herself. ‘I think your trust will not be misplaced.’
‘What information have you been able to gather at Imleach? We have had the news of the attack. Our cousin, Finguine, the Prince of Cnoc Aine, arrived earlier today. He gave us details.’
‘So I understand,’ Fidelma replied. ‘There is little to add, apparently. Abbot Ségdae and the witnesses from Imleach should be here in the next day or so.’
‘Witnesses?’ queried Colgú, hopefully.
‘I believed that the events at Imleach, the disappearance of the Holy Relics and the attack on the township, are all connected with the attempted assassination. How is the Prince of the Uí Fidgente, by the way? I neglected to ask about his wounds.’
Colgú was sardonic. ‘He bears a slight limp. The wound is better but his temper is worse. Otherwise he is in good health and still claiming a plot against us. His bodyguard Gionga hardly ever leaves his side.’
‘Did you know that Gionga placed warriors at the bridge over the Suir to prevent me leaving here?’
Her brother looked troubled. ‘I found that out afterwards. Gionga, or his Prince, was cunning. Once it was known that you had reached Imleach safely, Prince Donennach came to me and explained that Gionga, through zeal, had placed a guard there to prevent any accomplices of the assassins escaping. Misinterpreting their orders, they tried to prevent you from going to Imleach. Donennach apologised profusely and said he had ordered the warriors to disperse.’
Fidelma chuckled derisively. ‘If one believes that …! They had specific orders to prevent my going to Imleach. They made that clear enough.’
‘But can we prove it? Just as Donndubhain argues his conspiracy theory against the Uí Fidgente, what proof is there? The ninth day will be here soon. I am told that the Brehon Rumann from Fearna, with his entourage, will be here shortly. Perhaps tomorrow. The Brehons Dathal and Fachtna are already come. The nobles of the kingdom are also gathering. Oh, and our cousin Finguine has come escorting Solam, the dálaigh for the Uí Fidgente.’ Colgú did not disguise his anxiety. ‘I am worried, Fidelma. I freely confess it. Do you have a solution to this conundrum yet?’
Fidelma was torn between sounding optimistic and telling her brother the brutal truth.
‘I believe that I can see various paths along which the truth may be found but they are paths to be explored only. The short answer is, alas, I do not have the solution as yet.’
‘I thought as much, otherwise you would have told me immediately. It seems that we will have to trust that your skills in the court will discover the truth during the hearing.’
Fidelma wished that she could reassure her brother, but instead she asked, ‘Is Donennach of the Uí Fidgente still persuaded to go ahead and claim conspiracy against you?’
‘So far as I know, Solam is persuaded to argue that I was involved in a plot to kill Donennach. The nobles of Muman have let it be knownthat they will have none of it. Rightly or wrongly, they believe in me as their King and say that I have done no wrong …’
‘That is true.’
‘But we must be able to prove it. If I and the Eóghanacht are condemned in a court, then I fear the nobles will cry conspiracy, even as Donndubhain is doing! They will take matters into their own hands to punish the Uí Fidgente. Donndubháin has become increasingly incensed at the behaviour of the Uí Fidgente. For him, there is no doubt that it was they who attacked Imleach. I can see a position arising where Donndubhain will lead the nobles in an attack on all the Dál gCais clans. The kingdom could be split by wars. Instead of this peace that I had hoped for, we could enter another cycle of conflict lasting for centuries.’
‘The nobles of Muman will obey you, if you order them …’ Fidelma began but her brother interrupted.
‘Already there are threats and mumblings against the Uí Fidgente. It is claimed that the whole affair has been a deliberate attempt to destroy the Eóghanacht and the power of Cashel. What can I answer them about the attack on Imleach …?’
‘We do not know yet if the raid on Imleach was inspired by the Uí Fidgente,’ insisted Fidelma. ‘Brother, you must control the nobles of Muman for if anything happens before the hearing then we will truly stand condemned before the five kingdoms of Eireann.’
Colgú was unhappy. ‘All my efforts are being made to that effect, Fidelma. But I fear … truly I do … I know just how hot-headed some of the younger nobles can be and they might take justice on the points of their swords and ride into the lands of the Uí Fidgente to take revenge for the destruction of the great yew at Imleach.’
‘I can only tell you that there is more to this matter than mistrust between the Eóghanacht and the Uí Fidgente, brother. Tell me, as I was away from Cashel at the time, was there ever any dissension between you and Finguine of Cnoc Aine?’