‘I thought that Colgú should see this first,’ Caol said, holding out an intricately worked brooch. ‘It was found on the body, and the farmer thought it might help identify the corpse. The body was that of a well-dressed young man.’
Colgú took the metal object with its inlaid semi-precious stones and turned it over in his hands a few times, his frown deepening. It was obvious that he recognised it but he handed it to Fidelma, saying only, ‘What do you make of it?’
Fidelma took it and her eyes widened slightly. ‘It’s a brooch bearing the emblem of the Uí Máil,’ she said immediately.
Colgú’s expression was grim.
‘Exactly,’ he said. ‘That is the emblem of a member of the Royal House of Laigin.’
CHAPTER THREE
Abbot Ségdae leaned forward in astonishment. Fianamail mac Máele Tuile of the Uí Máil was King of the neighbouring Kingdom of Laigin. They all knew the significance of the emblem. Fidelma was examining it more closely. She had noticed a small catch on the side of the brooch and pushed it open. There was a tiny recess but it was empty.
‘Where is the farmer who found the body?’ she asked Caol.
‘Outside, lady,’ replied the warrior. ‘His name is Tóla. His farmstead is at Cluain Mór just north of the stream called the Arglach.’
It was such a short distance to the north-west of Cashel that she knew it well.
‘Bring him in and let us hear his story,’ Colgú instructed.
Caol left the room, to return a moment later with the nervous-looking farmer, who appeared awed at being in the presence of his King, the King’s sister and the senior prelate of the kingdom.
Colgú motioned him forward with an encouraging smile.
‘Come in, Tóla. Come closer, and be at your ease.’
The farmer took a few hesitant steps, bobbing his head shyly as if in greeting to everyone.
‘We are told that you have found a body,’ Fidelma prompted, after the man had stood silently for a while with downcast eyes.
‘I have, lady.’
‘Tell us the circumstances of how you did so.’
Tóla, after a few false starts and the clearing of his throat, told them what had happened to him that morning. They listened attentively until he had finished speaking.
‘What made you think that he was a noble?’ Colgú asked.
‘His clothes, weapons and jewels proclaimed him so.’
‘You brought us this brooch,’ Fidelma said, indicating the item still held in her hand. ‘Do you know its significance?’
‘I do not. However, I have seen such emblems used to mark the identity of noble families and their clans. I imagined from that, and the dress and appearance of the body, it was someone of not inconsiderable position.’
‘You considered him a stranger to this territory?’
‘I knew only that he was not from one of the clans of this area because I see most of the chieftains at the great fairs and markets and would have recognised him.’
It was obvious that Tóla was no fool.
‘And you are certain that it was no accident which caused his death at the ford?’ interposed the abbot, speaking for the first time since the farmer had entered.
Tóla actually managed to summon a nervous smile as he shook his head. ‘I fought in my clan’s muster at Cnoc Áine, lord. I know enough of wounds to understand when they are inflicted by accident or design. But it is not for me to venture my opinion when a physician’s word would be better informed. My son has been left to guard the body until someone qualified should examine it.’
‘You have acted in a correct manner, Tóla,’ Colgú said with a smile. ‘Caol, take our friend and provide him with some refreshment while we discuss this matter. Leave that emblem with us, Tóla. We shall send someone back with you to view this body and arrange for its removal.’
When the door had closed behind them, Colgú sat back and sighed. He retrieved the brooch from Fidelma and was turning it over in his hands.
‘This is the second piece of worrying news this morning. If this person was a member of the Royal Family of the Uí Máil, what was he doing here and why would he have been killed?’
Fidelma grimaced. ‘No speculation …’
Her brother interrupted her with a groan: ‘… without information.’ He completed her favourite saying. ‘Nevertheless, an Uí Máil killed in the shadow of the fortress of the Eóghanacht is a matter of great concern for us. Our relations with the Kingdom of Laigin have never been of the best, in any case. Unless we can find out who was killed, why the killing took place and who is responsible, reparation might be demanded by King Fianamail. Unlike his predecessor, he is a hard man to deal with.’
‘First we must learn the identity of the body,’ Fidelma declared. ‘Simply because someone wears the emblem of the Uí Máil does not make them one.’
‘That is agreed,’ her brother said. ‘So what do you recommend?’
‘It is obvious what we must do,’ she replied.
Colgú made a wry grimace. ‘You are going to suggest that you accompany the farmer back to the body to investigate the death?’
Fidelma’s jaw came up a little. ‘Unless you think that there is someone better qualified to do so? You have already ruled that it is too dangerous for me to accompany Dego to the lands of the Uí Fidgente, so surely it will be less dangerous for me to look at this matter?’
Abbot Ségdae stirred. ‘What if this new matter has something to do with the unrest among the Uí Fidgente? What if some war band is roaming the country?’
‘It is something to be considered,’ acknowledged Fidelma. ‘But we have little evidence to make such assumptions at this point.’ She turned to her brother. ‘Am I allowed to undertake this investigation? I can surely meet with few problems within sight of Cashel.’
Colgú saw the glint in his sister’s eyes and simply said: ‘Who will you take with you?’
‘Eadulf, of course,’ she replied at once. ‘But I was also thinking of Gormán, if he can be spared from his guard duties. It is always good to have a warrior of the guard along with us.’
‘A good choice,’ agreed Colgú. ‘But take another man as well, in case you need someone to send messages back.’
‘Very well. Then I am fully empowered to conduct this matter in my official capacity as a dálaigh at your command?’
‘The council may have given the office of Chief Brehon to Áedo, but you are still my personal adviser and sister,’ her brother replied gravely.
‘I’ll ask Gormán to choose a good companion. I’ll send Caol back to you so that you can instruct him about despatching Dego to investigate these reports that Abbot Ségdae has brought.’
‘Thank you. As I have said, Dego will command a company to escort the abbot back to Imleach and then they can proceed onwards into Uí Fidgente country.’
Fidelma was rising to her feet. ‘I shall start out immediately. I was all ready to go riding this morning, but now this matter gives purpose to the journey,’ she said.
Her brother shifted uncomfortably in his seat and glanced at her with an almost embarrassed look.
‘If you see the Lady Dúnliath, it would be best if you do not alarm her with these matters connected with the Uí Fidgente.’
‘Of course,’ Fidelma replied shortly. Then she added more softly, ‘Anyway, I doubt whether she will be abroad yet. I understand there was a feasting last night that kept people up late.’
If she were honest, she was concerned for her brother. He had long passed the usual marriageable age and, as yet, no suitable match had been presented. Then the unexpected had happened. Colgú had been out hunting in the eastern part of the kingdom, a territory known as Osraige, when, seeking the hospitality of Drón, Lord of Gabrán, he had met the man’s daughter, Dúnliath. She was not the kind of woman Fidelma had expected her brother to find attractive.