Fidelma was thoughtful for a moment.
‘I could understand the matter of a western rebellion more readily if the Uí Fidgente had joined it. For a long time they tried to overthrow Cashel, but the defeat of their warriors at Cnoc Áine some years ago saw an end to such ambition. Prince Donennach, who rules now, is a wiser head than his predecessors. He has brought the Uí Fidgente to a peaceful and productive state of affairs. And, of course, we have heard that these western raids were as much against their settlements as anyone else.’
‘Added to the fact that the bandits have never been large in number,’ according to reports, it seems curious that an entire army has suddenly emerged to frighten Drón,’ Eadulf said.
Gelgéis was nodding slowly. ‘I cannot disagree with your observations.’
There was a tap on the door and Spealáin came in, looking anxious. He hurried over to Gelgéis and murmured in her ear. She visibly started and her expression matched that of the steward. Then she rose.
‘You will have to excuse me,’ she said. ‘Some urgent matter needs my attention. I shall be busy for a while but I trust you will join me for the midday meal. We shall talk more then.’
Fidelma and Eadulf rose in surprise at this brusque dismissal.
‘We were hoping to put some questions to you,’ Fidelma protested.
‘The hospitality of Durlus is yours, lady,’ replied Gelgéis. ‘I hope, before long, that I may fully explain my situation. But, like you, until I can understand certain things and who is involved, I can trust no one … not even the sister of a King.’ She turned to Spealáin. ‘See to the wants of our visitors,’ she instructed him.
As Spealáin was ushering them from the chamber, Fidelma saw that Eadulf about to speak, but she shook her head in his direction to stop him making any remarks in front of the steward.
‘How may I be of service to you?’ asked Spealáin.
‘Where is Drón at the moment?’ Fidelma enquired.
‘He went to the stables where some of his men are tending their horses.’
‘His Osraige warriors are at the stable?’
‘Some of them. Others are playing buanbaig in the courtyard.’
Buanbaig was, like fidchell and brandubh, a popular board game.
‘Do you have a good garrison here?’
Spealáin appeared to realise what her question implied.
‘Enough to protect Durlus,’ he replied distantly. ‘But I fear that your question is inappropriate. I can answer only to the Lady Gelgéis on matters of detail of the security of this fortress.’
‘Inappropriate or not,’ Fidelma said steadily, ‘I would be on constant alert, with warriors from the Osraige being allowed unhindered access to this fortress.’
The steward stared at her for a moment and then gave an eloquent shrug. ‘You share my lady’s concerns. Don’t worry. They will be watched — as will all the strangers within this fortress.’ The last sentence was added softly, almost as an afterthought.
They had come to the main door of the Great Hall where the steward halted and said apologetically, ‘If you will forgive me, I have other duties to attend to. But you can see the location of the stables from here. Unless you have specific need of me, I will let you find Drón by yourselves.’ With a swift nod of his head, he vanished into the hall.
Fidelma was thankful, for she did not want the steward present when she spoke with Drón. She was about to proceed down the steps to the courtyard when she saw Eadulf looking puzzled. As he was about to speak, Fidelma gave him one of her rare mischievous grins. ‘I swear I shall scream if you say that you have no understanding of these matters, Eadulf.’
‘I wish I could say it were otherwise,’ he sighed. ‘It is clear that Gelgéis is not being open with us. What does she mean, that she cannot trust you? Whose side is she on?’
‘Fidelma!’
The call of greeting was almost gushing with good will. They turned to see the slender figure of Dúnliath emerging from the Great Hall behind them.
‘Why, Fidelma, and Brother Eadulf … how wonderful to see you both here! I thought I was going to be so bored. Now I am happy.’
Fidelma suppressed an inward groan. ‘It is good to see you so well, lady,’ she replied pleasantly. ‘I had heard that you came here with your father.’
The girl pouted. ‘Oh, indeed. He is a dear person but such a dullard — always busy with affairs of state and law and wars and all those silly things. He insisted that we must come here … and for why?’
Fidelma’s expression was solemn. ‘He did not tell you?’ she queried.
The girl frowned. ‘Something about being safe until affairs in Cashel were cleared up. I don’t know what affairs. Do you?’
Fidelma ignored the question and asked: ‘How did you leave my brother?’
‘Colgú? He was well when I last saw him.’
‘When and where was that?’
‘Yesterday morning at Cashel, when he left.’
‘Where was he going?’
‘He said something about having to ride off with some of his warriors. I don’t understand it. We were going to have such fun with a feasting and entertainment, and he suddenly changed his mind and said he had to leave.’
Fidelma regarded the girl with disapproval. She wondered how on earth her brother could be attracted to such a … the word that came into her mind was óinseach, which described a foolish, giddy young woman. How could she become Colgú’s wife when she had no thought for anything other than pleasure?
‘So Colgú left Cashel before you?’ Eadulf interrupted her thoughts. ‘Did he expect you to leave as well? Or did your father decide to leave after he had left?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. Anyway, it is good that you are here, lady.’ The girl was chattering on, oblivious of their serious expressions. ‘Maybe we can persuade Gelgéis to organise a feasting and entertainment? I heard there is a travelling band of gleemen in the township.’
Eadulf had to think before he was able to translate the word crossan as gleemen. Dúnliath caught his frown and said quickly: ‘I mean jugglers, buffoons and entertainers.’
‘Perhaps you should speak to Gelgéis about it.’ Fidelma forced an icy smile. ‘We have some serious matters to attend at the moment.’
Dúnliath pouted once more. Eadulf half expected her to stamp her foot. ‘Everyone, it seems, has serious matters to pursue. Does no one find time to enjoy themselves here? At Cashel there was always business that called Colgú away. As King he should instruct others to carry out his orders and not have to do things himself.’
‘Lady,’ it was Eadulf who spoke softly, ‘it is in the nature of kingship to be the servant of the people.’
‘A king is not a servant!’ The girl giggled as if he had made a joke. ‘You speak nonsense, Saxon.’
‘Angle,’ corrected Eadulf mildly, but the girl ignored him.
‘My father is Lord of Gabrán and this being so, people hurry to carry out his will. If they don’t, they know they will incur his displeasure.’
‘The sign of good kingship is wisdom and the ability not to ask of others what you cannot do yourself.’
‘A king may do what he pleases, Saxon,’ she said airily. ‘He is higher than the people and they must obey or be punished.’
Eadulf’s smile was fixed. ‘When I came to this country, I found a question in the law text known as the Crith Gablach. It asked: what makes a king higher than the people?’
‘And did you also find the answer?’
‘The answer was that it was because the people ordained the king and not the king who ordained the people.’