‘But we have heard that Moling, the Bishop of Ferna, and adviser to Fianamail, King of Laigin, was sent by Fianamail to Tara some weeks ago,’ Bishop Daig said. ‘We were told that he was sent to persuade the High King and his Chief Brehon to declare the tribute as no longer applying.’
‘It might have been a ruse,’ added Gelgéis. ‘We expected as much.’
‘You expected this!’ Fidelma exclaimed. ‘You had knowledge that Fianamail and Laigin were preparing for this invasion?’
‘We had word of a conspiracy,’ said Gelgéis. ‘It was mostly suspicion, but suspicion is not evidence. We needed evidence. We-’
‘“We” meaning you and Tormeid?’ Fidelma’s voice was sharp. With this latest news from Laigin, it was even more important that Gelgéis admitted what she knew. The very matter that had caused Fidelma to start out on this journey was the murder of a young man who bore the symbol of an envoy from Laigin. She was slowly beginning to see how the pieces in this complex puzzle fitted together.
She turned back to Aidan. ‘Is there anything more you can tell us?’
The young warrior shook his head. ‘With respect, lady, we should ride post haste for Cashel and warn the King.’
Fidelma compressed her lips in thought for a moment. ‘I agree. Except that we are unsure where my brother is now. We are told he has raised a battalion and marched to face some rebels in the west.’
Aidan’s expression was one of dismay. ‘Then it means our border is undefended.’
‘Did you pass by Liath Mór when you came here?’ Eadulf asked suddenly.
‘We came within sight of it, but knowing that the Osraige has too many connections with Laigin for my liking I decided to pass to the north of it, using the woods for cover.’
‘A wise precaution,’ replied Eadulf. ‘Did you see any activity in Osraige?’
‘We did see some deserted townships and farmsteads in Uí Duach territory.’
Fidelma had walked to the window and was gazing down into the courtyard again. She was deep in thought. Gelgéis went to join her.
‘What shall we do?’ asked the Princess of Durlus.
Fidelma turned to examine her, gazing long into her eyes. Then she spoke quietly so that the others would not hear.
‘I think the first thing would be for you and Tormeid to tell me what you know. I need to be able to trust you fully, now Muman is under threat.’
‘We suspected that there was some plot involving Cronán and the raiders to the west. We hoped to find some answers from Ailgesach: that was why we went to see him. I swear it.’
The Princess of the Éile seemed badly shaken at the news that Aidan had brought. Fidelma felt confident that the young woman was going to help rather than hinder her, but that was not enough. There were important matters to be considered. She swung back to address Aidan.
‘My brother must be warned, if we can find him. Aidan, you and your men have ridden long and hard to reach us. You need rest. If Gelgéis can provide you with a fresh horse, can you, or one of your number, ride to Cashel and relay this news?’
‘I will do so, lady,’ replied the warrior without hesitation. ‘My men can rest.’
‘Then bear this news back to Cashel. If you can’t find Colgú there, as we have heard, then seek out my brother’s heir-apparent, the tánaiste, Finguine. He should be able to send messengers to alert my brother as well as raise new cath to defend Cashel from any attack from the east.’
Aidan was already through the door, before she had finished speaking, with Gormán following to ensure Aidan’s wants were provided for. Fidelma turned back to Gelgéis.
‘I presume you have good horses and good riders here in Durlus?’
‘Of course,’ the Princess replied immediately.
‘Then choose your best rider and horse. They are to set out immediately for Tara …’ She paused as Gelgéis motioned Spealáin to come forward to take notice of the instructions. ‘He is to ride for Tara and inform the Chief Brehon, Sedna, and, indeed the High King Cenn Faelad himself, of what is taking place here. Say that we are threatened by Laigin who are in some conspiracy with Cronán of Gleann an Ghuail and perhaps others in Osraige. We can say no more except that we entreat the High King and Chief Brehon to demand the withdrawal of Fianamail’s army from the border of Muman.’
Gelgéis was shaking her head. ‘Even our best rider and horse, travelling through the night, will not make Tara before midday tomorrow. And if the King and Chief Brehon were to intervene, it will be a few days before they can contact Fianamail.’
Fidelma glanced at Spealáin. ‘Tell, whoever you pick, to do their best,’ she said, adding to Gelgéis as he departed, ‘I do not expect this will save us from attack, but at least we will have the satisfaction of knowing that the High King and Chief Brehon are alerted to the Laigin threat.’
‘But what are we to do?’ demanded Gelgéis.
‘As soon as Spealáin returns, you must post sentinels around Durlus so that we can be warned when Osraige and Laigin start to move against us.’
She suddenly realised that only she, Gelgéis and Eadulf were left in the chamber.
‘Now, lady, I think-’ began Fidelma, when the door was flung open without warning, and Dúnliath stormed in, Ailill following anxiously behind her. She addressed Gelgéis directly.
‘I have just been informed that I and my retinue are not allowed to leave your fortress, lady. We were to accompany the body of my poor, murdered father back to Gabrán for Christian burial. What means this discourtesy to his mortal remains?’
In the excitement of the last few moments, Fidelma had almost forgotten about Dúnliath. Obviously, Spealáin had been distracted by the new arrivals and had not delivered an explanation.
‘The Lady Fidelma will tell you why it is not possible for you to leave Durlus at this time,’ replied Gelgéis.
Gelgéis was clearly waiting for Fidelma to exert her authority as a dálaigh. But Fidelma realised that she now had a better reason for stopping Dúnliath from leaving.
‘You have doubtless heard the recent activity in the fortress, Dúnliath,’ she said mildly. ‘We are under threat and it is not wise that anyone travel east, especially not towards Gabrán.’
The childlike features of the girl’s face seemed to be unusually harsh. Before she could speak, however, Ailill interrupted, his expression one of perplexity.
‘I am not sure that I follow you, cousin,’ he said. ‘We have heard nothing except the coming and going of horsemen. Then we were informed that we could not leave the fortress.’
‘We have just had news that a large army under the King of Laigin is now encamped on the west bank of the River Bhearú, a short distance from Gabrán. They appear on the verge of invasion. The news is that they will start crossing into Osraige soon. Osraige may join them. They mean to invade Muman.’
Ailill’s features were set firm but the girl was blinking in bewilderment.
‘What does that mean?’ Her voice was whiny as she looked up at Ailill. ‘I want to go home to Gabrán.’
‘It means that Laigin’s warriors will soon be sweeping through Gabrán, if they have not done so already,’ Gelgéis explained testily. ‘Now, I suggest you return to your chamber, lady. We will keep you informed if we hear any further news.’
Ailill swallowed hard. ‘Is Cashel in danger, cousin?’ he asked Fidelma. ‘What of this rebellion in the west? You have only to call on my service, although I feel that I should be rallying the men of Gabrán for I am … was … the foster-son of Drón.’
‘You understand that even if the attack does not materialise, you are to remain here until we have determined how Drón came by his death? I have taken charge of this matter.’
There was a slight tension of the man’s jaw and then he nodded. ‘Of course. But shouldn’t we have more concern for the threat to the kingdom?’