that it will be but a short delay.’
Barrán was sympathetic. ‘This is hard on you, Fidelma, but I know that you will bring this matter to a quick conclusion. We cannot allow all these distinguished guests to linger in Cashel for more than a few days.’
‘Law and justice move along in their own time,’ Fidelma rebuked him softly. ‘I, above all our distinguished guests, regret the delay, butI am the first to argue that no man should be exonerated or condemned simply because it interferes with our plans.’
With a quick nod to encompass them all, Fidelma turned and left the chamber.
‘I am beginning to believe that there is some truth in old Brother Conchobhar’s prognostications,’ Eadulf finally said, after Fidelma had explained everything. She had gone to his chamber and woken him, making sure he was fully awake before explaining the events of recent hours.
‘He was claiming that the portents were not good for our marriage this day,’ she agreed.
There was a silence between them and faintly came the sound of the chapel bell calling the religious to the first prayers of the day. Fidelma smiled wanly, glanced into a mirror and adjusted her hair with an automatic gesture.
‘Well, from what we have heard about Abbot Ultán, it did not need any divination to know that there was going to be trouble in the offing.’
‘True,’ agreed Eadulf. ‘It is a pity that Caol took Dego away from his sentinel duties. I can understand it but I hope it does not mean that Caol will be in trouble.’
‘My brother has taken full responsibility.’
‘I told you that Brother Berrihert uttered a threat against Ultán’s life in front of Brother Conchobhar and me?’
‘I have not forgotten. But do not forget that the murder happened after the gates of the fortress were closed for the night. That much Caol told me. Your Saxon friends have accommodation in one of the hostels in the town, so they would not have been admitted here after the gates were closed.’
There was another awkward pause.
‘So everything is put into abeyance until the matter is resolved?’
Fidelma nodded, moving to the window and glancing down in the direction of the few lanterns and lights that could be seen in the town below.
‘I feel sorry for the people who have gathered down there for the
aenach,’
she remarked.
‘Surely the fair can go ahead?’ Eadulf said. ‘It could amuse people and will not interfere with us in the fortress.’
Fidelma shook her head. ‘Abbot Ségdae would doubtless say that it would not be seemly while an abbot and bishop of the Faith lies murdered and that death remains unexplained.’
Eadulf pulled a face. ‘I suppose so. Although it is not as if many here will mourn his passing. Everyone seemed to hate him.’
‘Well, though I shall not hurry this matter, the sooner we begin the sooner we can come to an end,’ she said.
Eadulf had finished dressing and asked: ‘What do you mean to do first?’
‘As always, we will start with the body and the cause of death. Brother Conchobhar was called to examine it. After that, we shall see what Muirchertach Nár has to say.’ She paused at the door and frowned, glancing back to Eadulf. ‘As Muirchertach Nár is a king …’
Eadulf interrupted, as if reading her thoughts.
‘It would be better if you saw him alone. It might not be …’ He spent a few moments trying to think of the right word and settled on
cubaid
. ‘It might not be seemly if I were to be present unless he wished it.’
Fidelma cast him a smile of thanks for his perception and diplomacy.
It was still dark but there was a light burning in the apothecary shop as they crossed the cobbled courtyard. Fidelma tapped softly on the door before reaching to the handle and swinging it open. At once the pungent smell of herbs and dried flowers assailed her nostrils and she was hard pressed not to sneeze.
In the gloom, Brother Conchobhar glanced up from his workbench where he had been mixing
Barrán was sympathetic. ‘This is hard on you, Fidelma, but I know that you will bring this matter to a quick conclusion. We cannot allow all these distinguished guests to linger in Cashel for more than a few days.’
‘Law and justice move along in their own time,’ Fidelma rebuked him softly. ‘I, above all our distinguished guests, regret the delay, butI am the first to argue that no man should be exonerated or condemned simply because it interferes with our plans.’
With a quick nod to encompass them all, Fidelma turned and left the chamber.
‘I am beginning to believe that there is some truth in old Brother Conchobhar’s prognostications,’ Eadulf finally said, after Fidelma had explained everything. She had gone to his chamber and woken him, making sure he was fully awake before explaining the events of recent hours.
‘He was claiming that the portents were not good for our marriage this day,’ she agreed.
There was a silence between them and faintly came the sound of the chapel bell calling the religious to the first prayers of the day. Fidelma smiled wanly, glanced into a mirror and adjusted her hair with an automatic gesture.
‘Well, from what we have heard about Abbot Ultán, it did not need any divination to know that there was going to be trouble in the offing.’
‘True,’ agreed Eadulf. ‘It is a pity that Caol took Dego away from his sentinel duties. I can understand it but I hope it does not mean that Caol will be in trouble.’
‘My brother has taken full responsibility.’
‘I told you that Brother Berrihert uttered a threat against Ultán’s life in front of Brother Conchobhar and me?’
‘I have not forgotten. But do not forget that the murder happened after the gates of the fortress were closed for the night. That much Caol told me. Your Saxon friends have accommodation in one of the hostels in the town, so they would not have been admitted here after the gates were closed.’
There was another awkward pause.
‘So everything is put into abeyance until the matter is resolved?’
Fidelma nodded, moving to the window and glancing down in the direction of the few lanterns and lights that could be seen in the town below.
‘I feel sorry for the people who have gathered down there for the
aenach,’
she remarked.
‘Surely the fair can go ahead?’ Eadulf said. ‘It could amuse people and will not interfere with us in the fortress.’
Fidelma shook her head. ‘Abbot Ségdae would doubtless say that it would not be seemly while an abbot and bishop of the Faith lies murdered and that death remains unexplained.’
Eadulf pulled a face. ‘I suppose so. Although it is not as if many here will mourn his passing. Everyone seemed to hate him.’
‘Well, though I shall not hurry this matter, the sooner we begin the sooner we can come to an end,’ she said.
Eadulf had finished dressing and asked: ‘What do you mean to do first?’
‘As always, we will start with the body and the cause of death. Brother Conchobhar was called to examine it. After that, we shall see what Muirchertach Nár has to say.’ She paused at the door and frowned, glancing back to Eadulf. ‘As Muirchertach Nár is a king …’
Eadulf interrupted, as if reading her thoughts.
‘It would be better if you saw him alone. It might not be …’ He spent a few moments trying to think of the right word and settled on
cubaid
. ‘It might not be seemly if I were to be present unless he wished it.’
Fidelma cast him a smile of thanks for his perception and diplomacy.
It was still dark but there was a light burning in the apothecary shop as they crossed the cobbled courtyard. Fidelma tapped softly on the door before reaching to the handle and swinging it open. At once the pungent smell of herbs and dried flowers assailed her nostrils and she was hard pressed not to sneeze.
In the gloom, Brother Conchobhar glanced up from his workbench where he had been mixing
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