The Leper's Bell (39 page)

Several hours seemed to pass before the door opened abruptly and Fidelma appeared.

He sprang towards her and for a few moments they held each other tight.

‘How is the boy?’ he asked.

Fidelma smiled. There were tears in her eyes.

‘He is fine. Muirgen and her husband Nessán are still looking after him. They have Sárait’s old chamber next to ours. They have told me their part in the story. I have also been talking to Basil Nestorios. I can’t wait to hear the full tale from you. But first we must deal with this matter. This is all Brehon Dathal’s doing.’

‘You must know that I would not harm old Bishop Petrán.’

‘I know that. The trouble is that Dathal is Chief Brehon. He has authority, even over my brother to some extent. I am waiting to see Colgú. He does not know what has happened yet as he is in council with Conrí, the Uí Fidgente warlord.’

‘I heard that Conrí was here. I must hear all about that from you.’

‘It is a long story. But let me ask you first what it was that took you to the abbey of Coimán? In other words, why did you leave Cashel? Brehon Dathal is claiming it was because you killed the old man.’

‘That is sheer nonsense. I went to find Conchoille, the woodsman—’

‘Who says you never saw him.’

Eadulf nodded quickly. ‘That is true. I went to the inn where Conchoille said he had supper on the night he found Sárait—’

‘Ferloga’s inn at Rath na Drínne?’

‘The same. Ferloga told me of itinerants who were encamped in the wood. But they only had one baby with them …’

Fidelma’s eyes brightened with excitement.

‘And when we went to Ara’s Well we were told these itinerants had two babies?’ she said.

‘Exactly! I knew that they were heading towards the abbey of Coimán, so I left the note for you and hurried after them. It was a desperate lead, but our only one. It turned out that I was correct. They were innocent in their intent and they are now here at the camping ground with the
crossan
to explain matters. Their names are Corb and Corbnait.’

‘I will go to see them.’

‘One other thing. Gormán will give you the details … but Fiachrae of Cnoc Loinge is a traitor to your brother.’

Fidelma looked shocked, and then she said quickly: ‘I want to hear it all in detail. But first we must secure your release.’

‘How am I supposed to have killed Petrán?’

‘By poison. I am told that Brehon Dathal is coming to question you. Do not worry. We shall have you free soon.’

Eadulf sighed deeply. ‘In the short time that I have been here in this cell, Fidelma, I have thought much. On the ride back from the bridge Caol told me roughly what had happened with you and Conrí. Is it true?’

‘That Conrí rescued me? It is true.’

‘And if Sárait was not murdered during the kidnapping of our child and Alchú was simply left to perish in the woods, as the travellers claimed, why was Sárait lured out of the palace to her death in the first place? Who killed her?’ Eadulf leant forward and laid a hand on her arm. ‘Think about this, Fidelma. We employed Sárait to be a wet nurse to young Alchú, didn’t we?’

Fidelma made an impatient gesture. ‘You know we did.’

‘But when?’

‘From the time he was born. Six months ago. What is there to think about on that matter?’

Eadulf regarded her with an intent look for a moment.

‘I had overlooked the point until it was proposed to me that I needed a wet nurse to look after the baby on the journey to Cashel,’ he said quietly. ‘When we employed Sárait her own child was very recently dead. It was stillborn, according to her account. Alchú was born six months ago and she was able to feed him.’

Fidelma was trying to follow his thoughts. ‘And?’

‘Who was the father of Sárait’s baby?’

‘Why, Callada, of course, who was…’ She paused and stared back.

Eadulf gave a small smile of triumph. ‘Who was killed at Cnoc Aine,’ he said softly. ‘Exactly so.’

Fidelma exhaled slowly. ‘Gormán? You think he was the father?’

‘I have not asked him yet.’

‘I see,’ she said softly. Then she shook herself, almost like a dog shaking itself after being immersed in water. ‘But the first task I must set myself is to find out why Brehon Dathal has had you incarcerated. Don’t worry, I shall get you released soon.’

She made a move towards the door and then turned back, impulsively taking both his hands in her own.

‘Eadulf, I regret all the things I did or said, and any actions of my people, that have made you feel a stranger and inferior to us.’

Eadulf grinned awkwardly. ‘No one can make another feel inferior without his or her consent. If a person thinks others are deeming him inferior it is because
he
feels it. I may have felt unwelcome at times, but that is because I am a stranger to this land and, as such,
not
welcome to some. But that is the nature of people. We are always more comfortable with the things we know.’

‘Will you forgive us … will you forgive me?’

‘You cannot forgive the golden eagle for being a golden eagle,’ he replied gently. ‘There is nothing to forgive you for because you have acted in accordance with your nature.’

Fidelma pouted. ‘Eadulf, at times you make me despair. You are too nice and forgiving,’ she admonished him.

He shrugged with a whimsical smile. ‘And that is
my
nature.’

Fidelma was crossing the courtyard when she became aware of a disturbance at the gates. She crossed to them and found Caol with a man and a woman. The latter held a baby in her arms.

‘What is it?’ Fidelma demanded.

Caol grimaced in annoyance. ‘An itinerant herbalist and his wife demanding entrance. I have told them to be on their way.’

‘But the Saxon brother—’ began the man.

‘Silence. You are speaking in the presence of the sister of the king,’ snapped Caol.

‘Wait!’ instructed Fidelma. ‘You are the herbalist Corb and you are his wife Corbnait?’

‘We are. Brother Eadulf told us to come here and we promised we would even though it might bring down punishment upon us. I am a man of my word. I was not always an itinerant.’

Fidelma’s face softened. ‘You are most welcome. I do not blame either of you for the role you have played. Indeed, you were the means of saving my son’s life when he was abandoned in the forest. Come, we will take a drink together and over it you may tell me the story that you told to Brother Eadulf.’

She was turning away when Caol called after her. She glanced back.

‘You asked me to tell you when Brother Conchobar returned to Cashel,’ the warrior reminded her. ‘He has done so.’

The door of the cell opened and Brehon Dathal came in. He stood looking sourly at Eadulf.

Eadulf sprang up from the single cot that furnished the cell.

‘What is this nonsense?’ he demanded.

Brehon Dathal motioned to someone who stood outside the door and a warrior handed him a three-legged stool.

‘Sit down,’ the old man ordered sharply.

Eadulf reluctantly obeyed. ‘I say again, what is this nonsense, Dathal? Who has made up this preposterous story that I killed Bishop Petrán?’

‘Do you deny that you have often argued with Bishop Petrán?’

Eadulf almost laughed. ‘I do not. We disagreed fundamentally about matters relating to the conduct of the church. And most people in the five kingdoms would also disagree with his teachings. While I have supported the authority of Rome, for we are told it is where Peter, into whose hands the Christ gave the building of his church, began that task, I cannot support Petrán’s other more ascetic arguments.’

‘So you killed him?’

Eadulf snorted in indignation.

Brehon Dathal regarded him sourly.

‘You would do well to take me seriously, Saxon. Do you think that because I am old I cannot any longer judge the facts?’

Eadulf stared at him for a moment or two.

‘I do not care whether you are young or old. When a false accusation is made, I do not take it kindly. I could similarly ask you whether it is because I am a stranger to this land that you think I must be guilty of murder?’

‘I abide by the law,’ snapped Brehon Dathal. ‘I am not prejudiced against you.’

‘I abide by facts.’

‘The facts are simple. Bishop Petrán was found dead in his chamber. He was poisoned. You fled from Cashel on that very day. On the previous evening you were seen to have had a violent row with the bishop. Do you deny these facts?’

‘I do not deny that I had a row with Petrán but I deny it was violent. I deny that I fled from Cashel. I left Cashel, leaving a note for Fidelma, after I had discovered something that led me to believe that I might find my son. And find him I did. I had no idea that Petrán was dead until Caol told me on my return.’

‘And you expect me to believe that?’

‘I do not expect anything except the courtesy of being heard without bias.’

Brehon Dathal coloured. ‘You dare accuse me, the Chief Brehon of Muman, of being biased?’

‘I do not accuse you. I merely comment on what I see,’ snapped Eadulf.

‘Things will go badly for you, stranger, unless you confess your misdeed now.’

‘You threaten me?’ Eadulf sprang up.

A warrior appeared in the doorway. He looked apologetic.

‘Brother Eadulf, it would be wise if you remained seated and answered the Brehon’s questions with respect,’ he said quietly.

Eadulf realised that he was doing himself no good by giving vent to anger. He returned to his seat on the bed.

‘I refuse to answer any questions from someone who seems to have prejudged my guilt and does not offer me the slightest evidence to back his accusation apart from the fact that I was seen to have an argument with the bishop.’

Brehon Dathal, the skin stretched tight around his mouth in anger, rose and strode from the room. The warrior picked up the abandoned stool. The cell door slammed shut.

Eadulf began to feel rage overtaking his sense of despair and he fought to control it.

Fidelma, having confirmed the story of Corb and Corbnait and ensured that they were receiving proper hospitality as witnesses, hurried to Brother Conchobar’s apothecary shop.

‘You should have warned me,’ she said immediately on entering, irritation and disapproval in her voice.

The elderly apothecary glanced up in surprise from the herbs he was pounding in a pestle with a mortar.

‘Warned you, lady?’ he asked blankly.

‘About the results of your tests on Bishop Petrán,’ she snapped.

The man’s face was blank. ‘Why would I warn you about that?’

‘Because Brehon Dathal has had Eadulf arrested and charged him with the killing. Eadulf is in serious trouble and I need to know from you how this poison was administered and anything you can tell me about its nature.’

Brother Conchobar looked utterly confused.

‘Poison? Killing? What are you talking about, lady?’

Fidelma tried to contain her impatience.

‘I am talking about Bishop Petrán. Eadulf is charged with administering the poison that killed him.’

Brother Conchobar raised his arms helplessly.

‘Bishop Petrán was not poisoned.’

It was now Fidelma’s turn to look utterly bewildered.

‘Then how was he killed?’

The old apothecary ran a frail hand through his thinning grey hair.

‘I do not know how you came by this information, lady. Petrán was not killed. He died, true. He died of failure of his heart to continue to beat. It happens and no one is to blame. I have seen the signs before but I wanted to conduct a few tests to make sure. If death is ever deemed natural, he died a natural death. I told that old fool Dathal as much before I left for Lios Mhór. Didn’t he …?’

Fidelma stared at him in astonishment.

‘Lady…?’ he prompted nervously.

‘Who told Brother Dathal that it was poison?’ she finally whispered. ‘Who said that it was murder?’

‘Not I,’ the apothecary replied firmly. ‘In fact, I explained clearly to Brehon Dathal that Petrán’s heart had simply failed. It was before I left for Lios Mhór, as I told you. I said that I would make a formal statement to that effect after my return but he has not sent for it.’

‘Not sent…?’ Fidelma was silent for a moment. ‘Thank you, old friend,’ she said softly. ‘Your statement may well be wanted soon.’

Brother Conchobar shrugged. ‘I am getting used to Brehon Dathal’s
not taking formal statements on matters relating to the cause of death,’ he said irritably.

‘What do you mean?’ Fidelma enquired, turning back from the door.

‘Sárait’s manner of death, for example.’

‘You examined the body?’

‘I did, and should have been required to give evidence. No one asked me for a statement.’

Fidelma stared at him in surprise. In the initial confusion about who was investigating the case, the fact that Conchoille and Capa had mentioned the blood about the head and the stab wounds, she had neglected to ask who had made a formal pronouncement of death.

‘What evidence would you have given?’ she asked softly. ‘That she died from a heavy blow to the head?’

Brother Conchobar made a negative gesture.

‘That Sárait was already dead when the blow was struck. She had been the subject of a frenzied knife attack. There were five stab wounds in her chest and lacerations on her arms where she had tried to protect herself from the descending knife. She was facing her attacker when it happened. The blow to the head looks to me as if she fell during the attack and hit her head on something.’

There was a silence. Then Fidelma nodded slowly. ‘You have been a great help this day, my old friend,’ she said in thoughtful satisfaction.

A few minutes later she was in her brother’s reception chamber. The king’s conference had just broken up but he was still discussing what has been said with his tanist Finguine. They both glanced up in surprise as she entered without being announced.

With a quick wave of her hand to still their questions, she told them what she had discovered about Brother Conchobar’s report on Bishop Petrán.

Colgú sat in silence for a moment or two before turning to Finguine. ‘Go and release Brother Eadulf at once and bring him here.’ When he had gone, Colgú glanced uncomfortably towards his sister. ‘The duties of a king are arduous, Fidelma. Brehon Dathal is elderly.’