The Seventh Trumpet (36 page)

‘I hope it will get better,’ said Fidelma. ‘I have told you that Tormeid was abducted. I was also taken because the abductors thought I was his companion. This was not Muirne, of course, since she was dead. Then who did they mistake me for? I was left for dead by these abductors when they realised I was
not
Tormeid’s companion. Thankfully, I was rescued by my friends, who had tracked our passage. Tormeid was taken on to the Abbey of Liath Mór. My companions and I followed the abductors there. At Liath Mór, another old friend arrived. This was the person who had called himself Brother Biasta, the man who had murdered Brother Ailgesach. In escaping from Liath Mór, Torna killed Biasta. I had not seen Torna since our abduction until a short while ago when I saw him from the window of Drón’s chamber. In this very fortress.’

Gelgéis’s face was white and strained.

Fidelma smiled without humour. ‘Am I coming closer to an understanding with you, lady? Do you still say that this man, Tormeid – by whatever name he is now called – is not here? He may wish to know that five of his friends and cousins were executed by Cronán as vengeance for his escape and the death of Muirne. I wonder how many will be executed now that he has escaped a second time?’

There was a shocked silence. Gelgéis finally turned to her steward. ‘Spealáin, you had best go down and give the order that the Lady Dúnliath and her party are not to depart until I, or Fidelma, have given permission.’

Spealáin bowed his head without comment and left the chamber.

Gelgéis sat staring at the floor for some moments, tapping her foot absently. Bishop Daig stood shifting his weight from one foot to the other, as if awaiting her decision.

‘This puts me in an awkward situation, Fidelma,’ the Princess said after a while.

‘No situation is so awkward that recourse to truth will not remedy it.’

‘Yet the truth is not entirely mine to share.’

‘That needs a better explanation,’ replied Fidelma.

‘I wish I could provide one immediately, but I would ask that you give me some time before I answer you.’

Fidelma raised her brows slightly. ‘Time? When is the telling of truth dependent on time? Anyway, time is not in a plentiful supply at the moment.’

‘If you give me a short time, you shall have your truth. That I swear. And I also swear this: I am a loyal defender of this Kingdom of Muman and of her legitimate Kings. Everything that I have done is in support of that conviction. I am your brother’s truest ally, lady.’

Fidelma searched the woman’s face, seeking any sign of guile or deceit, but found only anxiety.

‘Very well,’ she agreed at last. ‘But I need a response. When you have discussed the matter with Tormeid, or whatever you call him, I hope he will come and supply me with clear answers to my questions.’

Gelgéis met her gaze and held it, realising that Fidelma knew exactly why she was prevaricating. Then she dropped her gaze and indicated her acquiescence with a nod.

It seemed that she was about to say something when a distant shouting came to their ears. Gelgéis rose from her chair and went to the window. Fidelma and the others joined her, looking down towards the main gate of the fortress. Some riders had arrived in the courtyard and one of them had dismounted and was speaking volubly to Spealáin, the steward. They saw Gormán emerge and greet the newcomer.

‘What is this?’ muttered Gelgéis.

As they watched, Spealáin was leading the newcomer and Gormán towards the main building. In expectation, Fidelma and the others turned to the door, and within a few moments there was a quick knock and Spealáin entered, followed by his companions. The first thing Fidelma noticed was that the newcomer wore the gold collar of the Nasc Niadh, the élite warriors of Cashel.

‘A messenger from—’ began Spealáin.

‘I know who this is,’ interrupted Fidelma. ‘I remember Aidan very well from when he helped us rescue Eadulf from the evil intentions of Abbess Fainder of Ferna.’

The young warrior cast a smile at Fidelma, pleased by her recognition, but he was obviously still very agitated. As one of her brother’s élite bodyguards, he was certainly no fool, and it was clear that he had grave news.

‘My companions and I have ridden from Laigin. We bring news of serious import for King Colgú, lady. The southerly routes to Cashel have been cut off, so we have had to make our way north across Osraige territory to reach here.’

Fidelma was surprised. ‘Cut off? In what way are they cut off?’

‘By armed bands of Laigin warriors, lady,’ replied the warrior. ‘We had to take the lesser known paths from Laigin through forests, bog lands and remote places of Osraige to reach here.’

‘What news do you bring that causes you to be so disturbed?’

The warrior visibly braced himself. ‘It is bad news, lady. Muman will soon be under attack from Laigin.’

There was a silence as his words registered. Then Fidelma asked: ‘How do you know this, Aidan?’

‘Fianamail, son of Máele Tuile, the King of Laigin, has issued a call to arms. We saw the
crois tara
, the fiery cross, being carried from settlement to settlement. His main force has marched from Ferna to gather at Dinn Rig on the west bank of An Bhearú …’

‘That’s on the border with Osraige,’ put in Spealáin, seeing Eadulf’s baffled frown.

‘The fortress of Dinn Rig is just north of Gabrán,’ muttered Bishop Daig, with a meaningful look at Gelgéis.

‘You say the Laigin army has crossed the river of An Bhearú?’

‘His main army is on the west bank,’ repeated Aidan. ‘They are not yet crossed into Osraige.’

‘Do you know this for a fact and not from hearsay?’ Gelgéis demanded of him.

‘My companions and I saw Fianamail’s troops gathering there – and they were not there to look at the sunset over the mountains.’ Aidan’s response was cutting.

‘How long ago was this?’ asked Fidelma.

‘Only two days ago, lady. As I say, we managed to cross into Osraige and travelled by the use of new roads that have been built across the bog lands. If Fianamail gives the order for Laigin to march on Cashel, those new roads are going to allow his army a quick passage across Osraige into Éile and Muman.’

Gormán was grim. ‘I cannot believe it. Muman is at peace with Laigin. It has been centuries since Laigin incurred the wrath of the High King by making an unprovoked attack on a neighbouring kingdom. Have they not learned a lesson from the
bórama
yet? And why attack at this time?’

‘I don’t grasp the meaning of that.’ Eadulf had not understood the reference that Gormán had made.

It was Gormán who explained to him: ‘Centuries ago, when Tuathal Techtmair was High King in Tara, the avarice of Eochaidh, who was then King of Laigin, caused a great warfare. It resulted in the death of many, including the two daughters of Tuathal. For that crime, as well as others, Tuathal faced Eochaidh with a large army, defeated and killed him. Then the High King imposed a tribute on the people of Laigin, called the
bórama
– the cow tribute. Five thousand cows had to be paid to Tuathal and to his successors if Laigin ever broke the peace again. The legitimacy of the tribute remains. If Laigin ever breaks the conditions and attempts to go to war with a neighbour, unless that neighbour is invading Laigin, the High King has the right to march his army into the kingdom and demand the
bórama
fine.’

‘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.’