Suffer Little Children

to know where this cousin has taken the two boys?'

Fidelma shook her head.

'We will get nothing further from a man such as Father Mel,' she replied. 'Our path is back at Ros Ailithir.'

Once on board Ross's barc again, the ship close-hauled along the thin, poking figures of the southern peninsulas of the kingdom, heading swiftly southward.

'A long trip for so little,' mused Cass, as he stood watching Fidelma turning the worn doll over and over in her hands.

'Sometimes even a word or sentence might resolve the greatest puzzle and put it all into shape,' countered Fidelma.

'What did we learn from this arduous trip to Sceilig Mhichil that we did not suspect before? Had we questioned that old religieux further…'

'Sometimes confirmation of knowledge is as important as the knowledge itself,' interrupted Fidelma. 'And we have linked Intat into this mystery of Dacan's killing. Dacan was looking for the son of Ulan whom he thought was at the age of choice. Now we know there were two young sons, not at the age of choice at all. Intat arrives here looking for the offspring of Ulan. Dacan was working for Laigin but Intat was a man of the Corco Loigde. There is a picture beginning to form here.'

'Apart from Intat's involvement in this conundrum, what else have we learnt?' demanded Cass.

'We have learnt that the monastery on Sceilig Mhichil has, as its patron, Michael the Archangel. That its very name means 'rock of Michael.' And we have learnt that Mel called the man who collected the boys 'honorable cousin.' '

Cass was not sure if Fidelma was joking.

'But what practical information have we learnt?' he demanded.

Fidelma smiled blandly.

'We have learnt several other points. There are two heirs to Ulan. They left Sceilig Mhichil two weeks ago about the same time that Dacan was murdered and they are now being hunted by Intat. I believe that Intat was looking for them when he burnt Rae na Serine. I do not think he found them and I will lay a wager that they may be found at Ros Ailithir or nearby.'

'If they are still alive.' Cass suddenly became interested. 'We don't even know who they are. Two copper- haired lads. I have encountered no copper-haired boys. We don't even know their true names. We know that Primus and Victor were not their real names. That presents no clue that we can follow.'

'Perhaps not,' Fidelma admitted thoughtfully. 'Then, again…' She shrugged abruptly and was silent.

Chapter Fourteen

Abbot Brocc's thin features relaxed with relief when Fidelma entered his chamber.

'I had just heard that you had landed. Was your trip fruitful, cousin?' he asked eagerly, rising to greet her.

'It has added to my knowledge,' Fidelma replied evasively.

The abbot hesitated, apparently wondering whether to press his cousin further on the point but then decided against it.

'I have news.' He indicated that she should be seated. 'However, I think it is bad news.'

Fidelma seated herself as Brocc held up a wax tablet.

'Yesterday I received this message—the High King means to arrive here within the next few days.'

Fidelma's surprise obviously gratified him. She sat up straight. Her eyes were wide.

'Sechnassach, the High King? Is he coming here?'

Brocc nodded emphatically.

'He has ruled that the court should hear Laigin's claims against Muman, in the matter of the death of Dacan, in the abbey where Dacan was killed. His words are that it was…' Brocc hesitated and squinted at the tablet, '… appropriate that the hearing should be in this place.'

'So?' Fidelma lingered over the word, like a long sigh. 'And the entire court is coming with him?'

'Of course. The Chief Brehon Barran will sit in judgment with the High King and Archbishop Ultan of Armagh is coming to represent the ecclesiastical orders of the five kingdoms. Your brother Colgu and his advisors will also be arriving any day now.'

'And I suppose young Fianamail, the king of Laigin, and his advocates will be here soon?'

'Fianamail is bringing the Abbot Noe and his Brehon Forbassach.'

'Forbassach! So Forbassach will plead the case for Laigin?'

As much as she disliked the hawk-faced advocate of Laigin, Fidelma knew that he was possessed of a quick wit and was a capable counsel, one who certainly should not be underestimated. He would undoubtedly be at his sharpest for he would want to repay Fidelma for having had him ejected from Cashel.

'Exactly when are they all expected to arrive?' she asked, feeling, as Brocc had forewarned, it was not good news.

'Within a few days, by the end of the week at the latest.' Brocc was clearly nervous at being host to such an assembly where he stood in place of the accused. 'Tell me, cousin, are you any nearer to resolving this mystery?'

His voice was almost pleading but Fidelma could not allay his obvious fears.

She stood up and moved to the window, peering down into the inlet.

'I saw, as we were coming into Ros Ailithir, that Mugron's warship still rides at anchor out there.'

Brocc's shoulders sagged a little.

'Laigin will not give up their plaint before the assembly meets.'

Fidelma turned back into the chamber towards the abbot.

'I presume the High King and his entourage will come by ship around the coast?'

'As will the king of Laigin and his retinue,' confirmed Brocc. 'I am expected to give hospitality to all of them. Brother Rumann and Brother Conghus are at their wits' end to find extra accommodation and food. Oh, and that means that the extra chamber in which you have conducted your investigations can no longer be available to you. You may still use the same chamber in the hostel for personal use, as befits your rank, but the young warrior, what's his name… Cass? He will have to use a bed in one of the dormitories.'

'It cannot be helped. You have much to do to prepare for the assembly.'

Brocc examined her with a pessimistic eye. . 'And you also, cousin, for on you depends all our futures.'

Fidelma did not need Brocc to remind her. The words of the Gospel of Luke came suddenly into her mind: 'Unto whomsoever much is given, of them shall much be required.' Never, since she had received her qualification in law, had so much been required of her. She felt that responsibility was like a heavy weight. Despite her most strenuous efforts she was still looking into a smoked mirror where enticing shadows could be seen but nothing that was clear nor which made any sense.

Brocc saw the anxiety on her face and relented his own attitude.

'It is just that I am truly beginning to worry now, cousin. I have never attended a High King's assembly before,' he added with some morbid fascination. 'Were it not that I am charged as responsible in this matter it would have been an exhilarating experience.'

Fidelma raised a cynical eyebrow.

'Exhilarating experience? It may also be a fatal one if I cannot present a case that will clear you and prevent the claim of Laigin leading to a war between the two kingdoms.'

There was an uncomfortable silence, then Fidelma said, without expectation of a positive answer: 'You have not told me whether there is any news of Sister Grella. I presume she has not returned?'

Brocc grimaced gloomily and confirmed her expectation.

'No. She has simply vanished. From what you told me I fear that she has fled with her guilt.'

Fidelma frowned and rose.

'That we shall see. I shall need the material which I left with you.'

Brocc nodded readily, reaching under his table for the keys. She watched as he went to the cabinet and unlocked the door, swinging it open. He took out her marsupium and handed it to her.

She rummaged through its contents to check everything was there.