Ross glanced searchingly at her before nodding agreement.
‘Across from Dóirse, on the mainland, and in the next bay, there are several copper mines which are worked. They do a trade not only along the coast but with Gaul.’
Fidelma drummed her fingers on the table, frowning as she considered matters.
‘Remember the red clay-like mud in the hold of the Gaulish ship?’ she asked.
Ross inclined his head in an affirmative gesture.
‘I think that they were deposits from a copper mine or somewhere where copper is stored. I think the answer to this mystery might lie at the site of those copper mines. Yet I cannot understand why men of the Ui Fidgenti would be sailing the ship. Their clan territory is a long way to the north of here. Where were the men of Beara, of Gulban’s sept?’
‘I could sail back and make further efforts to gain information,’ offered Ross. ‘Or I could sail to the mines, pretending to trade, and see what can be found.’
Fidelma shook her head.
‘Too dangerous. There is some mystery here which is compounded by the fact that Torcán, the son of the prince of the Ui Fidgenti, is a guest at Adnár’s fortress.’
Ross’s eyes widened.
‘There is surely a connection?’
‘But a connection with what? I believe that this mystery may be fraught with dangers. If you sail back again then you might arouse suspicion. There is no need to put people on guard if we can avoid it. We must know what we aredealing with first. How far are these copper mines from here?’
‘About two or three hours’ sailing if you keep close to the coastline.’
‘What if you simply crossed the peninsula? How many miles?’
‘As the crow flies? Five miles. By a navigable route across the mountains, perhaps ten miles or less.’
Fidelma was silent as she considered the matter.
‘What should we do?’ prompted Ross.
Fidelma raised her head, having come to the conclusion that she must investigate the matter herself.
‘Tonight, under cover of darkness, we shall ride across this peninsula to the spot where these copper mines are situated. I have a feeling that we might find an answer there.’
‘Why not ride now? I could easily buy horses from one of the farmsteads further down the coast.’
‘No, we will wait until midnight and for two reasons. Firstly, because we do not want anyone to know we have gone to these mines. If Torcán, or Adnár are involved in some illegal matter then we do not want to warn them of our intentions. Secondly, this evening, I have accepted to attend a feast at Dun Boí with Adnár and his guests, Torcán and Olcán. Perhaps this will turn out to our advantage for I may be able to pick up some news.’
Ross was far from happy.
‘The matter of the Ui Fidgenti worries me, sister. For some weeks now there have been many rumours along the coast. It is said that the Eoganán of the Ui Fidgenti has his eyes on Cashel.’
Fidelma smiled wanly.
‘Is that all? The Ui Fidgenti have always aspired to the kingship of Cashel. Did they not rise up against Cashel twenty-five years ago when Aed Slane was High King?’
The Ui Fidgenti were a large clan in the west of the kingdom of Mumam whose princes and chieftains preferredto call themselves kings and claimed that they were the true descendants of the first kings of Cashel. They argued that they had a prior claim to Cashel over that of Fidelma’s own family. Fidelma’s father had been king at Cashel at the time of her birth and now her brother, Colgú, had succeeded his cousin to occupy the seat of the provincial kings of Mumam. Fidelma’s brother was answerable to no man except the High King. Fidelma had grown up with tales about the claims of the Ui Fidgenti who sought to depose her family’s right to the kingship of Cashel. None had been more vociferous in such claims than the current prince, Eoganán.
Ross was frowning in disapproval.
‘What you say is so, sister. But your brother, Colgú, has only sat on the throne these last few months. He is young and untried. It is obvious that, if Eoganán of the Ui Fidgenti wanted to make a move to overthrow Colgú, he would make his move now, while Colgú was still unsure of himself.’
‘What sort of move? My brother’s right to office has been endorsed by the great assembly at Cashel. The High King has approved of the decision from Tara.’
‘Who knows what Eoganán is planning? But the gossip along the coast is that some evil is being concocted.’
Fidelma considered the matter carefully.
‘All the more reason why I should attend the feast this evening for perhaps Torcán may reveal something of his father’s plans.’
‘You could only put yourself in danger,’ Ross pointed out. ‘Torcán will doubtless find out who you are …’
‘That I am sister to Colgú? We met in the forest yesterday. He already knows that.’
She paused and frowned a moment thinking about the arrow that nearly ended her life. Could Torcán have fired that arrow deliberately knowing her to be Colgú’s sister? But then why would he attempt her life? She was nothing to do with the succession at Cashel. No. That would not be logical. Besides, Torcán and his men were equally surprised todiscover her identity and sought to cover their mistake. If the arrow had been aimed deliberately by Torcán, it was not at her. They could have easily killed her in the forest.
Ross was watching her expression carefully.
‘Has something happened already?’ he guessed.
‘No,’ she lied quickly. ‘At least,’ she corrected herself after a pang of guilt, ‘nothing to change our plan. At midnight, after the feasting at Dun Boí I will meet you and one of your men in the woods behind the abbey. Secure three horses but do so without arousing any suspicion.’
‘Very well. I will take Odar, for he is a good man to have with us. But if Torcán is at this feast, I would rather that you were not attending.’
‘No harm will come to an official of the law courts of the five kingdoms. It would be more than king or citizen would dare,’ declared Fidelma. She wished, as she uttered the words, that she truly believed them.
She rose to her feet and Ross followed her from his cabin to the side of the barc. It was clear that she did not have his full approval for her plan. But, in the light of nothing better, he accepted it.
She was about to descend down the ship’s side when he asked: ‘How is the matter that brought you here?’ He gestured with a jerk of his thumb towards the abbey. He had almost forgotten the original reason why he had brought Fidelma to this spot. ‘Has the problem been resolved?’
Fidelma felt a little guilty that the mystery of the headless corpse and the matter of Sister Síomha’s death had almost been driven out of her thoughts by the arrival of Ross and his news.
‘Not yet. In fact,’ she grimaced awkwardly, ‘there has been another death in the abbey. The
‘If there is danger …’ Ross hesitated awkwardly. ‘You have but to call on me and on any of my men. It might be best to have a bodyguard from now on.’
‘And alert my quarry that I feel the hunt is nearing its lair?’ She shook her head.
Sister Fidelma reached forward and laid a hand on the worried sailor’s arm and smiled.
‘Just be in the woods at midnight with Odar and the three horses and ensure that you are not seen.’
Fidelma was told that Sister Brónach was to be found in Sister Berrach’s cell. She was walking across the courtyard to the building when the mournful-faced Brónach emerged from the doorway. She hesitated and seemed as if she wanted to avoid Fidelma but Fidelma stopped her with a greeting.
‘How is Sister Berrach, sister?’
Sister Brónach hesitated.
‘She sleeps at the moment, sister. She has had a trying night and an unpleasant morning.’
‘That she has,’ agreed Fidelma. ‘She is lucky to have a friend in you. Will you walk a way with me,
