The Subtle Serpent

killed the warrior left on board to guard him. He managed, single-handed, to raise sail and make off into the night. He was a good sailor. I had hoped that he had managed to organise a rescue party for his men.’ Eadulf paused as he remembered. ‘But you said that you found him and his ship?’

Fidelma made a negative gesture.

‘Not him, Eadulf. He didn’t survive. We encountered the merchant ship under sail the next morning but with no one aboard.’

‘No one? Then what happened?’

‘I think I now know that mystery,’ Fidelma said quietly. Ross and Odar were leaning forward with eyes straining in eagerness, awaiting her solution to the puzzle that had mystified them these last several days.

‘Can you really explain?’ asked Ross.

‘I can hypothesise and be fairly certain that my account is accurate. This Gaulish captain was a brave man. Did you ever know his name, Eadulf?’

‘Waroc was his name,’ Eadulf supplied.

‘Waroc was a brave man then,’ Fidelma repeated. ‘Well, he escaped from the island of Dóirse where the ship was moored. We know that part of the story from the information which Ross gathered there, and which fits into your tale, Eadulf. Waroc, having escaped his captors again, decided that he would attempt to sail his ship single-handed. A brave but foolhardy adventure. Perhaps he thought only to move it along the coast to a friendly port and raise assistance.’

‘How did he do it?’

‘He cut the mooring ropes with an axe. We saw the severed ropes when we came upon the ship.’

Odar nodded grimly as he remembered pointing out the severed ropes to Ross and Fidelma.

‘Then he probably let the tide drift him out of the sound,’ Ross said, knowing the waters there.

‘He managed to raise his main sail,’ continued Fidelma. ‘The most difficult sail to raise was the tops’l. We cannot be sure whether he was hurt or not by his captors or during his escapes or even by his efforts to raise the sails single-handed. However, he went aloft and almost succeeded in raising it into place. Perhaps the ship lurched, perhaps there was a gust of wind, or he may have lost his footing. Who can say? But Waroc fell. A spar or a nail ripped his shirt and perhaps his flesh. We found a blood-stained strip of linen on the rigging. We also found blood on the rigging itself. As he fell, he made one desperate attempt to clutch at something. His hand caught the rail of the ship. A blood-stained hand print was there. Then, unable to keep his hold, he went over the side. He could not have lasted long in those winter waters. Perhaps he was dead in moments.’

There was an uneasy silence for a moment or two before Fidelma concluded.

‘It was later that morning that Ross’s barc came close to the merchant ship being blown hither and thither in the currents. Ross is an excellent sailor and was able to trace the tides and winds. I was determined to find you, Eadulf.’

Eadulf looked surprised.

‘You were on this barc?’

‘I had been asked to go to Sister Comnat’s abbey to investigate the discovery of a corpse.’

‘But how did you know I was on the ship? Ah!’ A look of understanding came into his eyes. ‘You found my book satchel in the cabin where I left it?’

‘I have your Missal safely,’ confirmed Fidelma. ‘It is at Sister Comnat’s abbey which is not far from here. And we must reach it before dawn, otherwise questions will be asked.’

Sister Comnat was examining Fidelma anxiously.

‘You mentioned a corpse? You said that Sister Almu had not successfully escaped … You said that she was dead.’

Fidelma reached forward a hand and gently pressed the arm of the elderly religieuse again in comfort.

‘I do not know for sure, sister, but I am fairly convinced that the corpse discovered over a week or so ago is that of Sister Almu.’

‘But someone must have recognised the corpse?’

Fidelma did not want to cause the sister further grief but it was no use keeping the truth from her.

‘The corpse was decapitated. The head was missing. It was that of a young girl, barely eighteen. There were ink stains on the right hand, on thumb, index finger and along the little finger which tells me that she worked as a copyist or in a library. There were also signs that she had recently worn a manacle and had been scourged on the back.’

Sister Comnat caught her breath.

‘Then it is poor Almu but … where was the body discovered?’

‘In the main well of the abbey.’

‘I do not understand. If she was caught by Gulban’s men or anyone of the Ui Fidgenti why would they draw attention to the matter by placing her in the abbey’s well?’

Fidelma smiled tightly.

‘That is a mystery that I have still to sort out.’

‘We must make a plan,’ interposed Ross. ‘It will not be long to daylight and as soon as Sister Comnat and the Saxon are found missing there will be search parties sent out.’

‘You are right, Ross,’ Fidelma agreed. ‘One of us must sail to Ros Ailithir and alert Bran Finn and my brother. Some warriors must be sent here so that these infernal engines — the tormenta as Eadulf calls them — can be destroyed before they can be used against Cashel.’

‘We should all go. The abbey is no safe place now,’ repliedRoss. ‘If Adnár suspects something, you will not be safe. Adnár holds the fortress opposite the abbey,’ he explained for Eadulfs sake, ‘and, at the moment, his guests are Gulban’s son Olcán, and Torcán of the Ui Fidgenti.’

Eadulf whistled softly.

‘That does not augur well.’

‘And Adnár, if he is involved in this conspiracy, may have accomplices in the abbey itself,’ added Fidelma meditatively.

‘So we should all get to my barc and head for Ros Ailithir. We can be there by tomorrow evening.’

‘No, Ross. You will take Sister Comnat and sail immediately for Ros Ailithir to inform Abbot Brocc. Sister Comnat will be your witness. Messengers must also be sent to my brother at Cashel in order that he may prepare for any Ui Fidgenti attack. At the same time, ask Bran Finn to send warriors to the copper mines as soon as possible so that the tormenta may be destroyed and the Frankish mercenaries captured before they can set off for Cashel.’

‘And what about us?’ Eadulf asked.

‘I must return to the abbey, otherwise it will be realised that the plot is uncovered and Gulban’s men may act that more quickly against Cashel. Because of this, the Gaulish ship must remain where it is, otherwise its disappearance would also alert our enemies. As for you, Eadulf, you will go with Odar. Odar and a few of Ross’s men have been acting as a skeletal crew on board the Gaulish ship. You will hide on board. Odar and his men will act as an escape route in case I am discovered.’

‘What if they suspect you, already? They know that you are Colgú’s sister,’ protested Ross. ‘They may take you for a hostage.’

‘It is a chance that I have to take,’ Fidelma replied determinedly. ‘There is another mystery here. as well as this plot to overthrow Cashel. I must stay and see it through. If all goes well, Ross, you could return within three days.’

‘And who guarantees your safety for these three days,Fidelma?’ demanded Eadulf. ‘If you stay at the abbey, I should also stay there.’

‘Impossible!’

But Ross was nodding in agreement.

‘The Saxon is right, sister,’ he offered. ‘Someone should stay and keep close to you.’

‘Impossible!’ repeated Fidelma. ‘Once Sister Comnat and Eadulf’s escape is noticed, someone will think of looking for them at the abbey. Eadulf will stand out like a sore thumb. No, Eadulf will stay on board the Gaulish ship with Odar.’