‘I see,’ Fidelma said softly. She decided not to press the point. ‘And what happened after that?’
Crón shrugged almost indifferently.
‘Little more that bears relevance. Móen, as I have said, has been safely locked away. Without my knowledge, my mother sent a young warrior named Critan to Cashel to inform the king of the tragedy. She apparently thought a Brehon should be sent to investigate rather than let her daughter exercise the role of tanist. My mother did not want me to be tanist.’
Fidelma noted a slight bitterness in the girl’s voice.
‘Crítán returned two days ago to say that the king was sending someone. Thus we buried my father, as custom dictates, in our mound of chieftains. Teafa also. In accordance with the law I, as heir-elect, have taken charge. I could have dispensed justice as well without all these complications.’
‘That is not so, tanist.’ Fidelma’s voice was soft but firm. ‘You will not be chieftain until your
The young tanist made no reply.
‘Well,’ Fidelma said at length, ‘the facts seem clear as you have presented them. Did Duban make the discovery of your father’s body himself?’
Crón shook her head.
‘It was Menma who heard his death cry and burst into my father’s chamber to discover Móen in the act of slaughter.’
‘Ah. Menma. And who is Menma?’ queried Fidelma, trying to remember where she had heard the name before.
‘He is the head of my father’s,’ Crón paused and corrected herself, ‘head of
Fidelma remembered that Dignait had mentioned the name.
‘So far as your own knowledge is concerned,’ Fidelma continued after a moment, ‘the facts of this matter are clear and simple? You have not been troubled or mystified by them?’
‘There is no mystery. The facts are clear.’
‘What reason do you offer as to why Móen would kill both Eber and Teafa?’
The reply came without hesitation.
‘No logical motive. But then logic would not be part of Móen’s world.’ Her voice was bitter.
Fidelma tried to fathom her meaning.
‘As I understand it, Teafa had raised Móen from a baby. He had much to be grateful to her for. Are you saying logic did notplay any part in this deed? Then what do you ascribe the motive as, for surely there must be a motive?’
‘Who can tell what passes in the dark still mind of one such as Móen?’ replied the tanist.
For a moment, Fidelma wondered whether to press her for an explanation of her choice of words. She felt that she should not bias herself before she had spoken with Móen. However, there was one person to see before she spoke with Móen and that was the person who had discovered him in the act of killing Eber.
‘I will now speak with Menma,’ she announced.
‘I could save you trouble,’ replied Crón sharply, ‘for I know all the details of this matter as Menma and Duban told them to me.’
Fidelma smiled tightly.
‘That is not the way a
‘What is of importance is that you pronounce the legal punishment that Móen must suffer. And pronounce it soon.’
‘So there is no doubt in your mind that Móen did this deed?’
‘If Menma says that he found Móen in the act of doing it, then he did so.’
‘I do not question it,’ Fidelma said, rising to her feet, with Eadulf following. Fidelma turned to the door.
‘What will you do with Móen?’ demanded Crón, nonplussed, for she was unused to people rising in her presence and leaving before she had formally dismissed them.
‘Do?’ Fidelma paused and gazed back at the tanist for a moment. ‘Nothing, as yet. Firstly, we must speak to all the witnesses and then hold a legal hearing, allowing Móen to make his defence.’
Crón startled them by letting out a peal of laughter. It sounded slightly hysterical.
Fidelma waited patiently for it to subside and then asked: ‘Perhaps you will tell us where we may find the man, Menma?’
‘At this hour you will find him at the stables just beyond theguests’ hostel,’ Crón replied, between giggles.
As they were about to leave the hall of assembly, Crón managed to control her amusement and called to stay them a moment more. She became serious.
‘It would be a wise course to give judgment in this matter as soon as possible. My father was well liked among his people. Kind and generous. There are many among my people who feel that the old laws of compensation are inadequate to cope with this crime and that the words of the new Faith, the creed of retribution, are more suited. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, burning for burning. If Móen is not dealt with swiftly by you, there may be willing hands to exact justice.’
‘Justice?’ Fidelma’s voice was icy as she spun to face the young tanist. ‘You mean mob vengeance? Well, as chieftain-elect of this clan … presuming that you are confirmed in office by your
Crón swallowed hard as she met the cold blast of anger from the religieuse.
Fidelma returned the gaze of the hostile blue eyes of the woman with equal coldness.
‘One more thing, I would like to know,’ she added. ‘Who has preached a creed of retribution in the name of the Faith?’
The tanist thrust out her chin.
‘I have already told you that we have only one person here who attends to the needs of the Faith.’
‘Father Gormán?’ offered Eadulf.
‘Father Gormán,’ confirmed Crón.
‘This Father Gormán seems out of step with the philosophy of the laws of the five kingdoms,’ Fidelma observed quietly. ‘And where is this gentle advocate of the Faith to be found? In his church?’
‘Father Gormán is visiting some outlying farmsteads. He will be back here tomorrow.’
‘I shall look forward to meeting with him,’ Fidelma replied grimly as she led the way from the hall.
It turned out that Menma was a heavy-set man who had ugly features and a bushy red beard. They found him sitting on a tree stump in front of the stable buildings, honing a billhook with a stone. He paused and looked up as they approached. His expression was one of cunning. He rose slowly to his feet.
Eadulf heard Fidelma give a sharp intake of breath and glanced at her in surprise. She was examining the fox-like features of Menma with curiosity. They came to a halt before him. Eadulf was aware of an awesome rancid smell. He gazed distastefully at the man’s dirty matted hair and beard and shifted his position slightly for the breeze seemed to blow the stench of the man against him.
Menma gave an occasional tug at his red beard as he stood before Fidelma.
‘Do you understand that I am an advocate of the law courts, charged by the king of Cashel to investigate the killing of Eber?’
Menma nodded slowly.
‘I have been told, sister. The news of your coming has quickly spread here.’
‘I am told that it was you who discovered the body of Eber?’
The man blinked.
‘It is so,’ he said after a moment’s reflection.
‘And what is your task at the
‘I am head of the stables of the chieftain.’