nervous glance around and then beckoned him in a conspiratorial fashion into the building behind them. Muadnat paused only to hitch his horse to a railing outside.
Fidelma waited until they had vanished and then, head bent in thought, she continued her way to the entrance of the hall of assembly. The doors stood open. She did not know what instinct made her hesitate instead of announcing her presence. Then she entered. Maybe she had subconsciously caught the sound of voices and the anxious tone of conversation. The first voice was that of Dubán.
‘I think you should be more respectful to her,’ he was saying earnestly. ‘At least, do not go out of your way to incur her enmity.’
‘Why not? She should not be here that long. I think she is exceeding her instructions.’
Fidelma frowned for the second voice was that of Crón. The voices were coming from a side room to which the door stood ajar. Fidelma trod with cat-like silence nearer to the door.
‘I know she is Colgú’s sister. But do you think he would send her here merely because of that? She is a clever woman. Little escapes those quizzical green eyes.’
‘Ah! You’ve noticed the colour of her eyes?’ The retort was sullen. Fidelma’s eyes widened as she heard the tone of jealousy in the voice of the tanist.
Dubán responded with a chuckle.
‘I’ve noticed that she is someone not to be fooled with. The less her hostility is aroused the better, pulse of my heart.’
Fidelma blinked at the easy endearment which came from his lips.
‘Surely she cannot really believe that Móen is innocent?’ Crón’s tone was slightly mollified.
‘I think she suspects it. Father Gormán believes that she is determined to prove it. He was quite upset when I saw him last night after he had spoken with her.’
‘I thought this matter would be easily resolved. If only my mother had let well alone.’
‘Nothing is ever easy, my dear. If she does believe Móen is innocent, then she will look elsewhere for those who might havemurdered him. You would do well to make her into a friend.’
There was a slight intake of breath.
‘She might discover how much I hated my father. Is that what you mean?’
‘She will eventually discover how much everyone hated him,’ replied Dubán. ‘Anyway, you must deal with that idiot Muadnat. He would choose this moment to come to the
‘How can I do that, my dear? He is not sensitive enough to understand why. He might present problems. No, I must deal with the matter. Tell Muadnat of my decision and tell him to be here in the hall of assembly at noon.’
‘Then please treat the sister with more grace.’
‘Go now,’ came Crón’s voice more firmly. ‘There is much to do.’
Fidelma quickly retraced her steps, on tip-toe, back to the door. She turned on the threshold, taking the mallet and banging it on the wooden block before entering the hall, as if for the first time. Crón came forwards from the side room. She was alone. She greeted Fidelma civilly enough, although her eyes were guarded.
‘I am looking for Dubán,’ Fidelma announced.
‘What makes you think he is here?’ the tanist demanded defensively.
‘Surely here is as good a place as any to search for the commander of your bodyguard?’ inquired Fidelma innocently.
Crón realised her mistake and forced a smile.
‘He is not here at the moment. He was late abroad last night and probably has not risen.’ The lies fell easily from her lips. ‘If I see him, I shall tell him that you were inquiring for him. Now, if you will excuse me, I must prepare for an important matter.’
Fidelma was not to be dismissed so easily.
‘Prepare?’
‘I need to sit in judgment today,’ Crón replied. ‘Minor cases Imay judge even if my mother does not approve of my knowledge of the law.’
It was true that a chieftain could act as judge in insignificant cases if they had no Brehon at hand to help them.
‘What manner of case?’
‘Nothing that would concern you,’ Crón replied immediately. Then she caught herself and conceded. ‘A case of animal trespass. One farmer of our community claims damages against another farmer of our community. It is a matter that needs to be dealt with immediately for the litigant is in great anger.’
Animal trespass cases were common enough. Damage to either land or crops by the domestic animals of a neighbour was a major source of legal action in any farming community. Neighbouring farmers usually exchanged fore-pledges called
In most walks of life the law relied on the use of a pledge to ensure that legal obligations were carried out. Even in Fidelma’s own office, being regarded as a professional judge, she had to place, with the chief judge or Brehon of the district, a pledge of five ounces of silver in case of dispute with her judgment. For if her judgment was found faulty by the chief judge, then she had to compensate those she had wronged by a false judgment. The confiscation of her pledge only happened if the litigant expressed dissatisfaction within a given period with her judgment and the chief judge then found her to be at fault. If a judge refused to put up this pledge then they were debarred from further practice in the territory.
It was certainly a trivial matter and one that Crón could adequately deal with. Fidelma was about to make her excuses and leave when a sudden suspicion occurred to her. She swung back hurriedly.
‘Is one of the litigants a farmer called Muadnat?’
Crón stared at her in surprise.
‘Do you have second sight, sister? What do you know of Muadnat?’ she demanded.
Fidelma knew from her startled expression that she was right. Obviously Crón did not know that Fidelma had been Brehon at Lios Mhór. So this was why Muadnat had appeared at the chieftain’s
‘Did you know about Muadnat’s case against his kinsman Archú?’
Crón pursed her lips as if this helped her recall a memory. She nodded slowly.
‘I know only what local gossip tells me. Muadnat was forced to appear before a Brehon in Lios Mhór and lost a farm that he was claiming.’
‘I was that Brehon,’ Fidelma announced. ‘It was while I was in Lios Mhór that I received word from my brother to come here.’
The blue eyes of the chieftainess regarded her curiously. Fidelma continued.
‘Against whom does Muadnat enter into litigation?’
‘With Archú again.’
Fidelma’s mind worked quickly.
‘Can you tell me the details of his argument?’
For a moment it seemed that Crón might refuse and then she appeared to think better of it.
‘I think there is a case to be answered by Archú,’ she said defensively.
‘But the details?’ pressed Fidelma.
‘Simple enough. Since Archú took over the disputed farmstead by the Black Marsh, he became a neighbour of Muadnat, for Muadnat’s lands stretch by his. Muadnat claims that Archú, through malice and neglect, allowed his pigs to stray at night across his boundary fences where they inflicted damage to Muadnat’s property. What is more the animals defecated in Muadnat’s farmyard.’
Fidelma took a slow breath and exhaled as she considered the matter.
‘In other words, if Muadnat speaks the truth about his claimsagainst Archú, then he will be able to demand a great compensation from him?’ she asked.
Crón’s face indicated that this was obvious enough.
‘Muadnat has already pointed that out to me.’
Fidelma was cynical.
