The Spider's Web

arise.’

Fidelma heard Eadulf’s splutter of indignation but she said hastily: ‘We are all the prisoners of our times.’

Gadra chuckled approvingly.

‘You have perception, Fidelma. Or is it merely sensitivity? Can you tell me what is swifter than the wind?’

‘Thought,’ replied Fidelma at once, knowing immediately the game that the old man was playing.

‘Ah. Then what is whiter than snow?’

‘Truth,’ she replied sharply.

‘What, then, is sharper than a sword?’

‘Understanding.’

‘Then we understand one another well, Fidelma. I am the repository of the old and much will be lost when I am gone. But that is the way of it. And that is why I have come to the forests to die.’

Fidelma was silent a moment.

‘Has Dubán told you the news from Araglin?’

‘He has told me who you are. That and no more. That you have come to seek something from me is obvious.’

‘Eber, the chieftain of Araglin, has been murdered.’

Gadra did not appear surprised.

‘In my time we would celebrate the death of a soul in this world for it meant that a soul was reborn in the Otherworld. It was the custom to mourn birth, for it meant a soul had died in the Otherworld.’

‘The death of Eber is of more concern to me, Gadra, for I am an advocate of the courts of the five kingdoms.’

‘Forgive me if I spoke as a philosopher. Of course, the manner of his going to the Otherworld is of concern. I presume that Muadnat is chieftain of Araglin now?’

Fidelma stared in surprise.

‘Crón is tanist and will be chieftain when the derbfhine of her family confirm her as such.’

Gadra gave her a curious sideways glance but made no further reference to Muadnat.

‘So Eber is dead? Murdered? And you, child, are a dálaigh, an advocate of the courts come to investigate?’

For once Fidelma did not mind being called ‘child’ by this elderly mystic.

‘This is so.’

‘What would you have of me?’

‘Móen was found by Eber’s body with a bloody knife in his hand.’

For the first time, the calm humour of the old man’s face was creased by an expression of amazement. But it was quickly gone. He had tremendous control.

‘Are you telling me that Móen is supposed to have murdered Eber?’ His voice was still composed.

‘He stands accused of that murder,’ Fidelma confirmed.

‘If I had not lived a long life and seen many things, I would say that the boy was not capable of taking life.’

Fidelma frowned, leaning forward.

‘I am not sure that I follow. Do you accept that he committed the murder?’

‘In special circumstances even the most docile of human beings will turn to kill. Móen is the most docile of human beings.’

Fidelma made a wry face.

‘Docile is not a word that others would use.’

Gadra sighed softly.

‘Believe me, the boy is sensitive and of a calm nature. I know for I have watched him grow from a baby. Teafa and I taught him all he knows.’

Fidelma regarded the old man for a few minutes.

‘You taught him?’ she prompted with emphasis.

‘I have said so. What does the boy say about this charge? What does Teafa say?’

‘Móen is one who is deaf, dumb and blind. How can he tell us anything?’

Gadra snorted impatiently.

‘Through Teafa, of course. He communicates through Teafa. What has she to say?’

‘Ah …’ Fidelma let her breath expel slowly, regretting that she had not explained fully.

Gadra was looking at her curiously.

‘Something has happened to Teafa? I can read that much in your expression.’

‘Yes. Teafa is dead.’

Gadra sat very still and upright.

‘I will say a prayer for a good rebirth in the Otherworld,’ he said softly. ‘She was a good woman and possessed of a great soul. How did she die? Was she killed by Eber? Was that when the boy struck back, in defence of Teafa?’

Fidelma shook her head, trying to stop her tumbling thoughts reacting to what the old man had said.

‘Móen also stands accused of having killed Teafa, stabbing her with a knife, and then going to Eber’s chambers and stabbing him.’

‘Can this be true?’

Gadra, in spite of his years of self-discipline, at controlling his emotions, was clearly distressed.

‘The accusation is true. But I have come to ascertain the facts.’

‘These facts you state must be in error then,’ Gadra replied decisively. ‘While I can concede that Móen could, if sufficiently provoked, turn on Eber, he would never strike at Teafa. Teafa has been his mother.’

‘Sons have killed their mothers before now,’ Eadulf intervened.

Gadra ignored him.

‘Has anyone been able to communicate with Móen since Teafa’s death?’

Fidelma shook her head.

‘I was told that only Teafa could communicate with Móen. No one else knew how. He cannot hear, he cannot see and he cannot speak.’

Gadra was sorrowful.

‘There are other forms of communication. The boy can touch, he can smell, he can feel vibration. If the fates deny us some of our senses, then we can develop others. So no one has communicated with him since this terrible thing happened?’

‘I have been unable. That is why I am here. I have heard that you might understand how this method of communication is accomplished.’

‘It is so. As I said, I taught the boy with Teafa. I must come back with you to the rath of Araglin at once and speak with him,’ said the old man decisively.

Fidelma was surprised. She had been hoping for some advice but never dared to consider that the old man would insist on coming to the rath himself.

‘If you can accomplish this thing then I will believe in all the miracles without reservation.’

‘It can be so,’ Gadra assured her grimly. ‘Poor Móen. Can you imagine what it must be like for someone imprisoned in such a body unable to know or communicate with those around him? He must be frightened and desperate for he will not know what has happened.’

Eadulf leaned forward again.

‘If he is innocent of the accusations then he is going through a terrifying ordeal,’ he conceded. ‘But someone else at the rath must have known how Móen was able to communicate apart from Teafa?’

Gadra glanced across to Eadulf with a shake of his head.

‘You are practical, Saxon. The answer to your question is that only Teafa had the patience to learn the skill from me. She might have tried to pass it on. But I do not think she did. I think she felt it better that it was kept a