Valley of the Shadow

‘Time is money,’ the fleshy woman remarked, looking pointedly at Eadulf.

‘As you told us last time,’ agreed Fidelma affably. ‘But this time I am acting as a dálaigh investigating a murder. What was the price you asked for your three milch cows?’

Eadulf was more surprised than Nemon, for the woman did not even react.

‘I asked the going price. One sed per cow. A cumal for the three of them. I shall not give it back and nor am I going to milk them any longer. Artgal should have collected them or, at least, the two he promised to collect this morning. That was the arrangement.’

Fidelma turned to look out of the window at the cattle munching in the field outside.

‘What made you accept money? I thought barter was the usual form of exchange here?’

‘I am not going to live all my life in this place. Money can buy freedom outside Gleann Geis.’

‘True enough. What arrangement did you make? That you would look after the cows until Artgal came to collect them and take them to his farmstead?’

Nemon inclined her head in agreement.

‘He should have collected them today after milking. Well, two of them at least. I was to keep the third one for a further week and then let him have that one as well.’

‘And you were paid in advance?’

‘Of course. I am not stupid.’

‘No one said you were, Nemon. Did Ibor of Muirthemne give you any other instructions?’

For the first time Nemon looked bewildered.

‘Ibor of Muirthemne? What has he to do with it?’

‘Wasn’t he the one who bought your cows?’ Fidelma asked hesitantly.

‘That one? Ha! He would not even come to visit me. He stayed over there with Ronan and his wife. I met him on the path but he was not interested in my services. It is the first time I have met a merchant who was far from home who refused to avail himself of the services of a woman. Why would he buy the cows from me?’

Fidelma waited patiently until the end of her observation.

‘If it was not Ibor of Muirthemne who bought the cows from you, who was it?’

‘The boy, of course.’

‘The boy?’

‘The boy, what is his name? He is one of you — he has his head shaved like this foreign man. I have seen him with Solin.’

‘Brother Dianach?’ interposed Eadulf slowly.

‘Dianach, that is his name,’ confirmed Nemon.

Fidelma was standing staring at her with an expression of perplexity.

‘When did Brother Dianach come here and buy the cows?’

Nemon thought about it.

‘In the middle of the night, it was. Well, not long after dawn. I was fast asleep when he came knocking. I thought that he wanted my services but he nearly jumped a mile into the air when I suggested it. What is wrong with those who follow your God? Why are they such cavilling prudes? Are there no men among them?’ She paused and reflected with a derisory smile. ‘Well, the thick-set one … Solin could not be called a prude. I have no complaints of him on that account.’

‘You were telling us about Brother Dianach,’ interrupted Eadulf hurriedly.

‘The young boy? He awoke me early in the morning and said he wanted to buy my three milch cows. He explained the conditions. A cumal is hard to come by and I could do much with it. Besides, I never really wanted the responsibility of milking cows in the first place.’

‘So Brother Dianach bought your cows. How did he explain the arrangement? Did he offer any reason why he should suddenly buy the cows and give them to Artgal? I presume he told you that these were for Artgal at the time?’

‘Yes. Artgal is Ronan’s cousin. I only see him when he has won at some game of chance. When the boy told me that the cows were for Artgal, I presumed that the boy was in debt to Artgal over some wager or other. I don’t care anyway. The boy simply told me that Artgal would collect two of the cows later today. The third cow would be collected in a week or so. Artgal then came to see me soon afterwards to ensure that I had the cows. He confided in me that he thought the boy had been joking with him. He was surprised that I actually had the cows to give him. He said that he would collect them later today but I have seen nothing of him since.’

Eadulf compressed his lips in annoyance.

‘So Artgal knew the real identity of his mysterious benefactor all along. He lied to the court when he said it was not Brother Dianach.’

‘That much is obvious.’ Fidelma was phlegmatic. ‘More importantly, Brother Dianach lied. Why would he want to ensure I was incarcerated or found guilty?’ She turned back to Nemon. ‘Have you seen Brother Dianach since this dawn transaction?’

Nemon shook her head.

‘And when was the last time that you saw Ibor of Muirthemne?’

‘That was a few hours ago. I saw him saddling his horse over in Ronan’s field,’ the woman replied. ‘He rode off with both his horses. He went as if the hounds of Goll of the Fomorii were chasing him. Then Ronan came riding down in search of him. What is that about?’

There came the sound of horses outside.

Fidelma turned and glanced through the door.

‘It seems Murgal and Rudgal have returned. Eadulf, tell Murgal we are here. I want a word with him before he proceeds to Artgal’s farmstead.’

Eadulf hurried outside to stop the horsemen before they passed by.

Nemon was puzzled.

‘What is happening? What is all this activity?’

‘Are you sure you have not seen Artgal since this morning when he came to see the cows Brother Dianach had given him?’

‘I have already told you that. Now tell me what is amiss!’

‘Artgal seems to be missing.’

Nemon did not even register surprise.

‘So long as he appears to collect his cows.’

‘You may have to keep them longer than you have anticipated. Not only has Artgal disappeared but Brother Dianach has been found murdered on his farm.’

Nemon’s features remained stony.

‘Well, if I keep the cows,’ she finally said, having apparently thought the matter over, ‘at least I will not have to return the money. Dead men kill their liabilities.’

Even Fidelma was nonplussed at this unscrupulous attitude. She decided there was nothing more to be said and left the cabin. She found Eadulf at the gate talking with Murgal and Rudgal; both men were still mounted.

Murgal greeted her with immediate disapproval.

‘You were told not to leave the ráth until your business with Laisre was finished.’

‘Have you been told that Brother Dianach is dead?’ she replied, ignoring his reproof.

‘Rudgal brought me the news.’

‘You will find his body on Artgal’s farm. Artgal himself is missing. It was, however, Brother Dianach who gave the cows as a bribe to Artgal and not Ibor of Muirthemne. Your foster-daughter … Nemon is the witness to the transaction. Andthere stand the cows, still in her field because Artgal has not collected them.’

Murgal regarded her with narrowed eyes.

‘Are you telling me that Artgal has killed the young man Dianach?’

‘I am not telling you anything,’ replied Fidelma solemnly. ‘As you have pointed out, I am not allowed to investigate, according to you and your chieftain. You may conduct what inquiries you wish. Eadulf and I are now returning to the ráth.’

They left Murgal seething with irritation and proceeded to walk back to the ráth.

It was obvious that Rudgal had not told anyone else of the discovery of Brother Dianach’s body other than