Valley of the Shadow

Murgal. There were a few people about but no one seemed interested in them and the sounds of festivity were emanating from the feasting hall.

It was dusk when they entered the hostel. There was no one about. Fidelma lit the lamps and made a search for something to eat. While she prepared a meal, Eadulf sat at the table resting his hands on his chin.

‘I don’t understand it.’ He finally broke the silence. ‘Why would Brother Dianach pay such a large sum to Artgal, simply to ensure that he did not change his claim that you killed Brother Solin?’

Fidelma put down some dried bread and cheese on the table, all she could find, and sought out a jug of mead.

‘I think we can speculate. Dianach was involved in whatever Solin was involved in. If we knew what that was, we would know why he was prepared to risk much to ensure that I was imprisoned or tried for murder. I think there is some inevitable link in the chain of events from the murder of the young men to Dianach’s own slaughter. But I do not know where the chain even starts. Why would Dianach want to do me such harm?’

Eadulf cut himself a slice of cheese.

‘Retribution? He believed that you killed Brother Solin. Perhaps he was emotionally tied to Solin to the point where he wanted vengeance?’

She shook her head firmly.

‘No. It does not make sense. He would have waited until the outcome of the hearing. Why spend a whole cumal in a bribe which he did not have to pay? Artgal was prepared to swear against me anyway.’

Eadulf grimaced negatively.

‘I don’t know.’

Fidelma’s expression was firmly set.

‘I have made up my mind what we should do,’ she announced. ‘This is too important to wait until after the negotiations. Ibor of Muirthemne remains the one link from which we might trace our chain. If we find him, we will start on the path to a solution. The way to Ibor lies in tracing those tracks from the site of the ritual massacre. I am sure of it.’

‘So what shall we do?’

‘We will leave here before dawn tomorrow, when everyone is asleep, and make our way to the site.’

‘Laisre will not be happy,’ Eadulf sighed.

‘Better for him to be unhappy and get these mysteries solved so that there is no bad blood between Cashel and Gleann Geis,’ she replied firmly. ‘The more that I have thought about this, the more I believe that the answer to this mystery is of greater importance to Cashel than agreeing with Laisre about the placing of a church and school here.’

Eadulf stirred uncomfortably.

‘More important than converting this corner of the kingdom to the Faith?’ he queried. ‘Surely Ségdae of Imleach will not agree?’

Fidelma shook her head.

‘I fear that there is a common answer to what has been happening here. According to Brother Solin, he was involved in something that would bring about the fall of Cashel before the summer ended. My oath to my brother and the laws of this land forbid me to ignore such a threat.’

There was a tap on the door of the hostel and before either could answer it was opened and Orla’s young daughter entered. She carried a basket on her arm. A momentary expression of irritation passed over her features when she saw Fidelma but then her eyes brightened as they alighted on Eadulf.

‘I knew Cruinn was not here,’ she said in a husky voice. ‘I have come to make some supper for you.’ She glanced quickly at Fidelma and added: ‘For you both.’

Eadulf rose and glanced down at the dried bread and cheese that he had been contemplating eating. He grimaced wryly then smiled.

‘It will be very welcome, Esnad.’

The girl placed her basket on the table and began to unpack fresh bread, cold meats, boiled eggs and some vegetables. She had even brought an amphora of wine.

‘Do your mother and father know that you are here?’ inquired Fidelma.

Esnad raised her chin defiantly.

‘I am of the age of choice,’ she replied in an annoyed tone. ‘I was fourteen last birthday.’

‘Yet your parents might be angry that you are consorting with us after what has happened.’

‘Let them be,’ the girl said dismissively. ‘I do not care. I am old enough to make my own decisions.’

‘There is no denying that,’ observed Fidelma gravely.

The girl finished unpacking. There was, at least, enough food for a passable supper.

It was clear that the girl felt uncomfortable in Fidelma’s presence and it appeared that she wanted to speak with Eadulf on her own. That intrigued Fidelma. She was also amused that Eadulf seemed embarrassed at the young girl’s attentions. Nevertheless, she hoped that Eadulf would have the sense to see that the girl wanted to speak with him.

She rose with a smile.

‘I promised to discuss something with Murgal,’ she said with a meaningful glance at Eadulf, hoping that he would understand her motive.

The Saxon looked thoroughly alarmed but he apparently understood that she wanted him to stay and discover what it was that Esnad wanted of him.

Esnad was looking pleased.

‘I hope that I am not interfering with your plans,’ she observed coyly.

‘Not at all,’ replied Fidelma. ‘I will be back shortly, so save me some of that excellent supper.’

She left the hostel and found herself in the gloom of the courtyard.

For a few moments she walked without purpose, wondering if Esnad had some information which could add anything towards a solution of the mystery of Gleann Geis. Then she found herself retracing the route that she had taken on the previous night when she had followed Brother Solin. She had not gone far when she saw a portly figure of a woman leave the building which contained Murgal’s apartment and begin to hurry across the courtyard. The figure was easy to recognise. Fidelma quickened her step.

‘Cruinn!’

The rotund hostel-keeper paused and peered round. She recognised Fidelma within an inward hiss of her breath. She would have moved on had not Fidelma quickly moved to block her path.

‘Cruinn, why have you not come to the hostel?’ Fidelma asked reproachfully. ‘Why are you so angry with me?’

The woman turned and scowled at her.

‘You should know the laws of hospitality, you being a dálaigh. You insulted your host by insulting his sister.’

‘That is unjust,’ Fidelma pointed out. ‘I know that Orla is well respected but I can only tell the truth. I, myself, was wrongly accused.’

‘You only escaped justice on a technical point of law,’ Cruinn returned sharply, much to Fidelma’s astonishment.

‘You seem to suddenly know much about the law, Cruinn,’ she replied. ‘Where did you learn so much?’

Even in the gloom, Fidelma saw that Cruinn looked uncomfortable for a moment.

‘I only repeat what everyone is saying. Had Artgal not been so foolish as to accept the cows then his evidence would have been proven.’

‘I did not kill Brother Solin.’

Cruinn turned away quickly.

‘I have things to do,’ she muttered. ‘But do not look for me in the hostel. There are few people here who welcome your presence now, Fidelma of Cashel. The sooner you leave Gleann Geis the better.’

The portly figure hurried away into the darkness. Fidelma watched her go with some regret. It was discouraging how people changed their attitudes because of false information and prejudice.

A door opened and a light fell across the courtyard. Fidelma saw the light came from the apothecary of Marga. Two figures were framed in the door. One was Marga and the other was Laisre. Fidelma stood bathed in