came from and then remembered it was from Juvenal’s
‘Are you the Lady Fidelma?’ the man asked, his bright eyes narrowing slightly as he examined her.
Fidelma inclined her head in greeting. ‘I am Fidelma of Cashel,’ she replied.
‘I have heard that you have been asking after me. My name is Samradán of Cashel.’
Fidelma met the gaze of his pale, bright eyes and held it. It was the Cashel merchant that let his gaze dart away first.
‘If there is anything I can help you with?’ Samradan shifted his weight uncomfortably.
Fidelma suddenly smiled disarmingly. ‘Did you know Brother Mochta?’
The merchant shook his head. ‘The monk who has vanished? Everyone is talking about it here at the abbey. No, I did not know him. I traded only with Brother Madagan as the steward of the abbey and, of course, with the abbot himself. I never met Brother Mochta, at least the name never registered with me if I encountered him in the abbey.’
‘You keep a warehouse at Cashel?’
The merchant nodded warily. ‘By the market square, lady. My house is in the town as well.’
‘An assassination attempt on my brother, the King, and the Prince of the Uí Fidgente, was launched from the roof of your warehouse yesterday morning.’
The merchant paled slightly. ‘I have been here in Imleach for severaldays. I knew nothing of this. Besides, anyone can climb onto the roof of my warehouse. It is a flat roof and easily accessible.’
‘I do not accuse you of anything, Samradán,’ chided Fidelma. ‘But it was best that you should know this fact, though.’
The merchant nodded hurriedly. ‘Of course … I thought …’
‘Do you trade among the people of Cnoc Aine?’
‘No. Only to the abbey.’
‘That seems to limit your business,’ smiled Fidelma. ‘You must do a lot of trade here within the abbey to visit so often and stay so long.’
Samradan looked at her uncertainly.
‘I mean that I trade only with the abbey in this area. I also trade with the abbeys at Cill Dalua, north of here, and south at Lios Mhór. I have in recent months even traded as far north as the abbey at Armagh. That was an arduous journey. But I have made it twice in the last two months.’
‘What sort of goods do you trade in?’
‘We barter corn and barley for wool mainly. Around Cill Dalua are first-class tanners and workers in leather. So we buy jackets, leather bottles, shoes and other items and trade to the south.’
‘How fascinating. Do you trade in metal work?’
Samradan was dismissive. ‘Carrying metal objects is a tiresome business for our horses. It weights our wagons and we have to move slowly. There are enough good smiths and forges throughout the country.’
‘So you would not deal in metals like silver? There are some silver mines and other workings of precious metals to the south of here.’
Samradán shook his head vehemently. ‘Be one’s trade good or bad, it is experience that makes one an adept at it,’ he replied, quoting an old proverb. ‘I stick to the trade I know. I know nothing of silver.’
‘You are right,’ agreed Fidelma pleasantly. ‘A trade not properly learned can be an enemy to its success. I understand that you have not dwelt at Cashel very long?’
‘Only these last three years,’ countered Samradan.
‘Then, before you came to Cashel, where did you conduct your business from?’
Was there a shiftiness in the merchant’s eyes now? ‘I was in the land of the Corco Baiscinn.’
‘Is that where you come from?’ pressed Fidelma.
Samradán raised his chin in an automatic gesture of defiance. ‘It is.’ His confirmation was a challenge but Fidelma said nothing further.
After the silence continued, the merchant cleared his throat noisily, as if attracting attention. ‘Is that all?’
Fidelma smiled again as if it had already been made clear and the man had not understood.
‘Why, of course. But when you return to Cashel, you might be questioned about this terrible event. You may say that you have spoken with me. However, your testimony may be wanted by the Brehons in Cashel.’
Samradán looked startled. ‘Why should I be questioned?’ he demanded.
‘For the reason I told you … the assassins used your warehouse. No one accuses you of anything but it is obvious that you would be questioned because of that fact. Tell them what you told me. That you have no knowledge of the matter.’
The merchant looked uncomfortable. ‘I do not plan to return to Cashel for a few days yet, lady,’ he muttered. ‘I am going to the country of the Arada Cliach to trade first. I mean to start early tomorrow morning.’
‘Then I wish you a good journey.’ Fidelma turned and motioned Eadulf to follow her.
‘What was that about?’ he asked, when they were out of earshot.
Fidelma looked at him in mild rebuke. ‘No more than it appeared to be,’ she replied. ‘I just wanted to check who this Samradán was.’
‘And are you satisfied that he is no more than he seems to be?’
‘No.’
Eadulf was disconcerted by the enigmatic response.
Fidelma caught his questioning glance. ‘Samradán may well be what he claims to be but he admits he is of the Corco Baiscinn.’
‘I do not know these people,’ Eadulf returned. ‘Is there some significance here?’
‘They are one of the people over whom the Uí Fidgente hold lordship. They also claim to be descendants of Cas.’
‘Then he might well be part of some conspiracy?’ suggested Eadulf.
‘I do not trust him,’ Fidelma returned. ‘However, if he were part of some conspiracy I doubt whether it is connected with the Uí Fidgente. He would not have readily admitted that he was of the Corco Baiscinn. Yet it is better to be suspicious about people than not to be.’
Eadulf said nothing.
They found Brother Madagan at the gates of the abbey, speaking with the abbot.
‘Have you come to any conclusions?’ asked Abbot Segdae eagerly.
‘It is far too early for conclusions,’ Fidelma replied, handing the key of Brother Mochta’s chamber back to Brother Madagan. ‘As soon as I have something positive, I will let you know.’
Abbot Ségdae appeared anxious still. ‘I suppose I was hoping for a miracle. But at least, of the Holy Relics, Ailbe’s crucifix is safely recovered.’
Fidelma laid a reassuring hand on the old man’s arm. She wished she could do something further to enhearten this old friend and supporter of her family.
‘Do not worry unduly, Ségdae. If the matter is capable of resolution, we will resolve it.’
‘Is there anything else that I can do for you before I return to my other duties?’ Brother Madagan inquired.
‘Thank you, but not at this time. Brother Eadulf and I are going to the township and may not be back for a while.’ She hesitated. ‘Oh, you mentioned that the adjoining chambers to Mochta are occupied. Where might their occupants be found?’
Brother Madagan suddenly glanced across Fidelma’s shoulder through the open gates of the abbey. ‘You are in luck, for the two brothers are coming towards the abbey gates now.’
Fidelma and Eadulf turned and saw two religious approaching the gates, one pushing a wheelbarrow full of herbs and other plants which they had obviously been gathering that morning.
As Fidelma and Eadulf walked towards the gates of the abbey to intercept the two religious, Eadulf said quietly, ‘Wouldn’t it have been a kindness to report on our conclusions so far?’
Fidelma arched an eyebrow. ‘Our conclusions? I did not think that we had any conclusions.’
Eadulf made a gesture with his hand as if to express his confusion. ‘I thought that we agreed that Brother
