Talorgen grinned impishly.
“I hear that you have questioned Eadred. From his manner you may judge Wulfstan’s arrogance. It is not hard to be provoked by them, even if they were not Saxons.”
“You do not like Saxons?”
“They are not likable.”
“But you are a prince of Rheged, and it is reported that the Saxons are attacking your land.”
Talorgen nodded, his mouth pinched. “Oswy calls himself Christian king of Northumbria, but he still sends his barbaric hordes against the kingdoms of the Britons. For generations now the people of my land have fought to hold back the Saxons, for their thirst for land and power is great. Owain, my father, sent me here, but I would, by the living Christ, rather be at his side, wielding my sword against the Saxon foreman. My blade should drink the blood of the enemies of my blood.”
Sister Fidelma regarded the flushed-faced young man with curiosity.
“Has your blade already drunk of the blood of your people’s enemies?”
Talorgen frowned abruptly, hesitating, and then his face relaxed. He chuckled.
“You mean, did I kill Wulfstan? That I did not. I swear by the living God! But hear me, Sister Fidelma, it is not that I did not want to. Truly, sometimes the faith of Christ is a hard taskmaster. Wulfstan and his cousin Eadred were so dislikable that I scarcely believe there is anyone in this community who regrets the death of Wulfstan.”
She took out the bloodstained kerchief and laid it on the table.
“This was found by the body of Wulfstan. It was used to wipe the blood from the weapon that killed him. It belongs to Dago-bert.”
“You mean Dagobert…?” The prince of Rheged’s eyes opened wide as he stared from the kerchief to Sister Fidelma.
“Dagobert tells me that he gave you this kerchief in loan two days ago.”
Talorgen examined the kerchief carefully and then slowly nodded.
“He is right. It is the same one, I can tell from the embroidery.”
“How then did it get into Wulfstan’s chamber?”
Talorgen shrugged.
“That I do not know. I remember having it in my chamber yesterday morning. I saw it was gone and thought Dagobert, had collect it.”
Sister Fidelma regarded Talorgen steadily for a moment or two.
“I swear, Sister,” said the prince of Rheged earnestly, “I would not have hesitated to kill Wulfstan outside these walls, but I did not kill him within them.”
“You are forthright, Talorgen.”
The young man shrugged.
“I am sprung of the house of Urien of Rheged, whose praise was sung by our great bard Taliesin. Urien was the Golden King of the North, slain in stealth by a traitor. Our house is evenhanded, just and forthright. We believe in honesty. We meet, our enemies in daylight on the plain of battle, not at night in the darkened recesses of some bedchamber.”
“You say that there are many others in this community who held enmity against Wulfstan? Was there anyone in particular that you had in mind?”
Talorgen pursed his lips.
“Our teacher Finan often told us that he hated the Saxons.”
Sister Fidelma nodded.
“I have spoken with Finan.”
“As you already know, Dagobert quarreled with Wulfstan in the refectory and bloodied his mouth two nights ago. Then there was Riderch of Dumnonia, Fergna of Midhe and-“
Sister Fidelma held up her hand.
“I think that you have made your point, Talorgen. Everyone in Durrow is a suspect.”
Sister Fidelma found Raedwald in the stables making preparations for the journey back to the land of the South Saxons.
“There is a question I would ask you on your own, Raedwald. Need I remind you of my authority?”
The Saxon warrior shook his head.
“I have learnt much of your law and customs since I have been in your country, Sister. I am not as Eadred.”
“And you have learnt some fluency in our tongue,” observed Fidelma “More fluency and understanding than your cousin.”
“It is not my place to criticize the heir-apparent to the kingship of the South Saxons.”
“But I think that you did not like your cousin Wulfstan?”
Raedwald blinked in surprise at her directness and then he shrugged.
“I am merely a thane in the house of Cissa. I cannot like or dislike my appointed king.”
“Why were you not on guard outside the chamber of Wulfstan last night?”
“It was not the custom. Once Wulfstan had secured himself inside, he was well guarded. You have seen the chamber he asked Abbot Laisran to devise for him. Once he was locked inside, there was, apparently, no danger to him. I slept in the next chamber and at his call should he need help.”
“But he did not call?”
“His killer slashed his throat with his first blow. That much was obvious from his body.”
“It becomes obvious that he willingly let the killer into his chamber. Therefore, he knew the killer and trusted him.”
Raedwald’s eyes narrowed.
Fidelma continued.
“Tell me, the messenger who arrived from your country yesterday, what message did he bring Wulfstan?”
Raedwald shook his head.
“That message was for Wulfstan only.”
“Is the messenger still here?”
“Yes.”
“Then I would question him.”
“You may question but he will not answer you.” Raedwald smiled grimly.
Sister Fidelma compressed her lips in annoyance.
“Another Saxon custom? Not even your messengers will speak with women?”
“Another Saxon custom, yes. But this is a custom of kings. The royal messenger has his tongue cut out so that he can never verbally betray the message that he carries from kings and princes to those who might be their enemies.”
Abbot Laisran gestured to those he had summoned to his study chamber, at Sister Fidelma’s request, to be seated. They had entered the room with expressions either of curiosity or defiance, according to their different personalities, as they saw Sister Fi-delma standing before the high-manteled hearth. She seemed absorbed in her own thoughts as she stood, hands folded demurely before her, not apparently noticing them as they seated themselves around. Brother Ultan, as steward of the community, took his stand before the door with hands folded into his habit.
Abbot Laisran gave Fidelma an anxious glance and then he, too, took his seat.
“Why are we here?” demanded Talorgen abruptly.
Fidelma raised her head to return his gaze.
“You are here to learn how Wulfstan died and by whose hand,” she replied sharply.
There was a brief pause before Eadred turned to her with a sneer.
“We already know how my kinsman Wulfstan died, woman. He died by the sorcery of a barbarian. Who that barbarian is, it is not hard to deduce. It was one of the
