leaving it slightly ajar, because the abbess was in the middle of the courtyard mounting a horse. No one else was about. Then the abbess walked her horse through the gates. Fidelma was amazed that the abbess would leave her abbey when the Angelus bell was ringing, calling the community to its devotions. She wondered what was so important to draw her away.
Fidelma walked swiftly across the courtyard to the still-open gate which led onto the quays. She looked up and down but there was no sign of the abbess and her horse. Once beyond the gate, the abbess must have sent the horse into a canter, so quickly had it disappeared. However, to her surprise, Fidelma then saw Enda, on horseback, emerge from the shadow of the abbey walls and send his mount trotting along the riverbank in a leisurely fashion. He was clearly following the abbess.
A broad smile came to her face. She had almost forgotten that she had asked Dego and Enda to attempt to find out where the abbess went riding, and she had not rescinded that order. At least Enda would be able to follow and resolve the mystery.
Chapter Eleven
Fidelma was still thinking about Abbot Noé after she had returned to the Inn of the Yellow Mountain. She was surprised that he had not made a point of being in Fearna during this time. As both abbot and spiritual adviser to Fianamail, Fidelma had expected him to figure more prominently in the proceedings. Eadulf had told her he had sat at the original trial. Apart from his alleged role in supporting the cause of the Penitentials, he had not, however, been prominent in any of the subsequent events.
Why Fidelma found Abbot Noé a subject for her thoughts she could not really say. From the little she knew of the irascible abbot, she was surprised that he had appointed someone to take charge of his former abbey who sought to change the laws of the land. As she remembered Abbot Noé, he had been supportive of the Fénechus law system. Yet she knew from her past experience with him that he was a devious man and given to intrigue. She could not help wondering if he had played a major role in this mystery.
She sat in the main room of the inn turning the matter over in her mind. Then, eventually, she returned to the matter of Eadulf’s disappearance from the abbey. She was careful in her choice of the word ‘disappearance’ because she did not trust either Forbassach nor the abbess. Had he really escaped? Too many people seemed to have ‘disappeared’ who were key witnesses in the events. She shivered suddenly. What was she saying? That Eadulf had simply disappeared along with the others?
The warmth of the fire and the fact of her disturbed night caused a drowsiness to overcome her and, almost reluctantly, she found herself lulled by her thoughts, slipping into inertia. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.
She did not know how long it was before the sound of a door opening awakened her. Enda was entering: he looked satisfied with himself. She smothered a yawn, stretched, and greeted him.
‘Well, Enda?’
The young warrior came immediately to her side and took a seat. He lowered his voice, having glanced quickly around to make sure they were alone, and said: ‘I followed the abbess without her observing me. She rode north …’
‘Yes — but for no more than five or six kilometres. Then she went up into the hills. There is a settlement there called Raheen. She went to a small cabin and was greeted by a woman there. They seemed very friendly.’
Fidelma raised an eyebrow slightly in query. ‘Friendly?’
‘They embraced each other. Then the abbess and the woman went inside the cabin. I waited for an hour or so before the abbess came out.’
It was then that Fidelma realised that the best part of the afternoon had gone. She had slept several hours.
‘Go on,’ she said, trying to hide her annoyance at the wasted time. ‘What then?’
‘While she was there, she was joined by our friend, Forbassach. The woman left the two of them alone for a while. Then Forbassach departed and, a short time later, so did Fainder. She began to ride back towards Fearna so I did not bother to follow her.’
‘What did you do instead?’
‘I thought that you would want to know who the woman was, the one whose cabin they visited.’
Fidelma smiled in approval. ‘You learn quickly, Enda. We’ll make a
The young man shook his head, taking her light-hearted comment seriously.
‘I am a warrior, the son of a warrior, and when I am too old to be a warrior I shall take to my farm.’
‘Did you discover who this woman was?’
‘I decided not to ride directly to her cabin but to make some enquiries from other inhabitants in the vicinity. I was told that her name was Deog.’
‘Deog? Did you discover anything else?’
‘Only that she was recently widowed. Her husband was a man called Daig.’
Fidelma was silent for a moment or two. ‘Are you sure that was his name?’
‘That was the name I was given, lady.’
‘If she is recently widowed, he must be the same man.’
Enda looked uncertain. ‘I am not sure that I understand.’
Fidelma found that she did not have the time to explain to him. Why would Abbess Fainder and Bishop Forbassach be visiting the widow of the watchman who was drowned? Fainder had given Fidelma the impression that she had hardly known the man, so why visit the widow? Not only that but, as Enda reported, they seemed good friends. Now here was yet another mystery.
‘I don’t suppose you asked if the abbess was a frequent visitor to the woman, Deog, did you?’ she asked.
Enda shook his head. ‘I did not want to attract too much attention,’ he explained. ‘So I did not press too many questions.’
In that, Enda had behaved correctly, Fidelma conceded. Too many questions might put people on their guard.
‘How far from here did you say this woman lived?’
‘Less than an hour’s swift ride, lady.’
‘It will be dark in a few hours,’ mused Fidelma, looking thoughtfully up at the sky. ‘Nevertheless, I think I should speak with this Deog.’
‘I know the path now, lady,’ Enda said eagerly. ‘We should have no problems riding there nor returning even in the dark.’
‘Then that is what we shall do,’ Fidelma decided. ‘Where is Dego?’
‘I think he was in the stables rubbing down the horses. Shall I go and fetch him?’
She shook her head. ‘The sooner we leave the better. We will go to find him.’
It was true that Dego was rubbing down Enda’s horse after its journey. He looked up as they entered. He appeared nervous as he greeted Fidelma.
‘I came back to the inn just after noon, lady,’ he said, ‘just as you instructed. However, I saw you fast asleep by the fire. I thought you might need your sleep more than hearing that I had nothing to report anyway. I hope I did right in letting you sleep on.’
For a moment Fidelma did not know what he was talking about until she remembered that she had said that she would meet him at the inn after her return from the abbey to decide on the next strategy. She smiled apologetically at his worried features.
‘You did right, Dego. I am the better for the sleep. Enda and I are going for a ride. We shall probably be gone some hours.’
‘Should I come with you?’
