Our Lady of Darkness

that the abbess had arrived back and a young novitiate of the abbey had been found dead. I went with him and the rest you know.’

Fidelma was silent for a moment or two. Then she found Sister Étromma gazing at her speculatively.

‘Does that clarify matters for you?’

‘It helps,’ Fidelma conceded with a quick smile. ‘It helps a lot.’

Fidelma returned hurriedly to the inn where she had left Dego and Enda saddling the horses in preparation to go in search of the boatman.

‘Did you find out where he is?’ Enda greeted her as she entered the stables.

‘Not exactly. But we shall ride for Cam Eolaing for a start. It seemsthat Abbess Fainder is also looking for Gabrán and has gone ahead.’

‘Abbess Fainder?’ Dego was interested. ‘I wonder why she would be looking for Gabrán?’

Fidelma was thoughtful as she mounted her horse. However, she had no answer for him.

Eadulf felt trapped. He knew that the approaching boatman meant him no good. Some tension in the atmosphere communicated itself to Dalbach.

‘You know my cousin?’

‘I know that his name is Gabrán and he tried to kill me this morning.’

‘Oh, so it is Gabrán,’ Dalbach said. ‘He is not my cousin, though I know him. Gabrán is a merchant who sometimes passes by here. I do not understand why he should wish you harm, but I can tell that you fear him. Quick — you will find a ladder leading to the loft. Go up and hide — I will not betray you. Trust me. Do it now!’

Eadulf hesitated only a moment. He had no other choice. The foxy-faced boatman was almost at the door.

He grabbed his cloak from the back of the chair, setting it upright, and leapt for the ladder, scuttling up it. He knew his life now hung in the balance for the boatman was armed and he was defenceless.

He barely had time to stretch himself out on the wooden boards that constituted the floor of the loft, his head close to the hatch opening which gave him a view, albeit restricted, of the scene below, when the door of the cabin swung open.

‘A good day to you, Dalbach. It is I, Gabrán,’ the boatman called as he entered.

Dalbach moved towards him, hand outstretched.

‘Gabrán, it is some time since you have stopped by my cabin. Good day to you. Come and sample some of my mead and tell me what brings you here.’

‘That I will, gladly,’ replied the other.

The man moved out of Eadulf’s sight. He heard the noise of liquid being poured into an earthenware mug.

‘Health to you, Dalbach.’

‘Health, Gabrán.’

There was silence for a moment or so and then Gabrán smacked his lips in appreciation.

‘I was expecting to meet a fellow merchant close by here who wasbringing me some goods from Rath Loirc. I don’t suppose you heard anything of strangers about here this morning?’ came his next question.

Eadulf tensed, unsure whether his new friend would betray him or not.

‘I have heard of no merchant here today,’ replied Dalbach evasively.

‘Well, I must return to my boat and send one of my men to search for him.’ He paused and seemed to reconsider. ‘Have any other strangers been this way? There is a hunt for an escaped Saxon murderer in these parts.’

‘A Saxon, you say?’

‘A murderer who escaped from my lord Coba’s fortress, killing the guard who tried to prevent him and knocking unconscious another. Coba had given the man sanctuary and this is how his kindness has been repaid.’

Eadulf ground his teeth at the easy lies that came to the man’s lips.

‘That sounds a terrible thing.’ Dalbach’s voice was soft.

‘Terrible it is. Coba has some men out searching for him. Well, as I say, I must return to my boat. If you do happen on my missing merchant … but you say that you have seen nobody?’

‘I have seen nobody,’ agreed Dalbach. Eadulf caught a note of solemn humour in his voice as he emphasised the word ‘seen’. The blind man was not lying.

‘Well, my thanks for the drink. I will send one of my men into the hills to find the missing merchant and my merchandise. If he does happen by here, tell him to wait for my man. I do not want to miss such valuable-’

The voice stopped abruptly. Eadulf, unable to see what was happening below, stiffened in alarm.

‘If no one has been here, why are there two bowls on the table … the remains of two meals?’ demanded Gabrán’s voice, edged with suspicion.

Eadulf gave a silent groan. He had forgotten the stew that he had been eating. The remains were in full sight on the table.

‘I did not say that no one has been here.’ Dalbach’s response was swift, assured. ‘I thought that you had merely meant strangers. No one whom I consider a stranger has been here.’

There was a tense pause. Then Gabrán seemed satisfied at the explanation.

‘Well, be warned. This Saxon may be glib of tongue but he is a killer.’

‘I heard the Saxon was a religious.’

‘Yes, but he raped and killed a young girl.’

‘God have mercy on his soul!’

‘God may have mercy but we will not when we have caught him,’ came the testy reply. ‘Good day, friend Dalbach.’

Eadulf saw the man move back into his line of vision and the door open.

‘May you have success in finding your merchant friend, Gabrán,’ Dalbach called. There was a muttered acknowledgement.

The door shut. Eadulf waited for a while and then eased himself up to his knees and moved across the floor to a small aperture. He saw the boatman, Gabrán, disappearing along the path into the woods. He suppressed a sigh of relief and returned to the ladder.

‘Has he gone?’ came Dalbach’s whisper.

‘He has,’ Eadulf called softly down. ‘I don’t know how to thank you for not giving me away. Why?’

‘Why?’ echoed Dalbach.

Eadulf moved down the ladder to stand beside him.

‘Why did you protect me? If this man Gabrán was your friend, why did you hide me from him? You heard what he had to say about me. I am a killer who apparently will stop at nothing to escape. Another man would feel threatened by my presence.’

‘Did you do the things he claimed you did?’ asked Dalbach abruptly.

‘No, but-’

‘Did you escape from Coba’s fortress and kill a guard, as he said?’

‘I knocked a bowman unconscious but I did not kill a guard. The man was trying to kill me. It was Gabrán himself who came and told me that I was free to leave. The moment I stepped beyond the walls of the fortress, he tried to shoot me down.’

Dalbach stood in silent thought for a moment or two. Then he reached out a hand and found Eadulf’s arm.

‘As I have said before, blindness does not rob men of their senses. Often, it causes other senses to awake. I told you that I trusted you, Brother Eadulf.’ His voice was serious. ‘As for Gabrán, perhaps “friend” was the wrong word to describe him. He is someone who travels through here now and then and calls to pass the time of day with me. I know him to be a merchant and sometimes he brings me gifts from friends. Now, be seated again, Brother Eadulf, and let us finish the meal and talk of your plan to return to Fearna.’

Eadulf reseated himself ‘My plan?’ he asked, his mind distracted by the appearance of Gabrán.