Smoke in the Wind

‘When we arrived with Brother Meurig and saved you from your folly,’ finished Eadulf.

‘Knowing you were going to kill Idwal, did Gwnda try to stop you?’

‘Of course not. .’ Iorwerth hesitated. ‘I mean, we were too many for him. Didn’t you see that we had guards at his hall to watch over him?’

‘There is one thing I am uncertain of,’ Fidelma said reflectively, ignoring his question.

‘Which is?’ demanded Iorwerth.

‘Where was Gwnda when you left the township to go in search of Idwal and Mair? He must have been in the forest already?’

The smith gave a shrug. ‘It was good that he was there to capture Idwal.’

The door suddenly burst open unceremoniously. The lord of Pen Caer stood framed in the opening. Behind him stood two men with swords brandished in their hands. He scowled angrily at Fidelma.

‘So I have been informed correctly. I was told that you were here at Iorwerth’s forge.’

‘As you see.’ Fidelma smiled, with irony.

‘Did I not say that you had no authority to ask questions, Gwyddel? I am lord of Pen Caer and I am the law here. Now you and your Saxon friend will pay the price for ignoring me.’

Chapter Fourteen

Fidelma rose slowly and faced Gwnda. She did not flinch from his angry, threatening stare.

‘Ignoring you, lord of Pen Caer?’ she asked with feigned innocence. ‘But the last words you said to me were that you had no objection to my investigating the affair at Llanpadern. Did you not mean what you said?’

A puzzled frown creased Gwnda’s forehead.

‘I am sure that you would not go against the wishes of King Gwlyddien,’ she added.

‘What tricks are you trying to play with me, Gwyddel?’ Gwnda demanded, but the certainty had left his voice.

‘I am investigating the matter of Llanpadern,’ she said. ‘Idwal was at Llanpadern and he brought the first news of the disappearance of the community here. That is what I was investigating.’

Iorwerth tried to correct her. ‘But you were talking about Idwal and my daughter.’

Gwnda turned triumphantly to Fidelma. ‘I did not expect a religieuse to lie. Perhaps that is the fashion among the Gwyddel?’

‘On the contrary, Gwnda,’ replied Fidelma, an iciness making her eyes glisten. ‘It is not my fault that the matter of Mair’s death overlaps the return of Idwal from Llanpadern. Are you Solomon of the Hebrews that you propose to precisely sever along the border of the two parts?’

Gwnda’s jaw clamped shut, a muscle twitched in his face. He realised the point that she was making. Finally, he said: ‘You are very clever, dálaigh of Éireann.’

‘Utcumque placuerit deo, lord of Pen Caer,’ intoned Fidelma with bowed head. ‘However it shall please God.’

Gwnda sniffed in annoyance. ‘Do not place all your trust in God,’ he replied sourly.

‘Do you still continue to raise objections to my investigation? ’

Gwnda abruptly turned to his companions and dismissed them in disgust. ‘My objections continue as ever,’ he said as the armed men left. ‘You have no authority in the matter of the deaths of Mair and Meurig.’

‘Nor of Idwal’s murder, I presume?’ she added, glancing at Iorwerth, who flushed angrily. ‘But I am investigating what Idwal saw at Llanpadern and what he told people about it on the morning that he returned here.’

Gwnda compressed his lips for a moment as he realised the dilemma. ‘If you keep to that subject, then I shall have no objections.’

‘Then let me ask you some questions,’ Fidelma went on. Her voice rose a little as Gwnda made to leave, compelling the lord of Pen Caer to pause and turn to face her.

‘Idwal was seen running to your hall that morning by Iorwerth.’ She indicated the bewildered smith, who had not really understood much of their exchange. ‘What did Idwal tell you that morning?’

‘Nothing. I was not there. He spoke to Buddog. You will have to see her.’

‘When did Buddog inform you that Idwal had come to the hall?’

‘When?’ Gwnda seemed to have trouble with the question.

‘I was wondering why you did not order a search party to go to Llanpadern.’

Gwnda blinked for a moment. ‘We were busy with the affair of Mair’s death,’ he said defensively.

Grim amusement edged Fidelma’s mouth. ‘You will note that I did not bring up the matter of Mair’s death?’

Gwnda’s expression was sullen. ‘It was not until much later in the afternoon that Buddog remembered to tell me about Idwal’s visit.’

‘So,’ said Fidelma, ‘Buddog did not tell you what Idwal had said until after the boy had been brought back to your hall. Having then heard the news, why did you not send a party down to Llanpadern?’

The lord of Pen Caer shrugged. ‘By that time, I had sent a messenger to the abbey of Dewi Sant asking for a barnwr to come here, so I decided to wait and seek his advice on both matters. Then the morning of the day you arrived, Dewi, the son of Goff, came from Llanferran with news of a Saxon raiding ship and the bodies. It would have been dangerous to go to Llanpadern in case of an attack here on the township.’

‘Can you remember what Buddog told you?’

‘Why not ask her?’

‘I shall, but I would like to know what you recall.’

‘Idwal had arrived asking for me. Then he told Buddog that he had been passing Llanpadern. It was early that morning. He thought he saw one of the brethren leaving on the road south. .’

‘That must have been Brother Cyngar,’ interrupted Eadulf and was silenced by a sharp look from Fidelma.

Gwnda continued: ‘Idwal went to the community expecting to break his fast. There was no sign of anyone and so he came on to tell me.’

Eadulf was about to say something when he caught another warning glance from Fidelma.

‘Which brings me to another question,’ she continued. ‘Just as a matter of clarification, you’ll understand. How was it that you found Mair’s body and Idwal?’

‘I have told you that you have no authority to inquire into the subject of Mair’s death,’ he replied testily.

‘I was talking about Idwal.’

‘The same thing.’

‘Not at all. Idwal called to see you about Llanpadern but you were not here. It is natural to ask, how did you meet up with Idwal?’

‘I was out in the woods, that’s all.’

‘And you came across him purely by chance?’

‘That is so. I think I have answered enough questions.’ From his curt tone, Fidelma realised that she would be able to extract no more information from him. She smiled with good grace. ‘Thank you for your time, Gwnda. You have been most helpful,’ she said. ‘And you too, Iorwerth.’ She motioned to Eadulf to follow her as she turned to leave.

‘Remember, Gwyddel,’ Gwnda snapped, ‘your authority ends with the matter of Llanpadern.’

‘I shall remember that, lord of Pen Caer,’ she replied softly.

They walked back along the street towards Gwnda’s hall. As soon as they were out of earshot, Eadulf spoke. His voice was almost bubbling with fury.

‘The man is hiding something! Why didn’t you let me press him?’

‘Because it would have done little good except to alert him against us.’

Eadulf’s jaw slackened. ‘You knew he was lying?’

‘I know that he was not telling the whole truth. But it would be pointless to pursue him unless one had solid ground to stand on.