Eadulf considered the matter. ‘I know that Gwnda was involved with the hanging of poor Idwal. He put Iorwerth up to reciting that Latin phrase as a defence.’
‘I realised that Gwnda was not averse to the killing of Idwal even on the evening when we first arrived in this place,’ Fidelma agreed. ‘Iorwerth let the truth slip when he indicated that Gwnda made no effort to protect Idwal.’
Eadulf was startled. ‘You suspected him that first evening?’
‘Do you remember the story that was given to us? That Gwnda was a law-abiding ruler who had sent for the
‘I remember. Gwnda was held prisoner in his own hall by the mob.’
Fidelma smiled dryly. ‘Held prisoner? There were two young men at the door of his hall and both were unarmed. Yet when we arrived, Gwnda came bounding out with a sword in his hand. If Gwnda had been held prisoner, it was effected by two unarmed men against an armed one well versed in the use of weapons.’
Eadulf considered the event, reflecting on the details. ‘He did seem over-anxious to forgive his people for their rebellion against him. By why the subterfuge? These pieces of fact do not seem to fit into a pattern.’
‘I am not sure that we have even the framework, let alone sufficient pieces to make a pattern.’
They had reached Gwnda’s hall, but before entering Fidelma laid a hand on Eadulf ’s arm.
‘You must ride for the abbey of Dewi Sant immediately. I need that authority of Gwlyddien to set aside this blockage by Gwnda.’
Eadulf grinned smugly. ‘There is no need for me to leave you alone here and unprotected.’
Fidelma stood uncertainly. ‘Of course there is need.’
Eadulf shook his head firmly. ‘While you went in to question Iorwerth, I had a word with young Dewi. He is a bright lad. I asked him if he would be willing to ride to the abbey of Dewi Sant and deliver our message to Abbot Tryffin.’
Fidelma received the news with a moment’s silence. ‘Do you trust him to do so? After all, until we know what is happening in this place, we should be wary of whom we trust.’
‘You are a wise counsellor. But I trust the boy and I trust the silver piece which he will receive from me when he returns.’
‘I see. And the message you sent?’
‘That Brother Meurig was dead. That we were being prevented from investigating and that there was an armed band in the area from whom we had a narrow escape. That we needed the authority of Gwlyddien to negate Gwnda’s objections to our presence.’
Fidelma gave her reluctant approval. ‘You really feel that you can trust the boy?’
‘I have backed my trust with our lives,’ pointed out Eadulf. ‘There is danger here and I think it wise not to leave you alone.’
Fidelma quickly reached forward and squeezed his arm. ‘Faithful Eadulf,’ she said in an unexpected moment of tenderness. Then she added: ‘You
Eadulf nodded. ‘He also told me why his parents, Rhonwen and Goff, became scared when you mentioned the name of Clydog. Clydog had called at their forge and treated them both harshly, robbing them and promising to return and do something worse if they spoke about him.’
‘That would explain the fear,’ agreed Fidelma. She suddenly became silent and Eadulf followed her gaze.
Down the street came Iestyn, the dour-looking farmer, seated on a two-wheeled farm cart pulled by a sturdy little donkey. He glanced towards them, his features forming in an expression of dislike, then quickly returned his concentration to guiding the cart along the track.
‘This is luck,’ Fidelma said in a quick aside to Eadulf before stepping forward and raising a hand. ‘Iestyn! Hold a moment. I need a word with you.’
In spite of himself, Iestyn felt compelled by her commanding tone. He pulled on the reins and sat glowering expectantly down as she approached the cart.
‘What do you want of me, Sister?’ he demanded gruffly.
Fidelma returned his sullen look with a faint smile. ‘Answers,’ she replied brightly. ‘Answers to a few questions. ’
‘What questions?’ came his suspicious response.
Eadulf had joined Fidelma. ‘If you alight from your cart for a moment, we will tell you.’
‘I am busy,’ replied the farmer, but in spite of his unwillingness he twirled the reins around the brake which he had applied and climbed down to join them.
Fidelma, who was tall anyway, seemed to tower over him and he stared defiantly up at her.
‘Well? What questions? I did not say I had the rest of the evening to waste time in.’
‘Do not be concerned, Iestyn.’ Fidelma ignored his pugnacious rudeness. ‘We do not suspect you of anything. We merely need to clarify a few matters with you.’
Iestyn was perplexed by her reply. ‘Suspect me? Of what? Anyway, you are no
‘We have every right,’ Fidelma assured him, with such conviction that she surprised even Eadulf, who groaned inwardly. It only needed Gwnda to arrive again and denounce her authority to cause more trouble.
‘What do you want?’
‘Let us talk about the death of Mair.’
‘What of her death? She was the daughter of my good friend, Iorwerth.’
‘We have been talking with Iorwerth. He tells us that on the morning Mair was killed, it was you who came to his forge and told him that you had seen Mair and Idwal arguing with one another.’
Iestyn sniffed defensively. ‘So?’
‘Tell us about it.’
The farmer was suspicious. ‘There’s nothing to tell. I was coming through the woods. .’
‘What took you there in the first place?’ asked Eadulf innocently.
‘My farm is by the stream that runs through the woods. I was coming on foot to the township, having delivered some fruit to a neighbour of mine. In fact, I was coming to call on Iorwerth.’
‘Go on,’ Fidelma said when he paused.
‘I heard voices raised. I recognised Mair’s voice at once. Then I saw Idwal. They both seemed upset and Idwal was quite violent.’
‘Violent? In what manner did that violence manifest itself?’
‘His voice was raised. His expression and attitude seemed threatening.’
‘What then?’
‘I knew that Iorwerth had forbidden Mair to see Idwal and Idwal to see Mair. I hurried on to Iorwerth’s forge to tell him.’
‘Did you like Mair?’ asked Eadulf, causing Fidelma to wonder what had prompted the question. ‘I mean, did you find her attractive?’
Iestyn coloured. ‘I am her father’s friend and old enough to be her father myself,’ he snapped.
‘Just so,’ agreed Eadulf cheerfully. ‘But she was an attractive young girl. Didn’t she have lovers, or men who would have liked to have been her lovers?’
‘Her father had arranged a marriage for her to-’
‘I know. But you must have found her attractive?’ Fidelma saw the anger gathering in Iestyn’s eyes and, not wanting to lose him, decided to interrupt Eadulf’s line of questioning.
‘We were wondering why you left them in the middle of such a terrible quarrel, Iestyn. Why didn’t you intercede in this argument?’
‘I had no right to interfere. It did not occur to me that the boy was about to kill the girl, or I would have done so.’
‘Ah, so you did not think the argument was that serious?’ Eadulf observed quickly.
The farmer looked at him, a frown on his face as he tried to understand the implication of the remark.
‘The argument was serious,’ he said slowly. ‘Otherwise Mair would still be alive.’
‘It is easy to be knowledgeable in retrospect,’ agreed Eadulf. ‘But at the time you did not think that the
