Dancing With Demons

elderflower and apples, and even imported red wine. It was truly a feast.

The conversation as they ate studiously avoided the matter of Sechnussach’s death but turned on the state of the kingdoms, the harvest and the threat of a new outbreak of the feared Yellow Plague that had devastated the country.

Finally, it was time for Fidelma and Eadulf to return to the guesthouse. Cenn Faelad held out his hand to Fidelma.

‘God guide your work, lady. Let us hope for a quick resolution. It is dangerous for the five kingdoms to be without a High King confirmed in ancient ceremony. We have much work to do before we call the provincial kings to my inauguration. We will also need to call the Brehons of Ireland to appoint a new Chief Brehon as well.’

Fidelma was puzzled and glanced towards Brehon Barrán with an unspoken query.

Cenn Faelad saw the glance and explained. ‘As we have said, Barrán is my cousin and I have persuaded him to stand as my tánaiste, for his will be a steady hand in helping to govern. Therefore, we need to find a new Chief Brehon to fill his place. That is why there is now urgency in resolving matters.’

‘Then I will do my best to ensure that the result matches the urgency,’ she promised. ‘We will have to make an early start in the morning when it is light. I would like to see over Sechnussach’s chambers.’

‘There is not much to see there,’ Cenn Faelad replied. ‘Since the assassination took place, most things have been cleared from the apartments.’

‘Nevertheless,’ insisted Fidelma, ‘it is good to see where the crime took place so that I can visualise the events.’

Abbot Colmán said: ‘In that case I will come by the guesthouse after you have broken your fast and take you there. As Cenn Faelad said, you have only to ask, and I am at your service.’

‘Then we will make a start after breakfast,’ replied Fidelma solemnly.

CHAPTER SIX

Eadulf woke just before first light.

He could hear Fidelma’s regular breathing and knew that she was still asleep. At first he did not know why he had awoken and then he heard the noise of a pan being moved from the ircha, the kitchen area of the guesthouse. He looked out of the window and saw from the sky that it would soon be dawn. He wanted to turn over and go back to the warm comfort of the dream he was having but knew that, even if he could recapture the moment, within moments he would be roused sharply. With a sigh, he decided to make the best of it and crept out of bed.

If someone was already stirring in the kitchen, he could take the opportunity to wash before Fidelma and the others rose. He went to the door and opened it softly so as not to disturb her, and moved out into the corridor.

Having passed beyond the door he now heard the soft whispers of a conversation. He wondered who was awake apart from himself. Stepping quietly down the corridor, he then halted in embarrassment as he heard a female voice. He tried to place where he had heard it before and then he recalled that it was the plainfaced girl with the strange name — what was it? — Cnucha?

It was not her tone but what she said that halted him.

‘She is a …’ He did not understand the word that was used but had a feeling it was not a nice expression. Resentfully, the girl’s voice continued: ‘I don’t see why I should do her work for her!’

‘Because there is no one else to do it, my girl. That is why.’

He did not recognise the stern tones of the woman who answered her.

‘She is always getting out of her duties recently, ever since … ever since — well, you know.’

‘I have no time to argue, Cnucha. The meal for the guests must be prepared and the water heated for their wash. When Báine is not here, then it is up to you to fulfil these chores.’

‘It occurs to me that Báine is hardly ever here when needed. She spends too much time with the High King’s daughter, if you ask me.’

‘She cannot help the fact that the lady Muirgel has taken a fancy to her company. And you are in enough trouble with Muirgel and Brehon Barrán without complaining about others.’

The girl sniffed. ‘It was not my fault.’

‘They caught you searching the High King’s chambers the day after the assassination. Why were you doing that?’

‘I had a right to be there,’ the girl replied sulkily. ‘One of my tasks was to attend the chambers and keep them clean.’

‘The lady Muirgel did not think so.’

‘She shouldn’t have lost her temper and struck me! Bitch! Then Barrán came in and supported her, saying I had no business to be there.’

‘And he was right. Sechnussach had been assassinated. The chambers should have been closed.’

‘Brehon Barrán said as much, but …’ Her voice trailed off.

Eadulf heard the other woman sigh impatiently.

‘I don’t know what possessed you. Whatever were you doing in the High King’s chambers? Come on — the truth now. Surely not cleaning.’

Cnucha seemed to hesitate. Then: ‘If you must know, I was looking for something, that is all. I probably lost it elsewhere. It was … personal. A bracelet.’

‘I see. Well, I know jewellery can be of sentimental value, but-’

‘It was also valuable,’ the girl protested. ‘It was a bracelet of silver Gaulish coins. I must have lost it when I was cleaning. I did not want to lose it.’

‘Well, if it hasn’t turned up during the last ten or more days, I think you will have to resign yourself to its loss. It seems an expensive sort of thing for someone like you to come by.’ The voice was suspicious.

‘It was a gift from … a friend.’ The girl’s voice was defiant.

‘Well, wealthy friend or not, it still doesn’t absolve you from work, Cnucha. And with Báine not here, I suggest you get started on your duties.’

‘Then why doesn’t Báine go to Muirgel and be her attendant, so that we may get another person to help us in our work?’

‘All will be changed when this investigation is over and Cenn Faelad becomes High King. He will then choose his attendants as he considers fit.’

Eadulf heard the girl sniff.

‘And will you be staying on then, Brónach? Will you be in charge?’

‘Brother Rogallach is in charge. I am only the senior female servant.’

‘I doubt whether Cenn Faelad will want Brother Rogallach to continue to be in charge of his household. Cenn Faelad is a real man and not so outwardly pious as Sechnussach was.’

‘That is no way to talk about the late High King.’ The voice was stern with disapproval.

‘Why not? Anyway, I am comparing Sechnussach to Cenn Faelad. Sechnussach may have surrounded himself with pious religious, but he was no more than-’

‘You should have a care what you say about Sechnussach, my girl!’ Brónach hissed. ‘Especially now you have a dálaigh in this guesthouse who is investigating his assassination.’

‘Huh! Another so-called pious religieuse with her Saxon lover!’ Cnucha sneered.

‘Watch your tongue. They are married and well-respected. She is also sister to the King of Muman. Now, for the last time, get about your chores! When I see Báine, I will discuss this matter with her. She should let us have more notification if she has to attend to other duties.’

Eadulf heard a door closing and reasoned that the woman, Brónach, must have left by the side door. He paused for a moment and then decided to continue his mission to find water for washing. Cnucha was alone in the kitchen preparing oatmeal cakes for breakfast. She looked up with a start of surprise as he entered.