The Dove of Death

‘I have heard how you saved my son from the mob that would have killed him, and how you set off to find my missing daughter. What news of her?’

‘Alas, we have not found her,’ admitted Fidelma. ‘But we have some knowledge which might lead us to her.’

The warrior who had accompanied her now broke into a quick speech to the King. King Alain turned to Fidelma: ‘The captain of my guard says there is a ship in the inlet below and he is worried for our safety.’

‘You need not worry. The ship is the Morvran. Bleidbara is the commander of it. I have just landed from her. My companion Eadulf is still on board and they expect to continue the search for Lord Canao’s daughter at dawn. I also hope that they will be led to the survivors of the Barnacle Goose.’

Lord Canao nodded slowly in approval.

‘Bleidbara is a good man. That’s why I appointed him commander of my warriors. I am content, if he is in command still.’

Budic rose from his perch, saying, ‘You must tell us all the details, lady. But I would like to be in at the kill, to take revenge for the deaths that have taken place here. I will get a man to row me out to the Morvran.’

King Alain glanced at the young man and held up his hand to stay him. ‘Let us rather talk of the visitation of justice, my son, than of revenge.’

‘Budic of Domnonia,’ Fidelma whispered, gazing at the young man. ‘Then he is the son of your first wife who died from the Yellow Plague?’

A pained expression crossed the King’s features.

‘You are well informed, lady. Budic is my only offspring. His mother was my great companion and partner. I thought that I would never survive the grief when she died of the Yellow Plague. Thanks be to God, I found solace with Riwanon. It is beyond man’s expectation to find two great loves in one lifetime. But I have been truly blessed.’

‘With your permission, father, I will join Bleidbara,’ the young warrior requested.

King Alain shook his head. ‘I need you here, Budic. Bleidbara and his men are capable enough. I must have my guard commander at my side.’

Budic looked unhappy, but then acknowledged his father’s wish. King Alain spoke to Fidelma’s escort and the warrior saluted and left. The King turned back to her with a smile.

‘I have told him not to interfere with the Morvran.’

‘So, tell us, Fidelma, what is the plan of Bleidbara?’ Budic wanted to know.

Until her suspicions were confirmed, Fidelma felt it was best to say as little as possible. She chose her words carefully.

‘Bleidbara believes he knows where the raider, the Koulm ar Maro, might be. I am not sure where, as I do not know these waters you call the Morbihan. I believe it might be some eastern islet.’ She was deliberately misleading them.

‘Well, let us provide you with refreshments,’ announced King Alain. ‘And you may give us an account of your adventures. It sounds as if this will be a story told by our bards for many years.’

‘I would do so with pleasure, Alain. But the saga is not ended and I would advise you not to relax your guard too much.’ Fidelma spoke in a serious tone. ‘It is my belief that this mystery is quickly coming to its planned conclusion.’

‘Its planned conclusion?’ King Alain looked perplexed. ‘What do you mean?’

‘All I can say is that I will be able to tell you more tomorrow.’

‘The lady is being dramatic,’ Budic observed cynically. ‘What mystery are we talking of?’

The King held her eyes in a thoughtful gaze.

‘I have no need to ask if you are jesting, Fidelma. The gravity of what you say is in your expression. You suspect some conspiracy here?’

‘I do. I suggest that you should continue to take a special care. As I said, I am hoping that by the end of tomorrow, we shall know enough to present you with all the facts. But tonight, with Lord Canao’s permission — for I know of the proscription against weapons in this house — we should sleep arrectis auribus, with our bedchamber doors locked, and with trustworthy guards outside.’

‘Fidelma!’ At that moment, Riwanon came down the stairs and moved quickly towards her with a smile and both hands held out in welcome.

‘I was so worried for you when you disappeared earlier today. After Ceingar’s death and the disappearance of Trifina and Iuna, why, I was in great agitation. It is good to see you alive and safe. And now that Alain is here, all is well, is that not so?’ Riwanon turned round as if searching for someone. ‘But where are Eadulf and Bleidbara? Did you have any success in finding Trifina and the girl Iuna?’

Fidelma shook her head with a sad expression.

‘No — but we have not given up,’ she replied. ‘We hope to have some news soon. Bleidbara is continuing the search. All we can do is get some rest tonight and await the coming of tomorrow.’

Lord Canao was looking glum.

‘This is a strange homecoming for me. My son, Macliau, is accused of murder. My daughter, Trifina, and my foster-daughter, Iuna, are both missing. Abbot Maelcar and the queen’s maid have been murdered under my roof. My people are now accusing me and mine of untold crimes. God alone knows what conspiracy is underway. I even find that a bretat from Bro-Gernev named Kaourentin has arrived here to judge my son.’

Fidelma was surprised at the news.

‘Brother Metellus told me that it took at least four days to travel to Bro-Gernev and back,’ she said. ‘You mean the bretat is here already?’

‘Apparently, Kaourentin was travelling from Bro-Gernev to Naoned and had arrived by chance at the Abbey of Gildas seeking hospitality,’ replied Canao. ‘Brother Metellus told me that it had been suggested a judge from Bro-Gernev should sit to hear my son’s defence rather than my own bretat. Apparently, the people would not respect a judgement given by the bretat of Brilhag.’

‘Is Brother Metellus here?’ asked Fidelma.

‘He came in company of this man Kaourentin. I would have preferred my bretat, Iarnbud, to be here to advise me.’

Fidelma looked at him levelly for a moment.

‘I regret that Iarnbud is also dead,’ she said. ‘I will explain in a moment.’

‘More deaths? Are we threatened in any way, Fidelma?’ asked King Alain in a shocked voice.

Fidelma could not resist answering with dry humour.

‘I think that we are threatened in every way,’ she replied solemnly. ‘As I said, we must be alert tonight.’

‘But no one would dare break into this fortress.’ Budic’s chuckle was dismissive. ‘We have guards enough.’

‘Perhaps they don’t have to break in,’ replied Fidelma softly.

Riwanon shivered slightly, saying, ‘You frighten me, Fidelma. What do you mean?’

‘I simply mean that we all need to be vigilant, for tomorrow will be an important day.’

‘Tomorrow?’ queried King Alain. ‘You keep saying that. Why tomorrow?’

‘Because that is when this mystery will finally be unravelled.’

Chapter Eighteen

Like a swan gliding across the dark waters, the Morvran slid forward, her sails stirring at the first breaths of the pre-dawn breeze. Her rigging began to shake and whisper like the soft movement of fingers over the taut strings of a lyre. Bleidbara seemed relaxed as he instructed the man at the tiller, guiding the vessel into the westerly darkness with the first glimmerings of the light heralding a new day