Chalice of Blood

Colmcille’s famous hymn Altus Prosator.

Regis regum rectissimi

Prope est dies Domini:

Dies irae et uindicatae

Tenebrarum et nebulae …

King of Kings, of Lords most high

The day of judgement comes nigh:

Day of wrath and vengeance stark

Day of shadows, cloudy dark …

Eadulf smiled as he glanced at Fidelma. ‘That seems appropriate in the circumstances.’

Fidelma paused, head to one side, listening. Beyond the gates of the abbey the sound of horses came to their ears. It was the movement of several mounted riders. She smiled with satisfaction. ‘Indeed, the strands are finally coming together to complete the tapestry.’

Gormán appeared from the direction of the stables and a moment later Brother Echen hurried to open the gates. The leading horseman, a warrior, carrying the rampant stag banner of the Eóghanacht, came trotting into the quadrangle. Behind the standard bearer they saw Caol, the commander of the Nasc Niadh, bodyguards to the King of Muman, and behind him rode Fidelma’s brother, Colgú, with Ségdae, Abbot of Imleach and Chief Bishop of Muman. His steward, Brother Madagan, rode behind, with an elderly man, while two more warriors of the bodyguard brought up the rear.

Fidelma and Eadulf hurried across to greet them. Brother Echen seemed to be wringing his hands, at a loss how to cope with so many distinguished visitors. Caol dismounted with a brief acknowledgement to Fidelma before beckoning Brother Echen and giving instructions about the care of their horses. Colgú slid from his horse with a broad smile at his sister and a friendly nod to Eadulf.

‘Did you carry out my instructions?’ were Fidelma’s first words to her brother.

He chuckled at his sister’s single-minded approach.

‘A sharp greeting for your brother,’ he rebuked. Then he nodded seriously. ‘The instructions have been carried out to the letter, sister. I told our main body to rest last night at BrotherCorbach’s place at Cill Domnoc in the mountains. As you suggested, our party left them there and crossed the mountains to the woods on the north side of the river and encamped there for the night. We forded the river as dawn was breaking. I doubt anyone has seen us.’

‘Who is in charge of the main body?’

‘Dego and Enda,’ replied her brother, naming two leading members of the Nasc Niadh. ‘The orders were given to them, just as you decreed.’

Fidelma heaved a sigh of relief. ‘As a dálaigh I have encountered much evil, Colgú, but never to the extent that I have in this place. I am glad you are here.’

Only then did she greet her brother with a hug. She and Eadulf greeted Abbot Ségdae and Brother Madagan in turn and then Colgú introduced the elderly stranger.

‘This is Brehon Aillín, he will sit in judgement on this matter.’

Fidelma had heard of the elderly judge, who was Chief Brehon of the Eóghanacht Glendamnach, and she knew his reputation to be that of a thorough and a fair man.

‘Do you know who killed Brother Donnchad?’ he asked, as he came forward to greet her.

‘I have suspected for a while,’ Fidelma replied quietly. ‘The question was the main motive. Without the motive, this horrendous crime made no sense at all. When I discovered it, I sent word to Cashel.’

‘And who is the killer?’

‘Tempus omnia revelat.’ Fidelma smiled thinly. ‘Time reveals all things. I have sent messengers to summon several people to come here. Cumscrad of the Fir Maige Féne, Uallachán of the Uí Liatháin, who are staying within two kilometres to the west and south of here, and, of course, Lady Eithne at An Dún to the east. I have told them that the courtwill convene in the abbey refectorium at the etarthráth — noontide.’

‘Are our guards enough if there is trouble?’ Colgú asked her.

‘So long as Dego and Enda do not move before the hour stipulated.’

‘They won’t,’ her brother assured her.

‘Excellent.’ She glanced across the quadrangle. ‘Ah, the first service has ended and here come the dour- looking steward, Brother Lugna, and an anxious-looking Abbot Iarnla. They will be worried by your presence, particularly that of Abbot Ségdae.’

Colgú chuckled. ‘Then we better put them out of their anxiety.’

Eadulf noticed that Fidelma was now walking with a lighter step and he actually heard her singing a snatch of song beneath her breath.

Diesque mirabilium

Tonitruorum forium

Dies quoque angustiae

Maetoris ae trititae

Thunder shall rend the day apart

Wonder amazes each fearful heart

Anguish and pain, deep distress

Shall mark the day of bitterness

The refectorium was so crowded that many of the brethren were forced to stand. The table at which the abbot and his senior advisers usually had their meals was occupied by Colgú, with Brehon Aillín on his right and Abbot Ségdae on his left. Behind Abbot Ségdae, who was there in his role as Chief Bishop of the kingdom, sat his steward, Brother Madagan. Caol, as commander of the Nasc Niadh, stood directly behind Colgú,with the King’s standard bearer. Facing them, but in the main body of the hall, were Abbot Iarnla and his steward, Brother Lugna. Lady Eithne, who had arrived with three of her bodyguards, sat to their left. Clustered behind the abbot were all the senior members of the abbey. The two rival chieftains, Cumscrad, with his son Cunám, and Uallachán, with Brother Temnen of Ard Mór, plus their two bodyguards apiece, had taken seats on opposite sides of the hall. Standing where they could were Saor and his group of builders, with the young boy, Gúasach. The rest of the hall was filled with as many members of the community who could squeeze in. Gormán and the two remaining warriors of the Nasc Niadh had positioned themselves at the door.

Fidelma had taken her position at a small table to the right of the raised platform. Eadulf sat with her, with notes and papers, to aid her if needed. But the arguments before Brehon Aillín had to be made by a qualified dálaigh and so Eadulf could be of no assistance to her in the direct