Atonement of Blood(131)

‘You probably know why I have come to see you and to speak with you alone?’

‘I have some idea, lady.’

‘You fought alongside my brother at Cnoc Áine?’

‘True enough.’

‘When my brother dispersed warriors throughout the country of the Uí Fidgente, with companies to support them, I think you were sent to the southern borders, along the hills that separate it from the territory of Luachra.’

‘I was.’

‘You went to stay at the rath of Menma.’

He made no reply but did not deny it.

‘So you were the warrior of the Golden Collar that the locals came to believe led the attack on the rath.’

‘They would have believed anything of a warrior of the Nasc Niadh. I did not lead any such attack.’

‘I know. But you were the warrior who fell in love with Liamuin.’

‘And she with me,’ Caol replied defensively.

‘You knew about her background?’

‘She told me that she had been married and had a husband who had mistreated her. She also had a daughter.’

‘When I brought Aibell into the palace, I think you recognised her. I saw the astonishment on your face.’

‘I thought … I thought I was dreaming. She seemed so like her mother. While you were away, I have spoken with the girl. I did not tell her about my relationship with her mother. I allowed her to tell me her story.’ Caol shook his head sadly. ‘If only her mother had known. Menma’s rath was only a short distance from Sliabh Luachra. Perhaps I could have taken some men there and …’

‘And perhaps not,’ replied Fidelma. ‘Even a relative of Liamuin, the one who sent her to Menma’s rath for safety, felt he could do nothing to rescue the girl. Why didn’t you tell her that you were the lover of her mother?’

Caol sighed. ‘I do not have that sort of courage, lady.’

‘You may well have to find it. But there are questions first. How and when did you come to know of the death of Menma and his family; the death of Liamuin?’

‘There was trouble in the east and I had to take my men to the settlement at Finnan’s church. Some Uí Fidgente rebels had fortified the hill fort that is nearby. We were kept at that place for three months. I was told the news of what had happened at Menma’s rath by a wandering monk. I learned that Liamuin had been slain, along with the others – and during these last four years I have tried to forget.’

‘What was the story that you heard?’

‘That the attack was led by a warrior wearing a golden collar.’ He raised his hand to touch the emblem at his neck. ‘I heard also that he carried a shield with the stag rampant encased in jewels – the personal emblem of Colgú.’

‘Local people did not know that.’

‘Any member of the Eóghanacht could decipher its meaning. The wandering monk told me.’

‘Would he not have passed that on?’

‘He did not have the opportunity. Moments after he told me, the Uí Fidgente rebels made an attack and the man was killed.’

‘So only you knew about the shield. Did you think Colgú was responsible?’

‘I was with him on Cnoc Áine when he was wounded and lost his shield. Anyone could have picked it up. Indeed, several warriors of the Golden Collar were killed that day and much looting went on. It would have been easy for someone to go off with a golden collar and the shield.’

‘There is something that I don’t understand, Caol. I could guess, but perhaps you will tell me.’

‘What is that, lady?’

‘When the man calling himself Brother Lennán came into the feasting hall and thrust his sword at Colgú, he shouted, “Remember Liamuin!” You must have recognised him.’

‘No, lady, I did not. He did seem familiar – I tried to think where I had seen him before, but I could not recall him. Four years is a long time.’

‘But he recognised you.’

Caol gestured helplessly. ‘It was not reciprocal.’

‘Let us think back to the moment. He wounded my brother and then poor Brehon Áedo intervened and he was killed. The killer tried to withdraw his weapon for another blow. Then you moved to prevent that second blow. As you did so, he looked up and hesitated a moment. In that hesitation, he recognised you. Obviously he knew that you were the warrior of the Golden Collar who had been Liamuin’s lover and not my brother. Did you kill him because of that?’

Caol’s expression was serious. ‘I did not, lady. All I knew was that he had attacked Colgú shouting, “Remember Liamuin!” I recognised her name but I did not recognise the assassin.’