‘That’s a good idea,’ replied Eadulf with relief. ‘I would not like him to be disappointed again.’
Fidelma glanced sharply at him: was there a hidden criticism in his tone? Then she decided to let the matter pass. Eadulf was touching a tender spot because the life the couple had led since little Alchú had been born was such that the boy had been well-nigh neglected by them. Had it not been for Muirgen, whom Fidelma had appointed as nurse to the boy and, indeed, foster-mother, she did not know how they would have managed.
Fidelma led the way back into Della’s cabin. Gormán looked up in relief as they entered. The girl was sitting in brooding silence while Della was washing dishes. It turned out that she had tried to engage the girl in conversation a few times but without success.
‘What now, lady?’ asked the young warrior, rising from his seat.
‘Now we shall return to the palace. I must learn if there is further word of my brother’s condition and then we will continue our enquiries. Thank you, Della, for your hospitality. I will ask our táisech scuir, our master of the stables, to send one of his lads to remove the horse and the responsibility of feeding it from you.’
‘Thank you, lady. Did you find the answer to what it was that you sought?’
As Fidelma shook her head, Eadulf added: ‘We are as much in the dark about the identity of Liamuin as we were before.’
The reaction was unexpected.
‘Liamuin?’ The cry came from the girl. She had sprung from her seat, arms akimbo, body tense, and was staring at them with wide-eyed hatred. Her voice rose to the edge of hysteria. ‘Then you knew? All along, you have known. How did you know? How did you know?’
CHAPTER FOUR
They stood astounded at the girl’s outburst. Then Fidelma took charge.
‘Tell us what you know of Liamuin,’ she instructed.
Aibell was trembling uncontrollably so Della went to get a beaker of corma and motioned her to sit down again. She cast a reproving look at Fidelma before turning back to the girl. It was some time before Aibell was calm.
‘There, my dear, take your own time and answer lady Fidelma’s question,’ Della said comfortingly. ‘No harm is going to come to you.’
‘Tell us what you know of Liamuin,’ Fidelma said again.
‘If you know the name of Liamuin, then you will know that she was my mother,’ Aibell replied tightly.
Fidelma and Eadulf exchanged a surprised glance. Fidelma lowered herself onto a chair opposite the girl.
‘Liamuin was the wife of Escmug, your father?’
The girl sniffed sourly. ‘What do you know of my mother?’ she grunted.
‘Nothing unless you tell us,’ Fidelma replied. ‘Does she still live?’
For a moment Aibell hesitated before saying: ‘I do not know.’
‘That needs an explanation,’ Fidelma commented, surprised by the girl’s answer.
Aibell gave a sharp laugh. ‘You mean, how do I not know whether she is alive or dead? The answer is simple. It was just after I reached the age of choice. I had been working in the fields and came home to find that my mother had vanished. Later, when my father returned from his fishing, she still had not returned. She never returned.’
‘And from that day to this, you do not know what happened to her?’
‘I think she could no longer stand the beatings my father gave her when he was drunk. I think she ran away.’
‘And left you behind?’ Fidelma’s tone was slightly incredulous. ‘She left you behind without protection and knowing the man he was?’
Aibell shrugged but made no reply.
‘You say this was just after you reached the age of choice?’
‘I remember the very day, for it was on the next day that we heard the news of the great defeat of Prince Eoganán at Cnoc Áine.’
‘The victory of King Colgú over the Uí Fidgente uprising,’ muttered Gormán in correction.
‘Was any search made for your mother? What about her relatives?’ asked Fidelma hurriedly, before the girl could respond to Gormán.
‘My father was angry that she was gone. He went to bó-aire, the local magistrate, but nothing was done. I think my mother had a brother but no one was allowed to speak about him because my father hated him. I do not even know his name. There was also another relative who owned a mill some distance from us. One day, my father came home and told me to get my things together. He said that we were going to see my mother.’
‘So what happened? You told us that you had not seen her again after she left.’
‘My father lied. We travelled south for a while, towards the mountains of Sliabh Luachra. Then we met a band of people and my father handed me over to them. They gave him money … he sold me!’