Atonement of Blood(22)

The girl’s voice had faltered.

‘And you were forced to go with these people?’ Fidelma asked in a gentle tone.

‘They were Luachra. I remained a bondservant with them until a week or so ago, when I was able to seize the opportunity to escape.’

‘Where were you heading?’

‘Anywhere to the east, as far away as I could get. I now suspect that my father killed my mother on the day she disappeared and that his anger was merely a sham.’

‘What makes you say that?’ asked Eadulf.

‘When I was packing my things, I went to get something I had left in one of the outhouses and found some bloodstained clothes. The significance of them did not strike me until the long years when I brooded over my mother’s disappearance.’

‘What motive would your father have to kill his own wife?’ Eadulf asked.

‘Motive enough. I have told you that my father was colach,’ she spat the word. Eadulf had to search his acquired vocabulary before realising it meant an act of sexual corruption; a term for abuse. ‘My mother had realised what he was doing to me. She tried to protect me when she was there, but he beat her. I think she finally ran away and abandoned me to him. Or, as I now believe, he had found her and killed her.’

‘Tell me, Aibell, did your mother have any links with Cashel?’

The girl frowned. ‘I do not understand what you mean.’

‘Did she ever say anything to you about my brother, King Colgú?’

‘Why should she? I have told you that we were a poor family. My mother’s father went into an abbey when his wife died. My father was, as I have said, a fisherman. We had nothing to do with nobles.’

‘But you dwelled not far from the fortress of the princes of the Uí Fidgente. Did your father take part in the uprising led by Prince Eoganán?’

‘My father was too much of a coward to do that. No, he stayed safe on the river.’

Fidelma paused for a moment in thought. ‘Answer me this, then, Aibell. Why would the man who attempted to assassinate my brother cry out, as the knife descended, “Remember Liamuin!”’

‘I have no idea,’ the girl said dully. ‘Why do you suppose this Liamuin would be my mother?’

‘It is not a common name,’ Gormán interposed harshly. ‘And it seems extraordinary for you to appear in Cashel on the same night as someone attempts to assassinate the King, shouting that name. Further, we find you in the very same hut where the assassin had left his clothes and saddle.’

‘So far as I know, my mother ran away from my father four years ago and I was sold to the Luachra. I have nothing to do with Cashel.’

Fidelma let out a soft breath of resignation. ‘You will have to come to the palace and view the body of the assassin. Perhaps you will be able to recognise him.’

Fidelma watched the girl’s features carefully as Eadulf removed the covering sheet from the corpse. There was no sign of any recognition at all, and after Aibell had shaken her head to the unasked question, Fidelma accompanied her from the chapel.

‘I am afraid you must stay as our guest until we find out a little more about your arrival in Cashel at this particular time,’ Fidelma advised Aibell. To her surprise, the girl made no protest but was looking intently at the great buildings of the palace, obviously impressed. Fidelma led her across the courtyard in search of the matronly Dar Luga who served as the airnbertach or housekeeper of the palace. Her role, of course, was different from that of the steward, Beccan, for she attended to the more domestic chores of the King’s household, and saw to the comfort of the guests as well as the King’s family.

Fidelma caught sight of Caol emerging from a side door and hailed him, saying, ‘Have you seen Dar Luga?’

Caol swung round. ‘She’s in …’ He stopped and regarded the young girl at her side with a puzzled look.

‘This is a new guest,’ Fidelma explained. ‘Her name is Aibell. She will be staying with us for a while.’

It seemed that the commander of the guard had difficulty dragging his eyes away from the attractive, dark-haired girl.

‘You were saying?’ Fidelma went on.

‘Oh yes – Dar Luga? You will find her beyond that door.’ He pointed. As they moved away, Fidelma was aware of Caol staring after them.

She made sure that Dar Luga understood that Aibell was to be treated with courtesy as a guest, but was not allowed to leave the palace, unless such instruction was given by Fidelma. Leaving the girl in the care of the housekeeper, Fidelma then went to see old Brother Conchobhar the apothecary. Eadulf, meanwhile, had gone to prepare Alchú for his promised horse-ride. Gormán had been asked to ensure that their mounts were ready and had agreed to accompany them.