‘But if Adamrae is a brigand, why put himself forward as a judge to condemn that other thief to death?’ Gormán said.
‘I suppose he could have been part of another band of thieves and took the opportunity to get rid of a rival?’ suggested Eadulf.
‘Adamrae was interested in the local inn that serves merchants,’ Socht said. ‘He would go there several times a day.’
Conrí was not convinced. ‘An attack on merchants here or an attack on my fortress would be futile unless he had a substantial gang. I have fifty men at my command here.’
‘Whatever Adamrae wanted, or was going to do, he has either achieved it or would have achieved it soon,’ Fidelma said thoughtfully.
‘How do you come to that conclusion?’ asked Eadulf.
‘He told Conrí that Lachtine said no one should go near Brother Cronan for seven days. Why mention a specific time unless it had meaning? I would think it would have occurred to someone that Lachtine should have returned from wandering the forest in search of herbs by then. So a search would have been started about now.’
Conrí was still clearly embarrassed. ‘That is true, lady. In fact, the matter did not even occur to me, but the time will soon be up. We are so used to Lachtine’s wanderings in the forest but I suppose we would have started asking questions within the next few days.’
‘I suggest that as soon as it is daylight, some search is made for this apothecary,’ Fidelma said, ‘although I suspect that you will be searching for a body rather than a living person.’ She turned back to Brother Cronan, who seemed to be regaining his strength. ‘You can recollect nothing else that Adamrae said that would give a clue as to why he came here?’
Brother Cronan shook his head. ‘I was aware that during one or two nights, some people came to see him. I heard voices beyond the closed door of this chamber.’
‘These people came to the chapel then?’ asked Eadulf.
Fidelma turned to Conrí and Socht. ‘Was anyone seen coming to the chapel at any time when Adamrae was here?’
‘There were people who came for the services, of course,’ pointed out Socht, ‘but they were turned away by Adamrae, who used the excuse of Brother Cronan’s illness. There are no reports of anyone visiting the chapel at night.’
Fidelma stood up. ‘I think we should leave Brother Cronan to recover from his experience. Is there anyone we can send to tend to you after your rough handling?’
‘You might send old Mother Muirenn to me,’ the religieux said. ‘She helps clean and wash this place from time to time.’
‘I’ll do so immediately, Brother,’ Socht offered. ‘I’ll assure her that the tales of illness and contagion are false.’
They bade farewell to the exhausted but relieved religieux and walked back across the square in the semi-gloom of the lanterns. Attendants came forward to offer refreshment and remind them that it was time for the evening baths before the praintech, the evening meal.
They did not speak much until they were seated at the refectory table. It was Eadulf who then returned to the topic that had been occupying his thoughts.
‘I find it curious that no one saw who went to the chapel to see this man Adamrae nor, indeed, does anyone in this settlement own to visiting him.’
‘Rather Adamrae came to us, than we go to him,’ Conrí pointed out. ‘I think most people were afraid of picking up Brother Cronan’s contagion, which we now know was non-existent.’
‘And forgot that if there was a contagion, Adamrae would be carrying it to them,’ muttered Fidelma.
‘Tell me,’ Eadulf asked reflectively, ‘did Adamrae always wear that cowl of his drawn over his head?’
‘Always. He said it was the custom of his Order to …’ The war chieftain closed his eyes in a grimace. ‘It could have been an aid to disguise.’
‘Why would he be interested in how many warriors you have here?’ Eadulf asked. ‘Why kill the apothecary; why keep Brother Cronan a prisoner; why ask questions about the strength of your fortress and, indeed, why did he frequently visit the local tavern?’
Conrí was perplexed. ‘I have not heard of any group of brigands strong enough to attack my fortress, and my warriors guard the merchants crossing through this territory.’
‘I presume that the only other major fortress near here is Dún Eochair Mháigh?’ Eadulf asked. ‘Is there a large force guarding it?’
‘Less than a score of men, I believe. There is little need of warriors to guard it when …’ Conrí paused.