Atonement of Blood(74)

‘… when Prince Donennach is in Tara with his personal entourage to have discussions with the High King,’ Fidelma ended softly.

Eadulf considered the matter. ‘When Prince Donennach succeeded after Eoganán was killed at Cnoc Áine, after Donennach made the initial peace treaty with Cashel, was everyone happy with that choice?’ he asked.

Conrí gave a slight shrug. ‘Of course not. Many thought the Uí Fidgente should have fought on to avenge the dishonour of their defeat.’

‘But you were not one of them?’

Conrí flushed. ‘I was not. After the defeat we had been occupied by the warriors of Cashel for months. We suffered much for the mistakes of Prince Eoganán. True, that created resentment among many. But others, like myself, believed it was wrong to try to take by force what was clearly a matter to be resolved among the Brehons of all the Five Kingdoms. The Brehons found the claim of Eoganán invalid. I stood by their decision.’

‘Then let me put out this thought to you,’ Fidelma said. ‘We know that Prince Donennach has left the territory to visit Tara and pay his respects to the High King. Would he have taken most of his loyal advisers with him?’

‘I remain to guard the peace of the territory,’ Conrí replied defensively.

‘What of his tanaiste, his heir apparent?’

‘Ercc? He is a loyal man and accompanies Donennach to Tara.’

‘Isn’t it curious that both the Prince and his heir apparent have left the territory?’ Fidelma observed pointedly.

‘It was on the advice of Donennach’s Brehon – Brehon Uallach.’

Fidelma was thoughtful. ‘I can’t recall him.’

‘He has not been at Donennach’s court for long. Uallach succeeded as the Prince’s Brehon, when his former adviser, the one who helped Donennach negotiate the peace with Cashel, died in a hunting accident.’

‘What reason did Uallach give for both Prince and heir apparent to leave their territory to go to the High King?’

‘After the visit to the High King, the party were to call on your brother in Cashel to negotiate the new treaty. To do so, both Donennach and Ercc had to be present and in accord.’

‘And Brehon Uallach also accompanies them?’

‘Of course.’

‘Yet it is a weak legal reason, for a Prince can agree a treaty without the presence of his heir apparent. Is Uallach trustworthy?’

‘His advice was accepted as sound and lawful. Are you making some accusation against Uallach?’

‘When did Donennach leave for Tara?’

‘The party left about a week ago.’

Fidelma inclined her head pensively. ‘So you are the only person who would protect the territory, should there be any manifestation of dissension?’

Conrí’s eyes narrowed angrily. ‘I hope you are not impugning my loyalty … ?’

‘What I am saying is that this is an ideal time for anyone who wishes to overthrow Donennach, while he and his advisers are out of the kingdom! Perhaps this might be a reason for Adamrae’s strange behaviour here.’

‘A plot to overthrow Donennach? But why here? The conspirators would surely try to seize control of his fortress at Dún Eochair Mháigh,’ Socht argued.

Conrí was thinking rapidly. ‘If there is danger in this land, we had best be near the centre of it. We should ride to Dún Eochair Mháigh.’

Grey fingers of light were appearing over the eastern treetops when Eadulf and Fidelma made their way down to the main hall after a fitful night’s sleep. Conrí and Socht were already at the table which had been laid for the first meal of the day. However, they saw that Conrí had been talking to two warriors who were just leaving the hall when they came in.

‘It seems that an early morning search has found Lachtine, our apothecary,’ Conrí greeted them sombrely. ‘You were right, lady.’

‘Dead, I presume?’ she said quietly.

‘Dead,’ confirmed Conrí, gesturing for them to be seated.

‘Where was he found?’

‘Not far away. He was almost buried in a manure stack at the back of the chapel. It just so happened that one of the searchers we sent out this morning was passing into the forest that way and saw a hand sticking out of the stack. The apothecary had been stabbed twice in the chest.’

Fidelma grimaced sadly. ‘I did not expect miracles,’ she sighed. ‘This Adamrae seems a ruthless man in pursuit of his purpose.’

‘And you think his purpose is to overthrow Donennach?’

‘It would be the logical conclusion – except for one point.’