Atonement of Blood(83)

‘Wouldn’t that alarm Conrí and Cúana if they are involved in this?’

‘It would alarm them more if we said that we had given up our search and were heading directly back to Cashel. Then they would know that we are suspicious. So I let them think we are heading to the mountains of the Luachra to search for more information.’

‘So we are to see this millwright, Marban, on the way back?’

‘That is the idea,’ she smiled. ‘We must ensure that we keep our wits about us at all times.’

There came a soft tap on the door. Eadulf and Fidelma exchanged a quick look of surprise before Eadulf moved to the door and unlatched it.

It was the girl Ciarnat. She looked nervous. She pushed quickly by Eadulf, who then peered out into the passageway. There was no one about and so he shut the door behind her.

Fidelma smiled encouragingly at the girl. ‘You want to see me?’ She patted the bed beside her. ‘Come – sit down and tell me all about it.’

‘I should not have told you about Marban,’ the girl blurted out.

‘Why not? Is he not the relative of Escmug? Did you not tell me the truth?’

The girl hesitated. ‘I do not want to get into trouble, lady.’

‘You will be in no trouble if you have told me the truth.’

Ciarnat bit her lower lip.

‘One of the attendants told me of some of the conversation at the feasting table. The steward has denied knowing about Marban.’

‘Why do you think he did that?’ Eadulf asked quickly.

The girl looked uncomfortable. ‘I don’t know. Cúana knew Marban well enough. I think that I should not have mentioned Marban, for now it seems as if I was not telling the truth.’

‘Or that the steward was not telling the truth?’ Fidelma pointed out.

Ciarnat looked confused.

‘Are you saying that Cúana knew that Marban was a relative of Escmug?’ asked Fidelma gently.

‘Why, everyone knows that.’ She caught herself. ‘I mean …’

‘I know what you mean,’ Fidelma said brightly. ‘Don’t worry. He shall not learn from me that you told us about Marban. However, if everyone knows this fact, we could have learned it from anyone. It is curious that Cúana does not wish us to know it.’

Ciarnat sat looking unhappy.

‘Since you knew Aibell, tell us something about her,’ invited Fidelma.

‘There’s little enough to tell. We were young girls growing up together. We explored and played together – but that was only when Aibell’s father was away working. He had a boat and often went fishing, and sometimes that kept him away for a time. These were the happy times, for when he was at home he was usually drunk.’

‘But during happy times, how was it?’

Ciarnat smiled. ‘It was good. Aibell was a great friend.’

‘What of Aibell’s mother, Liamuin? What was she like?’

‘She was young and attractive. But she was a sad person.’

‘Was she now?’ Fidelma was thoughtful. ‘Was she younger than Escmug? I know it might be difficult to say, as a child is not a good judge of age.’

‘Oh, but I do know. Escmug was evil and old. Liamuin was young, and many a man would have willingly exchanged places with him. I heard men speaking. I did not understand much then, but I remember what they said.’

‘So she was attractive and what did Aibell think of her?’

‘She loved her mother and it was not one-sided for Liamuin was Aibell’s only protection against her father. Aibell would often appear with a bruise or two. After her mother disappeared, things were very bad for Aibell.’

‘When was this?’

‘About the time I came to the age of choice. That was …’ she frowned ‘… four years ago, just after the great Battle at Cnoc Áine.’

‘Did you think it odd that Liamuin disappeared and left Aibell?’

‘I did. It was known that Liamuin loved poor Aibell and that she would never have left her behind at the mercy of Escmug. He drank more than ever and treated Aibell like … like …’ She ended with a shiver. ‘I cannot say the words.’

‘But Aibell’s mother did run away.’

‘True. Everyone hoped that she had run away and found somewhere safe, but few places were safe at that time.’

‘What do you mean by that?’ Eadulf asked, curious.

‘For six months after the defeat of our army at Cnoc Áine, we had warriors of the King of Cashel quartered throughout the clan lands, and many of our nobles who had sided with Eoganán decided to flee rather than live under their orders. They took to the fastnesses and fought in small bands. Eventually, they accepted defeat and Prince Donennach made a treaty with Cashel. Things became better after that.’