‘I will. But what of you? This means I shall not be back before tomorrow morning at the earliest. You promised the High King that you would tell him tonight who killed Ultán and Muirchertach.’
Fidelma gave him a reassuring look. ‘I promised only to tell him whether I was in a position to have a hearing before the Chief Brehon. I think I can do that now. Don’t worry, I shall not be bringing this matter to a conclusion before your return. We need all the suspects to be brought together here before that can happen. So make sure that you return safely with Brother Berrihert and his brothers.’
Colgú was actually with Blathmac when Fidelma was shown into her brother’s chambers. The king of Ulaidh looked up with a frown.
‘You are placing a heavy burden on me, lady,’ he greeted her sourly.
Fidelma took a seat before the fire.
‘What burden would that be, Blathmac?’ she inquired innocently.
‘The incarceration of Brother Drón of Cill Ria.’
‘Why would that be a burden?’ she asked as she warmed herself at the flames.
‘Whatever has happened here, lady, and however Ultán and Drón have been regarded, they were still the emissaries of Ségéne, abbot of Ard Macha, and, moreover, the Comarb of the Blessed Patrick. It is to Ségéne that I have to justify these events. Even if the southern kingdoms do not regard him as the senior bishop in the five kingdoms, we in the northern kingdoms do so. Abbot Ségéne can be a powerful friend and a powerful enemy. Remember that I am king of Ulaidh and if I am not seen to be protecting the interests of my people — all my people, the good and the bad — then my position will be questioned.’
Colgú was anxious to placate his fellow king. ‘We understand that, Blathmac.’ He glanced at his sister. ‘Fidelma, is there a good reason to hold Brother Drón in such a manner?’
‘I am afraid so. Caol has undoubtedly informed you of the facts?’
‘He has, and I have explained them to Blathmac.’
‘I simply require him to be held long enough for me to question him,’ Fidelma explained.
‘You are no longer suggesting that he killed Muirchertach?’ inquired Blathmac.
‘I have long ago learned to refrain from speculation until I know all the facts. I know that he has taken a curious interest in one of the Cill Ria group — Sister Marga. I want to know why, and until I have put these questions to him I cannot allow him to range across the country at will, which is what he is intent on doing. Do you know anything about him, Blathmac?’
The Ulaidh king made a negative gesture.
‘I try to avoid having anything to do with the abbey of Cill Ria,’ he confessed. ‘You have doubtless talked to my cousin Fergus Fanat on that subject, since he had some interest there. But Abbot Ultán was not a person I favoured. God forbid, but I think the judgement of the wind and waves was wrong on the day that he was washed back to shore and claimed conversion to the Faith.’
‘Did you believe that conversion was not genuine?’
‘Whether I did or not, the Comarb of Patrick thought it was and welcomed Ultán into his circle of friends and senior clerics. And Drón, as you may know, was trained at Ard Macha and sent as a scribe to Ultán. What I am saying is that Abbot Ultán and Brother Drón have powerful friends at Ard Macha. So we must walk softly in their shadows. Even a king such as I has to be careful.’
‘I understand,’ Fidelma said. ‘I will ensure that Drón is held no longer than is necessary. In fact, I came only to reinforce what Caol has told you before I go to question him.’
‘You have my gratitude, lady,’ Blathmac acknowledged. ‘I hope this whole matter will come to a speedy conclusion.’
Fidelma left them and went to find Caol before making her way to the back of the palace complex and the gates of the area separated from the rest of the buildings by a high wall.
The same wiry little man that Fidelma had already encountered during the release of the Uí Fidgente prisoners was still the giallchométaide, or chief jailer. Fidelma found that she still did not trust him but put it down to his unfortunate ferret features: the close-set eyes, thin lips and ready smile. However, it did not signify whether she liked the jailer or not, provided he was efficient in his job.
He unlocked the gate at their approach, smiling and bobbing his head in obeisance.
‘Welcome, lady, welcome, commander. How may I serve you?’
‘We have come to question Brother Drón whom you hold here,’ Fidelma replied, trying to hide her irritation at the man’s ingratiating behaviour.
‘Brother Drón?’ The man’s smile suddenly seemed fixed and he echoed the name as if it had no meaning.
‘I do not have much time,’ she said tersely. ‘Come, take me to him.’
The jailer looked at her and now dismay was registering on his face. ‘But, lady, your brother the king ordered Brother Drón’s release an hour ago.’
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Fidelma’s brows drew together in anger as she stared at the jailer’s bewildered features. ‘Don’t be silly, man! I have just come from my brother, and am here to question the prisoner.’
The man’s face was pale. ‘But. . but. .’
Fidelma was impatient. ‘Take me to the prisoner immediately.’
‘But I tell you the truth, lady,’ replied the dismayed jailer. ‘I released Brother Drón over an hour ago. The Brehon Ninnid ordered his release in the name of King Colgú.’
Fidelma stared aghast at the man. ‘Brehon Ninnid did what?’
‘He ordered the immediate release of Brother Drón,’ the man repeated helplessly.
Fidelma was already turning to Caol and issuing curt orders. ‘Find out whether Brother Drón is still in the fortress. I suspect he is probably gone by now. Seek out Brehon Ninnid. If you find him, bring him to Colgú’s chamber at once — bring him under duress if necessary. If you see the Brehon Barrán ask him to come there straight away. I have never. .’ She was shaking her head in disbelief even as Caol hurried off on his errands.
Fidelma erupted into her brother’s chamber in the violence of anger. Colgú was alone and started up in surprise as his sister burst in.
‘Brother Drón has been released in your name!’ she thundered before he could speak.
Colgú looked at her in bemusement. ‘But you know I did not order. .’ he began, but Fidelma interrupted.
‘It was Ninnid. He dared to go to the jail and order Drón’s release in your name.’
At that moment Chief Brehon Barrán entered behind her. ‘What has happened?’ he demanded. ‘I was asked by the commander of your guard to come here with all despatch. Is something wrong?’
Colgú had realised the seriousness of the situation and assumed a steely glint in his eyes that matched his sister’s.
‘Brother Drón was being held in the jail here under my authority, with the knowledge of Blathmac of Ulaidh. My sister tells me that Brehon Ninnid of Laigin has ordered his release in my name without my knowledge nor permission. He must answer for this.’
Even Brehon Barrán appeared momentarily shocked at this news, but his surprise was tempered with curiosity. ‘What had Brother Drón done to deserve being incarcerated in the first place?’
Fidelma swiftly sketched in why she had agreed to Caol’s taking the unusual step of keeping Brother Drón secured. She had barely finished speaking when Caol himself entered.
‘Brother Drón has, indeed, left the fortress,’ he said quickly. ‘So has Brehon Ninnid. Using the brehon’s authority, they took their horses from the stables and rode off.’
‘Is it known what direction they took?’
Caol shrugged eloquently. ‘They were last seen riding down into the township. After that, who knows? I have sent men to see if they can find anyone who can tell us.’
Brehon Barrán’s countenance was bleak. ‘I have no understanding of Ninnid’s actions, except they are of great affront to you, Colgú. First, we must try to repair the damage,’ he said firmly, turning to Fidelma. �
�Are you saying that Brother Drón is guilty of one or other of these murders?’
‘He is an important witness,’ Fidelma replied. ‘Something links him to Sister Marga and that is the mystery I must elucidate. It is a mystery that apparently makes it imperative that he control her movements. What it is, I was hoping to find out by questioning him. I suspect that Marga’s life is in danger now.’
‘I was told that Sister Marga had fled during the night after there was an attack on the Ulaidh warrior, Fergus Fanat.’
‘Another matter that needs clarification,’ Fidelma said. ‘Marga did leave here and Drón attempted to follow her. As it was, it was on a false trail.’
She quickly told the Chief Brehon what had happened at Patrick’s Well. Brehon Barrán looked puzzled. ‘It sounds a complicated story.’
‘Due to Ninnid’s intervention, Drón has eluded me. I think he will now try to track down Sister Marga.’
‘Track?’ Colgú turned abruptly to Caol. ‘Who is the best tracker we have?’ he asked.
Caol had no hesitation. ‘Rónán.’
‘Of course.’ Colgú smiled briefly. ‘Fetch him to me. The only thing we can do is attempt to trace Drón’s tracks and see where he is heading.’
Caol was just leaving when one of his warriors halted him in the doorway and whispered something. The commander turned back with a grim smile.
‘Brehon Ninnid has just returned to the fortress. My men have brought him hither protesting innocence of any wrongdoing.’
Colgú turned to Fidelma in grim satisfaction. ‘Now, perhaps, we shall learn the answers to some of our questions.’ He glanced at Barrán. ‘As Chief Brehon of the Five Kingdoms, you must give authority to this matter.’
Brehon Barren’s features were stern. ‘I will conduct the questioning myself, for Brehon Ninnid’s actions are without support in law.’
Fidelma went to sit by her brother while Brehon Barrán took up a stance before the fireplace with his hands clasped behind his back. Colgú nodded to Caol, who stood aside and motioned to someone in the adjoining antechamber.
Brehon Ninnid entered the room, red-faced and angry, followed by Enda, whose hand was clasped on the hilt of his sword.
‘You can fetch Rónán now,’ Colgú told Caol, ‘and wait with him in the adjoining chamber until we are ready.’
As the door closed, Brehon Ninnid took a pace forward. His features showed his hostility. Then his eyes widened with surprise when he saw the grim face of Brehon Barrán.
‘I am glad you are here,’ he said, recovering his poise. ‘I have been treated with the utmost discourtesy. This warrior almost hauled me off my horse as I rode back from the township just now. He marched me here under threat of physical force. He dared to use me thus in spite of the fact that I am a brehon. This is outrageous!’
Brehon, Barrán waited calmly until Ninnid stopped speaking.
‘So you have no idea of any reason why you should be asked to come here?’ he asked softly.
‘None that demands such discourteous treatment,’ snapped Ninnid.
Brehon Barrán raised an eyebrow. ‘Not even that you abused your authority to help a prisoner to escape?’ His voice was still gentle.
‘Help a prisoner. .?’ Brehon Ninnid began angrily, and then his expression changed slightly. ‘Ridiculous. I presume that you refer to Brother Drón? He was unjustifiably incarcerated by a warrior and I merely released him.’
Brehon Barrán’s expression did not change but his tone hardened. ‘You are in the palace of Colgú, king of Muman, and the release of prisoners from the Duma na nGiall can only be made in his name. Did you tell the jailer that the release was ordered in the name of Colgú?’
Brehon Ninnid frowned. ‘I probably implied it. . but I am a brehon. It is my right and duty to correct injustice and it was obvious that the warrior had gone too far.’
‘How do you know this, Brehon Ninnid? Who told you that Brother Drón had been jailed in the first place?’
‘Someone saw him being marched there and I went to investigate. I demanded to speak to the prisoner in my capacity as a brehon.’
‘So how did you learn the details of why Brother Drón was jailed and decide that it was an injustice?’ pressed the Chief Brehon.
‘It was simple enough to decide. Brother Drón told me.’
The Chief Brehon’s expression became incredulous. ‘And you believed him?’
‘Why should I not? He is a religious man, a leading churchman of Ulaidh, and he. . he is. .’ Brehon Ninnid was suddenly quiet.
‘And he is originally’from Laigin. Of the Uí Dróna, as are you, Ninnid,’ Fidelma said softly.
Brehon Barrán frowned as he considered this. ‘Of course. I had forgotten. Are you related to him?’
Brehon Ninnid raised his jaw defensively. ‘I am of the Uí Dróna but that is irrelevant.’
‘Is it? Drón told you that he was being wrongly imprisoned?’
‘Of course. I saw at once that the commander had simply overstepped his authority and made the jailer release him.’
‘Further, you took him to the stables where you both took your horses and rode out of the fortress. . what direction did he take?’
That something was seriously wrong had finally registered with the arrogant young brehon. He was beginning to look nervous.
‘I wanted to see someone staying in a hostel in the township below. We rode to the town together. I stopped at the hostel and Brother Drón rode on. He told me that he was hoping to find Sister Marga, who had fled without his authority.’
‘Where did he go? In what direction?’ snapped Fidelma, unable to stay silent any longer.
Brehon Ninnid looked nervously at her, and when he hesitated Barrán added sharply: ‘Answer the question.’
‘I think he took the road that runs west to the great river, the Siúr.’
Fidelma sighed. ‘That is of no help. We shall still need Rónán to track him.’
The Chief Brehon gazed sadly at the brehon of Laigin. ‘Know that in your arrogance, Ninnid, you have transgressed the law. Even the fact of releasing a prisoner is as nothing compared to taking the authority of the king without his permission. Did it not occur to you that Drón would not tell you the truth? Did it not occur to you that the warrior was acting with authority and not on some whim of his own? You will be brought before a hearing, Ninnid, and if it is found that you acted out of nepotism because you are of the Uí Dróna you will never hold office again.’
Ninnid swallowed nervously. ‘But it was not that. .’ he began.
Brehon Barrán raised a hand to silence him. ‘Every brehon must bear the responsibility for any mistake he makes,’ he said firmly. ‘As I see it, you are already self-confessed of the mistake of leth-tacrae.’
It was the legal term used when a brehon gave a judgement after hearing only one side of a case. Such a judgement was considered an injustice against the king and the nobles of the kingdom. It was the most serious breach of duty for a judge and the punishment was that he not only be deprived of his office but also pay his honour-price.
Ninnid turned pale. ‘I swear that I did not act out of kinship for Brother Drón. The fact that he was of my people might have influenced the way I felt about my decision, but not the way I came to it. I did believe that I was acting out of right.’
Fidelma suddenly found herself feeling almost sorry for the arrogant young man.
‘I am not excusing the enormity of what Ninnid did,’ she said. ‘But perhaps leth-tacrae might be too strong a term for what was, after all, not a legal judgement but a mistaken opinion, an ignorance born of arrogance.’
The Chief Brehon regarded her in amusement. ‘Are you entering a plea for Ninnid?’
Fidelma met his amused gaze and her eyes twinkled in answer. ‘I was unaware that this was a duly constituted court but thought it merely a means of questioning Ninnid as to what prompted his actions. That those actions were wrong and without legal authority is in no doubt, but perhaps the le
sson that we trust he will learn can be underscored by a fine. After all, is there not an often repeated maxim in the law books cach brithemoin a báegul. . to every judge his error?’
Chief Brehon Barrán turned gravely to Colgú. ‘As your sister points out, this is not a properly constituted court hearing of an accusation of misdeed against Ninnid. It is your right, as the injured party, to demand such a hearing before a court of three judges of equal stature to Ninnid. Do you wish to proceed legally against him?’
Colgú looked at his sister as if for guidance and then shrugged. ‘If Ninnid is willing to admit his error, then I am content.’
Brehon Barrán turned back to the Laigin brehon whose arrogance had long since deserted him and who now stood with hunched shoulders and bowed head.
‘The king and the lady Fidelma have been lenient in this matter. As Chief Brehon, I cannot be so lenient, so I will say that you will not only pay five ounces of silver, which would have been the pledge in support of your position of prosecutor of Muirchertach Nár had he lived, but a fine of a cumal, the value of three milch cows, which would have been your fee. Furthermore, you will have no further involvement in the case of either the death of Abbot Ultán or that of Muirchertach Nár. Nor can you be the chief brehon in Laigin but will return to the lower order of judges. Do you accept this ruling or do you wish to appeal?’
Ninnid’s shoulders seemed to sink even lower.
‘I accept,’ he said softly.
When Ninnid had left the Chief Brehon relaxed a little. ‘A vain and silly man. He is talented in his knowledge of law but his arrogance makes him defective in his judgement. Yet perhaps he will learn from this event.’ He suddenly turned to Fidelma. ‘Are you close to a solution to these matters now?’
‘You may tell the High King that tomorrow at midday, either we will have the answers to these deaths or we may have to assume that the culprit has escaped us.’
A Prayer for the Damned sf-17 Page 28