The Shapeshifter's Lair

by Peter Tremayne

  After a moment’s silence, the lord of The Cuala spoke: ‘We have acknowledged that. But it must be admitted that you came here as a representative of your brother when his betrothed, Princess Gelgéis, disappeared. That was the purpose that brought you here.’

  Fidelma took out his willow wand of office and held it up.

  ‘In seeking truth, I also accepted to represent and report to the lord of The Cuala, at his request, provided his interest did not conflict with my original purpose. They do not.’

  Abbot Daircell was nodding moodily. ‘I admit that it was I, as cousin of Princess Gelgéis of Osraige, who alerted Muman of her disappearance and was therefore instrumental in Fidelma’s coming here.’

  ‘Thank you, Abbot Daircell,’ said Fidelma. ‘As the princess is betrothed to my brother, the King of Muman, Abbot Daircell sent for help and advice. As a result, I, with my husband, Eadulf, who is a gerefa or lawgiver of his people, rode with an escort to see what advice could be offered in tracing her. The simple fact that one of her party, Brehon Brocc, was killed while she and her steward, Spealáin, had disappeared, changed the situation. The murder of Brehon Brocc was a reason for me to widen my legal authority in this matter, raising a matter that has to be forwarded with recommendation to the Council of Brehons.’

  Brother Aithrigid leant forward and whispered to his companions. Then the lord of The Cuala spoke. ‘It seems there are no legal objections to that interpretation. We recognised you now represent the Council of Brehons.’

  ‘It seemed Princess Gelgéis came into possession of news about a conspiracy and wished to seek her cousin’s advice,’ Fidelma continued. ‘That was the reason for her coming here.’

  She paused dramatically and then indicated where Princess Gelgéis and Spealáin were sitting.

  ‘That fact that they are among us is proof that my search was successful. They had been held prisoners and my companions and I effected their release.’

  There was a rise and fall of muttering among those attending.

  Fidelma nodded, almost in approval. ‘The fact that Princess Gelgéis sits there means that we can hear from her own lips her story of how she and her companions were attacked and abducted. When Brehon Brocc tried to escape, he was murdered. The princess and her steward remained imprisoned. More importantly, you will hear the reason for her abduction.’

  Fidelma beckoned to Princess Gelgéis, who rose from her seat. Fidelma asked her to identify herself.

  ‘I am Gelgéis of Durlus Éile, Princess of Osraige, whose cousin Tuaim Snámha rules that small unhappy land. I am also cousin to Abbot Daircell of this abbey.’

  ‘Unhappy?’ queried the lord of The Cuala in a sharp tone. ‘I know your cousin, the ruler of Osraige. What makes him unhappy?’

  ‘Osraige makes its ruler unhappy because it is a territory between two large and wealthy kingdoms – Muman to the west and Laigin to the east. Often Osraige believes that it must appease the kings of both kingdoms to keep its independence and often by this means it is forced to take a stand against one or the other. To take sides one must make choices. My cousin Tuaim Snámha has, in the past, made some wrong choices …’

  ‘According to you!’ The lord of The Cuala seemed irritated. ‘You would prefer he sided with Muman?’

  Gelgéis shook her head. ‘I prefer he sided only with the good of Osraige. Osraige being involved in a conspiracy with Laigin against Muman caused the intervention of the High King and his Brehon. That much is recent history and resulted in Osraige having to pay tribute both to Muman and to the High King. My Brehon Brocc had discovered that overtures to Tuaim Snámha were being made to bring conflict into our small kingdom once more. If another war broke out it would spell disaster for Osraige. He brought the information to me. It was with this information that I decided to come to talk with my cousin, Abbot Daircell.’

  ‘Except that you never reached him,’ Fidelma pointed out dryly.

  ‘This is true.’

  It was Beccnat who suddenly saw an opportunity to raise a question and intervened. ‘If the Princess Gelgéis was so concerned, why didn’t she go and report what she knew to her lover, Colgú of Cashel!’ she shouted from a sedentary position. ‘Why did she cross into this kingdom, secretly, to see her cousin, the abbot? Or was this also some conspiracy?’

  Fidelma was about to challenge her former college friend when Brother Aithrigid intervened in a warning tone. ‘My experience in hearings is limited as I usually just advise on legal documents. However, it is my understanding that certain protocols are adhered to. Counsels stand when addressing the court, they put questions without interrupting a witness and they choose words carefully. Princess Gelgéis is formally engaged to the King of Muman. To imply they have an affair outside of this formality is wrong.’

  Beccnat had turned red and she was uncertain whether to stand and respond or not. For a moment Fidelma felt sorry for her.

  ‘I am sure the court is obliged for your guidance,’ Fidelma smiled before turning back to Princess Gelgéis. ‘What was this information?’

  ‘The simple truth was I did not have specific information. Just that some overtures had been made to Tuaim Snámha. I am told gold was offered. I was told warriors were being trained. I wanted to find out if my cousin, Abbot Daircell, knew more.’

  ‘So, you expected the abbot to betray Laigin and side with your … your … with Muman?’ Beccnat sneered at Gelgéis, having risen to her feet.

  Fidelma now swung round in disapproval. ‘To speak of betrayal of Laigin implies that my learned colleague has information that there must indeed have been a conspiracy by Laigin. What else does she mean by the word “betraying”? This means the King of Laigin, Fianamail, was engaged in some action against Muman, which, if revealed, would betray it. Is that what she is claiming?’

  Beccnat stared angrily at Fidelma in confusion. The anger evaporated as she realised the implication of Fidelma’s challenge.

  ‘That is not what I meant.’

  ‘My learned colleague is surely far too experienced in law not to choose words carefully.’ Fidelma’s tone was one of amusement.

  There was a silence and then Beccnat shrugged. ‘I accept that I chose the wrong words.’

  ‘Then it behoves the learned advocate to think more carefully before she chooses them,’ Abbot Daircell declared firmly. ‘While the fact that Gelgéis is betrothed to the King of Muman is acknowledged, we accept that Princess Gelgéis’ immediate concern in this matter was for the welfare of her own principality of Osraige. She set out on her journey here concerned that its ruler might be seduced into a policy that could bring further disaster on the territory or, indeed, suffer a coup. That is my understanding.’

  ‘I am expressing a legitimate concern,’ Beccnat protested.

  ‘As such a concern impugns my being a partial judge in this inquiry, I am willing to vacant this position,’ Abbot Daircell declared.

  To some people’s surprise, Dicuil Dóna immediately disagreed with the suggestion. ‘I see no need for such an action. I am sitting with Abbot Daircell and respect his fairness. I think even the learned advocates would point out that this is a hearing whose findings will be passed on to higher judicial authorities. However, it is a matter of importance that the facts should be made public. If the advocates do not object to the abbot continuing to sit, I, as the lord of The Cuala, propose we continue. If there is an objection, I would have to point out that if the abbot is biased then I, too, must be biased, being the senior member of the Uí Máil dynasty in this territory.’ There was a silence. ‘Is there a challenge to this?’

  There was none and Abbot Daircell glanced to Fidelma. ‘I think we may now continue to proceed. I believe the question was being asked what Princess Gelgéis had heard to make her and her companions decide to journey to the abbey here in search of my advice.’

  ‘Your memory is accurate,’ conceded Fidelma, before turning to Princess Gelgéis.

  ‘It was simply that Brehon Brocc came to me and repo
rted that a certain member of the household of my cousin, Tuaim Snámha, had approached him. This person wondered if Brocc and my household were supportive of my forthcoming marriage to Colgú of Muman. Brocc was intrigued and asked why there might be doubt. The man suggested that Osraige must demand its full independence from the tutelage of Muman and soon, there had to be changes – mutatis mutandis were the actual words used – and how would my household and tenants stand then?’

  ‘When what must be changed has been changed,’ translated Fidelma. ‘What was Brocc’s retort?’

  ‘He thought he should find out as much as he could. However, this member of Tuaim Snámha’s household was frugal with his words. But a few days later, word came of certain nobles in the south of Osraige being gathered into a cró bodba – a war fort – and training, and that the smiths were concentrating on making shields and swords. One merchant says he saw a marc-shluagh being trained … a cavalry unit. So who would they be trained against? It was at this stage I decided to bring Brocc and Spealáin and go to see my cousin.’

  ‘Of course, each chieftain is entitled to train his household troop. What made you think this was more than that?’ queried the lord of The Cuala. ‘It could be that Tuaim Snámha had decided to go on some punitive expedition.’

  Gelgéis shook her head with a smile. ‘Osraige is not a large territory, nor is it possessed of the ability to call a hosting of great battalions, as are Laigin or Muman. The High King had issued no order demanding hostings from any of the kingdoms or territories. So why was Osraige preparing for war? I believe that it could only be because it was being encouraged to do so. There were rumours, too, that Tuaim Snámha had dismissed emissaries claiming to represent Laigin. That is why I decided to seek the advice of my cousin, the abbot here.’

  ‘Perhaps we should now come to the story of what exactly happened on your journey?’ encouraged Fidelma.

  ‘We had taken the track from Durlus Éile and made good time. We followed the pilgrim’s path as we headed through the mountains. It’s a very thick forest through most of the area but I and my companions had been along that route many times and that track, keeping Céim an Doire, the pass of the oak wood, to the south is an easy route.’

  Fidelma now led Princess Gelgéis to repeat the story of the ambush, how she and her companions were taken prisoner and then taken to the disused mine, and then the death of Brehon Brocc.

  ‘So,’ Brother Aithrigid intervened, ‘we hear that you were attacked, taken prisoner and Brehon Brocc killed. Most of this we know. What is more important today is who did this? You have said that you could not identify your captors. So the next important thing is why were you held? Can you even tell us that?’

  There was a pause before Princess Gelgéis continued quietly, ‘It was made clear to me why I was held prisoner.’

  There was a gasp from the gathering.

  ‘And that reason?’ demanded Abbot Daircell.

  Princess Gelgéis recounted what she had already told Fidelma – how she had been taken blindfolded from the cave to be told that her captors wanted to overthrow Tuaim Snámha and set her up as a figurehead.

  ‘To what purpose?’ Fidelma encouraged. ‘After Tuaim Snámha was replaced – what was to happen?’

  ‘The conspirator said I would be a figurehead while they would dictate policy.’

  ‘And the policy was?’

  ‘To declare Osraige’s independence and refuse to pay tribute to Muman. If Muman threatened reprisals, to call on a powerful warlord of Laigin to intervene to protect us.’

  At that Beccnat exploded, ‘This is ridiculous! Do you accuse Dicuil Dóna, who sits there as a judge? He is the most powerful warlord of this territory and he is uncle to our king – King Fianamail. A threat against him is a threat against Laigin! Conspiracies and plots?’ she sneered. ‘More like fantasies!’

  ‘I think the Princess Gelgéis has excellent reasons for her conclusion,’ Fidelma intervened quietly. ‘Continue.’

  ‘I was taken three times from the cave where we were imprisoned. I was blindfolded each time. A male questioned me. The same one on all occasions. His question was whether I would be willing to declare myself publicly in the conspirators’ favour once my cousin, Tuaim Snámha, was overthrown.’

  The words certainly had an impact on the gathering.

  ‘What was your response?’ the lord of The Cuala demanded.

  ‘A refusal, naturally.’

  ‘Were you told who was involved in this conspiracy? Please continue at your own pace and in your own way,’ Abbot Daircell invited, leaning forward and speaking sharply to be heard above the noise.

  ‘The male voice told me that there was a pact between some nobles of Laigin and leading members of Tuaim Snámha’s nobles, who were working to unite Osraige with Laigin.’

  ‘As the lord of The Cuala, Dicuil Dóna of the Uí Máil, I now have to intervene in these proceedings because, as the advocate Beccnat has pointed out, the words of Princess Gelgéis implicate me in the conspiracy. She says that if Tuaim Snámha were overthrown, the conspirators expected a powerful warlord of this area of Laigin to raise warriors to help defend the new regime in Osraige. None can argue that there is no other powerful noble in this area than the lord of The Cuala.’

  ‘This is true,’ Fidelma admitted. ‘Unless you were not the warlord referred to.’

  ‘What other, then?’

  ‘The princess, with respect, cannot identify any of her captors,’ pointed out Brother Aithrigid. ‘Unless you are claiming that you can identify your captor by his voice, Princess?’

  ‘I have said that I can only identify an old woman called Iuchra, who brought us food,’ Gelgéis replied before turning to Fidelma. ‘I believe she will be presented before the court.’

  The lord of The Cuala also turned to Fidelma. ‘The old woman will give testimony?’

  ‘That is the intention,’ Fidelma agreed, turning to look for her.

  Corbmac, who had been engaged in a brief conversation with a warrior at the door, now came straight across to her.

  ‘She is not here, lady. My men went to collect the old woman as you instructed. She has been found dead. We have not been able to find her son, Teimel.’

  ‘How did she die?’ Fidelma asked quietly, trying to keep her face impassive.

  ‘Her throat was cut, in just the same way of Brehon Brocc’s,’ he replied. ‘That is, with a savage cut from behind, and from right to left.’

  ‘To stop her talking or because of what she knew about the cave?’ whispered Eadulf.

  ‘Lady,’ Corbmac added, ‘my men went there, as you instructed Enda to tell me. There was no one in the cave where you said you left those men. They were gone, as is Teimel. And Teimel was last seen heading along the River Glasán.’

  ‘Lady, the court is waiting,’ Abbot Daircell called impatiently.

  ‘I can’t believe that Teimel would kill his own mother,’ Eadulf said aghast.

  ‘It has been known,’ Fidelma said bitterly. ‘Without Iuchra as witness to who employed her to take the food to the captives, and without her son or the two guards we left trussed there, the case is difficult.’

  ‘Does that mean the court will be abandoned?’ Brother Aithrigid demanded.

  ‘Do you wish a pause in these proceedings?’ Abbot Daircell asked.

  For a moment Fidelma was silent. Then she said: ‘I will go ahead.’

  ‘But we were waiting for you to present the old woman Iuchra as a means of identifying these so-called conspirators,’ Dicuil Dóna frowned. ‘Princess Gelgéis has already told us that she and Spealáin could identify only Iuchra.’

  Beccnat was smiling triumphantly. ‘And as she is dead you cannot identify your captor or the leader of this so-called conspiracy.’

  Suddenly Spealáin stood up. ‘Your pardon, lady. That is not entirely correct.’

  All eyes focused on him.

  ‘I heard the guards talking of the group they belonged to. They mentioned their leaders, who we
re coming to question Princess Gelgéis. Two names were mentioned. One was called—’

  Spealáin’s words ended in a cry of agony as something seemed to flash across the hall. It smacked into his shoulder, sending him backwards with a heavy impact to sprawl on the floor. A hunting knife was embedded in his upper arm. Those gathered hardly had time to take this in when further cries and scuffles drew their eyes to the rear of the refectory, to the small raised stone area, which led to the tower that housed the abbey’s bell.

  Everyone turned their attention to the slight figure of Scáth, the steward of the lord of The Cuala. He seemed to be wrest-ling with the diminutive figure of his sister, Aróc. She appeared determined not to let go of a second hunting knife she was holding. She was swearing at her brother, who appeared to be trying to remove it. Síabair, the town’s physician, had joined him to help Scáth disarm her.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  ‘So the conspirator is uncovered!’ Brother Aithrigid cried, rising to his feet and pointing to the girl dramatically. The lord of The Cuala seemed to be sitting in stunned horror by his side.There was a great deal of noise as people cried accusations and orders to one another. Eadulf went to the side of the fallen steward and quickly assessed the wound. The knife had embedded itself in the upper arm but miraculously escaped the bone. A swift tug and it was loose from the flesh. The abbey’s physician, Brother Lachtna, came forward to help stanch the flow of blood. Abbot Daircell called for order and the hubbub died away.

  Fidelma stood calmly looking up to the struggling group. The figure of a woman pushed through and came towards her. It was Serc, the prostitute. Before she could open her mouth, Fidelma was shaking her head.

  ‘I believe you have spotted your tormentor. The man who raped you and fathered your child. I understand. I want you to do nothing until I have revealed him guilty of other major crimes. Will you do this for me?’