‘Truly, Fidelma,’ Colgú was more boisterous and no longer looking tense or weary, ‘you have shown that your reputation is well founded.’
Fidelma gave an indifferent shrug.
‘There is nothing to be satisfied about,’ she replied. ‘If I were not the instrument of the downfall of these evil people, then it would have been someone else. Didn’t Euripides say that evil people by their own nature can never prosper?’
Colgú looked suddenly solemn.
‘I believe that you are thinking more of Salbach than of young Nechtan, aren’t you? If you had not brought about Salbach’s downfall at this stage then I think that many people would have lost their lives in the resolution of that evil. At least the Corco Loigde can appoint a new chieftain and one, I trust, with more honour and humanity in him. And, perhaps, Osraige will be more content with the freedom to choose theirnative rulers again. So far as I am concerned, Salbach’s dishonour is equally shared by Scandlán.’
Fidelma look at him approvingly.
‘That is good. Although I cannot prove it, I believe that Scandlan of Osraige was involved in this plot to destroy all opposition to his dynasty. As for young Nechtan, if he accepts me as his advocate, I shall defend him,’ Fidelma said firmly. ‘He was the prisoner of his circumstance and his fear was great.’
‘But his hand did strike those blows into Dacán’s chest,’ Colgú pointed out.
‘And terror guided his thoughts and lent him the strength. There are degrees of culpability in all things.’
‘Well, the spectre of war has diminished thanks to you, Fidelma.’
‘For this time, at least,’ Fidelma smiled wryly. ‘My mentor, the Brehon Morann of Tara, used to say that the path of mankind through history was preceded by forests and followed by deserts and wastelands.’
‘He was no optimist,’ grinned Colgú.
Fidelma grimaced.
‘If you can divorce yourself from people then you are bound to make the observation that mankind has very little to commend it,’ she said. ‘Great art and philosophy does not come out of the human condition. It arrives in spite of the human condition.’
The chimes of the vesper bell caused them to glance up simultaneously at the abbey’s bell tower. Colgú grinned at his younger sister and placed a brotherly arm around her shoulders.
‘Come, let us go and eat heartily. There is time to be gloomy later. I think it ill behoves you to be the pessimist, little sister.’
Fidelma allowed herself to be led towards the refectory by her brother.
‘Well, the reverse is in pretending that everything is well inlife when we are so wretched. No,’ she held up her hand to stop her brother’s disgruntled protest. ‘I will say no more. Let us go to eat. It was Euripides who said that when one’s stomach is full, contention ceases.’
Brother and sister, arm in arm, turned towards the grey granite buildings of the abbey.
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Suffer Little Children sf-3 Page 32