Smoke in the Wind sf-11

by Peter Tremayne

  The third man stood hesitantly. Then he seemed to shrug indifferently. ‘Very well. Now I understand why they call you the spider, my friend. Waiting, plotting, watching, and then. . Let us hope we do not get impatient. I shall tell Artglys what you require.’

  Without further ado, he left his companions and went to his horse, mounted and vanished into the gloom without a backward glance.

  Iestyn remained holding his lantern with Corryn by his side, as if watching the vanishing figure.

  ‘The man is arrogant, my lord,’ came the farmer’s disapproving tone.

  ‘Truly said,’ agreed Corryn. ‘And in the days ahead, it might be appropriate to take the measure of him. Remember that this is not a foedus amorum but a treaty of convenience which, when its aim is accomplished, can be severed.’

  ‘Do you trust Clydog, lord?’

  ‘Not at all.’ Corryn laughed sharply. ‘Nor, I doubt, does his father. That is why he has sent Clydog here to create trouble in Dyfed rather than allowing him to remain at home. Which reminds me, I must rejoin him. Is there any further word of that woman. . the Gwyddel and her Saxon friend?’

  ‘They have returned, and have even questioned me and Iorwerth. The stupid woman is more concerned about finding out who killed Mair than anything we may do.’

  ‘Could Iorwerth have told them anything that can be traced to us? That Ceredigion idiot should not have taken his horse to Iorwerth’s forge.’

  Iestyn shook his head quickly. ‘What can they learn? Information requires informants. Iorwerth knows nothing; there is no means by which they can discover our plan before it is too late.’

  Corryn was silent for a moment. ‘You may well be right, my friend. Yet the Sister is no fool. I have heard that these advocates of the courts of Éireann are clever and resourceful. She certainly is. So is the Saxon. I could not believe how simply they tricked Clydog and escaped from his camp. But seeing is believing. ’

  ‘When the time comes, you will be able to deal with them, lord,’ Iestyn said. ‘Anyway, they cannot know anything.’

  ‘Nevertheless, Iestyn, I do not like the fact that they are here asking questions.’

  Iestyn chuckled reassuringly. ‘I am ready for them, lord. Have no fear. The plan is safe. It is Mair’s death that seems to concern them.’

  ‘I shall rely on you, Iestyn,’ replied the other evenly, ‘for you know what betrayal merits.’ There was a sudden silence between them. Then Corryn turned to his horse and mounted it.

  ‘Keep me informed through the usual sources, Iestyn. If Morgan obeys his orders, then we should expect some action from Gwlyddien soon. Once he begins to move. . the kingdom is ours!’ He raised his hand in farewell, and set off into the night.

  Iestyn stood watching him vanish in the darkness and then turned back to his dog. It had been lying down outside the barn, head between its paws, watching. It now uttered a faint whine.

  ‘Get back, Ci, you stupid animal.’

  The dog rose and barked.

  Iestyn hesitated and glanced round. Fidelma and Eadulf sank lower behind the pig pen wall.

  ‘Oh, I know,’ came Iestyn’s voice. ‘I forgot to feed you. Don’t worry. I have a bone for you.’ He turned back into the house.

  Fidelma grabbed Eadulf’s arm and was up over the wall in a moment. The dog saw their movement and began to bark again. They heard Iestyn’s irritable voice faintly.

  ‘Shut up, stupid! I’ll bring your bone in a moment!’

  In the darkness, Fidelma led the way as hurriedly as she could to the horses. ‘Come on, let’s be away from here,’ she whispered.

  They turned their mounts away from the barn, and the moon suddenly emerged from between the cloud banks. It was pale and low down on the horizon and did not really illuminate the darkness.

  ‘We can’t go back on the track,’ said Fidelma. ‘If Iestyn unleashes the dog it will overtake us, and Corryn’s already on that path. He might turn back.’

  Eadulf examined the stream. ‘We can cross here. It appears shallow enough. Lead on, Fidelma.’

  Obediently, she entered the water and urged her horse across. The sound of her passage was muted by the fact that a little way upstream, the stream gushed and cascaded through a barrier of boulders and rocks, almost like a waterfall. Eadulf followed swiftly behind. He could still hear the dog’s frenetic barking behind them.

  The horses mounted the bank with ease and were soon immersed in the mass of dark trees growing along that side of the river. Finding a path was difficult but eventually they came across a very narrow track which allowed them to proceed in single file. It seemed to lead in the direction of the township.

  It was when they had moved quite a distance along it that Eadulf, who had been suppressing a number of questions which had come to his mind, finally allowed them to bubble over. He broke the silence.

  ‘Why didn’t we remain and question Iestyn as we intended?’

  They came to a clearing and Fidelma halted her horse to allow it to rest. ‘It would not have been a good time,’ she said.

  ‘Corryn had gone,’ pointed out Eadulf. ‘Our appearance might have surprised Iestyn. Made him confess.’

  She shook her head. ‘On the contrary, I think that even Iestyn might have realised why his dog had been making such a fuss. As it is, we now have an opportunity to go back armed with knowledge which Iestyn does not realise we possess.’

  ‘I must admit that I am totally confused,’ confessed Eadulf. ‘Every time I think matters make sense they get even more obscure.’

  Fidelma patted the neck of her horse absently. ‘I am beginning to see a faint light for the first time, Eadulf,’ she said confidently.

  ‘How so?’

  ‘What we have stumbled on is a conspiracy to overthrow Gwlyddien and take over the kingdom of Dyfed. I think that what happened at Llanpadern is connected with the conspiracy.’

  Eadulf thought for a moment. ‘A conspiracy from this neighbouring kingdom of Ceredigion?’

  ‘Ceredigion plays a central role.’

  ‘Are you saying that the Hwicce are involved with Ceredigion in this affair? I cannot believe that. The Hwicce of all people would not interest themselves in the ambitions of a Welisc ruler.’

  ‘Doesn’t it depend on the incentives, Eadulf?’

  ‘You might have a point if you spoke about any of the other Saxon kingdoms, but the Hwicce are a frontier people. They simply would not involve themselves in the affairs of the Welisc.’

  ‘Are you so sure?’

  ‘I would wager money on it. Having learnt of this conspiracy,’ Eadulf went on, ‘don’t you feel that we have outstayed our welcome in these parts? Should we not get back to the abbey to tell Gwlyddien that his kingdom is under threat?’

  ‘We will certainly warn him,’ agreed Fidelma, ‘but this is not the time to desert our investigation. There are too many unanswered questions here to simply leave and then let Gwlyddien attempt to sort out who is behind this conspiracy against him.’

  Eadulf groaned inwardly. Deep down he had known this would be Fidelma’s reaction. For the first time, however, he was driven primarily by apprehension; a desire to leave this place of his blood enemies and return to the land of his fellow countrymen: to get back to Canterbury. He had had enough of the dangers of being among the Welisc.

  ‘What else is there to know?’ he demanded. ‘We know that Clydog and Corryn are involved and this man Iestyn is in on their secret. We know that an Hwicce ship is sailing round the coast and you claim that it is somehow involved in a conspiracy.’

  ‘Knowing these things hardly helps,’ pointed out Fidelma patiently. ‘Knowing exactly how they interrelate would be more useful. Perhaps knowing the answers to the myriad questions that arise. . that would be useful as well. Did Clydog murder Mair? If so, who killed Brother Meurig and why? Why was Idwal so conveniently killed? What is Gwnda’s involvement in this? Why is Iestyn so respectful to Corryn? You heard the manner in which he addressed him. You see the many ques
tions that pile up one after another?’

  Eadulf held up a hand as if to still the stream of her remorseless queries. ‘I concede that there is much that we do not know. Why doesn’t Gwlyddien send some of his own barnwrs here to find out? Why us?’

  ‘Because you may remember that we accepted his commission.’

  ‘I remember,’ said Eadulf in resignation.

  ‘It is not in my nature to leave a task half finished,’ added Fidelma. ‘Finis coronat opus!’

  ‘In other circumstances I would agree,’ muttered Eadulf. ‘But I cannot help a feeling of fear while in this kingdom.’

  ‘You do not have to tell me that, Eadulf.’ Fidelma’s voice was grim. ‘I have never seen you so nervous of your surroundings before. Not in Rome, nor in my own land, nor, indeed, when you faced death in Fearna. What is it about this land, this people, that makes you so apprehensive?’

  Eadulf’s lips were a tight thin line as he contemplated the matter. ‘I have told you before that there is enmity between my people and the Britons. The Welisc are enemies of my blood.’

  ‘Come, Eadulf. You are a Christian. You are an enemy to no one.’

  ‘Not so. An enemy can be perceived as well as real. Just the very name Saxon is enough for some people to want to encompass my early death.’

  ‘I feel that is more in your perception than in others’. Perhaps if you did not fear these people, they might not hate you in return?’

  Eadulf was intelligent enough to realise that she was talking logic, but centuries of attitude were hard to cast aside.

  ‘There are other things to consider apart from my fears and hates,’ he said sulkily. ‘What are your plans now?’

  He did not see the look of sad sympathy with which Fidelma regarded him in the darkness. ‘You are right. We are wasting time. I think we should return to Gwnda’s hall. It is no use going to see Iorwerth now. I want, however, to question him about what we have learnt from Elen this evening. I also want to see what we can draw out of Iestyn.’

  ‘What about warning Gwlyddien of this plot?’

  ‘If young Dewi is to be trusted, he or someone from the abbey of Dewi Sant will be back here by tomorrow afternoon. We can send a message back by them.’

  They had reached the township and were riding by the great unlit bonfire. On top of it, they noticed, the straw man from Iorwerth’s forge had been placed. Fidelma halted her horse, staring at it, and then, to Eadulf’s surprise, she broke into a low chuckle.

  ‘What is it?’ demanded Eadulf.

  ‘What a fool I am. I could have answered one of our questions some time ago.’

  Eadulf waited impatiently.

  ‘I’ve just realised what tomorrow is. . the bonfires and straw man.’

  ‘What?’ demanded Eadulf.

  ‘It is the Samhain festival.’

  Eadulf frowned, recognising the name of the native Irish festival: ‘You mean the eve of All Hallows Day?’

  ‘The one night of the year when the Otherworld becomes visible to this one and when the souls of those we have harmed in this life can come back and exact retribution from us,’ confirmed Fidelma.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Fidelma was already awake and dressed when Eadulf arose the next morning. She was seated eating a meal of fresh-baked bread and honey washed down by sweet mead. She looked up as he entered and smiled a brief greeting.

  ‘Is there any sign of Gwnda yet?’ he asked as he sat down and reached for the bread.

  When they had returned on the previous evening, the lord of Pen Caer was not in his hall and Buddog told them that she did not expect him to return. He was visiting some friends. So they had eaten a frugal supper and gone directly to bed.

  As if on cue, the door opened and Gwnda entered. To their surprise he greeted them with a smile and a civil tone.

  ‘Elen has spoken to us,’ were Fidelma’s first words.

  Gwnda joined them at the table. ‘Did she tell you that it was I who suggested that she do so?’ he asked.

  ‘She told us that you offered no objection to her telling us the story,’ replied Fidelma. ‘Frankly, I am puzzled. When we last saw you, you were totally opposed to our involvement in this matter.’

  The black-bearded lord shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  ‘I might have been wrong in my opinion about Idwal,’ he confessed, yet without any indication of remorse. ‘I felt it best that you hear her story.’

  ‘You might have been wrong?’ There was a bite to Fidelma’s voice. ‘The boy has been killed.’

  ‘When my daughter told me her story, I began to see that there could be another explanation for Mair’s death.’

  ‘Which would mean that Idwal was innocent,’ pointed out Eadulf.

  ‘It would mean that a great wrong was done to the boy,’ Gwnda admitted, although his tone was hardly that of a penitent. He seemed almost cheerful.

  ‘A wrong in which you have played both an active and a passive part,’ Eadulf sternly reminded him.

  ‘If any wrong has been done then I am willing to take my share of the blame in the matter,’ said Gwnda. ‘But the fault first of all lay with the outrage of the mob.’

  ‘Let us examine your share of the blame,’ Fidelma said. ‘You were the first person on the scene when Mair was murdered and you caught Idwal. What did you say brought you to the woods at that hour?’

  Gwnda considered the question. ‘I can’t remember. I was just out riding.’

  ‘It seems that several people were in those particular woods that morning. Mair and Idwal. Iestyn. . even Buddog.’

  Gwnda’s facial muscles suddenly tightened. His mood seemed to change and for the first time he appeared anxious. ‘The woods span the main track to the south. It is not surprising people were about.’

  ‘Until your daughter spoke to you, you had no doubts about Idwal’s guilt. But now you have?’

  Gwnda shifted his weight again as he considered his words. ‘My daughter has the doubts. I am not convinced that she is right.’

  ‘Did you come upon Mair and Idwal by accident that morning?’ Fidelma asked.

  ‘I did. I found Idwal actually bending over her body. That I have said before. I went through the details with Brother Meurig.’

  ‘Brother Meurig is dead, so tell us what happened that morning again.’

  Gwnda shrugged indifferently. ‘I came across Idwal bending over Mair. She was dead. Within moments, I heard the sound of voices raised. Idwal stood up and started to run and so I caught him. Moments later Iorwerth arrived with men from the township. You surely know the rest?’

  ‘All along, you have maintained that Idwal was guilty. You have even defended his lynching. You refused to let us make inquiries about it. But now. . now you appear to suddenly change your mind. I cannot help but wonder why?’

  ‘I am lord of Pen Caer. I am not answerable to you,’ Gwnda responded. ‘Anyway,’ his voice softened, ‘if my daughter’s life is in danger then I am willing to admit a mistake. Didn’t I send for the barnwr to try Idwal in legal fashion?’

  ‘It did not prevent him from having no trial at all,’ Eadulf observed dryly.

  ‘Whether he killed Mair or not, I still believe that he killed Brother Meurig in his attempt to escape. Therefore his death was not without justification.’

  ‘Were you there when he was hanged?’ Eadulf suddenly asked.

  Gwnda shook his head vehemently. ‘I did not arrive until afterwards. Someone told me that some of my people had caught the boy and by the time I reached the spot he was dead.’

  ‘As lord of Pen Caer it is your task to see that justice is done. Yet you seem to have exonerated those who killed him.’

  ‘I understood their anger against the boy.’

  ‘But now you say that he might not have been guilty of Mair’s killing?’ pointed out Fidelma.

  Gwnda was silent.

  ‘You were vehemently opposed to our making inquiries into this matter yesterday afternoon, yet a short time later y
ou approved of Elen speaking to us.’

  ‘There is nothing strange in that. I have not changed my attitude. I still maintain that you have no right to interfere in this matter. You are here only to deal with the mystery of Llanpadern. Nothing has changed. But Elen wished to tell you about Clydog as you seem to have the ear of King Gwlyddien. I do not object to that. As I hope I have made clear, I am willing to listen to Elen’s doubts but my opinion is that Idwal killed Brother Meurig. There is an end to the matter. It is now up to King Gwlyddien to clear the forests of Clydog and his men and resolve this matter of conspiracy which Elen overheard.’

  There was a pause before Fidelma sighed as if in realisation that he would tell her no more. ‘We appreciate your help in this, Gwnda. One thing more. What do you make of the meeting to which Elen says she was a witness?’

  Gwnda rubbed the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. ‘Clydog is a well-known thief in these parts. He and his outlaw band have held sway in the forests of Ffynnon Druidion for several months now. I cannot conceive of any involvement he might have with a religieux. I have no means of knowing what plan they were talking about.’

  ‘You have told me that nothing is known about Clydog’s background,’ asked Fidelma. ‘If we knew something of that, we might be able to understand something of this matter. What about his compatriot, Corryn? He seems to share the leadership of these outlaws?’

  ‘I have never heard any stories of him. Only of Clydog.’

  Gwnda rose abruptly, signalling an end to the conversation. He glanced through the window and smiled. ‘A clear sky today. There has been no more rain since last night. You will have a good ride back to the abbey of Dewi Sant.’

  Fidelma exchanged a look with Eadulf. ‘What gave you the impression that we were returning to the abbey today?’ she inquired.

  Gwnda’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he swung round on her. ‘I told you that you would not be welcome here after last night. There is nothing to keep you here.’