trying to provoke discord.’
Accobrán smiled quickly but there was no humour in the expression. ‘There is no need for him to provoke what is already in the people’s hearts, Becc. But his incarceration is creating disaffection among the people.’
‘Have him released into the care of his brother, Seachlann the millwright,’ Becc said. ‘Seachlann must stand ready to pay for any misbehaviour until we have dealt properly with this matter.’
The young tanist acknowledged the order before turning to where Eadulf was assisting Fidelma to dismount. There was a frown of disapproval on his face.
‘I thought that you were going to return with a Brehon? The last thing we need here is more religious. The people are suspicious and angry enough.’
Becc clucked his tongue in annoyance at the young man’s discourtesy to his guests.
‘This is Fidelma of Cashel, sister to the king, and our cousin. You should also know that she is a qualified dálaigh …and this is her companion, Eadulf of Seaxmund’s Ham.’
The tanist’s eyes widened a fraction and then he recovered from his surprise.
‘Forgive me, lady.’ Accobrán’s expression changed to a disarming smile of welcome. ‘I did not know you by sight but I have heard much of your reputation. Your name has been spoken much in this kingdom.’ His easy charm was something to which Fidelma felt an immediate aversion. The tanist went on, oblivious of the expression of dislike on the Saxon monk’s face. ‘You do us much honour in coming here.’
‘There is little honour in having to respond to crime, tanist of the Cinél na Áeda,’ replied Fidelma softly, gazing keenly at the young man. His face was like some pliable mask. She felt distrust towards someone who could assume emotions and abandon them with lightning facility. ‘My companion Eadulf is well versed in law, and he is also my fer comtha .’
Accobrán must have been astonished at this statement of her marital relationship to the Saxon but his features remained respectful.
‘I shall order your rooms and bathing facilities to be prepared immediately,’ he muttered. ‘Excuse me.’ He turned and made his way into the complex of buildings that constituted the great hall of Becc within the fortress.
The elderly chieftain had observed Fidelma’s irritated expression and grimaced defensively.
‘My tanist is young, cousin. He was only elected to the office a year ago and therefore is not yet fully polished in the ways of chiefly etiquette. He is my nephew. When the time comes to replace me and he takes over guiding the fortunes of the Cinél na Áeda, his manners will hopefully become more considerate.’
‘You do not have to apologise,’ muttered Fidelma, slightly embarrassed that her reaction had been so obvious.
The old chieftain smiled quickly.
‘I am only offering an explanation, not an apology,’ he replied quietly. ‘And now, come into my hall and take refreshment while your rooms are being prepared.’
They followed him into a hall of moderate size with a log fire crackling away in the hearth and wine already heated for their comfort. They seated themselves before the blazing wood. Servants had carried their bags in while others went to attend to their horses.
‘When will you begin your investigation?’ asked Becc after he had given all the necessary orders, mulled wine had been served and they were joined once again by the youthful tanist, Accobrán, who announced that bathing water would be ready heated within the hour.
Fidelma paused a moment to savour the inner warmth of the wine.
‘I will begin at once,’ she replied, to everyone’s surprise.
‘But it is dark—’ began Becc in protest.
‘I mean that I will begin in terms of gathering some background details about the victims,’ she responded patiently. ‘I would like to know some precise details about each of the girls.’
Becc frowned and glanced at Accobrán before returning his gaze to Fidelma.
‘There is
Accobrán smiled quickly but there was no humour in the expression. ‘There is no need for him to provoke what is already in the people’s hearts, Becc. But his incarceration is creating disaffection among the people.’
‘Have him released into the care of his brother, Seachlann the millwright,’ Becc said. ‘Seachlann must stand ready to pay for any misbehaviour until we have dealt properly with this matter.’
The young tanist acknowledged the order before turning to where Eadulf was assisting Fidelma to dismount. There was a frown of disapproval on his face.
‘I thought that you were going to return with a Brehon? The last thing we need here is more religious. The people are suspicious and angry enough.’
Becc clucked his tongue in annoyance at the young man’s discourtesy to his guests.
‘This is Fidelma of Cashel, sister to the king, and our cousin. You should also know that she is a qualified dálaigh …and this is her companion, Eadulf of Seaxmund’s Ham.’
The tanist’s eyes widened a fraction and then he recovered from his surprise.
‘Forgive me, lady.’ Accobrán’s expression changed to a disarming smile of welcome. ‘I did not know you by sight but I have heard much of your reputation. Your name has been spoken much in this kingdom.’ His easy charm was something to which Fidelma felt an immediate aversion. The tanist went on, oblivious of the expression of dislike on the Saxon monk’s face. ‘You do us much honour in coming here.’
‘There is little honour in having to respond to crime, tanist of the Cinél na Áeda,’ replied Fidelma softly, gazing keenly at the young man. His face was like some pliable mask. She felt distrust towards someone who could assume emotions and abandon them with lightning facility. ‘My companion Eadulf is well versed in law, and he is also my fer comtha .’
Accobrán must have been astonished at this statement of her marital relationship to the Saxon but his features remained respectful.
‘I shall order your rooms and bathing facilities to be prepared immediately,’ he muttered. ‘Excuse me.’ He turned and made his way into the complex of buildings that constituted the great hall of Becc within the fortress.
The elderly chieftain had observed Fidelma’s irritated expression and grimaced defensively.
‘My tanist is young, cousin. He was only elected to the office a year ago and therefore is not yet fully polished in the ways of chiefly etiquette. He is my nephew. When the time comes to replace me and he takes over guiding the fortunes of the Cinél na Áeda, his manners will hopefully become more considerate.’
‘You do not have to apologise,’ muttered Fidelma, slightly embarrassed that her reaction had been so obvious.
The old chieftain smiled quickly.
‘I am only offering an explanation, not an apology,’ he replied quietly. ‘And now, come into my hall and take refreshment while your rooms are being prepared.’
They followed him into a hall of moderate size with a log fire crackling away in the hearth and wine already heated for their comfort. They seated themselves before the blazing wood. Servants had carried their bags in while others went to attend to their horses.
‘When will you begin your investigation?’ asked Becc after he had given all the necessary orders, mulled wine had been served and they were joined once again by the youthful tanist, Accobrán, who announced that bathing water would be ready heated within the hour.
Fidelma paused a moment to savour the inner warmth of the wine.
‘I will begin at once,’ she replied, to everyone’s surprise.
‘But it is dark—’ began Becc in protest.
‘I mean that I will begin in terms of gathering some background details about the victims,’ she responded patiently. ‘I would like to know some precise details about each of the girls.’
Becc frowned and glanced at Accobrán before returning his gaze to Fidelma.
‘There is
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