23- The Seventh Trumpet by Peter Tremayne

Author:Peter Tremayne [Tremayne, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: _NB_fixed, _rt_yes, blt, Clerical Sleuth, Crime, Fiction, Medieval Ireland
ISBN: 9780755377527
Google: nKIzAgAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00GU3FKZQ
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2012-07-05T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

‘Put up your sword, Enda!’ came Fidelma’s quiet voice.

Eadulf heard an audible gasp and swung round. Enda was in the act of lowering his sword in embarrassment. He was apologetic as he sheathed his weapon. ‘I would have recognised you a second later, friend Eadulf. You were in no danger. Your tonsure is hard to miss.’

Eadulf sniffed indignantly. ‘That is of little comfort to me.’

Enda said to Fidelma: ‘I am sorry, lady …’

‘It looks as though your apologies should be directed to Gobán.’ She smiled at the poor blacksmith, who was just beginning to relax, leaning against the wall.

‘My apologies, smith – these are my friends.’ Enda turned to explain to Fidelma. ‘I was about to ride into Durlus Éile to see if there was any trace of you, as you told me to do, when I recognised Aonbharr and the other horses at the back of the smithy. When the smith here refused to acknowledge your existence, claiming the horses were his, I thought that something must have happened to you. I decided to lie in wait.’

‘Gobán was merely protecting us,’ Fidelma explained. ‘Are you all right, Gobán?’

‘Your friend did not hurt me, lady,’ the smith offered, rubbing the back of his neck. ‘While he was none too gentle, it is understandable if he was concerned for your safety.’

‘Which I was,’ asserted Enda. ‘I have heard some wild stories along the way here. There was one panicking merchant on the road with tales of ravening hordes of bandits, raiding and burning.’

Fidelma sighed. ‘We have heard those stories also.’ She addressed the smith. ‘Let us trespass further on your hospitality, Gobán, and use your cabin while we discuss our plans. Will you be our watchdog at the forge and make sure we are not disturbed?’

Gobán gave his assent and Fidelma led her companions into his cabin.

‘Now,’ she said, finding a seat, ‘tell us your news first, Enda. You left us and returned to Cashel. Did you tell my brother what had happened?’

‘I did, lady. He was very concerned.’

‘Tell us, in your own words.’

‘After you left me at the tavern of Fedach Glas, it was not long before he returned with a plough horse, as he promised. I saddled up and rode for Cashel. You can imagine the laughter it provoked among the men when I rode in …’

Fidelma waved aside Enda’s tale of his humiliation.

‘I spoke immediately to the King and told him what had happened. He provided me with a good horse and I set out for Imleach, but soon it was fairly dark so I found a place to sleep at Ara’s Well and then I travelled on to Imleach at first light.’

‘Of course,’ Fidelma encouraged him. ‘And then?’

‘Abbot Ségdae was surprised to see me. I gave him the items you sent and he was very grateful. I then told him the story.’

‘And could he provide you with any information?’

‘He knew of Brother Ailgesach’s problem with alcohol. Ailgesach was from Durlus and had served in the Abbey of Biorra.

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