Traitor Maguire by C R Dempsey

Author:C R Dempsey [C R Dempsey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CRMPD Media Limited
Published: 2023-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

They came upon the castle and the guard let them through when Desmond explained he had business with the Brehons. The castle was a prodigious square tower amidst fertile fields, rolling hills, and dense forests. The reputation of the MacAodhagáins, the wealth they had gained as the premier Brehon family in Ireland, only added to the awe of the onlookers. They even had the money to hire the finest MacSweeney Galloglass of the Munster branch of the clan, formidable enough to rival the best men of the Earl of Ormond. But whilst the fields were tilled and productive, it was through their creation and administration of Brehon law and their law school that they made their money.

Having been taken to the main gate of the castle, the visiting party were relieved of their horses and gave their weapons in for safekeeping. The chief steward, who was in charge of the vetting of potential future clients, came out to greet them. His clean red tunic and pantaloons and aloof air only enforced the impression of his masters’ wealth. A young note keeper and two bodyguards trailed behind him. He looked nonchalantly at the group of newcomers and dismissed the hungry youthful faces of the majority to settle on the rounded red-cheeked and wheezing face of Desmond.

“And you are?”

“Desmond MacCabe.”

“Are you Galloglass?”

“In my better-looking youth.”

“And which clan are you from?”

“The Maguire.”

“Why have you travelled all of this way when the MacAodhagáins are employed by the Earl of Clanricard? Surely they can resolve your issue?”

“The other side has hired them. The only way you can beat a MacAodhagáin is to hire a MacAodhagáin.”

“A very interesting play on words. I shall have to run it past our bards when I have a moment to myself. What is your dispute about?”

“Traitors!” said Uaithne.

“Excuse him, please. Land and succession dispute.”

“What is the value of the dispute? In cattle would be the easiest way to quantify it.”

“Say eight hundred?”

“To settle a dispute of the nature you imply against a Brehon of the calibre you suggest, it may not be worth our while. It is a long and arduous journey with a herd of cattle of that size and Leinster in flames.”

“The outcome of the trial is worth far more than the monetary value that you can assign to it. The repercussions in Fermanagh and indeed the north would be huge.”

“Is the man on trial a relative of yours by chance? To make such bloated claims would require evidence. However, we have some aspiring Brehons coming through our school who may deem it a worthwhile risk to take if it meant making a name for themselves.”

Desmond saw he was getting nowhere with the gatekeeper.

“I suppose they will if they could get one over on Conchobar MacAodhagáin.”

The chief steward’s eyes lit up.

“That is a most interesting case you have indeed. There has been a schism in the family as to the development of the law that my master has been most enthused to resolve, and you may have just provided him with the opportunity.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.