Blood in Eden by Peter Tremayne

Author:Peter Tremayne [Peter Tremayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2019-03-22T16:00:00+00:00

TEN

The rider turned out to be Ballgel, Fethmac’s wife.

‘My husband is delayed,’ she explained as she swung down from her horse. ‘A dispute in the village has required his attention.’

‘A dispute?’ frowned Fidelma. ‘To do with this matter?’

The magistrate’s wife shook her head. ‘No, it was not related to the murders. It was some sort of dispute about sharing honey between two neighbours. A simple matter but one that needed arbitration from Fethmac.’

Bees were considered of high value and important, and the law texts were full of the regulations pertaining to both wild and domestic hives. An individual keeping hives for honey had to share the honey with neighbours, on the basis that the bees gathered their nectar from neighbouring lands as well as the land where the hives were situated.

Ballgel took down her saddlebag and turned to Eadulf.

‘I have brought the items you requested. I have a jar of a salve made from elder blossoms, and yellow clover which has been simmered in wheatgerm. I made this last year and it can be applied directly. Does the man have a headache or fever? I have brought dried elderberry, nettle and valerian, any of which I could use to make an infusion.’

Eadulf nodded approvingly. ‘That is good. So you know something of the healing arts?’

Ballgel explained, ‘I learned things from my mother, who learned from her mother. You know that we have no permanent physician in the village, so I am often called upon to use what knowledge I have to help in these matters. Is there anything more I can do?’

Eadulf thanked her, and added: ‘I think I can do everything that needs to be done now.’

He disappeared inside the mill to attend to Celgaire while Fidelma asked if Fethmac would be following after he had resolved the dispute.

‘He said he would come as soon as possible,’ Ballgel answered. ‘He told me that the problem for you will be to return the murderer to the village without anyone knowing.’

Fidelma raised her eyebrows at the woman’s use of the word.

‘Don’t forget the man is yet to be judged,’ she reminded her sharply. Then, before Ballgel could respond she turned to Gobánguss who had joined them, saying, ‘You had better resume your watch on the road.’ Then she gestured for Ballgel to follow her into the slightly warmer atmosphere of the mill house.

Fidelma was glad of the opportunity to speak to Ballgel without her husband’s presence. There were questions on her mind but she decided that she should approach them carefully.

‘I suppose you have lived here all your life?’ she opened, as they seated themselves on the far side of the mill from where Eadulf was now bending over the distraught figure of Celgaire and applying the medications.

Ballgel loosened her riding cloak, a little annoyed at Fidelma’s rebuke.

‘I have. My mother was an étidach, a professional dressmaker, and my father was a merchant, taking the clothing that she made to Árd Fhionáin, or to Cathair and even to Cashel itself.’

‘And do they live in the village here?’

A look of sadness crossed the girl’s features.

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