Revenge of the Stormbringer by Peter Tremayne

Author:Peter Tremayne [Tremayne, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2023-09-26T00:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

Finguine was the elder of the two sons of Fidelma’s cousin King Cathal Cú-cen-Mathair, whose approaching death from the pestilence had brought her back to Cashel to undertake a mission as his last request. Days later, Cathal was dead and Fidelma’s brother, Colgú, endorsed by the Eóganacht derbhfine, the family council, had been chosen as King. Finguine had then been selected as heir apparent.

Fidelma smiled to herself, thinking how this successional system of kingship confused Eadulf, imbued as he was with his culture’s law of primogeniture. In Fidelma’s culture, there was no such concept of inheritance by the eldest. The generations of the family – usually three – met in council and nominated the one who would take over, based on whomever was considered the most worthy and best able to fulfil the office.

Finguine, with his warrior guard, had ridden into the courtyard and was dismounting. They seemed in an unusually silent and sombre mood as Finguine left his horse for his companions to attend to while he came striding directly towards Fidelma and Eadulf. He was not smiling as he greeted them.

‘I was told the bad news in the township. Poor Dar Luga will be a great loss to our household. I did not know the girl, Cera. From what is being said, no one has been formally accused of the killings.’

‘Not yet,’ Fidelma confessed.

‘But of all people – Dar Luga? We all loved her. No one could believe there was cause to kill her.’

Only Eadulf saw the flush that came to Fidelma’s cheek and saw her slight uncomfortable movement, knowing that only a short time ago she had been almost convinced that it had been Dar Luga who had killed Cera. Finguine was too involved with his own perplexed thoughts to notice.

‘I suppose the targets were Colgú and his wife? There is a lot of gossip about Tuaim Snámha being involved; especially when he refused to attend his own cousin’s wedding feast.’

‘It is good that you have returned,’ Fidelma acknowledged. ‘This is now a period of intense unease. We have just been talking about it with my brother and Gormán.’

‘I see a lot of strangers in the township below,’ Finguine pointed out. ‘They are early comers to the fair. Is that still scheduled to start in three days’ time?’

‘It is. Gormán commands an entire catha of warriors to ensure the fair goes ahead without disturbance. The event will be an opportunity for those who disapprove of Colgú’s wedding to make some demonstration. Gormán should be able to deal with that. But if the intrusion in the sanctuary apartments and the murders were an attempt to create some sort of coup, then it is essential to get the matter clarified as soon as possible.’

‘I was told that the girl, Cera, was due to represent Gelgéis’s female bodyguards in one of the martial arts bouts at the fair. Someone told me that a replacement will be chosen and it will still take place but with other contestants. Is that wise?’

‘Colgú and Gelgéis seem to think so, and Gormán agrees with them.

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