Free Atonement of Blood by Peter Tremayne

was there, but he beat her. I think she finally ran away and abandoned me to him. Or, as I now believe, he had found her and killed her.’
    ‘Tell me, Aibell, did your mother have any links with Cashel?’
    The girl frowned. ‘I do not understand what you mean.’
    ‘Did she ever say anything to you about my brother, King Colgú?’
    ‘Why should she? I have told you that we were a poor family. My mother’s father went into an abbey when his wife died. My father was, as I have said, a fisherman. We had nothing to do with nobles.’
    ‘But you dwelled not far from the fortress of the princes of the Uí Fidgente. Did your father take part in the uprising led by Prince Eoganán?’
    ‘My father was too much of a coward to do that. No, he stayed safe on the river.’
    Fidelma paused for a moment in thought. ‘Answer me this, then, Aibell. Why would the man who attempted to assassinate my brother cry out, as the knife descended, “Remember Liamuin!”’
    ‘I have no idea,’ the girl said dully. ‘Why do you suppose this Liamuin would be my mother?’
    ‘It is not a common name,’ Gormán interposed harshly. ‘And it seems extraordinary for you to appear in Cashel on the same night as someone attempts to assassinate the King, shouting that name. Further, we find you in the very same hut where the assassin had left his clothes and saddle.’
    ‘So far as I know, my mother ran away from my father four years ago and I was sold to the Luachra. I have nothing to do with Cashel.’
    Fidelma let out a soft breath of resignation. ‘You will have to come to the palace and view the body of the assassin. Perhaps you will be able to recognise him.’
    Fidelma watched the girl’s features carefully as Eadulf removed the covering sheet from the corpse. There was no sign of any recognition at all, and after Aibell had shaken her head to the unasked question, Fidelma accompanied her from the chapel.
    ‘I am afraid you must stay as our guest until we find out a little more about your arrival in Cashel at this particular time,’ Fidelma advised Aibell. To her surprise, the girl made no protest but was looking intently at the great buildings of the palace, obviously impressed. Fidelma led her across the courtyard in search of the matronly Dar Luga who served as the
airnbertach
or housekeeper of the palace. Her role, of course, was different from that of the steward, Beccan, for she attended to the more domestic chores of the King’s household, and saw to the comfort of the guests as well as the King’s family.
    Fidelma caught sight of Caol emerging from a side door and hailed him, saying, ‘Have you seen Dar Luga?’
    Caol swung round. ‘She’s in …’ He stopped and regarded the young girl at her side with a puzzled look.
    ‘This is a new guest,’ Fidelma explained. ‘Her name is Aibell. She will be staying with us for a while.’
    It seemed that the commander of the guard had difficulty dragging his eyes away from the attractive, dark-haired girl.
    ‘You were saying?’ Fidelma went on.
    ‘Oh yes – Dar Luga? You will find her beyond that door.’ He pointed. As they moved away, Fidelma was aware of Caol staring after them.
    She made sure that Dar Luga understood that Aibell was to be treated with courtesy as a guest, but was not allowed to leave the palace, unless such instruction was given by Fidelma. Leaving the girl in the care of the housekeeper, Fidelma then went to see old Brother Conchobhar the apothecary. Eadulf, meanwhile, had gone to prepare Alchú for his promised horse-ride. Gormán had been asked to ensure that their mounts were ready and had agreed to accompany them.
    Brother Conchobhar greeted Fidelma with a smile, but told her: ‘There is little change from when you saw him this morning, Fidelma.’
    ‘When will we know that he is out of danger?’ Her voice was anxious.
    ‘With such a wound, we can never be certain. At least it was a single stab wound, but the knife went in deep. It would have