Suffer Little Children Read Free Page A

yourself?’
    Forbassach thrust out his chin. His arrogant and contemptuous manner did not desert him.
    â€˜I need an answer to take back to Fianamail, the king of Laigin. Your king is on the verge on death, Colgú. Therefore it is up to you to answer the charges of Laigin.’
    Fidelma set her face into an immobile expression to disguise her frustration that she did not comprehend the meaning of this confrontation.
    Colgú had flushed with anger.
    â€˜Cathal of Muman still lives, Forbassach. While he lives, his is the voice to answer your charge. Now, you have breached the hospitality of this court. As tánaiste I demand your withdrawal from this place. When the court of Cashel needs to communicate with you then you will be summoned to hear its voice.’
    Forbassach’s thin lips twisted into a condescending sneer.
    â€˜I know that you merely seek to delay the answer, Colgú. As soon as I saw the arrival of your sister, Fidelma of Kildare, I realised that you will seek to delay and prevaricate. It will avail you nothing. Laigin still demands an answer. Laigin demands justice!’

    Colgú’s facial muscles worked in an effort to control his anger.
    â€˜Fidelma, instruct me in law.’ He addressed his sister without taking his eyes from Forbassach. ‘This envoy from Laigin has, I believe, overstepped the bounds of sacred hospitality. He has intruded where he should not and has been insulting. May I order him to be removed physically from this court?’
    Fidelma glanced at the disdainful Brehon of Fearna.
    â€˜Do you make an apology for an unwarranted intrusion into a private chamber, Forbassach?’ she asked. ‘And do you make an apology for your insulting manner to the heir-apparent of Cashel?’
    Forbassach’s chin jerked up, his scowl deepening.
    â€˜Not I.’
    â€˜Then you, as a Brehon, should know the law. You will be thrown out of this court.’
    Colgú glanced at the warrior called Cass and gave an imperceptible nod.
    The tall man laid a hand on Forbassach’s shoulder.
    The Laigin envoy twisted in the grip and his face reddened.
    â€˜Fianamail of Laigin shall hear of this insult, Colgú. It will serve to compound your guilt when you are judged before the High King’s assembly at Tara!’
    The warrior had spun the Laigin envoy on his heel and propelled him through the doorway without any apparent display of undue force. Then, with an apologetic gesture to Colgú, he shut it behind them.
    Fidelma, turning to her brother, who had now relaxed from his stiff posture, showed her bewilderment.
    â€˜I think that it is about time that you told me what is really happening. What is the mystery here?’ she demanded with quiet authority.

Chapter Two
    Colgú looked as if he were about to delay once more but seeing the light in his young sister’s eyes he thought the better of it.
    â€˜Very well,’ he replied. ‘But let us go where we may speak more freely and without the danger of any further interruptions. There are many ears attached to heads which may harbour ill-will to the kings of Muman.’
    Fidelma raised an eyebrow in surprise but made no further comment. She knew that her brother had never been one for exaggeration so she did not press him further. He would explain in his own time.
    She followed him from the room without speaking and through the stone-walled palace corridors with their rich tapestries and spectacular artifacts gathered over the centuries by the Eóganacht kings. Colgú led her through a great room which she recognised as the Tech Screptra, the scriptorium or library, of the palace, where, as a small girl, she had learnt to read and form her first letters. As well as the impressive illustrated vellum texts, the Tech Screptra held some of the ancient books of Muman. Among them were the ‘rods of the poets’, wands of aspen and hazel wood on which the ancient scribes had carved their