The Seventh Trumpet Read Free Page B

fled. The merchant felt it wiser not to tarry there but carried straight on to our abbey at Imleach. He was very fearful about what he had seen.’
    ‘You gave the impression that he was not the only person bearing such reports,’ Fidelma remarked. ‘You said this merchant gave the first account?’
    The abbot nodded slowly. ‘It is true. Not long after the merchant had brought his news, a band of our Brothers arrived from the Abbey of the Blessed Nessan, at Muine Gairid. They came with a similar story, for they too had seen several churches and farmsteads burned on their journey south and people’s bodies lying unattended.’
    ‘Churches burned?’ Fidelma was astonished.
    ‘And religious killed,’ confirmed Abbot Ségdae.
    ‘Muine Gairid is north of Áth Dara,’ observed Colgú, ‘so these killings and burnings are mainly located in the territory of the Uí Fidgente. Did these brethren encounter anyone who knew what was happening, anyone who could identify those responsible?’
    ‘No one,’ said the abbot.
    ‘If the territory of the Uí Fidgente is under attack, then we should have heard something from Prince Donennach,’ Colgú pointed out. ‘When he became ruler over his people, under the peace settlement, we agreed that he should notify me of any dissension in his land.’
    ‘And this is all the information that you have?’ Fidelma glanced from the abbot to her brother. There was a silence. She waited a moment and then said to Colgú: ‘What is it that you intend to do?’
    ‘There is little action I can take without more facts about the perpetrators of these attacks. Apart from the reports that the abbot has brought us, there has been no word or request for assistance from the Prince of the Uí Fidgente, nor from any of the surrounding clans and settlements.’
    ‘Maybe Prince Donennach has been unable to send for assistance,’ Abbot Ségdae suggested.
    ‘Perhaps.’ But Colgú did not sound convinced. ‘The only thing to do is send some of my warriors to Prince Donennach and see what they can find out about this matter.’
    Fidelma was quiet for a few moments and then she said, ‘I too see no other path that can be taken at this time. But it is curious that we have heard nothing before this. We must be careful, lest we send our warriors into a trap.’
    ‘A trap?’ Colgú raised his eyebrows. ‘What makes you say that?’
    ‘Recent history. The Uí Fidgente have a reputation for plotting. I do not have to remind you of the assassination attempt on you. We should have a care, brother.’
    Colgú understood the dangers only too well. ‘I shall instruct Finguine to deal with the matter. He is of the Eóghanacht Áine and is acquainted with the territory.’
    Fidelma frowned. ‘I was told that Finguine and some warriors had left before dawn to remind the Cenél Lóegairi that it was time to pay their tribute to Cashel.’
    Colgú was momentarily surprised.
    ‘He did not—’ He caught himself and shrugged. ‘Finguine is far too conscientious. I was not told he had left. In that case, I’ll appoint Dego to command.’
    ‘Not Caol?’ Fidelma enquired. ‘He is more experienced.’ Caol was the commander of Colgú’s élite bodyguard and one of the best military strategists in Cashel.
    ‘Dego has experience enough for this matter,’ her brother said firmly.
    ‘Perhaps he should be accompanied by someone legally qualified to ask pertinent questions?’ Fidelma mused.
    Her brother chuckled cynically. ‘Meaning you, I suppose? The answer is no. I know that you have been bored and with little to do since the meeting of the Council of Brehons, but I am not going to send you into a situation which may prove dangerous.’
    Fidelma was indignant. ‘Why not? Have I not been in dangerous situations enough times?’
    ‘Until we know who these raiders are and what their purpose is, then I agree that caution is needed,’ intervened Abbot Ségdae. ‘If religious are being slaughtered in the land