The Devil's Seal by Peter Tremayne Read Free Book Online

just now?’
    ‘It was.’
    ‘Well, there is hardly a place to hide in the chapel,’ Deogaire said, looking around. ‘They must have left just moments before you came here.’
    ‘This bodes ill for Cashel, my friend,’ Brother Conchobhar said heavily. ‘You obviously know that this was a Saxon religieux, newly arrived here?’
    ‘Colgú and Abbot Ségdae have told me all about him. Apparently we are expecting a deputation of Saxon clerics to arrive soon, to take part in some council. That is why I was asked to have a word with him.’
    Brother Conchobhar grimaced sadly. ‘I was told that this man, Brother Cerdic, was causing some upset here with his attitude.’
    ‘Who told you that?’ asked Eadulf.
    ‘Brother Madagan, the abbot’s steward.’
    ‘Upset enough for someone to kill him?’ Eadulf mused.
    Deogaire was shaking his head. ‘There are bad times coming to Cashel – evil times. I feel it.’
    Eadulf found himself averting his gaze from those bright, deep-set eyes. ‘I must inform Colgú about this,’ he murmured.
    Brother Conchobhar was nodding. ‘We shall take care of the body.’ The apothecary usually took charge of the bodies of anyone who died within the confines of the fortress and prepared them in his rooms for the rites of burial.
    Eadulf left him and his relative, Deogaire, with the body of Brother Cerdic. He was making his way towards the King’s chambers when Fidelma came hurrying towards him.
    ‘What news?’ she demanded without preamble. ‘Did you get anything out of your compatriot?’
    Eadulf’s expression was grim. ‘He is dead. Murdered.’
    Her fiery green eyes widened as Eadulf told her briefly what had happened.
    ‘That bodes ill for Cashel,’ she said, almost repeating Brother Conchobhar’s words. ‘You saw no one in or around the chapel? No, I know,’ she went on before he could reply. ‘A stupid question to ask since you have already answered it.’
    ‘We must inform Colgú and Abbot Ségdae about this.’ Eadulf hesitated. ‘By the way, do you know much about Deogaire? I have never heard him mentioned before today.’
    ‘Deogaire?’ Fidelma was dismissive. ‘He has always been a strange one. Strange but harmless, unless one really believes he has the power of prophecy. Now and then he comes to Cashel to visit his uncle, old Conchobhar, but he likes to be among people who believe in his predictions.’
    ‘Such as those in Sliabh Luachra?’
    ‘Exactly so.’
    ‘He has a powerful personality,’ Eadulf admitted. ‘Even I felt that he has some kind of magnetism.’
    ‘That, I will not deny. If it were otherwise, he would not be able to fool the people that he does. Oh dear . . .’
    Eadulf had barely wondered at the reason for her comment when he caught sight of the elderly and sharp-featured figure of Colgú’s Chief Brehon, Aillín, hurrying from the direction of the chapel. His features were drawn into a belligerent scowl as he came up and halted before them.
    ‘I have just seen Brother Conchobhar,’ he snapped at Eadulf. ‘I am on my way to inform the King.’
    ‘So were we,’ rejoined Fidelma – and received only a glance of irritation in response.
    ‘I am told Brother Eadulf was a witness to the murder of his fellow countryman,’ the elderly judge replied. ‘I shall need to know what the Saxon said to you before he died.’
    Eadulf’s eyes widened with astonishment. ‘He said nothing to me,’ he protested. ‘He was dead when I found him, so I was
not
witness to his murder. I did not even know the fellow.’
    ‘Then why did you seek him out? You are both Saxons. What was he to you?’ The older man almost spat out his questions.
    Eadulf exhaled slowly to calm his rising temper. He knew that Brehon Aillín had always resented Fidelma, especially when she had offered herself before the Council of Brehons of Muman for the role that Aillín now held. He seemed to have taken a personal dislike to Eadulf – probably because of his