Master of Souls (38 page)
Authors: Peter Tremayne
Tags: #_NB_Fixed, #_rt_yes, #blt, #Clerical Sleuth, #Fiction, #Historical, #Mystery, #Medieval Ireland
He suddenly seemed to realise that he might have said too much and returned his sullen gaze to some distant point before him.
There was a silence after his outburst.
‘Very well, Olcán,’ Fidelma finally replied. ‘We will leave you to think on this during the forthcoming night. If you continue to take the hard path, then I can assure you that it will be harder than you can ever imagine. I will come to speak to you in the morning when you have contemplated your future more carefully because, whatever your prognostication about my future, and the future of Cashel, your future is a certainty and you will never live to see your master’s prediction come to fruition.’
They left the man still staring into space.
Outside, when they had relocked the cell door and hung the key back on the hook, Conr
was apologetic.
was apologetic.‘I suddenly remembered hearing tales about this man,’ he explained. ‘I never knew him personally and he was not at the battle of Cnoc Aine, but I think he was with Torcán, the son of Eoganan, in the south-west.’
‘Well, your comment at least provoked the man to speech.’
‘I fear that he is a die-hard, lady,’ Conr
replied. ‘If, as we have been told, Uaman still lives, then it seems that some of this activity must be concerned with an attempt to place Uaman in control of the U
Fidgente …’
replied. ‘If, as we have been told, Uaman still lives, then it seems that some of this activity must be concerned with an attempt to place Uaman in control of the UFidgente …’‘But that would never happen because the law is specific. No one with a physical blemish can be king. Even one of the greatest of High Kings, Cormac Mac Art, had to abdicate when he was blinded by a spear cast. Even Olcán seemed to discredit the idea that he took his orders from Uaman.’
Conr
did not agree.
did not agree.‘We have had Uaman identified. If it is not Uaman, then I can think of no descendant of the U
Choirpre Áedba who can claim the chieftainship of our people.’
Choirpre Áedba who can claim the chieftainship of our people.’Eadulf looked blankly at him.
‘I thought that the U
Fidgente were the descendants of Fiachu Fidgennid? That Donennach is just as much a descendant as was Eoganan?’
Fidgente were the descendants of Fiachu Fidgennid? That Donennach is just as much a descendant as was Eoganan?’Conr
was patient.
was patient.‘It is easily explained. Our current ruler, Donennach, is descended from the line of the family we call U
Chonaill Gabra, from Fidgennid’s grandson Dáire. Eoganan was descended from Fidgennid’s grandson Coirpre, hence that line is now called the U
Choirpre Áedba.’
Chonaill Gabra, from Fidgennid’s grandson Dáire. Eoganan was descended from Fidgennid’s grandson Coirpre, hence that line is now called the UChoirpre Áedba.’It didn’t clear Eadulf’s understanding at all. He knew that the Éirean-nach placed much store by their ancient genealogies, delineating cousins and distant relatives; more store, he felt, than the Saxon kings set by their own simple direct father to son genealogies. He shrugged but did not pursue the matter.
Fidelma, however, seemed to follow the argument.
‘You have never heard of any other legitimate successor to Eoganan who might be persuaded to attempt a coup against Donennach?’
Conr
shook his head at once.
shook his head at once.‘Uaman was certainly the only male descendant of Eoganan who survived after Cnoc Aine.’
They had emerged by the closed doors of the tech-screptra and saw Brother Eolas standing before them, talking to Sister Buan and Sister Uallann.
‘Brother Eolas,’ Conr
called, before Fidelma could stop him. ‘Do you have a genealogy of the princes of the U
Fidgente?’
called, before Fidelma could stop him. ‘Do you have a genealogy of the princes of the UFidgente?’Other books
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