Colgú turned to Fidelma in grim satisfaction. ‘Now, perhaps, we shall learn the answers to some of our questions.’ He glanced at Barrán. ‘As Chief Brehon of the Five Kingdoms, you must give authority to this matter.’
Brehon Barren’s features were stern. ‘I will conduct the questioning myself, for Brehon Ninnid’s actions are without support in law.’
Fidelma went to sit by her brother while Brehon Barrán took up a stance before the fireplace with his hands clasped behind his back. Colgú nodded to Caol, who stood aside and motioned to someone in the adjoining antechamber.
Brehon Ninnid entered the room, red-faced and angry, followed by Enda, whose hand was clasped on the hilt of his sword.
‘You can fetch Rónán now,’ Colgú told Caol, ‘and wait with him in the adjoining chamber until we are ready.’
As the door closed, Brehon Ninnid took a pace forward. His features showed his hostility. Then his eyes widened with surprise when he saw the grim face of Brehon Barrán.
‘I am glad you are here,’ he said, recovering his poise. ‘I have been treated with the utmost discourtesy. This warrior almost hauled me off my horse as I rode back from the township just now. He marched me here under threat of physical force. He dared to use me thus in spite of the fact that I am a brehon. This is outrageous!’
Brehon, Barrán waited calmly until Ninnid stopped speaking.
‘So you have no idea of any reason why you should be asked to come here?’ he asked softly.
‘None that demands such discourteous treatment,’ snapped Ninnid.
Brehon Barrán raised an eyebrow. ‘Not even that you abused your authority to help a prisoner to escape?’ His voice was still gentle.
‘Help a prisoner. .?’ Brehon Ninnid began angrily, and then his expression changed slightly. ‘Ridiculous. I presume that you refer to Brother Drón? He was unjustifiably incarcerated by a warrior and I merely released him.’
Brehon Barrán’s expression did not change but his tone hardened. ‘You are in the palace of Colgú, king of Muman, and the release of prisoners from the Duma na nGiall can only be made in his name. Did you tell the jailer that the release was ordered in the name of Colgú?’
Brehon Ninnid frowned. ‘I probably implied it. . but I am a brehon. It is my right and duty to correct injustice and it was obvious that the warrior had gone too far.’
‘How do you know this, Brehon Ninnid? Who told you that Brother Drón had been jailed in the first place?’
‘Someone saw him being marched there and I went to investigate. I demanded to speak to the prisoner in my capacity as a brehon.’
‘So how did you learn the details of why Brother Drón was jailed and decide that it was an injustice?’ pressed the Chief Brehon.
‘It was simple enough to decide. Brother Drón told me.’
The Chief Brehon’s expression became incredulous. ‘And you believed him?’
‘Why should I not? He is a religious man, a leading churchman of Ulaidh, and he. . he is. .’ Brehon Ninnid was suddenly quiet.
‘And he is originally’from Laigin. Of the Uí Dróna, as are you, Ninnid,’ Fidelma said softly.
Brehon Barrán frowned as he considered this. ‘Of course. I had forgotten. Are you related to him?’
Brehon Ninnid raised his jaw defensively. ‘I am of the Uí Dróna but that is irrelevant.’
‘Is it? Drón told you that he was being wrongly imprisoned?’
‘Of course. I saw at once that the commander had simply overstepped his authority and made the jailer release him.’
‘Further, you took him to the stables where you both took your horses and rode out of the fortress. . what direction did he take?’
That something was seriously wrong had finally registered with the arrogant young brehon. He was beginning to look nervous.
‘I wanted to see someone staying in a hostel in the township below. We rode to the town together. I stopped at the hostel and Brother Drón rode on. He told me that he was hoping to find Sister Marga, who had fled without his authority.’
‘Where did he go? In what direction?’ snapped Fidelma, unable to stay silent any longer.
Brehon Ninnid looked nervously at her, and when he hesitated Barrán added sharply: ‘Answer the question.’
‘I think he took the road that runs west to the great river, the Siúr.’
Fidelma sighed. ‘That is of no help. We shall still need Rónán to track him.’
The Chief Brehon gazed sadly at the brehon of Laigin. ‘Know that in your arrogance, Ninnid, you have transgressed the law. Even the fact of releasing a prisoner is as nothing compared to taking the authority of the king without his permission. Did it not occur to you that Drón would not tell you the truth? Did it not occur to you that the warrior was acting with authority and not on some whim of his own? You will be brought before a hearing, Ninnid, and if it is found that you acted out of nepotism because you are of the Uí Dróna you will never hold office again.’
Ninnid swallowed nervously. ‘But it was not that. .’ he began.
Brehon Barrán raised a hand to silence him. ‘Every brehon must bear the responsibility for any mistake he makes,’ he said firmly. ‘As I see it, you are already self-confessed of the mistake of leth-tacrae.’
It was the legal term used when a brehon gave a judgement after hearing only one side of a case. Such a judgement was considered an injustice against the king and the nobles of the kingdom. It was the most serious breach of duty for a judge and the punishment was that he not only be deprived of his office but also pay his honour-price.
Ninnid turned pale. ‘I swear that I did not act out of kinship for Brother Drón. The fact that he was of my people might have influenced the way I felt about my decision, but not the way I came to it. I did believe that I was acting out of right.’
Fidelma suddenly found herself feeling almost sorry for the arrogant young man.
‘I am not excusing the enormity of what Ninnid did,’ she said. ‘But perhaps leth-tacrae might be too strong a term for what was, after all, not a legal judgement but a mistaken opinion, an ignorance born of arrogance.’
The Chief Brehon regarded her in amusement. ‘Are you entering a plea for Ninnid?’
Fidelma met his amused gaze and her eyes twinkled in answer. ‘I was unaware that this was a duly constituted court but thought it merely a means of questioning Ninnid as to what prompted his actions. That those actions were wrong and without legal authority is in no doubt, but perhaps the lesson that we trust he will learn can be underscored by a fine. After all, is there not an often repeated maxim in the law books cach brithemoin a báegul. . to every judge his error?’
Chief Brehon Barrán turned gravely to Colgú. ‘As your sister points out, this is not a properly constituted court hearing of an accusation of misdeed against Ninnid. It is your right, as the injured party, to demand such a hearing before a court of three judges of equal stature to Ninnid. Do you wish to proceed legally against him?’
Colgú looked at his sister as if for guidance and then shrugged. ‘If Ninnid is willing to admit his error, then I am content.’
Brehon Barrán turned back to the Laigin brehon whose arrogance had long since deserted him and who now stood with hunched shoulders and bowed head.
‘The king and the lady Fidelma have been lenient in this matter. As Chief Brehon, I cannot be so lenient, so I will say that you will not only pay five ounces of silver, which would have been the pledge in support of your position of prosecutor of Muirchertach Nár had he lived, but a fine of a cumal, the value of three milch cows, which would have been your fee. Furthermore, you will have no further involvement in the case of either the death of Abbot Ultán or that of Muirchertach Nár. Nor can you be the chief brehon in Laigin but will return to the lower order of judges. Do you accept this ruling or do you wish to appeal?’