‘Horses are intelligent creatures,’ continued Gormán, staring moodily along the river.
‘I cannot argue with that,’ replied Eadulf. ‘I just wish I had intelligence enough to puzzle out this mystery. At the moment it is like looking at a blank wall and trying to visualise what is on the other side.’
‘If they have made for Durlus Éile, then they will have been seen coming ashore in the town,’ observed Gormán.
‘What manner of place is this Durlus Éile?’
‘It’s a busy market township. Our task will be to find someone who has made an observation of this boat. The town is overlooked by the stone fortress of the Princess of the Éile, and in front of it is the market and then quays along the western bank of the River Suir.’
‘Did you say the Princess of the Éile? I think I have heard it mentioned that it is a woman who rules the Éile, but she has never been to Cashel,’ reflected Eadulf.
‘She is called Gelgéis, the Bright Swan.’
‘Is she well thought of?’
‘Some have voiced their suspicions of her.’
‘Suspicions?’ Eadulf asked sharply.
‘So far as I know, Gelgéis rules with a firm but just hand and the Éile see themselves as the primary defenders of the gateway into Muman from the north-east,’ the warrior replied carefully. ‘But some advisers of King Colgú maintain that she is not to be trusted because she is willing to make an alliance with anyone who serves her purposes. I suppose that is natural.’
‘Natural?’ frowned Eadulf. ‘How is it natural? Is there something wrong with Durlus?’
‘Not with Durlus but it is on the border with Osraige.’
Eadulf was trying to remember what Fidelma had told him of Osraige, the land of ‘the People of the Deer’ which was the border area between Muman and Laigin.
Gormán shrugged. ‘Forgive me, but my people have long memories. For many years the Éile have been dependable allies of Cashel. Éile sits on the western border of Osraige and that land straddles the easy passes from Laigin into Muman. The Osraige once fought to form their own independent and powerful kingdom. It was only two centuries ago that they submitted to the authority of Cashel. Even so, one feels that if any opportunities ever arise, they will seize them. Beyond Osraige is the Kingdom of Laigin, and Osraige has often sided with Laigin. They did so nearly a century ago when Laigin attacked us and were involved in the killing of King Feargus Scannel of Cashel. True, both Laigin and Osraige were defeated and paid reparation. King Colgú collects his tribute regularly from them, but they are not to be trusted.’
‘So what of the Éile?’
‘As I say, their small territory lies on the western border of Osraige. We have had no cause to suspect the Éile or their loyalty to Cashel for many decades. However, there is an inherent suspicion among the people of Cashel that the Éile could be intimidated by those from Osraige. The latter are definitely not to be trusted, although they outwardly swear loyalty to Cashel. It is hard to maintain independence when one has covetous and powerful neighbours.’
‘How long has Gelgéis ruled the Éile?’
‘Not long. I think it was the year that Colgú was acclaimed King of Muman.’
‘But she has kept the peace ever since?’
‘She has, but as I say, I do not think she is trusted by some of Colgú’s advisers. They think Gelgéis would make alliances with her powerful neighbours against Muman, if it was to her advantage.’
‘Her advantage?’
‘Perhaps I do her a disservice. I am told she always puts the welfare of her people first. So she would make the right choice for their welfare.’
‘Knowing this does not actually help us.’
‘That is true, my friend,’ agreed Gormán. ‘But it forearms us in our dealings in Durlus.’
‘If, as you say, it is a market town,’ Eadulf went on, ‘surely there would be boats up and down the river more regularly than we have seen this morning? After all, it is just after the harvest and there is grain to be shipped and produce to be delivered. The river is undoubtedly the main highway for such goods.’
‘You forget what the ferryman said. There is some big harvest festival taking place in Durlus — and most people will no doubt be attending it.’
Eadulf glanced up at the position of the sun. ‘We should be on our way,’ he said.
They rode on in silence beside the broad stretches of the river, moving ever closer towards the rising ground to the east, Eadulf keeping his gaze on the river. They were approaching a slightly elevated ridge running from south to north.
‘Another river?’ he asked Gormán.
The warrior shook his head. ‘That is the highway between Durlus and Casheclass="underline" it runs along that ridge. We join it and cross a bridge spanning the Suir and continue into Durlus Éile. Just east of the bridge, the river turns sharply north, passing through the town itself.’
Eadulf had learned that the droichet or bridges were usually built where the rivers offered areas for natural fords, and thus those who built them were able to use the existing roadways. The bridge they now crossed was no different, with its supports ranging from natural rocks to artificial piers. Tall broad trees had been cut down and thrust into the softer riverbed, providing strong hurdles on which were laid planks. These timber bridges were very common throughout the Five Kingdoms, so far as Eadulf had seen. The bridge they were crossing was not as wide as some he had observed. It was wide enough for only one large cart to pass at any time, although with plenty of clearance on either side for single horses or people travelling on foot.
Eadulf guessed that the highway leading over the bridge would be classed as a ró-shét made for horses, chariots or carts. Their horses’ hooves echoed hollowly on the wooden planks as they crossed over. Eadulf noticed appreciatively that the bridge was well kept, and then remembered that the laws of the country were very specific on the maintenance of roads, causeways and bridges. There was still no sign of any people about and the land on this northern side of the river seemed deserted, although in the distance he could see the buildings of the township.
‘That is Durlus Éile,’ confirmed Gormán, noting his interested gaze.
Eadulf felt his breath quickening. ‘Let us go straightway to the quayside and see if we can trace the boat,’ he said.
Gormán disagreed. ‘That is not a good plan, my friend. I would suggest that we find a place to stable our horses and then go with circumspection to the quayside. We would not want the abductors to recognise us before we recognised them.’
Eadulf was about to protest when he realised that Gormán was right. Now they were coming to this township they would have to use stealth until they knew whom to trust and whom not.
From its approaches, the place appeared to be far smaller than Cashel. The main difference was that it was built on one bank of the river. Numerous wooden houses on the west bank constituted the township, and from these rose a small hill whose summit was dominated by the ramparts of a stone fortress. The grey walls stood proud and dominant, facing out over the town and river. Below the fortress, they could see the roof of a wood-built chapel. There were several larger buildings as well. Some distance before the entrance to the main town was spread an area of barns and open fields. They were approaching this area when Gormán reached across and tapped Eadulf’s arm, then pointed. A short distance down a track descending towards the riverside, Eadulf saw what appeared to be a blacksmith’s forge. At the back of the forge was a small field, with two horses grazing in it.
‘That would be an ideal place to leave our horses,’ the warrior said.