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questions along which we must progress to the truth.’
    Brehon Dathal’s tone was disparaging as he looked at Eadulf.
    ‘And do you feel that you are chosen to lead us along that path, Saxon?’
    ‘That is unfair,’ snapped Bishop Ségdae. ‘Eadulf has a right to say what he feels as father of the missing child.’
    ‘That is just my point,’ returned Brehon Dathal with a sneer. ‘Because he is the father, he is too emotionally blinded. He will see what he wants to see and it is no use quoting Brehon Morann’s philosophies to justify himself. The same goes for Fidelma. She may be a dálaigh but any attempt by her to lead an inquiry into her own baby’s kidnapping is doomed to failure. I will take charge of this case.’
    ‘You will not.’
    The words were spoken softly. A tall, red-haired woman in her late twenties had slipped into the chamber unnoticed and stood regarding Brehon Dathal with her green eyes flashing with a curious fire.
    Eadulf rose hurriedly and in concern.
    ‘Fidelma!’

Chapter Three

    B efore anyone else could move, Fidelma had walked across and taken a vacant seat at the table without being asked. Not only was she sister to Colgú but being a dálaigh , qualified to the level of anruth , she could sit unbidden in the presence of provincial kings and even speak before they did. Eadulf dropped back into his seat looking worried. Was only he aware of her red-rimmed eyes and haggard features?
    ‘I thought that you were sound asleep,’ he muttered.
    Fidelma grimaced. ‘No thanks to your noxious brews that I am not,’ she replied, but there was no bitterness in her voice. ‘I know that you meant well, Eadulf. But I have slept enough. There is much to be done.’
    Brehon Dathal was frowning in irritation. ‘Certainly there is, but not by you. You must hand over to one who is not emotionally involved in this case.’
    ‘Do you think that I have not the ability to investigate my own son’s disappearance?’ she replied coldly. ‘And has Eadulf lost the capacity to follow logic because the subject of the inquiry is his child? Many times we have been entrusted with investigations on which the safety of this kingdom has hinged. Does that now count for nothing?’
    Brehon Dathal’s cheeks crimsoned at her challenge.
    ‘You and the Saxon are too emotionally involved,’ he protested again.
    Fidelma smiled grimly. ‘That only enhances our determination and resolve to find the culprits.’
    ‘I am Chief Brehon of this kingdom and I—’
    Colgú raised a hand to still him. ‘Let us not quarrel at this stage, for we are being sidetracked. We are all involved in this matter. Brother Eadulf was making an interesting point when we interrupted him. We can at least hear what he has to say.’
    Eadulf glanced at Fidelma but she was still regarding Brehon Dathal with ill-concealed anger.
    ‘I was merely saying that considering the evidence we have heard, being able to reflect calmly on it, a path of questions should come to our minds,’ he said.
    ‘And does it?’ prompted Bishop Ségdae. ‘Do questions come to mind?’
    ‘Well,’ said Eadulf, ‘let us start with the first assumption that came to all our minds when we first heard of this event. We immediately thought that someone wishing to kidnap Alchú attacked Sárait. We immediately thought that she was killed trying to prevent the kidnapping.’
    ‘What other assumption is there?’ demanded Brehon Dathal, still irritable.
    ‘Let us take it step by step from what we have now heard,’ continued Eadulf, ignoring him. ‘A child is sent to the palace with a message for Sárait purporting to come from her sister, asking her to come to her urgently.’
    ‘And you have heard from my wife Gobnat and myself that no such message was sent,’ intervened Capa quickly.
    ‘True,’ agreed Eadulf.
    ‘And we have also learnt that the child who delivered this message is a stranger to us,’ Colgú added. ‘The description given by the guard, Caol,