Read The Monk Who Vanished for Free Online

bit his lip to control a spasm of pain in his arm. ‘Is it agreed, Donennach?’ he asked.
    ‘It is agreed.’
    ‘I will take matters in hand, brother,’ Fidelma said firmly, ‘while Eadulf attends to you.’
    Gionga took a step forward, the annoyance showing on his face, but before he could speak Donennach raised a hand.
    ‘You may stay with Sister Fidelma, Gionga,’ he instructed softly, ‘and help her with this matter.’
    There seemed an unnecessary emphasis on the word ‘help’. Gionga bowed his head and stepped back.
    The bearers carrying the litter lifted the Prince of the Uí Fidgente and followed Colgú, helped by Donndubhain, up the steep path towards the royal palace. Eadulf was fussing at Colgú’s side.
    Fidelma stood for a moment, hands folded demurely in front of her. Her bright eyes held a flickering fire which anyone who knew her would realise indicated a dangerous mood. Outwardly her features were composed.
    ‘Well, Gionga?’ she asked quietly.
    Gionga shifted his weight from one leg to another and looked uncomfortable. ‘Well?’ he challenged in turn.
    ‘Shall we let the corpses of these two men be taken to our apothecary? We can examine them later and in better circumstances.’
    ‘Why not examine them now?’ demanded the Uí Fidgente warrior, a trifle truculently, but he was cognizant of her rank and appeared to realise that he must keep his arrogance in check.
    ‘Because now I want you to show me where and how you came on them and why you had to slay them instead of taking them captive that we might question their motives.’
    Her tone was even and there was not trace of a rebuke in it. However, Gionga grew red in the face and seemed inclined to refuse. Then he shrugged. He turned and signalled to two of his men to come forward.
    Someone called to them and Donndubhain came trotting back down the hill. He looked worried.
    ‘Colgú suggested that I might be of more help here,’ he explained, his facial expression attempting to imply that Colgú was not happy to leave his sister in the company of the Uí Fidgente warrior. ‘Capa and Eadulf are attending him.’
    Fidelma smiled appreciatively. ‘Excellent. Gionga’s men are taking these bodies to the Conchobar’s apothecary. Have you a man to guide them?’

    Donndubhain called to a passing warrior.
    ‘Escort the men of the Uí Fidgente with these bodies to …’ He raised his eyebrows interrogatively to Fidelma.
    ‘The apothecary of Brother Conchobar. Tell Conchobar to await my instructions. I wish to examine the bodies myself.’
    The warrior saluted and motioned to the Uí Fidgente warriors, carrying the two bodies, to follow him.
    ‘Now, we will start from the spot where Colgú and Donennach were shot,’ Fidelma declared.
    Gionga said nothing but he and Donndubhain followed Fidelma back to the square. The townsfolk of Cashel had not yet dispersed and many were huddled in groups whispering among themselves. Some cast furtive looks at the Uí Fidgente warrior. Fidelma could sense the dislike in their eyes. Generations of war and raiding were not going to be wiped from their memory as quickly as she had previously thought.
    They reached the spot where the arrows had struck both Colgú and Donennach. Gionga pointed across the market square to a cluster of buildings on the far side.
    ‘When the first arrow struck, I looked round to see where it had come from. I saw a figure on the roof of that building there.’
    The building he indicated was fifty metres away on the far side of the market square. It had a flat roof.
    ‘It was as I saw him discharging a second arrow that I shouted but it was too late to warn Donennach.’
    ‘I see,’ mused Fidelma. ‘That was when you spurred your horse across towards the building?’
    ‘It was. A couple of my warriors came close after me. By the time we reached the building, the archer had jumped down, still with his bow in his hand. There was another man there with a sword. I cut them both