‘Eadulf!’ She tried to stifle the cry.
Eadulf did not waste words. ‘Are you bound?’ he demanded.
She held out her wrists and he severed the bonds in a moment.
‘Cut his bonds,’ she ordered, pointing. ‘Áed must come with us.’
Eadulf knew it was pointless to argue and did as she asked. There was a sudden angry howl as they were spotted and he realised the only thing they could do was jump into the water. Some of the crew were already moving, either to intercept them or to reclaim their weapons.
‘Over the side,’ yelled Eadulf to Fidelma. ‘Swim for it. Make for Enda in the coracle astern.’
He almost threw Fidelma over the rail and jumped after her. He did not spare a thought for the man she called Áed. There was no time to think before he hit the cold water and plunged into blackness. The shock of the cold almost knocked him out. When he broke the surface, he saw the dark outline of Enda in the coracle, paddling away from the anchor chain. Fidelma was swimming towards him. Eadulf began to strike out after them.
He was aware of shouts from the Saxon ship and he turned on his side to look back, treading water as he examined the condition of the ship. There was no mistaking that it was in trouble. Though still anchored firmly by the stern, its bow was swinging with the incoming tide. He presumed the crew were struggling to stop the vessel foundering on the rocky coastline. To gain control, they would have to haul in the stern anchor while, at the same time, trying to steer the bow that was being buffeted this way and that. He became aware then of splashing objects close by and realised the danger he was in – the splashing objects were crossbow bolts, aimed by the few warriors who stood at the rail. Their aim was not good because of the irregular movements of the ship, but they were dangerous enough.
Eadulf trod water for a few more seconds, his mind working rapidly. He wondered who the other prisoner was, and peered about. The mist was almost clear now. He could see Fidelma hanging on to the side of the coracle, and Enda holding it steady with the paddle. Near him, there was a head bobbing in the water, whether a man or one of the seals that frequented the waters along the coast Eadulf did not know. He struck out for the coracle.
Coming up alongside Fidelma, he shouted to Enda: ‘We must try to get as far away from the Saxon ship as possible.’ He called to Fidelma, ‘Can’t you climb into the coracle?’
‘It would capsize at once,’ Fidelma shouted back.
He noticed another head next to him. It was the man, Áed, treading water. ‘We’ll have to swim for those rocks,’ he called. ‘If we get there before the Saxons have a chance to regain control of their ship, we’ll have a chance.’
‘But that’s a steep and rocky shoreline,’ shouted Enda, trying to make himself heard above the noise of the waves pounding on the surrounding rocks.
‘Trust me!’ replied the man. ‘I know this coast. Folk collect edible seaweeds along that shore, as well as gulls’ eggs from the cliffs. There is a small path there.’
‘Paddle for the shoreline, Enda!’ Fidelma called. ‘We’ll keep close so that no one gets separated.’
Enda struck out with a will. The tide was with them, driving them towards the rocky shore, but it was still not easy. The rocks were slimy from algae and covered with long green strands of eel grass, which disguised their sharpness. They were made even sharper by the barnacles, chitons and other invertebrates that clustered on them. Now and then Eadulf shuddered as he was touched by something he could not identify, such as a mucus-covered fish with spiked dorsal fin that darted out from behind the rocks. Though the varied marine life made the going difficult for the swimmers, one thing in their favour was the fact that Aescwine and his men seemed to have their hands full trying to regain control of their ship. They had not the time nor the means to deal with the escaped prisoners.
Suddenly, Enda was standing up and turning to help Fidelma to her feet. Behind him was a narrow ledge, a stretch of hard rock that was fairly flat and without too much slippery greenery making it impossible to stand on. Eadulf waited a moment to catch his breath and then he found a strong hand helping him. It was Áed beside him. The man was grinning.
‘I told you that there was a way here,’ he said. ‘Look at that … along there.’
He was pointing to a bed of purple and brown plant life.
‘Seaweed?’ hazarded Eadulf, as he climbed onto the ledge with Fidelma and Enda.
‘Fithrech,’ nodded Áed. ‘What some call dulse. It’s good eaten raw. I told you the local lads come down here and harvest it, along with the little rock plant carraigín.’
Eadulf snorted in annoyance, almost forgetting that the man had guided them to a temporary safety at least.
‘I am more concerned how far we can get along this path and away from our Saxon friends.’
Fidelma was still in a state of utter astonishment. ‘How did you get to the ship anyway? You surely did not come all the way after us in a coracle.’
It was Enda who quickly explained with a few words.
‘So you are saying that the Tonn Cliodhna is hove to a little way along this coast?’ she questioned. ‘But didn’t Fécho betray us to Tialláin?’
‘I suppose you could call him a victim of circumstances,’ Eadulf replied. ‘You see –’
Áed interrupted: ‘I suggest that we save all explanations for later. The Saxon, Aescwine, seems seaman enough to get his ship under control – if you have a ship, let’s go along the coast and find it. The sooner we reach a friendly harbour the better.’
‘This narrow ledge … how far does it go?’ demanded Enda.
‘I believe we can get round those rocks to the next inlet,’ replied Áed.
‘Can we carry the coracle?’ Enda asked. It was not a matter of weight, for one person could carry it easily. Enda meant was there room to transport it along the path. He realised that the boat might be useful again.
Áed paused, seeming to understand what was on the warrior’s mind. ‘If it becomes difficult, we can probably balance the boat on our shoulders and carry it above the rocks.’
It was in that fashion they proceeded. Fidelma and Eadulf led the way and Enda and Áed followed, taking the first turn to carry the coracle. They were all soaked, even Enda, who had been saturated by sea spray as he sat precariously in the coracle – and there was still blood on his shoulder. Eadulf knew the wound should be dressed again.
As they reached a point where the ledge took them out of sight of the Saxon ship, Eadulf could not help but take a quick look back. It was obvious that Aescwine was, indeed, a good seaman. The big ship was already under oars. He saw their rise and fall as the rays of the early sun flashed on the wet blades. The stern anchor had been pulled up and the bow was pointing out of the inlet towards the open sea.
Eadulf found himself considering the problem of what Aescwine would decide to do next? He hoped the Saxon would cut his losses and sail away around the great headland which had previously thwarted his efforts to turn east for home. Yet Eadulf feared he might decide to come after them. He could still turn back and try to catch them, in which case he would come across Fécho’s ship and, in spite of all Eadulf’s braggadocio when he had forced Fécho to give chase, he now realised that Fécho had little hope of defence.
Another thought occurred to Eadulf. How long would Fécho wait for them? Indeed, would he wait for them? Could they even trust Fécho? Eadulf’s mouth sat in a grim line as he considered the matter. Thus far the owner of the Tonn Cliodhna had not been the most trustworthy of allies. He had seemed overly friendly with Tialláin, before the man’s untimely death. He had also had to be persuaded to chase Aescwine in his ship. What else was there about him that Eadulf did not know?
It suddenly struck him that he did not know anything. He had almost forgotten that he and Enda did not even know what they were doing in this country in the first place. Fidelma had not broken her oath; she had revealed nothing about her mission to them. Eadulf ground his teeth; it was painful but he felt
like biting against bone in his frustration. Now was the time for her to tell him what all this was about. Now! Well, as soon as they were safely aboard the Tonn Cliodhna.
Yet another thought burst into his mind. How were they all to get aboard Fécho’s ship? The coracle would not hold all of them. That was assuming Fécho cared whether they came aboard or not; if he had waited for them; if the Saxon ship was not nearby; if Fécho was not otherwise engaged by the attentions of Aescwine …
He paused and tried to stop the whirlpool of thoughts. He wished that he had Fidelma’s curious meditative ability – what was it called? The dercad? Her way of causing the tumult of thoughts to be still.
‘Enda!’
Eadulf started. It was Fidelma who had called to the warrior and they paused.
‘How far do you estimate that we have to go?’ she asked.
‘If Fécho is still in the inlet where we left him, just beyond that rocky promontory.’ Enda indicated where he meant with a nod of his head.
Fidelma glanced round with a wry expression. ‘I hope you are right, Enda. Staying soaked through on a midwinter day is a sure way to meet death from cold and ill.’
‘Better that way, lady,’ muttered Áed, ‘than the future Aescwine had planned for us.’
Fidelma was examining Enda’s shoulder. ‘You are bleeding,’ she said.
‘Eadulf will see to it as soon as we are back on board,’ Enda assured her.
They continued on in silence for a while until, climbing through a small slippery passage between the rocks, they came on a wide inlet. At the mouth of the inlet, sheltered by a rocky headland, a ship rode at anchor.
‘So Fécho has waited for us,’ Enda cried enthusiastically to Eadulf. There was relief in his voice.
‘It’s a long way across deep waters from here to Fécho’s ship,’ pointed out Eadulf pessimistically. ‘How can we all get out there? I don’t think he’ll be able to pick us up from here because there is no way he can manoeuvre close to these rocks.’
Enda was confident. He and Áed put down the coracle. ‘I’ll row out to him. I will first take the lady Fidelma with me, then I’ll come back for you, and then Áed … we can manage. Perhaps Fécho will be able to move a little closer to make the run a little less arduous.’
There was not much else to be said. It was a fairly slow business. However, once Fidelma and Enda were safely aboard, the men on the Tonn Cliodhna unfurled the sail and managed to guide the shallow-bottomed craft close into the shore, fending the ship off any dangerous rocks using the long poles. It was Iffernán who returned in the coracle. More expert at handling it, he was able to hold it steady against the rocky shelf so that both men could carefully climb in, positioning themselves to give Iffernán room enough to manipulate the paddle. Eadulf’s heart was in his mouth as the coracle pushed off, for with the added weight it had become so low in the water that he was sure it would be swamped and sink.
Somehow, the bobbing craft remained afloat, even when Iffernán turned it, and with his back bent to the task of paddling it was hardly any time before the coracle was bumping alongside the Tonn Cliodhna and they were being hauled on board.
Fidelma was already changing into dry clothes in the sheltered stern area, a curtained section used as a cabin and for storage, though Fécho had only been able to provide her with seaman’s clothing. For the rest, Fécho was handing round a jug of corma, the strong barley alcohol.
Immediately, Eadulf voiced his worries.
‘Any sign of the Saxon ship?’
‘Not so far,’ Fécho said with a shake of his head. ‘Should there be?’
Eadulf briefly described their escape.
‘The last I saw of them, they were heading out to sea. If they had turned in this direction, they would have reached here by now.’
‘You think the Saxon would chase us?’ asked Fécho.
‘It probably would be best to put some distance between Aescwine and this ship in case he does,’ Enda said.
It was unnecessary advice, for the moment they had come aboard Fécho had ordered his men to start manoeuvring to the mouth of the inlet and Iffernán was already at the tiller, keeping a careful watch on the winds for the right moment to hoist full sail.
‘What then?’ Fécho asked. ‘Where do you want to be taken? Back to Ard Nemed?’
‘You spoke of that place Baile an Stratha earlier,’ Eadulf said. ‘Land us there.’
Fécho looked surprised.
‘A good thought, friend Eadulf,’ smiled Enda. He was sitting on the deck, leaning against the side of the ship, trying to take his shirt off to uncover his wound. ‘At least we might get our horses and things back.’
Eadulf grinned at Fécho’s bewilderment and he bent to examine Enda’s wound. It did not look infected but, asking for fresh water, he cleaned it as best he could and bound it with dry linen strips, which Fécho provided. Then he smiled at Enda. ‘I suggest we get out of these sodden rags and put on something warm and dry before we are visited by the fevers.’
At that moment Fidelma emerged, clad in seaman’s clothes, looking refreshed in spite of her recent experiences. Eadulf followed Enda and Áed to the curtained-off area to change. It was, of course, far easier to fit Eadulf, Enda and Áed with dry clothing than it had been to find something suitable for Fidelma.
As they returned to Fécho, standing with Fidelma and Iffernán at the tiller, the ship began to heel a little, bending into the wind, indicating that they were turning out of the rocky inlet with the coastline on their right.
Fidelma was regarding Eadulf with curiosity.
‘Fécho tells me that you want us to be landed at a place called Baile an Stratha. Why there?’ she asked.
‘It is a sandy cove just north of here, in the angle of the cliffs before you turn due west for the inner sea to Ard Nemed,’ he replied.
Fidelma frowned. ‘I did not ask where it was but why,’ she said irritably.
Eadulf gestured her to accompany him to the far side of the ship, out of the hearing of Fécho and the others.
‘Well now,’ Fidelma said, ‘is there some secret?’
‘Until you release yourself from your geis and tell me what we are up against,’ Eadulf said slowly, ‘then I do not know what is secret from whom. However, I will tell you. The girl, Cairenn, said she would wait for us, with our horses and bags, at that very place.’
Fidelma stared at him for a moment in bewilderment. Then a look of understanding came into her eyes.
‘Cairenn! When did you see her last?’
‘After she escaped when you attacked the guards,’ he replied. ‘Enda and I decided to chase Aescwine, so we told her to get our horses and take them away from the settlement, and find a place not that far away where we would meet up with her later. She knew the village.’
‘You expect her to be at this place where you have asked to be put ashore?’
‘It was the girl who named the spot. She said that she would take the horses and wait for us there for three days. If we had not joined her by then, she would leave the horses there and go on to Cluain.’
‘Cluain?’ Fidelma frowned at the name. Everything seemed to end at Cluain.
‘Well,’ urged Eadulf, ‘do we go to Baile an Stratha or not?’
Fidelma thought briefly. ‘It seems we have no choice,’ she replied.
‘Not if we want a chance to get back our horses and baggage,’ Eadulf said. ‘Anyway, surely it is now time for you to tell Enda and me what this is all about? I don’t mind being drowned, or shot at with Gewisse crossbows, or imprisoned by strange Uí Liatháin ruffians, but I would like to know why.’
Fidelma gave a reluctant sigh. ‘I will tell you as soon as we are in Baile an Stratha. It would be wrong to say anything until we can be sure that the ears that hear what has to be said are those that can keep a secret.’
She glanced meaningfully towards Fécho.
‘You don’t think he can be trusted?’
‘Only to a certain point. He
could have warned us about Tialláin.’
‘He did say that the man was someone to be wary of.’ Eadulf found himself almost defensive. ‘Anyway, until we reach Baile an Stratha, you are insisting this sacred oath still applies?’ He could not help using a condemning tone.
‘It still applies,’ Fidelma answered as if with cheerful equanimity.
‘Does that secrecy apply to an explanation about Áed?’ Eadulf suddenly asked. ‘Why were you so keen to have him rescued? Who is he?’
‘A bow-maker from Eochaill. That’s easy enough. He knows something about this business that I am engaged in. That’s why I wanted him along.’
‘And I have to wait to hear about that business?’ Eadulf asked sourly.
‘Aescwine, the Saxon prince, was very interested in what Áed saw at Eochaill – someone special riding in the direction of Cluain.’
‘Cluain?’ Eadulf shook his head. ‘I am sick to death of hearing about Cluain. You still intend to go there?’
She smiled and inclined her head. ‘You have a quick mind, Eadulf. I will explain soon, very soon. Please accept that.’
‘I’ll accept it. But let us hope you never have to take another such oath again.’
‘Such is not my intention,’ Fidelma solemnly assured him.
The winds were fine and the tide was at its peak when they came into the bay with its long white sandy shore. In fact, the seas were very calm now and the bay contained several small fishing craft. That was good since Fidelma and her companions were reluctant to make any further attempts to swim, which might have been the only other method of getting ashore apart from the coracle. Eadulf declared it would still be too soon if he never saw another coracle in his life. Fécho signalled one of the small boats and negotiated a fee for it to take Fidelma, Eadulf, Enda and Áed ashore.
The problem was that neither Fidelma nor her companions had any means of payment since their capture by Tialláin and their adventures with Aescwine. They had nothing – unless Cairenn had indeed brought their horses to this very spot. However, Fécho conceded that the word of an Eóganacht princess, sister to the King, was good enough security and even returned some of the money she had already given him, in case they needed it ashore. Fidelma promised to return it with interest, slightly amazed at the boatman’s change of attitude.
Bloodmoon Page 23
