The Mammoth Book of Historical Crime Fic - By Mike Ashley Page 0,57

child. Now he is full grown to manhood. He has not improved his personality. He maintains his vicious temper and is even more arrogant.”

“So there is a problem between you? The messenger that just arrived brought you word of him. Something serious?”

“For me, it is serious,” confirmed the girl. “I inherited some land near here from my mother. The land contains a silver mine. Rechtabra has occupied it and claims that I should not inherit.”

Fidelma was surprised. “On what basis does he make that claim?”

“That he believes a woman could not inherit a silver mine.”

“You have the necessary evidence that it was left to you as a banchomarba, a female heir? Such inheritance is within the law.”

“Of course. My father’s Brehon has the evidence and my father knows the story well. But they are not here. It was not by chance that Rechtabra waited until my father and his Brehon had left for the tour of judgements before he occupied the mine and started to work it. By the time they return, he will have denuded the mine of most of its wealth.”

“Then what of your father’s tanist, his heir apparent? Surely he has the authority to stop Rechtabra?”

Scoth’s lips compressed sourly. “Rechtabra is my father’s tanist. And that is my problem.”

Fidelma gazed thoughtfully at her for a moment. “So, what you are saying is that he has moved on to your land and claimed it in defiance of the law? But he must know of the consequences when your father and his Brehon return?”

“He probably means to extract as much as he can before they return. With such riches, I am told that he could buy protection, even travel where retribution is of no consequence. I was wondering what I could do. I do not have enough warriors loyal to me to overthrow him.”

“Well the answer is simple in law. According to the Din Techtugad, if he remains in defiance then you can institute the procedure of bantellach, a legal means of pursuing a claim for female rights of land-ownership. You do not have to resort to force. It would be best, however, if your father’s Brehon gave the judgement. But is it certain that Rechtabra is fully aware that he will have to pay you compensation and fines for his presumption?”

“I do not know,” Scoth replied with a shrug. Then her eyes lightened. “Would it not be possible for you to give him a warning before you leave?”

“We mean to start back first thing in the morning,” she glanced at Eadulf, who shrugged.

“A word from you might stop him,” Scoth went on persuasively. “Tomorrow we could ride to the mine. It is not far to the west of here and you could warn him so that he understands the consequences of what he is doing … Please?”

Fidelma sighed with resignation. “I suppose that I could explain the law to him, if that is all that is needed.”

Scoth relaxed with a smile. “I would appreciate it. Rechtabra might give this matter more serious thought if he knows that the King’s sister is watching his actions.”

“I presume Rechtabra has men working at the mine with him? If I remember that evil little boy, he might not like his cousin lecturing him on the law. Alas, silver seems to turn people’s minds.”

“Are there are many silver mines in this district?” asked Eadulf.

“Those mountains you have to pass through to Cashel are called Sliabh an Argid, the Silver Mountains,” Scoth replied quickly. “The mountains are rich in silver and thus my father is able to pay the gabal na rígh, the king’s tribute, in unga weights, grams of silver rather than cattle as some princes do.”

“And do many people here work in the silver mines?” asked Eadulf, who was always interested in learning about people and places.

“That is why this settlement is called the Mouth of the Ford of the Smith,” replied Scoth. “The smiths, however, that work here are silversmiths. This is where most of the silver in the mines is worked.”

Fidelma suddenly stretched, yawned and rose. “Forgive me, Scoth. I have had a hard journey these last few days and no bath last night. Let me rest before the evening bath and meal and, I promise you, first thing in the morning, we will ride out to find our wayward cousin. We will delay our journey a further day.”

“It is good of you, Fidelma,” Scoth reached forward and placed a hand on Fidelma’s arm. “I am sure Rechtabra will take