The Council of the Cursed

Chapter Ten

On reaching the abbey, they bade farewell to Brother Budnouen as he hurried off on his business, and made their way through the anticum of the abbey to their chamber in the hospitia. As they reached it, a door further along the corridor opened and a grim-faced Abbot Ségdae emerged.

‘Have you heard the news?’ he greeted them without preamble.

‘About Brother Gillucán, Abbot Dabhóc’s steward?’ enquired Fidelma, guessing the subject of his anxiety. ‘Brother Chilperic told us earlier this morning. Has there been a further development?’

Abbot Ségdae motioned to their chamber. They took the hint and led the way inside.

As Eadulf closed the door behind them, the abbot sank into a chair and heaved a deep breath.

‘Abbot Dabhóc murdered and now his steward. I am coming to agree with some of the delegates that this place is cursed.’

Fidelma sat down on the bed while Eadulf went to a jug and poured some water. His mouth was dry after the morning’s excursion.

‘It is not the place that is cursed, Ségdae; people create their own curses,’ replied Fidelma gravely.

‘Brother Gillucán was sitting calmly at our table last night,’ the abbot reflected sadly. ‘Now he is dead, killed by robbers while leaving the city this morning, his body stripped and dumped in the river after his throat was cut. How can such things happen?’

‘I meant to ask Brother Chilperic how Gillucán was recognised as belonging to the abbey when it was his naked body that was discovered in the river?’ asked Eadulf, sipping his water.

‘Apparently by his tonsure. Some boatmen brought the body to the abbey to be identified.’ The abbot looked troubled. ‘As a senior member of our delegation, I asked Brother Gebicca to examine the body so that I could make a proper report to the bishop of Ard Macha.’ He hesitated. ‘When he did so, there was one thing which he found curious.’

Immediately Fidelma’s head rose a little. ‘Go on,’ she said.

‘They cut poor Brother Gillucán’s throat and threw him in the river…but in spite of that, faeces were clinging to parts of his body, under his fingernails and smeared on his flesh. I had to order that his body should be completely washed and ritually cleansed before burial. It was as if the poor boy had crawled through a sewer before his death. It was rather disgusting.’

Fidelma was thoughtful. ‘The river where he was found…do the city’s sewers empty into it?’

‘I suppose so,’ admitted Abbot Ségdae.

‘Were the sewers at the spot where he was found?’

‘Not really. But even with the sewerage in the water, well…that would not account for the smearing on his legs and arms. The current of the river is quite strong as it passes by the city walls and the effluence is carried along rapidly. I would not have thought it would have covered his body in the way it did if he had simply been immersed in it as it flowed down the river. It seemed to me, as I have said, that he had crawled through it or had been flung in it.’

The abbot was clearly distressed at the idea of the mistreatment of the young religieux.

‘It does seem curious,’ Fidelma admitted quietly. ‘And no witnesses have come forward? I mean, no one who saw Brother Gillucán leave the abbey, pass through the city gates or noticed if anyone was following him? I thought guards were at the city gates all the time.’

‘I am told by Brother Chilperic that the guards saw no one. No one at all. Tell me, Fidelma, do you think that there is some connection between the deaths of Dabhóc and Gillucán?’

‘I wish I could give you an answer, Ségdae. On face value, there seems none, and yet I do not entirely believe in coincidences.’

‘So you have come to no conclusions as yet?’

‘Not yet.’

‘So sad, so sad,’ muttered the abbot. ‘Brother Gillucán was leaving for home this morning. He told me that there were some pilgrims going back to the five kingdoms who were staying in the city. He was supposed to be travelling with them.’

‘It would have been better to have joined their party,’ agreed Fidelma, glad that the question was raised, as she could not have mentioned that Gillucán himself had told her as much. ‘What made him change his mind?’

‘I don’t know,’ replied the abbot. ‘He seemed strangely frightened last night. The first I knew that he had left on his own was when Brother Chilperic announced the finding of the body.’

‘Who were the pilgrims?’

‘Three members of the community of Mágh Bhíle in the north. They had been staying as guests of a wealthy lady in this city. Beretrude is her name.’

Fidelma did not allow herself to show any recognition of the name and hoped Eadulf would not say anything.

‘Do we know whether he contacted these three pilgrims before he left?’

‘We don’t. I am told they left this morning.’

‘Are many religious attacked by robbers in such a fashion in these parts?’ asked Eadulf.

‘According to Brother Chilperic, it is unusual for a religious to be killed by robbers. They are usually interested only in money or goods, not in taking a life.’

‘Yet poor Brother Gillucán was stripped and robbed and, although we cannot be sure, his naked body was defiled by being thrown into excrement,’ Fidelma observed thoughtfully. ‘The circumstances sound unusual at the least.’

Abbot Segdae regarded her unhappily. ‘This council is turning into a nightmare. If it were not for the important decisions that have to be made, I would suggest that our delegation withdraw.’

‘That would not be good politics,’ Fidelma pointed out.

‘You are right, of course. We must stay focused on the issues before us.’ The abbot rose abruptly. ‘I will leave you now, but if you come across any information which may help me with my report to Ségéne of Ard Macha…’ He did not finish but left them.

‘Brother Sigeric will be anxious to hear what we have discovered about Sister Valretrade,’ Eadulf told her when they were left alone.

‘Then we’d better tell him,’ Fidelma agreed. It was clear that her mind was elsewhere for the moment and they left the hospitia in silence.

They found Brother Sigeric at work in the library, sitting quietly in a corner transcribing some manuscript. He looked up and an expression of hope quickly flitted across his face. Fidelma’s demeanour told him there was none, however, and his features resumed their wistfulness.

‘We saw Abbess Audofleda, but she simply confirmed what Sister Radegund had told you-that Sister Valretrade left her community about a week ago, having refused to obey the Rule.’

‘Lies!’ snapped Sigeric hotly.

‘Why would you say they were lying?’ asked Fidelma.

‘Because she would not leave here without me,’ the young man replied simply.

Fidelma nodded sympathetically. ‘I have heard similar comment from Brother Budnouen.’

‘Budnouen used to take messages between us,’ Brother Sigeric acknowledged. ‘I had heard that he had returned to Autun but have not seen him yet. He is a merchant and…’

‘We travelled here with him the other day,’ Eadulf informed him. ‘The thing is, Sigeric, if Abbess Audofleda and Sister Radegund are telling lies, what is their purpose and where is Valretrade?’

Brother Sigeric scowled. ‘I’ll wager that she is imprisoned somewhere in the Domus Femini as a punishment for her relationship with me,’ he said, answering the second question first. ‘I will break in and find her.’

He half rose as if that was his immediate intention but Fidelma reached out a hand to stay him.

‘That will serve no purpose, my young friend,’ she said. ‘Calm yourself. Let us try to work out a better strategy. Meanwhile, you must have a care. If you are right about what has happened to Valretrade, then Audofleda might surmise you would take that action. I think that the abbatissa is one who will hold a grudge. She even threatened us with punishment.’

Brother Sigeric sank glumly back on his seat. ‘In the early days, Bishop Leodegar punished those who were reluctant to divorce their wives. He had some flogged.’

‘Do you mean that they were not given a free choice to leave if they did not agree with his Rule on celibacy?’ Fidelma was horrified.

The young scribe shrugged to show she was right.

‘It is hard to believe,’ observed Eadulf.

‘Yet believe it you must. I know it is unusual to you. From what I have heard, there are few places among the Gauls and Franks and even in your western islands, where abbots, bishops and the religious are not married. But these celibates are a small band of fanatics who can only impose their views by force.’

‘Can you give any reason why Abbess Audofleda would deny that Valretrade was in the Domus Femini?’

‘Only to keep us apart,’ was the young man’s immediate reply.

‘She claims that she knew nothing of your relationship. Sister Radegund supported her in that, saying that she had not mentioned your visit to the abbess.’

‘Then I say she lies again.’

‘Valretrade disappeared on the night Abbot Dabhóc was slain,’ Fidelma said. ‘I think it is important that we find someone who is willing to talk about her.’

‘Such as?’

‘Budnouen mentioned someone who knew Valretrade…what was her name?’

It was Eadulf who remembered it: ‘He mentioned a Sister Inginde.’

The young man’s eyes widened. ‘She was Valretrade’s closest friend in the community! They worked together.’

‘Then we need a method of trying to contact her,’ Fidelma said.

‘There is one easy way of sneaking into the Domus Femini, but if one is caught…’ Brother Sigeric ended with a shrug.

‘Perhaps that is a risk that should be taken for the sake of truth.’ Fidelma’s expression was grim.

Brother Sigeric looked at her closely. ‘Would you be willing to chance this? After all, being a woman you would have a better chance of escaping detection than a man would have.’

Eadulf protested immediately. ‘There is only one way into the house of women, and that is through the main gate. I doubt whether Sister Radegund would allow Fidelma to walk in again, especially to speak with any member of the sisterhood.’

‘But there is another easy way in or out of the Domus Femini, isn’t there, Sigeric?’ Fidelma was looking at the young man expectantly. ‘The passage through the vaults under the abbey.’

‘That is so, but I would need to show you the way. In fact, it is the same passage through which the sisters of the Domus Femini come each morning and evening to attend service in the chapel.’

Eadulf raised another objection to the plan.

‘So you enter the Domus Femini-but what then? You would also need to be able to find Sister Inginde. How would you do that?’

Brother Sigeric was enthusiastic.

‘She shared the chamber with Valretrade. I can draw you a plan that would show you how to get there, if you could follow it.’

‘I can follow it,’ replied Fidelma firmly. ‘So long as it is accurate.’

Eadulf was still not convinced. ‘I think it foolhardy. What if you were discovered?’ he protested.

‘I will ensure that I am not discovered,’ Fidelma replied simply. ‘We must find out about Valretrade. I believe that some of the answers to all this mystery might be resolved when we know why she disappeared.’ She turned to Sigeric. ‘So when would be the best time to undertake this underground route?’

His answer was immediate. ‘This very night.’

‘Excellent,’ Fidelma said. ‘The best time is when the sleep period is at its deepest.’

‘You must give yourself sufficient time to enter the Domus Femini, find the chamber of Sister Inginde and then question her. Then you will have to retrace your steps,’ pointed out Brother Sigeric.

‘And all without being observed,’ muttered Eadulf.

‘Show me the way into the Domus Femini and your plan of how I might find the chamber of this Sister Inginde, and I will do the rest,’ Fidelma said confidently.

‘That is good,’ replied Brother Sigeric. ‘I will wait for you here, in the library, after the midnight bell has sounded and the last prayers have been said. Then the brethren go to their slumbers. We will wait a while and then go to the vaults.’

Fidelma and Eadulf left the young scribe in an excited frame of mind and returned to the hospitia.

As they entered their room they heard the distant toll of a bell.

‘Time for the evening bathe,’ Fidelma sighed. ‘But I suppose it must be in cold water again. I can never get used to these foreign customs where people do not heat water for an evening bath. In fact, I have noticed that these people hardly ever bathe, just have a wash with cold water in the morning and perhaps take a swim in the river every so often. They do not even use soap. How can people exist like this, Eadulf?’

Eadulf controlled his expression for a moment. He had grown up in such a fashion and even now he could not get used to the bathing customs of the people of the five kingdoms of Éireann.

Each morning it was the custom to rise and wash their hands and face but then in the evening, before the evening meal, they bathed, a full body wash, with hot water. And this was the daily custom! Eadulf shivered. When he was growing up, he swam in the river near his home once a week and that was his bath. But the rituals of Fidelma’s people continued to amaze him. The soap they used called sléic and linen towels and the sweet scented herbs and oils that were used for the bath took some getting used to.

When the toiletry demands had been met and they had changed into clean robes, Fidelma and Eadulf went down to keep their appointment with Nuntius Peregrinus.

The envoy from the Bishop of Rome was already waiting in the calefactorium and rose to greet them when they entered. He had been talking to his ever-present custodes, the Lateran Palace bodyguard. The warrior discreetly removed himself to another corner.

‘More bad news, I hear,’ Nuntius Peregrinus said sombrely as they seated themselves.

‘You mean about Brother Gillucán?’

‘The young Irish Brother,’ he agreed. ‘He was the servant of Abbot Dabhóc. That is sad.’

‘Not only sad but a mystery,’ replied Fidelma softly.

The envoy’s eyes widened a little. ‘I do not understand.’

‘That death strikes down both the abbot and then his steward in different circumstances but so close to one another: is there some connection?’

‘But this young Brother was attacked by robbers after leaving the abbey. That has nothing to do with the abbot’s murder, surely? It is a sad fact of life that there are robbers in our world, those who waylay and attack strangers, to steal whatever wealth they think they have on them. Those of the religious are not immune to such evil people.’

‘Odd that no one saw him leave-and not even the vigilant guards at the city gate saw him pass through,’ mused Fidelma.

‘And what items of worth would a young religieux have on him? I understand the young man was not possessed of wealth, unlike someone of substance-such as yourself,’ Eadulf added with a touch of malicious humour.

The Nuntius did not appreciate Eadulf’s jocularity.

‘Robbers will rob even for a good pair of leather sandals these days.’ He hesitated and repeated, ‘You surely do not think there is a connection between this young man’s death and the murder of his abbot?’

‘My task is to come to no conclusion until I am in possession of all the facts,’ Fidelma replied.

‘Did you know Brother Gillucán?’ Eadulf asked.

‘No. I met all the delegates but not their stewards or advisers,’ said the Nuntius. ‘I was present at the opening of the session and saw the enmity between some of the delegates.’

‘The argument between Ordgar and Cadfan, you mean?’

The Nuntius nodded briefly. ‘That prelates of the Church can be so antagonistic to each other is a cause of sadness when we should be united in Faith. I had to intervene in order to help Bishop Leodegar bring them under control.’

‘The more vehement the proclamation of the Faith, the more vicious the denunciation of others who deviate from that person’s vision,’ interposed Fidelma. ‘The Faith can breed great hatreds.’

‘You surprise me, Sister!’ The Nuntius was scandalised.

‘Surely you cannot be surprised by reality, Peregrinus?’ Fidelma replied. ‘We must accept that we are all frail creatures. I have not studied my country’s law and pursued its practice these many years without a realisation that humans are not perfect and rational beings. They can be sly and oft-times evil, whatever their calling in life.’

‘We of the Faith must aspire to higher codes of behaviour.’

‘Aspire, yes,’ she agreed, ‘but I am afraid there is often a gap between aspiration and achievement. What was your opinion of Abbot Dabhóc?’ Fidelma swung back to the original subject.

Nuntius Peregrinus thought for a moment.

‘He seemed a most moderate man. He tried to make peace between the Briton and the Saxon on that first day when they had the argument. I noticed that.’

‘Is it your opinion that he was killed because he intervened between them?’ asked Eadulf.

‘It would seem so.’

‘Yet his room was ransacked the same night. Robbery seems so prevalent these days. Could that be a possibility in this matter?’

‘But the abbot was murdered in the chamber of Ordgar…are you saying that Ordgar killed him in the course of a robbery?’

‘I did not say that. I simply said that his chamber was ransacked and some things have gone missing.’

The Nuntius did not respond.

‘Did you meet Abbot Dabhóc apart from that opening session?’

‘Yes. I went to look at the old Roman amphitheatre, which is not far away from here. Several of the delegates to the council had gone there. Abbot Leodegar wanted to show them some of the beauties of this city. I met Abbot Dabhóc there.’

‘Ah!’ Fidelma exclaimed. ‘And his steward was not with him?’

‘Now that you mention it, the young man was accompanying the abbot. We exchanged a few words-incidentals, that is all. He removed himself from our company immediately after that.’ The words were spoken almost defensively.

‘And when you were alone with Abbot Dabhóc, wasn’t there talk of a gift?’ The sharp tone in Fidelma’s voice caused the Nuntius to blink.

‘You seem to know a great deal, Fidelma. Yes, there was such talk.’

‘And what was said?’

‘The abbot advised me that he had brought a special gift from Hibernia. It was a reliquary that he wanted me to take as a present to His Holiness on behalf of the bishop of Ard Macha.’

‘But, presumably, this gift was not handed over?’

The Nuntius Peregrinus shook his head.

‘Did you know what the gift was?’

‘Holy relics, that is all,’ the Nuntius replied at once. ‘They were the relics of a disciple of Patrick who took the Faith to the Hibernians.’

‘The relics of Benén mac Sesenén?’

‘No name was mentioned that I recall. We were to wait until the end of the council. There was to be a closing ceremony and it was thought fitting to make the presentation there so that all might witness Ard Macha’s tribute to Rome.’

‘Whose suggestion was that?’

‘The abbot’s, naturally. I think he was quite proud of the gift and wanted the other delegates to see what Ard Macha was sending to His Holiness.’ He frowned suddenly. ‘You would doubtless know that the bishop of Ard Macha is seeking His Holiness’s blessing and recognition to be the primate of your land of Hibernia.’

Fidelma pursed her lips in disfavour.

‘We have long been aware that the comarb of Patrick, as we call the bishops of Ard Macha, make the claim that they are the senior bishops in the five kingdoms. It is not a claim that is supported by the other bishops. Least of all those in my brother’s kingdom of Muman.’

‘Comarb?’ The Nunfius hesitated over the word.

‘Successor,’ explained Fidelma. ‘Abbot Ségdae, who is now the senior delegate of Hibernia here, is recognised as comarb of the Blessed Ailbe who came to our kingdom before Patrick arrived in the island. It was Ailbe who brought the Faith to our southern kingdom. According to our scholars, he has more right to be recognised as senior bishop. Ségdae is both abbot and bishop of Imleach, the abbey founded by Ailbe. Most people do not acknowledge that the bishop of Ard Macha has a right to this title of archiepiscopus-it is not the way in which our churches are organised.’

The Nuntius Peregrinus gave a deep sigh.

‘Ecclesiastical politics, then? This gift would not have pleased Abbot Ségdae. It seems that you should be thinking along those lines as the gift has disappeared.’

Fidelma caught the suspicious tone in his voice.

‘Do you imply that Abbot Ségdae might be involved in this matter?’ she asked.

The Nuntius spread his hands.

‘If, as you suggest, the theft of the reliquary box was somehow a motive for the murder of Dabhóc, then Abbot Ségdae is a prime suspect because of the very reason that you have now pointed out.’

‘Who, apart from you, knew the nature of the gift? I mean, knew that it was not only a reliquary box but the nature of the relics inside?’ Eadulf asked.

‘I had thought only Abbot Dabhóc and perhaps his servant, young Brother Gillucán, knew. All I knew was it contained the relics of the Blessed Patrick’s disciple and his successor.’

Fidelma was silent for a moment. As the Nuntius pointed out, she had given the very reason why Abbot Ségdae could be regarded as a prime suspect. Yet he was her brother’s friend and adviser and, indeed, had performed her wedding ceremony. But such a bribe as Ard Macha was offering to Rome was certainly not in Imleach’s nor Ségdae’s best interests.

‘When did you learn that the reliquary box had been stolen?’ Eadulf was asking.

‘When?’ The Nuntius screwed up his face as if to help his memory. ‘I think it was just after the murder, but I can’t be sure. Someone was talking about the abbot’s chamber being searched.’

‘Who was that?’

‘I don’t recall…no, wait! It must have been Brother Chilperic, the steward.’

There came the toll of a bell. The Nuntius rose quickly.

‘Ah, we are called for the evening meal.’

Fidelma could not help noticing that he looked slightly relieved.

‘Surely, Peregrinus, if the reliquary box was not in Abbot Dabhóc’s room, the logical thing would be that it was being taken care of by his steward-Brother Gillucán?’

‘Oh yes, that was the first idea.’ The Nuntius coughed. ‘Brother Gillucán was questioned about that-but he denied knowledge.’

‘By whom was he questioned?’

‘I presume that Brother Chilperic spoke with him.’

Fidelma and Eadulf now rose from their seats.

‘You’ve been most helpful, Nuntius Peregrinus,’ Fidelma said. ‘I hope we may continue to have your full support to resolve this matter, and that before long you will be able to take our findings to our friend, the Venerable Gelasius, in Rome.’

‘As I said previously, I am sure he will be delighted to know that you have been instrumental in investigating this matter. My prime task is to ensure that, in spite of these setbacks, this council meets and discusses the matters that the Holy Father has placed before them.’ He added: ‘It is good to talk with you again, Fidelma, although I was hoping that we would be able to reminisce about the times in Rome.’

He nodded to Brother Eadulf then turned to join his silent custodes and those moving in the direction of the refectory.

Fidelma and Eadulf followed at a more leisurely pace.

‘What do we do now?’ Eadulf asked. ‘Do we confront Abbot Ségdae with the claim that he had a good reason to kill Dabhóc and steal this reliquary box?’

Fidelma shook her head.

‘We will leave Abbot Ségdae alone for a while-at least so far as that matter is concerned. I can’t help feeling that Ségdae, even if he were capable of such a crime, would not commit it in such a complicated way. He does not possess such a devious mind. Anyway, first let us enjoy the evening meal.’