The Haunted Abbot

Chapter Five

Eadulf was leaving the abbot’s chamber when a tall, fair-haired brother came striding along the corridor towards him. He was a pleasant-faced man of nearly thirty, his flaxen hair falling in curled ringlets from the corona spina, the tonsure of St Peter. He had a fair skin, bright eyes and a friendly smile. He carried himself proudly upright — almost too proudly to be a member of the religious.

‘Good morning, Brother,’ he said brightly, halting in front of Eadulf. ‘I presume that you are Brother Eadulf, the companion of Sister Fidelma?’

Eadulf inclined his head slightly. ‘You have the advantage of me, Brother.’

‘I am the apothecary of the abbey. My name is Higbald.’

Eadulf relaxed and returned his smile. ‘Have you seen Sister Fidelma?’

‘I have. A fever brought on by exposure to the harsh elements. You appear to have already prescribed all the necessary remedies. I could do nothing more for her. The sister tells me that you were trained in one of the medical schools of Éireann? They have a good reputation.’

‘I studied at Tuaim Brecáin,’ confirmed Eadulf. ‘But tell me your recommendation, Brother Higbald. Abbot Cild wants us to leave the abbey immediately.’

Brother Higbald laughed pleasantly. ‘In this inclement weather? The snow may have stopped falling, and the sun is high and shining, but the air is without any warmth. It is truly cold enough to freeze a fair-size pond. It is not the weather to go travelling. In her condition, it would not be wise at all. I will tell the abbot so.’

Eadulf gave a little sigh of relief. ‘Thank you, Brother Higbald. I am afraid Abbot Cild’s hospitality towards Fidelma leaves much to be desired.’

Brother Higbald looked sympathetic and took Eadulf’s arm in his in a confiding gesture.

‘Let us walk for a moment, Brother Eadulf.’

Eadulf allowed himself to be led along the corridor and out into a covered walkway that opened on one side to the central square, the main quadrangle around which the buildings of the abbey were clustered. It had stopped snowing, as Brother Higbald had said, but the air was chill and the snow lay thick. It was a dry, fine snow which swirled in the sharp gusts of wind.

Brother Higbald spoke in a confidential tone.

‘I will ensure, of course, that the abbot realises the situation. However, do not condemn him for his uncompromising attitude. He has been through much. It is merely his means of protecting himself.’

‘I understand that all is not well with him,’ conceded Eadulf.

‘I was here last night in the chapel.’

Brother Higbald grimaced. ‘Ah, you mean the somewhat dramatic entrance of the Irish warrior Garb? He appears to be given to dramatic gestures.’

‘You know him, then?’

‘Know is, perhaps, too strong a word. I have seen him twice, to be exact.’

‘And what times were these?’

‘The first was when he came to the abbey to speak with Abbot Cild. The second time was last night. On both occasions his appearance was dramatic.’

‘Dramatic? When did he first come to the abbey, then?’

‘You are inquisitive, Brother Eadulf.’ Brother Higbald’s look was suspicious but still edged with amusement.

‘It is my nature,’ explained Eadulf. ‘I was hereditary gerefa at Seaxmund’s Ham before I began to travel for the faith.’

Brother Higbald’s smile broadened.

‘A gerefa, eh? A legal mind as well as a medical one and both in service of the faith. An extraordinary combination, Brother. Well, the warrior Garb came to the abbey about nine days ago. I was with the abbot when he made a similarly dramatic entrance though the door. I was removed from the chamber under guard of one of his warriors. I do not know what passed between them. However, Garb departed in anger. Abbot Cild was upset for somedays. Since that day I believe he has become more extreme in his moods.’

Eadulf examined Brother Higbald with some scepticism. ‘Are you saying that before Garb came here that first time, the abbot was a different person? How did this metamorphosis manifest itself?’

Brother Higbald chuckled warmly. ‘If you mean, was he jovial and good-natured and of a free and easy disposition before that day, then I have to say — absolutely not! Nature did not endow Abbot Cild with such attributes as kindliness and humour. The abbot has always been a man of extreme moods — more or less as you observe him now. I would say that he has become fearful. He has, to my knowledge, always been distrustful and somewhat illogical in his dealings with people.’

‘Garb’s charge of murder is a very serious one,’ pointed out Eadulf.

‘Accepting that, how can such a charge be made here under a foreign law?’

‘From the viewpoint of our law, it cannot,’ agreed Eadulf. ‘From the viewpoint of the law of the Brehons it can because Cild was married in Connacht under that law. So, I am told, it is serious.’

‘Fate has worked a cruel blow on the abbot.’

‘Cruel?’ queried Eadulf in surprise. ‘In what way?’

‘In respect of Brother Botulf’s death. Had he been alive, Botulf would have been able to defend Abbot Cild from these accusations.’

‘I do not follow you.’

‘I only know that Brother Botulf knew the full story about the abbot’s wife and was a witness to her death.’

‘When did she die?’ Eadulf hid his disappointment that his theory that Cild was hiding his wife from the world was so easily demolished.

Brother Higbald shook his head. ‘I should not be gossiping about the abbot.’

‘I do not ask you to gossip,’ Eadulf replied easily. ‘I asked for an answer to a question. A date, a time.’

‘Gélgeis must have died some months before I joined this community. When I came here, which was the end of thesummer, Cild had already established the abbey as a fraternity of religieux in which no women would be allowed to distract our contemplations. But there are still some of the brethren who knew her. Poor Brother Botulf, of course, and Brother Willibrod. Oh, and young Redwald. From what I heard, Gélgeis was not too well liked.’

‘Was the abbot’s concern about celibacy just a reaction to his wife’s death?’

‘Who knows what motivates people in their designs?’ Brother Higbald observed with a shrug. ‘Grief is often a spur in such matters.’

‘It is certain that the abbot’s wife is dead?’ Eadulf asked, struck by a sudden thought.

‘Of course. What makes you ask such a question?’ The apothecary seemed amused.

‘I was wondering about the identity of the lady who is currently a guest in this abbey?’

Brother Higbald’s expression was slightly bewildered. ‘I presume that you are not referring to your companion …?’

‘I am not. I mean the slim, fair-haired and richly dressed woman whom I observed in the cloisters by the chapel last night.’

The apothecary appeared to be serious for the moment. ‘Truly, Brother, as far as I know. there is no female in this abbey other than your companion.’

‘Yet I have seen her,’ Eadulf repeated firmly.

‘And you would recognise her again?’ asked Brother Higbald quickly.

Eadulf hesitated and then shrugged. ‘I am not sure.’

‘Well, would we not know if there was a woman here?’

Eadulf decided not to pursue the matter further.

‘Does anyone know how Abbot Cild’s wife came by her death?’ he asked. ‘Could it be that Garb’s accusation has some truth in it? Abbot Cild acts as though he has something to hide in this matter.’

Brother Higbald shook his head quickly. ‘There is no secret about her death. She wandered into a bog and was sucked under. My friend, granted that you were a gerefa, my advice to you would be that as soon as your companion is recovered in health,you should move on from here and stop asking questions. It would be unwise to take the side of Garb and seek out a mystery where there is none. If Abbot Cild does not wish to answer Garb, then surely that is his own affair?’

Eadulf returned his level, still humorous gaze for a moment. Yet there was something mysteriously serious about the smiling face of the apothecary.

‘There is a mystery here, Brother Higbald.’ Eadulf was not deterred. ‘Botulf was the friend and companion of my youth. I will not rest until I discover who killed him. I do not like leaving mysteries in my wake. Nor do I react to threats, however diplomatically articulated.’

The apothecary sighed ruefully. ‘I did not mean to sound as if I was issuing a threat. The matter is no concern of mine. I simply meant to warn you that Abbot Cild is a man of unstable temperament. He says that Botulf was killed by-’

‘I know what Abbot Cild says. Outlaws? Thieves from the marshlands? All because a Brother Wigstan claims that he saw an outlaw called Aldhere in the vicinity of the abbey not long after the body of Botulf was discovered. By the way, as apothecary, I presume you examined Botulf’s body when it was found?’

‘I did. I was in the chapel when I was sent for. The body was just outside in the courtyard. It was clear that Botulf had been struck several times about the head with a battle-axe.’

‘A battle-axe? What makes you say that?’

‘I have seen enough wounds in battle to recognise the type of injury inflicted by such a weapon.’

‘And what was the conclusion that you reached?’

‘That he had been bludgeoned to death.’

‘And why would Garb accuse the abbot of having some interest in that act? If Botulf was a witness at Gélgeis’s death, is the inference that he was killed because of something he knew?’

Brother Higbald shrugged. ‘It is not for me to comment, Brother. I would simply urge you not to delay here unnecessarily. I shall tell the abbot that the sister needs some time to recover from her fever, but after that …’

He raised a shoulder and let it drop as if in dismissal. Eadulf stood gazing thoughtfully after him as the apothecary walkedaway. Then he turned towards the guests’ hostel and went in to see Fidelma.

‘I understand we may stay here until I am recovered sufficiently to travel,’ she greeted him in between bouts of coughing. ‘You seem to have been diplomatic in your plea to the abbot.’

Eadulf smiled broadly. ‘Diplomatic? Not exactly. Abbot Cild is of a very peculiar temperament.’

‘Did you find out any more about the matter of the troscud, the ritual fast against him?’ Fidelma hesitated and pointed to the side table. ‘Give me some more of that noxious brew of yours, Eadulf. It tastes foul but I am persuaded that it does ease the soreness of my throat and chest.’

Eadulf gave the beaker to her.

‘I tried to find out more,’ he replied. ‘I think there is a bigger mystery here than appeared at first glance.’

He recited in as much detail as possible his conversations with the abbot and Brother Higbald.

‘I don’t recall you mentioning this strange woman to me before,’ frowned Fidelma. ‘But if there is a woman here, why are they denying it?’

Eadulf shrugged. ‘The matter did not seem important to me before. It was only when Abbot Cild started lecturing me on how women were not permitted in his precious abbey that I brought the matter up.’

‘And you say that she was not a religieuse?’

‘No. She was well dressed and therefore someone of rank and prosperity but certainly not a member of the community.’

‘What made you think that it was the abbot’s wife?’

‘It was just an idea, that’s all. It would have explained his reaction to Garb’s accusations.’

‘There are some weaknesses in that argument, Eadulf. If she were still alive, why not simply tell Garb and his father in order to prevent the public accusation against him? And you say that Brother Higbald denied the existence of the woman in the abbey?’

‘He did, but one does not necessarily have to believe him.’

‘Or, maybe, he and other members of the community simply do not know of her existence. Perhaps she comes and goes in secret.’

‘A mistress, perhaps?’

‘You do not have enough information to leap to these conclusions, Eadulf,’ sighed Fidelma. ‘And now, I want to rest a while. Ask more questions and make fewer deductions.’ She took another sip of the herbal remedy and then turned on her side.

Eadulf left quietly.

Outside he met Brother Willibrod. He was standing with another member of the community, a broad-shouldered young man. The dominus was looking less anxious than before as he greeted Eadulf.

‘I understand all is well. It is not the Yellow Plague but an ague. Abbot Cild has told me that you can stay for a few days until Sister Fidelma is recovered. Is there anything that can be done to aid her recovery?’

Eadulf shook his head. ‘Rest, warmth and perhaps someone could take her some clear broth at midday?’

‘It shall be done. Young Brother Redwald shall be instructed in this. By the way, this is Brother Wigstan. You asked to see him.’

Eadulf looked at the young man. ‘I am told that you saw this outlaw — Aldhere?’

Brother Wigstan nodded slowly. ‘I was returning to the abbey early yesterday morning. I was hurrying to join the brethren in singing Matins-’

‘Where had you been?’ interrupted Eadulf.

‘I was returning from a visit to the coast, bringing some fish to the abbey. As my cart came along the road nearby, I swear I saw Aldhere riding away.’

Eadulf frowned slightly. ‘You do not sound positive?’

‘I am positive. It was by the little copse at the side of the abbey that I saw him.’

‘And in order to recognise him, you have obviously seen him before?’

‘I have been robbed twice by him on journeys to and from the coast,’ agreed Brother Wigstan with bitterness. ‘I know him.’

‘And each time he let you go with your life? He does not sound the depraved villain that I have been led to believe.’

‘Is that all, Brother?’

Eadulf nodded absently and when Brother Wigstan had departed, he turned to Brother Willibrod.

‘And on such an observation, a man may be killed?’ he asked rhetorically. ‘It is hardly evidence. I have another favour to ask of you.’

‘Which is?’ demanded the dominus cautiously.

‘I have told you that I was a good friend of Brother Botulf. I would like to see his personal possessions.’

‘The brethren of Christ have no possessions,’ admonished Brother Willibrod gruffly. ‘You know the ruling of the Didache?’

The Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles was a book dealing with church order and ecclesiastical life said to have been handed down from the earliest Christian community. But Eadulf had never read it nor consciously followed its rules. He shook his head.

‘The Didache says,’ quoted the dominus in sonorous tones:

‘“share everything with your brother. Do not say ‘it is private property’. If you share what is everlasting, you should be that much more willing to share things which do not last.”’

‘I have heard the teaching from other church fathers,’ admitted Eadulf. ‘Do you claim that this is the rule which you practise here?’

‘We try to retain the true rules of the faith,’ replied Brother Willibrod with some stiffness.

‘Even so, I would like a moment in the cell of my good friend.’

‘I do not know whether his cell has been cleared.’

‘Please?’

Brother Willibrod suddenly shrugged as if to dismiss the matter. ‘Very well. A moment of contemplation can be allowed. Come.’ He turned and led the way through the abbey, past the main dormitory and refectory buildings. ‘Brother Botulf, as the steward of the abbey, had his chamber here,’ he said, pointing to a door and standing aside.

Brother Eadulf entered the small chamber.

There was hardly anything within. A robe and a cloak were still hanging on wooden pegs, along with a book satchel. A pair of worn sandals were placed underneath them on the floor. The bed was a single straw mattress on a wooden frame with severalneatly folded blankets on it. A candle and a tinder box stood on a small table. There was also a beaker, a jug and a wash basin.

‘As you see, Brother Eadulf,’ intoned the dominus standing in the doorway, ‘Brother Botulf had no possessions.’

Eadulf shook his head. ‘I find it sad. A life gone by and nothing to show but a few memories of those who knew him. And memory dies, too, and is gone like smoke in the wind.’

‘Possessions are an abomination, leading men into temptation,’ replied Brother Willibrod in a stony voice. ‘Did not St Basil the Great declaim that property is theft? We of the faith must do away with all personal possessions. We are all equal in the faith.’

Eadulf sighed in resignation. ‘I think it was Aristotle who said that it was not the possessions but the desires of mankind which required to be equalised.’

He turned to the satchel hanging on the wall. There was a little book of scripture quotations in Latin there. As Eadulf lifted it out he saw a piece of crunched paper beneath it at the bottom of the satchel. He drew it out surreptitiously so that Brother Willibrod did not observe him tucking it in the sleeve of his robe.

‘I should remove that book to the scriptorium,’ Brother Willibrod said, holding his hand out for it.

‘Was it not Botulf’s book?’ queried Eadulf.

‘All is common property here,’ Brother Willibrod replied.

Eadulf watched the dominus return the book to the satchel and take it from the peg. As he did so, Eadulf took the opportunity to secure the piece of paper in the small sacculus that he carried on his belt. Brother Willibrod turned back to him.

‘Have you seen enough?’

Eadulf bowed his head in confirmation. As they were walking back to the main quadrangle, he asked: ‘Tell me, Brother Willibrod, as dominus of this abbey you know everyone who comes and goes, don’t you?’

Brother Willibrod regarded him curiously. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean that you know all the visitors here, don’t you?’

‘If you wish to question me about the intrusion last night, I have already explained that the foreign warriors scaled the walls, and-’

‘I am not asking about that. I want to know the identity of thewoman who was in the abbey last night. And I don’t mean my companion.’

Brother Willibrod regarded him with outrage on his features.

‘Are you mad? A woman, here in the abbey? Impossible!’

‘Not impossible. I saw her in the quadrangle by the chapel. A slim woman, fair-haired, with a red dress and jewels.’

Brother Willibrod took a physical step backwards. A look of astonishment crossed his face. Then it hardened into a mask.

‘There was no such woman in the abbey last night nor any night.’ He swung round and walked away so quickly that Eadulf was left staring after him in surprise at his reaction.

As he stood there, the youthful Brother Redwald came round a corner of the building carrying two buckets of water for the guests’ chambers.

‘Good morning, Brother Eadulf,’ he said nervously. ‘Is there anything I can do for you and Sister Fidelma?’

‘Thank you,’ replied Eadulf grimly. ‘I think everything that needs to be done is being done.’ He was about to move on when he paused and said: ‘You could tell me where I might find Brother Osred. I was going to have a word with him last night but didn’t get the chance.’

‘Brother Osred? The smith?’ Brother Redwald pursed his lips thoughtfully. ‘I suppose he’s gone with the others.’

Eadulf frowned. ‘Gone with the others? What do you mean?’

‘Abbot Cild led a small group of the brethren out a short time ago. They have gone to the marshes in search of the outlaw, Aldhere.’

‘What?’ Eadulf recalled his vow to accompany Cild to ensure some sort of law prevailed if the abbot caught up with the outlaw. A moment later Eadulf was running after Brother Willibrod.