Peter Tremayne - The Devil's seal

Later, Eadulf met Fidelma crossing the main courtyard.

‘You look troubled,’ she greeted him.

‘And you look as though you have a problem,’ he said in an attempt at a light-hearted deflection of his thoughts.

Fidelma decided the matter in hand should have priority. ‘Yesterday, it seemed no one saw anyone near the chapel, yet now we have several sightings. I find that strange.’

‘I told you that I saw old Brother Conchobhar and Deogaire,’ Eadulf pointed out.

‘But now we have Abbess Líoch and an unknown religieux, who might have been Brother Madagan, close to the chapel. Deogaire said he saw Brother Madagan while Sister Dianaimh saw an unknown religieux while she was standing waiting for the abbess inside the gates. It might have been the same person.’

Eadulf raised his eyebrows slightly. ‘I presume that you are still suspicious of the abbess?’

‘I never discount anyone until all the facts are in, Eadulf,’ she replied. ‘I need a word with Brother Madagan. Maybe he can confirm that the unknown religieux was himself.’

‘I saw him enter the main door of the chapel just now.’

‘Excellent. Where is your brother, by the way? I thought you were introducing him to our little Alchú?’

‘I don’t think he is much good with children. I’ve left Alchú with Muirgen and have asked Dego to take Egric to see the township.’

‘Something is wrong, I can tell. What is it?’

‘Let’s say Alchú did not seem too enamoured with his new uncle. Not that the boy was to blame. Egric just seemed awkward. That was all.’ Eadulf did not want to go into his own inexplicable feelings.

‘I wouldn’t worry about it.’ She tried to give him assurance. ‘After all, it must be a shock for him — that is, arriving in the manner he did. His companion killed and then rediscovering his brother after all these years. A brother with a child. .’

‘And married to the sister of a foreign King,’ Eadulf finished. ‘You think this is why he seems so tense?’

‘I am sure of it. When was the last time you said you saw him?’

‘Over ten years ago.’

‘There you are, then. You cannot expect to regain those lost years in one evening. Give him time. He has much to learn about you, and you about him.’

Eadulf was uncertain for a moment and then he grimaced dismissively. ‘I suppose you are right. Maybe I was expecting too much, too soon.’

‘Indeed,’ she smiled. ‘So, let us now go and find Brother Madagan.’

They made their way across the courtyard to the main entrance of the chapel.

It was dark inside and, of course, the weather did not help with its grey, shadowy clouds. A small lantern lit the entrance beyond the doorway and two candles spluttered on the altar although they did not give out any meaningful light.

Fidelma and Eadulf stood by the entrance waiting until their eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. At first there seemed no one in the chapel. Everything was so still that even the steady beat of raindrops came like the sound of noisy pebbles on the roof above.

‘Brother Madagan?’ called Fidelma softly, her voice echoing in the vaulted tranquillity of the chapel. Her voice came back to her as a soft sighing echo.

At once there came the sound of a throat being cleared. A shadow moved from behind a pillar at the far side of the dark interior.

‘Sister Fidelma?’

The figure was still shrouded in the gloom but they recognised Brother Madagan, the rechtaire or steward of Abbot Ségdae, by his voice.

‘But no longer a Sister of the Faith, as you should know,’ replied Fidelma gravely.

‘Forgive me, lady. I had heard that you left the religious to pursue the law more vigorously.’

‘How is your chill, Brother Madagan?’

‘Much improved, lady; though it was sad that I had to miss the meal last night.’ He peered closer towards her. ‘Is that Brother Eadulf with you?’

‘Indeed, it is,’ replied Eadulf, stepping forward.

‘I was going to make myself known to your brother. Where is he?’

‘He has gone to the township in the company of Dego.’

‘I am anxious to hear what happened when he was attacked on the river. I hear a senior cleric of Rome was killed. Has he told you much about it?’

‘Little enough. But didn’t you see him at the funeral last night?’

‘I missed him in the darkness, especially after the intervention of the mad nephew of Brother Conchobhar.’

‘Do you think he is mad?’ intervened Fidelma.

‘It was certainly madness that spoke last night,’ Brother Madagan declared.

‘You mean Deogaire making his prophecy?’ asked Fidelma.

‘That is exactly what I mean,’ confirmed the steward with some vehemence. ‘Sacrilege. The young man should be punished. You know the old saying — woe to him who considers his opinion a certainty! Woe to the bringers of warnings and prophecies!’

‘Is not the Holy Scripture full of warnings and prophecies?’ replied Fidelma gently.

‘Not with sacrilegious pagan nonsense,’ the man snapped.

‘You mean because he used terms from the Holy Scripture?’

‘That he chose a funeral to utter his warning was blasphemous, as it was also disrespectful.’

‘As I recall, discretion was not a virtue with Deogaire. But it is not of him that I wish to speak.’

Brother Madagan sniffed in disapproval. ‘What is it?’

‘Let us sit awhile.’ Fidelma pointed to a bench by the pillar, where light from a window illuminated the area. When they were seated, she went on: ‘I was told you were passing this chapel just before Brother Cerdic’s body was found. Did you see anyone at that time — anyone emerging from the chapel?’

Brother Madagan paused for a moment, as if trying to recall. ‘I saw no one. However, I did hear some shouting. I glanced back and saw Brother Eadulf calling to old Brother Conchobhair and Deogaire. Was that when the body. .?’

‘I had just found the body,’ Eadulf explained unnecessarily. ‘Brother Cerdic came to the Abbey of Imleach and then accompanied you and the abbot here. I was wondering whether, during that time, he said or did anything which might have indicated that he had made an enemy, or mentioned anything which could have suggested he would be victim to this lethal assault?’

Brother Madagan gave a derisive snort. ‘He was a most arrogant fellow, who would have done well to remember that he was not among his own people and their customs!’

‘I am told that you nearly lost your temper with him when he came to Imleach,’ Eadulf said in a mild tone.

Brother Madagan was indifferent. ‘That is true. He provoked me with his conceit.’

‘I had not realised that you spoke my tongue, Brother Madagan,’ Eadulf went on.

‘Did you not? It is a matter of little importance except that Brother Cerdic had no word of our language. His Latin was indifferent and his Greek was non-existent. That was why Brother Rónán of Fearna had to act as his guide and interpreter.’

‘Where did you learn the Saxon tongue?’ It was Fidelma who posed the question this time.

‘I spent some time in the town of Láirge, the harbour on the coast. Many travellers from foreign places, especially those who come to study at our colleges, make their landfall there. I spent two summers there teaching students from the kingdoms of the Saxons before they travelled on to colleges like Darú.’

‘Let us return to Brother Cerdic,’ Eadulf said. ‘I understand you were in attendance when he and Brother Rónán told the abbot about the nature of their business.’

‘Of course. As rechtaire it was my duty.’

‘So tell me, exactly how did he explain the purpose of this deputation led by Bishop Arwald?’