Peter Tremayne - The Devil's seal

Eadulf raised his eyebrows a little. ‘He did start off by asking us what we thought about Theodore of Canterbury extending his religious authority over the Five Kingdoms.’

‘That answer would surely be known before the question was asked.’

Eadulf rose and examined the company. The Venerable Verax was in the company of Brother Conchobhar. He grimaced at Fidelma, before making his way over to them. The old physician looked almost relieved as Eadulf approached and it was clear that he was not happy with the conversation he was having with the Roman prelate. As he drew nearer, Eadulf understood why.

‘Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the prognosticators, stand up and save themselves from those things that shall come upon them,’ thundered the Venerable Verax, obviously quoting from something. ‘That is what is written in the scripture of Isaiah. Behold they shall be as stubble, the fire shall burn them and they shall not deliver themselves from the pain of the flames.’

Eadulf felt sorry for the old physician who, indeed, practised divination from the stars as was common among the people. But Eadulf knew that some in the New Faith were against the ancient science even though the birth of the Christ, according to the scriptures, was foretold by astrologers who then came to pay homage to Him. Eadulf glanced with sympathy at Brother Conchobhar, who mumbled some excuse and left them. Then Eadulf smiled at the Roman cleric.

‘And are you finding your visit to this land enlightening, Venerable Verax?’

The old man sniffed disparagingly. ‘What went you into the wilderness to see? A man dressed in fine clothes?’ he replied, misquoting the text of Matthew. ‘I did not expect to find more than I have.’

Eadulf blinked in surprise. ‘Do you consider this a wilderness?’ he asked, trying to keep the astonishment from his voice.

‘Do you not find it so? Oh, I know you have formed an attachment here, but you have been to Rome, lived and studied there. This is a desert by comparison.’

‘We could discuss such points but, I hope, with more retention of diplomacy than Bishop Arwald uses,’ Eadulf commented.

‘I come to bring the Faith and civilisation,’ replied the other, oblivious to his tone. ‘Diplomacy is a tool to gain trust. I can speak to you, Eadulf, for you are intelligent. I see from your tonsure that you support Rome.’

Eadulf was about to correct Verax’s view of him but then he realised the display of good fellowship might be a means to getting the information he was after.

‘Rome is certainly a different world,’ he agreed.

‘I have no illusions when I come among the barbarians,’ went on the Venerable Verax affably. ‘Do I not remember how the great historian Strabo described how these people were cannibals who thought it an honourable thing to eat their dead fathers. He also wrote that they openly had intercourse with their mothers and sisters.’

Eadulf could not help grinning at this.

‘You disagree?’ snapped Venerable Verax, seeing his reaction.

‘I think you will find that Strabo was misinformed,’ Eadulf replied diplomatically. ‘Have you seen any such proof of this since you have been here?’

The Venerable Verax shrugged. ‘Because I have seen no such proof, it does not mean that such proof does not exist.’

‘And you have been here. . how long?’ Eadulf seized the chance.

‘We arrived on the half moon of the first quarter — our boatmen took advantage of the neap tide. So now we are in the third quarter.’

‘You landed in Laighin, of course. I have been there,’ Eadulf confided. ‘At which port did you land?’

‘It was a port called the height of something or other. I cannot recall.’

‘Ard Ladrann,’ supplied Eadulf. ‘That is a port on the eastern coast of the kingdom. I suppose you travelled directly west to Fearna?’

‘We were greeted by the bishop of that place, Bishop Moling, who then escorted us to the King. He is a man much given to airs and graces, as also is the King of this place.’

Eadulf thought he would overlook that remark but come nearer to the point.

‘From Canterbury to Ard Ladrann is a long journey,’ he said sympathetically. ‘You must have been exhausted!’

‘Indeed, it was nearly seven days’ ride from Canterbury to where we embarked by ship for this country. Truly, it was tiring — but each time we had to stop, members of the brethren gave us hospitality.’

‘And before that, it seems you came all the way from Rome! The journey from Rome to Canterbury is not without fatigue and also dangers,’ went on Eadulf, dropping his voice. ‘I myself have made that very journey to and from Rome twice.’

‘Many people have made it,’ the Venerable Verax replied airily. ‘How much more dangerous was it centuries ago, when Rome’s great generals marched their armies to take possession of the island of Britain? They had hostile armies of barbarians to face.’

‘I made the journey with Theodore after he was appointed Archbishop by your brother. Then he asked me to come here as an emissary and here I have remained, more or less. How is Archbishop Theodore?’

The Venerable Verax became confidential. ‘In health, he is hearty. But many problems oppress him in dealing with the politics of the kingdoms that fall under his authority. That was why-’ The old man suddenly pressed his lips together as if he had said too much.

‘Was Brother Cerdic in your party when you travelled from Canterbury to Ard Ladrann?’ Eadulf asked, pretending not to notice the awkward moment.

The Venerable Verax’s eyes narrowed. ‘Why do you ask about him?’

‘Colgú explained to you that I and Fidelma are trying to resolve the matter of his death. Brother Cerdic arrived here with someone called Brother Rónán, who has now returned to Laighin. I was wondering at what stage he left your party to come on here alone in order to warn us of your arrival?’

The prelate considered the question for a moment. ‘Brother Cerdic accompanied Bishop Arwald and myself from Canterbury; so did Brother Bosa. When we arrived in Laighin, we stayed for a time at the Abbey of Fearna and then for a few days at King Fianamail’s fortress. . a place called Dinn Ríg. Brother Cerdic volunteered to come here and prepare the way for us. Brother Rónán was appointed by Bishop Moling to accompany him as his translator and guide.’

‘So he was asked to go to Imleach and ask Abbot Ségdae to come here. But why meet here?’

‘I was told that Cashel was the seat of the King. It was King Fianamail of Laighin who felt that our enquiries were better discussed in front of the King of each territory.’

‘I suppose that there is logic in that,’ agreed Eadulf. ‘Yet I am told Brother Cerdic also called at the Abbey of Cill Náile and suggested to the abbess that her presence was required.’

The Venerable Verax smiled softly. ‘Hardly required. But you surprise me. Of course, Bishop Arwald knew that the abbess had been in Oswy’s Kingdom for a while and maybe she was known to Brother Cerdic. But we certainly did not require her presence.’

‘That’s interesting. So Brother Cerdic might have known her?’

‘That knowledge is beyond me. Why is it of importance?’

‘Anything which might help with solving Brother Cerdic’s death is worth considering,’ Eadulf told him. ‘However, I am sorry that this long journey that you have made has been so fruitless and has cost the life of one of your deputation. We will do our best to discover why he met his death, and by whose hand, before you depart.’

‘You will have our gratitude, Brother Eadulf,’ acknowledged the cleric. ‘Well, I have told you all I know. Brother Cerdic left us at Dinn Ríg, the fortress of the King of Laighin, went to Sléibhte and came on here. That’s all I can tell you.’