Peter Tremayne - The Seventh Trumpet

This was probably no more than the truth. Fidelma, knowing the body carried the emblems of an envoy, had not expected such a person to have stopped here for refreshment.

‘No other travellers passed by here recently, to your knowledge?’

Grella glanced round, almost in a conspiratorial manner. ‘I did hear something.’

Fidelma waited a moment or two and then prompted: ‘Well?’

‘I heard that some travellers had stayed last night with Brother Ailgesach.’

‘Brother Ailgesach told you this?’

‘Not him. One of the woodsmen saw them arriving last night and departing about midday today. They were heading north towards Durlus Éile. The woodsman said they were riding fine horses.’

‘Who is this woodsman?’ asked Fidelma with quickening interest.

‘His name is Sétna, lady.’

‘And how did he come to observe this?’

‘Sétna was crossing by Brother Ailgesach’s cabin at the back of the chapel. He had been helping Saer take wood to the chapel when the visitors arrived just after dark.’

‘Was Saer a witness of their arrival then?’

‘Saer had already left and Sétna was on his own. He said that one was a man, who looked like a warrior, and the other was a finely dressed woman. A noble.’

‘How did this woodsman see so much if they arrived after dark?’ asked Eadulf.

Grella turned a pitying look at him. ‘One of them carried a lantern to light their path and there was a lantern lit outside the door of Brother Ailgesach’s cabin.’

‘Very well.’ Fidelma gave her a smile of encouragement. ‘And he also saw these two leaving about midday?’

‘He was making a journey to see his mother who farms at the place called “the Field of Stones” beyond the Suir. He spends most of his time working the woods on the heath beyond the chapel. Anyway, he was passing, as I said, when the man and woman came out of the cabin with Brother Ailgesach. Sétna was close enough to hear what they said. The woman was saying that should Brother Ailgesach receive news, he was not to delay but to contact them immediately. Their horses were already saddled outside and they mounted them and took the road north.’

‘How did you come to hear of this?’ Fidelma wanted to know.

‘Because Sétna came here to break his journey and told me. Is he not my own nephew and his mother my own sister? He felt it strange that two such fine people would be staying at the cabin of a religieux.’

‘And they turned north?’

‘That is what he told me.’ Her features suddenly lightened and she added, ‘I have just remembered what it was that Brother Ailgesach used to mumble in his cups. It was: “Beware of the seventh trumpet!” That was it.’

The main tavern door opened and Saer, the carpenter, entered. He was followed by a very tall figure clad in the robes of a religieux. The latter was well-built, with pugnacious features that made him appear almost ugly. His thin red lips and dark, nervous eyes did not enhance his appearance. He wore grey robes with a cowl, a hood that almost covered his head.

Grella moved forward to welcome the newcomers and was surprised when Saer greeted Fidelma. ‘So you are still here, lady? Did you find Brother Ailgesach?’ He glanced about the empty tavern room. ‘Is he not here?’

‘We found him,’ Fidelma answered gravely. ‘Alas, we were unable to talk with him.’

Saer frowned. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘He was inebriated and passed out,’ explained Eadulf.

The ugly religieux let out a deep sigh. Saer’s expression was one of awkwardness. ‘This is Brother Biasta. He is a cousin to Brother Ailgesach and has come to visit him.’

‘You must forgive my cousin, lady,’ the newcomer said. ‘He has not been himself recently. Some illness seems to assail him.’ He spoke with a curious whispering tone, a sibilant voice that oozed with ingratiation.

Fidelma regarded the man carefully for a moment. ‘I am sorry to hear it, Brother Biasta,’ she replied. ‘Is the matter of his illness related to anything specific?’

‘I cannot tell you, lady. He sent word to his family that he was not well and so I have only just arrived at his chapel to find out what ails him.’

‘That is why I brought Brother Biasta directly here,’ said Saer. ‘But I have never seen Brother Ailgesach pass out from the drink before.’

‘He never used to indulge in drink …’ began Brother Biasta.

‘When was the last time you saw your cousin?’ Fidelma asked.

‘A year or so ago.’

‘Well, a lot may happen to a man in such a period,’ Eadulf said quietly. ‘A lot may happen to change a man.’

‘You work at the chapel.’ Fidelma addressed her next question to Saer. ‘Would you know how long it has been since Brother Ailgesach indulged in drink?’

The carpenter hesitated a moment, glancing at Brother Biasta. Then he shrugged. ‘I thought he had always indulged. Anyway, I have not known him long. Only since he came to administer the chapel here.’

‘Which was when?’

‘No more than two weeks ago.’

‘Only two weeks ago?’ Fidelma was surprised. At that moment, Fedach Glas re-entered with Gormán and Enda.

‘We left him sleeping like a baby,’ reported Gormán in a cheerful tone to Fidelma. ‘I doubt whether the clap of doom will awaken him before tomorrow morning.’

Fedach Glas then greeted Saer, and gave his companion a questioning look.

‘This is Brother Biasta, the cousin of Brother Ailgesach,’ Fidelma introduced them. ‘I have told him of the condition of his cousin.’

‘I am sorry that you have arrived to find your relative in such a state,’ the tavern-keeper said uneasily. ‘It is in the nature of a tavern-keeper to speak the best of his guests, but …’ He shrugged.

‘Saer is right, of course,’ added Grella. ‘Ever since Brother Ailgesach arrived to administer to the chapel, he has come here each day to drink his fill. However, he has always managed to return to his cabin without assistance. Today is the first day that I have seen him become insensible.’ She looked at her husband with an expression of disapproval. ‘Fedach Glas should not have served him that last jug of corma .’

‘He must be ill,’ interposed Brother Biasta. ‘He never used to drink.’

‘You say that you have not seen him for nearly a year,’ Fidelma said. ‘And he has been at the chapel here only a couple of weeks.’

‘Indeed, lady,’ interposed Fedach Glas. ‘He came here when poor Brother Tressach died.’

Gormán frowned. ‘I remember Brother Tressach, an elderly and kindly man. He was here when I last passed this place.’ He turned to Fidelma. ‘I think I mentioned that I had ridden by here before. So Brother Tressach is dead?’

Grella sniffed. ‘He was a good man. He had served here since I was a young girl. Indeed, he blessed our union — the marriage of Fedach Glas and I.’

Fedach Glas nodded agreement. ‘We had to make representation to Abbot Ségdae of Imleach for a new priest, for he has authority over the chapel. Finally, he sent Brother Ailgesach to us. Alas, even during his short time here, Brother Ailgesach has spent less time in chapel than he has in our tavern.’

‘Would the death of Brother Tressach have distressed my cousin?’ Brother Biasta asked quickly.

‘Not at all.’ It was Saer, the carpenter, who offered the opinion. ‘As far as we knew, he had never met the old man. As I said, he arrived here to replace Tressach.’

‘So, as far as you knew, Brother Ailgesach’s behaviour has been the same since the day that he first arrived here?’

‘As far as we knew him, he always had a fondness for corma ,’ said Saer, looking towards Grella for support.