Paul Doherty - Corpse Candle

Why did Abbot Stephen die?

Because of Bloody Meadow?

How was he killed?

Who killed him?

Was it a member of the Concilium?

Why was Gildas murdered?

Was his corpse thrown on the tumulus in Bloody Meadow as a warning?

And why the brand mark?

What did the stories about Mandeville’s ghost have to do with this place?

Corbett studied the questions. He put his quill down.

‘Nothing,’ he murmured. ‘Nothing at all.’

He had done enough, he would have to leave. He blew out the candles and oil lamps, placing a wire mesh grille up against the fire. He left the chamber and knocked on Perditus’s door. The lay brother opened it, sleepy-eyed, dressed in his shift.

‘I am going now,’ Corbett declared. ‘I would be grateful if you would check the Abbot’s chamber. Perhaps the fire should be doused?’

Perditus said he would do so. Corbett went down the steps. He opened the door at the bottom and flinched at the blast of cold night air. He realised how tired he was. He tried to close the door but couldn’t. He crouched down; a piece of timber, stacked just inside, had slipped. Corbett worked this loose, placed it back and closed the door. He stood for a while to get his bearings and leisurely made his way across the grounds into the abbey buildings. He lost his way once and found himself in the cloister garth but, at last, he reached the portico which would take him down out to the courtyard before the guesthouse. He now walked quickly, his footsteps sounding hollow. The night was cold, and Corbett grew uneasy. He felt as if he was being watched, yet all around him the abbey lay silent. He paused halfway down the passageway and stared through one of the narrow windows. He recalled Ranulf’s warnings. He continued on and reached the heavy wooden door at the far end. He pulled at the ring but the latch didn’t lift. He tried again, pulling it vigorously but it still wouldn’t move. Corbett whirled round, to see nothing but shadows behind him. He didn’t want to go back. He tugged again. He started as the Judas squint high in the door suddenly had its flap thrown open. Corbett couldn’t see through due to the glow from a candle, which was held up, obscuring his view.

‘Who’s there?’ he demanded.

‘Corbett, Sir Hugh Corbett?’ The voice sounded muffled, the speaker was disguising his voice.

‘Let me through,’ Corbett replied.

‘Keeper of the King’s secrets, eh? Welcome to the Mansions of Cain!’

‘What do you mean?’ Corbett declared.

‘Murderers all!’ hissed the reply. ‘Steeped in blood!’

‘Who are?’ Corbett demanded.

‘Not men of God but hounds of the devil!’

‘What are you talking about?’ Corbett demanded. He grasped the iron ring and tugged but the door still held fast.

‘A place of sudden death, Sir Hugh, of wickedness. All have to be punished. Sentence has been passed. Stand back, Sir Hugh, for your own safety’s sake!’

Corbett had no choice but to obey. He heard footsteps. He tried the latch again, and this time the door gave way to reveal the empty darkness beyond.

Corbett gazed in astonishment round Taverner’s chamber. He had never seen so many crosses and statues: these seemed to cover the walls, filling every niche. Triptychs and crucifixes stood on tables. Fronds from Palm Sunday hung above the door. The chamber was spacious and clean. It was the only room in the abbey where Corbett had seen rushes, green and supple, strewn with herbs, scattered on the floor. A shelf high on one wall held some books, a bible and a tattered psalter. Taverner, sitting on the edge of the small four-poster bed, looked like some venerable monk. Dressed in a grey robe, with a balding pate, grey hair on either side of his head fell in tangled curls to his shoulders. He was bright-eyed and chirpy as a magpie with a round, florid face; Corbett noticed the generous bulging paunch above the cord round his waist. The room was warmed by a scented brazier and a small log fire burned in the hearth; it was a warm, comfortable place. Corbett had noticed the smoke coming out of the vent as he approached the far side of the infirmary. As usual, Chanson stood on guard outside. Ranulf looked subdued and sat on a bench just inside the door. Corbett stared curiously at this remarkable man who claimed to be possessed by a demon, the damned soul of Geoffrey Mandeville. So far Corbett had seen nothing remarkable about this middle-aged man, keen-eyed and sharp-witted, who’d welcomed them and offered some wine.

Corbett picked a scrap of parchment off the desk and noticed the ink-filled ‘V’ drawn there. He stared down as he collected his thoughts. He had not told Ranulf what had occurred the previous night: about that mysterious visitor who had confronted him behind the grille, drawn the bolts and fled. Corbett had returned to the guesthouse in silence, his relationship with Ranulf still frosty. They had been woken early by a tolling bell, attended Mass in a side chapel and broken their fast in the abbey kitchens. Prior Cuthbert had met them briefly but he had been all a-fluster, claiming he had other business and knew nothing of the death of poor Gildas. . Corbett had nodded and declared he needed to question Taverner. The Prior had shrugged in acceptance.

Corbett still felt tired, heavy-eyed. He held up the piece of parchment. Taverner now had his head down.

‘Who drew Mandeville’s mark?’

‘How dare you!’

Corbett gaped in astonishment. Taverner’s head came up, his face had completely changed, with hate-filled eyes, a snarling mouth, his voice totally different.

‘How dare you, you whoreson varlet! You base-born clerk! Question me, Mandeville, Custos of the Tower, Earl of Essex!’

Ranulf leaned forward, ready to spring up.

What Corbett found remarkable was the change in voice, which had become harsh and guttural. When they had first entered, Taverner’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

‘That’s my escutcheon, my livery,’ he continued, jerking his fingers towards the parchment. ‘Black chevrons on a red banner. “Scourge of Essex” they called me. “Plunderer of Ely”. I showed those mealy-mouthed monks, those fornicating friars and their soft-skinned nuns! I gave them fire and sword! “ Igne Gladioque . Fire and sword! Gero bellum contra Deum . I wage war against God and strive to breach the very gates of Paradise!”’ Taverner lapsed into old Norman French, ‘“ Le Roi Se Avisera . The King was advised. Sed Rex territus , but the King was terrified.”’

‘Who was King?’ Corbett asked.

Taverner glanced slyly at him. ‘Why, Stephen, but he was challenged by Mathilda, Henry’s arrogant daughter. I lead a legion, do you know that, clerk? Men on horses who still ride the fens at night.’

Corbett closed his eyes and tried to recall the rite of exorcism.

‘By what name are you called?’ he asked abruptly.

‘My name is Geoffrey Mandeville, damned in life and damned in death. I wander the dark places. I seek a place, a house to dwell.’

‘And you have chosen Taverner?’

‘The door was open,’ came the harsh reply. ‘The dwelling was prepared.’

‘And what do you do when you leave?’ Corbett asked curiously. He noticed the white foam gathering at either corner of Taverner’s mouth.

‘I go back into the darkness, into eternal night. You are Corbett, aren’t you? Keeper of the Secret Seal? Your wife is Maeve with the long, blonde hair, and that body, eh Corbett? Soft and white like skimmed milk.’