Peter Tremayne: Behold a Pale Horse

‘But Bobium is content under the kingship of Grimoald who, although a follower of Arius, pursues a liberal policy, allowing his people to choose which path to the Christ they want to tread.’

‘I know.’ Fidelma sighed irritably. ‘And Perctarit follows the Nicene Creed. I have heard all this.’

‘So when Magister Ado went on a journey to Tolosa, wesuspected that he was Perctarit’s agent and had gone to raise the shipment of gold to pay Grasulf.’

‘Had you spoken with Magister Ado, you would have found that he went to Tolosa at the insistence of Brother Eolann, who was one of the real conspirators. Appealing to Magister Ado’s scholarship and his knowledge of Tolosa, they enticed him into going to the abbey there to bring back a book for the library. I suspect that Brother Eolann, or someone else, might have made a point of twisting the facts of this trip so that it seemed the magister had instigated it.’

Sister Gisa had paled and was holding a hand to her cheek.

‘Perhaps she was told that Perctarit was in Tolosa?’ went on Fidelma, ignoring her reaction for the moment. ‘It was another false trail to lead people away from the culprits. There were three conspirators at Bobium but Magister Ado was not one of them. While you were looking to Magister Ado at the seaport of Genua, the gold had already arrived in this valley. It was at the abbey before Brother Faro and Sister Gisa set out to meet Magister Ado on his return.’

‘But … how?’ demanded Radoald in astonishment.

‘Let me ask a question before I continue. Why is it important to thwart Grasulf, the Lord of Vars, from raising his warriors to take control of this valley? The gold is meant for him, and I have learned that he is of a mercenary nature and will not fight until he is paid. But why here? I think I know the answer but I ask you to confirm the matter for me.’

Radoald said, ‘The answer is simple. You will have heard already just how strategic are the roads that lead from Genua through these mountains. There is the old Salt Road from Genua to Ticinum Pavia, which passes through the Valley of the Tidone and is dominated by the Lord of Vars. Then thereis the way through this valley leading to Placentia. This route is dominated by this very fortress.’

‘That I have already been told,’ Fidelma acknowledged.

‘Excellent. We shall proceed. These roads are vital for Perctarit, if he is to launch his main army from Mailand. Ticinum Pavia is a short march from Mailand and from Placentia. If he launches his army against Grimoald, then he not only has to seal this flank from attack but use the same passes to supply and reinforce his army through the port of Genua. It is through these same passes that the Romans marched their legions and reinforced their troops in ancient times when they brushed aside the Ligurians, defeated the Boii and headed across the great River Padus to destroy the Taurini, the Insubre and Cenomani. These lands they once called Cisalpine Gaul and they became part of Rome. Placentia itself was the first Roman colony in the area. Now just consider … what would happen if Perctarit won control of those passes?’

‘I would say that the outcome would be fairly obvious,’ admitted Fidelma.

It was Aistulf who posed the next unexpected question. ‘Did you know that this place was said to be where the Carthaginian Hannibal came with his elephants, and that he was supposed to quarter his men here while he climbed the mountain on the other side of the Trebbia to view the territory?’

‘I have heard of Hannibal,’ confirmed Fidelma, wondering at the abrupt change of subject.

‘Have you heard of the creature called an elephant?’

‘I have heard of this strange beast, for one of the Caesars brought them to Britain, which neighbours my own land, in order to awe and conquer the people there.’

‘Then let me tell you a story. As Hannibal was encamped here with his elephants on the eve of the Battle of Trebbia — his first victory over the Roman legions — it is said that three local men went to examine the beasts because they could not understand their neighbours’ descriptions of them. You see, these three men were blind. One went to feel one of the beasts around the leg. “The elephant is like a tree trunk,” he declared. Another felt the beast by the trunk and declared that an elephant was like a strange snake. The third managed to get hold of the ear of the beast and claimed the elephant was like a great winged creature.’

Fidelma waited in silence.

‘What do you learn from the story?’ invited Aistulf, still smiling.

‘That they were all wrong.’

‘Of course. And why?’

‘Because they could not see the whole creature.’

‘Exactly so,’ cried Radoald triumphantly.

‘You are going to tell me that we all have separate pieces of information and that if we put them together, we might see the whole. Very well. Let me sum matters up. The former King, Perctarit, is trying to overthrow your King, Grimoald. He has entered this country with an army supported by the Franks. To be able to face your King’s army he needs supplies and reinforcements. The easiest way that he can acquire them is through the port of Genua. From that seaport there are two valley routes that lead to his army. You guard one and Grasulf of Vars guards the other. Grasulf is a mercenary. All Perctarit has to do is pay him to raise his men and take over control of both valley roads.’

‘I would say that Perctarit did not trust Grasulf so he arranged for his agents to bring the gold to this valley to bepaid only when Perctarit was ready to move his army and when he needed the supply lines to be opened.’

‘That is logical enough,’ agreed Radoald.

Fidelma smiled briefly. ‘Indeed, the gold that is meant to pay Grasulf is already at the abbey and has already caused several deaths.’

‘How do you know the gold is here?’ demanded Radoald.

‘Because the Venerable Ionas and I have seen it this very morning, and that is why I came here. I believe the chief conspirator has already gone to inform Grasulf, the Lord of Vars, and that the abbey will be attacked any time now.’

‘And do you know who this chief conspirator is?’ demanded Aistulf.

‘I do.’

‘And you said that Brother Eolann was involved?’ Suidur asked.

‘I said that he was not the chief of them. There was a stronger force than him at the centre of this intrigue.’

The door suddenly swung open and Wulfoald entered. He encompassed everyone with a single glance and saluted Radoald. He clearly brought important news.

‘The Lord of Vars is on the move,’ he said. ‘We must prepare our men.’

‘How far off?’

‘He could reach us before the day is over.’

‘Then let us first hear what Sister Fidelma has to say. She was about to tell us who the conspirators are.’

‘This mystery has its origins in the story of the Aurum Tolosa ,’ she began.

‘We have no time for myths!’ grumbled Radoald.

‘That’s a tale told by old men around the hearth at night,’ sneered Wulfoald.

‘Let us hear her out,’ rebuked Aistulf, with a frown at his son.

‘As you should know,’ Fidelma continued, ‘I came here to see my old master, Brother Ruadán, who I was told had been beaten by those opposed to his teaching; he lay dying. We don’t have to go into all that, which is entirely misleading. I believe that he was beaten and left for dead because he had discovered where the gold to pay Grasulf had been hidden. A wagon filled with gold. He did not know what it really was. From what he said on his deathbed, he believed he had found the gold of Tolosa according to the legend. “That which was taken from a watery grave must be returned to it.” I did not know what that meant until Venerable Ionas pointed out the connection. The Aurum Tolosa gold had been retrieved from a lake. Brother Ruadán took a few coins, I think to consult Venerable Ionas. On his way back to the abbey he encountered little Wamba, and in a moment of unwise generosity, I believe he gave the boy two of the coins.