Peter Tremayne - Chalice of Blood

‘Brother Seachlann?’ She hesitated a moment. ‘Yes, I did send for him. I do not have my own physician here. I have seen men die from small wounds that have been neglected.’

‘So Brother Seachlann was able to successfully attend the man? That is good.’ Fidelma smiled. ‘It seems that he returned to the abbey after nightfall and his lateness in returning caused some concern.’

‘I am afraid I sent for him in the evening,’ Lady Eithne said. ‘I am glad that he returned without mishap. Sometimes, one has to be careful of wolves in these hills. They come down to The Great River to drink at night. Even in the day they have been known to roam abroad without fear.’

‘Brother Seachlann met with no mishap,’ Fidelma confirmed.

‘Good. But I am sure that you have not come here simply to ask about the health of one of my warriors.’

‘Indeed. There are a few matters we need to clear up.’

‘I have said that I would help you in any way to find the murderer of my son. Ask your questions.’

‘I was wondering whether you could tell us any more about the intrigues and jealousies which your son feared within the abbey?’

There was a sudden brightness in Lady Eithne’s blue eyes. ‘My son, Donnchad, accused no one by name but I would look to those of a jealous nature.’

‘People who were jealous of his learning?’ queried Eadulf.

‘Many were jealous of his piety and learning,’ replied Lady Eithne. ‘He could have been the greatest scholar of the Faith. Some were even willing to besmirch his reputation with false accusations of some heresy or other.’

‘Do you suspect someone in particular?’ pressed Fidelma.

‘It is not for me to sow suspicion when there might be no grounds at all. I make no accusations. You will surely be able to pick out those who resent the young and talented.’

‘Let me get this clear, Lady Eithne. Are you saying that there are some in the abbey who resent people younger than themselves who might be more talented than they are?’ Fidelma asked in an even tone. It seemed clear that once again she was pointing a finger at Abbot Iarnla.

‘I do.’

‘Furthermore, do you believe that they might have killed your son out of jealousy?’

The woman’s mouth hardened for a moment before she said, ‘You asked for my thoughts. That had occurred to me.’

‘What of Brother Lugna?’ Eadulf asked with an innocent air. ‘He arrived at the abbey a few years ago when your sons were both on their pilgrimage. Might he not have resented the return of your son Donnchad? Brother Lugna seems to have created a powerful position for himself at the abbey.’

A dark shadow crossed her features and Lady Eithne spent a moment or two fighting some emotion.

‘Brother Lugna is a pleasant and devout young man. He isthe best thing to have happened to the abbey since my sons left. He has my full confidence and support.’

Fidelma nodded. ‘You know him well?’

‘I offered him hospitality when he returned from several years in Rome. He was returning to Connachta, which was his home.’

‘I am told that you persuaded him to stay here and join the abbey.’

Lady Eithne did not deny it. ‘I think he liked this place so much that he needed little persuading. But the abbey is lucky to have the services of such a talented young man. A learned man, a devout man, one who has such an aura of saintliness about him. He may one day become the most famous abbot of the community here.’ Her voice had grown strident with enthusiasm. Then she paused and shook her head sadly. ‘It was a role that I was hoping that one of my sons would fulfil. But this was not to be.’

Eadulf tried to keep his tone even. ‘There is no point, then, in asking you whether you fully support the changes that Brother Lugna is making in the abbey. I mean the changes to the liturgy and practices native to churches here in favour of ideas emanating from Rome. For example, Brother Lugna tells us that he wants to introduce the Penitentials as the Rule of the abbey in place of obedience to the Law of the Fénechus.’

‘I am sure that whatever changes he is making will strengthen the community there and make Lios Mór venerated throughout Christendom,’ Lady Eithne firmly assured him.

‘In spite of the resentment against his ideas?’ Eadulf asked.

Lady Eithne grimaced as if in distaste. ‘From small-minded people, that is all,’ she replied curtly. ‘I suppose it is in the nature of the old to feel jealous of the young. But I will support those ideas that will strengthen and propagate the Faith in this land with all my power. Brother Lugna’s knowledge and pietyare not to be questioned. God has sent him to us. I will tell you this: until Brother Lugna began to show me the true path, I did not know what the way of Christ really was.’

There was a silence while they digested the vehemence in her voice.

‘He must be a powerful advocate of the Faith then,’ Fidelma observed softly.

‘He has persuaded me to seek the truth, a search which not even my sons were able to inspire.’

‘I have heard that you have a dispensation to borrow some of the texts from the library. Brother Donnán brings you the epistles of the saints to read.’

Lady Eithne’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment. Then she said, ‘You have a sharp eye and sensitive ear, lady. Are there those at the abbey who now object to my borrowing these works?’

‘I am told that Brother Lugna approves,’ she replied. ‘But I was merely going to ask what sort of books you borrow.’

‘What sort?’ She paused in surprise. Then said, ‘The epistles of the founders of the Faith, that is all. Why?’

‘I was just curious,’ dismissed Fidelma. ‘We have also heard that you are supporting the tremendous task of rebuilding the abbey.’

‘It is God’s work and I am privileged to be given the opportunity to help in it.’

‘Yet it is expensive to commission a professional master builder and those that work for him in an undertaking that will last for many years.’

‘You have doubtless met Glassán. He was master builder for the King of Laighin and came highly recommended.’

‘Ah, yes. The King of Laighin.’ Fidelma allowed a small smile to cross her features. ‘I had heard that Glassán was unwelcome in the Kingdom of Laighin and had been exiled inConnachta for some years after being found guilty of being responsible for a building that collapsed and killed and injured many people due to shoddy workmanship.’

Lady Eithne’s face went white. ‘Where did you hear such a thing?’ she demanded.

‘Such information is hard to keep secret,’ replied Fidelma smoothly. ‘In spite of this, I am told that Brother Lugna recommended him.’

‘All I can say is that Glassán is highly recommended and his work will be a great memorial to Donnchad.’ She suddenly rose, trying to control her irritation. ‘And now, if you will excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to.’

It was nearly noon when they rode into the abbey grounds. Brother Echen, the stableman, who was waiting to take charge of their horses, greeted them with a worried glance.

‘A short while ago Brother Lugna was asking whether you had returned or not.’

‘Why did he want to know?’ asked Fidelma, as she swung off her horse.

‘Cumscrad of the Fir Maige Féne arrived with a small guard of warriors some time ago. He demanded to see the abbot. Perhaps that has something to do with it.’

Eadulf glanced curiously at Fidelma. ‘The Fir Maige Féne? Lady Eithne’s bodyguard mentioned them as one of the clans they felt threatened by.’

‘Their main township is Fhear Maighe,’ Gormán said, ‘about twenty-four kilometres due west from here. I can’t say they are my favourite people.’