Peter Tremayne - The Council of the Cursed

‘Let me take her, Brother,’ he said, observing Eadulf’s panting and fatigued features.

‘Just lead me to Brother Gebicca,’ grunted Eadulf.

He was bent forward now so that he could see only the lower part of Brother Chilperic’s legs, the heels hurrying before him, guiding him through the anticum and out into the main interior courtyard, crossing to the apothecary’s house. He was aware of doors opening and then hands were removing his burden and he straightened to see Fidelma being laid on a bed among the almost suffocating odours of the apothecary’s room.

‘What exactly happened?’ asked Brother Gebicca.

‘She was bitten on the ankle by an adder. A poisonous snake.’

‘Are you sure?’ demanded Brother Gebicca.

‘It was a black snake. I’ve seen them before.’

The apothecary turned back to Fidelma who was breathing rapidly and with a shallow motion. She appeared in a comatose state.

‘You did not try to cut the wound and suck out the poison?’

Eadulf shook his head.

‘That is good. The venom is inserted into the blood directly under the skin and so it is useless to try any way of extracting poison after this time. I see you tried to restrict the flow of blood. That is not much good,’ as he spoke he was removing Eadulf’s tourniquet. ‘What is good, however, is that you have kept the limb, where the wound is, at the lowest part of the body. Now go and let me do my work.’ He turned to the clerics crowding in. ‘Go! I will call you if there is a need.’

Reluctantly, Eadulf allowed himself to be dragged away from the apothecary by Abbot Ségdae and guided to the calefactorium . Someone brought in a jug of good strong corma and mugs were produced.

‘How did it happen?’ asked Abbot Ségdae.

‘It was in the herb garden,’ Eadulf said shakily. ‘The viper was among the shrubbery and she was bitten by it.’

‘Let us pray that Brother Gebicca knows how to treat the poison.’

At that moment, Bishop Leodegar entered the room, having followed them from Lady Beretrude’s villa.

‘How is she?’ he asked.

‘We are awaiting word from your apothecary,’ replied Eadulf.

‘The Lady Beretrude has offered to send healing herbs to our physician should he need them,’ the bishop continued. ‘She feels responsible, for she was showing the garden to Sister Fidelma just before it happened.’

‘It is thoughtful of Lady Beretrude,’ Abbot Ségdae acknowledged when Eadulf made no response.

‘Is there anything I can do?’ asked the bishop.

‘Until Brother Gebicca informs us of the situation, there is nothing,’ Eadulf replied.

An age passed by in which no one spoke, but the corma was handed silently around as they sat waiting. Then Brother Gebicca entered and peered around in search of Eadulf. The latter sprang to his feet and moved towards him.

‘What news?’

‘She has a strong heart and a good constitution. Her pulse is normal. She will have a painful swelling on the leg for a day or two but, after a good night’s rest, she will start to mend.’

‘The venom has dispersed?’ demanded Eadulf, scarcely believing the news.

Brother Gebicca nodded affirmatively. ‘I have seen worse cases. The effect in her case has been like a powerful bee-sting; painful and causing irritation. But in a strong adult, with a good constitution, the body recovers.’

‘Can I see her?’ Eadulf asked.

Brother Gebicca shook his head. ‘She is sleeping now. Sleep is always a good curative in such matters. Let her rest and we will see how she is in the morning. I will sit up with her to ensure there are no complications during the night.’

He left with a nod that encompassed everyone in the room.

There were murmurs of congratulation from many while Abbot Ségdae clapped Eadulf wordlessly on the shoulder. Eadulf paused for a few moments before, as the abbey bell tolled, following the example of the others as they moved to the refectory for the evening meal.

The next day, after morning prayers and the ritual breaking of the fast, Eadulf went directly to Brother Gebicca’s apothecary.

Fidelma was sitting up and sipping at a hot broth that Brother Gebicca had prepared from various herbs. That it was unpleasant in its taste was obvious from her expression. She looked up in relief as Eadulf entered.

Brother Gebicca turned to him with a look of satisfaction.

‘All is as I said, Brother. She has a painful swelling on the leg but nothing worse.’ He turned back to Fidelma. ‘I was asking, how it was that you did not recognise the poisonous serpent to avoid it? They do not attack unless they feel threatened.’

‘We do not have such serpents in Hibernia,’ Fidelma answered simply. ‘I have not seen such a poisonous reptile before.’

‘It is true,’ Eadulf confirmed, seeing Brother Gebicca’s look of disbelief. ‘There are no reptiles of that sort in the five kingdoms.’

‘Yet I have heard that they exist in the island of Britain, so why not in Hibernia? Are they not in close proximity? Is the warning of hidden danger not international- latet anguis in herba -a snake lies concealed in the grass? How can it be a warning if there is a country without snakes?’

‘That is a mystery,’ Fidelma replied firmly. ‘Yet it was told long ago that our people were destined to live in a land without snakes.’

Brother Gebicca sniffed cynically and it was clear that he did not believe it so Fidelma decided to explain.

‘The progenitor of our race, Goidel Glas, son of Niul, in far-off times, served in the army of the Pharaoh Cingris in Egypt. A poisonous snake bit him but an Egyptian healer and holy man, who had been befriended by his father Niul, healed the boy. But the wound left a green mark on his skin. That is why he was called glas , which means green in our tongue. The healer then prophesied that he would eventually lead his people to an island at the edge of the world where no poisonous snakes would dwell. It was Goidel’s descendants who brought our people to the island that you called Hibernia.’

‘A pagan belief,’ dismissed Brother Gebicca. ‘Superstition.’

‘Pagan or not,’ Eadulf put in, ‘it is now being said that this miracle was wrought by Patrick when he came to convert the island. It was he, we are told, who drove out all the poisonous serpents.’

Fidelma stirred restlessly. ‘How long before the swelling disperses and the wound heals?’ she asked.

The physician began to bind the wound again.

‘There is no infection now. The wound is healing well and the swelling will go down in a day or two. I would advise rest, lest unnecessary movement causes the blood to circulate any residual venom through your body. Are you sure that you feel no ill-effects?’

‘None.’

‘The application of yellow snowdrop and vervain seems to have worked well. However, for a few days, drink a cup of the infusion of vervain and that will finish the attack of the poison.’

‘But can I get up now, for there is much I must do.’

Brother Gebicca showed his disapproval.

‘You must do as you think best,’ he shrugged. ‘I have done my best and you are healed of the immediate effects of the poison. My advice is that you go to your room and rest for at least today.’

Eadulf was in agreement. ‘The apothecary is right, Fidelma. If there is anything that needs to be done, I can do it.’

‘At the moment, you may help me to our chamber,’ Fidelma replied grimly. It was clear that, in spite of her question, she was not able to move without help.

Supported by Eadulf, with her arm around his shoulder, Fidelma thanked the apothecary and, limping a little, made her way to the main building of the abbey. One or two of the delegates greeted her and asked after her health. Abbot Ségdae also met them and pressed his profound relief at seeing her in a better state than on the previous night. Finally, they reached their chamber and Fidelma collapsed on the bed, exhausted by the effort.