Peter Tremayne - The Council of the Cursed

‘I came to see if there is anything you require, Sister,’ he said, with a nod of acknowledgement to Eadulf. ‘We were all alarmed to hear the news of your accident.’

‘I am told that I need to rest here today so that the swelling on my leg has time to disperse and heal.’

Brother Chilperic expressed his sympathy. ‘Bishop Leodegar asks whether he can have a word with you if you are able.’

‘Indeed, if he has time to spare now, I would appreciate it,’ she replied with resignation.

When he had gone, Fidelma said: ‘You had better wait to hear what Bishop Leodegar has to say before going to see Abbess Audofleda.’

‘Are you sure that you should be left alone today?’

‘I will ask Ségdae if he or one of his brethren can spare some time to sit with me,’ she replied.

Eadulf was approving. Fidelma was never one to be nervous. However, he was anxious that she should have some protection in his absence after the incident in Beretrude’s garden. While it could have been an accident, it was better to be cautious.

Bishop Leodegar entered with a worried frown.

‘Ah, it is good to see you looking better, Fidelma.’ He sounded thankful. ‘Lady Beretrude was most concerned. Her servants searched the grounds and apparently found the viper and killed it.’

‘I hope that you will assure Lady Beretrude that I am recovered. The physician says I should rest for today.’

‘So Brother Chilperic tells me. He will ensure your meals are brought here. I merely wanted to express my pleasure that the snake has done no permanent harm to you.’

‘I am told such venom can even kill?’

Bishop Leodegar nodded absently. ‘It has been known to.’

‘Then I was very lucky. I hope Lady Beretrude will ensure that there are no other poisonous reptiles in her villa.’

The bishop missed the double meaning. ‘It was lucky that Brother Eadulf was with you and rushed you straight to Brother Gebicca’s apothecary.’

‘I trust the reception was not entirely ruined?’ asked Fidelma.

Bishop Leodegar looked uncomfortable. ‘After the delegates from Hibernia accompanied Eadulf back to the abbey, the reception broke up.’

He was about to leave when Fidelma said: ‘I am told that Autun is a trading centre in this country.’

‘It has been a centre of trade since the Romans built it.’

‘And what does it trade in?’

‘It produces wine, of course, and olives. We trade with livestock and cheese.’

‘And slaves?’

Bishop Leodegar seemed to pause before he added: ‘And slaves.’

‘Are the traders all local, or do you attract foreign traders here?’

‘The rivers are good highways. But, of course, we are a long way from the sea in most directions. Trade tends to be mainly local otherwise our goods would perish on the long journey. But sometimes foreign merchants call here.’

‘Have you heard of Peqini?’

The bishop considered for a moment and shook his head. ‘It sounds a strange name.’

‘I understand it is a land in the east.’

‘Then I have not heard of it.’

‘There are no eastern traders passing through this city?’

‘I cannot see why eastern traders would be interested in this place. They have their own wines and olives. I have heard their riches surpass ours. The foreign merchants who pass through our city are not usually from places of far distance.’

‘Does Lady Beretrude trade much?’

The bishop looked horrified at the suggestion. ‘Lady Beretrude is a noble. Merchants and farmers pay her tribute. What a curious question you ask.’

‘I am merely interested in how things are governed, that is all. So she would not be interested in trading with eastern merchants?’

‘If eastern merchants were interested in trade in Burgundia then they would go to Divio or to Nebirnum, both of which stand on great river-ways where traffic is easier. They would also have a wider choice of goods. If they did come here, then they would usually be found in the market by the northern gates. Why are you so interested?’

‘Just curiosity,’ sighed Fidelma. ‘Thank you. You have satisfied it. Now I feel rather tired and will rest.’

Bishop Leodegar excused himself and left.

‘You were angling to see if he knew about Verbas of Peqini?’ Eadulf regarded her with a serious expression.

‘Either he does not, or he is a good liar. I wonder if he is as much a friend of Lady Beretrude as he maintains?’ She sighed deeply. ‘You had better be off on your quest. On your way, can you ask Abbot Ségdae to attend me?’

Eadulf was walking up the wagonway towards the courtyard that gave entrance to the Domus Femini , mentally rehearsing how to face the formidable Abbess Audofleda, when he noticed with surprise that the door was opening. A tall man emerged, followed by a young-looking woman. They were both clad in the robes of the religious. The man saw him and said something to his companion, who immediately withdrew inside and closed the door.

The man did not seem to be perturbed and walked on towards him with an easy stride. As he drew nearer, Eadulf saw that the religieux was young and quite handsome. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes, a swarthy skin and a firm chin. His teeth shone brightly each time he smiled. There was something, however, that Eadulf distrusted about his smile and his manner.

‘Good day to you, Brother Eadulf,’ he stated as they drew together. ‘It is Brother Eadulf, is it not?’

Eadulf halted with a frown. ‘That is my name. I do not know you.’

‘Forgive me. I do not wish to appear to have the gift of second sight. I have seen you in the refectory and at prayers, of course. Bishop Leodegar announced your name to us in the chapel-your name and that of the Sister from Hibernia, Philomena…?’

‘Fidelma.’ Eadulf was annoyed that the man thought he could not possibly work out how he knew his name and would ascribe it to some supernatural effect. ‘Her name is Sister Fidelma.’

‘Ah yes, such a curious Hibernian name. But you are a Saxon, are you not?’

‘I am from the kingdom of the East Angles,’ corrected Eadulf in a heavy tone. ‘And you are?’

‘Forgive me again. I do not mean to create mysteries. I am Brother Andica. There is no mystery about me. I am from Divio and I am a Burgund.’

‘I thought the male community of the abbey were not allowed to visit the Domus Femini ,’ Eadulf remarked, indicating the building with a movement of his head.

‘And neither are they-generally speaking,’ Brother Andica said condescendingly. ‘But here you are, presumably on your way to the Domus Femini .’

Eadulf reddened as the man turned his implied question into one directed at himself.

‘As you have already remarked, Brother Andica, Bishop Leodegar has explained why I am here,’ he replied.

‘Your investigation? You seek information among the women? How interesting. How does the investigation go? Are we soon to hear who killed the Hibernian abbot?’

‘You will hear no doubt when the investigation is concluded,’ Eadulf replied. ‘So why are you visiting the Domus Femini ?’

Again came the flash of Brother Andicca’s white teeth. He was, thought Eadulf, an extremely vain young man.

‘Although our communities are separated, we do occupy the same abbey, and this necessitates some communication.’ Eadulf could hear his patronising tone. ‘I assure you, Brother, there is nothing sinister to my being there.’

Eadulf bridled. ‘I did not suggest there was,’ he snapped.

Again the flash of teeth.

‘Of course not, Brother,’ the man said in a pacifying tone which made Eadulf almost grind his own teeth. ‘I heard that a poisonous snake had bitten the Sister from Hibernia. I hope it is nothing serious.’