Peter Tremayne - The Council of the Cursed

‘And all these women objected to the segregation of the sexes in the abbey?’

‘The Rule is clear,’ the abbess said distantly. ‘If they did not like it, then they were free to go.’

‘Most of them were married. Some of them even had children. Separation must have been hard for them.’

‘They had been given the choice by the bishop a year ago. That was to leave or accept the Rule.’

‘Many felt they had to stay as this was the only place they knew. They had been born here and lived here all their lives.’

‘The choice was their own,’ replied the woman stubbornly.

‘How many of your community are wives of the brethren?’

‘None.’

The answer came back quickly from Sister Radegund and took Eadulf by surprise. His look prompted Abbess Audofleda to add: ‘My stewardess means that Bishop Leodegar declared all the marriages of those who chose to stay invalid under the Rule.’

‘But some had children?’

‘The children were taken care of.’

‘So how many of these women and children are now in the care of the abbey?’

Abbess Audofleda glanced at her stewardess.

‘It has only been in the past few days that the last of them have departed from the Domus Femini ,’ Sister Radegund replied firmly. ‘Most of these departures have happened in the last two weeks.’

This time Eadulf was unable control his surprise. ‘In the last two weeks?’

‘That is so.’

‘Where did they go?’

‘After they leave here, it is not our responsibility to know where they go. I presume one encouraged another and, like sheep, they all flocked together-eager to leave here for a more indolent life.’

Eadulf examined her keenly. ‘Did their husbands…did their former husbands,’ he emphasised as he saw the frown gather on her brow, ‘know of their departure? Were they informed that their wives and children were leaving?’

‘It is not our task to inform them or ensure that these women, who reject the religious life, inform those with whom they formerly consorted,’ Abbess Audofleda said irritably.

Eadulf was thoughtful for a moment. ‘How many women now pursue the religious life here under your Rule?’

It was Sister Radegund who answered.

‘There are fifty in the Domus Femini .’

‘And before?’

‘Perhaps a hundred.’

‘A sad decrease,’ he commented.

‘The chaff sometimes has to be blown away from the wheat,’ replied Abbess Audofleda unctuously.

‘That is true,’ agreed Eadulf, sounding amiable. ‘So those who are now left display the true vocation, according to your Rule?’

‘I believe so.’

‘Well, that is good. You must be proud of the good work you have done here. I believe you said that Bishop Leodegar invited you here especially for that purpose?’

‘He did.’

‘From Divio, I think you said.’

‘I did not say.’

‘Then I must have heard it from someone else. But you did come from Divio, didn’t you?’ Eadulf went on. ‘You must have done good work there for the bishop to ask you to come here.’

‘Bishop Leodegar has not complained of my work here,’ the abbatissa said coldly.

‘Of course,’ agreed Eadulf easily. Then: ‘Does this house have a good relationship with Lady Beretrude?’

The abbatissa glanced quickly at Sister Radegund before returning her gaze to him.

‘Lady Beretrude? She is the mother of Lord Guntram who governs this province and is a benefactor to this house.’

‘I am told that you Burgunds consider her a generous patron?’

Abbess Audofleda looked annoyed. ‘I am a Frank. But it is true we have cause to thank her.’

‘I apologise-but a Frank from Divio?’ said Eadulf. ‘I thought that it is a Burgund city.’

‘I did not say that I was born or raised there, but that I was in charge of-’

‘Another Domus Femini . I understand. But do you get on well with the Lady Beretrude? Does she approve of the changes made to this abbey?’

‘Of course,’ Abbess Audofleda replied at once.

‘You frequently meet to discuss matters?’

‘Not frequently. Sometimes my stewardess acts as my deputy in certain transactions.’

‘Transactions?’ Eadulf stared directly Sister Radegund.

The stewardess was staring at the floor.

‘My stewardess and I discuss matters with the bishop and if there is anything of consequence that needs to be drawn immediately to the attention of Lady Beretrude or Lord Guntram, then my stewardess does so on my behalf.’

‘So apart from Sister Radegund, none of your community should have cause to venture out to Lady Beretrude’s villa?’

‘Only in exceptional cases does anyone from the Domus Femini venture out from here,’ replied the abbess crossly.

‘What would constitute such an exceptional case?’

The abbatissa exhaled in impatience. ‘Really, Brother Eadulf! I see no point to these questions.’

‘You will oblige me, abbatissa ,’ Brother Eadulf stated firmly. ‘I am trying to clarify something in my own mind.’

The woman went to protest again but then shrugged.

‘For example, then, some of the delegates to the conference that the bishop is holding, not realising the Rule and custom here, brought wives and women with them. They were placed in a local inn for they could not stay in either part of the abbey- unlike the dispensation the bishop has now given to the Hibernian woman.’ There was bitterness in her voice.

‘And how did this constitute an exceptional case for members of your community to venture out?’

‘The bishop asked if selected members of my community could advise and guide these foreign women during their stay in the city. There was a visit to the Roman amphitheatre that needed several of our Sisters to attend, in order to escort the visitors.’

‘Was Sister Valretrade one of those?’ asked Eadulf as the thought occurred to him.

‘If we had realised then that she could not be trusted, we would…’ cut in Sister Radegund and fell silent as Abbess Audofleda cast her a withering glance.

‘Had we realised that she had commenced this…this affair,’ the abbatissa went on, ‘she would not have been given the task of escorting the wives of the foreigners.’

‘When did you find out about this affair? Was it before she disappeared?’

Abbess Audofleda stamped her foot. ‘This is too much! We have been patient. The questions are now ended.’

‘Why do you not allow your stewardess to reply?’ Eadulf demanded.

‘Because I choose not to,’ replied Abbess Audofleda. ‘Now remove yourself from this place.’ Her jaw was thrust out and her lips set in a thin line.

There were so many more questions Eadulf wanted to ask, but he saw that it was useless. He looked coldly at her.

‘It is your choice, Abbess. Of course, we will mention your lack of co-operation in our report to the Venerable Gelasius in Rome.’

He turned to see Sister Radegund look anxiously at the abbess, who merely tossed her head.

He walked to the door.

‘I am sure you will find your own way out,’ called the abbess rudely.

Outside, Eadulf paused. He felt frustrated at having learned little more than what he had already suspected-that Sister Valretrade had not written the note and that she had not left of her own free will.

Striding off along the corridor to the stairs that led to the main doors of the building, he heard a soft voice call on him to wait a moment. Eadulf turned. An attractive young girl in religious robes stood in the shadows of a deep alcove. She gestured quickly towards him in a conspiratorial way.

‘Stay a moment, Brother. I need to speak to you.’