Peter Tremayne - The Haunted Abbot

‘The abbot told me that I have the faith to use as my shield. If I am steadfast in the faith, I need not fear.’

The boy left abruptly and Eadulf turned back to the tray and the bowls of steaming broth. He realised that he had not eaten for some time.

‘Water,’ came a croaking voice from the bed. ‘I need a drink.’

‘Fidelma!’ Eadulf turned and found a pale but more normallooking Fidelma easing herself up against a pillow.

‘I feel like death,’ she added.

‘You should feel like life, having come through a dangerous fever,’ smiled Eadulf, sitting at the side of the bed and taking her cold hand in one of his while he held out a beaker of water with the other.

She sipped cautiously.

‘How long have I been in the grip of the fever?’

‘Only twenty-four hours.’

‘It seems longer. I had the most bizarre dreams, if dreams they were. People rushing in and out and shouting and anger, lots of anger. Are we still at the abbey of …’ She frowned.

‘Aldred’s Abbey,’ Eadulf supplied. ‘We arrived two nights ago. Do you remember anything?’

Fidelma tried to recollect.

‘The last thing I remember was a visit from the apothecary, and something about a woman being seen in the abbey. After that things have become extremely hazy. I must have gone into the fever then.’

Eadulf turned and picked up the bowl of broth and some bread.

‘After a fever is passed, it is necessary to get some sustenance into you. Have that and afterwards I shall tell you what has been going on here.’

It became obvious during the meal that Fidelma was still weak and unstable. Her hands trembled as she tackled the soup. Eadulf had to help her. She seemed exhausted. Eadulf realised that there was no way they would be able to move her that day.

She finished half of the bowl of broth and nibbled at a piece of bread, before pushing the rest away from her. Eadulf took it and she lay back down on the pillow and closed her eyes.

‘You were going to … to tell me something,’ she yawned.

Eadulf shook his head. ‘Not at the moment. You need to sleep awhile.’

‘I feel so … tired …’

A moment later, Eadulf realised that she had passed again into a natural sleep.

He finished his own meal and then sat back to reconsider matters.

Over the next hour or so he did not progress far with his thoughts. The door opened softly and Brother Higbald entered. He nodded to Eadulf and glanced at Fidelma’s recumbent form.

‘The fever’s broken,’ Eadulf replied in answer to his raised eyebrow. ‘She’s having a natural sleep now.’

Brother Higbald pointed to a corner of the room, indicating that he wished to talk without disturbing Fidelma.

‘I heard what happened last night,’ he whispered. ‘Someone profaned the high altar.’

‘And we are blamed for it,’ Eadulf cut in sharply, in irritation. ‘I know. I am now determined to follow your advice. It is foolish to remain here in harm’s way any longer.’

Brother Higbald was approving.

‘A wise choice of action. But when will Sister Fidelma be able to travel?’

‘Not before tomorrow at the earliest, I think.’

‘Does she know of what she is accused?’

‘I have not told her yet. When I do, I doubt if she will have any understanding of it. Such things do not happen in her country.’

‘Well, the sooner you are gone from here the better.’

‘Have you heard anything more about what is happening?’

Brother Higbald shook his head. ‘I believe Abbot Cild is scared of something. However, he blames you both as being the cause of it.’

‘There is some mystery going on that I do not understand, Brother Higbald. You seem to be the only person here that I can get sense from. What is this darkness that enshrouds this abbey? Do you have any idea?’

Brother Higbald shrugged. ‘I have never seen it as a darkness. Abbot Cild is a man of uncertain temperament, as are we all — each to his own. There are undercurrents of emotion between us all. Jealousies, suspicions, rivalries. But that is surely normal? Not until the death of Botulf and the subsequent events of the other night was there any hint that there was a real problem.’

‘Nothing at all?’ demanded Eadulf in frustration. ‘No hint that Botulf was in danger? No hint of suspicion about the death of the lady Gélgeis?’

‘Well, there were Cild’s changes of mood after Garb’s first visit and there was always gossip among the brethren. I think we were all shocked when Botulf’s body was found. But Brother Wigstan said he had seen the notorious outlaw Aldhere nearby at the same time. There was no cause to question Abbot Cild when he pointed the finger at Aldhere.’

‘Even though Aldhere is Cild’s own brother?’

‘Wasn’t Cain the brother of Abel? Being brothers does not make men of the same mind.’

‘You never questioned Cild’s antipathy to his brother?’

‘The King himself, King Ealdwulf, had outlawed Aldhere. That was all one needed to know.’

‘So when Garb, the Irishman, arrived here the other night, identified himself as the brother of the lady Gélgeis, and accused Cild of her murder, what then?’

‘Most of the brethren were shocked. I had seen him before, you remember.’

‘Then one further question; given all these things, why are you so willing to go against Abbot Cild and help Sister Fidelma and myself?’

Brother Higbald looked a little surprised at the question and reflected on it for a moment.

‘Perhaps it is because I do not believe in spectres or witchcraft.In this matter, I believe that Abbot Cild acts unjustly. But I say that he acts from fear and not from any maliciousness.’

‘But what does he fear? If he acts in the certainty of right, what should he fear?’

‘If, my friend, you are able to find an answer to that, maybe you would find the key to unlocking all these mysteries.’ Brother Higbald smiled. ‘Now, what time shall you leave? Do you remember the way that I showed you?’

‘Two turns left, one right. I know. I have no idea when — it depends on Fidelma and how she feels.’

‘Let me know when you intend to leave and I will do my best to help you.’

‘Thank you, Brother Higbald. I am grateful for all that you have done.’

After Brother Higbald left, Eadulf sat himself down to consider matters again but he had scarcely begun when he realised that Fidelma’s adage that you cannot speculate without information applied to this case. He had no information at all to speculate with.

It was after midday when Fidelma emerged from her natural sleep.

‘Eadulf?’ She raised herself uncertainly and then fell back.

Eadulf went forward with a beaker of cold water and she sipped it gratefully.

‘How are you feeling now?’ he asked.

‘Terrible. How ill was I?’

‘Ill enough.’ He placed a hand against her forehead. ‘At least the temperature has completely gone now.’

‘I have a terribly sore throat.’

‘You had a bad fever. However, you have pulled through it, Deo gratias.’

‘Are we at the abbey?’

Her eyes were bright and alert to her surroundings now.

‘We are.’

‘How long have I been out of the world?’

‘Do you remember coming out of the fever this morning and asking me the same question?’

Fidelma considered and then smiled.

‘I do. We have still been here only two days?’

‘It is just after midday on the day your fever broke. You must now rest, relax and get stronger.’

Fidelma nodded slowly. ‘And you have nursed me during this time?’

‘I did. I was helped by the abbey’s apothecary, Brother Higbald.’

Fidelma frowned thoughtfully.