Peter Tremayne - Penance of the Damned

Fidelma pursed her lips. ‘I would know more of the lay-out of this abbey.’

Brother Eladach went to the hearth where ashes from the last fire lay on the raised flat stones. Using his hand, he spread the grey ash on the top of one of the stones. Then, taking a half-burned stick from the dead fire, he traced a rectangle in the ash.

‘These are the outer walls. As you know, the entire outer walls are built of wood. Here is the main gate facing the square. On the east side is a side gate while, on the opposite west side, is another. The reason I chose the west gate for you to enter by is because it is closer to the cell where the warrior is contained.’

He bent and drew a small square in the centre and marked a little cross.

‘That is the centre square and the cross marks the sacred oak tree where the Lady Nechta used to preach to convert people.’

‘And where Nannid plans to hang Gorman,’ Enda muttered.

‘Where is his cell?’ Fidelma pressed.

Brother Eladach indicated a point at the north-west corner of the smaller square.

‘Inside the wooden walls of the abbey, everything is open. It is not one building for, as I told you, it was a series of homesteads, just like the rest of the township. At the east side of the interior courtyard is the chapel. On the opposite side are the buildings which are occupied by Abbot Nannid and his steward. The men he brought to guard his prisoner are also there.’

‘How many members of your community live there?’

‘We have about forty men and women and a dozen children. They live in huts across the entire site and between them are many storage huts. My own quarters are by the main gate. We have workshops and we have built ourselves a small library. You see, we are not a large community and until Abbot Nannid arrived and started to interfere with his new ideas, we were a contented one.’

‘Aren’t we neglecting what we are here for?’ Aibell said anxiously. ‘The night approaches and now each moment is precious.’

‘These questions must be asked,’ Fidelma assured her.

‘It is also important to know that our community is not content with the rule of Abbot Nannid and his steward,’ Brother Eladach stated. ‘I am sure that you will find no one among the community who supports him. But while Abbot Nannid has legal authority over us, we must not be seen to be acting contrary to his wishes.’

‘It is a simple plan,’ Enda agreed thoughtfully, ‘but I can see no alternative, and it may work. Eadulf and I will deal with the guards – but what are the conditions of his incarceration?’

‘Conditions?’ Brother Eladach was confused.

‘Is he free within his hut, which is presumably locked or bolted, or is he tied up or what?’

‘There are two bolts on the outside of the door of the hut,’ replied Brother Eladach. ‘However, his hands are tied.’

‘Are you sure of this?’

‘I went to take water and food to him earlier today. The guards were cruel and refused him food, saying what good was it to someone who was to be hanged the next day? However, they allowed me to give him some water.’

‘What sort of physical condition was he in?’ Enda said.

‘While his hands are bound, his feet are free. I fear he might find his hands hard to use because of the constriction.’

‘So we would have to overpower the guards, unbolt the door and then cut off his bonds?’

‘The bolts are easily withdrawn. The guards are so confident that Gorman is bound and secured in the hut that they don’t check on him regularly.’

Enda smiled with satisfaction. ‘One good thing is that the men guarding him are lazy. They are not professional warriors, just thieves and robbers. I am feeling more confident now.’

Brother Eladach appeared pleased by the young warriors self-assured attitude. ‘I tried to give your friend a message of hope when I gave him the water. I presumed the brigands were ignorant of Latin, but a commander of the King of Cashel’s bodyguard would have some knowledge. I spoke briefly just in case. ‘I said – nil desperandum. Libersondum. Durate et vosmet rebus servate secundis . The guards asked me what I said so I told them I was giving him a blessing as he was soon to die.’

‘Did they believe you?’

‘I am sure they did.’

Aibell was puzzled, for she had no knowledge of simple Latin. ‘Did Gorman understand – and what did you say?’

‘I roughly told him not to despair. I mentioned the word “rescue” and told him to wait and prepare himself.’

‘That was good,’ Fidelma said.

Enda gave a long sigh. ‘That’s it then. A simple plan. Friend Eadulf, we have no choice but to enter the community as Brother Eladach here has indicated, free Gorman and get away as fast as we can. You must have no compunction in dealing with the men guarding him.’

Eadulf drew himself up a little. ‘I have fought my way out of more threatening situations before,’ he reminded Enda solemnly, ‘even though I have no warrior training. I have seen enough not to be that squeamish.’

Enda clapped him on the shoulder in approval. ‘Now let us prepare. We do not have long.’

‘I’ll come with you,’ Aibell announced. ‘I can be of help.’

‘Absolutely not,’ Enda said firmly. ‘In the matter of rescue and possible fighting, Eadulf and I will undertake this. You will stay with the lady Fidelma here, until we bring Gorman back with us.’

‘But …’ began Aibell.

‘Enda is right,’ Fidelma declared. ‘I too would have liked to take part in this. However, he is a trained warrior.’

Brother Eladach nodded approval. ‘I will go back now and attend to my duties as aistreoir . You will hear the little bell in the church sound, calling the community to gather for the last prayers of the day. After that, I will ensure that the bell is sounded three times, marking the end of prayers … three clear notes. Wait a little time after that, allowing for the community to go to their rest. Then come to the side gate. I will be there and shall guide you inside.’

‘What if you are discovered?’ asked Eadulf.

Brother Eladach said bravely, ‘I must take that chance. If there is no other choice, then it is better to fight evil than sit and wait for it to multiply.’

‘Good man,’ approved Enda.

‘There is one other thing,’ Fidelma said. ‘Enda and Eadulf will wait here with Etromma for your signal. But Aibell and I must return to the fortress so that people think that we have all gone back to rest there. Questions would be asked if it were known that tonight, of all nights, none of us were to be seen in the fortress. Once you have carried out the task, Eadulf and Enda must get back into the fortress to appear early the next morning to claim an alibi when the alarm is raised.’

Enda hit his left palm with his right fist. ‘I had not thought of that. We will need a diversion to cover us while we do that. But how do we get back into the fortress?’

‘Before I retire tonight, I will pretend to go for a walk in the courtyard,’ Fidelma said. ‘What has been done once, can work again. During the walk I shall make sure that the side gate is unlocked so that you may sneak in without going through the main gates. As for a diversion this evening, Aibell and I will provide it.’

She waited until they were all in agreement before she glanced round and said earnestly, ‘Let us all go to our tasks and may luck be our companion this night.’

As Fidelma and Aibell approached the fortress gate there was no sign of Ceit but the warrior on guard just waved them through. They were moving across the courtyard towards the great hall when a tall figure emerged from the shadows. It was Conri. He halted in the flickering light of the burning brand torches.