Read Our Lady of Darkness Online
Authors: Peter Tremayne
Tags: #_NB_Fixed, #_rt_yes, #blt, #Clerical Sleuth, #Fiction, #Historical, #Mystery, #Suspense, #Medieval Ireland
Our Lady of Darkness (16 page)
‘Escape is better than death,’ the stewardess of the abbey pointed out, almost echoing the words of Dego.
‘There is truth in that but I would rather that he was cleared than became a fugitive, in which case any man can treat him as one who is without the law and act accordingly.’
‘Everyone in the abbey thinks that you had a hand in the escape. Did you?’
‘You are direct, Sister Étromma. No, I did not help Eadulf to escape.’
‘It will be difficult to convince people of that.’
‘Difficult or not, it is the truth. Nor am I interested in wasting time trying to convince people.’
‘Here you may find that lies win you friends but truth only begets hatred.’
‘Speaking of hatred, you do not like Abbess Fainder much, do you?’
‘It is not a requirement for a stewardess to like the abbess whom she serves.’
‘Do you like the way she governs the abbey? I refer to this business of the Penitentials.’
‘The Rule of the Abbey has been pronounced. I have to obey it. But I can see where you are leading, Sister. Do not attempt to persuade me to condemn the attitude of the abbess, nor of Bishop Forbassach. Whether punishment be by the Penitentials or by the Law of the Fénechus, remember that the Saxon was found guilty of rape and murder. For that crime, punishment under law must be made – whatever the law. Now, I am busy. There is much to be done in the abbey this day. What is the purpose of your visit?’
‘I would firstly like to see the abbess.’
‘I will be surprised if she agrees to see you.’
‘Let us put that to the test then.’
Abbess Fainder did see Fidelma. She sat behind her desk as usual, looking austere, her dark eyes suspicious.
‘Sister Étromma tells me that you have denied any knowledge of the Saxon’s escape, Sister Fidelma. You do not expect me to believe that?’ was her sharp opening remark.
Fidelma smiled softly and seated herself without being asked, conscious of the flicker of annoyance on the face of the abbess, but this time Abbess Fainder was too wise to object.
‘I do not expect you to believe anything, Mother Abbess,’ Fidelma replied calmly.
‘But you want to plead your innocence of knowledge to me?’ sneered the abbess.
‘I do not have to plead anything before you,’ Fidelma said. ‘I have come merely to seek your consent to continue to ask questions among the members of this community.’
Abbess Fainder sat back with a surprised expression.
‘For what purpose?’ she demanded. ‘You have asked all the questions
and have made your appeal to the court. The truth was known when the Saxon fled from his cell.’
and have made your appeal to the court. The truth was known when the Saxon fled from his cell.’
‘Yesterday I did not have time to ask all the questions that I wanted to ask concerning the matter of the charges levelled against Brother Eadulf. I would like to resume today.’
For the first time Abbess Fainder looked totally bewildered.
‘You will be wasting your time. Anyway, as I understand it, Forbassach will be investigating any involvement that you might have in the Saxon’s escape. To me this escape is a clear indication of his guilt. He will be dealt with when he is caught. Those who have helped him escape will also be punished. Remember that, Sister Fidelma.’
‘I am fully aware of all the legal procedures, Mother Abbess. And until Brother Eadulf has been recaptured, I have time to resume my task. That is, unless you have something which you do not want me to discover.’
Abbess Fainder went white and was about to retort when there was a noise at the door and it opened before she could protest.
Fidelma swung round.
To her surprise, it was the thin, reedy river boatman named Gabrán who stood in the doorway. He paused and then his eyes fell on her and he looked uncomfortable.
‘I am sorry, lady,’ he muttered to the abbess. ‘I did not know you were engaged. The stewardess said you wanted to see me. I will return later.’
He left the room, closing the door, without acknowledging Fidelma.
Fidelma turned back to Abbess Fainder with a slight look of amusement on her features.
‘Now that is a fascinating thing. I have not seen a boatman with such a free run of an abbey that he may come and enter the abbess’s private chamber without knocking.’
Abbess Fainder looked embarrassed. ‘The man is a boor. He has no right to presume to enter here,’ she said after a hesitation. Her tone was not convincing. ‘Anyway, who are you to question me on such matters?’
Sister Fidelma smiled gently but did not comment.
Abbess Fainder waited for a moment and then shrugged.
‘The man trades with this abbey, that is all.’ She sounded defensive. Fidelma remained silent, sitting as if waiting for Abbess Fainder to continue.
‘Bishop Forbassach was coming to see you last night,’ began the
abbess. ‘As soon as it was discovered that the Saxon had escaped, or – rather –
had been helped
to escape, I called for the bishop. He felt it was obvious that if the Saxon was anywhere, you would know. He seems to have missed you.’
abbess. ‘As soon as it was discovered that the Saxon had escaped, or – rather –
had been helped
to escape, I called for the bishop. He felt it was obvious that if the Saxon was anywhere, you would know. He seems to have missed you.’
‘He did not,’ replied Fidelma. ‘He woke me from my sleep in the middle of the night in a fruitless search for Brother Eadulf.’
Abbess Fainder’s eyes widened. She had obviously not had a report about Forbassach’s midnight call.
‘He searched your room and discovered nothing?’ She frowned uncertainly.
‘You sound surprised. No, he did not discover Brother Eadulf under my bed, if that is what you mean, Mother Abbess. Nor, if he had intelligence, would he have expected to do so. Bishop Forbassach found nothing.’
‘Nothing?’ Abbess Fainder’s tone was incredulous and she sat deep in thought as if considering the news. Then her haughty attitude seemed to collapse. She became subdued. ‘Very well; if you need to ask more questions then ask away. I am sure that everyone in this abbey suspects the identity of those who helped the Saxon escape.’
Fidelma rose casually. ‘Thank you for your cooperation, Mother Abbess. It is good to know that everyone in the abbey suspects those who helped Eadulf to escape.’
Abbess Fainder looked startled. There was a question in her eyes as she peered at Fidelma.
Fidelma decided to answer.
‘If everyone in this abbey has some idea who helped Brother Eadulf escape, then perhaps they will be able to inform me so that we can swiftly resolve this mystery. They might even know who really killed the young girl whom he was falsely accused of murdering.’
Abbess Fainder recovered her disdainful attitude.
‘In spite of everything, are you still claiming the Saxon is innocent?’
‘I will even now avow it is so.’
The abbess shook her head slowly. ‘I will say this, Sister Fidelma, you are tenacious in your faith.’
‘I am glad that you have discovered that much about me, Mother Abbess. You will also learn that I never give up until the truth has been discovered.’
‘Truth is mighty and will prevail,’ quoted Abbess Fainder sarcastically.
‘A good saying, except that it is not always true. However, it is an ideal to work for and I have spent my life doing so.’ She suddenly reseated herself and leaned forward across the table. ‘While I have the opportunity, I need to ask you some questions.’
Abbess Fainder was astonished at her change of direction. She made a gesture with her hand as if inviting Fidelma to do so.
‘I presume that Sister Fial is still missing?’
‘I have not heard that her whereabouts has been discovered. It appears that she has decided to leave the abbey.’
‘What can you tell me about Sister Fial, this mysterious young novitiate?’
Abbess Fainder grimaced in annoyance.
‘She was twelve or thirteen years old. She came from the mountains to the north of here. I believe that she said that she and Gormgilla came together to join the community here.’
‘Twelve or thirteen years is lower than the age of choice,’ pointed out Fidelma. ‘They were rather young to consider joining a community on their own. Or did their parents bring them?’
‘I have no idea. Sister Fial was very emotional, which was natural after witnessing the death of her friend. She refused to speak further other than to recount the details of the events of that night. I do not find it surprising that she has left us. She has probably returned to her home.’
Fidelma suddenly let out a cry as a thought came to her. The abbess looked startled.
‘A child under fourteen has no legal responsibilities. They must be of the age of choice.’
Abbess Fainder waited politely. Fidelma pressed the point with annoyance.
‘What this means in law is that a child of that age cannot give evidence in a court. I should have made mention of this in my appeal. All Fial’s evidence was actually not admissible in court.’
The abbess seemed amused. ‘That is where you are wrong,
dálaigh.
It was explained to me by Bishop Forbassach: the evidence of a young child in its own household may be used against a suspect.’
dálaigh.
It was explained to me by Bishop Forbassach: the evidence of a young child in its own household may be used against a suspect.’
Fidelma was confused. ‘I do not understand that interpretation of the law. How can this child, Fial, possibly be in her own household?’
Fidelma was well aware of the fact that, in law, the testimony of a child below the age of maturity was allowed in certain circumstances – if
the child gave evidence about something which had happened in their own home of which they had personal knowledge, for example. Only then was their evidence taken into account.
the child gave evidence about something which had happened in their own home of which they had personal knowledge, for example. Only then was their evidence taken into account.
Abbess Fainder replied, smiling with superior knowledge: ‘This community was judged by Forbassach to be the household of its members. The child was here as a member of the community. This was her home.’
‘That is nonsense!’ snapped Fidelma. ‘That perverts the meaning of the law. She had arrived here as a novitiate and, from what has been said, was in the abbey only a few days. How was this abbey judged as her own home, her community, within the spirit of that law?’
‘Because Bishop Forbassach so judged it. I would argue this law with him and not with me.’
‘Bishop Forbassach!’ Fidelma compressed her lips in irritation. The Laigin judge had done a lot of bending of the law. The idea of an underage child giving evidence had never occurred to her until now; yet if Forbassach was willing to bend the law so much, it was no wonder he was determined to protect his previous judgments. If only Barrán had been hearing the appeal, Eadulf would have been free by now, and …
Abbess Fainder had flushed at her sneering tone.
‘Bishop Forbassach is a wise and honest judge,’ she replied protectively. ‘I have every faith in his knowledge.’
Fidelma noted the sincerity in the abbess’s voice as she defended the Brehon.
‘You seem to require the services of Bishop Forbassach often in this abbey,’ Fidelma observed quietly.
The abbess’s face, if anything, went an even deeper crimson.
‘There have been several incidents that have been disturbing to our peace in this abbey in recent weeks. Besides which, Forbassach is not only a Brehon but a bishop and has his apartments in the abbey.’
‘Forbassach lives in the abbey? I did not know that,’ acknowledged Fidelma swiftly. ‘Well, it is a curious place where several people have been killed and others are now missing. I have already presumed that this is not usual?’
Abbess Fainder ignored the irony in her voice.
‘You have presumed correctly, Sister Fidelma,’ she replied coldly.
‘Tell me about Brother Ibar.’
The abbess’s eyes hooded for a moment. ‘Ibar is dead. He has received his just punishment on the very day you arrived here.’
‘I know that he has been hanged,’ Fidelma conceded. ‘I am told he killed and robbed a boatman? I would like some details of that crime.’
Abbess Fainder was hesitant. ‘I cannot see that it has any connection with your Saxon friend,’ she said.
‘Indulge me,’ invited Fidelma. ‘I find it unusual that we have three deaths on that quay within a short space of time.’
Abbess Fainder looked shocked. ‘
Three
deaths?’
Three
deaths?’
‘The girl Gormgilla, the boatman and then a watchman named Daig.’ The abbess frowned. ‘Daig’s death was an accident.’
Fidelma wondered why the abbess’s mouth had become slightly pinched.
‘Daig was also the member of the watch who caught Brother Ibar and who was himself later found dead.’
‘It wasn’t like that at all!’ The abbess’s voice was sharp, almost cracking.
‘I thought that I had merely stated the facts. What was it like? I would like to know.’
Again there was hesitation before the abbess spoke.
‘The boatman named Gabrán trades regularly with this abbey. That is the man who came to my door just a moment ago. It was one of his crew who was killed. I can’t remember the name of the man.’
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