Our Lady of Darkness

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.’

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 — ifthe 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?’

‘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.’

‘That is sad,’ Fidelma commented icily.

‘Sad?’

‘That the name of a person whose death led to the execution of one of your community remains unknown.’

Abbess Fainder blinked, not knowing whether Fidelma was being sarcastic or not.

‘Sister Étromma will doubtless know the name if it matters so much to you. It is her task as rechtaire to know such things. Shall I send for her?’

‘No matter,’ replied Fidelma. ‘I can speak with her later. Continue.’

‘It is a sordid story.’

‘Unnatural death is seldom anything other than sordid.’

‘The boatman was drunk, I am told. He had been drinking at the Inn of the Yellow Mountain and was making his way back to Gabrán’s boat. It had been moored there for two days. At the quay he was struck from behind with a heavy piece of wood: his skull was smashed in. Some money and a gold chain were taken from the body by his killer.’

‘Were there any witnesses to this attack on the man?’

Abbess Fainder shook her head. ‘None actually saw the attack.’

‘Then how does Brother Ibar enter the picture?’

‘Daig was captain of the watch. He captured Ibar.’

‘Captain? Wasn’t that the position held by Mel?’

‘Fianamail had already promoted Mel to command his palace guard.’