infirmity she has suffered. In the name of the God that you claim to represent, allow us that time for her to recover before you drag her forth to enact your blind cruelty.’
Eadulf spoke evenly but his voice was filled with a vehemence which made Abbot Cild blink.
‘I am not an inhumane man,’ the abbot replied defensively. Eadulf noticed that the fear had not left his eyes. ‘But I cannot allow further evil to be visited on this place. The woman will have two days to recover — no more. Then you can prepare to defend yourselves.’
He turned, finding the
‘Brother Willibrod, you may escort Brother Eadulf back to the guests’ chambers. He is to remain there until further orders from me.’
The dominus bowed his head and then gestured to his companions to continue with their work while the abbot left the chapel. Brother Willibrod then glanced apologetically at Eadulf and fell in step beside him.
‘I do not know what to say, Brother,’ he muttered. ‘These happenings are strangely disconcerting.’
‘You surely don’t believe that the shade of Gélgeis is haunting these walls, do you?’ Eadulf demanded. ‘There is a human agency at work here.’
Brother Willibrod shrugged. ‘Yesterday, I recognised yourdescription of the woman you said you had seen outside the chapel.’
‘I saw you were disturbed by it,’ agreed Eadulf.
Brother Willibrod pursed his lips for a moment.
‘In truth, it did sound like the Lady Gélgeis. And what young Redwald saw seems to confirm that opinion.’
‘So you do believe that the shade of Gélgeis is haunting the abbot? Why?’
Brother Willibrod pulled a face, but Eadulf was not sure what it was meant to express.
‘I would say that it is precisely the sort of action Gélgeis would take if she had the power to do so.’
‘I don’t understand.’
Brother Willibrod halted and suddenly looked around with a quick, conspiratorial glance.
‘I will tell you the truth. The lady Gélgeis was not the most malleable of women. She was hard, dominant, and ruthless. I might even say that I could understand if Cild was pushed so far from propriety as to rid himself of her.’ He hesitated and a flush came over his face. ‘I am not saying that he did,’ he added quickly. ‘In fact, I do not believe that he did. But the lady Gélgeis was spiteful and immoral.’
Eadulf stared at him in surprise.
‘Did you know her well?’
‘As well as my role of
‘How long have you been
‘I was in the abbey when Cild and Gélgeis came here.’
‘Did anyone else share your views about her character?’
Willibrod sniffed with disdain.
‘You will have to ask them, although most here did not know her as long and as well as I did. I have my opinion. It is not an opinion that I share with Abbot Cild, so I wish you not to reveal that I held his wife in such low esteem.’ He paused and indicated along the passage with a jerk of his head to where Brother Beornwulf was seated on a three-legged wooden stool, his massive arms folded across his chest. ‘You will remain in your rooms in accordance with the abbot’s orders. I am sorry that things have come to this, Brother Eadulf.’
He turned and walked swiftly away.
Eadulf returned to Fidelma’s chamber and found himself feeling cold apprehension. Spirits walking abroad, desecration of a high altar, and people who had known the abbot’s wife in life swearing that it was her form returned to haunt him. In spite of his dread he went to check on Fidelma and found her deep in a natural sleep.
He sat down in his chair and tried to pick up his scattered thoughts.
There was no decision to be made now. They had to accept Brother Higbald’s suggestion. Safety came before the solution of this mystery. His mind full once more of conflicting thoughts, he felt into another troubled slumber.
When he awoke again, a brilliant morning light illuminated the room. He realised that he had been disturbed by young Brother Redwald who had entered bearing a tray with two steaming bowls, some bread and apples on it. He started up.
The young boy smiled apologetically. He seemed embarrassed.
‘I have brought you and the Sister breakfast, Brother.’
Eadulf examined him cautiously.
‘How do you feel now?’ he asked.
The boy set down the tray.
‘I apologise for my condition of last night. I was truly alarmed. I have calmed down this morning and am able to fulfil my duties.’ He bobbed nervously and moved to the door. ‘If there is anything else you need, Brother Beornwulf will be outside the door.’
He hesitated still, as if trying to make up his mind. Then he smiled quickly at Eadulf.
‘You have shown consideration to me, Brother. I am sorry to see you in this predicament. I hope no action of mine has brought it on you. But I did see the lady Gélgeis, I swear it. If she be spirit, then she seemed to mean me no harm, so I regret if harm will follow.’
Eadulf responded reassuringly.
‘Do not worry, Redwald. You cannot be held responsible for the actions of others.’
When the boy made to leave, Eadulf stayed him.
‘Did you like the lady Gélgeis?’ he asked.
The boy looked bemused for a moment and then nodded.
‘She was kind to me. I have told you that she nursed me when I was ill.’
‘I remember. You were a boy newly come to the abbey. So you liked her?’
‘I think I did.’
‘Aren’t you sure?’
‘I thought she was an angel, when I was ill. But later on, when I was well and growing, I found that she was distant, as if she cared little about me.’
‘Are you scared of seeing her image now?’
The boy considered the question and then shook his head.
‘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.’
