The Haunted Abbot

‘When I’m here, I do not fast on the sabbath, when I am in Rome, I fast on the sabbath,’ muttered Eadulf.

‘Perhaps it is badly expressed,’ apologised Aldhere, ‘but what I am saying is that since you are used to being treated equally, then I shall treat you equally. Now what were you saying …?’ Abruptly, the erstwhile thane of Bretta’s Ham slapped a hand against his thigh and uttered a bellow of laughter.

‘By God! Yes! Drink. In you, Sister, I find not only a pious religieuse but one with a sense of humour. Indeed, much is accomplished by drinking here for drink unlocks secrets, it confirms our hopes, lifts burdens from anxious minds, teaches us new arts and urges the timorous into battle. For a bad night, there is always the soft mattress of mead, and many a friend and many a lover have met over a jug.’

Fidelma was amused by his response.

‘You sound like a philosopher, Aldhere.’

The outlaw put his head to one side and winked.

‘Only one who has borrowed his learning.’

‘Yet we have a saying in my country — when the cock is drunk, he forgets about the hawk.’

Aldhere shook his head. ‘I do not forget about my brother, Cild, nor about King Ealdwulf. My lookouts keep me posted.’

‘And did they keep you posted about the passage of warriors of Ealdwulf’s bodyguard through your forests?’ asked Eadulf cynically.

To their surprise, Aldhere nodded.

‘Escorting a coach? Oh yes, we knew about them.’

Eadulf shook his head disbelievingly. ‘If you knew that, why did you not stop it?’

‘For what reason, holy gerefa?’ he asked as if amused. ‘It was only the lord Sigeric, who was being escorted to Aldred’s Abbey. He is too elderly to be a threat to anyone. And, really, holy gerefa, why would I want to attack him or his escort? Do you think I am as black as my brother Cild paints me?’

‘Lord Sigeric?’ Eadulf was astonished. ‘He is the high steward to King Ealdwulf,’ he explained quickly to Fidelma.

‘Then you have good reason to attack him,’ Fidelma pointed out.

‘He would have advised on the matter of your outlawry,’ Eadulf agreed. ‘One might think that you would enjoy visiting vengeance on him.’

Aldhere shook his head. ‘Did I not tell you that Botulf was going to send an appeal to him about my sentence of outlawry? It may well be that he has come to hear the matter,’ he told them.

‘I recall that you did say that,’ confessed Eadulf almost reluctantly.

‘It seems, holy gerefa, that you do not accept my good faith. Why should you be so sceptical of my intentions?’

‘There are some people who think you are just as bad as your brother,’ intervened Fidelma as Eadulf hesitated, not knowing how to answer.

Aldhere swung back to her, favouring her with a swift scrutiny although his expression was still one of humour.

‘I don’t doubt it. There are many who would take the word of Cild and paint me as black as Satan. Some more mead?’

‘You did not finish answering my question,’ Fidelma responded.

‘Finish?’

‘I asked you why it was that you remain in this country and so near Aldred’s Abbey when it endangers you and your followers and you could easily find a safer haven elsewhere.’

Aldhere sat down for the first time, poured a large measure into his goblet and sipped it thoughtfully.

‘It is a good question,’ he mused.

‘And does it have a good answer?’ Fidelma pressed.

Aldhere returned her gaze, his face wreathed in a smile.

‘Oh, I believe so. I am here searching for justice.’

Fidelma inclined her head in acknowledgment.

‘Eadulf has told me of your story. Falsely accused of cowardice. An elder brother who wishes to see you destroyed for disinheriting him. But why remain here? How will that achieve justice?’

Aldhere leaned forward, suddenly serious.

‘It is because I have faith, Sister.’

‘Scripture says that faith is the substance of things hoped for without evidence. What is it that you hope for?’

‘I have been robbed of my property. My character has been ruined. My reputation tainted. Yet I have faith that my character may be vindicated and my property restored; that my persecutors may be brought to justice. That is my faith, Sister, and that iswhy I and my followers will not be driven forth from this land of the South Folk, which is our land by right of birth and sword. We came here four generations ago and drove the Welisc from this land, where they had grown indolent and degenerate. We are of the Wuffingas, descendants of Woden, and what we take we will not give back.’

Fidelma sat back with lips pursed in disapproval.

Eadulf glanced at her nervously but she did not say anything for a moment or two.

‘You have explained your philosophy well, Aldhere,’ she said quietly. ‘Now, what can you tell me about your brother? I presume that he would share your principles?’

Aldhere looked uncertain. ‘What do you want to know about Cild?’

‘You have given Brother Eadulf here the impresson that Cild was always unbalanced.’

Aldhere shrugged. ‘He had strange moods and sometimes he would do things which were not driven by logic. He loved power, he loved wealth. Those were the only two things he ever loved.’

‘He did not love Gélgeis?’

‘She was a chieftain’s daughter. He probably loved the power and wealth he thought he would inherit.’

‘But these strange moods — you say he had them from a child? Do you know when they became manifest?’

‘He was not liked by my father,’ Aldhere said. ‘I told the holy gerefa here. Before Cild grew too strong, my father often beat him and used to lock him up as punishment.’

‘Was your father justified in this?’

Aldhere shook his head. ‘I think the rogue moods that Cild displays were inherited from my father, who was a difficult man.’

‘Your father never punished you in the same manner as Cild.’

‘Never.’ Aldhere smiled grimly. ‘Cild was always singled out by him.’

‘And your mother? What role did she play in this?’

Aldhere sniffed. ‘My mother died when we were young and my father’s mistresses did not enter our lives. We were left to ourselves and Cild had his own world to retreat into. But why do you ask these questions?’

‘I am a little confused as to when Cild came back from the kingdom of Connacht. Was that before or after you had been outlawed?’

‘Before.’

‘Did he come back to Bretta’s Ham when he arrived from Maigh Eo?’

‘No. He went straight to the abbey of Aldred. He had managed to be appointed abbot there.’

‘He took his wife with him?’

‘He did. She was not a religieuse but went to live with him.’

‘When did you first meet her?’ asked Fidelma.

‘I told the gerefa here.’

‘Tell me.’

‘It was when I first went to the abbey, after which it was clear that my brother and I would never agree. Then, after I was outlawed, I saw her again.’

‘And what was your opinion of his wife?’

Aldhere rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘As I told the gerefa, she was a sweet girl,