The Haunted Abbot

of achieving anything by that means.’

Fidelma sighed softly. ‘Rumours, surmises — I have not one hard fact to prevent the tragedy that will soon overtake us.’ She stared abruptly into the eyes of Aldhere. ‘Did you ever meet Mella?’

The outlaw’s eyes widened a little.

‘Mella?’ he muttered.

‘Gélgeis’s twin sister. They were so alike that only the close family could tell them apart.’

‘Of course not. What makes you ask if I met her?’

‘She tried to dissuade Gélgeis from marriage to Cild. It was said that she was brought to this land.’

‘But Mella-’ began Aldhere. He stopped suddenly.

‘Yes? Mella … what?’ snapped Fidelma.

‘Mella was taken in a slave raid and perished at sea.’

‘How do you know that?’

Aldhere raised his hands helplessly. ‘Gélgeis must have told me.’

‘But this happened after Gélgeis came to the land of the South Folk. How did she know?’

‘I don’t know. She told me. She knew.’

‘When did she tell you?’

‘I can’t remember. On one of our walks, I suppose.’

‘And what did she say exactly?’

‘About Mella?’ countered Aldhere.

‘About Mella,’ repeated Fidelma solemnly.

‘That her sister had been reported taken by slavers and that the slave ship was lost at sea. I know no more than that.’

It was clear that Aldhere was lying. But why was he doing so?

He was rising.

‘Enough of this talk,’ he said brusquely, ‘I have duties to see to. Stay here and rest until I return.’

He went out, leaving them alone in the hut.

Eadulf turned to Fidelma but she raised a hand and placed a finger to her lips, gesturing with her head towards the door.

‘Tell me about this man Sigeric,’ she commanded in a slightly raised voice.

Eadulf was disappointed.

‘As I said, he is high steward to the King and was high steward to King Athelwold before him. He is said to be a bastard son of Ricbert who ruled here for about three years. Ricbert was a pagan who assassinated Eorpwald who had converted to Christianity.’

Fidelma raised her hands in protest.

‘Truly, I cannot get my tongue around these Anglo-Saxon names. You say that Sigeric is high steward? Is he a bishop?’

‘No, he is still a pagan. Our kings have found him an excellent adviser and chief judge. There is no one who knows more of the laws of the Wuffingas. That is the law which we hold here-’

‘I did gather that,’ Fidelma said waspishly. Then she relaxed a little. ‘What I am interested in is why would Sigeric, your chief Brehon, be sent to Aldred’s Abbey? Is it truly to announce a pardon for Aldhere or is there some other purpose?’

Eadulf realised what Fidelma was thinking.

‘Do you think that it has something to do with the accusation against Cild? Perhaps Gadra or his son contacted him. Perhaps Sigeric is here to forestall the same tragedy that you are seeking to prevent?’

‘I wish I could believe that,’ Fidelma said. ‘I don’t think your King Ealdwulf would know anything about the problems that would arise from the troscud of Gadra. But what is his purpose? The trouble is that the answer to that question is back at Aldred’s Abbey.’

Chapter Fifteen

Eadulf regarded her with some nervousness.

‘Are you really serious about going back to the abbey? The idea is fraught with danger.’

Fidelma grimaced indifferently.

‘Name me another method of finding the truth other than going back. It is in Aldred’s Abbey that the strands of this mystery entwine. It might well be a godsend that this lawyer or judge of your people has gone there. If he is an honest man then he may well be our salvation.’

‘But if he prefers to take the side of Abbot Cild, then where will we be?’ protested Eadulf.

‘At least we have an advantage — we can get into the abbey without anyone observing us and perhaps we can get to the guests’ quarters and find this old judge before Abbot Cild is alerted.’

‘That is something of a desperate measure,’ observed Eadulf. ‘Most likely we would be seized by Cild or even Sigeric’s bodyguard and would then be unable to help ourselves, let alone help anyone else or solve the mystery.’

There came the sound of raised voices outside. Eadulf went to the door of the hut and looked out.

‘It’s Aldhere’s woman … the Frankish woman of whom I spoke to you.’

Fidelma joined him at the door.

Outside, the flaxen-haired woman had dismounted from a horse and was speaking rapidly to Aldhere. Another man was just dismounting and unloading some panniers of items which seemed to be foodstuffs. It seemed to confirm Aldhere’s story that they had been to the neighbouring town to purchase goods. Aldhere was replying to Bertha quietly and also with rapidity. Bertha intervened and as she spoke she punched the air with her fist to emphasise whatever point she was making. She turned abruptly, remounted her horse and rode away. Theyhad been too far away for Eadulf and Fidelma to hear any of what was said.

Fidelma shrugged and returned to her seat.

‘It seems not all Saxon women are quiescent in front of their menfolk.’ She smiled thinly.

‘Bertha is a Frank,’ pointed out Eadulf.

‘A fine distinction. Anyway, I need to question our friend Wiglaf before we leave here,’ she said as Eadulf turned back into the room.

‘He said he would be returning to the camp by now,’ replied Eadulf with a frown. ‘I wonder where he is?’

‘Where who is?’ came Aldhere’s voice. He had come through the door behind Eadulf unobserved.

Fidelma was not perturbed.

‘Wiglaf. The man who brought us here.’

Aldhere’s eyes narrowed for a moment.

‘What can he tell you that I can’t?’ he demanded suspiciously.

‘Perhaps nothing. None the less, he was in personal touch with Brother Botulf at the monastery until the other night when Botulf asked to meet you.’

Aldhere nodded slowly. ‘That is correct.’

‘So he might have something to add which may be useful.’

‘Well, as you know, he is posted as a lookout but he should be returning to camp shortly. I trust you will join us in the midday meal?’

‘It will be a pleasure.’ Fidelma smiled. ‘Will your Frankish friend be joining us?’

Aldhere hesitated for a moment and then smiled back.

‘Bertha has other matters to attend to for the moment, Sister. Perhaps she will join us later.’

‘And Lioba?’ asked Eadulf, with a sudden burst of mischievousness. ‘Is she often a guest here?’

Aldhere’s face reddened a little. His jaw came up defensively.

‘What do you know of Lioba?’