The Council of the Cursed

Nuntius Peregrinus thought for a moment.

‘He seemed a most moderate man. He tried to make peace between the Briton and the Saxon on that first day when they had the argument. I noticed that.’

‘Is it your opinion that he was killed because he intervened between them?’ asked Eadulf.

‘It would seem so.’

‘Yet his room was ransacked the same night. Robbery seems so prevalent these days. Could that be a possibility in this matter?’

‘But the abbot was murdered in the chamber of Ordgar…are you saying that Ordgar killed him in the course of a robbery?’

‘I did not say that. I simply said that his chamber was ransacked and some things have gone missing.’

The Nuntius did not respond.

‘Did you meet Abbot Dabhóc apart from that opening session?’

‘Yes. I went to look at the old Roman amphitheatre, which is not far away from here. Several of the delegates to the council had gone there. Abbot Leodegar wanted to show them some of the beauties of this city. I met Abbot Dabhóc there.’

‘Ah!’ Fidelma exclaimed. ‘And his steward was not with him?’

‘Now that you mention it, the young man was accompanying the abbot. We exchanged a few words-incidentals, that is all. He removed himself from our company immediately after that.’ The words were spoken almost defensively.

‘And when you were alone with Abbot Dabhóc, wasn’t there talk of a gift?’ The sharp tone in Fidelma’s voice caused the Nuntius to blink.

‘You seem to know a great deal, Fidelma. Yes, there was such talk.’

‘And what was said?’

‘The abbot advised me that he had brought a special gift from Hibernia. It was a reliquary that he wanted me to take as a present to His Holiness on behalf of the bishop of Ard Macha.’

‘But, presumably, this gift was not handed over?’

The Nuntius Peregrinus shook his head.

‘Did you know what the gift was?’

‘Holy relics, that is all,’ the Nuntius replied at once. ‘They were the relics of a disciple of Patrick who took the Faith to the Hibernians.’

‘The relics of Benén mac Sesenén?’

‘No name was mentioned that I recall. We were to wait until the end of the council. There was to be a closing ceremony and it was thought fitting to make the presentation there so that all might witness Ard Macha’s tribute to Rome.’

‘Whose suggestion was that?’

‘The abbot’s, naturally. I think he was quite proud of the gift and wanted the other delegates to see what Ard Macha was sending to His Holiness.’ He frowned suddenly. ‘You would doubtless know that the bishop of Ard Macha is seeking His Holiness’s blessing and recognition to be the primate of your land of Hibernia.’

Fidelma pursed her lips in disfavour.

‘We have long been aware that the comarb of Patrick, as we call the bishops of Ard Macha, make the claim that they are the senior bishops in the five kingdoms. It is not a claim that is supported by the other bishops. Least of all those in my brother’s kingdom of Muman.’

‘Comarb?’ The Nunfius hesitated over the word.

‘Successor,’ explained Fidelma. ‘Abbot Ségdae, who is now the senior delegate of Hibernia here, is recognised as comarb of the Blessed Ailbe who came to our kingdom before Patrick arrived in the island. It was Ailbe who brought the Faith to our southern kingdom. According to our scholars, he has more right to be recognised as senior bishop. Ségdae is both abbot and bishop of Imleach, the abbey founded by Ailbe. Most people do not acknowledge that the bishop of Ard Macha has a right to this title of archiepiscopus-it is not the way in which our churches are organised.’

The Nuntius Peregrinus gave a deep sigh.

‘Ecclesiastical politics, then? This gift would not have pleased Abbot Ségdae. It seems that you should be thinking along those lines as the gift has disappeared.’

Fidelma caught the suspicious tone in his voice.

‘Do you imply that Abbot Ségdae might be involved in this matter?’ she asked.

The Nuntius spread his hands.

‘If, as you suggest, the theft of the reliquary box was somehow a motive for the murder of Dabhóc, then Abbot Ségdae is a prime suspect because of the very reason that you have now pointed out.’

‘Who, apart from you, knew the nature of the gift? I mean, knew that it was not only a reliquary box but the nature of the relics inside?’ Eadulf asked.

‘I had thought only Abbot Dabhóc and perhaps his servant, young Brother Gillucán, knew. All I knew was it contained the relics of the Blessed Patrick’s disciple and his successor.’

Fidelma was silent for a moment. As the Nuntius pointed out, she had given the very reason why Abbot Ségdae could be regarded as a prime suspect. Yet he was her brother’s friend and adviser and, indeed, had performed her wedding ceremony. But such a bribe as Ard Macha was offering to Rome was certainly not in Imleach’s nor Ségdae’s best interests.

‘When did you learn that the reliquary box had been stolen?’ Eadulf was asking.

‘When?’ The Nuntius screwed up his face as if to help his memory. ‘I think it was just after the murder, but I can’t be sure. Someone was talking about the abbot’s chamber being searched.’

‘Who was that?’

‘I don’t recall…no, wait! It must have been Brother Chilperic, the steward.’

There came the toll of a bell. The Nuntius rose quickly.

‘Ah, we are called for the evening meal.’

Fidelma could not help noticing that he looked slightly relieved.

‘Surely, Peregrinus, if the reliquary box was not in Abbot Dabhóc’s room, the logical thing would be that it was being taken care of by his steward-Brother Gillucán?’

‘Oh yes, that was the first idea.’ The Nuntius coughed. ‘Brother Gillucán was questioned about that- but he denied knowledge.’

‘By whom was he questioned?’

‘I presume that Brother Chilperic spoke with him.’

Fidelma and Eadulf now rose from their seats.

‘You’ve been most helpful, Nuntius Peregrinus,’ Fidelma said. ‘I hope we may continue to have your full support to resolve this matter, and that before long you will be able to take our findings to our friend, the Venerable Gelasius, in Rome.’

‘As I said previously, I am sure he will be delighted to know that you have been instrumental in investigating this matter. My prime task is to ensure that, in spite of these setbacks, this council meets and discusses the matters that the Holy Father has placed before them.’ He added: ‘It is good to talk with you again, Fidelma, although I was hoping that we would be able to reminisce about the times in Rome.’

He nodded to Brother Eadulf then turned to join his silent custodes and those moving in the direction of the refectory.

Fidelma and Eadulf followed at a more leisurely pace.

‘What do we do now?’ Eadulf asked. ‘Do we confront Abbot Ségdae with the claim that he had a good reason to kill Dabhóc and steal this reliquary box?’

Fidelma shook her head.

‘We will leave Abbot Ségdae alone for a while-at least so far as that matter is concerned. I can’t help feeling that Ségdae, even if he were capable of such a crime, would not commit it in such a complicated way. He does not possess such a devious mind. Anyway, first let us enjoy the evening meal.’