The Council of the Cursed

‘Sometimes a little prompting can bring surprising results.’

‘Oh come, you don’t think that the problems here are to do with enmity between Burgunds and Franks?’

Fidelma stared at him for a moment and then sighed.

‘There are many problems here, as you say, Eadulf. To be honest, I think this entire community is festering underneath this exterior of obedience. Why this abbey should be chosen by Rome as the place to hold a council on the future of the Faith, I do not know. I begin to think that the death of poor Dabhóc was just a superficial event on the surface of something that goes very much deeper.’

‘But what?’ demanded Eadulf.

‘I don’t believe in a sixth sense but if I did, I would say it was that. I have a feeling-that is all.’

‘Look,’ Eadulf said quietly, ‘here comes Bishop Ordgar’s steward. He’s seen us and is coming over.’

The tall figure of young Brother Benevolentia was crossing the anticum with the clear intention of joining them.

‘Bishop Ordgar said that if I saw you, I was to ask you how much longer your enquiry is going to take,’ he greeted them.

‘I would wager those were not the terms in which he couched the question,’ muttered Eadulf in an amused tone.

Brother Benevolentia looked embarrassed.

‘His language was a little more forthright than that, Brother,’ he admitted.

‘I must reply to him that it will take as long as it takes,’ replied Fidelma firmly.

Brother Benevolentia shrugged indifferently. ‘Well, it is little concern of mine.’

‘How so, Brother?’ asked Eadulf, interested by the comment. ‘You are his steward.’

‘Bishop Ordgar told you that his own steward died on his journey to Divio. Because I was in service there and knew something of your Saxon tongue, I replaced the steward, but only temporarily. I do not intend to give my services for any longer than is necessary. I am determined to remain in my native city and as soon as the bishop returns to his kingdom of Kent, I can settle here.’

‘Providing the bishop is free to return to Kent,’ pointed out Eadulf.

Brother Benevolentia merely nodded.

‘It certainly looks black for him,’ he agreed. ‘So you think that he killed Abbot Dabhóc?’

‘He is one of the suspects,’ cut in Fidelma before Eadulf could reply. ‘However, we are some way from establishing the truth of the matter.’

‘Well,’ Brother Benevolentia said, ‘I have delivered the message that Bishop Ordgar has entrusted to me. He is even now appealing to the Nuntius Peregrinus for his freedom and asking him to overturn the decision of Abbot Leodegar and yourself.’

‘I appreciate your honesty, Brother. Do you like serving Bishop Ordgar?’

‘I neither like nor dislike him,’ Benevolentia told Fidelma. ‘My stewardship to Ordgar has only been of a few weeks’ duration. It will continue only so long as this council lasts.’

‘Then you will return to Divio?’

‘I was a scribe there and write a good hand in Greek and Latin.’

‘You are young. Where did you pick up such knowledge?’

‘My family…’ He paused.

‘Your family?’ prompted Fidelma.

‘My family in the abbey of Divio taught me, for I was taken there as a young boy for my education and trained as a copyist in the library.’

‘Then you are fortunate indeed, for the ability to read and write in several languages is an excellent security for the future,’ Fidelma said kindly. ‘Even outside the religious houses, many great families employ their own scribes.’

‘Indeed,’ Eadulf agreed, then added, ‘if the Rule of Bishop Leodegar is not to your liking, Brother, I am sure there are local lords who would welcome such abilities.’

Brother Benevolentia stared at him for a moment.

‘Local lords?’ he said tightly.

‘Lord Guntram might stand in need of a good scribe.’

‘Guntram is the ruler of this province.’

‘So you have heard of him?’

‘Of course. I am a Burgund. His mother is Lady Beretrude of a noble Burgund family. They are of the line of Gundahar, the first great king of the Burgunds. Every one in Burgundia knows the family.’

‘Lady Beretrude is quite a powerful lady, then?’

‘She is beneficent and kindly to her people,’ replied Brother Benevolentia enthusiastically. ‘At least, according to the stories that I have heard.’

‘Do you know much about Lord Guntram, her son?’

Brother Benevolentia shrugged. ‘He is not as great as…’

‘As his mother?’ supplied Eadulf.

‘Just so,’ the steward answered.

‘Is it not said that children often have to walk in the shadow of their parents?’ remarked Eadulf.

Brother Benvolentia smiled without humour. ‘Yet it may also be said that every great man overshadows his parents.’

‘That is so.’

The steward bowed his head for a moment. ‘And now I have duties to perform, if you will excuse me?’

They watched him stride off.

‘The trouble is,’ volunteered Eadulf, ‘he is right, you know.’

‘Right? About what?’

‘We cannot insist that Bishop Ordgar or, indeed, Abbot Cadfan, be confined for ever.’

‘We are not confining them for ever, only until we have a solution.’

‘But how long can we continue to restrain them?’

‘Let us go and find the Nuntius Peregrinus. If Ordgar is appealing to him, we’d better make sure the appeal ends in conditions suitable for our purposes.’

Puzzled, Eadulf turned after her as she strode off.

‘One thing that surprises me,’ he confided as they walked together, ‘is that Brother Chilperic was married to Sister Radegund. She looks older than him and is not an attractive person.’

‘You surprise me.’ Fidelma cast him a disapproving look. ‘You forget sua cuique voluptae-everyone has their own pleasures.’

They found the Nuntius in the calefactorium. The Nuntius rose as Fidelma strode across to him.

‘I need your help,’ she said without preamble.

Nuntius Peregrinus gestured with his hand. ‘You have only to ask.’

‘Have you seen Bishop Ordgar yet?’

‘I was just about to do so, having heard that he wanted to see me.’

‘As you know, I initially thought it advisable to keep Bishop Ordgar and Abbot Cadfan confined to their quarters until my enquiries into this crime are ended. Bishop Leodegar agreed with this course of action.’

‘A wise precaution,’ agreed the Nuntius.

‘Yet there is still much to do and I am unsure when the conclusion will be reached.’

‘So?’

‘Bishop Ordgar wants you to overrule us. Now, I am cognisant of the office held by both Ordgar and Cadfan. Both could be released if they give their word of honour to keep separate from one another until the matter has been resolved.’

‘If they agree?’

‘They should give their parole to you and you will enforce their obedience as a senior representative of the Church.’

‘I will put it to them, and if they are willing, then I will instruct them to take an oath by the sign of the Holy