As briefly as possible, she told him the details.
Eadulf looked grim when she mentioned the role of Verbas of Peqini.
‘My movement is restricted now, Eadulf, so I must rely on you. Tonight I need to re-enter the abbey unseen. Apart from Abbot Ségdae and his comrades from Imleach, there is no knowing who are our friends and who are our foes in the abbey. We must be prepared for all contingencies.’
She glanced towards Valretrade. Their conversation had been carried on in Fidelma’s own language that they always spoke together.
‘I think we can rely on Brother Sigeric to support us,’ she added.
At the name Valretrade looked up quickly.
‘Sigeric? Has anything happened to him?’ she asked fearfully, resorting to Latin.
Eadulf was reassuring. ‘He is well but frantic with worry about your fate.’
‘Then tomorrow morning I shall attempt to resolve all these matters,’ Fidelma said.
‘Tomorrow morning?’ Eadulf was astonished. ‘Can it all be resolved by then?’
‘That is if certain conditions can be met. Firstly, you must return to the abbey and see Abbot Ségdae. He must arrange to smuggle me back into the abbey as soon as darkness has fallen. Valretrade will come with me. No one apart from Ségdae must know of our return. You, however, will find a horse and ride to Clotaire. Bring him and his warriors to the abbey unseen. Make sure he has Guntram with him.’
Eadulf was astounded. ‘Fifty warriors? How can they arrive in this city unseen, let alone enter the abbey?’
‘That is where Brother Sigeric will play a part. In this you must instruct Clotaire carefully. Stand firm against Ebroin, as I am sure he is the sort of person who will raise objections. He may wish good for Clotaire but he does not believe in being subtle.’
‘Tell me what I should do.’
‘As you know, the abbey buildings stand in the south-west corner of the city, against the city walls there. Do you recall Sigeric telling us about the tunnel from the vaults under the chapel that leads beyond the outside walls? The door can be opened only from the inside. I will send Sigeric to open that door before dawn tomorrow morning. You will bring Clotaire and his men to the outside wall. Can you find where the entrance is?’
‘We can if Sigeric will signal with a lantern to show exactly where it is.’
‘A good suggestion. It shall be done.’
‘But where will I find a horse to ride for Guntram’s fortress?’ asked Eadulf.
‘Ageric,’ she turned to the blacksmith, ‘do you have a good horse or do you have access to one?’
‘My brother is also a blacksmith. His forge is outside of the city on the road to Guntram’s fortress. He has horses,’ he replied at once.
‘How far away?’
‘Just to the south west, at the beginning of the forest. It is no more than a brisk walk away. His name is Clodomar.’
Fidelma turned back to Eadulf in satisfaction.
‘That’s one piece of good fortune. We passed Clodomar’s forge. Do you recall the place?’ And when he nodded, she turned back to the bewildered Ageric. ‘I presume that your brother can be trusted to keep secrets?’
‘He is my brother,’ responded Ageric stoutly. ‘But I will accompany your friend to make sure all is well.’
‘Remember to bring Clotaire back to the entrance before dawn.’
Eadulf tried to hide his dismay at the thought of a nighttime ride on horseback through the forest. Horses were not his favourite mode of transport.
‘Once inside, Sigeric will guide you through the necropolis and into the chapel. This will coincide when all are meeting for the morning prayers. The warriors must stand ready to take control by force.’
‘I am not sure I follow the reasoning,’ Eadulf said, ‘but I will certainly convey all this to Clotaire.’
Fidelma looked apologetically at him.
‘What I am planning is that tomorrow, at morning prayers, which are attended by both communities in the abbey, I shall commence unravelling this mystery. I shall use the chapel as I would a court before the Brehons back home. Before that, I have to get Valretrade here to show me where she was taken captive. By that sarcophagus, I am hoping to find a piece of evidence. Do you follow?’
‘What if Bishop Leodegar will not allow you to speak?’
‘He must, for I will ensure that the Nuntius Peregrinus will be informed what my intention is. Leodegar cannot openly deny the hearing, for that is what he has requested. And Clotaire will also be there to hear. More importantly, Clotaire’s warriors will be there to ensure there is no interference in the matter.’
Eadulf looked gloomy. ‘It could all go wrong.’
‘Not if we all play our parts.’ She glanced at Ageric who stood looking on with his wife and sister-in- law.
‘It is time to set our plans into motion,’ she said. ‘
Chapter Twenty-two
It was just after dawn that Fidelma, with Valretrade at her side and flanked by Abbot Ségdae and the remaining Hibernian delegates, entered the abbey’s chapel. There were glances ranging from astonishment to outrage among the brethren as they marched to the front of the chapel and sat down. The murmuring of protest grew loud but they ignored it. A similar disturbance was heard beyond the wooden screens that separated Abbess Audofleda and the members of her community. It was obvious that no one in the chapel was unaware of their presence. Fidelma had a momentary thought as to what would be going through Abbess Audofleda’s mind and that of Sister Radegund at seeing Valretrade at her side. She knew that she would not have long to wait to find out.
Bishop Leodegar and Brother Chilperic now entered to perform the first service of the day. As the bishop turned to the altar to invoke the ritual of the first prayer, he seemed oblivious to the atmosphere. However, he eventually became aware of the commotion and turned with an angry frown towards the congregation. As he did so, a harsh voice cried from the women’s section: ‘I protest!’
Abbess Audofleda had risen so that she could be seen beyond the separating screen. One arm was flung out towards Fidelma and Valretrade.
Bishop Leodegar followed her pointing finger to where Fidelma was sitting. His jaw slackened. His eyes turned to Valretrade sitting next to her.
‘What is this?’ he demanded. ‘Where have you appeared from, Fidelma of Cashel? I was told that you had disappeared, and Brother Eadulf and Abbot Ségdae were protesting that you had been abducted. And what is that other woman doing here among the brethren when-’
‘Those women mock the Rule of this abbey, profane this very holy chapel by their presence in the area designated for the brethren!’ Abbess Audofleda interrupted.
Bishop Leodegar was plainly in a state of bewilderment.
‘Explain yourself, Sister Fidelma. You have disappeared and now you reappear-and with a woman seated by you when you know that, while I gave dispensation for you, this abbey is segregated and that no other female has any right to be here.’
‘I will explain.’ Fidelma put a reassuring hand on Valetrade’s shoulder. ‘I was prepared to allow the morning prayers to finish before announcing our presence, but since you prefer the explanations now, so be it. I have come, and with witnesses, to resolve the mystery of what has been taking place here. And I claim your authority, Bishop Leodegar, to do so.’
‘I cannot allow-’ the bishop spluttered.
Abbot Ségdae rose at once.
‘As senior delegate from Hibernia, I bear witness to your commission to Fidelma of Cashel and to Brother
