Lady Gunora’s body! Lord Radoald has been searching the valley for her,’ he greeted Fidelma curtly.
Fidelma was about to respond when Abbot Servillius interrupted to point out that it was better to continue the conversation after the meal. Once they were in their seats, he then decided it was appropriate to intone a lengthy homily in praise of God for guiding the footsteps of Fidelma and Brother Eolann out of danger and back to safety. He then added a brief attack on the pagan idolatry of Grasulf of Vars.
After the meal Abbot Servillius invited Wulfoald, Fidelma,Venerable Ionas and Brother Eolann back to his chamber. Fidelma explained to Wulfoald where the body of Lady Gunora had been found and where they had placed it.
‘Had we known this sooner, Radoald could have stopped wasting the time of his sentinels,’ grunted the warrior. ‘But I think we may assume that all immediate danger will come from Vars.’ He turned to Fidelma. ‘You saw no sign of any other prisoners during your incarceration in Vars?’
‘No. We saw no other prisoners.’
‘It does not mean to say that Prince Romuald was not there,’ pointed out Abbot Servillius.
‘That is true,’ agreed Fidelma. ‘So you believe that Grasulf would be the most likely person responsible for the death of the Lady Gunora and the disappearance of Prince Romuald?’
‘The only person, without doubt. He is a danger to the security of these valleys.’ Wulfoald was emphatic.
‘What intrigues me is this: how is it that, if Lady Gunora set off to seek refuge at Lord Radoald’s fortress, her body was found on the upper reaches of Mount Pénas, which is in the opposite direction?’ Fidelma had posed the question before without receiving an answer.
Wulfoald raised a shoulder a fraction and let it fall. ‘There might be several reasons for that. Perhaps she was captured and transported there before she was killed.’
Fidelma accepted that it was a logical explanation but she was not impressed by it.
‘I will send one of my men this very night to inform Lord Radoald about these matters,’ Wulfoald went on. ‘The rumours are increasing and ominous. If Perctarit has reached north of Mailand with a Frankish army, then we must be extremely vigilant. He is very near.’
Abbot Servillius was still showing apprehension in his drawn features. ‘And what of the body of the Lady Gunora?’
‘As you have already suggested, let Brother Bladulf take some of the brethren up to the sanctuary early in the morning to retrieve it. I will send two of my warriors to provide them with an escort. I shall also send a messenger back to Lord Radoald to inform him of the situation.’
‘The track we followed up towards the sanctuary led past a goatherd’s cabin where an old woman named Hawisa dwells,’ Fidelma said.
‘I know Hawisa’s cabin,’ Wulfoald assured her easily. He did not notice Fidelma’s quick look of surprise.
Abbot Servillius glanced around at them. ‘I think we are all aware of the dangers. So we should let our guest, Fidelma, rest after such a terrifying adventure. You as well, Brother Eolann. Wulfoald will organise that which he needs to organise.’
Fidelma was the last to leave the abbot’s chamber but, at the door, she paused and turned back.
‘I nearly forgot,’ she told him. ‘I was speaking to Brother Waldipert before we left the other day.’
Abbot Servillius looked up absently. ‘Brother Waldipert the cook?’
‘This is something not pertinent to the grave matters in hand. I have just remembered it — forgive me if I raise it now. I once mentioned in passing that I had an interest in ancient coins. Brother Waldipert said that he had recently come by one such coin and that he had given it to you. He found the coin strange and could not assess its value.’
‘He did? I can’t think … oh yes, that was some weeks ago.’
‘He seemed to think it was found locally and was of a great age. I was wondering if I could see it? As I say, I am fascinated by such matters.’
The abbot stared at her blankly for a moment and then gave an off-handed gesture. ‘That is not possible, Sister Fidelma.’
‘Oh?’
‘It disappeared from my study within a day or so of it being given to my safekeeping. We hunted high and low for it, but it was never found. It is terrible to think ill of one’s brethren but, alas, I can think of no other reason other than it was taken deliberately. However, it was only a small coin of no great value, even though it was of gold. The loss was negligible.’
There was a note of dismissal in his tone and Fidelma inclined her head and left.
Outside the door, she hurried through the now-deserted hallway into the courtyard. It was dark and only a few brand torches were blazing outside, casting shadowy, flickering lights across the almost empty area. Thankfully, Wulfoald had stopped to talk awhile with the Venerable Ionas, for they were just parting and Wulfoald was moving towards the gates.
‘Wulfoald, stay a moment!’
He turned at her breathless call.
‘Sister Fidelma. How can I help you?’
She came up to him in the light of a nearby torch. ‘I realised that I needed to ask you some questions.’
‘Questions, lady? About what?’
‘You found the body of the boy, Wamba, did you not?’
His eyes narrowed slightly. She could see the action clearly, even in the half-light.
‘Wamba?’ he repeated. ‘What have you heard of Wamba?’
‘I know he was a young goatherd who now lies buried in the abbey necropolis.’
‘He was buried there a week or so before you came to Bobium. How does he concern you, lady?’
‘It would be easier if you answered my questions first,’ insisted Fidelma, ‘and then I will see if things make sense or whether I am chasing shadows.’
Wulfoald shrugged indifferently. ‘So what is it you want to know?’
‘You confirm that you found his body?’
‘I did. You want the details? Then know that I was riding back over the hills, on the road to this abbey across Mount Pénas. I happened on the boy’s body lying alongside the track underneath a cliff face. It seemed that he had fallen and broken his neck.’
‘After you found the body, what then?’
‘I knew the boy. He was a goatherd and lived with his mother, Hawisa, not far from the place where I found him. You said that you passed her cabin on the way to the sanctuary.’
Fidelma controlled her surprise. ‘You say you know her?’
‘Of course. Most people know each other throughout this valley.’
‘So what did you do? With the body of Wamba, that is.’
‘I took him home.’
‘You took him home?’ Fidelma blinked.
‘To his mother Hawisa.’
‘You took his body to her cabin?’ pressed Fidelma.
‘Where else would I take it?’ the warrior replied in irritation.
Fidelma made a decision that she must now confront Wulfoald with the facts as Hawisa had told them.
‘What if I told you that Hawisa says that you took the body straight to the abbey, and by the time she came here, the body of her son was already buried?’
Wulfoald’s face wore a look of amazement. Then he said, slowly, ‘I would say, lady, that one of us was not telling you the truth.’
‘Why would the old woman lie?’
‘Why would
‘There might be many reasons.’
‘Then ask Abbot Servillius, if you doubt my word.’
Fidelma frowned uncertainly. ‘Abbot Servillius? What has he to do with it?’
‘He was at Hawisa’s cabin when I brought the boy’s body there.’
It was Fidelma’s turn to stare at him in amazement. ‘What was
