The Council of the Cursed (16 page)

‘Which is where Abbess Audofleda comes from,’ Fidelma put in, remembering what the
abbatissa
had said.

‘Except that she was certainly no abbess then,’ agreed Brother Budnouen.

‘Go on.’

‘To be truthful, Audofleda was a woman of the streets. Until a few years ago, she was known in certain parts of Divio as such.’

Fidelma was surprised but not shocked. ‘She is not to be condemned for that, but rather pitied that she had no recourse to a happy life other than sell her body to men.’ She was thinking of her friend Della in Cashel who had once been a prostitute and whom she had helped.

‘True enough, true enough,’ sighed Brother Budnouen. ‘However, I do not think she wallowed in self-pity for her fate but many said she chose the life out of her hatred for men. And when I heard of this sudden conversion to the religious life, not just conversion but her appointment by Leodegar to be the
abbatissa
of the
Domus Femini
here, I had pause to think.’

They waited a moment and then Fidelma asked: ‘And what was the outcome of your thoughts?’

Brother Budnouen shrugged. ‘I do not believe in such a rapid conversion, and if I had a daughter who said she wanted to pursue the religious life in Audofleda’s
Domus Femini
, I would rather kill her with my own hands than allow her to go into that house of suffering.’

‘That is an interesting choice of words, Budnouen,’ said Fidelma. ‘“House of suffering”. Why do you use that term?’

‘There is no happiness there,’ the Gaul said simply. ‘It’s true that I only deliver goods to the main door and am not allowed in, but when I deliver these goods I see the suffering on the faces of the girls who take charge of them…’

‘Such as?’ Fidelma pressed.

‘There was a Sister Inginde and Sister Valretrade…’

‘Valretrade?’ She echoed the name.

‘You know her?’ Her tone had not been lost on the astute Gaul.

‘
Of
her,’ corrected Fidelma. ‘I am told that she left the community a week ago.’

‘Ah, that is why this time I looked for her in vain. A nice girl. So, I am pleased.’

‘Pleased?’

‘Pleased that she left Audofleda’s community, for it means she now has freedom to search for a place where she can fulfil her life. Doubtless, she has left with Brother Sigeric. I was their go-between whenever I could be so.’

‘In what way?’

‘I knew that Valretrade was deeply in love with Sigeric and messages were hard to send between the two communities. Therefore, whenever I was in Autun I was able to pass messages between them. I am happy to hear that they have gone.’

Fidelma shook her head. ‘Sigeric is here and knew nothing of her going. He finally went to see Audofleda, who told him that the girl had gone and gave him no other information. He asked us to intercede on his behalf to discover more. Audofleda told me not a short time since that Valretrade had left because she disagreed with the Rule.’

‘She would not have left without Sigeric knowing,’ asserted Brother Budnouen. ‘You don’t know the depth of feeling between those young folks.’

‘How long are you staying in Autun?’ asked Fidelma, after a thoughtful pause. ‘Do you have any more trade to do?’

‘Well, within a few days I am taking goods to the fortress of Lord Guntram, and—’

‘I meant, do you have more business with the
Domus Femini
?’

‘I have already done my trade there. The goods were taken, checked and paid for by Sister Radegund. I cannot go again without arousing suspicion. Sister Radegund runs the place like a fortress. No one is allowed in or out without scrutiny–and certainly no male is allowed in.’

They had passed up the broad thoroughfare from the Square of Benignus and drawn level with the building where Sister Radegund had gone in to see the seamstress. Brother Budnouen pointed to it.

‘That is the shop of the mother of one of the members of the
Domus Femini
. She makes dresses and sells clothes here. I sometimes trade with her. But even she is not allowed into the
Domus Femini
to see her daughter.’

‘Do you know the name of her daughter?’ asked Fidelma. ‘It’s not the stewardess of the community, is it?’ She glanced at the place where cloth and animal skins hung outside. Inside, she could see the elderly woman now sewing.

‘Sister Radegund?’ Brother Budnouen’s eyebrows went up in surprise. ‘Good Lord, no. What makes you ask? Oh, because you know Sister Radegund is the only one allowed to have dealings with the outside world for purposes of commerce?’

‘So I had heard,’ Fidelma said as they moved on. ‘Is there no one else who has free access to and from the
Domus Femini
?’

‘No one,’ the Gaul assured her. Then a thought struck him. ‘But I was forgetting–
you
must surely have free access to the
Domus Femini
, Sister?
Or can it be that you are staying among the other wives and advisers of the delegates to the council in the city? I heard that some of the delegates who did not know the Rule of Leodegar’s abbey had brought their wives or female advisers with them. They had to find accommodation not far from the abbey.’

Fidelma did not respond for a moment, then admitted, ‘No, Eadulf and I are staying together at the abbey.’

She was amused by the Gaul’s look of utter astonishment.

On reaching the abbey, they bade farewell to Brother Budnouen as he hurried off on his business, and made their way through the
anticum
of the abbey to their chamber in the
hospitia
. As they reached it, a door further along the corridor opened and a grim-faced Abbot Ségdae emerged.

‘Have you heard the news?’ he greeted them without preamble.

‘About Brother Gillucán, Abbot Dabhóc’s steward?’ enquired Fidelma, guessing the subject of his anxiety. ‘Brother Chilperic told us earlier this morning. Has there been a further development?’

Abbot Ségdae motioned to their chamber. They took the hint and led the way inside.

As Eadulf closed the door behind them, the abbot sank into a chair and heaved a deep breath.

‘Abbot Dabhóc murdered and now his steward. I am coming to agree with some of the delegates that this place is cursed.’

Fidelma sat down on the bed while Eadulf went to a jug and poured some water. His mouth was dry after the morning’s excursion.

‘It is not the place that is cursed, Ségdae; people create their own curses,’ replied Fidelma gravely.

‘Brother Gillucán was sitting calmly at our table last night,’ the abbot reflected sadly. ‘Now he is dead, killed by robbers while leaving the city this morning, his body stripped and dumped in the river after his throat was cut. How can such things happen?’

‘I meant to ask Brother Chilperic how Gillucán was recognised as
belonging to the abbey when it was his naked body that was discovered in the river?’ asked Eadulf, sipping his water.

‘Apparently by his tonsure. Some boatmen brought the body to the abbey to be identified.’ The abbot looked troubled. ‘As a senior member of our delegation, I asked Brother Gebicca to examine the body so that I could make a proper report to the bishop of Ard Macha.’ He hesitated. ‘When he did so, there was one thing which he found curious.’

Immediately Fidelma’s head rose a little. ‘Go on,’ she said.

‘They cut poor Brother Gillucán’s throat and threw him in the river…but in spite of that, faeces were clinging to parts of his body, under his fingernails and smeared on his flesh. I had to order that his body should be completely washed and ritually cleansed before burial. It was as if the poor boy had crawled through a sewer before his death. It was rather disgusting.’

Fidelma was thoughtful. ‘The river where he was found…do the city’s sewers empty into it?’

‘I suppose so,’ admitted Abbot Ségdae.

‘Were the sewers at the spot where he was found?’

‘Not really. But even with the sewerage in the water, well…that would not account for the smearing on his legs and arms. The current of the river is quite strong as it passes by the city walls and the effluence is carried along rapidly. I would not have thought it would have covered his body in the way it did if he had simply been immersed in it as it flowed down the river. It seemed to me, as I have said, that he had crawled through it or had been flung in it.’

The abbot was clearly distressed at the idea of the mistreatment of the young religieux.

‘It does seem curious,’ Fidelma admitted quietly. ‘And no witnesses have come forward? I mean, no one who saw Brother Gillucán leave the abbey, pass through the city gates or noticed if anyone was following him? I thought guards were at the city gates all the time.’

‘I am told by Brother Chilperic that the guards saw no one. No one at all. Tell me, Fidelma, do you think that there is some connection between the deaths of Dabhóc and Gillucán?’

‘I wish I could give you an answer, Ségdae. On face value, there seems none, and yet I do not entirely believe in coincidences.’

‘So you have come to no conclusions as yet?’

‘Not yet.’

‘So sad, so sad,’ muttered the abbot. ‘Brother Gillucán was leaving for home this morning. He told me that there were some pilgrims going back to the five kingdoms who were staying in the city. He was supposed to be travelling with them.’

‘It would have been better to have joined their party,’ agreed Fidelma, glad that the question was raised, as she could not have mentioned that Gillucán himself had told her as much. ‘What made him change his mind?’

‘I don’t know,’ replied the abbot. ‘He seemed strangely frightened last night. The first I knew that he had left on his own was when Brother Chilperic announced the finding of the body.’

‘Who were the pilgrims?’

‘Three members of the community of Mágh Bhíle in the north. They had been staying as guests of a wealthy lady in this city. Beretrude is her name.’

Fidelma did not allow herself to show any recognition of the name and hoped Eadulf would not say anything.

‘Do we know whether he contacted these three pilgrims before he left?’

‘We don’t. I am told they left this morning.’

‘Are many religious attacked by robbers in such a fashion in these parts?’ asked Eadulf.

‘According to Brother Chilperic, it is unusual for a religious to be killed by robbers. They are usually interested only in money or goods, not in taking a life.’

‘Yet poor Brother Gillucán was stripped and robbed and, although we cannot be sure, his naked body was defiled by being thrown into excrement,’ Fidelma observed thoughtfully. ‘The circumstances sound unusual at the least.’

Abbot Segdae regarded her unhappily. ‘This council is turning into a nightmare. If it were not for the important decisions that have to be made, I would suggest that our delegation withdraw.’

‘That would not be good politics,’ Fidelma pointed out.

‘You are right, of course. We must stay focused on the issues before us.’ The abbot rose abruptly. ‘I will leave you now, but if you come across
any information which may help me with my report to Ségéne of Ard Macha…’ He did not finish but left them.

‘Brother Sigeric will be anxious to hear what we have discovered about Sister Valretrade,’ Eadulf told her when they were left alone.

‘Then we’d better tell him,’ Fidelma agreed. It was clear that her mind was elsewhere for the moment and they left the
hospitia
in silence.

They found Brother Sigeric at work in the library, sitting quietly in a corner transcribing some manuscript. He looked up and an expression of hope quickly flitted across his face. Fidelma’s demeanour told him there was none, however, and his features resumed their wistfulness.

‘We saw Abbess Audofleda, but she simply confirmed what Sister Radegund had told you–that Sister Valretrade left her community about a week ago, having refused to obey the Rule.’

‘Lies!’ snapped Sigeric hotly.

‘Why would you say they were lying?’ asked Fidelma.

‘Because she would not leave here without me,’ the young man replied simply.

Fidelma nodded sympathetically. ‘I have heard similar comment from Brother Budnouen.’

‘Budnouen used to take messages between us,’ Brother Sigeric acknowledged. ‘I had heard that he had returned to Autun but have not seen him yet. He is a merchant and…’

‘We travelled here with him the other day,’ Eadulf informed him. ‘The thing is, Sigeric, if Abbess Audofleda and Sister Radegund are telling lies, what is their purpose and where is Valretrade?’

Brother Sigeric scowled. ‘I’ll wager that she is imprisoned somewhere in the
Domus Femini
as a punishment for her relationship with me,’ he said, answering the second question first. ‘I will break in and find her.’

He half rose as if that was his immediate intention but Fidelma reached out a hand to stay him.

‘That will serve no purpose, my young friend,’ she said. ‘Calm yourself. Let us try to work out a better strategy. Meanwhile, you must have a care. If you are right about what has happened to Valretrade, then Audofleda might surmise you would take that action. I think that the
abbatissa
is one who will hold a grudge. She even threatened us with punishment.’

Brother Sigeric sank glumly back on his seat. ‘In the early days, Bishop Leodegar punished those who were reluctant to divorce their wives. He had some flogged.’

‘Do you mean that they were not given a free choice to leave if they did not agree with his Rule on celibacy?’ Fidelma was horrified.

The young scribe shrugged to show she was right.

‘It is hard to believe,’ observed Eadulf.

‘Yet believe it you must. I know it is unusual to you. From what I have heard, there are few places among the Gauls and Franks and even in your western islands, where abbots, bishops and the religious are not married. But these celibates are a small band of fanatics who can only impose their views by force.’

‘Can you give any reason why Abbess Audofleda would deny that Valretrade was in the
Domus Femini
?’

‘Only to keep us apart,’ was the young man’s immediate reply.

‘She claims that she knew nothing of your relationship. Sister Radegund supported her in that, saying that she had not mentioned your visit to the abbess.’

‘Then I say she lies again.’

‘Valretrade disappeared on the night Abbot Dabhóc was slain,’ Fidelma said. ‘I think it is important that we find someone who is willing to talk about her.’

‘Such as?’

‘Budnouen mentioned someone who knew Valretrade…what was her name?’

It was Eadulf who remembered it: ‘He mentioned a Sister Inginde.’

The young man’s eyes widened. ‘She was Valretrade’s closest friend in the community! They worked together.’

‘Then we need a method of trying to contact her,’ Fidelma said.

‘There is one easy way of sneaking into the
Domus Femini
, but if one is caught…’ Brother Sigeric ended with a shrug.

‘Perhaps that is a risk that should be taken for the sake of truth.’ Fidelma’s expression was grim.

Brother Sigeric looked at her closely. ‘Would you be willing to chance this? After all, being a woman you would have a better chance of escaping detection than a man would have.’

Eadulf protested immediately. ‘There is only one way into the house of women, and that is through the main gate. I doubt whether Sister Radegund would allow Fidelma to walk in again, especially to speak with any member of the sisterhood.’

‘But there is another easy way in or out of the
Domus Femini
, isn’t there, Sigeric?’ Fidelma was looking at the young man expectantly. ‘The passage through the vaults under the abbey.’

‘That is so, but I would need to show you the way. In fact, it is the same passage through which the sisters of the
Domus Femini
come each morning and evening to attend service in the chapel.’

Eadulf raised another objection to the plan.

‘So you enter the
Domus Femini
–but what then? You would also need to be able to find Sister Inginde. How would you do that?’

Brother Sigeric was enthusiastic.

‘She shared the chamber with Valretrade. I can draw you a plan that would show you how to get there, if you could follow it.’

‘I can follow it,’ replied Fidelma firmly. ‘So long as it is accurate.’

Eadulf was still not convinced. ‘I think it foolhardy. What if you were discovered?’ he protested.

‘I will ensure that I am not discovered,’ Fidelma replied simply. ‘We must find out about Valretrade. I believe that some of the answers to all this mystery might be resolved when we know why she disappeared.’ She turned to Sigeric. ‘So when would be the best time to undertake this underground route?’

His answer was immediate. ‘This very night.’

‘Excellent,’ Fidelma said. ‘The best time is when the sleep period is at its deepest.’

‘You must give yourself sufficient time to enter the
Domus Femini
, find the chamber of Sister Inginde and then question her. Then you will have to retrace your steps,’ pointed out Brother Sigeric.

‘And all without being observed,’ muttered Eadulf.

‘Show me the way into the
Domus Femini
and your plan of how I might
find the chamber of this Sister Inginde, and I will do the rest,’ Fidelma said confidently.

‘That is good,’ replied Brother Sigeric. ‘I will wait for you here, in the library, after the midnight bell has sounded and the last prayers have been said. Then the brethren go to their slumbers. We will wait a while and then go to the vaults.’

Fidelma and Eadulf left the young scribe in an excited frame of mind and returned to the
hospitia
.

As they entered their room they heard the distant toll of a bell.

‘Time for the evening bathe,’ Fidelma sighed. ‘But I suppose it must be in cold water again. I can never get used to these foreign customs where people do not heat water for an evening bath. In fact, I have noticed that these people hardly ever bathe, just have a wash with cold water in the morning and perhaps take a swim in the river every so often. They do not even use soap. How can people exist like this, Eadulf?’

Eadulf controlled his expression for a moment. He had grown up in such a fashion and even now he could not get used to the bathing customs of the people of the five kingdoms of Éireann.

Each morning it was the custom to rise and wash their hands and face but then in the evening, before the evening meal, they bathed, a full body wash, with hot water. And this was the daily custom! Eadulf shivered. When he was growing up, he swam in the river near his home once a week and that was his bath. But the rituals of Fidelma’s people continued to amaze him. The soap they used called
sléic
and linen towels and the sweet scented herbs and oils that were used for the bath took some getting used to.

When the toiletry demands had been met and they had changed into clean robes, Fidelma and Eadulf went down to keep their appointment with Nuntius Peregrinus.

The envoy from the Bishop of Rome was already waiting in the
calefactorium
and rose to greet them when they entered. He had been talking to his ever-present
custodes
, the Lateran Palace bodyguard. The warrior discreetly removed himself to another corner.

‘More bad news, I hear,’ Nuntius Peregrinus said sombrely as they seated themselves.

‘You mean about Brother Gillucán?’

‘The young Irish Brother,’ he agreed. ‘He was the servant of Abbot Dabhóc. That is sad.’