Penance of the Damned (Sister Fidelma)

by Peter Tremayne

  ‘This Étromma, Ciarnat’s mother.’

  They stood awkwardly for a few moments before the woman.

  ‘I do not understand,’ Fidelma said.

  ‘Aibell was my daughter’s friend,’ Étromma said as if this explained matters.

  ‘I know, but …’

  Aibell broke in. ‘You told me that Ciarnat was purposely given the wrong information to pass on to me, Fidelma. I have asked Étromma about it, and she has confirmed that it was part of a plot to make me persuade Gormán to escape so that he looked guilty.’

  Fidelma was taken aback. ‘How were you able to confirm this, Étromma?’ she asked suspiciously.

  The elderly woman lowered herself into a chair. ‘I was born in this township and worked in the fortress all my life. I have many friends.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it, but how …?’ prompted Fidelma again.

  ‘I have a good friend at the so-called abbey here, and he overheard something which worried him. You know that Abbot Nannid has taken up residence there? Well, my friend was passing a half-open door when he heard a voice saying that my daughter, Ciarnat, had been told to warn Aibell that you planned to abandon Gormán to his fate in order to preserve the peace with Cashel and your brother, the King. The person said that it had been suggested by a third party to Ciarnat that she must advise Aibell and Gormán to flee from the fortress. The same person also said that Aibell and Gormán would be tipped off that the guard could be bribed. Once they had fled, then Gormán’s guilt would be clear to all.’

  ‘I suspected as much,’ Fidelma said.

  ‘That was why poor Ciarnat was murdered,’ Aibell said passionately. ‘You were right about that.’

  ‘It is all very well hearing voices – but whose voices were they?’ Eadulf brought them back to reality. ‘We need to know the name of the intermediary who told her.’

  The old lady’s features were twisted in anger. ‘That we don’t know. Brother Máel Anfaid was told the lie first; he then told Ciarnat. Ciarnat passed the lie to Aibell, and then Brother Máel Anfaid and Ciarnat were both killed to keep the secret of who told them.’

  ‘So who was it that your friend heard speaking?’ Fidelma pressed.

  ‘Unfortunately, my friend said the voice was one he had not heard before,’ replied Étromma.

  ‘Could your friend not have entered the chamber in order to identify the speakers?’ Eadulf asked.

  ‘The half-open door was that of the chamber used by Abbot Nannid but it was not his voice.’

  ‘That does not surprise me,’ Eadulf sighed.

  ‘Anyway, at that moment, the abbot’s steward came along and my friend thought it wiser not to tarry outside the door.’

  ‘So are we to believe that it was Abbot Nannid who was being told, or was he telling someone else?’ asked Fidelma.

  ‘Nannid must be in league with Gláed,’ Aibell said. ‘How else did all this come about and why?’

  Eadulf was in agreement. ‘Nannid must be trying to use Gormán to cause dissension among the people here. But how did Nannid manage to persuade Gláed to hand Gormán over to him?’

  ‘You are right about them using Gormán. That has been obvious for some time,’ confirmed Fidelma. ‘Nannid would like to see a return to a more aggressive leader of the Uí Fidgente either under himself, for he is of the bloodline, or he is working with someone else who is prepared to break the peace that Prince Donennach has agreed with my brother.’

  ‘There is dissension enough among us,’ muttered the old woman. ‘I have seen two fine sons march off when Eoghanán was our prince. They marched to Cnoc Áine on behalf of Eoghanán and perished there fighting against your brother, lady – fighting the King of Cashel.’

  Fidelma sighed. ‘That should be history now that Eoghanán is dead and Donennach rules in peace from this place,’ she said softly.

  ‘But now I have seen my fine young daughter, Ciarnat, killed for a lie,’ Étromma went on, as if not hearing her. ‘It is time to make a stand and accept that these lies and deceptions must not be ignored if ever there is to be true peace in this land.’

  ‘This is interesting information against Nannid, but I fail to see where it may lead us,’ Fidelma said restlessly, turning to Aibell. ‘Tomorrow Gormán is due to be hanged.’

  ‘I know,’ Aibell said gravely. ‘He must be rescued from the abbey tonight.’

  ‘We had already come to that conclusion,’ Eadulf told her. ‘However, the way to make the thought into reality is much harder to devise.’

  Aibell gestured to the elderly woman. ‘Étromma has a plan but it will require the involvement of you, Brother Eadulf, and Enda.’

  They looked at the elderly woman in surprise.

  ‘What have you in mind?’ Eadulf asked. He could not help the sarcasm in his voice. ‘Do we walk up to the abbey, knock on the door and be admitted by the doorkeeper, who will then show us the way to the cell where Gormán is being held, unlock the door, and then we all walk happily forth into the night?’

  Aibell ignored his scepticism in her excitement. ‘That is exactly it … if the plan succeeds.’

  Before the smiles began to form on their faces, Étromma said sharply: ‘My daughter was murdered. So was the nephew of a dear friend of mine who not only hates those he suspects are responsible but knows them to have corrupted the community of Nechta. He will help and—’

  She was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  ‘That should be him now,’ the elderly woman said, indicating that Aibell should answer the door. The girl opened it a fraction, peered out and then opened it more widely.

  Brother Éladach, the doorkeeper of the Abbey of Nechta, came swiftly in and the girl closed the door behind him. His eyes swept round the company before he greeted Étromma.

  ‘Have you told them?’ he asked.

  ‘I was just about to,’ confirmed the elderly woman.

  Fidelma greeted the doorkeeper. ‘I presume you are the one who overheard the conversation in Abbot Nannid’s chamber?’

  ‘I did so, lady,’ the doorkeeper nodded. ‘And as the death of young Máel Anfaid was connected, it is obvious that he, too, was sacrificed by those who told him to pass the lies on to Ciarnat. The rest you know. They were both murdered by the same evil person who is intent upon executing an innocent man tomorrow, based on the spurious rules which he has forced upon our once peaceful community.’

  ‘We are told that you have some sort of plan to thwart Abbot Nannid?’ Fidelma said.

  ‘It is a simple plan,’ the man replied, looking sheepish.

  ‘Often simple plans are the best,’ she encouraged him. ‘What do you suggest?’

  ‘I once told you that I was a carpenter. To my shame, I helped construct the walls that surround our community. But that now works to our advantage. As well as the main gates of our so-called abbey, there are two small side gates, one to the west and one to the east. My plan is that after the moon reaches its zenith, the warrior here will come to the west gate. The only other man of strength that we can rely on is the Saxon brother here …’ Eadulf did not bother to correct him. ‘I will unlock the gate and then lead you to the cell where the warrior Gormán is incarcerated. It is a hut standing by itself. There are two men guarding him – they are men of the Sliabh Luachra, so be wary. They must be dealt with. After Gormán is released, he must be taken back to the west gate and I will secure it after you leave.’

  Fidelma was about to ask the obvious question but Étromma pre-empted her. ‘The young man will be brought here and hidden for a while. I have a special place to hide him until it is safe. I do not think anyone would believe he would continue to hide in the township, especially with me. They will assume that he has fled directly to Cashel.’

  ‘For this we are much indebted, Étromma,’ Fidelma acknowledged.

  ‘It is a just revenge for what they have done to my daughter.’

  ‘The plan sounds simple,’ Fidelma allowed. ‘But with this west gate being opened and then
closed behind us, you, Brother Éladach, will be the obvious suspect.’

  Éladach smiled grimly. ‘I will prepare the east gate, to show that someone must have broken in through it. After you have left with Gormán, I shall make some adjustment to show that he also escaped by that east exit. Thankfully, we have no guards patrolling our walled community.’

  ‘But you have men guarding the place where Gormán is imprisoned,’ Eadulf said.

  ‘Men of Sliabh Luachra, as you said,’ Enda pointed out. ‘They are cold-blooded killers. Trying to overcome them might result in a frenzied struggle that could raise the alarm.’

  Eadulf looked uncomfortable. ‘Are you suggesting that they are to be killed?’

  ‘They would have no compunction in killing you,’ replied the young warrior.

  ‘We should not descend to their level,’ Fidelma admonished. ‘But these men would have to be rendered harmless.’

  ‘Yet I have no skill as a warrior,’ confessed Eadulf.

  Fidelma ignored him. She turned to the doorkeeper. ‘Do you know how Nannid plans his execution?’

  ‘The buildings of our community are arranged around an old, sacred oak. I have been told that at noon, the brethren of the community will be ordered to gather to hear a homily from the abbot on the Penitentials and on the punishments that merit death as approved by the sacred scriptures. Then he intends to hang Gormán from the tree.’

  Fidelma pursed her lips. ‘I would know more of the lay-out of this abbey.’

  Brother Éladach went to the hearth where ashes from the last fire lay on the raised flat stones. Using his hand, he spread the grey ash on the top of one of the stones. Then, taking a half-burned stick from the dead fire, he traced a rectangle in the ash.

  ‘These are the outer walls. As you know, the entire outer walls are built of wood. Here is the main gate facing the square. On the east side is a side gate while, on the opposite west side, is another. The reason I chose the west gate for you to enter by is because it is closer to the cell where the warrior is contained.’

  He bent and drew a small square in the centre and marked a little cross.

  ‘That is the centre square and the cross marks the sacred oak tree where the Lady Nechta used to preach to convert people.’

  ‘And where Nannid plans to hang Gormán,’ Enda muttered.

  ‘Where is his cell?’ Fidelma pressed.

  Brother Éladach indicated a point at the north-west corner of the smaller square.

  ‘Inside the wooden walls of the abbey, everything is open. It is not one building for, as I told you, it was a series of homesteads, just like the rest of the township. At the east side of the interior courtyard is the chapel. On the opposite side are the buildings which are occupied by Abbot Nannid and his steward. The men he brought to guard his prisoner are also there.’

  ‘How many members of your community live there?’

  ‘We have about forty men and women and a dozen children. They live in huts across the entire site and between them are many storage huts. My own quarters are by the main gate. We have workshops and we have built ourselves a small library. You see, we are not a large community and until Abbot Nannid arrived and started to interfere with his new ideas, we were a contented one.’

  ‘Aren’t we neglecting what we are here for?’ Aibell said anxiously. ‘The night approaches and now each moment is precious.’

  ‘These questions must be asked,’ Fidelma assured her.

  ‘It is also important to know that our community is not content with the rule of Abbot Nannid and his steward,’ Brother Éladach stated. ‘I am sure that you will find no one among the community who supports him. But while Abbot Nannid has legal authority over us, we must not be seen to be acting contrary to his wishes.’

  ‘It is a simple plan,’ Enda agreed thoughtfully, ‘but I can see no alternative, and it may work. Eadulf and I will deal with the guards – but what are the conditions of his incarceration?’

  ‘Conditions?’ Brother Éladach was confused.

  ‘Is he free within his hut, which is presumably locked or bolted, or is he tied up or what?’

  ‘There are two bolts on the outside of the door of the hut,’ replied Brother Éladach. ‘However, his hands are tied.’

  ‘Are you sure of this?’

  ‘I went to take water and food to him earlier today. The guards were cruel and refused him food, saying what good was it to someone who was to be hanged the next day? However, they allowed me to give him some water.’

  ‘What sort of physical condition was he in?’ Enda said.

  ‘While his hands are bound, his feet are free. I fear he might find his hands hard to use because of the constriction.’

  ‘So we would have to overpower the guards, unbolt the door and then cut off his bonds?’

  ‘The bolts are easily withdrawn. The guards are so confident that Gormán is bound and secured in the hut that they don’t check on him regularly.’

  Enda smiled with satisfaction. ‘One good thing is that the men guarding him are lazy. They are not professional warriors, just thieves and robbers. I am feeling more confident now.’

  Brother Éladach appeared pleased by the young warriors self-assured attitude. ‘I tried to give your friend a message of hope when I gave him the water. I presumed the brigands were ignorant of Latin, but a commander of the King of Cashel’s bodyguard would have some knowledge. I spoke briefly just in case. ‘I said – nil desperandum. Libersondum. Durate et vosmet rebus servate secundis. The guards asked me what I said so I told them I was giving him a blessing as he was soon to die.’

  ‘Did they believe you?’

  ‘I am sure they did.’

  Aibell was puzzled, for she had no knowledge of simple Latin. ‘Did Gormán understand – and what did you say?’

  ‘I roughly told him not to despair. I mentioned the word “rescue” and told him to wait and prepare himself.’

  ‘That was good,’ Fidelma said.

  Enda gave a long sigh. ‘That’s it then. A simple plan. Friend Eadulf, we have no choice but to enter the community as Brother Éladach here has indicated, free Gormán and get away as fast as we can. You must have no compunction in dealing with the men guarding him.’

  Eadulf drew himself up a little. ‘I have fought my way out of more threatening situations before,’ he reminded Enda solemnly, ‘even though I have no warrior training. I have seen enough not to be that squeamish.’

  Enda clapped him on the shoulder in approval. ‘Now let us prepare. We do not have long.’

  ‘I’ll come with you,’ Aibell announced. ‘I can be of help.’

  ‘Absolutely not,’ Enda said firmly. ‘In the matter of rescue and possible fighting, Eadulf and I will undertake this. You will stay with the lady Fidelma here, until we bring Gormán back with us.’

  ‘But …’ began Aibell.

  ‘Enda is right,’ Fidelma declared. ‘I too would have liked to take part in this. However, he is a trained warrior.’

  Brother Éladach nodded approval. ‘I will go back now and attend to my duties as aistréoir. You will hear the little bell in the church sound, calling the community to gather for the last prayers of the day. After that, I will ensure that the bell is sounded three times, marking the end of prayers … three clear notes. Wait a little time after that, allowing for the community to go to their rest. Then come to the side gate. I will be there and shall guide you inside.’

  ‘What if you are discovered?’ asked Eadulf.

  Brother Éladach said bravely, ‘I must take that chance. If there is no other choice, then it is better to fight evil than sit and wait for it to multiply.’

  ‘Good man,’ approved Enda.

  ‘There is one other thing,’ Fidelma said. ‘Enda and Eadulf will wait here with Étromma for your signal. But Aibell and I must return to the fortress so that people think that we have all gone back to rest there. Questions would be asked if it were known that tonight, of all nights, none of us were to be seen in t
he fortress. Once you have carried out the task, Eadulf and Enda must get back into the fortress to appear early the next morning to claim an alibi when the alarm is raised.’

  Enda hit his left palm with his right fist. ‘I had not thought of that. We will need a diversion to cover us while we do that. But how do we get back into the fortress?’

  ‘Before I retire tonight, I will pretend to go for a walk in the courtyard,’ Fidelma said. ‘What has been done once, can work again. During the walk I shall make sure that the side gate is unlocked so that you may sneak in without going through the main gates. As for a diversion this evening, Aibell and I will provide it.’

  She waited until they were all in agreement before she glanced round and said earnestly, ‘Let us all go to our tasks and may luck be our companion this night.’

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  As Fidelma and Aibell approached the fortress gate there was no sign of Ceit but the warrior on guard just waved them through. They were moving across the courtyard towards the great hall when a tall figure emerged from the shadows. It was Conrí. He halted in the flickering light of the burning brand torches.

  ‘A gloomy night,’ he greeted – but it was not to the weather that he was referring.

  ‘Melancholy enough,’ Fidelma replied, making her voice sound despondent.

  ‘Is Eadulf not with you?’

  ‘He has already gone to our chamber with some disturbance of the stomach. Probably something he ate earlier,’ she lied. She hoped the warlord could not read her expression in the fading light. Then, sensing that Conrí wanted to say something more but seemed inhibited, she said to Aibell, ‘Perhaps you could go to our chamber to see how Eadulf is feeling? And ask if he intends to join us in the hall before we retire.’

  The girl nodded and they watched her scurrying away across the courtyard. Then Conrí turned to Fidelma.

  ‘My rider has returned from Mungairit,’ he announced quietly. ‘He is accompanied by someone he met who had just fled from the Hill of Truth. You will meet them both tomorrow. I think you’ll find his news interesting.’