The Council of the Cursed

by Peter Tremayne

  Bishop Leodegar’s eyes narrowed. ‘“Happen” to him?’ he asked carefully.

  Fidelma gestured indifferently. ‘Perhaps I have expressed myself crudely. I merely meant to say that his well-being is essential to my final report.’

  Their eyes met and it was clear that the bishop understood what she was saying. He dropped his gaze first.

  ‘You have no reason to suppose any harm will befall Brother Sigeric,’ he said tightly. ‘I will ensure that.’

  ‘That is good. Very well–then we are agreed.’

  She turned to go but Bishop Leodegar said: ‘A moment, Fidelma. There is another matter. Lady Beretrude has invited all the delegates to the council to a reception at her villa, which is but a short walk from here. Lady Beretrude is the mother of the ruler of this province, Lord Guntram. Of course, the reception should have been given to all the foreign prelates by Guntram, but…’ He shrugged. ‘Lord Guntram is not enthusiastic about fulfilling such functions and his mother often receives distinguished visitors on his behalf. You and Brother Eadulf are invited to attend.’

  ‘We would be delighted to accept. When would this reception be?’

  ‘Late this afternoon. I have asked the delegates to gather in the anticum when they hear the continuous toll of the bell.’

  ‘Then we would like to see Abbess Audofleda before that.’

  Bishop Leodegar immediately looked unhappy.

  ‘I would need to see Abbess Audofleda first to explain what has happened, and she will not be available until this evening as there are other matters that need her attention. Perhaps the meeting could be postponed until tomorrow morning? I assure you that all will be well then.’

  Fidelma felt she had no choice other than to accept the delay.

  ‘I will make the arrangements,’ the bishop promised. ‘And I am sure Lady Beretrude will be delighted to welcome you today. Hearing of your arrival in Autun, and of your investigation, she has especially requested your presence. And she has extended her invitation to all the women accompanying the delegates. She understands that different people have different customs and she is a lady of great liberal attitudes.’

  ‘Then we will not disappoint her.’

  Outside the bishop’s chamber, Eadulf was smiling.

  ‘That was a skilful piece of diplomacy,’ he said approvingly.

  Fidelma shrugged. ‘Cain cach sái, discir cach dái,’ she said, expressing an old proverb of her people.

  Eadulf was unsure of the meaning.

  ‘Every wise man is courteous, every idiot is a bully.’

  Eadulf pulled a face. ‘So you think the bishop is an idiot?’

  ‘Idiot enough not to realise that his pretentiousness can be spotted by the intelligent. That makes me pause…’

  ‘Pause?’

  ‘I had been thinking that the bishop himself was behaving in a highly suspicious manner in this affair. However, I’ve had second thoughts.’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Because if he were involved, he would go out of his way not to bring about my suspicions in the manner he does. Therefore, he is either an idiot or perhaps he is…’ she tried to think of the right word ‘…aneladnach.’

  ‘Untrained? Without art?’ Eadulf tried to hazard a translation in Latin. ‘Ah, without guile. Well, that’s not the same as an idiot.’

  ‘Perhaps, in some people’s interpretation,’ replied Fidelma. ‘I mean that maybe he really doesn’t know that what he is doing is wrong. Perhaps it is part of his culture?’

  Eadulf sniffed deprecatingly because the Frankish culture was similar to his own.

  They were walking through the anticum when Eadulf spotted the steward, Brother Chilperic, attending to some placing of furniture.

  ‘There is a man who would know about Leodegar’s culture,’ he said.

  Brother Chilperic had spotted them and looked surprised. Doubtless he had been thinking that the bishop’s wrath had been about to fall on them. And so he looked disconcerted for a moment.

  ‘Is all well?’ he asked as they came up to him.

  ‘Why wouldn’t it be?’ asked Fidelma innocently.

  ‘I thought the bishop looked angry about something, that is all,’ replied the steward, taken off guard.

  ‘In fact, it was we who had a complaint to make,’ Eadulf replied. ‘We had the feeling that our investigation was not being taken seriously.’

  ‘Oh, not so, not so,’ Brother Chilperic said at once. ‘There is much tension in the community. The brethren await your conclusions with some anxiety. Bishop Ordgar paces his room like a caged lion, while Abbot Cadfan possesses an amazing vocabulary in several languages which, I thank God, there are no females present to hear…oh, I crave your indulgence, Sister.’

  Fidelma actually chuckled. ‘I can imagine what Abbot Cadfan’s choice of words must be in any language. It is difficult to be confined all this time and under suspicion. If I could work this matter any other way, I would. However, what would happen if both of these prelates were able to freely wander about? They would soon encounter one another and, after what has passed between them, that would not be politic, would it?’

  Brother Chilperic thought for a moment and then nodded.

  ‘They would probably attack one another and there would be another death on our hands! Bishop Ordgar, however, is outraged that he has been refused permission to attend Lady Beretrude’s reception.’

  ‘Until the investigation is finished, it would not be wise to invite them into the same room. And to invite one without the other would be to imply guilt of the one who was not invited,’ Fidelma pointed out. ‘However, is this reception of such importance?’

  Eadulf knew she was seeking information.

  ‘Lady Beretrude, as the mother of the lord of this province, feels that a civic welcome is due those gathering in this territory to debate matters affecting the Faith.’

  ‘And will Lord Guntram be at this welcoming ceremony?’

  For a moment the steward looked embarrassed.

  ‘The Lord Guntram is a young man who, I am afraid, does not see his civic duties as a matter of priority yet. You must make allowances for his absence. In years he is mature, but he prefers hunting, wine and…’ He said in a low voice, ‘I am afraid he is not a good representative of the Burgunds.’

  ‘How long has Burgundia been under the rule of the Franks?’ Eadulf asked. ‘We seem to find resentment continuing between the Burgunds and Franks.’

  ‘It is only a few generations ago since we lost our independence.’

  ‘Ah, so you call yourself a Burgund then?’ asked Fidelma.

  Brother Chilperic straightened himself. ‘I am proud to be of the blood of Gundahar who founded our nation,’ he replied with dignity.

  ‘But now you are ruled by the Franks.’

  ‘The Frankish army overcame our last king, Gudomar, and our armies. Yet we have retained our name and our identity. We are Burgunds.’

  Fidelma was thoughtful. ‘Are you saying that you–the Burgunds–would wish to be independent of the Frankish rulers?’

  ‘Vita non est vivere sed valere vita est!’ declared Brother Chilperic firmly. Life is not only to live, but to be strong, to be vigorous.

  ‘And you feel that the Burgunds cannot live or be vigorous under the rule of the Franks?’

  ‘It is not only my feeling but that of most of my people,’ he assured her. ‘Our problem is that Burgundia has been so long under the yoke of the Frankish kings, we have almost forgotten to be Burgunds. The people need some symbol to stir them to manhood again.’

  ‘And will that happen?’ asked Eadulf.

  Brother Chilperic shrugged. ‘Who knows? There is a rumour…’ He glanced round surreptitiously. ‘You will forget I spoke thus, for Bishop Leodegar is a Frank and close to the royal family of the Franks.’

  ‘We wish only to learn,’ Fidelma replied. ‘Leodegar will hear nothing of what you say. So what is this rumour?’

  Brother Chilperic droppe
d his voice to a whisper.

  ‘You may have heard stories that it was a holy man called Benignus who brought the Faith here and died a martyr. I began to hear some months ago that it was being said among the peasants that the true king of the Burgunds would one day re-emerge with the symbol of Benignus to raise the people into regaining their freedom.’

  ‘Was this a recent rumour?’ Fidelma tried not to show her sudden interest.

  ‘One of many. Peasants are always dreaming.’ Brother Chilperic gave a harsh laugh. ‘It is left to us to deal with the reality.’

  ‘Which is?’

  ‘The reality is that we are a small people. The Franks are many–Austrasia and Neustria spread around us like an engulfing sea. We have to accept the heavy hand of history.’

  ‘I think you told us that you have served in this abbey before Bishop Leodegar came here?’

  ‘I was born in this city and entered the abbey when I was fifteen years old. I met my…’ He paused and a faint flush came to his cheeks.

  ‘No need to be reticent, Brother Chilperic,’ Fidelma said gently. ‘It is no crime to have married. Only Bishop Leodegar’s new Rule makes it so in his eyes. So, you were about to say that you met your wife in this abbey?’

  The steward nodded slowly.

  ‘And you were content as man and wife, serving the Faith in this community until Bishop Leodegar arrived?’

  ‘We were content because we had not seen the error of our ways.’

  ‘And who told you the error of your ways?’ asked Fidelma.

  The young man looked startled for a moment. ‘Why, Bishop Leodegar instructed us on the Rule, of course.’

  ‘The Rule is one thing, but who told you it was the only path of the Faith?’

  Brother Chilperic hesitated again. ‘You must know that it was the bishop who called us together and instructed us on the true path and segregated us, and we were told to divorce our wives so that they could go into the Domus Femini.’

  Eadulf muttered, ‘And God said: “Who told you that you were naked?”’

  Brother Chilperic frowned. ‘What?’

  ‘I was just thinking of a line from the Scriptures,’ Eadulf said. ‘It is no matter.’

  ‘So when this was done,’ continued Fidelma, ‘you and your wife decided to divorce?’

  ‘It was the logical decision.’

  ‘And your wife went to the Domus Femini?’

  ‘She did.’

  ‘And has remained there?’

  ‘Oh yes.’

  ‘But you have never seen her since, even though she is but a short distance from you.’

  ‘Oh yes, I have seen her now and then for our positions make it necessary for us to meet occasionally.’

  Fidelma was surprised. ‘I thought no one had intercourse with the opposite community?’

  ‘I am steward here.’

  ‘And your wife is…?’

  ‘Stewardess of the Domus Femini.’

  ‘You mean your wife is Sister Radegund?’ Fidelma could not keep the surprise from her reply.

  Brother Chilperic bowed his head. ‘Radegund is her name but I must point out that she is no longer my wife and that I have, as instructed by the bishop, put her from me.’

  Fidelma let out a long sighing breath.

  ‘Tell me, Brother Chilperic, you mentioned that Bishop Leodegar is a Frank. Do you not resent him?’

  Brother Chilperic looked startled.

  ‘He is a Frank and, as I say, closely connected with the royal family. He spent a long time at court before he was given Autun as his bishopric. He is a powerful man.’

  ‘And you are happy to serve him?’

  ‘I am his steward.’

  ‘That is not what I asked. Surely, as a Burgund and feeling as you do about the Franks, you must resent Leodegar being placed in charge and of the way he has so drastically changed the abbey from what you knew?’

  Brother Chilperic looked uncomfortable.

  ‘I am in service to this abbey, Sister. There is a Rule here and I have sworn to obey it. And now, you must excuse me.’ He turned on his heel and walked off.

  Eadulf shook his head at Fidelma. ‘What are you trying to do? Stir up alarms and enmity?’

  ‘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 su
ch 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.