‘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. ‘Audentes fortuna iuvat. Fortunes favours the daring and we must be daring. Tomorrow morning, if all goes well, we can put an end to the mysteries that have brought such fear and darkness on the abbey and on this city.’
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 Eadulf to investigate and present her conclusions as to who is guilty of the murder of Abbot Dabhóc.’
He had been joined by the languid figure of the Nuntius Peregrinus who was standing next to his grim-faced custodes, his constant shadow.
‘As envoy from the Holy Father in Rome, I remind you, Bishop Leodegar, that this was your commission,’ he said. ‘I bring with me Bishop Ordgar of Kent and Abbot Cadfan of Gwynedd who are each as anxious as you are to hear Sister Fidelma’s words. I submit that you are in error in saying that you cannot allow this.’
Bishop Leodegar hesitated, clearly in a quandary as to what he should do.
‘We, too, are anxious to hear what resolution Fidelma of Cashel has to offer,’ cried one of the delegates, Abbot Herenal of Bro Erech. Several others now cried out in agreement.
Brother Chilperic moved forward and whispered into Leodegar’s ear. The bishop’s face grew long. Before he could speak, Abbess Audofleda was interrupting again.
‘I claim Fidelma is a conspirator sent to disrupt our morning worship!’
‘That is a silly claim designed to stop the truth being heard. By what right does she claim that?’ Fidelma asked.
Another woman had taken her place beside Abbess Audofleda so that her head could also be seen above the screen partition.
‘Her right is my authority!’ the woman cried, then flung off the hood of her robe. There was a gasp as most of the assembly recognised Lady Beretrude.
Bishop Leodegar was even more startled at her appearance.
‘Lady Beretrude,’ he swallowed, ‘these are matters for ecclesiastical authority. While your intervention is appreciated, you cannot…’
‘Cannot?’ The voice was threatening. ‘You know my authority in this city and in this land of Burgundia, Leodegar. If it is not acknowledged, then I will have to demonstrate it.’ She clapped her hands twice.
A dozen men clad in the robes of the brethren, who had been standing around the edge of the chapel, moved forward now and cast them off. Each one was a warrior; each one held a sword in his hand. There was momentary chaos.
Fidelma looked to the anxious Abbot Ségdae and smiled briefly in reassurance. The interruption was no more than she had expected.