‘I heard the story but the name did not register with me.’
After the meal ended the wine was still circulating, perhaps a little too freely. The tables were cleared and the musicians came in to entertain them. Fidelma saw her opportunity to have a word with Gormán as a matter had come to her mind that she wanted to clarify.
‘When you found the bodies near Brother Siolán’s church, did you examine that of the old religieux?’
‘Of course.’ Gormán regarded her in surprise for a moment. ‘I first had to ascertain that he was dead and give authority to Brother Siolán to bury the corpse.’
‘It is hard to form a picture of someone when you have not seen them. It was, of course, Egric who identified him as the Venerable Victricius?’
‘He did.’
‘The old man wore a Roman tonsure?’
‘Yes, and his appearance was small and swarthy. It was clear that he was a stranger from beyond these shores.’
‘And in physique — was he strong?’
‘Not to my mind, for he was elderly. Nor was he well-endowed with good looks. Also. .’ Gormán hesitated. ‘I think he was one of those strange ascetics that one hears of. There are some who think that mortification of the flesh brings them closer to God; those who deny themselves and who inflict punishment on their bodies to show what a godly person they are. Personally, I think they have a disorder of the brain.’
At once Fidelma was interested. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘I saw that his back had once been lacerated by a lash or scourge. The wounds had healed over, so they had been inflicted some time ago. But I have heard that some of the brothers flagellate themselves because, so it is said, they claim it shows God how willing they are to stand pain to assert His cause. Why such a thing as pain should be pleasing to God, I don’t understand. Are we not told that He stands for peace and love?’
Fidelma smiled and patted the warrior on the arm.
‘You are shrewd, Gormán. Don’t say anything about this, though. You have been a great help.’
She turned to find Colgú approaching. He seemed relaxed for the first time that evening. ‘A good meal and good wine,’ he greeted her. ‘At least we did not have to put up with Beccan banging his staff every few minutes and officiously announcing this and that.’
‘Better someone who is punctilious when there is serious court work to be done, brother.’ Fidelma knew how irritated Colgú became with his steward but she was practical. ‘You remind me — where is Beccan? He disappeared the moment we sat down to the meal. He is not usually absent from these gatherings.’
Colgú said casually, ‘Oh, he had something to do in the township and begged me to excuse him. I heard that Eadulf is rather annoyed that Egric has left to go hunting when they had only just been reunited. What do you make of that? Aren’t they close?’
‘They have not seen each other for ten years. I think the reunification was awkward. Egric has gone off for a few days to hunt and fish with Dego.’
‘I know. Lucky fellow,’ Colgú sighed. ‘I said so earlier to Eadulf. I wish I could join them but now is hardly the time. I suppose that we will have to wait until the Venerable Verax and Bishop Arwald arrive before we know their purpose.’
‘Which will probably be tomorrow, if the reports of their progress are correct.’
‘I wish we had more time. I suppose that you have made no progress about the death of Brother Cerdic? No? Two deaths to be resolved and I am without a Chief Brehon that I can rely on.’
‘Speaking of whom,’ Fidelma glanced around the feasting hall, ‘I do not see Brehon Aillín here tonight, brother. Wouldn’t protocol dictate that he should attend?’ And when Colgú looked indifferent: ‘Did you speak with him again? You said that you were going to.’
‘I did. It was right I should do so before Beccan finally sent out the messages to the members of the Council of Brehons suggesting they appoint a new chief among them.’
‘I presume that he did not take your decision well and that is why he is not in attendance.’
‘Take it well?’ Colgú grimaced. ‘He almost attacked me! He said he was going to bring legal action against poor Eadulf, even though Eadulf was the one who was insulted. He also had the temerity to remind me that a king is not above the law.’
‘Well, that is true. A king is expected to obey the law even as the lowliest farmworker is expected to.’
‘I know, I know. But to threaten me. . It was difficult to act with restraint when the old man was yelling about the gáu flathemon.’
‘The king’s injustice and its consequences?’ Fidelma sounded worried.
‘The old fool started to threaten me with the troscud; said that he would sit before my door and ritually fast until I agree to withdraw and accept him in office.’
‘What?’ Fidelma was surprised, for the troscud or hunger strike was not a weapon easily used. ‘Has he given you proper legal notice of that?’
‘No, it was just a threat. Why?’
‘There is a ritual to it. He must give proper legal form to it if he is serious.’
‘Well, I hope it doesn’t come to it, any more than his threat to take legal action against Eadulf.’
‘I was going to ask, what charge does he level at Eadulf?’ She was curious. ‘It can’t be an accusation of being behind the killing of Brother Cerdic, surely?’
‘He said that he would demand compensation for the dishonour that Eadulf had put upon him.’
‘Deirmitiu?’ Fidelma supplied the legal term.
‘That’s it. He demanded that Eadulf should pay the fine of enech rucce, the compensation for his being dishonoured.’
Fidelma mentally worked it out. ‘That would mean a compensation of eight cumals.’ That was the value of twenty-four milch cows. It was half the honour price of a Chief Brehon as laid down by law. ‘He wasn’t serious, surely?’
‘As serious as an angry man can be. But I dissuaded him.’
‘How?’
‘Merely by saying that I would stand as a witness for Eadulf and against him. That’s when he threatened the ritual fast against me. He has turned into a bitter old man. I hope the Council of Brehons will act soon.’ Colgú sighed and then dismissed the subject with a cutting motion of his hand. ‘Anyway, if it helps you, Aillín was invited, as he is still a guest here and I have to obey the laws of hospitality. It seems he prefers his own company this evening.’
He turned away. Fidelma suddenly felt sorry for him as he had left her having returned to a more morose state than the one in which he had greeted her. She wished she had not brought up the subject of Brehon Aillín. She went to where Eadulf was sitting with Abbot Ségdae and Brother Madagan. The abbot looked up with a wan smile as she joined them.
‘Brother Eadulf has been telling us that there has been little progress in your investigation.’
‘Alas, that it were otherwise,’ she confirmed.
‘He was also telling us something about this Bishop Arwald of Magonsaete,’ added Brother Madagan. ‘It seems curious that such a person should be coming here in the company of the brother of the Bishop of Rome.’
‘Believe me, we are just as intrigued as you are,’ Eadulf asserted.
‘Well, we won’t be in suspense much longer,’ Fidelma said. ‘By tomorrow you should know the purpose of their coming. It does no good to speculate without knowledge.’
She caught Eadulf trying to hide a smile as she added her favourite saying.
‘The saying is a true one,’ he said swiftly in amelioration.
‘Indeed, the old truths are none the less the truth, despite their age,’ she told him.
The musicians had begun playing, a quick enthusiastic piece which silenced all conversation, for against its boisterous tones no one could speak. It was designed for that purpose, to draw attention to the musicians and it was usually called corm-cheól, or ale music. They employed drums, bells, pipes and stringed instruments. Then, using the quietness that had descended on their audience, the musicians moved into a softer melody, with the youngest boy among them coming forward to sing, accompanying himself on a small eight-stringed harp.