Eadulf listened attentively, nodding agreement without committing himself. Fidelma had advised Eadulf to keep his own counsel, trusting no one in the abbey, not even Brother Higbald. When Eadulf pointed out that he trusted Brother Higbald implicitly, Fidelma had reproved him.
‘In such circumstances, you should trust no one. How do you know that he has not been sent by the abbot to provoke us into action?’
Eadulf accepted her advice, and when the apothecary pressed them as to what time Eadulf thought that they would depart,Eadulf was vague and pointed out that it would depend on when Fidelma had recovered.
For Eadulf, the night passed uncomfortably. He decided to stay once more in Fidelma’s room, sleeping in the chair by the fire. He dozed in short restless periods but each time he awoke he saw that Fidelma was sleeping a comfortable sleep and her temperature was normal.
He finally awoke with a grey light seeping into the room. Dawn was late coming in winter and, by the sounds about him, the members of the abbey had already been at their devotions and work for some time. In fact, he heard the sounds of an unusual bustle and preparation. Then he realised what the day was. It was the Eve of Christ’s Mass, the eve of the birth of the Saviour. He felt a sudden guilt that he had not given the date any thought before.
He rose anxiously and, to his surprise, he found Fidelma already washed and dressed.
‘You must be careful,’ he said without preamble. ‘If Abbot Cild saw you now he would observe that you are fully recovered.’
‘Deo favente, I am well,’ smiled Fidelma. ‘Do not worry. I think I am well enough to travel and so it is now time to test your escape route.’
Eadulf was about to go to the tapestry to show her the route when there was a deferential tap on the door and a moment later Brother Redwald entered. As usual he came bearing a tray of food.
His eyes widened a little in surprise when he saw Fidelma standing up and dressed.
‘It is good to see you well, Sister,’ he muttered awkwardly as he put down the tray.
‘Brother Redwald, is it not?’ Fidelma smiled gently at the youth. ‘I am afraid that I have not been cognisant of things the last day or two but I remember your kindness when I arrived at this abbey.’
The boy coloured hotly.
‘Sister, I confess that I have done you a disservice.’
‘Brother Eadulf has told me that you merely reported what you saw in this room when you entered it the other day,’ replied Fidelma. ‘It is others who have misconstrued it, sothere is no blame to you. Can you describe what it was that you actually saw?’
The boy shifted his weight and glanced towards Brother Eadulf.
‘I told him-’
Fidelma interrupted with a slight gesture of her hand but she continued to smile.
‘It is not the same as telling me. Describe what it was that you saw.’
‘There is not much to add. I came into the room to see if there was anything I could bring you. You were lying asleep or in a fever. By the side of the bed, bending over you was a figure. It was that of a woman. As I entered, she straightened and turned towards me. She looked directly at me. I recognised her, for when I came to this abbey Abbot Cild’s wife was alive. It was she. The lady Gélgeis who they said perished in the mire not far from here.’
Fidelma regarded him thoughtfully.
‘How did she appear? I mean, was she as substantial as I am? You see, if she were truly a ghost, as everyone apparently believes, then surely she would have been a figure of ethereal quality. There would have to be something about her that was not of a temporal nature.’
The boy was quiet, reflecting.
‘She was substantial, truly. But she was a ghost. What else could she be when she was dead? Anyway, it was clear that she was a ghost in spite of the substantialness.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘Because her face was ghastly white. Even in the flickering candlelight, her face was pale, white … Truly, she was not of this world.’
Fidelma pressed her lips together in thought. She realised that Brother Redwald was trembling slightly and she felt that it would not be wise to press him for further information. She was about to dismiss him when the sounds of hurrying footsteps halted outside the door. Brother Higbald opened the door and entered without knocking. He looked agitated. His eyes fell first on Sister Fidelma. He smiled and was about to say something when he noticed Brother Redwald.
‘Go to your cell and I will meet you there in a moment. Hurry, do not delay.’ His tone was curt.
Eadulf and Fidelma exchanged a glance of surprise.
‘What is the matter?’ demanded Eadulf, as the young boy hurried obediently away.
Brother Higbald paused, glancing after Brother Redwald, as if to make sure that he was out of earshot. Then he spoke softly and urgently, speaking directly to Fidelma first and then to Eadulf.
‘Look to your safety, Sister Fidelma; look to your safety, Brother Eadulf.’ His voice was filled with foreboding. ‘Terrible news …’
‘News? What news?’ inquired Eadulf.
‘Warriors of the East Saxons have landed on the shore, not far away from here. Word has come that they are marching in this direction.’
Eadulf was dismissive. ‘It is probably the men I encountered from the longship two days ago. There were but a few men. They can surely do you no harm?’
Brother Higbald was still worried.
‘The news is that there are many longships and it may well be that they are Sigehere’s men come to destroy all the Christian houses that give succour to his Cousin Sebbi. The word is that they are marching this way. Take my advice and look to your own safety now! You know what to do, Brother. I must go to prepare our own defence.’
He gave them one last pleading glance before leaving hurriedly.
Eadulf turned back to Fidelma. His face was anxious.
‘This is bad news. But it might be to our advantage. I think we must do as he asks. Are you well enough to travel now?’
Fidelma hesitated and then nodded in silent agreement.
‘I suggest that we leave immediately, before Abbot Cild claims that you have conjured an army of the East Saxons to fall on his abbey,’ Eadulf said.
‘Perhaps you are right.’ Fidelma smiled softly. ‘This does seem an appropriate time to make our departure.’
Eadulf grabbed the bread and cold meats which Brother Redwald had just brought them and thrust them into his bag. He uttered a small prayer of thanks for his wisdom in transferringhis belongings to Fidelma’s room while he was nursing her. He helped her put on her cloak and slung his own around his shoulders.
Her steps were unsteady in her weakness but Eadulf held out a hand to balance her. She steadied herself and looked questioningly at him.
‘Now, where is this escape route? We would be spotted trying to leave the abbey any other way now that there is such an alarm.’
Eadulf went directly to the wall behind her bed and drew aside the tapestry.
Fidelma’s eyes widened a little at the door which Eadulf pushed. It swung inwards.
‘A secret tunnel?’ she asked.
‘It is supposed to lead to the outside.’
‘And if our ghost is tangible, this is doubtless the way she came into this chamber and departed without being seen by anyone other than young Redwald.’
Eadulf had not given the matter a thought but realised that it was a logical deduction. But now they had no time for such contemplation.