Behold a Pale Horse by Peter Tremayne Read Free Book Online Page A

the Franks.’ His tone was serious and he seemed to be fighting some angry emotion. Then he relaxed again and said, ‘We shall not delay here any longer.’
    ‘Is your fortress far?’ she asked.
    ‘We will reach it well before sundown.’
    ‘And is Bobium nearby?’
    ‘Less than half a day’s ride further on, not much more. Bobium is a beacon of the true faith in these mountains. I am sure you will have many questions to ask about this land, Fidelma of Hibernia, but let us move on to where we can enjoy the fruits of our hunt, sample our local wine and talk of these matters. And, of course, the sooner we are there, the sooner my physician can attend to Brother Faro, although I think little Gisa’s attentions have been enough.’
    She followed his nod to where Sister Gisa was sitting next to Brother Faro deep in conversation. From the intimacy of his reference, Fidelma had gathered the impression that Radoald knew Gisa well. How? She supposed that it was a small valley community. Perhaps in that lay the answer.
    The young Lord of Trebbia clapped his hands and called for everyone to mount, and it was not long before the party set off. Radoald invited Fidelma to ride alongside him. She soon realised that it was an excuse for him to interrogate her without anyone overhearing.
    ‘Have you known Magister Ado for long?’ was his opening question.
    ‘For a few days on this journey, if that is knowing anyone,’ she replied. ‘We met in Genua.’
    She felt rather than saw the young lord glance at her before he said: ‘But you knew of him before?’
    ‘I am a stranger here,’ she said evenly. ‘As Sister Gisa said, I was returning from Rome to my own land when my ship was wrecked. I was some days in Genua looking for a vessel when I met Magister Ado.’ Something made her decide not to offer any details of the meeting. ‘He told me of the Abbey of Bobium and mentioned that Brother Ruadán was a member of the community there. Brother Ruadán was once my tutor and mentor in my own land. So I accepted an offer to accompany Magister Ado and his companions to Bobium in order that I could see my mentor one last time.’
    ‘Brother Ruadán?’ Radoald was interested. ‘Were you one of his pupils?’
    ‘I was. I was very young and then went on to study law.’
    ‘Brother Ruadán has been outspoken against some of the bishops who live to the east of this valley.’
    ‘In what context?’
    ‘He criticises their interpretation of the Faith, their support for the profligate nobles there and their way of life, their drinking, wenching … all manner of their lives he condemned, and that will not bring him friends.’
    ‘Perhaps he feels that he does not need such friends,’ she said dryly.
    ‘Have you been told that Brother Ruadán was attacked and badly beaten?’
    ‘It was that which prompted me to leave Genua and journey here with my new companions from Bobium. Do you have more recent news on his condition?’
    ‘He still lives but his condition is bad.’
    ‘And do you know how this happened?’
    ‘I am told that he used to travel to Placentia, a city to the north of here, and preach in the basilica of Antoninus … I am afraid Brother Ruadán created riots by his preaching. He called the Bishop of Placentia, Bishop Britmund, an ass.’
    Fidelma raised an eyebrow. ‘An ass?’
    ‘He said that an illiterate bishop is only an ass with a mitre. A cleric, he said, is of himself not someone to admire unless he possess virtue and knowledge.’
    Fidelma chuckled. ‘Poor Ruadán. He is merely stating the old adage that we know so well. There’s nothing revolutionary in that view.’
    Radoald snorted indignantly. ‘Those views have landed him in trouble. To call the Bishop of Placentia illiterate and an ass is flirting with death. Besides which there are other tensions among the religious here.’
    ‘I have been told about the conflict between those who uphold the Nicene Creed and those who support the views of