Master of Souls by Peter Tremayne Read Free Book Online Page A

Fidelma gazing after her with a thoughtful frown.

CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    T he evening meal had been eaten and the brethren had departed to their various tasks before retiring for the night. Abbot Erc, who had only formally greeted Fidelma and Eadulf before the meal, which - according to a tradition set by the founder of the abbey - was consumed in total silence, now invited them, together with Conrí, to accompany him to his chamber to discuss matters. Abbot Erc was elderly and grey-haired, with a sharp angular face, thin lips, small dark eyes and a permanent look of disapproval. Conrí had already warned Fidelma that the abbot, who had been a supporter of the old Uí Fidgente regime, did not entirely approve of the presence of Fidelma in the abbey. It seemed that he shared the views of his steward, Brother Cú Mara, who accompanied them to the abbot’s chamber.
    The steward was coldly polite towards them. As they entered the room, Eadulf asked him why the meal had been eaten in strict silence.
    ‘Our blessed founder believed that food and drink, that which sustains life, is a great gift from the Creator, and should therefore be consumed with meditative thought on the wonders of that creation. To speak is both to insult the cook and to scorn one’s own existence, for it is only by food and drink that one exists. Indeed, it is to disdain the Creator himself who gave us that food and drink so that we may live and glorify him. So now it is a rule of the abbey.’
    Eadulf was thoughtful.
    ‘I have not heard such emphasis placed on the contemplation of food. Our minds should be open to receive the food of knowledge as well as paying silent tribute to what we eat. Isn’t there a saying about excusing the ignorant when their feeding is better than their education?’
    Abbot Erc, overhearing this, commented irritably: ‘Our meditation on
food is limited to the space of our meals and these, as you will have remarked …’ He paused and eyed the Saxon monk with something approaching contempt. ‘You will have noticed that we do not believe in over-feeding as is done in some communities. We believe in the saying that when the fruit is scarcest, its taste is sweetest.’
    A fire had been prepared in the chamber and Brother Cú Mara brought a tray of mulled wine. Eadulf raised an eyebrow as he took his goblet with its generous measure. Once again the old abbot caught the expression and interpreted it correctly.
    ‘We Uí Fidgente have another saying, Brother Eadulf, that it is not an invitation to hospitality without a drink.’ He silently raised his goblet and they responded. ‘Now, it is no longer the time to contemplate the fruits of the earth.’ He gestured to the chairs that had been set before the fire. ‘I have invited you to my chamber to discuss serious matters. Let me say at once, I cannot approve of lord Conrí’s wisdom in bringing you here, Fidelma of Cashel. There are many Brehons of repute among the Uí Fidgente who should be able to resolve our problems, without involving Cashel.’
    ‘Cashel is not involved,’ Fidelma assured him evenly, as she settled into the wooden chair before the fire. ‘I am not confined by territories or kingdoms in the exercise of my duties as a dálaigh. So, let us start with an account of the facts as you know them.’
    Abbot Erc sat down, took a sip of the wine, and then placed the goblet on the table at his side, leaning back in his chair. He did not look particularly happy and for a moment Eadulf thought he was going to refuse to co-operate with them. But the abbot simply said: ‘I believe that there is little to add to that which Conrí has already told you.’
    ‘Pretend that he has told me nothing.’ Fidelma smiled but her voice was sharp. ‘It is better to seek knowledge first-hand than to hear it from others.’
    ‘We are, as you have seen, a conhospitae, a mixed house of males and females,’ Abbot Erc began. ‘Our children are raised to the service of Christ. I