The Council of the Cursed by Peter Tremayne Read Free Book Online Page B

Fidelma said.
    ‘He was abbot of Tulach Óc, in the northern kingdom.’
    Fidelma shook her head, for the name and place meant nothing to her.
    ‘What happened, exactly?’ asked Eadulf. ‘Who killed him?’
    Abbot Ségdae’s face remained drawn. ‘That is the precisely the problem which is being argued over. The body of Abbot Dabhóc was found in the chamber of Bishop Ordgar…’
    ‘Not Bishop Ordgar of Kent!’ Eadulf exclaimed.
    ‘You know him?’ Abbot Ségdae asked.
    ‘I have heard much of him. I know that Theodore, who was appointed archbishop at Canterbury, is kindly disposed towards him. He believesfirmly in the rules of Rome and has little sympathy towards the people or the churches of the west.’
    ‘Ordgar is here as Theodore’s representative,’ Abbot Ségdae said gloomily, ‘and I can vouch for his attitudes towards the representatives of the churches of the Britons. Alas, his manner is all too arrogant.’
    ‘So it was Ordgar who slew Dabhóc?’ interposed Fidelma.
    ‘That is what has not been decided. There is unquiet in this abbey and the council has not been able to meet in formal session yet. There has been nothing but rumour and whisperings during the last week.’
    ‘Was that why I was not welcome here?’ asked Fidelma. ‘That religieux who greeted us muttered something to that effect, and also something about my going to a Domus Femini . I do not understand.’
    ‘No,’ replied Abbot Ségdae. ‘The bishop was disinclined to admit you here because this abbey, alas, is not a conhospitae , a mixed house. There is a separate house for the females under an abbatissa . The males remain here under the bishop and abbot of this place. He is a Frank called Leodegar–an intelligent man, but of that party which believes in the segregation of the sexes and the idea of celibacy among those serving the New Faith.’
    ‘Then that makes our position awkward,’ Eadulf pointed out.
    Abbot Ségdae was contrite. ‘I did not know that this situation prevailed here, otherwise I would not have requested that your brother, Colgú, send you here as my adviser.’
    ‘Are there no female delegates to this council?’ asked Fidelma. ‘No male delegates who have brought wives or female advisers?’
    ‘A few, but Leodegar has instructed that they cannot participate in the proceedings. He claims his authority is from the Bishop of Rome, Vitalian. Bishop Leodegar seems a complex person. He is given to strange moods. The women have been sent either to the Domus Femini or found accommodation in the city.’
    Fidelma showed her irritation. ‘Then it seems that our long journey here has been a waste of time. We shall also seek some accommodation within the city. I presume that there are some inns or hostels here–or do Bishop Leodegar’s edicts run throughout the city?’
    ‘Wait, I have not explained fully,’ the abbot said rapidly. ‘Your journey here was no waste of time, I assure you. I have had a long talk withLeodegar and he has been persuaded that his need of your special talent outweighs his rules and restrictions.’
    ‘How so?’ she asked, still put out.
    ‘Leodegar boasts his authority is from Vitalian in Rome–but he is also under pressure from Rome to make this council a success. Decisions need to be made on the future of the churches in the west. However, the killing of Abbot Dabhóc has caused things to come to a halt. No one knows what to do and the delegates may simply decide to return to their own lands with nothing achieved. Unless…’ He glanced at Fidelma and Eadulf and made an awkward gesture with his hand.
    Fidelma did not change expression.
    ‘So, this Bishop Leodegar would like someone to investigate the circumstances of the murder?’ she asked coldly.
    ‘Exactly,’ the abbot replied.
    There was a long silence while Fidelma examined Abbot Ségdae’s troubled features.
    ‘Well, it is not a decision Eadulf or I can make without brushing the dust from our sandals,’ she