19 - The Council of the Cursed by Peter Tremayne

Author:Peter Tremayne [Tremayne, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: _NB_fixed, _rt_yes, blt, Clerical Sleuth, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Medieval Ireland
ISBN: 0755328418
Google: UZq8caFMx2sC
Goodreads: 3678149
Publisher: Headline
Published: 0424-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The next morning, after prayers and the breaking of the fast, Fidelma and Eadulf found Brother Chilperic waiting for them outside the refectory. He seemed anxious.

‘Bishop Leodegar requests that you attend him in his chambers as soon as possible.’ The steward’s tone matched the tense expression on his features.

‘Abbess Audofleda has protested,’ muttered Eadulf.

They found the bishop in an angry mood.

‘I have received a complaint from Abbess Audofleda.’

Fidelma was unperturbed by his belligerent manner and, in fact, assumed a sad expression, shaking her head as if in sorrow.

‘Indeed, I wanted a word with you about that woman before we send our report to Rome.’

‘She tells me,’ Bishop Leodegar fumed, ‘that you have been insulting and forget your—’ He halted and frowned. ‘Send to Rome? Explain yourself.’

‘I wanted to discuss the matter with you immediately, but it so happened that I encountered an old friend of mine, the Bishop of Rome’s emissary to the council.’

‘The Nuntius Peregrinus?’ Bishop Leodegar’s demeanour changed slightly. ‘Do you know him? He did not tell me.’

‘Of course. I was going to discuss the abbatissa with you, but after speaking with him, I felt it was a matter that I should bring to his attention and forward my complaint to Rome.’

Bishop Leodegar was bewildered. ‘Complaint? Complaint? But it is Abbess Audofleda who complains of you.’

Fidelma shrugged with a tired expression. ‘Well, she would, I suppose. It seems a good defence to do so. But I feel that I cannot overlook this matter.’

‘You cannot overlook…? What are you saying?’

‘I believe you have mentioned that this abbey–that both communities, in fact–have already adopted the Rule of Benedict?’

Bishop Leodegar nodded slowly.

‘Then I suggest you instruct Abbess Audofleda as to that Rule, for does it not say that abbatissa ought always to remember that they are representatives of the Christ and must be mindful of the tremendous judgement that awaits them if they do not carry out their work in the manner of a poor and unworthy toiler in the field? From the start, her arrogance surpassed my imagination. And when I told her that we spoke in your name, for you have conceded authority to us to investigate and come to some conclusion on the unnatural death of Abbot Dabhóc, she refused utterly to co-operate. I asked myself, who is in charge of this community? Is it you, or is it Abbess Audofleda?’

Bishop Leodegar flushed. ‘Abbess Audofleda is in charge of the Domus Femini but under my jurisdiction,’ he said defensively. ‘This is not what she told me.’

‘Of course not,’ Fidelma said. ‘I suggest that her position and the Rule are carefully explained to her, for she has shown disrespect to you as her superior.’

‘Abbess Audofleda said—’ began Bishop Leodegar, trying to salvage his original complaint.

‘I am not interested in what she said,’ interrupted Fidelma. ‘It is annoying that she should so far forget her position and duties as head of the female community that she feels able to disobey the authority you gave us. Is it wise that

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