Sister Fidelma 17 - A Prayer for the Damned by Peter Tremayne

Author:Peter Tremayne [Tremayne, Peter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Historical, Suspense
ISBN: 9780312348335
Google: bA4L3Pwrl5oC
Amazon: 0312377894
Goodreads: 1142359
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Published: 2007-11-12T23:00:00+00:00

Fidelma had gone out on to the balcony of her chamber to watch the departure of the hunters. She, too, had seen Muirchertach depart and observed with approval as Eadulf and Gormán rode off with the main hunt. Then, with swift instructions to Muirgen and a smile and a kiss to young Alchú, who was happily absorbed with his toys, she left her chamber and hurried to the first of her self-appointed tasks.

Her cousin Finguine, the tánaiste, told her that he had not seen anything of Brother Drón that morning and, in response to a second question, directed her to the dormitory where the female members of the Faith were staying. When Fidelma inquired of the hostel’s stewardess for Sister Marga and Sister Sétach she was told that they might be found at prayer in the chapel. However, Fidelma found the chapel apparently deserted and was about to leave again when she saw a small familiar figure in a corner.

‘Ah, Sister Sétach.’

The girl turned towards her. Even in the gloom of the chapel, a beam of light coming through the window showed her tense and fatigued features.

‘You look exhausted, sister,’ Fidelma observed. ‘Did you not sleep well last night?’

Sister Sétach was defensive. ‘I often suffer from an inability to sleep.’

‘We have an apothecary, Brother Conchobhar, who is able to supply herbs that can help.’

‘I have my own remedies,’ replied the girl curtly. ‘I suppose you have reported me for breaking into the abbot’s chamber yesterday evening?’ she added belligerently.

Fidelma was not put out. ‘That is something between you and your superior, Brother Drón. At this time I am concerned with the death of the abbot and not about his personal belongings.’ She glanced around. ‘I was also looking for your companion, Sister Marga. Where is she?’

Sister Sétach looked uncertain. ‘I don’t know. Why do you seek her?’

‘I need to speak to her as I need to speak to you. Why do you think so many people hated your abbot when Brother Drón and you have praised him so much?’

The girl sniffed irritably. ‘They are jealous, small-minded people, who cannot understand greatness.’

‘There are some who would quote Horace. Naturam expelles furca tamen usque recurret. Do you know what that means?’

Sister Sétach shook her head. ‘I know the literal meaning but I am uncertain how you are applying it.’

‘You may drive nature out with a pitchfork, but it will still return,’ translated Fidelma. ‘Some say that if Abbot Ultán was once a thief and a murderer and a great womaniser, then perhaps he remained one. Would you say that was incorrect?’

‘It is untrue,’ snapped the girl.

‘However, they will say,’ went on Fidelma, ‘quoting Horace’s Epistles, as I have said, that you cannot change a person’s nature. Once a thief and murderer, always a thief and murderer.’

The girl coloured hotly. She stared defiantly at Fidelma.

‘That is untrue,’ she repeated. ‘Was not Paul reformed after his experience on the road to Damascus? Do we say that because he was one of those who consented

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