‘I see. Yet I had assumed that your knowledge of scripture would have been extensive for one who advocates such a blind obedience to the law written there.’
‘Acts of kindness aren’t punishable by death.’
‘Then what of the story in Samuel when the Ark of the Covenant was being transported by ox cart down a hill and was in danger of falling off the cart because one of the ox team stumbled? Did not young Uzzah reach out a hand to steady it, to prevent it from falling into the mud and being damaged? For this offence it says that God struck him dead.’
‘He was punished for daring to touch the Holy Ark.’
‘To save it from being damaged. Did he deserve death as a reward for his act?’
‘It is God’s judgement. We must obey the law which is instituted by God. The judgement of death is mandated by the Old Testament.’
‘Then many of us are worthy of being put to death,’ Prior Cuan said with mock resignation. ‘We must execute those who are disrespectful to their fathers or mothers, we must kill fortune-tellers, and women who are not virgins on their wedding night, we must slay adulterers … the list is endless. Will there be anyone left to inhabit your sort of Christian world, Abbot Nannid?’
‘Only those worthy of God’s infinite goodness will be saved.’
‘And you have appointed yourself God’s judge?’
‘God has already made judgement, and those judgements are in the scriptures that comprise the Old Testament.’
Fidelma made one last attempt to bring reason into the discussion. ‘When I was young, I was taught by Brother Ruadan of Inis Celtra. That venerable old man told me that we are Christians because we are followers of the teachings of Christ, but we are not like the slaves of the ancient laws of the Israelites. The principles of our Faith were set forth by Christ.’
‘Did Christ not tell us in the scripture of Matthew that His mission on this earth was not to abolish the Law of Moses?’ The abbot proposed this with a look of triumph on his face.
‘Paul told the Galatians that the whole of the law is summed up in a single Commandment – that you shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ Prior Cuan replied. ‘Your Commandment seems to be that you will kill and punish as many of your neighbours as you see fit.’
Abbot Nannid reared up in anger. ‘I have done with this. You will not move me from what I know to be right.’
Prince Donennach belatedly intervened. ‘Abbot Nannid, have you considered where this matter might end?’
‘I have only considered what is right and wrong.’
‘Is there nothing I can say to you as Prince of the Ui Fidgente, as your prince, to persuade you to hand back the Cashel warrior to the custody of my Brehon so that he might be tried according to law? Will it avail me nothing if I plead with you not to go forward with your threat?’
‘It is not to make a point that I make this stand, Donennach. I argue that I must support what is right according to the Faith.’
‘Nannid, we are both descendants of Fiachu Fidgennid, both of the Ui Fidgente. My desire is to prevent our people descending headlong into war.’ The plea was almost a cry of despair. ‘For the sake of peace and our people, Nannid …’
‘You are the ones who will not see peace if you allow this matter to go unpunished. Does it not say in the writings of Deuteronomy that if you reject the words of a priest, or judge of God’s holy laws, you will also be put to death?’
His words brought a shocked intake of breath from the assembly.
‘Be careful, Nannid of Mungairit,’ Prior Cuan intervened fiercely. ‘That clearly seems a threat against your lawful prince. Is it not said in Galatians, whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap?’
‘My faith and my duty are clear. Gorman of Cashel killed an abbot. Tomorrow at noon, he shall meet with the penalty prescribed by the Faith which has been embraced by our people.’
Abbot Nannid now turned and, followed by his steward, Brother Cuineain, he left the chamber.
Prior Cuan looked apologetically at Prince Donennach. ‘I have done my best to argue with him on the grounds of the Faith, but I have failed. He is not moved. Nor will he be.’
Prince Donennach raised his hands helplessly. ‘I thank you for your service. I thank you as well, Fidelma. I thank you both for trying to find some peaceful way of resolving this matter.’
Fidelma, however, was still angry. She felt that Prince Donennach had shown weakness in actually pleading with Abbot Nannid. ‘You cannot allow this man to flaunt your authority and the ancient laws of this land.’ Her voice was icy.
‘What more can I do?’ Prince Donennach almost wailed.
‘You have your warriors here.’ She pointed at Conri. ‘Send them to the abbey to bring Gorman here by force. Abbot Nannid has only four of Glaed’s murdering brigands to defy them and they are no match for trained warriors.’
Brehon Faolchair felt he had to defend the prince. ‘And what would happen then? The word would spread among the Ui Fidgente that their prince dishonoured his most senior abbot by sending warriors to attack an abbey. That is against all the rules of the Faith as well as our laws. It would be rumoured that Donennach did this in order to release a murderer. Whether judged rightly or wrongly, it would be claimed that he did so because he feared retribution from the King of Cashel. How long would it be before the people rose up against him?’
‘Glaed and his men are encamped not far from here,’ added Prince Donennach. ‘I have no doubt that Glaed is waiting to intervene in this conflict. It may even be that this is planned. It could provide the very excuse that Glaed wants so that he can take advantage of the tumult that will ensue. If we thought our land was devastated after the defeat of Cnoc Aine, then it will be seen as paradise compared to what will follow if civil war is followed by war with Cashel.’ Prince Donennach rose abruptly. ‘My regrets, Fidelma. Truly, my regrets. If we are to descend into war, whether it be between Ui Fidgente and Ui Fidgente, or whether it will be against our old enemies, the Eoghanacht, we must prepare. I suggest that you and your companions make ready to leave our territory as soon as you can, for your own safety’s sake. Return to Cashel and tell your brother, the King, that I have tried my best to choose the peaceful road. Prior Cuan, you and your companions should also return to Imleach. I can do no more.’
Brehon Faolchair after a moment’s hesitation, followed him from the hall. Conri, with bow to Fidelma, went after them.
Prior Cuan looked ruefully at Fidelma. ‘I hear you are fond of quoting some of the Latin philosophers, lady. As Virgil says – fata obstant. Fate has opposed us.’
Fidelma thrust out her chin, a habit she had adopted when she was arguing a case that was not going to her liking. ‘There is a saying that we should not willingly surrender to fate.’
‘Abbot Nannid is an immovable object,’ the prior lamented. ‘Well, we will not be able to depart for Imleach until tomorrow. We’ll wait until … until the afternoon.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Perhaps I should make a representation to Abbot Nannid that we might take Gorman’s body with us so that he can be interred in his own territory?’
Prior Cuan did not meet Fidelma’s eyes as he limped towards the doors of the hall. His silent steward, Brother Tuaman, with the scribe, Brother Mac Raith, followed despondently.
Fidelma sat staring at the table before her as the hall emptied. Eventually there was a curious stillness. Eadulf had remained at her side, numbly contemplating the inevitability of what was to happen.
‘What now?’ he asked, breaking the silence. ‘Nannid has managed to get out of any accusation of being involved in a conspiracy with Glaed, and, he has even forced Prince Donennach to capitulate to his will.’
‘Abbot Nannid is determined to execute Gorman and I don’t doubt he will carry out his threat,’ Fidelma said.
‘So what can we do?’
Fidelma glanced around to make sure they were not overheard. ‘There is only one thing left that we can do.’