‘That is a mystery,’ Fidelma replied firmly. ‘Yet it was told long ago that our people were destined to live in a land without snakes.’
Brother Gebicca sniffed cynically and it was clear that he did not believe it so Fidelma decided to explain.
‘The progenitor of our race, Goidel Glas, son of Niul, in far-off times, served in the army of the Pharaoh Cingris in Egypt. A poisonous snake bit him but an Egyptian healer and holy man, who had been befriended by his father Niul, healed the boy. But the wound left a green mark on his skin. That is why he was called glas, which means green in our tongue. The healer then prophesied that he would eventually lead his people to an island at the edge of the world where no poisonous snakes would dwell. It was Goidel’s descendants who brought our people to the island that you called Hibernia.’
‘A pagan belief,’ dismissed Brother Gebicca. ‘Superstition.’
‘Pagan or not,’ Eadulf put in, ‘it is now being said that this miracle was wrought by Patrick when he came to convert the island. It was he, we are told, who drove out all the poisonous serpents.’
Fidelma stirred restlessly. ‘How long before the swelling disperses and the wound heals?’ she asked.
The physician began to bind the wound again.
‘There is no infection now. The wound is healing well and the swelling will go down in a day or two. I would advise rest, lest unnecessary movement causes the blood to circulate any residual venom through your body. Are you sure that you feel no ill-effects?’
‘None.’
‘The application of yellow snowdrop and vervain seems to have worked well. However, for a few days, drink a cup of the infusion of vervain and that will finish the attack of the poison.’
‘But can I get up now, for there is much I must do.’
Brother Gebicca showed his disapproval.
‘You must do as you think best,’ he shrugged. ‘I have done my best and you are healed of the immediate effects of the poison. My advice is that you go to your room and rest for at least today.’
Eadulf was in agreement. ‘The apothecary is right, Fidelma. If there is anything that needs to be done, I can do it.’
‘At the moment, you may help me to our chamber,’ Fidelma replied grimly. It was clear that, in spite of her question, she was not able to move without help.
Supported by Eadulf, with her arm around his shoulder, Fidelma thanked the apothecary and, limping a little, made her way to the main building of the abbey. One or two of the delegates greeted her and asked after her health. Abbot Ségdae also met them and pressed his profound relief at seeing her in a better state than on the previous night. Finally, they reached their chamber and Fidelma collapsed on the bed, exhausted by the effort.
Eadulf went to get her some water and she sipped at it gratefully.
‘I rather think the apothecary is right,’ she admitted, after handing the mug back to Eadulf. ‘I need more rest than I thought. That walk was quite tiring.’ She noticed the basket of fruit and another of various herbs in the room. ‘The abbey, at least, seems to be concerned for my health,’ she said.
Eadulf glanced at the baskets.
‘Bishop Leodegar brought those in. Apparently, the Lady Beretrude sent them, fruit and healing herbs, and with all good wishes for your recovery.’
Fidelma frowned suddenly. ‘Lady Beretrude?’ She remembered the moments in the garden with Beretrude encouraging her to look more closely at the shrubbery…at what was it-the oleander?
Eadulf saw her frown. ‘What is it?’
‘I just wondered if Beretrude knew there was a poisonous snake in the shrubbery.’
Eadulf was surprised at the question. ‘Why would she know that?’ he demanded.
‘She was encouraging me to go near the shrubbery just before you came.’
‘She could not have known a poisonous snake would be there.’
‘There was a wooden border around those shrubs. It was of such a height that a snake would not be able to move over it. Perhaps the creature had been purposely placed there.’
Eadulf was dubious. ‘Are you saying that she deliberately tried to kill you?’ He looked unconvinced. ‘The bite of a viper does not necessarily mean death. Even Brother Gebicca likened it to a bee-sting, affecting only the young and those with weak constitutions.’
‘It is debilitating nonetheless for that,’ replied Fidelma in annoyance at his argument. ‘It might have been an attempt to prevent me from pursuing the investigation.’
It was then that Eadulf remembered what he had been about to tell her at the moment that the snake had bitten her.
‘I think we were right to suspect that Beretrude might have some connection with the women from the Domus Femini,’ he said slowly. ‘Last night I saw something at the villa that shocked me, and that was when I came to find you in the garden.’
Fidelma turned an enquiring look at him.
‘After we had agreed to part and look round,’ Eadulf told her, ‘I went along the eastern side of the villa. I had some idea of finding a back entrance and having a look inside.’
‘Go on,’ she said, when he paused.
‘I came to an area where stone stairs led downwards into a cellar. At the foot of these stairs was a door-a solid wooden one with no grille in it and no handle or lock, so it seemed. I presumed it could only be opened from the inside.’
‘And so?’
‘I was about to go down the steps to examine it further when I heard the cry of a child.’
Fidelma’s eyes widened a little. ‘A child? This came from behind the door?’
‘No, it came from beyond an iron gate in the wall. I heard a man’s harsh commands so I hid behind some barrels. The gate opened and a child and two women were pushed through by a warrior. The women were clad in the robes of religieuses. They had their hands bound in front of them, even the child. As well as the warrior, who had his weapon drawn, there was someone else…’
Fidelma was irritated by Eadulf’s dramatic pause. ‘And who was this someone else?’ she prompted. ‘An old friend of ours.’ ‘Old friend? Stop speaking in riddles, Eadulf. Just tell me who it was.’ ‘Verbas of Peqini.’
Chapter Fourteen
Fidelma had lapsed into a thoughtful silence at the news of the presence of Verbas of Peqini at Lady Beretrude’s villa. Eadulf sat and waited, not wishing to interrupt her thoughts as she considered the ramifications of his news. But it was not long before she told him, ‘The fact that Verbas is here does not alter the basic mystery around the murder of Dabhóc, although it puts an interesting slant on matters.’
‘He could not have known that we were here, surely?’
‘I agree-it must be a bizarre coincidence although, as I have said before, I have never really believed in coincidences. However, he could not have known we were here before arriving. He must have arranged to trade with Lady Beretrude some time ago.’
‘But to trade in what?’ wondered Eadulf.
‘You say that there were two religieuse and the child and they seemed to be prisoners?’
‘Verbas and a warrior were taking them into an underground room at Beretrude’s villa,’ confirmed Eadulf.
‘Then I fear this has something to do with the disappearance of the religieuse at the Domus Femini.’
‘And the cries that Gillucán heard? Could they have been the cries of children?’
‘Let us not leap too far ahead.’ Fidelma swung off the bed and tried to stand but immediately sank back with a word that was unusual for her to utter.
‘Brother Gebicca said that you should rest,’ Eadulf admonished.
‘I know what he said,’ she replied coldly. ‘The point is that the time is passing swiftly. There is much to be done, especially in view of this information. I want to have a further word with Abbess Audofleda.’