‘But how long do you expect us to remain at Guntram’s fortress?’ queried Clotaire.
‘No more than a few days. I think I am very close to uncovering the main culprits, for there have been attempts on our lives already. That is a sure sign that we are near to the answers to this riddle.’
‘Then surely it is dangerous for you and Eadulf to return to Autun?’
‘It would be more dangerous for you if we did not. One or other of us will bring you word when you should enter the city.’
Chapter Nineteen
It was Eadulf who drove the wagon back to Autun. It was a slow and sombre journey, undertaken in silence for the greater part. The body of Brother Budnouen was wrapped in a blanket in the back of the wagon. Fidelma sat thoughtfully at Eadulf’s side, seemingly lost in her own world until they came to the great paved square in front of the abbey. Leaving the wagon tethered outside, they went in search of Brother Chilperic. The young steward was shocked when Fidelma told him of Brother Budnouen’s death.
She left out all references to Clotaire and Ebroin and their men, simply saying that they had been chased by robbers who had killed Brother Budnouen but had finally abandoned the chase. She did not see it as a lie but a matter of being frugal with the facts.
‘You were lucky to escape in that slow old wagon with a mule team,’ Brother Chilperic commented, and then added unctuously, ‘but poor Brother Budnouen…requiescat in pace.’
‘Can you contact his family to give them the sad news?’
‘I believe so. Bishop Arigius at Nebirnum would know about such things. Brother Budnouen was due to leave here shortly for the return journey there. We will have to find a volunteer to return the wagon and his trade goods there. We will bury our poor Brother here in the abbey grounds.’
They were about to turn away when Brother Chilperic said: ‘The bishop has been asking where you were. He wishes to see you urgently.’
Bishop Leodegar scowled as the couple entered his chamber.
‘Sister Fidelma, I have been asking for you. Where have you been?’
‘To see Lord Guntram. Brother Budnouen is dead. He was driving us back when we were attacked by robbers. He was killed but we escaped,’ she replied tersely. ‘We brought his body back. Brother Chilperic is attending to matters.’
‘Brother Budnouen was a good friend to this abbey,’ the bishop declared, showing sorrow and astonishment at the news.
‘He was certainly a friend to us,’ she replied.
‘Death seems to follow your footsteps, Fidelma of Cashel,’ muttered the bishop.
‘When investigating unnatural death, one often finds more violent death.’
‘Days have passed and you have still not come back to me with a decision on whether Cadfan or Ordgar killed Abbot Dabhóc. Even the Nuntius Peregrinus grows impatient. What is your decision?’
‘You will be the first person to hear it when I make it,’ Fidelma replied.
‘You refuse to give a decision on the matter?’ Bishop Leodegar asked ominously.
‘I did not say that,’ snapped Fidelma. ‘I have said that I require more time. There is more to this matter than asking me to make a simple toss of the dice.’
‘I have been very patient with you, Fidelma of Cashel.’ The bishop’s voice was heavy. ‘I acceded to the request of Abbot Ségdae who said you were a great lawyer in your land. I overlooked the fact that you are a woman and that your culture has refused to accept the celibacy that we, in this abbey, have decided upon. I allowed you to stay here in the abbey with your…your companion, Eadulf. All these things I accepted, even giving you authority to do as you would under your own laws and system. All I asked in return was a quick decision on the murder so that the council could meet and progress those matters that have to be discussed so that the decisions can be sent to Rome. What has happened?’
When Fidelma drew herself up, Eadulf hoped that she would not lose her temper against the bishop’s tirade, but she spoke coolly and carefully.
‘What has happened, Bishop Leodegar of Autun-what has happened is that more deaths have occurred in this abbey and that attempts have been made on our lives.’
‘More deaths?’ sneered the bishop. ‘Do you speak of the Hibernian monk Gillucán, Brother Andica, and now of the Gaul Brother Budnouen? How can they be related to the abbot’s murder? The Hibernian monk was killed and robbed after leaving this abbey. Brother Andica, a stonemason, fell in an accident. Now you say Brother Budnouen was killed by robbers. As for the attempt on your life…are you saying that the statue fell by design? It was an accident and you were in a place that I have forbidden even the brethren to go to because of the dangers of the ancient masonry. That has nothing to do with the murder of Abbot Dabhóc! Come, this is prevarication.’
Fidelma met his eyes with grim determination.
‘You seem to know more than I do. If you do, then the decision is your own to make and I wash my hands of it. I will inform Nuntius Peregrinus that you want to make the decision yourself.’
Bishop Leodegar hesitated, his lips compressed for a moment.
‘I need a decision from you,’ he repeated.
‘I shall not be rushed into a judgement before I have assured myself that I have all the facts,’ replied Fidelma stubbornly, whilst realising that she might push the bishop into removing her and Eadulf from the investigation.
Bishop Leodegar seemed to be struggling to control his anger.
‘I will tell you what I shall do. I shall compromise.’ He gave a tight smile. ‘In two days from now, we celebrate the feast day of the Blessed Martial of Augustoritum who brought the Faith to the Lemovices. If you are not willing to resolve this matter by then, I shall pronounce on the case myself so that we may go forward upon Rome’s business.’
Fidelma gazed into the dark eyes of the bishop. She knew that she was facing an immovable object.
‘Then two days hence it shall be.’ She muttered to Eadulf: ‘Let us waste no further time here.’ Without another word, she turned on her heel and left the room.
Outside, he gave her a look of gentle remonstrance.
‘Isn’t a little diplomacy a better way of securing what is needed?’ he asked.
Her angry frown disappeared and her features softened.
‘You tell me what diplomacy can be used against such a man as Bishop Leodegar and I will pursue it,’ she tried to joke. ‘Besides, let us not think that Leodegar plays absolutely no part in these events. He seems a close friend of Beretrude, not to mention of Abbess Audofleda-both of whom have some culpability in these affairs.’
‘Do you really think there is a conspiracy here to assassinate Clotaire when he arrives?’ asked Eadulf. ‘I cannot see the connection. And what of the disappearance of not only Valretrade but all the married religieuse and their children from the Domus Femini?’
‘They are being kidnapped to be sold as slaves.’
Eadulf had suspected as much but had not wished to believe it.
‘But with the approval of the abbess and the others?’ He made it into a protest.
When Fidelma made no reply, he asked: ‘And how can it be linked with Abbot Dabhóc’s murder?’
‘I need some proof to support my suspicion.’
‘You think you know who is guilty?’
‘I suspect. That is not the same thing. I need proof.’
Eadulf shook his head in bewilderment. ‘We have run out of time.’