Atonement of Blood(53)

The abbot drew in his breath in irritation. ‘I see no reason—’

‘The reason is that I am a dálaigh and the acting Chief Brehon will require it,’ she said firmly. ‘Brother Ledbán died in the middle of answering my questions.’

Abbot Nannid hesitated. ‘If it is required by law, then that is the law. Though it seems strange that the word of our physician is not to be trusted.’

‘I have not said that the word of your physician is not to be trusted. I am investigating the attempted assassination of the King. I have a responsibility to answer to the Chief Brehon that all was done as the law requires.’

The abbot glanced at his steward and gestured indifferently.

‘Very well. Show Brother Eadulf to the chamber of our departed brother.’

Fidelma decided to follow Eadulf and Brother Cuineáin through several stone corridors and across a yard into a building close to the stables and paddocks of the abbey. They entered a small cell with room for a bed and little else.

The body of the old man lay stretched out on his bed. He had not yet been bathed nor had his body been wrapped in the racholl or shroud as the winding sheet was called, in preparation for the aire or watching which would last presumably until midnight – the traditional time of interment.

Brother Cuineáin stood back and allowed Eadulf to bend over the body. He waited by the door as Eadulf made his examination, which was not a long one.

‘It certainly seems that he expired in the night, for the body is cold and stiffening.’ He turned to the steward. ‘When was the physician called to examine the body?’

The steward paused for thought and then said: ‘At first light. I was about to attend early morning prayers when Brother Lugna came to find me and told me that old Brother Ledbán appeared to be dead. He had been worried when the old man passed out last evening and decided to check on him at dawn. The physician was then called and confirmed the death.’

‘In what condition was the body?’ asked Eadulf.

‘I do not understand.’

‘Did the body show signs of contraction, the experience of any agony which sometimes overtakes one in a seizure? Or did it lie peacefully as now?’

‘Oh, he was almost exactly as he is now. I doubt if he knew he was departing life, for he left it while asleep and at peace.’

‘Very well.’ Fidelma saw that her husband had a resolute expression but something prevented her from asking further questions. ‘There is nothing to keep us here.’

A sigh of relief seemed to come from Brother Cuineáin. ‘Then I suggest we return to the abbot’s chamber.’

To Fidelma’s surprise, Eadulf replied, ‘We have not broken our fast yet. May we therefore return to the refectory and take some sustenance? I think we shall be leaving the abbey soon as there is a long ride before us.’

Another look of relief crossed the steward’s features and then he assumed a sombre expression and nodded.

‘You are quite right, Brother Eadulf. I should have let you attend to the morning meal before I broke this news to you. I will go to the abbot and report that you are in concurrence with our physician and that you will shortly be leaving us.’ He conducted them back to the refectory and left them at the door.

They found Gormán striding up and down, looking anxious. He seemed relieved to find them safe and sound.

‘I wondered what had happened to you both,’ he said. ‘I heard there was a death last night but could find out no other details.’

‘There was a death,’ replied Fidelma grimly. ‘Our main witness, old Brother Ledbán, has died.’ She swung round to Eadulf with a frown. ‘What was the meaning of your telling the steward that you agreed with his physician and that we would be leaving shortly? I had the distinct impression that you did not agree at all with his deduction.’

‘Firstly, I really do think that we should all break our fast,’ Eadulf smiled briefly. ‘Secondly, there is nothing that I can prove about the old man. He did die in the night, but …’

‘But?’ snapped Fidelma, irritated.

‘There is something I cannot explain. I noticed there was blood in the corner of his eyes, and blood in his nostrils that someone has tried to clean: you have to look carefully to see it. And there were specks of blood at the corners of his mouth. I have seen such conditions before.’

‘And what do they signify?’

‘Such signs are usually consistent with someone having such a powerful seizure that bleeding occurs from these orifices. If he did not have a seizure then he was smothered.’

‘You mean that he was murdered?’ gasped Gormán.