Free Whispers of the Dead by Peter Tremayne Page A

in sin.”
    “But that’s a Druidic teaching…” protested the Brehon.
    “And Pelagius was accused of trying to revive the Druidic philosophy,” interrupted the Brother Dubán in annoyance. “That was why he was declared a heretic by Rome and excommunicated by Pope Innocent I.”
    “But that judgment was not accepted by the churches here, nor in Britain nor Gaul nor even by many of the Roman bishops,” answered Fidelma sharply.
    “Even Pope Zosimus, who succeeded Innocent, rescinded that degree and declared Pelagius innocent of heresy. Only the African bishops, the friends of Augustine, refused to accept the Pope’s ruling and persuaded the Roman Emperor Honorius to issue an imperial decree denouncing him. It was for political reasons, not those of faith, that Pope Zosimus had to reconsider and change his ruling, which lifted the excommunication.”
    Brehon Gormán was studying Fidelma with an expression of suspicion and annoyance.
    “You seem well informed on this?”
    “As lawyers, is it not our duty to imbibe as much information as we can?” she demanded. “Our knowledge must surely be as wide as we can make it, otherwise how can we profess to set ourselves up as judges of other people’s actions?”
    Brehon Gormán seemed confused for a moment.
    Fidelma continued in a confident tone: “Now, I shall want to see the person who found Brother Eolang’s body, the apothecary who examined it and, of course, the abbot.”
    “The body was found by Brother Petrán,” the Brehon responded sourly. “The apothecary is Brother Cruinn and you will find theabbot confined to his chamber. I do not think there is need for me to accompany you for I am conversant with their evidence. It is of little importance.”
    Sister Fidelma raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She glanced at the surly Brother Dubán.
    “Then perhaps Brother Dubán will show me where I may find them?”
    Brother Dubán reluctantly led the way to the herb garden of the community. There was a single brother working in it.
    “Petrán tends the garden and you will see our apothecary’s shop in the far corner. There you will find Brother Cruinn.”
    Brother Dubán turned and walked swiftly off without another word.
    The rotund, red faced religieux who was tending some bushes in the garden, turned as she approached. He frowned for a moment and then gave a friendly smile.
    “Sister Fidelma?”
    “Do you know me?” she asked, puzzled by the greeting.
    “Indeed. But you would not know me. I was in the court when you defended Brother Fergal from a charge of murder. Have you now come to defend our abbot?”
    “Only if I believe him to be innocent,” agreed Fidelma.
    “Innocent enough,” the man was now serious.
    “I am Brother Petrán and I found the body of poor Eolang.”
    “But you do not believe that the abbot is guilty?”
    “I do not believe that a man should be condemned on the evidence of a claim based on obscure maps of the stars.”
    “Tell me what happened.”
    “I was going to go to market to buy new plants for the herb garden. This involved crossing the lake,” he added unnecessarily.
    “I went to the pier where our boat was tied up. It was then that I saw the body of Brother Eolang in the water under the pier.”
    “Under the pier?” Fidelma asked quickly, with emphasis.
    “The pier is made of thin wooden planking. Some of it is loose and missing. You have to look down to make sure you step surely. That was how I was able to see him. I was keeping my eyes on where I was placing my feet. I saw the body between a gap in the planking. Mind you, I do not suppose I would have looked down so closely at that spot had it not been for the man calling to me and pointing down.”
    Fidelma tried not to show her surprise.
    “What man?” she asked slowly.
    Brother Petrán did not seem perturbed.
    “There was a man on horseback on the far bank. As I came onto the pier he started to shout and wave to me. I wondered what was up. It was too