Free Chalice of Blood by Peter Tremayne

threatening and robbing us. They had the advantage of the ambush.’
    ‘What happened to them?’ Brother Lugna asked.
    ‘Gormán, our bodyguard, killed one and the other ran off.’
    There was a silence. Abbot Iarnla looked shocked. His steward frowned as he considered the matter.
    ‘Therein is the answer to your question,’ Brother Lugna’s tone was dismissive. ‘They saw you had a warrior with you, a member of the King’s bodyguard, and rather than pit their strength against his, they decided to attack first. They were just cowardly robbers, no doubt. I will be frank with you, Sister Fidelma. I was not in favour of the abbot’s decision to bring you here.’
    Fidelma regarded him with surprise at his abrupt change of subject. She smiled thinly. ‘May I ask why not?’

    ‘I believe—’
    ‘My rechtaire believed that the matter should be resolved within the abbey community,’ Abbot Iarnla intervened hastily, with an uncomfortable glance at Brother Lugna. ‘He believes that, as abbot, I have the power of judgement and punishment in such matters. But this abbey does not subscribe to the Penitentials.’
    The steward gave a disdainful sniff and Eadulf noted the tension between him and the abbot. ‘So I take it you believe in the Penitentials, Brother Lugna,’ he observed. ‘I see that you wear the tonsure of Saint Peter and so favour the Rule of Rome.’
    ‘As do you, Brother Eadulf. I studied five years in Rome.’
    ‘Where do you originate from, Brother Lugna?’ asked Fidelma. ‘I do not hear the local accents of this kingdom in your voice.’
    ‘I am from Connachta, of the Uí Briuin Sinna of the Plain of the Sea.’ The announcement was a simple statement of fact, without pride.
    ‘Then you are a long way from home, Brother Lugna.’
    ‘The Faith is universal and whether one is in Rome or Lios Mór, or even in Connachta, one is among brethren if they follow the true teachings.’
    There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment. Eadulf was aware of a growing dislike for the arrogant young Brother Lugna.
    Abbot Iarnla gave a hesitant smile. ‘Well, we are glad no harm befell you and your companions on your journey here, Fidelma. The news of the attack on you, for whatever cause, is alarming. We will offer a special prayer of thanks in the chapel tonight for your safe arrival. I believe your coming here to preside over this important matter is necessary. I would trust no one else with it.’ He glanced at his steward with a curious expression they could not interpret. ‘That is why I have overruled the advice of my steward. Your judgement,
at the time when Maolochtair tried to harm both Donnchad and Cathal, saved them from a greater harm as well as saving Maolochtair from his own fantasy. That is why I requested that you come to help us.’
    It sounded almost as if he were trying to explain his reasons to his steward.
    ‘I understand that Brother Cathal remains in Tarentum and may never return to Lios Mór,’ Fidelma observed.
    ‘Cathal has accepted the pallium offered by the people of Tarnetum. They call him Cataldus now,’ Brother Lugna replied. The sour tone in his voice made it clear that he did not approve.
    ‘I remember when Cathal was acting abbot. It was when I was sitting in judgement at the court here,’ Fidelma continued.
    ‘Ah yes. I was away at a Council at the abbey of Imleach at the time and appointed Cathal to take charge in my absence,’ replied the elderly abbot. ‘Brother Lugna, of course, was not with us then. He did not join us until three years ago.’
    ‘Three years? A short time to have risen to be rechtaire of the abbey,’ commented Eadulf softly.
    ‘Blessed are those who can recognise talent in others,’ Brother Lugna replied almost pugnaciously.
    After a quick frown of disapproval at Eadulf, Fidelma turned her gaze to the abbot. ‘But you have been abbot here a long time, Iarnla,’ she said. ‘You must have known Cathal and Donnchad since they were young