“The healer?” one of them - Cerdic? - replied. I nodded urgently. “He just ran off, out of here, back down the corridor. What’s going on? You have caused injury in your haste. What is it?” I was already on my way, running back down the corridor.
“I apologise,” I called back over my shoulder. “The need is great. Call Chad to tend his brother. Someone look in on Cedd now and make sure he’s all right. Do it now!” And I ran off in pursuit of Ieuan, out into the yard. I looked around and saw a cloud of dust hanging in the air on the road back down to Streanashalch, gleaming tantalisingly in the early morning light. The Romans were making their way to the chapel for their morning offices. They were singing and swinging incense again.
The guard at the gate could say only that an elderly Irish monk had ridden out minutes before, at urgent pace and making for the village. He had not given his name or his business. I was desperate to get after him but I needed leave of Colman to go. I made for the sleeping quarters but thought again and turned towards the chapel. Our people were leaving as the Romans were arriving and I sprinted over to Colman of Lindisfarne.
“Abbott, Father Abbott,” I rushed breathlessly, “I must have a horse, I must leave, now! I -” I could go on no further. Colman drew me to one side.
“Anselm, I can see you’re distressed, but whatever it is must wait. The Synod isn’t over yet and you’re needed here.” I stood, still breathing heavily, and calmed myself to explain the situation to him.
“Colman,” I began quietly, “there is great urgency in my request. You know as well as I do that the Synod is effectively over. All that remains is Oswy’s order. There is something much more urgent.”
“What could be more urgent than the future of our Church?”
“The lives of untold children, now and maybe in the future. The future of a kingdom.” I knew in my heart that the only future Strathclyde had was decline. “I have done wrong. I brought here, to the heart of our community, someone steeped in great evil. He has given in to despair and yielded to the worst temptations of the Enemy.”
“Who? What?” for once, Colman wasn’t confused: he was being as brief as he could and wanted equally brief answers.
“Ieuan. He it is who has returned to the old ways, to blood sacrifice, sacrifice of children! He’s been killing children and raising...” I swallowed hard and looked around at the Abbey. I would not name this enemy, not here. “...raising one of the old demons. The patron of the Wicker Man. For power to divine and See as I do. To gain power and influence. He has traded his very soul for power.” Colman was shocked this time.
“How do you know?”
“My heart has known for some time, I think, but I wouldn’t accept it, I suppressed it. I finally realised this morning. I’ve Seen into his heart. It is horrible. He must be stopped.”
“Where is he now? I thought he was with Cedd. Has he damaged him in any way?” I shook my head.
“No, I don’t think so. He’s always used his true Gift for good. But Cedd is weak.”
“A strange and wicked thing. A Healer who kills, for gain. Where is he?”
“He left not ten minutes ago. The guard at the gate said that an elderly man, dressed as one of us, rode off towards Streanashalch.”
“We must raise a troop to catch him. I must tell Oswy, regardless of the consequences.” I shook my head again.
“No. Remember he is powerful. He will confuse any pursuit by ordinary people, yourself included. I must go after him. I can withstand his spells.”
“Has he attacked you?”
“Yes, I came after him and he cast a spell on me. It was an illusion, I dealt with it.”
“Could he have killed you?” I paused and thought through the incident again.
“I’m not sure. I don’t think so. The spell he used wouldn’t have killed me. I thought I was choking - my whole body believed it - I was choking to death, but as soon as I lost consciousness the spell would have been broken. He wasn’t trying to kill me. Not this time. Just to delay me.”
“But you dispelled it?” I nodded. “Would anyone be able to do it? Sorry, stupid of me.” I’d given him a look which briefly questioned his intelligence. “Very well, you must go. What shall I tell Oswy?” I slapped a hand to my forehead. I’d forgotten.
“Things get in the way. I must see him before I go. There is a message I must take back. I can’t go without it. I’ll go to him now.” I made to leave but was interrupted by another voice.
“Just one moment, please. Anselm. Colman.” Wilfrid acknowledged the two of us. “Where are you rushing off to, Anselm? I hear rumours of conflict and confrontation, in which you are involved. I would like an explanation.” His arrogance was racing ahead of his anticipated victory.
“It’s nothing to do with you, Wilfrid, and needn’t concern you. None of your people were involved. Anselm has an urgent task, that’s all, and if you will excuse us -” Wilfrid placed a hand on Colman’s arm, restraining him. Colman looked at it but it remained there. “Take your hand off me, Wilfrid.”
“Just a moment longer then,” he took his hand away. “We’re all of one Faith, and will soon be of one practise, so there will be no distinction between ‘our people’ and ‘your people’. All will be subject to the same Rule and discipline. And I think it would be wise for all to stay. Anselm in particular, as I have something in mind for him.”
“Anselm has an urgent task. It will not wait on you, or your Bishop, or the Pope or your arrogance, Wilfrid!” Colman’s voice was rising angrily. “You do not command him, he is of my community. I say he goes, on a task of which you know nothing! Now let us be!” Wilfrid was about to speak when Oswy strode up.
“What’s the matter here?” he demanded.
“I require that Brother Anselm stay, my Lord. I have a task in mind for him. He seems in an unseemly hurry to get away.” Wilfrid spoke urbanely, but his words reeked of expected and absolute power.
“Prior Wilfrid, I promised all clerics safe passage to and from this Synod. I have not yet pronounced my judgement. Beware of anticipating it. If Magister Anselm feels he must leave before the conclusion, I’m sure he has a good reason and will tell me. Me. Not you. I believe you have other duties to attend, not least keeping your own flock under control.” Wilfrid seemed about to speak but he thought better of it, bowed briefly and left. His parting glance at me was full of anger and venom.
We shall meet again. The thought was as clear as if he had spoken it aloud. and you will bend your knee to me, Irishman. There was no feeling of deliberate contact – he didn’t have that Power: just that his thought was so strongly held it was like a shout, and I heard it clearly.
When he had gone far enough away, Oswy turned to us.
“I’ve received reports of uproar in the infirmary and an elderly man, apparently of the Lindisfarne community, making a hurried departure this morning. An explanation is required.” Colman and I looked at each other. The Abbott indicated that I should explain.
“My Lord, the man I’d thought was my friend is the one who left so suddenly. I’ve discovered something about him that must be stopped. I must go after him and bring him to justice.”