Behold a Pale Horse Read Free Page B

one time, Christ did not exist.’
    ‘But we are taught the Trinity, that God is three in one – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.’
    ‘Indeed,’ Magister Ado solemnly agreed. ‘But Arius and his followers declare there is one God, always existing before time began, and creator of the world. God the Father created His Son, Who was subservient to the Father, Who also created the Holy Spirit, Who was similarly subservient to the Son.’
    Fidelma saw a logic to the argument, which she had never heard before, and decided that she must look further into these teachings. However, she kept this thought to herself.
    ‘I fail to see how such differences in interpretation can lead to bloodshed,’ she finally observed.
    Brother Faro shook his head sadly. ‘It already has. An Arian nobleman, visiting Bobium only a short time ago, was so incensed when one of our brethren refused to acknowledge his arguments, that he drew his sword and cut him down.’
    ‘We must apologise to you, Sister Fidelma,’ Sister Gisa added. ‘I think Brother Faro tried to save you any anguish by saying that Brother Ruadán was sick with ague. In fact, he is confined to his bed having been beaten by these same followers of Arius. It happened the day before we left to come to Genua.’
    Before Fidelma could express her shock, Magister Ado turned to Brother Faro. ‘You should have told me this at once.’
    ‘As Sister Gisa said, it happened the day before we left Bobium to come and meet you,’ admitted Brother Faro. ‘I would have told you sooner but my mind was filled with your safe arrival.’
    ‘And the details?’ pressed the magister .
    ‘Brother Ruadán was found outside the gates of the abbey early one morning. There was a piece of papyrus pinned to his bloodstained clothing with the word “heretic” scrawled on it.’
    Fidelma was astounded. ‘You say that he is injured and confined to his bed? How badly injured is he?’
    Sister Gisa compressed her lips. ‘He is bad, Sister. Our physician did not hold out any great hope. As you know, he is elderly and there is little strength left in him to fight.’
    Fidelma turned to Magister Ado. ‘And do you believe that these men who attacked you were also followers of Arius? That they sought to attack you because they knew you were from Bobium?’
    ‘The brethren of Bobium are known for their criticisms of Arius,’ Brother Faro intervened quickly. ‘Other than that, Bobium has no enemies.’
    ‘I can only think the same,’ Magister Ado agreed. ‘There is no need to harm the brethren of Bobium other than by those who are enemies to the Nicene Creed. But how these Arians knew I was in Genua, I do not know. I only stepped ashore this morning.’
    Sister Gisa nodded thoughtfully. ‘Magister Ado has only just returned from Aquitània. We came to accompany him back to Bobium.’
    Fidelma had the impression that Magister Ado shot Sister Gisa a glance of both disapproval and warning. ‘I had heard that a ship had put in from Massilia today,’ she said, ‘and I was hoping that I would be able to return on it. However, the master of the vessel told me that he was on his way to Ostia. Indeed, you are right to raise the question as to how these people would know you were here and thus able to launch an attack on you.’
    Magister Ado shrugged. ‘Our Arian enemies are doubtless well-informed, Sister. Bishop Britmund of Placentia is our most implacable enemy. He could have heard that Brother Faro and Sister Gisa were coming to meet me.’
    Brother Faro flushed and said: ‘We were careful not to reveal the purpose of our journey to anyone outside the abbey.’
    ‘I am not blaming you, my young friend,’ Magister Ado replied. ‘But sometimes an attentive enemy can make logical deductions.’
    ‘And that being so, we should not tarry long in this place,’ Sister Gisa said nervously.
    ‘Then you plan to set out for the Abbey of Bobium soon?’ asked Fidelma.
    ‘Tomorrow at