Herald of the Hidden Read Free Page A

relating to the Fitzgilberts.’
    ‘There are many. Historical events often become intertwined with folk tales and romantic fiction. . . .’
    ‘I am thinking of one in particular. It endured in progressively corrupted forms from the very earliest times until last century, although today it may only be encountered in obscure antiquarian papers. It has a particular relevance in view of our present dilemma.’
    The academic looked at my friend incredulously.
    ‘It is preposterous,’ he murmured, dismissively.
    Ralph lit a pungent cigarette, a tactless irreverence I thought, though it clearly did not occur to him, for he was immersed in a line of thought I could not follow.
    He continued abruptly, ‘I am not an expert. You are. Please confirm for me a number of points.
    ‘Not long after its foundation, the dedication of this church was changed, wasn’t it? It had been to Saints Cosmas and Damian. Presumably they were appropriate at the time. . . .’
    ‘They were brothers with a reputation for skilful and pious healing,’ asserted Ronald Alwyn, stirred by this diversion to the historical origin of the church.
    ‘Quite. And then this was altered to St Michael & All Angels. Would it be fair to surmise that this occurred when Guy Fitzgilbert took complete domination, and the original dedication was somewhat . . . inconvenient?’
    ‘Yes, that is what is usually believed.’
    ‘We saw Guy Fitzgilbert’s tomb chest in the crypt. The stone carving is very worn and blurred, but I believe it originally depicted Michael slaying a fearsome dragon.’
    ‘Yes, it is a scene from the Book of Revelation . The dragon represents Satan.’
    ‘And that symbol occurs everywhere in the crypt.’
    ‘That is natural. It represents the church’s patron saint. It became, too, something of a heraldic device for the line.’
    ‘Guy Fitzgilbert’s line,’ emphasised Ralph. ‘Where is Peter Fitzgilbert’s grave?’
    ‘No-one knows,’ replied Alwyn. ‘Presumably his brother forbade his burial within the crypt, so he was interred elsewhere, possibly in an unmarked cist somewhere on his own estate.’
    Ralph mused for a few moments, still drawing at his cigarette.
    ‘I have a further question. To your knowledge, has the church been restored at any time before?’
    ‘It would seem not. That is why it so badly needs repair. There was, I believe, an attempt to carry out major work last century, but it was never carried through. Perhaps the expense . . .’ Mr Alwyn’s conjectures faded as he was struck by a new thought.
    There was a quite lengthy pause. In the stagnant air I felt a sudden sense of unease.
    Ralph spoke quietly.
    ‘I think by now you know the nature of my interest in this church. I am in complete earnest. I can tell you what the contractor’s workmen said to you, and furthermore I will show you why, in your position, I would believe them.’
    Ronald Alwyn said nothing. He bore an expression of tired resignation.
    ‘Amongst other talk about the general atmosphere up on the roof, the high incidence of accidents and suchlike, you were told that they have caught glimpses of a huge winged creature, like a giant bat or vastly abnormal crow, I should think. It has disturbed them before: but just recently it soared out of the tower and alarmed them quite drastically, probably around dusk. They said they had never encountered such a beast before and it quite unnerved them; and that it must be removed or confined before work can continue, because its sudden appearance again could undoubtedly cause a workman to lose his balance and either fall or do irreparable damage. They put all this to you as cautiously as they could; but plain beneath their practical observations was a hint of deeper dread and aversion.’
    Mr Alwyn nodded very slowly.
    ‘That is why there was no work going on when I looked around here a few days ago: and why there has been none since?’
    He nodded again, weakly.
    ‘If you are ready, I would like you to