epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第11章

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　〃It　would　be　a　mark　of　your　status；　and　the　importance　of　this　gesture；〃　suggested　Cadfael　with　an　earnest　face；　〃if　your　messengers　went　mounted。　It's　not　yet　dark；　and　the　horses　would　be　better　for　exercise。〃
　〃True；〃　said　the　prior；　mildly　gratified。　〃It　would　be　in　keeping　with　our　dignity　and　lend　weight　to　our　errand。　Very　well；　let　Brother　John　bring　the　horses。〃
　〃Now　that's　that　I　call　a　friend！〃　said　Brother　John　heartily；　when　they　were　all　three　in　the　saddle；　and　safely　away　into　the　early　dusk　under　the　trees；　Father　Huw　and　John　on　the　two　tall　horses；　Brother　Cadfael　on　the　best　of　the　mules。　〃Ten　more　minutes；　and　I　should　have　earned　myself　a　penance　that　would　have　lasted　a　month　or　more；　and　now　here　we　are　in　the　best　pany　around；　on　a　decent　errand；　and　enjoying　the　quiet　of　the　evening。〃
　〃Did　I　ever　say　word　of　your　ing　with　us？〃　said　Cadfael　slyly。　〃I　said　the　horses　would　add　lustre　to　the　embassage；　I　never　went　so　far　as　to　say　you　would　add　any。〃
　〃I　go　with　the　horses。　Did　you　ever　hear　of　an　ambassador　riding　without　a　groom？　I'll　keep　well　out　of　the　way　while　you　confer；　and　play　the　dutiful　servant。　And　by　the　by；　Bened　will　be　doing　his　drinking　up　there　at　the　hall　tonight。　They　go　the　rounds；　and　it's　Cai's　turn。〃
　〃And　how　did　you　learn　so　much；〃　wondered　Cadfael；　〃without　a　word　of　Welsh？〃
　〃Oh；　they　knock　their　meaning　into　me　somehow；　and　I　into　them。　Besides；　I　have　several　words　of　Welsh　already；　and　if　we're　held　up　here　for　a　while　I　shall　soon　learn　a　great　many　more；　if　I　can　get　my　tongue　round　them。　I　could　learn　the　smith's　art；　too。　I　lent　him　a　hand　at　the　forge　this　morning。〃
　〃You're　honoured。　In　Wales　not　everyone　can　be　a　smith。〃
　Huw　indicated　the　fence　that　had　begun　to　run　alongside　them　on　the　right。　〃Cadwallon's　holding。　We　have　a　mile　of　forest　to　go　yet　to　Rhisiart's　hall。〃
　It　was　still　no　more　than　dusk　when　they　emerged　into　a　large　clearing；　with　ploughed　and　planted　strips　surrounding　a　long　stockade　fence。　The　smell　of　wood…smoke　drifted　on　the　air；　and　glimmer　of　torches　lit　the　open　doorway　of　the　hall。　Stables　and　barns　and　folds　clung　to　the　inner　side　of　the　fence；　and　men　and　women　moved　briskly　about　the　evening　business　of　a　considerable　household。
　〃Well；　well！〃　said　the　voice　of　Cai　the　ploughman；　from　a　bench　under　the　eaves　of　one　of　the　byres。　〃So　you've　found　your　way　by　nose　to　where　the　mead　is　tonight；　Brother　Cadfael。〃　And　he　moved　up　obligingly　to　make　room；　shoulder　to　shoulder　with　Bened。　〃Padrig's　making　music　within；　and　from　all　I　hear　it　may　well　be　war　music；　but　he'll　be　with　us　presently。　Sit　yourself　down；　and　wele。　Nobody　looks　on　you　as　the　enemy。〃
　There　was　a　third　with　them　already；　a　long　man　seated　in　deeper　shadow；　his　legs　stretched　well　out　before　him　at　ease；　and　his　hair　showing　as　a　primrose　pallor　even　in　the　dimness。　The　young　outlander；　Engelard；　willingly　gathered　up　his　long　limbs　and　also　moved　to　share　the　bench。　He　had　a　quick；　open　smile　vivid　with　white　teeth。
　〃We've　e　expressly　to　halt　the　war；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael　as　they　dismounted；　and　a　groom　of　the　household　came　running　to　take　their　bridles。　〃Father　Huw　has　the　peace　in　hand；　I'm　only　an　assessor　to　see　fair　play。　And；　sadly；　we'll　be　expected　back　with　an　answer　as　soon　as　we've　spoken　with　your　lord。　But　if　you'll　take　charge　of　Brother　John　while　we　deal；　he'll　be　grateful。　He　can　speak　English　with　Engelard；　a　man　should　practise　his　own　tongue　when　he　can。〃
　But　Brother　John；　it　appeared；　had　at　that　moment　pletely　lost　the　use　of　his　tongue　in　any　language；　for　he　stood　at　gaze；　and　let　the　reins　be　taken　from　his　hands　like　a　man　in　a　dream。　Nor　was　he　looking　at　Engelard；　but　towards　the　open　doorway　of　the　hall；　from　which　a　girl's　figure　had　issued；　and　was　crossing　gaily　towards　the　drinkers　under　the　eaves；　a　large　jug　carried　in　both　hands。　The　lively　brown　eyes　flickered　over　the　visitors；　took　in　Cadfael　and　the　priest　with　easy　friendliness；　and　opened　wide　upon　Brother　John；　standing　like　a　very　lifelike　statue；　all　thorny　russet　hair；　weather…burned　cheeks　and　wild；　admiring　eyes。　Cadfael　looked　where　Annest's　eyes　were　looking；　and　approved　a　very　upstanding；　ruggedly…built；　ingenuous；　ely　young　fellow；　maybe　two　or　three　years　older　than　the　girl。　The　Benedictine　habit；　kilted　to　the　knee　for　riding　and　forgotten　now；　looked　as　much　like　a　working　Welsh　tunic　as　made　no　matter；　and　the　tonsure；　however　well　a　man　（or　a　girl！）　knew　it　was　there；　was　invisible　behind　the　burning　bush　of　curls。
　〃Thirsty　people　you　are；　then！〃　said　Annest；　still　with　one　eye　upon　Brother　John；　and　set　down　her　pitcher　on　the　bench　beside　Cai；　and　with　a　flick　of　her　skirts　and　a　wave　of　her　light…brown　mane；　sat　down　beside　it；　and　accepted　the　horn　Bened　offered　her。　Brother　John　stood　mute　and　enchanted。
　〃e　on；　then；　lad；〃　said　Bened；　and　made　a　place　for　him　between　himself　and　Cai；　only　one　remove　from　where　the　girl　sat　delicately　sipping。　And　Brother　John；　like　a　man　walking　in　his　sleep；　though　perhaps　with　rather　more　zestful　purpose；　strode　forward　towards　the　seat　reserved　for　him。
　〃Well；　well！〃　said　Cadfael　silently　to　himself；　and　left　the　insoluble　to　the　solver　of　all　problems；　and　with　Father　Huw　moved　on　into　the　hall。
　〃I　will　e；〃　said　Rhisiart；　shut　into　a　small　chamber　apart　with　his　visitors。　〃Of　course　I　will　e。　No　man　should　refuse　another　his　say。　No　man　can　be　sure　he　will　not　belie　himself　and　do　himself　less　than　justice；　and　God　forbid　I　should　refuse　anyone　his　second　chance。　I've　often　spoken　in　haste　myself；　and　been　sorry　after；　and　said　so；　as　your　prior　has　said　so　now。〃　He　had　not；　of　course；　nor　had　Huw　claimed；　in　so　many　words；　that　he　had。　Rather　he　had　expressed　his　own　shame　and　regret；　but　if　Rhisiart　attributed　these　to　Prior　Robert；　Huw　was　desperate　enough　to　let　him　continue　in　the　delusion。　〃But　I　tell　you　this；　I　expect　little　from　this　meeting。　The　gap　between　us　is　too　wide。　To　you　I　can　say　what　I　have　not　said　to　any　who　were　not　there；　because　I　am　ashamed。　The　man　offered　me　money。　He　says　now　he　offered　it　to　Gwytherin；　but　how　is　that　possible？　Am　I　Gwytherin？　I　am　a　man　like　other　men；　I　fill　my　place　as　best　I　can；　but　remain　one　only。　No；　he　offered　the　purse　to　me；　to　take　back　my　voice　against　him。　To　persuade　my　own　people　to　go　along　with　his　wishes。　I　accept　his　desire　to　talk　to　me　again；　to　bring　me　to　see　this　matter　as　he　sees　it。　But　I　cannot　forget　that　he　saw　it　as　something　he　could　buy　with　money。　If　he　wishes　to　change　me；　that　must　change；　and　be　shown　to　be　changed。　As　for　his　threats；　for　threats　they　are；　and　I　approve　you　for　reporting　them　faithfully；　they　move　me　not　at　all。　My　reverence　for　our　little　saint　is　the　equal　of　his　or　any　man's。　Do　you　think　she　does　not　know　it？〃
　〃I　am　sure　she　does；〃　said　Father　Huw。
　〃And　if　all　they　want　is　to　honour　and　adore　her　rightly；　why　can　they　not　do　so　here；　where　she　lies？　Even　dress　her　grave；　if　that　is　what　disturbs　them；　that　we've　let　it　run　wild？〃
　〃A　good　question；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael。　〃I　have　asked　it　myself。　The　sleep　of　saints　should　be　more　sacred　and　immune　even　than　the　sleep　of　ordinary　men。〃
　Rhisiart　looked　him　over　with　those　fine；　challenging　eyes；　a　shade　or　two　lighter　than　his　daughter's；　and　smiled。　〃Howbeit；　I　will　e；　and　my　thanks　for　all　your　trouble。　At　the　hour　of　noon；　or　a　little　after；　I　will　e　to　your　dinner；　and　I　will　listen　faithfully　to　whatever　may　be　said　to　me。'
　There　was　a　good　laughter　echoing　from　end　to　end　of　the　bench　under　the　eaves；　and　it　was　tempting　to　join　the　drinkers；　at　least　for　one　quick　cup；　as　Cai　demanded。　Bened　had　got　up　to　replenish　his　horn　from　the　pitcher；　and　Brother　John；　silent　and　flushed　but　glowingly　happy；　sat　with　no　barrier　between　him　and　the　girl；　their　sleeves　all　but　touching　when　she　leaned　curiously　closer；　her　hair　dropping　a　stray　lock　against　his　shoulder。
　〃Well；　how　have　you　sped？〃　asked　Cai；　pouring　mead　for　them。　〃Will　he　e　and　talk　terms　with　your　prior？〃
　〃He'll　e；〃　said　Cadfael。　〃Whether　he'll　talk　terms　I　doubt。　He　was　greatly　affronted。　But　he'll　e　to　dine；　and　that's　something。〃
　〃The　whole　parish　will　know　it　before　ever　you　get　back　to　the　parsonage；〃　said　Cai。　〃News　runs　faster　than　the　wind　in　these　parts；　and　after　this　morning　they're　all　building　on　Rhisiart。　I　tell　you；　if　he　changed　his　tune　and　said　amen；　so　would　they。　Not　for　want　of　their　own　doubts　and　waverings；　but　because　they　trust　him。　He　took　a　stand；　and　they　know　he　won't　leave　it　but　for　good　reason。　Sweeten　him；　and　you'll　get　your　way。〃
　〃Not　my　way；〃　said　Cadfael。　〃I　never　could　see　why　a　man　can't　reverence　his　favourite　saint　without　wanting　to　fondle　her　bones；　but　there's　great　rivalry　for　such　relics　among　the　abbeys　these　days。　A　good　mead；　this；　Cai。〃
　〃Our　Annest　here　brewed　it；〃　said　Bened；　with　tolerant　pride　in　his　niece；　and　clapped　a　hand　fondly　on　her　shoulder。　〃And　only　one　of　her　skills！　She'll　be　a　treasure　for　some　man　when　she　weds；　but　a　sad　loss　to　me。〃
　〃I　might　bring　you　a　good　smith　to　work　with　you；〃　said　the　girl；　dimpling。　〃Where's　the　loss　then？〃
　It　was　deep　dusk；　and　with　all　the　longing　they　felt　to　linger；　they　had　to　be　away。　Huw　was　fidgety；　thinking　of　Prior　Robert's　rising　impatience；　his　tall　figure　pacing　the　garden　and　looking　out　for　the　first　glimpse　of　his　messengers　returning。　〃We　should　be　off。　We　shall　be　looked　for。　e；　brother；　make　your　farewells。〃
　Brother　John　rose　reluctantly　but　dutifully。　The　groom　was　leading　the　horses　forward；　an　arm　under　each　arching　neck。　With　posed　face　but　glowing　eyes　Brother　John　said　his　general　goodnight　and　blessing。　In　careful　but　resounding　Welsh！
　The　echo　swept　the　riders　away　towards　the　gate　on　a　wave　of　laughter　and　goodwill；　in　which　the　girl's　light　voice　soared　gaily；　and　Engelard's　hearty　English　〃God　go　with　you！〃　balanced　the　tongues。
　〃And　who　taught　you　that　between　evening　and　dark？〃　asked　Brother　Cadfael　with　interest；　as　they　entered　the　deep　green　twilight　under　the　trees。　〃Bened　or　Cai？〃
　〃Neither；〃　said　Brother　John；　contentedly　pondering　a　deep　private　satisfaction。
　Small　use　asking　how　she　had　managed　it；　she　having　no　English　and　he　no　Welsh；　to　determine　what　the　phrase　was　she　was　drumming　into　him。　There　was　a　kind　of　language　at　work　here　that　made　short　shrift　on　interpreters。
　〃Well；　you　can　fairly　claim　the　day　hasn't　been　wasted；〃　owned　Cadfael　generously；　〃if　something's　been　learned。　And　have　you　made　any　other　discoveries　to　add　to　that？〃
　〃Yes；〃　said　Brother　John；　placidly　glowing。　〃The　day　after　tomorrow　is　baking…day　at　Bened's。〃
　〃You　may　rest　and　sleep；　Father　Prior；〃　said　Huw；　fronting　the　tall；　pale　forehead　gallantly　with　his　low；　brown　one。　〃Rhisiart　has　said　he　will　e；　and　he　will　listen。　He　was　gracious　and　reasonable。　Tomorrow　at　noon　or　soon　after　he　will　be　here。〃
　Prior　Robert　certainly　loosed　a　cautious；　suppressed　sigh　of　relief。　But　he　required　more　before　they　could　all　go　away　and　sleep。　Richard　loomed　at　his　shoulder；　large；　benign　and　anxious。
　〃And　is　he　sensible　of　the　wrong…mindedness　of　his　resistance？　Will　he　withdraw　his　opposition？〃
　In　the　dimness