epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第15章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


rd　looked　round　him　quickly；　measuring　chances。　Annest　came　forward　silently；　and　took　her　stand　beside　Sioned。　Brother　John's　roused；　anxious　eyes　followed　her　progress；　and　approved　the　loyalty　which　had　no　other　way　of　expressing　itself。
　〃Engelard　did　not　e　home　until　half　an　hour　ago；〃　she　said　stoutly。
　〃Child；〃　said　Father　Huw　wretchedly；　〃where　he　was　not　does　not　in　any　way　confirm　where　he　says　he　was。　Two　calves　may　be　delivered　far　more　quickly　than　he　claims；　how　can　we　know；　who　were　not　there？　He　had　time　to　slip　back　here　and　do　this　thing；　and　be　back　with　his　cattle　and　never　noticed。　Unless　we　can　find　someone　who　testifies　to　having　seen　him　elsewhere；　at　whatever　time　this　deed　may　have　been　done；　then　I　fear　we　should　hold　Engelard　in　safe…keeping　until　the　prince's　bailiff　can　take　over　the　charge　for　us。〃
　The　men　of　Gwytherin　hovered；　murmuring；　some　convinced；　many　angry；　for　Rhisiart　had　been　very　well　liked；　some　hesitant；　but　granting　that　the　outlander　ought　to　be　held　until　his　innocence　was　established　or　his　guilt　proved。　They　shifted　and　closed；　and　their　murmur　became　one　of　consent。
　〃It　is　fair；〃　said　Bened；　and　the　growl　of　assent　answered　him。
　〃One　lone　Englishman　with　his　back　to　the　wall；　whispered　Brother　John　indignantly　in　Cadfael's　ear；　〃and　what　chance　will　he　have；　with　nobody　to　bear　out　what　he　says？　And　plain　truth；　for　certain！　Does　he　act　or　speak　like　a　murderer？〃
　Peredur　had　stood　like　a　stock　all　this　while；　hardly　taking　his　eyes　from　Engelard's　face　but　to　gaze　earnestly　and　unhappily　at　Sioned。　As　Prior　Robert　levelled　an　imperious　arm　at　Engelard；　and　the　whole　assembly　closed　in　slowly　in　obedience；　braced　to　lay　hands　on　him；　Peredur　drew　a　little　further　back　at　the　edge　of　the　trees；　and　Cadfael　saw　him　catch　Sioned's　eye；　flash　her　a　wild；　wide…eyed　look；　and　jerk　his　head　as　though　beckoning。　Out　of　her　exhaustion　and　misery　she　roused　a　brief；　answering　blaze；　and　leaned　to　whisper　rapidly　in　Engelard's　ear。
　〃Do　your　duty；　all　of　you；〃　manded　Robert；　〃to　your　laws　and　your　prince　and　your　church；　and　lay　hold　of　this　man！〃
　There　was　one　instant　of　stillness；　and　then　they　closed　in　all　together；　the　only　gap　in　their　ranks　where　Peredur　still　hung　back。　Engelard　made　a　long　leap　from　Sioned's　side；　as　though　he　would　break　for　the　thickest　screen　of　bushes；　and　then；　instead；　caught　up　a　dead；　fallen　bough　that　lay　in　the　grass；　and　whirled　it　about　him　in　a　flailing　circle；　laying　two　unwary　elders　flat；　and　sending　others　reeling　back　out　of　range。　Before　they　could　reassemble；　he　had　changed　direction；　leaped　over　one　of　the　fallen；　and　was　clean　through　the　midst　of　them；　arming　off　the　only　one　who　almost　got　a　grip　on　him；　and　made　straight　for　the　gap　Peredur　had　left　in　their　ranks。　Father　Huw's　voice；　uplifted　in　vexed　agitation；　called　on　Peredur　to　halt　him；　and　Peredur　sprang　to　intercept　his　flight。　How　it　happened　was　never　quite　clear；　though　Brother　Cadfael　had　a　rough　idea；　but　at　the　very　moment　when　his　outstretched　hand　almost　brushed　Engelard's　sleeve；　Peredur　stepped　upon　a　rotten　branch　in　the　turf；　that　snapped　under　his　foot　and　rolled；　tossing　him　flat　on　his　face；　half…blinded　among　the　bushes。　And　winded；　possibly；　for　certainly　he　made　no　move　to　pick　himself　up　until　Engelard　was　past　him　and　away。
　Even　then　it　was　not　quite　over；　for　the　nearest　pursuers　on　either　side；　seeing　how　the　hunt　had　turned；　had　also　begun　to　run　like　hares；　on　courses　converging　with　the　fugitive's　at　the　very　edge　of　the　clearing。　From　the　left　came　a　long…legged　villein　of　Cadwallon's；　with　a　stride　like　a　greyhound；　and　from　the　right　Brother　John；　his　habit　flying；　his　sandalled　feet　pounding　the　earth　mightily。　It　was　perhaps　the　first　time　Brother　John　had　ever　enjoyed　Prior　Robert's　whole…hearted　approval。　It　was　certainly　the　last。
　There　was　no　one　left　in　the　race　but　these　three；　and　fleet　though　Engelard　was；　it　seemed　that　the　long…legged　fellow　would　collide　with　him　before　he　could　finally　vanish。　All　three　were　hurtling　together　for　a　shattering　collision；　or　so　it　seemed。　The　villein　stretched　out　arms　as　formidably　long　as　his　legs。　So；　on　the　other　side；　did　Brother　John。　A　great　hand　closed　on　a　thin　fold　of　Engelard's　tunic　from　one　side。　Brother　John　bounded　exuberantly　in　from　the　other。　The　prior　sighed　relief；　expecting　the　prisoner　to　be　enfolded　in　a　double　embrace。　And　Brother　John；　diving；　caught　Cadwallon's　villein　round　the　knees　and　brought　him　crashing　to　the　ground；　and　Engelard；　plucking　his　tunic　out　of　the　enemy's　grasp；　leaped　into　the　bushes　and　vanished　in　a　receding　susurration　of　branches；　until　silence　and　stillness　closed　over　the　path　of　his　withdrawal。
　Half　the　hunt；　out　of　excitement　rather　than　any　real　enmity；　streamed　away　into　the　forest　after　the　quarry；　but　half…heartedly　now。　They　had　little　chance　of　capturing　him。　Probably　they　had　no　great　desire　to　do　anything　of　the　kind；　though　once　put　to　it；　hounds　must　follow　a　scent。　The　real　drama　remained　behind　in　the　clearing。　There；　at　least；　justice　had　one　clear　culprit　to　enjoy。
　Brother　John　unwound　his　arms　from　his　victim's　knees；　sat　up　in　the　grass；　fended　off　placidly　a　feeble　blow　the　villein　aimed　at　him；　and　said　in　robust　but　inprehensible　English：　〃Ah；　let　well　alone；　lad！　What　did　he　ever　do　to　you？　But　faith；　I'm　sorry　I　had　to　fetch　you　down　so　heavily。　If　you　think　you're　hard…done…to；　take　fort！　I'm　likely　to　pay　dearer　than　you。〃
　He　looked　round　him　placently　enough　as　he　clambered　to　his　feet　and　dusted　off　the　debris　of　leaves　and　twigs　that　clung　to　his　habit。　There　stood　Prior　Robert；　not　yet　unfrozen　from　the　shock　of　incredulous　disillusionment；　tall　and　stiff　and　grey；　a　Norman　lordling　debating　terrible　penalties　for　treason。　But　there；　also；　stood　Sioned；　tired；　distraught；　worn　out　with　passion；　but　with　a　small；　reviving　glow　in　her　eyes；　and　there　was　Annest　at　her　elbow；　an　arm　protectively　round　her　waist；　but　her　flower…face　turned　towards　John。　Not　much　use　Robert　thundering　and　lightning；　while　she　so　smiled　and　blossomed；　beaming　her　gratitude　and　admiration。
　Brother　Richard　and　Brother　Jerome　loomed　like　messengers　of　doom；　one　at　either　elbow。　〃Brother　John；　you　are　summoned。　You　are　in　gross　offence。〃
　He　went　with　them　resignedly。　For　all　the　threatening　thunder…bolts　he　had　never　felt　freer　in　his　life。　And　having　now　nothing　to　lose　but　his　own　self…respect；　he　was　sturdily　determined　not　to　sacrifice　that。
　〃Unfaithful　and　unworthy　brother；〃　hissed　Prior　Robert；　towering　in　terrible　indignation；　〃what　have　you　done？　Do　not　deny　what　we　have　all　witnessed。　You　have　not　merely　connived　at　the　escape　of　a　felon；　you　have　frustrated　the　attempt　of　a　loyal　servant　to　arrest　him。　You　felled　that　good　man　deliberately；　to　let　Engelard　go　free。　Traitor　against　church　and　law；　you　have　put　yourself　beyond　the　pale。　If　there　is　anything　you　can　say　in　your　defence；　say　it　now。〃
　〃I　thought　the　lad　was　being　harried　beyond　reason；　on　very　suspect　suspicion；〃　said　Brother　John　boldly。　〃I've　talked　with　Engelard；　I've　got　my　own　view　of　him；　a　decent；　open　soul　who'd　never　do　violence　to　any　man　by　stealth；　let　alone　Rhisiart；　whom　he　liked　and　valued　high。　I　don't　believe　he　has　any　part　in　this　death；　and　what's　more；　I　think　he'll　not　go　far　until　he　knows　who　had；　and　God　help　the　murderer　then！　So　I　gave　him　his　chance；　and　good　luck　to　him！〃
　The　two　girls；　their　heads　close　together　in　women's　solidarity；　interpreted　the　tone　for　themselves；　if　they　lacked　the　words；　and　glowed　in　silent　applause。　Prior　Robert　was　helpless；　though　he　did　not　know　it。　Brother　Cadfael　knew　it　very　well。
　〃Shameless！〃　thundered　Robert；　bristling　until　even　his　suave　purity　showed　knife…edged　with　affront。　〃You　are　condemned　out　of　your　own　mouth；　and　a　disgrace　to　our　order。　I　have　no　jurisdiction　here　as　regards　Welsh　law。　The　prince's　bailiff　must　resolve　this　crime　that　cries　for　vengeance　here。　But　where　my　own　subordinates　are　concerned；　and　where　they　have　infringed　the　law　of　this　land　where　we　are　guests；　there　two　disciplines　threaten　you；　Brother　John。　As　to　the　sovereignty　of　Gwynedd；　I　cannot　speak。　As　to　my　own　discipline；　I　can　and　do。　You　are　set　far　beyond　mere　ecclesiastical　penance。　I　consign　you　to　close　imprisonment　until　I　can　confer　with　the　secular　authority　here；　and　I　refuse　to　you；　meanwhile；　all　the　forts　and　consolations　of　the　church。〃　He　looked　about　him　and　took　thought；　brooding。　Father　Huw　hovered　miserably；　lost　in　this　ocean　of　plaints　and　accusations。　〃Brother　Cadfael；　ask　Father　Huw　where　there　is　a　safe　prison；　where　he　can　be　held。〃
　This　was　more　than　Brother　John　had　bargained　for；　and　though　he　repented　of　nothing；　like　a　practical　man　he　did　begin　to　look　round　to　weigh　up　the　chances　of　evading　the　consequences。　He　eyed　the　gaps　in　the　ring　as　Engelard　had　done；　braced　his　sturdy　feet　well　apart；　and　flexed　his　shoulders　experimentally；　as　though　he　had　thoughts　of　elbowing　Brother　Richard　smartly　in　the　belly；　kicking　the　legs　from　under　Jerome；　and　making　a　dash　for　freedom。　He　stopped　himself　just　in　time　when　he　heard　Cadfael　report　sedately：　〃Father　Huw　suggests　there　is　only　one　place　secure　enough。　If　Sioned　is　willing　to　allow　her　holding　to　be　used；　a　prisoner　could　be　safe　enough　there。〃
　At　this　point　Brother　John　unaccountably　lost　interest　in　immediate　escape。
　〃My　house　is　at　Prior　Robert's　disposal；〃　said　Sioned　in　Welsh；　with　appropriate　coldness；　but　very　promptly。　She　had　herself　well　in　hand；　she　made　no　more　lapses　into　English。　〃There　are　storehouses　and　stables；　if　you　wish　to　use　them。　I　promise　I　shall　not　go　near　the　prisoner；　or　hold　the　key　to　his　prison　myself。　Father　Prior　may　choose　his　guard　from　among　my　people　as　he　sees　fit。　My　household　shall　provide　him　his　living；　but　even　that　charge　I　shall　give　to　someone　else。　If　I　undertook　it　myself　I　fear　my　impartiality　might　be　doubted；　after　what　has　happened。〃
　A　good　girl；　Cadfael　thought；　translating　this　for　Robert's　benefit　rather　less　than　for　John's。　Clever　enough　to　step　resolutely　round　any　actual　lies　even　when　she　was　thus　wrung　by　one　disaster　after　another；　and　generous　enough　to　mink　for　the　wants　and　wishes　of　others。　The　someone　else　who　would　be　charged　with　seeing　Brother　John　decently　housed　and　fed　was　standing　cheek　to　cheek　with　her　mistress　as　she　spoke；　fair　head　against　dark　head。　A　formidable　pair！　But　they　might　not　have　found　this　unexpected　and　promising　path　open　to　them　but　for　the　innocence　of　celibate　parish　priests。
　〃That　may　be　the　best　plan；〃　said　Prior　Robert；　chilly　but　courteous；　〃and　I　thank　you　for　your　dutiful　offer；　daughter。　Keep　him　straitly；　see　he　has　what　he　needs　for　life；　but　no　more。　He　is　in　great　peril　of　his　soul；　his　body　may　somewhat　atone。　If　you　permit；　we　will　go　before　and　bestow　him　securely；　and　let　your　uncle　know　what　has　happened；　so　that　he　may　send　down　to　you　and　bring　you　home。　I　will　not　intrude　longer　on　a　house　of　mourning。〃
　〃I　will　show　you　the　way；〃　said　Annest；　stepping　demurely　from　Sioned's　side。
　〃Hold　him　fast！〃　warned　the　prior；　as　they　massed　to　follow　her　uphill　through　the　woods。　Though　he