epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第18章

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d　gone　anywhere　he　chose。
　〃Son；〃　said　Prior　Robert；　in　an　indulgent　voice　he　would　certainly　never　have　used　to　Brother　John；　〃your　fault　is　human；　and　frailty　is　in　our　nature。　And　you　redeem　your　own　error；　in　defending　your　brother。　Why　did　you　not　tell　us　of　this　yesterday？〃
　〃Father；　how　could　I？　There　was　no　opportunity；　before　we　learned　of　Rhisiart's　death。　Thus　burdened；　how　could　I　burden　you　further　at　that　time？　I　kept　it　for　this　chapter；　the　right　place　for　erring　brothers　to　receive　their　penance；　and　make　their　abasement。　As　I　do　abase　myself；　as　all　unworthy　the　vocation　I　chose。　Speak　out　sentence　on　me；　for　I　desire　penance。〃
　The　prior　was　opening　his　lips　to　give　judgment；　patiently　enough；　for　such　devout　submission　and　awareness　of　guilt　disarmed　him；　when　they　were　distracted　by　the　clap　of　the　wooden　bar　of　the　garden　gate；　and　there　was　Father　Huw　himself　advancing　across　the　grass　towards　them；　hair　and　beard　even　more　disordered　than　usual；　and　his　eyes　heavy　and　resolved　and　calm。
　〃Father　Prior；〃　he　said；　halting　before　them；　〃I　have　just　e　from　holding　council　with　Cadwallon；　and　Rhys；　and　Meurice；　and　all　the　men　of　substance　in　my　parish。　It　was　the　best　opportunity；　though　I'm　sad　indeed　about　the　cause。　They　all　came　to　the　mourning　for　Rhisiart。　Every　man　there　knew　how　he　had　been　struck　down；　and　how　such　a　fate　was　prophesied。。。。〃
　〃God　forbid；〃　said　Prior　Robert　hastily；　〃that　I　should　threaten　any　man's　death。　I　said　that　Saint　Winifred　would　be　revenged　in　her　own　time　on　the　man　who　stood　in　the　way　and　did　her　offence；　I　never　said　word　of　killing。〃
　〃But　when　he　was　dead　you　did　claim　that　this　was　the　saint's　vengeance。　Every　man　there　heard　it；　and　most　believed。　I　took　this　chance　of　conferring　with　them　again　in　the　matter。　They　do　not　wish　to　do　anything　that　is　against　the　will　of　heaven；　nor　to　give　offence　to　the　Benedictine　order　and　the　abbey　of　Shrewsbury。　They　do　not　think　it　right　or　wise；　after　what　has　happened；　even　to　put　any　man；　woman　or　child　of　Gwytherin　in　peril。　I　am　missioned；　Father　Prior；　to　tell　you　that　they　withdraw　all　opposition　to　your　plans。　The　relics　of　Saint　Winifred　are　yours　to　take　away　with　you。〃
　Prior　Robert　drew　a　great　breath　of　triumph　and　joy；　and　whatever　will　he　might　have　had　to　deal　even　the　lightest　punishment　left　him　in　an　instant。　It　was　everything　he　had　hoped　for。　Brother　Columbanus；　still　kneeling；　cast　up　his　eyes　radiantly　towards　heaven　and　clasped　his　hands　in　gratitude；　and　somehow　contrived　to　look　as　though　he　had　brought　about　this　desired　consummation　himself；　the　deprivation　caused　by　his　unfaithfulness　pensated　in　full　by　this　reward　of　his　penitence。　Brother　Jerome；　just　as　determined　to　impress　prior　and　priest　with　his　devotion；　threw　up　his　hands　and　uttered　a　reverent　Latin　invocation　of　praise　to　God　and　the　saints。
　〃I　am　certain；〃　said　Prior　Robert　magnanimously；　〃that　the　people　of　Gwytherin　never　wished　to　offend；　and　that　they　have　done　wisely　and　rightly　now。　I　am　glad；　for　them　as　for　my　abbey；　that　we　may　plete　our　work　here　and　take　our　leave　in　amity　with　you　all。　And　for　your　part　in　bringing　about　this　good　ending；　Father　Huw；　we　are　all　grateful。　You　have　done　well　for　your　parish　and　your　people。〃
　〃I　am　bound　to　tell　you；〃　said　Huw　honestly；　〃that　they　are　not　at　all　happy　at　losing　the　saint。　But　none　of　them　will　hinder　what　you　wish。　If　you　so　will；　we　will　take　you　to　the　burial　place　today。〃
　〃We　will　go　in　procession　after　the　next　Mass；〃　said　the　prior；　unwonted　animation　lighting　up　his　severe　countenance　now　that　he　had　his　own　way；　〃and　not　touch　food　until　we　have　knelt　at　Saint　Winifred's　altar　and　given　thanks。〃　His　eyes　lit　upon　Brother　Columbanus；　patiently　kneeling　and　gazing　upon　him　with　doglike　eyes；　still　insistent　upon　having　his　sin　recognised。　Robert　looked　faintly　surprised　for　a　moment；　as　if　he　had　forgotten　the　young　man's　existence。　〃Rise；　brother；　and　take　heart；　for　you　see　that　there　is　forgiveness　in　the　air。　You　shall　not　be　deprived　of　your　share　in　the　delight　of　visiting　the　virgin　saint　and　paying　honour　to　her。〃
　〃And　my　penance？〃　insisted　the　incorrigible　penitent。
　There　was　a　good　deal　of　iron　in　Brother　Columbanus's　meekness。
　〃For　penance　you　shall　undertake　the　menial　duties　that　fell　to　Brother　John；　and　serve　your　fellows　and　their　beasts　until　we　return　home。　But　your　part　in　the　glory　of　this　day　you　shall　have；　and　help　to　bear　the　reliquary　in　which　the　saint's　bones　are　to　rest。　We'll　carry　it　with　us；　and　set　it　up　before　the　altar。　Every　move　we　make　I　would　have　the　virgin　approve　plainly；　in　all　men's　sight。〃
　〃And　will　you　break　the　ground　today？〃　asked　Father　Huw　wearily。　No　doubt　he　would　be　glad　to　have　the　whole　episode　over　and　forgotten；　and　be　rid　of　them　all；　so　that　Gwytherin　could　settle　again　to　its　age…old　business；　though　short　of　one　good　man。
　〃No；〃　said　Prior　Robert　after　due　thought。　〃I　wish　to　show　forth　at　every　stage　our　willingness　to　be　guided；　and　the　truth　of　what　we　have　claimed；　that　our　mission　was　inspired　by　Saint　Winifred　herself。　I　decree　that　there　shall　be　three　nights　of　vigil　and　prayer　before　the　chapel　altar；　before　ever　we　break　the　sod；　to　confirm　to　all　that　what　we　are　doing　is　indeed　right　and　blessed。　We　are　six　here；　if　you　will　join　us；　Father　Huw。　Two　by　two　we　will　be　watching　nightlong　in　the　chapel；　and　pray　to　be　guided　rightly。〃
　They　took　up　the　silver…inlaid　coffin　made　in　implicit　faith　in　Shrewsbury；　and　carried　it　in　procession　up　through　the　woods；　past　Cadwallon's　house；　taking　the　right…hand　path　that　led　them　obliquely　away　from　the　scene　of　Rhisiart's　death；　until　they　came　to　a　small　clearing　on　a　hillside；　ringed　round　on　three　sides　by　tall；　thick　clumps　of　hawthorn；　then　in　snowy　bloom。　The　chapel　was　of　wood；　dark　with　age；　small　and　shadowy　within；　a　tiny　bell…turret　without　a　bell　leaning　over　the　doorway。　Round　it　the　old　graveyard　lay　spread　like　billowing　green　skirts；　thick　with　herbs　and　brambles　and　tall　grasses。　By　the　time　they　reached　this　place　they　had　a　silent　and　ever…growing　pany　of　local　inhabitants　following　them；　curious；　submissive；　wary。　There　was　no　way　of　telling　whether　they　still　felt　resentment。　Their　eyes　were　steady；　observant　and　opaque；　determined　to　miss　nothing　and　give　nothing　away。
　At　the　sagging　wooden　gate　that　still　hung　where　the　path　entered；　Prior　Robert　halted；　and　made　the　sign　of　the　cross　with　large；　grave　gestures。　〃Wait　here！〃　he　said；　when　Huw　would　have　led　him　forward。　〃Let　us　see　if　prayer　can　guide　my　feet；　for　I　have　prayed。　You　shall　not　show　me　the　saint's　grave。　I　will　show　it　to　you；　if　she　will　be　my　aid。〃
　Obediently　they　stood　and　watched　his　tall　figure　advance　with　measured　steps；　as　if　he　felt　his　way；　the　skirts　of　his　habit　sweeping　through　the　tangles　of　grass　and　flowers。　Without　hesitation　and　without　haste　he　made　his　way　to　a　little；　overgrown　mound　aligned　with　the　east　end　of　the　chapel；　and　sank　to　his　knees　at　its　head。
　〃Saint　Winifred　lies　here；〃　he　said。
　Cadfael　thought　about　it　every　step　of　the　way；　as　he　went　up　through　the　woods　that　afternoon　to　Rhisiart's　hall。　A　man　could　count　on　Prior　Robert　to　be　impressive；　but　that　little　miracle　had　been　a　master…stroke。　The　breathless　hush；　the　rippling　outbreak　of　ment　and　wonder　and　awe　among　the　men　of　Gwytherin　were　with　him　still。　No　question　but　the　remotest　villein　hut　and　the　poorest　free　holding　in　the　parish　would　be　buzzing　with　the　news　by　now。　The　monks　of　Shrewsbury　were　vindicated。　The　saint　had　taken　their　prior　by　the　hand　and　led　him　to　her　grave。　No；　the　man　had　never　before　been　to　that　place；　nor　had　the　grave　been　marked　in　any　way；　by　a　belated　attempt　to　cut　the　brambles　from　it；　for　instance。　It　was　as　it　had　always　been；　and　yet　he　had　known　it　from　all　the　rest。
　No　use　at　all　pointing　out；　to　a　crowd　swayed　by　emotion；　that　if　Prior　Robert　had　not　previously　been　to　the　chapel；　Brothers　Jerome　and　Columbanus；　his　most　faithful　adherents；　had；　only　the　previous　day；　and　with　the　boy　Edwin　to　guide　them；　and　what　more　probable　than　that　one　of　them　should　have　asked　the　child　the　whereabouts　of　the　lady　they　had　e　all　this　way　to　find？
　And　now；　with　this　triumph　already　establishing　his　claim；　Robert　had　given　himself　three　whole　days　and　nights　of　delay；　in　which　other；　similar　prodigies　might　well　confirm　his　ascendancy。　A　very　bold　step；　but　then；　Robert　was　a　bold　and　resourceful　man；　quite　capable　of　gambling　his　chances　of　providing　further　miracles　against　any　risk　of　contrary　chance　refuting　him。　He　meant　to　leave　Gwytherin　with　what　he　had　e　for；　but　to　leave　it；　if　not　fully　reconciled；　then　permanently　cowed。　No　scuttling　away　in　haste　with　his　prize　of　bones；　as　though　still　in　terror　of　being　thwarted。
　But　he　could　not　have　killed　Rhisiart；　thought　Cadfael　with　certainty。　That　I　know。　Could　he　have　gone　so　far　as　to　procure。。。　？　He　considered　the　possibility　honestly；　and　discarded　it。　Robert　he　endured；　disliked；　and　in　a　fashion　admired。　At　Brother　John's　age　he　would　have　detested　him；　but　Cadfael　was　old；　experienced　and　grown　tolerant
　He　came　to　the　gatehouse　of　Rhisiart's　holding；　a　wattle　hut　shored　into　a　corner　of　the　palisade　fence。　The　man　knew　him　again　from　yesterday；　and　let　him　in　freely。　Cai　came　across　the　enclosed　court　to　meet　him；　grinning。　All　grins　here　were　somewhat　soured　and　chastened　now；　but　a　spark　of　inward　mischief　survived。
　〃Have　you　e　to　rescue　your　mate？〃　asked　Cai。　〃I　doubt　he　wouldn't　thank　you；　he's　lying　snug；　and　feeding　like　a　fighting　cock；　and　no　threats　of　the　bailiff　yet。　She's　said　never　a　word；　you　may　be　sure；　and　Father　Huw　would　be　in　no　hurry。　I　reckon　we've　a　couple　of　days　yet；　unless　your　prior　makes　it　his　business；　where　it's　none。　And　if　he　does；　we　have　boys　out　will　give　us　plenty　of　notice　before　any　horseman　reaches　the　gate。　Brother　John's　in　good　hands。〃
　It　was　Engelard's　fellow…worker　speaking；　the　man　who　knew　him　as　well　as　any　in　this　place。　Clearly　Brother　John　had　established　himself　with　his　gaoler；　and　Cai's　mission　was　rather　to　keep　the　threatening　world　from　him；　than　to　keep　him　from　sallying　forth　into　the　world。　When　the　key　was　needed　for　the　right　purpose；　it　would　be　provided。
　〃Take　care　for　your　own　head；〃　said　Cadfael；　though　without　much　anxiety。　They　knew　what　they　were　doing。　〃Your　prince　may　have　a　lawyer's　mind；　and　want　to　keep　in　with　the　Benedictines　along　the　border。〃
　〃Ah；　never　fret！　An　escaped　felon　can　be　nobody's　fault。　And　everybody's　quarry　and　nobody's　prize！　Have　you　never　hunted　zealously　in　all　the　wrong　places　for　something　you　desired　not　to　find？〃
　〃Say　no　more；〃　said　Cadfael；　〃or　I　shall　have　to　stop　my　ears。　And　tell　the　lad　I　never　even　asked　after　him；　for　I　know　there's　no　need。〃
　〃Would　you　be　wishing　to　have　a　gossip　with　him？〃　offered　Cai　generously。　〃He's　lodged　over　yonder　in　a　nice　little　stable　that's　clean　and　empty；　and　he　gets　his　meals　princely；　I　tell　you！〃
　〃Tell　me　nothing；　for　I　might　be　asked；〃　said　Cadfael。　〃A　blind　eye　and　a　deaf　ear　can　be　useful　sometimes。　I'll　be　glad　to　spend　a　while　with　you　presently；　but　now　I'm　bound　to　her。　We　have　b