epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第28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！


othing　but　good。〃　And　you　more　good　still；　he　thought　but　did　not　say。　〃Let　your　son　rest；　too；　and　never　say　another　word　about　his　trouble　but　by　the　way；　like　any　other　daily　business；　unless　he　speaks　up　first。　Father　Huw　will　take　care　of　him　faithfully。〃
　〃I　will；〃　said　Huw。　〃He's　worth　our　efforts。〃
　Dame　Branwen　went　amiably　where　she　was　led；　and　the　house　was　wonderfully　quiet。　Cadfael　and　Huw　went　out　together；　pursued　as　far　as　the　gate　by　Cadwallon's　distracted　gratitude。　When　they　were　well　away　from　the　holding；　at　the　end　of　the　stockade；　the　quietness　of　the　dusk　came　down　on　them　softly；　a　cloud　descending　delicately　upon　a　cloud。
　〃In　time　for　supper；　if　not　for　Vespers；〃　said　Huw　wearily。　〃What　should　we　have　done　without　you；　Brother　Cadfael？　I　have　no　skill　at　all　with　women；　they　confuse　me　utterly。　I　marvel　how　you　have　learned　to　deal　with　them　so　ably；　you；　a　cloistered　brother。〃
　Cadfael　thought　of　Bianca；　and　Arianna；　and　Mariam；　and　all　the　others；　some　known　so　briefly；　all　so　well。
　〃Both　men　and　women　partake　of　the　same　human　nature；　Huw。　We　both　bleed　when　we're　wounded。　That's　a　poor；　silly　woman；　true；　but　we　can　show　plenty　of　poor；　silly　men。　There　are　women　as　strong　as　any　of　us；　and　as　able。〃　He　was　thinking　of　Mariam…or　was　it　of　Sioned？　〃You　go　to　supper；　Huw；　and　hold　me　excused；　and　if　I　can　be　with　you　before　pline；　I　will。　I　have　some　business　fast　at　Bened's　smithy。〃
　The　empty　phial　swung　heavily　in　the　pocket　in　his　right　sleeve；　reminding　him。　His　mind　was　still　busy　with　the　implications。　Before　ever　he　reached　Bened's　croft　he　had　it　clear　in　his　mind　what　must　be　done；　but　was　no　nearer　knowing　how　to　set　about　it。
　Cai　was　with　Bened　on　the　bench　under　the　eaves；　with　a　jug　of　rough　wine　between　them。　They　were　not　talking；　only　waiting　for　him　to　appear；　and　there　could　be　no　reason　for　that；　but　that　Sioned　had　told　them　positively　that　he　would。
　〃A　fine　tangle　it　turns　out；〃　said　Bened；　shaking　his　grizzled　head。　〃And　now　you'll　be　off　and　leave　us　holding　it。　No　blame　to　you；　you　have　to　go　where　your　duty　is。　But　what　are　we　to　do　about　Rhisiart　when　you're　gone？　There's　more　than　half　this　parish　thinks　your　Benedictines　have　killed　him；　and　the　lesser　half　thinks　some　enemy　here　has　taken　the　chance　to　blame　you；　and　get　clean　away　into　cover。　We　were　a　peaceful　munity　until　you　came；　nobody　looked　for　murder　among　us。〃
　〃God　knows　we　never　meant　to　bring　it；〃　said　Cadfael。　〃But　there's　still　tonight　before　we　go；　and　I　haven't　shot　my　last　bolt　yet。　1　must　speak　with　Sioned。　We've　things　to　do；　and　not　much　time　for　doing　them。〃
　〃Drink　one　cup　with　us　before　you　go　in　to　her；〃　insisted　Cai。　〃That　takes　no　time　at　all；　and　is　a　powerful　aid　to　thought。〃
　They　were　seated　all　together；　three　simple；　honest　men；　and　the　wine　notably　lower　in　the　jug；　when　someone　turned　in　at　the　gate；　light　feet　came　running　in　great　haste　along　the　path；　and　suddenly　there　was　Annest　confronting　them；　skirts　flying　and　settling　about　her　like　wings　folding；　her　breath　short　and　laboured；　and　excitement　and　consternation　in　her　face。　And　ready　to　be　indignant　at　the　very　sight　of　them　sitting　peacefully　drinking　wine。
　〃You'd　better　stir　yourselves；〃　she　said；　panting　and　sparkling。　〃I've　been　along　to　Father　Huw's　house　to　see　what's　going　on　there…Marared　and　Edwin　between　them　have　been　keeping　an　eye　open　for　us。　Do　you　know　who's　there　taking　supper　with　the　Benedictines？　Griffith　ap　Rhys；　the　bailiff！　And　do　you　know　where　he's　bound；　afterwards？　Up　to　our　house；　to　take　Brother　John　to　prison！〃
　They　were　on　their　feet　fast　enough　at　this　news；　though　Bened　dared　to　question　it。　〃He　can't　be　there！　The　last　I　heard　of　him　he　was　at　the　mill。〃
　〃And　that　was　this　morning；　and　I　tell　you　now　he's　eating　and　drinking　with　Prior　Robert　and　the　rest。　I've　seen　him　with　my　own　eyes；　so　don't　tell　me　he　can't　be　there。　And　here　I　find　you　sitting　on　your　hams　drinking；　as　though　we　had　all　the　time　in　the　world！〃
　〃But　why　in　such　a　hurry　tonight？〃　persisted　Bened。　〃Did　the　prior　send　for　him；　because　he's　wanting　to　be　away　tomorrow？〃
　〃The　devil　was　in　it！　He　came　to　Vespers　just　by　way　of　pliment　to　Father　Huw；　and　who　should　he　find　celebrating　instead　but　Prior　Robert；　and　the　prior　seized　on　it　as　just　the　chance　he　wanted；　and　has　hung　on　to　him　and　persuaded　him　Brother　John　must　be　taken　in　charge　tonight；　for　he　can't　leave　without　knowing　he's　safely　in　the　hands　of　the　law。　He　says　the　bailiff　should　deal　with　him　for　the　secular　offence　of　hindering　the　arrest　of　a　criminal；　and　when　he's　served　his　penalty　he's　to　be　sent　back　to　Shrewsbury　to　answer　for　his　defiance　of　discipline；　or　else　the　prior　will　send　an　escort　to　fetch　him。　And　what　could　the　bailiff　do　but　fall　in　with　it；　when　it　was　put　to　him　like　that？　And　here　you　sit…！〃
　〃All　right；　girl；　all　right；〃　said　Cai　placatingly。　〃I'm　off　this　minute；　and　Brother　John　will　be　out　of　there　and　away　to　a　safe　place　before　ever　the　bailiff　gets　near　us。　I'll　take　one　of　your　ponies；　Bened。。。。〃
　〃Saddle　another　for　me；〃　said　Annest　with　determination。　〃I'm　ing　with　you。〃
　Cai　went　off　at　a　jogtrot　to　the　paddock；　and　Annest；　drawing　breath　more　easily　now　that　the　worst　was　told；　drank　off　the　wine　he　had　left　in　his　cup；　and　heaved　a　huge；　resolute　sigh。
　〃We'd　better　be　out　of　here　fast；　for　that　young　brother　who　looks　after　the　horses　now　will　be　coining　down　after　supper　to　get　them。　The　prior　means　to　be　there　to　see　John　safe　bound。　'There's　time　yet　before　pline；'　he　said。　He　was　plaining　of　wanting　you；　too；　to　interpret　for　him；　they　were　managing　lamely　with　only　Latin　between　them。　Dear　God；　what　a　day　it's　been！〃
　And　what　a　night；　thought　Cadfael；　it's　still　likely　to　be。　〃What　else　was　going　on　there？〃　he　asked。　〃Did　you　hear　anything　that　might　give　me　a　light？　For　heaven　knows　I　need　one！〃
　〃They　were　debating　which　one　of　them　should　watch　the　night　through　at　the　chapel。　And　that　same　young　fair　one；　the　one　who　has　visions；　up　and　prayed　it　might　be　him。　He　said　he'd　been　unfaithful　to　his　watch　once；　and　longed　still　to　make　amends。　And　the　prior　said　he　might。　That　much　I　understood　myself。　All　the　prior's　thinking　about　seems　to　be　making　all　the　trouble　he　can　for　John；〃　said　Annest　resentfully；　〃or　I　should　think　he　might　have　sent　somebody　else　instead。　That　young　brother…what　is　it　you　call　him？〃
　〃Columbanus；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael。
　〃That's　him；　Columbanus！　He　begins　to　put　on　airs　as　if　he　owned　Saint　Winifred。　I　don't　want　her　to　go　away　at　all；　but　at　least　it　was　the　prior　who　first　thought　of　it；　and　now　if　there's　a　halo　for　anybody　it's　shifted　to　this　other　fellow's　head。〃
　She　did　not　know　it；　but　she　had　indeed　given　Cadfael　a　light；　and　with　every　word　she　said　it　burned　more　steadily。　〃So　he's　to　be　the　one　who　watches　the　night　through　before　the　altar…and　alone；　is　he？〃
　〃So　I　heard。〃　Cai　was　ing　with　the　ponies；　at　a　gay　trot　out　of　the　meadow。　Annest　rose　eagerly　and　kilted　her　gown；　knotting　her　girdle　tightly　about　the　broad　pleat　she　drew　up　over　her　hips。　〃Brother　Cadfael；　you　don't　think　it　wrong　of　me　to　love　John？　Or　of　him　to　love　me？　I　don't　care　about　the　rest　of　them；　but　I　should　be　sorry　if　you　thought　we　were　doing　something　wicked。〃
　Cai　had　not　bothered　with　a　saddle　for　himself；　but　had　provided　one　for　her。　Quite　simply　and　naturally　Brother
　Cadfael　cupped　his　hands　for　her　foot；　to　give　her　a　lift　on　to　the　pony's　broad　back；　and　the　fresh　scent　of　her　linen　and　the　smooth　coolness　of　her　ankle　against　his　wrists　as　she　mounted　made　one　of　the　best　moments　of　that　interminably　long　and　chaotic　day。　〃As　long　a　I　may　live；　girl；〃　he　said；　〃I　doubt　if　I　shall　ever　know　two　creatures　with　less　wickedness　between　them。　He　made　a　mistake；　and　there　should　be　provision　for　everybody　to　make　one　fresh　start。　I　don't　think　he's　making　any　mistake　this　time。〃
　He　watched　her　ride　away；　setting　an　uphill　pace　to　which　Cai　adapted　himself　goodhumouredly。　They　had　a　fair　start；　it　would　be　ten　minutes　or　more　yet　before　Columbanus　came　to　fetch　the　horses；　and　even　then　he　had　to　take　them　back　to　the　parsonage。　It　might　be　well　to　put　in　an　appearance　and　go　with　Robert　dutifully　to　interpret　his　fulminations；　too；　in　which　case　there　was　need　of　haste；　for　he　had　now　a　great　deal　to　say　to　Sioned；　and　this　night's　moves　must　be　planned　thoroughly。　He　withdrew　into　the　croft　as　soon　as　Annest　and　Cai　were　out　of　sight；　and　Sioned　came　out　of　the　shadows　eagerly　to　meet　him。
　〃I　expected　Annest　to　be　here　before　you。　She　went　to　find　out　what's　happening　at　Father　Huw's。　I　thought　best　to　stay　out　of　sight。　If　people　think　I'm　away　home；　so　much　the　better。　You　haven't　seen　Annest？〃
　〃I　have；　and　heard　all　her　news；〃　said　Cadfael；　and　told　her　what　was　in　the　wind；　and　where　Annest　was　gone。　〃Never　fear　for　John；　they'll　be　there　well　ahead　of　any　pursuit。　We　have　other　business；　and　no　time　to　waste；　for　I　shall　be　expected　to　ride　with　the　prior；　and　it's　as　well。　I　should　be　there　to　see　fair　play。　If　we　manage　our　business　as　well　as　I　fancy　Cai　and　Annest　will　manage　theirs；　before　morning　we　may　know　what　we　want　to　know。〃
　〃You've　found　out　something；〃　she　said　with　certainty。　〃You　are　changed。　You　are　sure！〃
　He　told　her　briefly　all　that　had　happened　at　Cadwallon's　house；　how　he　had　brooded　upon　it　without　enlightenment　as　to　how　it　was　to　be　used；　and　how　Annest　in　innocence　had　shown　him。　Then　he　told　her　what　he　required　of　her。
　〃I　know　you　can　speak　English；　you　must　use　it　tonight。
　This　may　be　a　more　dangerous　trap　than　any　we've　laid　before；　but　I　shall　be　close　by。　And　you　may　call　in　Engelard；　too；　if　he'll　promise　to　stay　close　in　cover。　But；　child；　if　you　have　any　doubts　or　fears；　if　you'd　rather　let　be；　and　have　me　try　some　other　way；　say　so　now；　and　so　be　it。〃
　〃No；〃　she　said；　〃no　doubts　and　no　fears。　I　can　do　anything。　I　dare　do　anything。〃
　〃Then　sit　down　with　me；　and　learn　your　part　well；　for　we　haven't　long。　And　while　we　plan；　can　I　ask　you　to　bring　me　some　bread　and　a　morsel　of　cheese？　For　I've　missed　my　supper。〃
　Prior　Robert　and　Brother　Richard　rode　into　Rhisiart's　yard　with　the　prince's　bailiff　between　them；　his　two　henchmen　and　Brother　Cadfael　close　behind；　at　about　half　past　seven；　in　a　mild　twilight；　with　all　the　unhurried　ceremony　of　the　law；　rather　as　if　Griffith　ap　Rhys　held　his　mission　from　Saint　Benedict；　and　not　from　Owain　Gwynedd。　The　bailiff　was；　in　fact；　more　than　a　little　vexed　at　this　unfortunate　encounter；　which　had　left　him　no　alternative　but　to　ply　with　Robert's　demands。　An　offence　against　Welsh　law　was　alleged；　and　had　been　reported　to　him；　and　he　was　obliged　to　investigate　it；　where；　considering　the　circumstances；　he　would　much　have　preferred　to　pack　all　the　Benedictine　delegation　back　to　Shrewsbury；　and　let　them　sort　out　their　own　grudges　there；　without　bothering　a　busy　man　who　had　plenty　of　more　important　things　on　his　mind。　Unhappily　Cadwallon's　villein；　the　long…legged　fellow　who　had　been　brought　down　by　Brother　John；　had　given　vociferous　evidence　in　support　of　the　accusation；　or　it　would　have　been　easier　to　ignore　it。
　There　was　no　one　on　duty　at　the　gate