epeters.amorbidtasteforbones-第32章

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　〃And　I　wonder；　now；〃　he　said　at　length；　〃what　made　you　improve　on　all　the　speeches　I　made　for　you；　and　put　such　fiery　words　into　Saint　Winifred's　mouth？　What　put　it　into　your　head　to　say　that　you'd　never　wanted　to　leave　Gwytherin；　and　did　not　want　it　now？　That　Rhisiart　was　not　merely　a　decent；　honest　man；　but　your　chosen　champion？〃
　She　turned　and　looked　at　him　in　astonishment　and　wonder。　〃Did　I　say　that？〃
　〃You　did；　and　very　well　you　delivered　it；　too。　And　very　proper　and　apt　it　sounded；　but　I　think　we　never　rehearsed　it　so。　Where　did　you　get　the　words？〃
　〃I　don't　know；〃　said　Sioned；　puzzled。　〃I　don't　remember　what　I　did　say。　The　words　seemed　to　e　freely　of　themselves；　I　only　let　them　flow。〃
　〃It　may　be；〃　said　Engelard；　〃that　the　saint　was　taking　her　chance　when　it　offered。　All　these　strangers　having　visions　and　ecstasies；　and　interpreting　them　to　suit　themselves；　yet　nobody　ever　really　asked　Saint　Winifred　what　she　wanted。　They　all　claimed　they　knew　better　than　she　did。〃
　〃Out　of　the　mouths　of　innocents！〃　said　Cadfael　to　himself；　and　pondered　the　road　that　was　gradually　opening　before　his　mind's　eye。　Of　all　the　people　who　ought　to　be　left　happy　with　the　oute；　Saint　Winifred　should　surely　e　first。　Aim；　he　thought；　at　making　everybody　happy；　and　if　that's　within　reach；　why　stir　up　any　kind　of　unpleasantness？　Take　Columbanus；　for　instance！　Only　a　few　hours　ago　at　pline　he　prayed　aloud　before　us　all　that　if　the　virgin　deemed　him　worthy；　he　might　be　taken　up　out　of　this　world　this　very　night；　translated　instantly　out　of　the　body。　Well；　that　was　one　who　got　his　wish！　Maybe　he'd　have　withdrawn　his　request　if　he'd　known　it　was　going　to　be　taken　up　so　literally；　for　its　purpose　was　rather　to　reflect　inparable　holiness　upon　him　while　he　was　still　alive　to　enjoy　it。　But　saints　have　a　right　to　suppose　that　their　devotees　mean　what　they　say；　and　bestow　gifts　accordingly。　And　if　the　saint　has　really　spoken　through　Sioned；　he　thought…and　who　am　I　to　question　it？…if　she　really　wants　to　stay　here　in　her　own　village；　which　is　a　reasonable　enough　wish；　well；　the　plot　where　she　used　to　sleep　has　been　newly　turned　today；　no　one　will　notice　anything　if　it's　turned　again　tonight。
　〃I　believe；〃　said　Sioned；　watching　him　with　the　first　faint　smile；　wan　but　trusting；　〃you're　beginning　to　see　your　way。〃
　〃I　believe；〃　said　Cadfael；　〃I'm　beginning　to　see　our　way；　which　is　more　to　the　point。　Sioned；　I　have　something　for　you　to　do；　and　you　need　not　hurry；　we　have　work　to　do　here　while　you're　away。　Take　that　sheet　of　yours；　and　go　and　spread　it　under　the　may　trees　in　the　hedge；　where　they're　beginning　to　shed；　but　not　yet　brown；　Shake　the　bushes　and。　bring　us　a　whole　cloud　of　petals。　The　last　time　she　visited　him；　it　was　with　wondrous　sweet　odours　and　a　shower　of　white　flowers。　Bring　the　one；　and　we　shall　have　the　other。〃
　Confidently；　understanding　nothing　as　yet；　she　took　the　linen　sheet　from　which　she　had　unwound　herself　as　from　a　shroud；　and　went　to　do　his　bidding。
　〃Give　me　the　dagger；〃　said　Cadfael　briskly　when　she　was　gone。　He　wiped　the　blade　on　the　veil　Columbanus　had　torn　from　Sioned's　head；　and　moved　the　candles　so　that　they　shone　upon　the　great　red　seals　that　closed　Winifred's　reliquary。　〃Thank　God　he　didn't　bleed；〃　he　said。　〃His　habit　and　clothes　are　unmarked。　Strip　him！〃
　And　he　fingered　the　first　seal；　nodded　satisfaction　at　its　fatness　and　the　thinness　and　sharpness　of　the　dagger；　and　thrust　the　tip　of　the　blade　into　the　flame　of　the　lamp。
　Long　before　daylight　they　were　ready。　They　walked　down　all　three　together　from　the　chapel　towards　the　village；　and　separated　at　the　edge　of　the　wood；　where　the　shortest　path　turned　off　uphill　towards　Rhisiart's　holding。
　Sioned　carried　with　her　the　blood…stained　sheet　and　veil；　and　the　fragments　of　glass　they　had　buried　in　the　forest。　A　good　thing　the　servants　who　had　filled　in　Rhisiart's　grave　had　left　their　spades　on　the　scene；　meaning　to　tidy　the　mound　next　day。　That　had　saved　a　journey　to　borrow　without　leave；　and　a　good　hour　of　time。
　〃There'll　be　no　scandal；〃　said　Cadfael；　when　they　halted　at　the　place　where　the　paths　divided。　〃No　scandal；　and　no　accusations。　I　think　you　may　take　him　home　with　you；　but　keep　him　out　of　sight　until　we're　gone。　There'll　be　peace　when　we're　gone。　And　you　needn't　fear　that　the　prince　or　his　bailiff　will　ever　proceed　further　against　Engelard；　any　more　than　against　John。　I'll　speak　a　word　in　Peredur's　ear；　Peredur　will　speak　it　into　the　bailiff's　ear；　the　bailiff　will　speak　it　into　Owain　Gwynedd's　ear…Father　Huw　we'll　leave　out　of　it；　no　need　to　burden　his　conscience；　the　good；　simple　man。　And　if　the　monks　of　Shrewsbury　are　happy；　and　the　people　of　Gwytherin　are　happy…for　they'll　hear　the　whisper　fast　enough…why　should　anyone　want　to　upset　such　a　satisfactory　state　of　affairs；　by　speaking　the　word　aloud？　A　wise　prince…and　Owain　Gwynedd　seems　to　me　very　wise…will　let　well　alone。〃
　〃All　Gwytherin；〃　said　Sioned；　and　shivered　a　little　at　the　thought；　〃will　be　there　in　the　morning　to　watch　you　take　the　reliquary　away。〃
　〃So　much　the　better；　we　want　all　the　witnesses　we　can　have；　all　the　emotion；　all　the　wonder。　I　am　a　great　sinner；〃　said　Cadfael　philosophically；　〃but　I　feel　no　weight。　Does　the　end　justify　the　means；　I　wonder？〃
　〃One　thing　I　know；〃　she　said。　〃My　father　can　rest　now；　and　that　he　owes　to　you。　And　I　owe　you　that　and　more。　When　I　first　came　down　to　you　out　of　the　tree…you　remember？…I　thought　you　would　be　like　other　monks；　and　not　want　to　look　at　me。〃
　〃Child；　I　should　have　to　be　out　of　my　wits；　not　to　want　to　look　at　you。　I've　looked　so　attentively；　I　shall　remember　you　all　my　life。　But　your　love；　my　children；　and　how　you　manage　it…with　that　I　can't　help　you。〃
　〃No　need；〃　said　Engelard。　〃I　am　an　outlander；　with　a　proper　agreement。　That　agreement　can　be　dissolved　by　consent；　and　I　can　be　a　free　man　by　dividing　all　my　goods　equally　with　my　lord；　and　now　Sioned　is　my　lord。〃
　〃And　then　there　can　no　man　prevent；〃　said　Sioned；　〃if　I　choose　to　endow　him　with　half　my　goods；　as　is　only　fair。　Uncle　Meurice　won't　stand　in　our　way。　And　it　won't　even　be　hard　for　him　to　justify。　To　marry　an　heiress　to　an　outlander　servant　is　one　thing；　to　marry　her　to　a　free　man　and　heir　to　a　manor；　even　if　it's　in　England　and　can't　be　claimed　for　a　while；　is　quite　another。〃
　〃Especially；〃　said　Cadfael；　〃when　you　already　know　he's　the　best　hand　with　cattle　in　the　four　cantrefs。〃
　It　seemed　that　those　two；　at　any　rate；　were　satisfied。　And　Rhisiart　in　his　honoured　grave　would　not　grudge　them　their　happiness。　He　had　not　been　a　grudging　man。
　Engelard；　no　talker；　said　his　thanks　plainly　and　briefly　when　they　parted。　Sioned　turned　back　impulsively；　flung　her　arms　round　Cadfael's　neck；　and　kissed　him。　It　was　their　farewell；　for　he　had　thought　it　best　to　advise　them　not　to　show　themselves　at　the　chapel　again。　It　was　a　wry　touch　that　she　smelled　so　heady　and　sweet　with　flowering　may；　and　left　so　saintly　a　fragrance　in　his　arms　when　she　was　gone。
　On　his　way　down　to　the　parsonage　Cadfael　made　a　detour　to　the　mill…pond；　and　dropped　Columbanus's　dagger　into　the　deepest　of　the　dark　water。　What　a　good　thing；　he　thought；　making　for　the　bed　he　would　occupy　for　no　more　than　an　hour　or　so　before　Prime；　that　the　brothers　who　made　the　reliquary　were　such　meticulous　craftsmen；　and　insisted　on　lining　it　with　lead！
　
　Chapter　Eleven
　Prior　Robert　arose　and　went　to　the　first　service　of　the　day　in　so　great　content　with　his　success　that　he　had　almost　forgotten　about　the　escape　of　Brother　John；　and　even　when　he　remembered　that　one　unsatisfactory　particular；　he　merely　put　it　away　in　the　back　of　his　mind；　as　something　that　must　and　would　be　dealt　with　faithfully　in　good　time；　but　need　not　cloud　the　splendour　of　this　occasion。　And　it　was　indeed　a　clear；　radiant　morning；　very　bright　and　still；　when　they　came　from　the　church　and　turned　towards　the　old　graveyard　and　the　chapel；　and　all　the　congregation　fell　in　at　their　heels　and　followed；　and　along　the　way　others　appeared　silently　from　every　path；　and　joined　the　procession；　until　it　was　like　some　memorable　pilgrimage。　They　came　to　Cadwallon's　gatehouse；　and　Cadwallon　came　out　to　join　them；　and　Peredur；　who　had　hung　back　in　strict　obedience　to　his　orders　to　remain　at　home　until　his　penance　was　appointed；　was　kindly　bidden　forth　by　Father　Huw；　and　even　smiled　upon；　though　as　saint　to　sinner；　by　Prior　Robert。　Dame　Branwen；　if　not　still　asleep；　was　no　doubt　recuperating　after　her　vapours。　Her　menfolk　were　not　likely　to　be　very　pressing　in　their　invitations　to　her　to　go　with　them；　and　perhaps　she　was　still　punishing　them　by　withdrawing　herself。　Either　way；　they　were　relieved　of　her　presence。
　The　order　of　procession　having　only　a　loose　form；　brothers　and　villagers　could　mingle；　and　greet；　and　change　partners　as　they　willed。　It　was　a　munal　celebration。　And　that　was　strange；　considering　the　contention　that　had　threatened　it　for　some　days。　Gwytherin　was　playing　it　very　cautiously　now；　intent　on　seeing　everything　and　giving　nothing　away。
　Peredur　made　his　way　to　Cadfael's　side；　and　remained　there　thankfully；　though　silently。　Cadfael　asked　after　his　mother；　and　the　young　man　coloured　and　frowned；　and　then　smiled　guiltily　like　a　child；　and　said　that　she　was　very　well；　a　little　dreamy　still；　but　placid　and　amiable。
　〃You　can　do　Gwytherin　and　me　a　good　service；　if　you　will；〃　said　Brother　Cadfael；　and　confided　to　his　ear　the　work　he　had　in　mind　to　pass　on　to　Griffith　ap　Rhys。
　〃So　that's　the　way　it　is！〃　said　Peredur；　forgetting　altogether　about　his　own　unforgivable　sins。　His　eyes　opened　wide。　He　whistled　softly。　〃And　that's　the　way　you　want　it　left？〃
　〃That's　the　way　it　is；　and　that's　the　way　I　want　it　left。　Who　loses？　And　everyone　gains。　We；　you；　Rhisiart；　Saint　Winifred…Saint　Winifred　most　of　all。　And　Sioned　and　Engelard；　of　course；〃　said　Cadfael　firmly；　probing　the　penitent　to　the　heart。
　〃Yes。。。　I'm　glad　for　them！〃　said　Peredur；　a　shade　too　vehemently。　His　head　was　bent；　and　his　eyelids　lowered。　He　was　not　yet　as　glad　as　all　that；　but　he　was　trying。　The　will　was　there。　〃Given　a　year　or　two　longer；　nobody's　going　to　remember　about　the　deer　Engelard　took。　In　the　end　he'll　be　able　to　go　back　and　forth　to　Cheshire　if　he　pleases；　and　he'll　have　lands　when　his　father　dies。　And　once　he's　no　longer　reckoned　outlaw　and　felon　he'll　have　no　more　troubles。　I'll　get　your　word　to　Griffith　ap　Rhys　this　very　day。　He's　over　the　river　at　his　cousin　David's　but　Father　Huw　will　give　me　indulgence　if　it's　to　go　voluntarily　to　the　law。〃　He　smiled　wryly。　〃Very　apt　that　I　should　be　your　man！　I　can　unload　my　own　sins　at　the　same　time；　while　I'm　confiding　to　him　what　everyone　must　know　but　no　one　must　say　aloud。〃
　〃Good！〃　said　Brother　Cadfael；　contented。　〃The　bailiff
　will　do　the　rest。　A　word　to　the　prince；　and　that's　the　whole　business　settled。〃
　They　had　e　to　the　place　where　the　most　direct　path　from　Rhisiart's　holding　joined　with　their　road。　And　there　came　half　the　household　from　above；　Padrig　the　bard　nursing　his　little　portable　harp；　perhaps　bound　for　some　other　house　after　this　leavetaking。　Cai　the　ploughman　still　with　an　impressive　bandage　round　his　quite　intact　head；　an　artistic　lurch　to　his　gait；　and　a　shameless　gleam　in　his　one　exposed　eye。　No　Sioned；