A Rare Benedictine Read Online Free PDF Page B

and, taking him by the hand, led him softly
along the fence to the unfastened wicket in the great gate. Only when the door
was closed as softly behind them did he heave a great, thankful sigh.
    They
were out, it was done, and no one would be likely to learn of the escape until
morning, Cadfael led the way to where he had left his horse tethered. The
forest lay serene and quiet about them.
    “You
ride, Father, and I’ll walk with you. It’s no more than two miles into
Woodstock. We’re safe enough now.”
    Bewildered
and confused by so sudden a reversal, the prior confided and obeyed like a
child. Not until they were out on the silent highroad did he say sadly, “I have
failed of my mission. Son, may God bless you for this kindness which is beyond
my understanding. For how did you know of me, and how could you divine where to
find me? I understand nothing of what has been happening to me. And I am not a
very brave man... But my failure is no fault of yours, and my blessing I owe
you without stint.”
    “You
have not failed, Father,” said Cadfael simply. “The suit is still unheard, and
will be for three days more. All your companions are safe in Woodstock, except
that they fret and search for you. And if you know where they will be lodging,
I would recommend that you join them now, by night, and stay well out of sight
until the day the case is heard. For if this trap was designed to keep you from
appearing in the King’s court, some further attempt might yet be made. Have you
your evidences safe? They did not take them?”
    “Brother
Orderic, my clerk, was carrying the documents, but he could not conduct the
case in court. I only am accredited to represent my abbot. But, my son, how is
it that the case still goes unheard? The King keeps strict day and time, it’s
well known. How comes it that God and you have saved me from disgrace and
loss?”
    “Father,
for all too bitter reason the King could not be present.”
    Cadfael
told him the whole of it, how half the young chivalry of England had been wiped
out in one blow, and the King left without an heir. Prior Heribert, shocked and
dismayed, fell to praying in a grieving whisper for both dead and living, and
Cadfael walked beside the horse in silence, for what more was there to be said?
Except that King Henry, even in this shattering hour, willed that his justice
should still prevail, and that was virtue in any monarch. Only when they came
into the sleeping town did Cadfael again interrupt the prior’s fervent prayers
with a strange question.
    “Father,
was any man of your escort carrying steel? A dagger, or any such weapon?”
    “No,
no, God forbid!’ said the prior, shocked. “We have no use for arms. We trust in
God’s peace, and after it in the King’s.”
    “So
I thought,” said Cadfael, nodding. “It is another discipline, for another
venture.”
    By
the change in Mauduit’s countenance Cadfael knew the hour of the following day
when the news reached him that his prisoner was flown. All the rest of that day
he went about with nerves at stretch and ears pricked for any sensational
rumours being bandied around the town, and eyes roving anxiously in dread of
the sight of Prior Heribert in court or street, braced to pour out his
complaint to the King’s officers. But as the hours passed and still there was
no sign, he began to be a little eased in his mind, and to hope still for a
miraculous deliverance. The Benedictine brothers were seen here and there, mute
and sombre-faced; surely they could have had no word of their superior. There
was nothing to be done but set his teeth, keep his countenance, wait and hope.
    The
second day passed, and the third day came, and Mauduit’s hopes had soared
again, for still there was no word. He made his appearance before the King’s
judge confidently, his charters in hand. The abbey was the suitor. If all went
well, Roger would not even have to state his case,