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as you have sent me to the lord earl, my duty must lie with him. And indeed, he has need of me.’ He bowed his head. Edwin, who had come to know Brother William quite well since he had been part of the earl’s household, admired his strength of will. Nobody else seemed to notice.
    The abbot simply nodded. ‘So be it. But why have you come back with Brother Godfrey? Who are these boys? Could the earl’s man not be spared?’
    Here goes, thought Edwin. He watched as Brother William stood, and then he and Martin moved forward to stand next to the monk. Edwin felt small, in all senses.
    Brother William propelled him forward, and spoke a little more heartily than was required. ‘He’s here, Father. This is Edwin, the earl’s man, in whom he has full confidence. He has completed a number of missions for the lord earl with great success. And the other is his senior squire Martin. Have no fear – they will serve you well.’
    Edwin flushed as the abbot looked him up and down without speaking, but he didn’t lower his gaze. The second monk, who had remained silent all this time, stepped forward to the abbot and stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear before moving back while smiling encouragingly at Edwin.
    The abbot nodded and composed himself before speaking. ‘As Prior Henry points out, the Lord’s ways are often mysterious to men on earth. It may be that He has sent you to us in our hour of need for some greater purpose. And precept eight tells us that we should respect all men. Therefore, welcome.’
    He held out his hand and Edwin, not entirely sure of what he should do, genuflected briefly while putting the ring to his lips. The abbot’s fingers were cold, despite the warmth of the day.
    The abbot turned to Martin. ‘We have little use for arms or soldiers here, but you are most welcome also.’ Martin bowed, but didn’t move forward, kneel or speak.
    There was silence for a moment before the abbot broke it. ‘Now, we must speak of the business in hand. Brother William, you may return to the earl with my blessing, and report that his men are safe. I will find another to accompany me to France.’ He held up his hand and blessed the monk before dismissing him; Brother William gave Edwin an encouraging pat on the shoulder as he went past.
    Edwin hadn’t realised that he was going to lose his companion so soon and was assailed by panic. Who else was going to tell him how to behave? ‘What’s precept eight?’ he hissed under his breath.
    Brother William leaned in. ‘From the Rule of St Benedict, the laws by which we live. Father Abbot quotes it frequently; you’ll get used to it.’ He straightened. ‘Farewell Edwin, Martin. I’ll see you in a week at Conisbrough.’ He left and shut the door behind him.
    The abbot gestured to two stools; Edwin lowered himself on to one but Martin remained standing behind him while the abbot settled himself in the chair and the prior sat on the bench.
    Edwin thought he’d better start taking charge of the situation. ‘You’ve called me here, my lord, because one of your monks has been murdered?’
    The abbot nodded.
    ‘I’d like to know more. Who was he?’
    ‘He was Brother Alexander, who was master of the lay brothers. He was a good man, a clever man. He joined us some seven or eight years ago.’
    ‘How old was he?’
    The abbot spread his hands and turned to the prior, who shrugged. ‘In middle age – late middle age, perhaps? More than fifty, certainly, but not yet sixty.’
    ‘But he only took the cowl seven or eight years ago? What did he do before that?’
    ‘He was out in the world. He had travelled widely, which was why he was going to be my companion on the way to Citeaux.’
    ‘When did he die?’
    ‘On Wednesday morning.’
    Three days ago, thought Edwin. Hopefully the trail won’t have gone too cold. ‘How did it happen?’
    ‘He was stabbed, God rest his soul. In the back.’ The abbot crossed himself again.
    Well, that ruled out any lingering