Sanctuary Sparrow Read Online Free PDF Page B

midnight.”
    “Dead?” The sergeant, an honest man, gaped at the suggestion. “Not he! He’s knocked clean out of his wits, but it was not so desperate a blow as all that. If he hadn’t had a fair wash of drink in him he might have been fit to speak up for himself by now, but he’s still addled. It was a fair dunt someone gave him, but with a good hard head… No, he’s well alive, and will live his proper span if I’m a judge.”
    The witnesses, solid and sullen at his back, shifted their feet and looked elsewhere, but covertly came back to eyeing the abbot and the church door, and if they were discomfited at having their largest claims refuted, nonetheless held fast to their mortal grievance, and wanted a neck stretched for it.
    “It seems, then,” said the abbot composedly, “that the man we have in sanctuary is accused of wounding and robbing, but not of murder.”
    “So it stands. The evidence is that he was docked of his full fee because he broke a pitcher in his juggling, and complained bitterly when he was put out. And some time after that, this assault upon Master Aurifaber was made, while most of those invited were still there in the house, and vouched for.”
    “I well understand,” said the abbot, “that on such a charge you must enquire, and may justice be done. But I think you also know well the sacredness of sanctuary. It is not shelter against sin, it is the provision of a time of calm, when the guilty may examine his soul, and the innocent confide in his salvation. But it may not be violated. It has a period, but until that time is spent it is holy. For forty days the man you seek on this charge is ours—no, he belongs to God!—and he may not be haled forth, nor persuaded forth, nor any way removed against his will from these premises. He is ours to feed, to care for and to shelter, for those forty days.”
    “That I grant,” said the sergeant. “But there are conditions. He came of his own will within, he may enjoy only the allowance of food those within here enjoy.” Less than he did, by his lusty bulk, but surely more than Liliwin had ever enjoyed as his regular provision. “And when the respite is over, he may not again be supplied with food, but must come forth and submit himself to trial.”
    He was as iron-sure of his case here as was Radulfus in the days of grace, he voiced his mandate coldly. There would be no extension of the time allowed, after that they would make sure he starved until he came forth. It was fair. Forty days is consideration enough.
    “Then during that time,” said the abbot, “you agree that the man may rest here and study on his soul. My concern for justice is no less than yours, you know I will keep to terms, and neither make nor allow others to make any offer to help the man away out of hold and out of your reach. But it would be seemly to agree that he need not confine himself to the church, but have the freedom of the whole enclosure here, so that he may make use of the lavatorium and necessarium, take some exercise in the open air, and keep himself decent among us.”
    To that the sergeant agreed without demur. “Inside your pale, my lord, he may make free. But if he step one pace outside, my men will be ready and waiting for him.”
    “That is understood. Now, if you so wish, you may speak with the accused youth, in my presence, but without these witnesses. Those who charge him have told their story, it is fair that he should also tell his just as freely. After that, the matter must wait for trial and judgement hereafter.”
    Daniel opened his mouth as if to make furious protest, caught the abbot’s cold eye, and thought better of it. The henchmen at his back shuffled and muttered, but did not venture to be clearly heard. Only the provost spoke up, in the interests of the town in general.
    “My lord, I was not a guest at yesterday’s marriage, I have no direct knowledge of what befell. I stand here for the fair mind of Shrewsbury, and with your