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wasn’t even out of breath! As Edwin stood puffing and blowing with his hands on his knees, the monk flicked the massive cudgel nonchalantly up and looked with no trace of concern at the blood and hair stuck to it. He walked over to the first attacker, who was still lying prone in the road, and poked him with one sandalled foot. ‘Not dead, but it will take him a while to wake up.’ He used the unconscious man’s tunic to wipe the blood from the cudgel before returning to stow it in the mule’s pack. He stroked the animal, which was still looking wild-eyed, and spoke soothingly to it.
    How could he be so calm? Edwin’s own heart was still thumping hard inside him, as much from the shock as from the running. ‘But how – why – what I mean is, how did you do that?’
    ‘I wasn’t always a monk.’
    Edwin looked at him properly and noticed for the first time how tall and powerful he was; if it hadn’t been for the obvious signs of robe and tonsure Edwin would never have placed him as a member of the clergy. He opened his mouth to question further, but before he could say anything the other held out his hand. ‘Brother William, late of the abbey at Roche, but now sent by Abbot Reginald to be a clerk to the lord earl.’
    Edwin shook his hand, wincing as his own was crushed in a powerful grip, and belatedly remembered his manners. ‘ Benedicte , brother. I’m from the earl’s household myself.’ Lord, but it still sounded strange to say that out loud.
    The monk was looking him up and down with a quizzical expression. ‘Not one of his squires, I take it?’
    ‘No, brother, just a – ’ He wasn’t sure what the right word would be. ‘I’m just a man who serves him.’
    ‘And yet you were running to take on three armed men with only a dagger? I hope you know how to use it!’
    For the first time Edwin realised what an unbelievably foolhardy thing he’d done. Honestly, how could he have thought of fighting against three men? But he hadn’t even considered this as he’d run to help. He could feel his face growing redder. ‘Well, I’ve had one or two lessons.’ He fumbled as he sheathed the dagger, his fingers suddenly not wanting to work properly.
    There was a moment of silence before Brother William clapped him on the back. ‘You’re a brave lad, and if I have the opportunity I’ll tell the lord earl so. Now, can you tell me whether I’m on the right road for my lord’s castle at Conisbrough?’
    ‘Yes, just head this way past the fields and through the village. The road will take you straight there.’
    ‘Good.’ Brother William turned to go.
    ‘But what about him?’ Edwin asked, pointing at the man on the ground.’
    Brother William looked at the man and sniffed. ‘Well, I certainly don’t want to carry him, and I’ve nothing to tie him up with. We’ll just have to leave him here and hope he doesn’t wake up before someone can come and get him.’
    ‘But I should come back with you, to report this to Sir Geoffrey. And there might be others around.’
    The monk considered. ‘No, I’d guess they were on their own, so there’s no need to fear. If there were more near here, we’d know about it by now. But don’t worry, I’ll report it as soon as I get there, so you can be on your way.’ He turned again.
    As he was about to speak, Edwin heard the sound of voices and he stiffened, hand reaching for his dagger. But these sounded familiar, and as he looked up the road he could see four other men from the village. They were all carrying tools and were probably on their way from one set of fields to another. They called out a greeting as they saw Edwin. He told them briefly of what had happened and they all expressed surprise and some fear at there being outlaws so close to the castle. But work in the fields couldn’t stop, so it was agreed that they would all walk there together, while Brother William continued his journey to the castle. They set off, tools grasped tightly, peering about