Valley of Dry Bones mm-7 Read online

  “Like you,” the monk said, “I was conceived in lust, born of woman, and suffer mortal failings. Be assured, however, that God understands this and does forgive the truly penitent.”

  Simon said nothing. A muscle twitched in his cheek, and he shut his eyes as if fearing they might betray something deeply hidden in his soul.

  Thomas did not know which course he ought now to follow. Simon was of high enough birth to be named prior of some profitable house, should he choose God as his liege lord, and many of Thomas’ fellow priory monks had discovered that His service cooled passions over time. Even he had found comfort if not tranquility at Tyndal, although his own lusts took a different shape and rape had rendered him practically impotent.

  On the other hand, Simon could still marry and find relief with a wife for his rebellious genitals, if he had land or title enough to tempt fathers with too many daughters. Some followers of the Earl of Leicester had bought back the lands stripped away after the rebellion, although Thomas suspected Simon’s mother possessed neither the coin nor the means to acquire it. Or Queen Eleanor might persuade the king to show mercy, return a small portion of the lands, and demand little or no payment. If she wanted to reward Simon’s mother for faithful service at less cost to the royal coffers, the queen could also arrange a profitable marriage for the lad.

  Whatever path Simon might pursue, he needed direction to protect him from his own bad judgement and keep him from seeding a babe in the wrong woman. His current situation was difficult enough. The youth did not need to destroy any hope for reconciliation with the new king because he did something ill-considered.

  Simon sat ever so still.

  Telling the lad that he should honor his mother’s advice would do no good. Simon had already uttered contempt for feminine governance. Most religious would advise him to just exercise self-restraint and pray to dampen his obsession with lust, but Thomas recalled how quickly he and his friends had shoved aside such advice at the same age. It had taken prison, the loss of the man he had loved, and mocking impotence to learn that selfless deeds could numb the pain until he fell asleep and became vulnerable to dreams.

  His mind raced. He must find a path for Simon to follow that would accomplish a beneficial result without the horrible suffering he had experienced. The idea must also be something the youth had not heard too often and already rejected. At least it must surprise him into considered thought.

  The bench tipped over as Simon shoved away from the table and went to the altar. Bowing in reverence, he continued his silence as if he were deep in prayer.

  Annoyance scraped like a persistent rat at Thomas’ good intentions. Why did he suspect that everything Simon did was pretence? Shaking the thoughts away, he decided he must treat the youth’s visit as sincere until he found good evidence that proved falsehood.

  “Before I took vows,” he said, “I swyved many women. I could not even tell you the number. Here at Tyndal Priory, I have experienced a miraculous transformation. In this Order of Fontevraud, we serve a woman who represents the Queen of Heaven on earth. As the beloved disciple was commanded at the foot of the cross, we obey and protect her. In doing so, I discovered I had lost all desire for a woman’s mortal body.”

  Simon continued to face the altar. “I have heard many tales of you,” he murmured.

  Thomas froze in terror. What had the lad learned of him? Suddenly aware of a sharp pain, he looked down at his hands. He had clenched them until his nails dug into the palms. Opening one fist, he saw a small drop of blood emerging.

  “Although your deeds have been done in modest silence, you are well-known amongst powerful men for your service on behalf of God’s justice.”

  Swallowing ale to wash away the dryness of fear, the monk hoped he had command of his voice. “Methinks you are mistaken. I am of less significance in holy work than a dust mote.” Rubbing off the sweat beading on his forehead, Thomas relaxed. At least Simon did not seem to know of the monk’s time in prison or the cause. Then he wondered if he should worry that the young man knew about Thomas’ work as a spy.

  “I was told of your bravery in catching the man who murdered two others, one a monk, at Amesbury. Some credit your prioress for uncovering the perpetrators of sinful acts. They are fools. Women are but trifles, and not one would chase a killer up a steep roof. A single misstep could have sent you to your death. That was a man’s deed!”

  Thomas started to correct the story, for he most certainly had not chased anyone up a slippery roof. Then he thought the better of it. Believing the tale, the young man might reveal more of his concerns. He might even disclose his motive in mentioning this particular story, were he not interrupted. If some greater good was served, the monk decided God would surely forgive him for allowing an insignificant fallacy.

  “I do wonder that you find any peace in a priory run by a woman and an Order with such an unusual rule.” Simon shook his head and spun around to face the monk. “It may be my duty to serve my mother, for she gave birth to me. Now that she has denied me my rightful place as a man for too long, methinks it is against the natural order to obey her further.”

  “Forebear awhile longer. Queen Eleanor has shown confidence enough in your mother to send her on the journey here. She might yet persuade the queen to intervene with King Edward on your behalf. Should that happen and you regain anything of your father’s estates, you can repay her diligence with honor and comfort in her aged years, as a man ought, if she does not remarry.”

  “Surely you cannot believe she will succeed!” Simon returned to the table, sat down, and began worrying the wood with his fingernail.

  Thomas could not answer with any certainty, never having met Simon’s mother or the queen. As for King Edward, the monk had seen him years ago. The young prince had been several years older and had no cause to pay heed to the many awe-struck and dusty boys surrounding him, especially one who was a bastard. All Thomas could remember was his height, that he was deft with a sword in practice bouts, and handsome, although he spoke with a lisp. None of that pointed to whether the new king might grant any plea brought by his wife on this lad’s behalf.

  “As I have already said, she cannot.” Simon shrugged. “The lands have gone to men loyal to kingship, or else into the king’s hand where the income helps fill his coffers. As for the title, some minor lord now boasts it, and he went with King Edward on his crusading pilgrimage to Outremer. I must remain the son of a traitor and am being kept from proving my manhood.” Simon’s tone was bitter.

  Thomas nodded, stopping himself from responding to the youth’s resentment. Although Simon’s bristled cheeks might prove he had a man’s body, his expression called to mind a petulant child.

  “I have begged my mother to get me the loan of a horse and armor. With that, I would earn enough in tournaments to buy my own land and probably gain a knighthood. She refuses to ask for that boon of any at court, saying the surrender of hope would be dishonorable.”

  “If the likelihood of regaining your father’s title and lands is so bleak, then you must earn trust by modest and responsible action. What have you done to prove yourself worthy to other men?”

  A sheen of sweat broke out on Simon’s forehead. “I spoke with one man who welcomed me to his table and heard my plea. He had been my father’s friend and an early supporter of the Earl of Leicester. After Lord Edward escaped de Montfort’s custody, by tiring his guards’ horses and then fleeing on a rested beast, the man abandoned the earl for the king. Unlike my father, he saved his patrimony.”

  Thomas’ look asked the question.

  “His daughter was wanton! She lured me into a garden, tempted me beyond all reason, and then refused her body. I beat her for that wickedness and she screamed. Her mother found us and believed the creature’s lies. I was cast into the street.” Simon threw up his hands in outrage at the insult committed against him.

  “No father would loan money to a landless youth who had just beaten his daughter, nor, out of loyalty, would any
of the father’s friends and kin. Surely you must understand why.” Thomas was sorely tempted to forget his vows and pummel the lad himself on behalf of the girl and her father.

  “So my mother has said, but men also understand how women lead us into sin. Priests remind us often enough of their wicked nature.”

  So much for that attempt to enlighten the lad about the ways of mortal fathers, Thomas thought. On the other hand, if Simon had a warrior’s talent, he might find men with wealth and ambition who prized battle skills above any woman’s honor, especially men who had not married and bred daughters they loved. “Do you know of any others who might take up your cause?”

  Simon brightened and seemed about to speak. Then a frown dulled his look and he quickly turned away. “Most do fear giving any favor to a traitor’s son, especially when the king has turned his back on several who fought on de Montfort’s side.” He sadly shook his head and gazed at the monk, waiting for him to respond.

  Once again, Thomas caught himself suspecting that the expression of despair was calculated. “What of Baron Otes? There was time enough on this journey from court for either you or your mother to approach him. Or had he already refused?”

  His face turning scarlet, Simon slammed his fist on the table. “He was an odious man, and I salute his killer!”

  Thomas was shocked at the passionate response. With dismay he now remembered that Simon had not come to the hermitage until the morning after the baron was found dead.

  Had he given shelter to a murderer?

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “Rise, Prior Andrew.” Eleanor’s voice was icy with controlled anger.

  He tried, then stumbled, tears flowing down stubbled cheeks. His broken sobbing was painful to hear, as if some dull sword were ripping at his flesh.

  She turned her back, refusing him the mercy of assistance and unwilling to let him see that she was as grieved as he. Raising her eyes to the ceiling, she waited until the sounds of his struggles to regain his balance had ceased. Slowly, she turned around, folded her hands, and waited in silence.

  “I will accept whatever punishment you order, my lady. From this moment on, I bear no title and remain a simple monk who has deeply sinned against you.” He bowed his head with respect and because he could not bear to look her in the eye.

  Eleanor gestured for Gytha to approach. “We need wine,” she murmured, then waited until the young woman had left before speaking further to Andrew. “There will be punishment, but not until God grants me the wisdom to make a just decision. In the meantime, I must know why I had to hear about your argument with Baron Oates from Brother Beorn. You swore to tell me all when we last spoke, and I can think of no reason why you did not mention this heated discussion then.”

  The prior opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head and began again to weep.

  Gytha brought two pewter goblets with a pottery jug. As the maid poured the wine, Eleanor shuddered. For some reason, the bright red color reminded her of blood. Nodding for the young woman to retreat to her position by the chamber door, the prioress turned her attention back to the prior, her expression suggesting she had little patience left.

  “I did not kill the man, my lady! I will swear to you on all that is holy.”

  “Did you not recently swear to tell me details even when you did not think them important? Surely you can understand my disinclination to readily believe you.”

  “I did argue with the baron, and, since murder is a sin when committed in the heart, I am guilty of wishing his death. I most certainly was blinded by hatred. He and I met by accident. When I first saw him, I turned to flee. He called after me, claiming I was no better than my traitorous brother. That alone caused me to hesitate and turn back. When he called me coward, Satan set fire to the dry tinder of my fury and I shouted curses on him.”

  “Did you strike him then? Or did you promise to meet him at a later time with intent to commit mayhem that resulted in death?”

  “Neither of us laid a finger on the other, my lady, although our words were as sharp as swords.”

  “I also asked if you met him later.”

  “I did not. God, in His mercy, cooled my fury, and I was finally able to turn my back on the creature. As I retreated, he mocked me while I prayed for the courage of martyrs to walk away without retort.” Andrew reached for the goblet and stared down at the wine. “He was walking on this earth when I left him, and I never saw him alive again.”

  “Where were you when you argued?”

  “Near the guest quarters. Baron Otes was just leaving as I approached.”

  “Why had you gone there?” At least the prior’s story was matching the details given by Brother Beorn.

  “Father Eliduc had sent a message that he wanted to see me.”

  Her eyebrow shot up. “When did he summon you and who was sent? Was the request urgent? Did the messenger give the reason?”

  The prior fell silent as if carefully gathering all the facts involved in the answer to each question. “One of the lay brothers, not Brother Beorn, found me. He said Father Eliduc had some problem with the accommodations and wished to speak with me about it. I would not say that his request included a plea for urgent response. Since these guests are from our queen, I did go immediately.”

  “And you had not spoken with the priest when you saw Baron Otes?”

  “Nay. After the argument, I prayed for calmness in the chapel and did return to the guest quarters after I thought the baron had gone. I was not so possessed with evil that I failed to heed my duty to resolve Father Eliduc’s concern.”

  Had gone? Eleanor’s curiosity was sharpened by the phrase. She chose first to ask one more question before she pursued it. “Did you meet with Father Eliduc?”

  “He told me the issue had been settled between the time he sent for me and my arrival.”

  Eleanor gestured for him to elaborate.

  “He does not like ale and thought we had refused him wine with his meal. When I talked with him, he said the failure to bring the wine had been a misunderstanding and he was satisfied the error would not be repeated.”

  Although the story was consistent with what she knew of the priest, Eleanor wondered if there had been some plan to make sure the prior arrived in time to meet the man who had killed Andrew’s brother. “And where did you go after that?”

  “Back to the chapel for prayer, my lady. As you can see, I had much need for repentance.”

  “Were there witnesses?”

  Andrew shook his head.

  That lack of corroboration was most unfortunate. “At any time during your argument with the baron, did our guest say where he was going or even his purpose in so doing?”

  He rubbed at his reddened eyes.

  The silence was long. Eleanor remained patient.

  “I think he went in the direction of the mill, although I cannot swear to it.” He squeezed his lids shut. “Aye, he must have, for I now remember looking over my shoulder once in my retreat. He was walking along that path. I confess I had weakened again and longed to cast another curse in his direction.” More tears slipped down his cheeks. “It seems my curses had already been sufficient to kill, is that not so? There was no virtue in my belated restraint.”

  “Drink the wine, Prior,” Eleanor said. “It will help.”

  He lifted the goblet and gulped several times.

  “Did he mention why he was out? Do you remember anything other than the insults he threw at you?”

  “He did threaten me.” Andrew gripped the goblet with such force that his knuckles turned white. “He claimed he could expel me from Tyndal in disgrace and that I would die along the road like the dog and traitor I was.”

  “How dare he say such a thing to you!” Feeling her face grow hot with anger, Eleanor was more outraged by the baron’s presumption than her prior’s previous omission of this detail. “As I told you, he did offer land to our priory and your expulsion was the price. He seemed to have forgotten that you were pardoned by the
king and by God when you took vows. Now you are under His rule and mine. I would never trade my prior for land. I hope I have made myself quite clear.”

  “All the more reason to repent my grievous sins against you!”

  “Hush.” She poured him more wine and gestured at the goblet, an obvious suggestion that he drink. “Did he speak about this land, other than his ill-conceived assumption that he could bribe me?”

  Andrew shook his head and sipped the wine.

  “Again, I ask you to think carefully. Did he say anything at all that might suggest where he was going or if he was meeting anyone?”

  Andrew silently thought about it, drank more wine, and thought a while longer. “God forgive me if I am wrong about this, my lady,” he said, his words a little slurred. “He was in fine spirits about something, more than I can truly credit to his meeting with me. Now that I think more on it, he did boast that he was most blessed by God. Not only had he grown quite wealthy already, he claimed he was soon to increase his worth, if not his influence at court. Then he pointed to my rough-cut robes and said that God had clearly smiled more on him than on me.” He pursed his lips and plucked at his sleeve. “Methinks that is when God took mercy on me and began to cool my rage. I am honored to serve Him and feel no shame for wearing this.”

  For the first time, Eleanor smiled. “You recall nothing else?” she asked gently.

  Swaying a bit, he eased the goblet down on the table and pushed it further from the edge with studied resolve. “Nothing, I fear.”

  “Do you still swear, on God’s sweet name, that you did neither kill Baron Otes nor have anything to do with the deed?”

  “I swear it.”

  “Very well.” Eleanor gestured that the audience was done. “While I seek God’s guidance about any punishment you are due, I order you to temporarily turn over your duties as prior to whichever monk you deem most capable. Send him to me. When you explain this act, you will say you took a vow to seek solitude for prayer, spending a short time as an anchorite, if you will. Methinks you have need to take that vow and reflect on your sins. Is that not so?”