“If Sister Anne has wicked friends in this priory, and the leadership is directed by the Prince of Darkness, might there not be other liegemen of the Evil One who wish you ill? If the poisoning of Jean was a failed attempt to frighten you away before uncovering the inequities here, another imp might try a direct attack since your resolve has not weakened.”
Davoir looked surprised. “You speak well, Renaud.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“I may have always found Jean superior to you in learning, perception, and quickness of analysis, but this concern for my well-being and your reasons for same are well-expressed and well-considered.”
Renaud’s face flushed with joy.
Conan stood as still as a statue in a church.
Davoir flicked a hand at the man. “Very well, Captain, tell me what you propose.”
“Perhaps your clerk will take me around the guest quarters so I might examine the various entrances to your chambers. Like a castle under siege, Father, those entrances should be guarded by a patrol for the duration of your stay here.”
“Guards in a house shielded by God? I will not permit armed men in this priory.”
“Prayer is useful, Father, but God has often shown that He approves of soldiers, depending on their intent,” Conan replied. “He did travel with those who took arms against the Infidel to regain Jerusalem.”
Shaking a finger at the captain, Davoir growled. “Do not preach to me or claim to know more than a priest about the reading of God’s holy will.”
For a moment, Conan looked like he might laugh. He bowed his head quickly.
“If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion, Father?” Renaud was wringing his hands.
Raising both eyebrows as if awed by a minor miracle, Davoir gave permission.
“We need not have armed men. If I show the captain around our quarters here, he can advise on the places where someone with wicked motives might enter. Day should not be as difficult a time to keep watch. Perhaps one clerk might walk around the buildings, but I could assign several clerks to do so at night.” He puffed out his thin chest. “I would take over for the weariest clerks. Our prayers will be our swords.”
A brisk knock at the door interrupted his argument. Renaud rushed to open it.
Gracia stood outside with hands meekly folded and head bowed.
“What do you want?” Davoir barked at her.
She stepped back, visibly trembling.
“Speak! I do not have all day.”
“Crowner Ralf asks permission to question Sister Anne, Father. He wants one of your clerks with him to witness the procedure. If you approve, he asks that this clerk record the meeting so there can be no doubt of fairness or propriety.” She pronounced each word like a child repeating a memorized passage.
Davoir opened his mouth, then rethought what he was about to say. “His proposal is fair. I shall allow it. Tell him to meet me here before the next Office.” He glanced at Renaud. “Surely you and the captain will have finished by then.”
Renaud flushed and looked at Conan.
The captain nodded.
Gracia fidgeted in the doorway.
Davoir glared at her. “Go! Tell the crowner of my decision.”
As directed, Gracia fled.
“Annoying girl,” Davoir muttered. “Having such a witless child as a maid does not reflect well on Prioress Eleanor’s judgement. She ought to have chosen a lay sister or even a nun of more mature years.” He shook his head. “Shut the door and get on with your plan,” he said to Renaud. “You will also record the meeting between the king’s man and this vicious nun.”
***
As Conan and Renaud walked around the guest quarters, Renaud said to the captain in a low voice, “I agree with your fears and plan, Captain, even if Father Etienne does not. He may be close to God’s ear, as well as that of our king’s brother, but he often forgets that evil men do not respect the armor of prayer and do violence against the virtuous. I fear for his safety.”
Conan nodded, then pointed out a window which was just big enough to allow a small person to climb through. “Your eyes are red with weeping,” the captain said as they continued on. “You and the dead clerk must have been friends.”
“We were as boys, Captain, but Jean rose above me in so many things. Father Etienne saw his quick intellect and deep understanding of godly matters. He promised him a fine benefice or the position of secretary to a man of high ecclesiastical rank. Jean served him with great love and devotion. Rarely was he absent from Father Etienne’s side.”
Conan turned and studied the clerk for a moment. “And now you stand in that place of honor.”
Renaud flushed. “Do you think so? I am not sure. Father Etienne often criticized my writing and my ability to both learn and reason. My Latin is faulty as well.”
“I am only a rough soldier, clerk, but I think you misjudge his respect for you. Did you not hear his praise for you today?”
Renaud modestly lowered his gaze and walked on.
The captain followed, his expression a mix of pity and amusement.
As they circled the quarters, Renaud began to indicate other low windows and one door.
Conan said little more until they reached the main entrance to the priest’s quarters.
“I see the crowner coming,” Renaud said with a nervous quiver in his voice. “I must leave you and accompany him to the sub-infirmarian’s cell.”
“I will not keep you, clerk. Since I cannot send my men to protect your priest, you and some of the other clerks should patrol during the night. You know the dangerous entrance areas. If you see anything untoward, call out. Make a great noise. Awaken those who sleep. That should be enough to frighten off any man who wishes your master ill. If it does not, the shouting will bring help. Not all the lay brothers in this place are corrupt. And send word to me at the inn. Your master may not want armed men on holy ground, but we will come quickly if nothing else deters the wicked.”
Pleased, Renaud thanked the captain for the confidence he had shown in him.
“One thing more, lad,” the captain said, “I would take the darkest part of the night patrol yourself and alone. Perhaps between the last Office and the rising sun. Let the other clerks sleep. You know the perils best and what signs to look for. I think that deed will please your priest.” He winked.
Renaud glowed with hope and promised Conan he would do as suggested. “It is my joy to serve my master and take the greater responsibility on myself,” he said.
“Go meet the crowner,” Conan replied.
Renaud smiled and left.
Slipping around the quarters to another path, Conan found the way to the mill and carefully avoided the king’s man. He had accomplished what he desired and had no wish for any conversation with Crowner Ralf.
Chapter Eighteen
Seeing those gathered in her chambers, Eleanor struggled with envy, the child of her thwarted longing for action. Unable to participate in the investigation into the clerk’s death, she sat in these rooms, surrounded by accounting rolls, left only with the right to pray for justice. This galled her. As a consequence, she feared she spent too much time beseeching God for patience when she should be begging mercy for a long list of tormented souls in Purgatory.
As she glanced at Gracia, Ralf, and Thomas, she smiled with forced calm. I must stop whining and use what is left to me, she decided. If I am banned from the inquiry, I most certainly can direct others to do what I dare not. Do I not have the wits to circumvent these restrictions? She sat just a little straighter with renewed purpose, eager to hear what they had discovered.
“Ale for all,” Eleanor said. “Then let us discuss what we know and must do next.”
Gracia hurriedly served each, then ran to her place by the chamber door.
Ralf grinned at the girl. “Thanks to your maid’s forewarning,” the crowner said, “Sister Anne was very precise in her replies. Most of what she said was a repetition of her prior testimony as you described it, but she very carefully went over what Prior Andrew had observed and gave well-considered conclusions.” He drank from his mazer with obvious enjoyment.