I eyed her a little askance, wondering if I should cavil at what any churchman would condemn as blasphemy, but knowing that if I did so, I should be a hypocrite. Had I not entertained similar thoughts myself from time to time? And no priest worth his salt would condone the arguments I had with God, nor the direct way I approached Him, instead of through the Virgin or the Saints. Grizelda and I had many ideas in common. Maybe that was what drew me to her.
I debated silently whether or not a renewed advance on my part would be welcomed by my companion. I wished she did not make me feel quite so young and inexperienced. But while I hesitated, the moment was lost. Something landed with a thud at my feet, barely missing striking me on the forehead. With astonishment, I saw that the missile was a short, thick length of branch, stripped of its leaves and trimmed into a handy weapon. A piece of bark was peeling away from the core, and could have caused a nasty, ragged gash had it hit me. Looking up swiftly for my assailant, I saw Innes Woodsman standing on the opposite side of the clearing.
Gathering up the piece of wood, I rose menacingly to my feet, and Innes, after staring defiantly for a moment or two, withdrew strategically into the trees.
‘I seed you kissin’ her!’ he shouted. ‘You leave ’er be! She’s a bad woman!’
I advanced a few paces, letting my arms hang loosely by my sides, He retreated a little further, with equal deliberation, unsure of my intentions. Then I sprang with such suddenness that he lost valuable seconds before he realized what was happening, and so fast that I was on him before he had taken more than a couple of steps. I bore him to the ground, pinioning his wrists together with my hands so that he was unable to make a grab for his knife.
‘This is the second time in as many days you’ve tried to harm me,’ I accused him through gritted teeth. ‘I think I’m about due for a reckoning, don’t you?’
He looked up at me with a hatred I was shrewd enough to know was really meant for Grizelda. ‘She’s a bad woman!’ he repeated. ‘You let ’er be.’
For answer, I tightened my grip on his bony wrists and tried to ignore the rancid smell of him – sweat and dried urine and mouldering leaves – which, at this little distance, was all-pervasive.
‘Why do you vilify Mistress Harbourne so?’ I demanded.
‘Let him go, Roger,’ Grizelda said from behind me. She had advanced so quietly that I had not heard her approach. ‘I told you yesterday, he means no harm.’
‘I beg to differ,’ I answered shortly, and turned my attention back to my captive. ‘Well? What have you to say for yourself? I’m waiting.’
‘She turned me out of my home,’ was the sullen response, which rose to a mewling whine. ‘You’re hurting my wrist, I ain’t strong. You’ll snap ’em in two if you’re not careful.’ I was unmoved by this complaint and, kneeling astride him, dug my knees into his fleshless hips.
‘This cottage belongs to Mistress Harbourne, who graciously permitted you to use it until she needed it herself. And what is her reward? Not gratitude for benefits received! Oh, no! Rather, attacks on her person and abuse.’ I bent closer to him, valiantly ignoring the blast of stinking breath.
‘Now, let me make this clear! If I hear that you have tried to harm her just once more – just once, mark you! – I shall hunt you down and thrash you within an inch of your miserable life.’ I rose, abruptly releasing him, and watched in silent contempt while he scrambled to his feet and made off amongst the trees without so much as a backward glance. I turned to Grizelda. ‘You must promise to tell me if you have any more trouble from him.’
She led the way back to the cottage.
‘You’re very kind,’ she said, ‘but you have no need to concern yourself with me. I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.’
‘That man has a knife,’ I persisted, ‘and bears you a grudge. I would much prefer that you allowed me to send word to the Sheriff. Innes Woodsman could well prove dangerous, not simply to you, but to others.’
Grizelda resolutely shook her head.
‘No. That I forbid on pain of my greatest displeasure. In Innes Woodsman’s eyes, I have done him an injury, and I refuse to add the insult of having him taken into custody.’ And when I would have protested, she again betrayed impatience. ‘No! I’ll not argue with you. My mind is made up on that point.’
‘But yesterday, you told him one more chance. He’s had that chance and thrown it away.’
‘Roger! If you value our friendship, say no more on the subject.’
I realized with a tinge of sadness that the former mood between us had vanished, and was not to be recaptured. It was by now midday, the sun standing directly overhead and the shadows reduced almost to nothing. I should be on my way: what was there to keep me? Besides, I must visit the Cozins’ dwelling and inform Master Oliver that I accepted his offer to remain in Eudo Colet’s house at least until Saturday, and longer if he wished it. And there might be more information to be gleaned from him, if I went about the matter carefully.
‘I have to go,’ I said. ‘Sleep with your neighbours for as long as they’ll allow it, but if you must stay in the cottage at night, bolt the door and shutters.’ I did not add that the woodsman worried me far more than the outlaws, sensing that such a sentiment would prove unacceptable to Grizelda in her present mood. ‘Do I still have your permission to inquire into the disappearance of the children?’
‘Yes. But I repeat, I’m afraid you’ll have no success. For, reluctant as I am to admit it, I don’t believe there is anything more to discover. The truth is the sum of what we already know. Wasn’t it William of Occam who adjured us to make the least possible number of assumptions when trying to explain things?’
I kept my promise to top up Grizelda’s water barrel before departing, making two trips with the bucket down to the river’s edge and returning without too much spillage. But it was hard work, even for the great strong lad that I was in those days, and I offered up a prayer of thankfulness for the recent rains, which had filled the cask three quarters full.
As soon as I had completed my task, I set off towards Totnes, for the journey took over an hour on foot. But I hardly noticed the weary miles as I trudged along the forest paths, my mind being too busy with everything that Grizelda had told me. All very well, I thought, for her to quote William of Occam, and while I had the greatest respect for old Dr ‘Singularis et Invincibilis’, and his axiom entia non sunt multiplicanda, there were none the less many occasions upon which I had found that the simplest assumption was not necessarily the right one. And William had been in his grave for well over a century. With the arrogance of youth, I decided that modern life and the people it produced were of a far greater sophistication and complexity than he could possibly have anticipated. Of course, I’m wiser now: I realize that every generation thinks the same.
By the time I passed once again through the West Gate, it had grown hot enough for me to remove my leather jerkin and the cap from my head. The gatekeeper, a ruddy-faced man with huge forearms bared to the elbow, greeted me in the friendly manner of one who is having an easy day.