Shrewsbury, brother? Pardon if I dare question, but you have been to my father's house? There's news? My brother - he has not ... ' He checked himself there to make belated reverence, and account for himself. 'Forgive such a rough greeting, when you do not even know me, but I am Nigel Aspley, Meriet's brother. Has something happened to him? He has not done - any foolishness?'
What should be said to that? Cadfael was by no means sure whether he considered Meriet's conscious actions to be foolish or not. But at least there seemed to be one person who cared what became of him, and by the anxiety and concern in his face suffered fears for him which were not yet justified.
'There's no call for alarm on his account,' said Cadfael soothingly. 'He's well enough and has come to no harm, you need not fear.'
'And he is still set - He has not changed his mind?'
'He has not. He is as intent as ever on taking vows.'
'But you've been with my father! What could there be to discuss with him? You are sure that Meriet ... ' He fell silent, doubtfully studying Cadfael's face. The girl had drawn near at her leisure, and stood a little apart, watching them both with serene composure, and in a posture of such natural grace that Cadfael's eyes could not forbear straying to enjoy her.
'I left your brother in stout heart,' he said, carefully truthful, 'and of the same mind as when he came to us. I was sent by my abbot only to speak with your father about certain doubts which have arisen rather in the lord abbot's mind than in Brother Meriet's. He is still very young to take such a step in haste, and his zeal seems to older minds excessive. You are nearer to him in years than either your sire or our officers,' said Cadfael persuasively. 'Can you not tell me why he may have taken this step? For what reason, sound and sufficient to him, should he choose to leave the world so early?'
'I don't know,' said Nigel lamely, and shook his head over his failure. 'Why do they do so? I never understood.'
As why should he, with all the reasons he had for remaining in and of this world? 'He said he wanted it,' said Nigel.
'He says so still. At every turn he insists on it.'
'You'll stand by him? You'll help him to have his will? If that is truly what he wishes?'
'We're all resolved,' said Cadfael sententiously, 'on helping him to his desire. Not all young men pursue the same destiny, as you must know.' His eyes were on the girl; she was aware of it, and he was aware of her awareness. Another coil of red-gold hair had escaped from the band that held it; it lay against her smooth cheek, casting a deep gold shadow.
'Will you carry him my dear remembrances, brother? Say he has my prayers, and my love always.' Nigel withdrew his hand from the bridle, and stood back to let the rider proceed.
'And assure him of my love, also,' said the girl in a voice of honey, heavy and sweet. Her blue eyes lifted to Cadfael's face. 'We have been playfellows many years, all of us here,' she said, certainly with truth. 'I may speak in terms of love, for I shall soon be his sister.'
'Roswitha and I are to be married at the abbey in December,' said Nigel, and again took her by the hand.
'I'll bear your messages gladly,' said Cadfael, 'and wish you both all possible blessing against the day.'
The mule moved resignedly, answering the slight shake of the bridle. Cadfael passed them with his eyes still fixed on the girl Roswitha, whose infinite blue gaze opened on him like a summer sky. The slightest of smiles touched her lips as he passed, and a small, contented brightness flashed in her eyes. She knew that he could not but admire her, and even the admiration of an elderly monk was satisfaction to her. Surely the very motions she had made in his presence, so slight and so conscious, had been made in the knowledge that he was well aware of them, cobweb threads to entrammel one more unlikely fly.
He was careful not to look back, for it had dawned on him that she would confidently
What should be said to that? Cadfael was by no means sure whether he considered Meriet's conscious actions to be foolish or not. But at least there seemed to be one person who cared what became of him, and by the anxiety and concern in his face suffered fears for him which were not yet justified.
'There's no call for alarm on his account,' said Cadfael soothingly. 'He's well enough and has come to no harm, you need not fear.'
'And he is still set - He has not changed his mind?'
'He has not. He is as intent as ever on taking vows.'
'But you've been with my father! What could there be to discuss with him? You are sure that Meriet ... ' He fell silent, doubtfully studying Cadfael's face. The girl had drawn near at her leisure, and stood a little apart, watching them both with serene composure, and in a posture of such natural grace that Cadfael's eyes could not forbear straying to enjoy her.
'I left your brother in stout heart,' he said, carefully truthful, 'and of the same mind as when he came to us. I was sent by my abbot only to speak with your father about certain doubts which have arisen rather in the lord abbot's mind than in Brother Meriet's. He is still very young to take such a step in haste, and his zeal seems to older minds excessive. You are nearer to him in years than either your sire or our officers,' said Cadfael persuasively. 'Can you not tell me why he may have taken this step? For what reason, sound and sufficient to him, should he choose to leave the world so early?'
'I don't know,' said Nigel lamely, and shook his head over his failure. 'Why do they do so? I never understood.'
As why should he, with all the reasons he had for remaining in and of this world? 'He said he wanted it,' said Nigel.
'He says so still. At every turn he insists on it.'
'You'll stand by him? You'll help him to have his will? If that is truly what he wishes?'
'We're all resolved,' said Cadfael sententiously, 'on helping him to his desire. Not all young men pursue the same destiny, as you must know.' His eyes were on the girl; she was aware of it, and he was aware of her awareness. Another coil of red-gold hair had escaped from the band that held it; it lay against her smooth cheek, casting a deep gold shadow.
'Will you carry him my dear remembrances, brother? Say he has my prayers, and my love always.' Nigel withdrew his hand from the bridle, and stood back to let the rider proceed.
'And assure him of my love, also,' said the girl in a voice of honey, heavy and sweet. Her blue eyes lifted to Cadfael's face. 'We have been playfellows many years, all of us here,' she said, certainly with truth. 'I may speak in terms of love, for I shall soon be his sister.'
'Roswitha and I are to be married at the abbey in December,' said Nigel, and again took her by the hand.
'I'll bear your messages gladly,' said Cadfael, 'and wish you both all possible blessing against the day.'
The mule moved resignedly, answering the slight shake of the bridle. Cadfael passed them with his eyes still fixed on the girl Roswitha, whose infinite blue gaze opened on him like a summer sky. The slightest of smiles touched her lips as he passed, and a small, contented brightness flashed in her eyes. She knew that he could not but admire her, and even the admiration of an elderly monk was satisfaction to her. Surely the very motions she had made in his presence, so slight and so conscious, had been made in the knowledge that he was well aware of them, cobweb threads to entrammel one more unlikely fly.
He was careful not to look back, for it had dawned on him that she would confidently
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