Read Online Brother Cadfael 09: Dead Man's Ransom by Ellis Peters - Free Book Online Page B

went two losers in this submerged battle. If there was a winner, he slept with a child's abandon as seemed to be his wont, in a stone cell that was no prison, in Shrewsbury castle. One that would always fall on his feet. Two that probably made a practice of falling over theirs, from too intense peering ahead, and too little watching where they trod.
    Nevertheless, he did not pray for them that night. He lay long in thought instead, pondering how so complex a knot might be disentangled.
    In the early morning he and his remaining force mounted and rode. It did not surprise him that the devoted cousin and foster brother should be there to see him go, and send by him all manner of messages to his captive friend, to sustain him until his release. Most fitting that the one who was older and wiser should stand proxy to rescue the younger and more foolish. If folly can be measured so?
    'I was not clever,' owned Eliud ruefully, holding Cadfael's stirrup as he mounted, and leaning on his horse's warm shoulder when he was up. 'I made too much of it that he should not go with Cadwaladr. I doubt I drove him the more firmly into it. But I knew it was mad!'
    'You must grant him one grand folly,' said Cadfael comfortably. 'Now he's lived through it, and knows it was folly as surely as you do. He'll not be so hot after action again. And then,' he said, eyeing the grave oval countenance close, 'I understand he'll have other causes for growing into wisdom when he comes home. He's to be married, is he not?'
    Eliud faced him a moment with great hazel eyes shining like lanterns. Then: 'Yes!' he said very shortly and forbiddingly, and turned his head away.
    Chapter Four.
    The news went round in Shrewsbury, abbey, castle and town, almost before Cadfael had rendered account of his stewardship to Abbot Radulfus, and reported his success to Hugh. The sheriff was alive and his return imminent, in exchange for the Welshman taken at Godric's Ford. In her high apartments in the castle, Lady Prestcote brightened and grew buoyant with relief. Hugh rejoiced not only in having found and recovered his chief, but also in the prospect of a closer alliance with Owain Gwynedd, whose help in the north of the shire, if ever Ranulf of Chester did decide to attack, might very well turn the tide. The provost and guildsmen of the town, in general, were well pleased. Prestcote was a man who did not encourage close friendships, but Shrewsbury had found him a just and well intentioned officer of the crown, if heavy handed at times, and was well aware that it might have fared very much worse. Not everyone, however, felt the same simple pleasure. Even just men make enemies.
    Cadfael returned to his proper duties well content, and having reviewed Brother Oswin's stewardship in the herbarium and found everything in good order, his next charge was to visit the infirmary and replenish the medicine, cupboard there.
    'No new invalids since I left?'
    'None. And two have gone out, back to the dortoir, Brother Adam and Brother Everard. Strong constitutions they have, both, in spite of age, and it was no worse than a chest cold, and has cleared up well. Come and see how they all progress. If only we could send out Brother Maurice with the same satisfaction as those two,' said Edmund sadly. 'He's eight years younger, strong and able, and barely sixty. If only he was as sound in mind as in body! But I doubt we'll never dare let him loose. It's the bent his madness has taken. Shame that after a blameless life of devotion he now remembers only his grudges, and seems to have no love for any man. Great age is no blessing, Cadfael, when the body's strength outlives the mind.'
    'How do his neighbours bear with him?' asked Cadfael with sympathy.
    'With Christian patience! And they need it. He fancies now that every man is plotting some harm against him. And says so, outright, besides any real and ancient wrongs he's kept in mind all too clearly.'
    They came into the big, bare room where the beds