with many people outside the abbey?’
The defensive attitude softened a little. ‘Well, yes, when you put it like that … of course it is much more likely that the culprit is someone from outside. Perhaps a disgruntled farmer or trader who wanted to sell to us and was annoyed that we grow much of our own produce? Or a wool merchant? Brother Alexander, with his knowledge of the outside world before he came here, was the one of us who struck the bargains with the merchants to whom we sell our fleeces.’
Now there was an idea which started Edwin’s mind working. He had seen traders and merchants often at the fairs in Conisbrough, and knew that they took their prices and their deals very seriously. He had often heard trade referred to as a cut-throat business, but would anyone take the phrase literally? He would need to think about that some more.
But in the meantime, what of this ‘knowledge of the outside world’ which several of the monks had mentioned? ‘Do you know anything about what Brother Alexander did before he took the cowl?’
Brother Helias spread his hands. ‘Alas not. All I can tell you is what you probably know already – that he was out in the world for many years, that he travelled, and that he came to the monastic life in his middle years.’
‘Have you ever heard of the writings of a man called Daniel of Morley?’
Edwin watched as the monk searched his mind. ‘No, sorry. I must admit that I am much less adept at the studying part of our duties than many of the brethren, though I do try.’ He sighed. ‘I try to love all parts of my life here equally, but I confess I am more at home in my domain here than I am with the books.’ He gestured at the office.
‘Not to worry, Brother – I just asked on the off-chance. Is there anyone else here who might know more? Not just about the writings of Daniel of Morley, I mean, but about Brother Alexander’s life before he came here?’
Brother Helias was in the act of shaking his head when he stopped. ‘Well, there is Brother Richard, I suppose. We are not supposed to have particular friends among the brethren, but men being what they are, everyone has some whose company they value more than others, and they were often together. If they were outside the abbey and able to talk, I suppose Brother Alexander may have told him something of his previous life.’ He shrugged. ‘That is the best I can come up with, I’m afraid. And you won’t be able to talk to Brother Richard anyway, as he is confined to the infirmary with toothache.’
Toothache? Hadn’t Martin said something about that earlier? He would check – if he could track Martin down, that was. What in the Lord’s name was the matter with him at the moment?
Feeling that the conversation was at an end, Edwin was about to stand and take his leave when the younger monk returned. This time he opened his mouth, shaking the parchment in front of Brother Helias and whispering urgently in his ear. The older monk stood and smiled down.
‘Alas, it appears we do have a discrepancy, so I had best go and deal with the matter. Please come and speak with me again whenever you wish – unless it is time for one of the offices in church I am normally in here or round about.’
He went out, the younger monk pulling on his sleeve, but poked his head back around the doorway. ‘I forgot to say, when we were speaking of those outside the abbey. One of Brother Alexander’s other duties was dealing with that witch in the woods. Perhaps you should talk to her. Yes, yes, I’m coming!’
He departed once more.
Martin didn’t know how long he had been stamping around before he found the woodshed. He wanted to walk off his temper – better still, ride it off – but he wasn’t going to leave Edwin alone in the abbey with all these madmen. Honestly, why would anyone choose to live here if they didn’t have to? He had walked around the ward, or whatever they called it; he’d glowered at any monk who so
The defensive attitude softened a little. ‘Well, yes, when you put it like that … of course it is much more likely that the culprit is someone from outside. Perhaps a disgruntled farmer or trader who wanted to sell to us and was annoyed that we grow much of our own produce? Or a wool merchant? Brother Alexander, with his knowledge of the outside world before he came here, was the one of us who struck the bargains with the merchants to whom we sell our fleeces.’
Now there was an idea which started Edwin’s mind working. He had seen traders and merchants often at the fairs in Conisbrough, and knew that they took their prices and their deals very seriously. He had often heard trade referred to as a cut-throat business, but would anyone take the phrase literally? He would need to think about that some more.
But in the meantime, what of this ‘knowledge of the outside world’ which several of the monks had mentioned? ‘Do you know anything about what Brother Alexander did before he took the cowl?’
Brother Helias spread his hands. ‘Alas not. All I can tell you is what you probably know already – that he was out in the world for many years, that he travelled, and that he came to the monastic life in his middle years.’
‘Have you ever heard of the writings of a man called Daniel of Morley?’
Edwin watched as the monk searched his mind. ‘No, sorry. I must admit that I am much less adept at the studying part of our duties than many of the brethren, though I do try.’ He sighed. ‘I try to love all parts of my life here equally, but I confess I am more at home in my domain here than I am with the books.’ He gestured at the office.
‘Not to worry, Brother – I just asked on the off-chance. Is there anyone else here who might know more? Not just about the writings of Daniel of Morley, I mean, but about Brother Alexander’s life before he came here?’
Brother Helias was in the act of shaking his head when he stopped. ‘Well, there is Brother Richard, I suppose. We are not supposed to have particular friends among the brethren, but men being what they are, everyone has some whose company they value more than others, and they were often together. If they were outside the abbey and able to talk, I suppose Brother Alexander may have told him something of his previous life.’ He shrugged. ‘That is the best I can come up with, I’m afraid. And you won’t be able to talk to Brother Richard anyway, as he is confined to the infirmary with toothache.’
Toothache? Hadn’t Martin said something about that earlier? He would check – if he could track Martin down, that was. What in the Lord’s name was the matter with him at the moment?
Feeling that the conversation was at an end, Edwin was about to stand and take his leave when the younger monk returned. This time he opened his mouth, shaking the parchment in front of Brother Helias and whispering urgently in his ear. The older monk stood and smiled down.
‘Alas, it appears we do have a discrepancy, so I had best go and deal with the matter. Please come and speak with me again whenever you wish – unless it is time for one of the offices in church I am normally in here or round about.’
He went out, the younger monk pulling on his sleeve, but poked his head back around the doorway. ‘I forgot to say, when we were speaking of those outside the abbey. One of Brother Alexander’s other duties was dealing with that witch in the woods. Perhaps you should talk to her. Yes, yes, I’m coming!’
He departed once more.
Martin didn’t know how long he had been stamping around before he found the woodshed. He wanted to walk off his temper – better still, ride it off – but he wasn’t going to leave Edwin alone in the abbey with all these madmen. Honestly, why would anyone choose to live here if they didn’t have to? He had walked around the ward, or whatever they called it; he’d glowered at any monk who so
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