Read Online Duncton Stone by William Horwood - Free Book Online Page B

through might have meaning and purpose.
    Night came upon them swiftly and by the time Thorne had brought the different groups to a halt, and settled them into places where they could rest securely, dark clouds were looming in the sky and the air was growing oppressive with an approaching storm.
    Privet’s two guards treated her with firm courtesy, finding her food, and settling her into a tussock of grassy undergrowth with the words “It is going to rain – you’ll keep dry here, miss!” One or other of them watched her at all times and from their discipline and the respectful way they spoke of Thorne it was obvious that they were well trained – and well led.
    “It would be nice just to talk to my companions,” said Privet, trying to look as peaceable as possible.
    “No way, I’m afraid,” said one of the guards, “it would be more than our lives are worth!”
    “You seem a little afraid of Brother Commander Thorne.”
    “You could say that,” said one of the guards, “but there’s not another I’d want to serve under. He’s —”
    “What is he. Brother?” said a thin voice from out of the still darkness. It was Fagg, eyes sharp.
    “Strict, sir, he’s very strict.”
    “I’m glad to hear it,” said Fagg without warmth. “Discipline does nomole harm! But I would not advise you to fraternize with this mole. She is not as harmless as she seems.”
    “Only a female, sir.”
    Fagg’s face curled into a chilling sneer. “And past her best if you know what I mean!” He laughed in the way moles do when they fee! it necessary to put others down. “Watch over her well!” he ordered as he left.
    When he had gone one of the guardmoles said, “Yes, well. Sorry about that, miss.” He sounded embarrassed.
    “These religious Brothers,” said Privet quietly, “all seem a little afraid of females.”
    “They would be, wouldn’t they?” the guardmole observed judiciously. “They’re not used to females. Not brought up with them. Not healthy, if you ask me.”
    “And you were?”
    “I’m old enough to have been, yes. The Elder Senior Brother never meant for males to be alienated from females for life.”
    “You mean Thripp when you say —”
    “There’ll only ever be one Elder Senior Brother to me, just him,” he replied with quiet passion.
    “And me,” said the other. “It goes for all us who serve under Thorne. Why, Thorne himself owes his position to Thripp of Blagrove Slide!”
    “How come?” asked Privet, glad and surprised the guards were so willing to talk.
    “Spotted his talents. Saw he was interested in strategy and leadership, not religious matters. Some are born to worship the Stone with deeds, some with words. Thripp said that, and he didn’t mean by it any criticism of those who are into words, like the brothers.”
    “What did he mean?”
    “He meant there’s more ways than one of touching the Stone’s Silence. No one way’s exclusively right.”
    “So why are Stone followers like me to be persecuted then?”
    “Ah well, you’ve got me there, miss. I mean, I believe the Newborn way is right and that orders have got to be followed. That’s what we do. But fairly, and we only get rough if we have to.”
    “True Stone followers would say that there’s no need ever to “get rough”, as you put it.”
    “They might say that, but they would be wrong and no disrespect meant. Before the Elder Senior Brother gave his teachings and proper leadership, moledom was in a right mess.”
    “Was it? Not in Duncton Wood it wasn’t.”
    “That’s not what I’ve heard, again begging your pardon. He said that the lessons learnt in the War of Word and Stone in our grandparents’ time were being forgotten.”
    “And what lessons were those?”
    “Tolerance, respect, making time for the Stone, family and kin, keeping a clean snout – that kind of thing.”
    “And Thripp taught that?”
    “I only heard him once, more’s the pity. When he spoke, you listened. He could