Read Online Sorrow Without End by Priscilla Royal - Free Book Online
Authors: Priscilla Royal
Ads: Link
so young?”
“Few would close the hospital, Brother, but many would love to have a holy relic.”
“Who could not see that a shrine would take away people needed to care for the sick?”
“Sister Ruth is one. She agrees that we should keep the hospital but does not look unkindly on our good brother’s other ideas.”
“Our sub-prioress is often sotted by monks who speak eloquently but have little else to recommend them.”
“Have you never been deluded by a fine speech yourself?” Sister Anne cocked her head to one side.
“Aye, you have the truth of that.” Thomas shook his head. “I was as blind as Sister Ruth in that matter of Brother Rupert, but she and I have parted company on Brother Matthew.”
“And our brother has just strengthened his position significantly.”
“Is there no hope for us? I almost fear to ask what he has done!”
“He has found a relic for sale and has been trying to convince our prioress to buy it.”
“Will she stand firm?”
“Have you ever known our prioress to do otherwise?”
Thomas nodded. “Have you no good tidings for me?”
Anne gestured at the yellow-eyed tabby that had been following them. “Our hospital cat was safely delivered of three healthy kittens.”
“Now that is news indeed!” Thomas looked down at the great tabby. In their staring contest, however, he blinked first. “Did we not think the cat was male with so much fur and great size? Surely a birthing male is a miracle, or perhaps a sign that the end of the world is nigh?”
“Would that the end of war might be nigh! I do ask God sometimes whether men might think twice about ending life if they birthed it, then held it to a breast to feed.”
“But surely wars against infidels are holy ones?”
Anne turned away.
Thomas sensed he should not delve into the meaning of that silent answer. “Are there not more soldiers at Tyndal’s doors?” he asked instead.
“You are right.” She gestured toward the courtyard. “You saw the number just today.”
“Perhaps Prioress Eleanor’s eldest brother will be coming home as well.”
“She has had no word from him for some time, Brother. She says naught, but I know she is worried. When she comes here to comfort those men from Outremer, their grievous wounds to both body and soul break her heart, and I know she thinks the Lord Hugh may suffer similar ills. No one has any recent news of him, however.”
“I grieve for her worry. Is she otherwise in good health?”
“Yes, but she also hoped for some word from you. She cared about any grief you might have faced…” Anne hesitated, then added, “On your family visit.”
Thomas looked down at his feet. His shoes were still muddy from his journey. “There was no one coming here who could bring a message.”
“I understand, Brother.”
That she well might, Thomas thought, and, if she did suspect that he had lied, he hoped she was the only one at Tyndal who did.
Chapter Eleven
Thomas saw Eleanor first. Crowner Ralf was at her side. The crowner’s presence never signified pleasant tidings nor did the prioress’ stern look belie that conclusion.
“I fear something has happened,” Thomas said to Anne, inclining his head toward the approaching pair.
Ralf bowed stiffly to the sub-infirmarian. “I regret disturbing you, ” he said, his gaze targeted somewhere between Anne and Thomas.
“You are always welcome here, Ralf,” Anne replied, her voice soft. “Although I fear you have not come merely to visit.”
“You are most generous.” Ralf was now studying his feet.
Anne gave her prioress a quick, questioning look, then continued. “I did wonder if your long absence from Tyndal meant you had followed your elder brother to court. Your manners, I note, are more polished than has been the case in times past.”
“I am not one for the court.” Ralf grunted, then spat. “I have brought you a corpse.”
“For cert I did not think you came to grace us with poetry.” Sister Anne’s
“Few would close the hospital, Brother, but many would love to have a holy relic.”
“Who could not see that a shrine would take away people needed to care for the sick?”
“Sister Ruth is one. She agrees that we should keep the hospital but does not look unkindly on our good brother’s other ideas.”
“Our sub-prioress is often sotted by monks who speak eloquently but have little else to recommend them.”
“Have you never been deluded by a fine speech yourself?” Sister Anne cocked her head to one side.
“Aye, you have the truth of that.” Thomas shook his head. “I was as blind as Sister Ruth in that matter of Brother Rupert, but she and I have parted company on Brother Matthew.”
“And our brother has just strengthened his position significantly.”
“Is there no hope for us? I almost fear to ask what he has done!”
“He has found a relic for sale and has been trying to convince our prioress to buy it.”
“Will she stand firm?”
“Have you ever known our prioress to do otherwise?”
Thomas nodded. “Have you no good tidings for me?”
Anne gestured at the yellow-eyed tabby that had been following them. “Our hospital cat was safely delivered of three healthy kittens.”
“Now that is news indeed!” Thomas looked down at the great tabby. In their staring contest, however, he blinked first. “Did we not think the cat was male with so much fur and great size? Surely a birthing male is a miracle, or perhaps a sign that the end of the world is nigh?”
“Would that the end of war might be nigh! I do ask God sometimes whether men might think twice about ending life if they birthed it, then held it to a breast to feed.”
“But surely wars against infidels are holy ones?”
Anne turned away.
Thomas sensed he should not delve into the meaning of that silent answer. “Are there not more soldiers at Tyndal’s doors?” he asked instead.
“You are right.” She gestured toward the courtyard. “You saw the number just today.”
“Perhaps Prioress Eleanor’s eldest brother will be coming home as well.”
“She has had no word from him for some time, Brother. She says naught, but I know she is worried. When she comes here to comfort those men from Outremer, their grievous wounds to both body and soul break her heart, and I know she thinks the Lord Hugh may suffer similar ills. No one has any recent news of him, however.”
“I grieve for her worry. Is she otherwise in good health?”
“Yes, but she also hoped for some word from you. She cared about any grief you might have faced…” Anne hesitated, then added, “On your family visit.”
Thomas looked down at his feet. His shoes were still muddy from his journey. “There was no one coming here who could bring a message.”
“I understand, Brother.”
That she well might, Thomas thought, and, if she did suspect that he had lied, he hoped she was the only one at Tyndal who did.
Chapter Eleven
Thomas saw Eleanor first. Crowner Ralf was at her side. The crowner’s presence never signified pleasant tidings nor did the prioress’ stern look belie that conclusion.
“I fear something has happened,” Thomas said to Anne, inclining his head toward the approaching pair.
Ralf bowed stiffly to the sub-infirmarian. “I regret disturbing you, ” he said, his gaze targeted somewhere between Anne and Thomas.
“You are always welcome here, Ralf,” Anne replied, her voice soft. “Although I fear you have not come merely to visit.”
“You are most generous.” Ralf was now studying his feet.
Anne gave her prioress a quick, questioning look, then continued. “I did wonder if your long absence from Tyndal meant you had followed your elder brother to court. Your manners, I note, are more polished than has been the case in times past.”
“I am not one for the court.” Ralf grunted, then spat. “I have brought you a corpse.”
“For cert I did not think you came to grace us with poetry.” Sister Anne’s
Similar Books
