Read Online The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson - Free Book Online

her to do at the monastery in exchange for reading lessons. He had looked quite thoughtful, then told her he would go and ask someone higher in authority, for her to wait there.
    Rapunzel had waited nervously, not wanting Mother to know what she was doing. Miraculously, Mother was visiting the privy when the young monk came back.
    â€œWe need someone to help clean the rooms where the female travelers stay,” he said, “and the abbot prefers it be a woman. If you can come every two days and clean and perform a few other chores, I will teach you.”
    â€œOh, thank you, Brother . . .?”
    He bowed. “Brother Andrew.”
    Now if Mother would make a trip into town tomorrow to buy what they needed or to try to find midwifery business, Rapunzel would walk back to the monastery, which was even closer than the town of Hagenheim to their little home, and perhaps have her first reading lesson.

Chapter Seven
    Gerek was now in a slightly larger room, closer to the chapel where the monks prayed five times a day. He lay listening to the monotone chants, prayers, plainsong hymns, and repeated scriptures.
    Only his third day and already he was sick of reading. Now he was awkwardly polishing his sword with one hand, making the best use of the fingers of his left hand that peeked out of the splint on his broken arm.
    He sighed in frustration but kept working.
    A knock came at the door.
    â€œCome in.”
    Andrew stuck his head in. “Do you need anything?”
    â€œA new leg and a new arm. That is what I need.”
    Andrew nodded. “Speak to God. Perhaps . . .” He raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
    Gerek growled. Why would God give him a new arm and leg, or even miraculously heal his old ones? They would likely be healed on their own in six weeks. “God must have more important things to attend to.” Besides, God probably wanted to teach him patience.
    â€œWhile you wait for your miracle,” Brother Andrew went on cheerfully, “I have a task for you, to keep you from becoming too dull and frustrated.”
    A task? When his friend didn’t elaborate, Gerek asked, “What could I possibly do with two broken limbs?”
    â€œSomething that will be easy for a man of your learning. How many languages do you know?”
    â€œFour.”
    â€œWell, I only need you to teach someone to read their native German. That will not be difficult for you, and it’s something you can do while lying down—or sitting with your leg propped up.”
    â€œWho is to be my student?” Gerek eyed Andrew, who was fidgeting and not meeting his eye. He had a feeling he wouldn’t like Andrew’s answer.
    â€œSomeone very eager to learn, I assure you. In exchange for working here at the monastery—and we do very much need her to clean the rooms where the female visitors stay—she wishes to be taught to read.”
    â€œShe? You wish me to teach a woman?”
    â€œShe is not just any woman, she is the very woman to whom you owe your life.”
    â€œMy mother is dead, Andrew.” Gerek infused his voice with the growling tone that made most squires’ eyes round with fear and sent maidservants skittering for cover.
    â€œI was not speaking of your mother, Sir Gerek. I was speaking of the young woman who saved you from the prisoner who escaped and nearly carved out your heart with your own dagger two or three days past.”
    Gerek stared at him and expelled a loud burst of air. “No. I won’t do it.”
    â€œWhy? It is the perfect way to repay her for saving you.”
    â€œAs far as I am concerned, she was repaying me for saving her . No. I emphatically refuse.”
    â€œBut why?”
    Gerek blew out another noisy breath, hesitating. “Have you seen the girl, Andrew?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThen you have seen how . . . fair she is.”
    â€œShe is very comely, it is true.”
    â€œDo you not see the problem?”
    Andrew