Brother Cadfael 16: The Heretic's Apprentice by Ellis Peters Read Free Book Online

William of Lythwood died on pilgrimage, confessed and shriven, in a state of grace. There is no bar to his burial within this enclave, and he shall have what he has asked of us."
    Chapter Three
    As Cadfael came through the court after dinner, to return to his labours in the herb garden, he encountered Elave. The young man was just coming down the steps from the guest hall, in movement and countenance bright and vehement, like a tool honed for fine use. He was still roused and ready to be aggressive after the rough passage of his master's body to its desired resting place, the bones of his face showed polished with tension, and his prow of a nose quested belligerently on the summer air.
    "You look ready to bite," said Cadfael, coming by design face-to-face with him.
    The boy looked back at him for a moment uncertain how to respond, where even this unalarming presence was still an unknown quantity. Then he grinned, and the sharp tension eased.
    "Not you, at any rate, Brother! If I showed my teeth, did I not have cause?"
    "Well, at least you know our abbot all the better for it. You have what you asked. But as well keep a lock on your lips until the other one is gone. One way to be sure of saying nothing that can be taken amiss is to say nothing at all. Another is to agree with whatever the prelates say. But I doubt that would have much appeal for you."
    "It's like threading a way between archers in ambush," said Elave, relaxing. "For a cloistered man, Brother, you say things aside from the ordinary yourself."
    "We're none of us as ordinary as all that. What I feel, when the divines begin talking doctrine, is that God speaks all languages, and whatever is said to him or of him in any tongue will need no interpreter. And if it's devoutly meant, no apology. How is that hand of yours? No inflammation?"
    Elave shifted the box he was carrying to his other arm, and showed the faded scar in his palm, still slightly puffed and pink round the healed punctures.
    "Come round with me to my workshop, if you've the time to spare," Cadfael invited, "and let me dress that again for you. And that will be the last you need think of it." He cast a glance at the box tucked under the young man's arm. "But you have errands to do in the town? You'll be off to visit William's kinsfolk."
    "They'll need to know of his burying, tomorrow," said Elave. "They'll be here. There was always a good feeling among them all, never bad blood. It was Girard's wife who kept the house for the whole family. I must go and tell them what's arranged. But there's no haste. I daresay once I'm up there it will be for the rest of the day and into the evening."
    They fell in amicably together, side by side, out of the court and through the rose garden, rounding the thick hedge. As soon as they entered the walled garden, the sun-warmed scent of the herbs rose to enfold them in a cloud of fragrance, every step along the gravel path between the beds stirring wave on wave of sweetness.
    "Shame to go withindoors on such a day," said Cadfael. "Sit down here in the sun, I'll bring the lotion out to you."
    Elave sat down willingly on the bench by the north wall, tilting his face up to the sun, and laid his burden down beside him. Cadfael eyed it with interest, but went first to bring out the cleansing lotion, and anoint the fading wound once again.
    "You'll feel no more of that now, it's clean enough. Young flesh heals well, and you've surely been through more risks crossing the world and back than you should be meeting here in Shrewsbury." He stoppered the flask, and sat down beside his guest. "I suppose they won't even know yet, that you're back and their kinsman dead - the family there in the town?"
    "Not yet, no. There was barely time last night to get my master well bestowed, and what with the dispute in chapter this morning, I've had no chance yet to get word to them. You know them - his nephews? Girard sees to the flock and the sales, and fetches in the wool clips from the others