Child of the May by Theresa Tomlinson Read Free Book Online Page B

that dip in the land where the River Went runs.”
    “Our favourite spot for bishop-baiting,” cried Tom.
    John and Magda came slowly to join them, calmed a little and intrigued by Brother James’s excitement.
    “What’s this you’re plotting now?” John asked.
    “A rescue.” Brother James spoke so fast that tiny beads of spit flew from his lips. “A rescue that will stagger the King.”
    “Steady on,” said Tom, wiping his eye. “You’ll have drowned us all before we’re done.”
    Brother James ignored him, waving his hands wildly. “Don’t you see? We have a bit of time to make a plan, for it will take those foul wolfhounds a se’nnight to reach the Scottish borders and then start back again.”
    “What?” Robert cried. “He’d have us set about the Wolfpack?”
    “Wherever they are taking my Lady de Braose, they shall have to travel the Great North Road and pass through Barnsdale.” Brother James wagged a finger in Robert’s face. “That is where they are weak and we are strong.”
    “I’m for it,” cried John at once. “It’ll give me a chance to get my hands on FitzRanulf.”
    “It’s the woman I’m after,” said Brother James.
    “What do you want with her?” Robert asked, amazed. “When have we bothered with mighty lords and their wives!”
    James’s face was red with concern. “She’s the bravest woman in the land.”
    It was dusk when they began crossing the wilder scrub land at the edge of the Waste, and Magda was exhausted. Robert and Brother James marched steadily ahead of them, discussing their plans with wild enthusiasm. The truth was that Magda longed for the comfort of her sweet-smelling straw pallet, and Marian’s glowing fire. A faint clop, clop of horses hooves made Tom whistle a quick warning and without further fuss, they all melted into the ditch.
    John gently pushed Magda’s head down beneath the cover of a holly bush, but then she felt her father relax. “Just one horse,” he whispered, “and nowt but a stringy bairn.”
    Magda got up and recognised at once the pathetic rider. “Oh no,” she sighed, somehow irritated. “Not him again. We gave him the horse! Isn’t that enough?”
    Robert, Tom and James climbed out of the ditch and joined them. Tom went forward to meet the boy, but though he stood there staring up into Alan’s face, the lad made no attempt to halt. Tom dived to the side, to avoid the horse’s trampling hooves, then quickly recovered and ran after it, snatching at its bridle. “Whoa!” he shouted.
    The old nag stopped willingly enough when bidden, but Magda warned the others off. “Leper!” she cried. “Beware!”
    Quietly they gathered about the rider, keeping a good arm’s distance. The boy’s face was white and blank, his eyes focused far beyond them on the road ahead. “Alan,” Tom spoke gently. “Where have you been? You set off far ahead of us.”
    No answer came. No response of any kind.
    “He set off north,” Tom told them. “How has he taken so long? What is wrong?”
    They all looked up again at the small figure. Magda thought him as lifeless as a statue she’d seen in the great hall of Nottingham Castle. If it was not that he sat so straight and still clutched the reins, he might be dead.
    Brother James patted the steaming rump of the potter’s mare. “I think this old lass has been in charge,” he said. “I dare say she’s been taking her chance to feed on marsh-watered grass, but now she wants warm stabling so she heads for her home in Mansfield.”
    “Aye,” Robert smiled. “The lad has sat like a moppet, and never taken charge.”
    Brother James shook his head sadly. “I fear that this poor lad can take charge of naught.”

11
None Shall Be Turned Away

    “We should take him to Marian,” said Tom.
    “What?” Magda cried. “And risk ourselves?”
    Robert and John were both silent, worried by Tom’s suggestion.
    Brother James shook his head. “I know naught of leprosy,” he said. “But Mother