CHAPTER SIX

Reasea stretched herself, yawning ever so slowly. The sun was beginning to filter through the small opening in her cell, filling up the space with radiant light. She felt as if she was in a palace rather than in a guest-room in the Abbey, so luxurious were the surroundings. There was an air of comfort and homeliness that made any visitor feel part of the family. It was not through the existence of any expensive tapestries or magnificant draperies but more through a feeling of well-being that pervaded the whole establishment. In fact, it was more than that, it was as if the spirit of the very much alive Abbot Roger pervaded the whole building. Incredibly Roger communicated his zest for living to virtually all his fellow-monks from the master of novices to the cook, from the herbalist to the gardener, all shared in this joy of life. Reasea smiled to herself as she remembered someone saying to her that of all the people they had met Roger was the closest to being a genius. He seemed to have an amazing capacity for selecting his co-workers in God, knowing when to advise a potential incumbent that they had chosen the wrong vocation, and yet recognising in others a deep religious leaning and sincerity when he saw it. Reasea started to giggle ever so slightly as she thought that just prior to going-off to sleep the Abbot had crept silently into her cell and ever so gently had lightly brushed his lips against her forehead. In a trice he had seemingly vanished - she was sure it had been Roger, he was like no other abbot she had known or even heard about.

The young woman was shaken-out of her day-dreaming when she heard a sharp knock on her door. Rising quickly she opened-up and saw before her the cheerful figure of her new friend Athelfreda. The latter bowed her head in leisurely obessience flashing a winning smile at Reasea. Athelfreda was elegantly but simply dressed but as Reasea had noted previously the half-Saxon lady would have looked wonderful and indeed regal in whatever she had worn. A rare human being indeed.

“Well Athelfreda have you conferred with the good abbot yet to enquire how he proposes to deal with that varlet, Godric?”

“No, Reasea, I enquired of one of the monks and apparently Roger is carrying out an in-depth interview with a likely noviciate. It may be some time before he is free, because he always insists in taking his work seriously and doing a thorough job.”

“Typical of Roger” smiled Reasea “but he is worth waiting for.”

“Ladies, our Father Abbot is now free to see you.” The two women glanced round to see a fresh-faced youthful-looking monk standing before them.

“My name is Brother Endfeld” explained the cowled figure “and I undertake various duties for the Abbot. I am skilled as a copyist but also various administrative tasks fall to me from time to time. I trust that both of you ladies had a pleasant rest and that everything was to your satisfaction. We pride ourselves on taking the utmost care of our guests.”

“No problem there Endfeld” responded Reasea.

“I would second that” commented Athelfreda “it is a wonderful atmosphere here, really how one would hope Heaven to be.”

“Good, good” beamed Endfeld “we always aim to please.”

Athelfreda nudged Reasea ever so slightly “Bit chatty for a contemplative brother of the Church don’t you think? Only for the robes and the tonsure I could quite fancy him, I bet he could be a real fun character if he had been allowed to remain in the World as they say.”

“The Benedictines are not as austere as some of the other orders” smiled Reasea “but these lads are even more free and easy then the general rule. It has never affected overall discipline, however, and certainly a more caring bunch of people you could not wish to meet.”

“The Father awaits your pleasure, please enter his domain” announced Brother Endfeld.

The two ladies were ushered into the Abbot’s quarters and were greeted with a warm beaming smile and a twinkle in the eye. The head of the monastery grasped Reasea by the hand and planted a fulsome kiss on that elegant part of her anatomy.

“Welcome, dear friend and you too Athelfreda” he announced “you both passed a peaceful night I trust, no distractions, a time for serious contemplation and prayer no doubt.”

Roger ignored the quizzical expression of his two guests and continued his speech. “Of course, now we need to consider the future of Godric, sadly although like us all a Child of God, a man full of severe imperfections, harsh and unrelenting in his
moods.”

“Is he imprisoned here, Father Abbot?” enquired Athelfreda.

“We would not want anyone to stay here in the house of God that did not really want to, my child” responded Roger “so in order to prevent any problem of that nature we gave him a herbal draught last night strong enough to render a troop of broad-shouldered men-at-arms unconscious for the duration. The young fellow is sleeping like a log, best thing for him really.”

“Where is his next destination?” enquired Reasea, ever the practical one.

“I have good relations with the local sheriff and on the grounds of aggressive behaviour to a gentle-lady the fellow Godric should remain in his legal custody for some-time. The case should not take long to decide.”

“That is good news” retorted Athelfreda “it will also give me an opportunity to touch base with my Lord William Longsword before Godric’s evil, silver tongue starts to wag.”

“Precisely what I was thinking” responded Roger “if you wish to set-off straight away I can arrange horses and reliable servants from this locality. However, if you wished to stay and rest for a few days our Monastery here is available to you. Just say the word.”

“I can recommend Roger’s hospitality” chipped in Reasea “he is very much a man of his word.” The communal laughter following this statement was interrupted by the sound of running feet, and concerned voices being raised.

“Mea Culpa, Father Abbot” almost screeched a young burly-looking monk who came rushing into Roger’s presence.

“Pray do not distress yourself, my son” intoned the leader of the monastics “nothing can be that serious.”

“Oh but Father I have betrayed a trust”

“Brother Robert, you are a good lad who I have every confidence in. Tell me what has happened and let me be the judge of your alleged indiscretion.”

The young Robert put his hands to his head and began to groan audibly. This distressful behaviour and depression of the spirit appeared likely to continue for some time. Still, however, without any known explanation.

“We must find-out what’s wrong” snapped Reasea. With little warning, certainly to Brother Robert, Reasea flung her arms round the distressed monk and pulled him to the ground. Pinning him to the floor she superimposed her body against his and gave him a gentle nip on the neck with her teeth.

“Lady, lady by my honour what is this?” blurted out Robert.

“Short shrift, me lad” grinned Reasea “if you want to keep your monastic vows tell us what has happened.”

“Of course, of course” gulped Robert “it’s the prisoner Godric he has absconded - and its all my fault - he was under my care - Oh my God, what shall I do?”

“Holy Mother of God!” gasped Abbot Roger “I am not given to oaths and expletives but this beats all. Nonetheless Robert I put no blame on you, Godric to all accounts is a clever rogue. Out with it, boy, how did he get away?”

“The potion that was administered to him he barely swallowed. Unbeknown to us he spit it out. We heard soft moaning sounds later in his cell, and being unprepared for danger I went in to attend to his needs. He was at me like a fiend and thrust me to the other side of the room. I am quite strong but that one he is maniacal in his strength...”

“I didn’t find him so” grimaced Reasea to Athelfreda “what sort of men are they turning out these days?”

Brother Robert was not too disturbed by the interruption and continued with his narrative “... he charged-off and bumping into old Brother Anselm dragged him along as a hostage demanding I open the gate to him.”

“How is our elderly brother?” demanded the Abbot “that old man has been through many privations in his life I would not wish him any further hurt.”

“After Godric had made his get-a-way he deposited the old man in a sack in a hay-loft nearby. He is more or less alright now, poor Anselm, his dignity more affected than anything else.”

“Good, but how long ago did this happen? Why was I not told sooner?” demanded Roger.

“Godric swore the few of us involved not to speak or else Anselm would be
the worse for it.”

“The swine!” thundered Athelfreda.

“It was only about a couple of hours ago, Father Abbot. We, that is a couple of the other brothers and myself made certain we found Anselm before telling you.”

“Boy” roared Roger in his most serious mood “I try and run a happy and relaxed regime here but we are all bound by the order of Saint Benedict for all that. My writ here is absolute, you owe obedience to God but also to me your monastic superior. This behaviour is intolerable, I could have contacted the sheriff and we may well have found the rogue by now. You young fool! Still it’s over with, I expect you to do penance for this nonetheless. Report to me before Compline later in the day and I will devise a suitable punishment for you.”

Brother Robert bowed in submissive guilt “and also” added the Abbot “tell your two colleagues in the misdemeanor to report to me also.”

“Yes, Father” responded Robert moving quickly from the magisterial presence as possible.

“Father Abbot” this was Athelfreda speaking “I suggest you utilise your contacts right away or else the ground will really have gone cold. Godric is a cunning devil and nothing is beyond him when he is set in his devilish ways.”

“Yes, Athelfreda, all very well” suggested Reasea “but would it not be better trying to contact Longsword, your friend. After all it is your concern that Godric will try and muddy the waters in that relationship. If you get your contact in first then there is less to fear.”

“We can operate on both fronts” responded Roger “the sheriff and his men should help us here to find Godric and I will ensure that Athelfreda reaches her friend as quickly as possible by providing fresh mounts and provisions.”

“You are too good, Father Abbot” replied a slightly more relieved Athelfreda “I will always remember you as a true and honourable friend in my greatest need.”

“My child this is what we are all here for. God bless you, and take care, but remember in your darkest hours this monastery is always here for you. Reasea will tell you also that we have been a stay and prop to her when she needed help the most.” Reasea smiled a mischievous smile at the Abbot. “I would certainly
reciprocate that sentiment Father, dear Father Roger and, of course, a thousand thanks then now and always.”

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