Valley of Dry Bones (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-four

“Rise, Prior Andrew.” Eleanor’s voice was icy with controlled anger.

He tried, then stumbled, tears flowing down stubbled cheeks. His broken sobbing was painful to hear, as if some dull sword were ripping at his flesh.

She turned her back, refusing him the mercy of assistance and unwilling to let him see that she was as grieved as he. Raising her eyes to the ceiling, she waited until the sounds of his struggles to regain his balance had ceased. Slowly, she turned around, folded her hands, and waited in silence.

“I will accept whatever punishment you order, my lady. From this moment on, I bear no title and remain a simple monk who has deeply sinned against you.” He bowed his head with respect and because he could not bear to look her in the eye.

Eleanor gestured for Gytha to approach. “We need wine,” she murmured, then waited until the young woman had left before speaking further to Andrew. “There will be punishment, but not until God grants me the wisdom to make a just decision. In the meantime, I must know why I had to hear about your argument with Baron Oates from Brother Beorn. You swore to tell me all when we last spoke, and I can think of no reason why you did not mention this heated discussion then.”

The prior opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head and began again to weep.

Gytha brought two pewter goblets with a pottery jug. As the maid poured the wine, Eleanor shuddered. For some reason, the bright red color reminded her of blood. Nodding for the young woman to retreat to her position by the chamber door, the prioress turned her attention back to the prior, her expression suggesting she had little patience left.

“I did not kill the man, my lady! I will swear to you on all that is holy.”

“Did you not recently swear to tell me details even when you did not think them important? Surely you can understand my disinclination to readily believe you.”

“I did argue with the baron, and, since murder is a sin when committed in the heart, I am guilty of wishing his death. I most certainly was blinded by hatred. He and I met by accident. When I first saw him, I turned to flee. He called after me, claiming I was no better than my traitorous brother. That alone caused me to hesitate and turn back. When he called me
coward,
Satan set fire to the dry tinder of my fury and I shouted curses on him.”

“Did you strike him then? Or did you promise to meet him at a later time with intent to commit mayhem that resulted in death?”

“Neither of us laid a finger on the other, my lady, although our words were as sharp as swords.”

“I also asked if you met him later.”

“I did not. God, in His mercy, cooled my fury, and I was finally able to turn my back on the creature. As I retreated, he mocked me while I prayed for the courage of martyrs to walk away without retort.” Andrew reached for the goblet and stared down at the wine. “He was walking on this earth when I left him, and I never saw him alive again.”

“Where were you when you argued?”

“Near the guest quarters. Baron Otes was just leaving as I approached.”

“Why had you gone there?” At least the prior’s story was matching the details given by Brother Beorn.

“Father Eliduc had sent a message that he wanted to see me.”

Her eyebrow shot up. “When did he summon you and who was sent? Was the request urgent? Did the messenger give the reason?”

The prior fell silent as if carefully gathering all the facts involved in the answer to each question. “One of the lay brothers, not Brother Beorn, found me. He said Father Eliduc had some problem with the accommodations and wished to speak with me about it. I would not say that his request included a plea for urgent response. Since these guests are from our queen, I did go immediately.”

“And you had not spoken with the priest when you saw Baron Otes?”

“Nay. After the argument, I prayed for calmness in the chapel and did return to the guest quarters after I thought the baron had gone. I was not so possessed with evil that I failed to heed my duty to resolve Father Eliduc’s concern.”

Had gone
? Eleanor’s curiosity was sharpened by the phrase. She chose first to ask one more question before she pursued it. “Did you meet with Father Eliduc?”

“He told me the issue had been settled between the time he sent for me and my arrival.”

Eleanor gestured for him to elaborate.

“He does not like ale and thought we had refused him wine with his meal. When I talked with him, he said the failure to bring the wine had been a misunderstanding and he was satisfied the error would not be repeated.”

Although the story was consistent with what she knew of the priest, Eleanor wondered if there had been some plan to make sure the prior arrived in time to meet the man who had killed Andrew’s brother. “And where did you go after that?”

“Back to the chapel for prayer, my lady. As you can see, I had much need for repentance.”

“Were there witnesses?”

Andrew shook his head.

That lack of corroboration was most unfortunate. “At any time during your argument with the baron, did our guest say where he was going or even his purpose in so doing?”

He rubbed at his reddened eyes.

The silence was long. Eleanor remained patient.

“I think he went in the direction of the mill, although I cannot swear to it.” He squeezed his lids shut. “Aye, he must have, for I now remember looking over my shoulder once in my retreat. He was walking along that path. I confess I had weakened again and longed to cast another curse in his direction.” More tears slipped down his cheeks. “It seems my curses had already been sufficient to kill, is that not so? There was no virtue in my belated restraint.”

“Drink the wine, Prior,” Eleanor said. “It will help.”

He lifted the goblet and gulped several times.

“Did he mention why he was out? Do you remember anything other than the insults he threw at you?”

“He did threaten me.” Andrew gripped the goblet with such force that his knuckles turned white. “He claimed he could expel me from Tyndal in disgrace and that I would die along the road like the dog and traitor I was.”

“How dare he say such a thing to you!” Feeling her face grow hot with anger, Eleanor was more outraged by the baron’s presumption than her prior’s previous omission of this detail. “As I told you, he did offer land to our priory and your expulsion was the price. He seemed to have forgotten that you were pardoned by the king and by God when you took vows. Now you are under His rule and mine. I would never trade my prior for land. I hope I have made myself quite clear.”

“All the more reason to repent my grievous sins against you!”

“Hush.” She poured him more wine and gestured at the goblet, an obvious suggestion that he drink. “Did he speak about this land, other than his ill-conceived assumption that he could bribe me?”

Andrew shook his head and sipped the wine.

“Again, I ask you to think carefully. Did he say anything at all that might suggest where he was going or if he was meeting anyone?”

Andrew silently thought about it, drank more wine, and thought a while longer. “God forgive me if I am wrong about this, my lady,” he said, his words a little slurred. “He was in fine spirits about something, more than I can truly credit to his meeting with me. Now that I think more on it, he did boast that he was most blessed by God. Not only had he grown quite wealthy already, he claimed he was soon to increase his worth, if not his influence at court. Then he pointed to my rough-cut robes and said that God had clearly smiled more on him than on me.” He pursed his lips and plucked at his sleeve. “Methinks that is when God took mercy on me and began to cool my rage. I am honored to serve Him and feel no shame for wearing this.”

For the first time, Eleanor smiled. “You recall nothing else?” she asked gently.

Swaying a bit, he eased the goblet down on the table and pushed it further from the edge with studied resolve. “Nothing, I fear.”

“Do you still swear, on God’s sweet name, that you did neither kill Baron Otes nor have anything to do with the deed?”

“I swear it.”

“Very well.” Eleanor gestured that the audience was done. “While I seek God’s guidance about any punishment you are due, I order you to temporarily turn over your duties as prior to whichever monk you deem most capable. Send him to me. When you explain this act, you will say you took a vow to seek solitude for prayer, spending a short time as an anchorite, if you will. Methinks you have need to take that vow and reflect on your sins. Is that not so?”

Andrew nodded.

“Then you will retreat to a small cell, which I will order readied for you, and that door shall be locked. Entrance will be permitted only to the lay brother I assign who will bring food and tend to your needs. Should you wish to speak with me, send that brother with the request for an audience. When I have decided on your penance, I shall order you brought to my chambers, again by that one lay brother alone.”

Andrew knelt and begged her blessing.

As she watched him leave, she wondered if she truly believed him. Her heart cried out that he was an honorable man and demanded her mind agree. Indeed, she hoped he was innocent. She also knew he must remain in that solitary cell until this murder was resolved.

It was always possible the killer might strike again, and, if he did, there must be no doubt of her prior’s innocence. Now she must decide how much, if anything, to tell Crowner Ralf.

Gesturing to Gytha, she asked her to send for Brother Beorn. Of all the lay brothers in the priory, he was the one she trusted most. Although he was deeply troubled by the quarrel he had witnessed between his religious superior and Baron Otes, he would never treat the prior with discourtesy. Seeing Andrew locked in that windowless room as hard penance for giving in to the sin of wrath, Beorn would honor the prior even more.

As her maid rushed in obedience from the chambers, Eleanor walked to the window and stared out at the priory walls. They shimmered in the heat as if they had been crafted, not of stone but of some flimsy cloth that now twisted in the slight breeze. Even these works, so enduring to men’s eyes and meant to house God’s servants, may prove impermanent, she thought.

Sighing, she shut her eyes and forced her mind to return to the problems at hand. If only Brother Thomas had not left Tyndal to become a hermit, then he might have become that monk chosen by Andrew to act as temporary prior. Her sinful longings aside, she had learned to value his insight, and, for reasons God would surely condone, she deeply missed his company.

Chapter Twenty-five

Gytha tilted the jug and poured ale into round pottery cups.

Reaching for a ruddy apple from the platter, the crowner smiled with gratitude, his face red and sweating from the heat.

“What have you discovered about the killer?” Eleanor leaned back in her chair. Her voice was soft with hope.

“Nothing that would give a name to the man, although I think some possibilities may be discounted. I went first to Signy who said the inn housed the usual ardent pilgrims and assorted traveling merchants. Apparently they were a weary bunch and found their beds too early for any to be guilty of a quick murder after supper.”

“For that, we must give thanks.” Despite her worries, the prioress laughed at his phrasing and with some relief that Signy was willing to break her long silence with Ralf. Although Eleanor suspected their conversation had been awkward, she was pleased their festering quarrel showed signs of healing, even if it had taken another murder to bring that about.

“As for those village men most likely to make trouble, none are known for any greater violence than a fist fight after too much drink.” Indicating he had several points to make, the crowner raised one finger. “The baron had not been here long enough to seduce a local woman into his bed so it is doubtful he was killed by a jealous husband or love-struck lad.” He extended his ring finger. “Nor do I suspect that robbery was the intent. A bag of coin was attached to the corpse, and there were enough jeweled rings on the fingers to tempt most men of any rank.” He waved three of his own, which, in contrast, were quite unadorned.

Stopping for a moment, Ralf thoughtfully stared at his fourth finger. “Oh, some mutterings about outlaws have been heard. That rumor I mistrust. If there are any such men in the area, they have managed to hide themselves well enough not to be seen before now. Why would they chance discovery by committing random murder without any gain at all?” He studied his thumb which remained folded into his palm.

“I have heard nothing on market day about real sightings or persistent rumors of lawless men, my lady.” Gytha added bread and cheese to the offered food on the platter near the crowner’s elbow. “At least not since the last snows melted.”

“Although the idea is troubling for many reasons, we cannot ignore the possibility that the killer might be a member of the queen’s party.” Eleanor hesitated before adding, “What of the men who accompanied the courtiers on this journey?”

“According to Signy, they spent their evening gambling. To the best of her knowledge, no one left the inn.”

Gytha frowned. “Signy could not watch everyone. Did any of those who serve food and drink notice…?”

“She asked them and later told me no one saw any of the men slipping away.”

“Daylight lasts so long in this season that many seek bed before dusk. Signy and those serving at the inn must take time to rest. A man could leave and not be noticed, either during the busy time or after dark.” Suddenly realizing she had been adding to a discussion she was supposed to ignore, Gytha turned red. “Forgive my intrusion, my lady!”

“You have just reminded me that we cannot dismiss the idea that anyone at the inn, whether he sought a bed early or not, might have left to meet the baron after dark.” The prioress gestured permission for the maid to join in the conversation, then turned back to Ralf. “From what you have learned, this does not look like a random killing. Nothing was stolen, and no one has seen any brigands. I am unhappy we cannot rule out the possibility that some alleged pilgrim or merchant, staying at the inn, had a motive for killing, or that one of the escort might have had equal grounds for committing violence against the baron.”

“I concur, but the pilgrims and merchants staying that night have since journeyed on. I fear we have no way of discovering which amongst them might have known the dead man.” He tore off a large piece of bread, added cheese, and bit into it with marked pleasure.

“Most unfortunate. However, we might comfort ourselves by answering a question. How probable it is that an enemy of Baron Otes, disguised as pilgrim or merchant, would travel the far distance from court so that he might kill the baron on the banks of our particular stream?”

Ralf nodded.

“I am more inclined to suspect that something happened, either shortly before the party’s arrival or just after, to rouse some member of the queen’s party to commit murder. What is your thinking? Is it likely that a stranger would lodge at the inn, wait for the baron to arrive, and then ride off after killing him?”

“Your conclusion has merit,” the crowner replied. “The route and length of the journey would give anyone many opportunities to kill and safely escape. The murderer did not have to wait until reaching Tyndal to do so.” Ralf failed to add that it was Father Eliduc who had brought this to his attention earlier.

“As far as the escort is concerned, surely your brother would know all the men well enough. Have you asked Sir Fulke if any of them, or their families, had a dispute with Baron Otes?”

The crowner picked up his mazer, only to find it empty. He blinked.

“I will add water to the ale, should you want more.” Gytha gave Ralf a mischievous grin before refilling his cup.

He muttered something incomprehensible and handed her the mazer.

Eleanor raised an eyebrow, sensing something between crowner and maid she had not noticed before. Although Gytha had often teased the crowner over the years, this instance had a different tone. Surely Ralf would never hurt Tostig’s younger sister, and she knew the crowner to be honorable. She was probably imagining things, and, if not, Tostig would swiftly handle any problem.

Ralf cleared his throat, his expression suggesting discomfort at the prioress’ steady gaze.

Eleanor’s thoughts shifted back to murder. “I am sure you must have considered that question.”

“I did ask the sheriff about the men,” the crowner said. “Many at court have reason enough to despise the baron, but the guards were all too poor and too low in station to fall within his avaricious notice. The same was true of their kinsmen. The baron has long preferred to pursue the greater gain from the more prosperous ranks.”

Eleanor sipped her ale thoughtfully. The dead man had chosen to torment Prior Andrew, a man who also could be thought beneath notice.

“One of the guards might have been hired by another who remains at court.” Gytha lowered her eyes after glancing at her mistress.

“An observation worthy of careful consideration,” the prioress replied, resting her chin on her hand.

“I did learn something else when I talked to Signy.” Ralf tilted his head in the direction of the inn. “Nute was hiding in the bushes near Brother Thomas’ hermitage the night of the murder and saw two men arguing near the stream.”

Eleanor leaned forward. “Why did you not mention this before?”

“Because the lad recognized neither of them. When I asked for details, all he could say was that one was fat and the other not.” The crowner shrugged.

Gytha looked relieved. “They were not local men if he could not identify either.”

Eleanor wondered if
local
included the priory. Had Gytha heard about the quarrel between Otes and Andrew? Although Brother Beorn was not one to gossip, she did not know if anyone else had witnessed the argument and failed to tell her, choosing to whisper the news about instead. Must she seek out these witnesses, question them, and demand prudence in their speech until this murder could be solved? The Prioress of Tyndal was not pleased with the possibility.

“More likely he could not see them well enough,” Ralf said.

Gytha shook her head. “If he was able to determine that one was larger than the other, he might have been able to see enough to judge if they were from the village.”

“Did he hear any of the argument?” Although Eleanor knew a child’s word would have little weight against that of a man, she hoped Nute’s story might at least help them find the killer. Getting the murderer to confess was a problem to worry about after capture.

Ralf thought for a moment. “He did say that the
fat one,
presumably the baron, asked the other where the man was that they were supposed to meet. An instant before the baron was killed, Nute did hear him exclaim ‘Impossible’.”

“Right away, as if there were a connection between word and deed?”

“I fear I did not pursue details. Signy thought Nute had endured enough questioning from me, and the boy was getting restless.”

The prioress nodded. Considering the baron’s reputation for greed, there was nothing surprising about the killer successfully luring him away from Tyndal with some promise of gain. The details of that bait might not be especially important, but she did wonder if there was any significance in the word uttered by Otes just before he was killed. Was it important that Nute remembered only that and nothing else? Or was it the only word spoken loud enough for him to hear?

“Is Nute still too frightened to give further details?” Eleanor hoped there might be far more to learn.

“Signy promised to draw them out, should the lad seem willing to talk more.” Taking another large chunk of cheese from the platter, the crowner bit off a mouthful and chewed with the contentment reminiscent of some benign bull.

Eleanor decided she was exaggerating the importance of the coincidence between word and act. And, if there was more to learn from Nute, Signy would gently pursue the questioning, telling Ralf the result if there was anything of note.

As the crowner ate, she debated whether she should share one particular confidence with him. If she did, she was in danger of implicating Father Eliduc. If she did not, she might permit someone of secular rank to be ignored. Surely Ralf would honor the right of the Church to deal with him if the evidence did lead to the priest. She did not want a man subject to the king’s law to escape justice.

When Baron Otes suggested a high ranking churchman was interested in the land grant, he might have lied. By suggesting this, his intent may have been to provoke in her an ambition to improve the wealth of her priory over that of others, a ploy that almost succeeded. If he had lied, the person hoping for this gift might be a man with a secular title. As long as Otes accomplished whatever he wanted, truthfulness did not matter. When it came to the question of murder, truth did.

“An odd thing happened just before the baron died,” she said. “I am not sure if it has any relevance, but you should know of it.”

His mouth too full to speak, Ralf nodded.

“Baron Otes came to me with an offer of land. He had some benefit to himself in mind, a price I did not wish to pay. He claimed the land was valuable. I did wonder if he had made the same offer elsewhere.”

The crowner looked puzzled. “What did he want in exchange?”

“Unless it becomes necessary, I would rather not explain beyond saying he wanted reprisal against one for whom he felt some hatred.”

“My lady, you must know I now suspect that man is one of your religious. Will you tell me if he had cause to kill the baron?”

“I believe the person to be innocent of any such crime, and I must be the arbiter here in Tyndal, as you well know.” She softened her words with a smile. “Ralf, I would not let you continue hunting a killer if I thought I had the perpetrator under my rule.”

Although he looked unhappy, he nodded agreement.

Eleanor was relieved. Not only had he respected her judgement on the matter, he had proven he would honor the Church’s right to discipline its own wrongdoers.

“If Baron Otes tried to use that land as a bribe to someone else and failed, I have not heard any rumors. All that means nothing,” the crowner said. “I am neither at court nor privy to such matters.”

“I am aware of his reputation. He gained wealth primarily by threatening to reveal damaging secrets,” Eleanor said. “That is why I thought his desire to actually pay for retribution was unusual.”

“Perhaps he hoped to increase what he could get in return for the gift by playing one against another.” He shifted on the stool with evident impatience.

“When he said another was interested, he avoided the mention of any name,” she replied. All she wanted Ralf to do was pursue secular leads and so chose not to mention Eliduc’s interest in the gift. Nor did she say that Otes had spoken of how much he hoped to gain for his soul with the grant, hinting that the leader of a prominent abbey might have been the other party.

The crowner grunted.

“I think you have better sources than I to discover who was wealthy enough to be interested in valuable land and able to offer Baron Otes enough in return, Ralf.”

And should he find some link between Father Eliduc, or rather his liege lord, and the baron, the discovery would force kings and bishops to strive together for resolution and her own priory would remain safe from the power struggles of the mighty. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she had been very wise to refuse a gift that might well have been even more venomous than she had first believed.

His brow deeply furrowed, Ralf rose. “I will investigate further, my lady,” he muttered, then quickly bowed and raced from the chambers.

Eleanor and her maid looked at each other with mild surprise. The crowner had left with uncharacteristic abruptness, without even his usual jest to Gytha or a promise to return after he got more information.

Considering the matter with more care, the prioress realized he had grown uneasy after the mention of what Otes had offered her. Might he have kept some secrets to himself, just as she had over the matter of her prior, the priest, and that land grant?