Brother Cadfael 07: The Sanctuary Sparrow Read Free

desolate entreaty were hollow and evasive, and one of them half-closed and swelling, but in the light of the candles they flared darkly and brilliantly blue as periwinkle flowers.
    'Son,' said Radulfus, with chill detachment, for murderers come in all shapes, ages and kinds, 'you heard what is charged against you by those who surely sought your life. Here you have committed body and soul to the care of the church, and I and all here are bound to keep and succour you. On that you may rely. As at this moment, I offer you only one channel to grace, and ask of you but one question. Whatever the answer, here you are safe as long as the right of sanctuary lasts. I promise it.'
    The wretch crouched on his knees, watching the abbot's face as though he numbered him among his enemies, and said no word.
    'How do you answer to this charge?' asked Radulfus. 'Have you this day murdered and robbed?'
    Distorted lips parted painfully to loose a light, high, wary voice like a frightened child's. 'No, Father Abbot, I swear it!'
    'Get up,' said the abbot, neither trusting nor judging. 'Stand close, and lay your hand upon this casket on the altar. Do you know what it contains? Here within are the bones of the blessed Saint Elerius, the friend and director of Saint Winifred. On these holy relics, consider and answer me once again, as God hears you: are you guilty of that which they charge you?'
    With all the obstinate, despairing fervour so slight a body could contain, and without hesitation, the light voice shrilled: 'As God sees me, I am not! I have done no wrong.'
    Radulfus considered in weighty silence an unnerving while. Just so would a man answer who had nothing to hide and nothing to fear from being heard in Heaven. But no less, so would a godless vagabond answer for his hide's sake, having no faith in Heaven, and no fear of anything beyond the terrors of this world. Hard to decide between the two. The abbot suspended judgement.
    'Well, you have given a solemn word, and whether it be true or no, you have the protection of this house, according to law, and time to think on your soul, if there is need.' He looked at Cadfael, and eye to eye they considered the needs that came before all. 'He had best keep to the church itself, I think, until we have spoken with the officers of law, and agreed on terms.'
    'So I think, also,' said Cadfael.
    'Should he be left alone?' They were both thinking of the pack recently expelled from this place, still hungry and ripe for mischief, and surely not gone far.
    The brothers had withdrawn, led back to the dortoir by Prior Robert, very erect and deeply displeased. The choir had grown silent and dark. Whether the brethren, particularly the younger and more restless, would sleep, was another matter. The smell of the dangerous outer world was in their nostrils, and the tremor of excitement quivering like an itch along their skins.
    'I shall have work with him a while,' said Cadfael, eyeing the smears of blood that marked brow and cheek, and the painful list with which the man stood. A young, willowy body, accustomed to going lightly and lissomely. 'If you permit, Father, I will stay here with him, and take his care upon me. Should there be need, I can call.'
    'Very well, do so, brother. You may take whatever is necessary for his provision.' The weather was mild enough, but the hours of the night would be cold, in this sanctified but stony place. 'Do you need a helper to fetch and carry for you? Our guest should not be left unfellowed.'
    'If I may borrow Brother Oswin, he knows where to find all the things I may need,' said Cadfael.
    'I will send him to you. And should this man wish to tell his own side of this unhappy story, mark it well. Tomorrow, no doubt, we shall have his accusers here in proper form, with one of the sheriff's officers, and both parties will have to render account.'
    Cadfael understood the force of that. A small discrepancy in the accused youth's story between midnight and morning could be