Brother Cadfael 02: One Corpse Too Many

was. I still have nothing against him but that he has chosen one way, and I the other.'
    'And as I hear, you are betrothed to Fulke Adeney's daughter.'
    'I hardly know whether to say to that: I am! Or I was! The times have altered a great many plans previously made, for others as well as for me. As at this time, I do not know where the girl is, or whether the bargain still holds.'
    'There are said to be no women now in the castle,' said the king, eyeing him closely. 'FitzAlan's family may well be clean away, perhaps out of the country by now. But Adeney's daughter is thought to be in hiding in the town. It would not be displeasing to me,' he said with soft emphasis, 'to have so valuable a lady in safe-keeping - in case even my plans should need to be altered. You were of her father's party, you must know the places likely to be sheltering her now. When the way is clear, you, of all people, should be able to find her.'
    The young man gazed back at him with an inscrutable face, in which shrewd black eyes signalled understanding, but nothing more, neither consent nor resistance, no admission at all that he knew he was being set a task on which acceptance and favour might well depend. His face was bland and his voice guileless as he said: 'That is my intent, your Grace. I came from Maesbury with that also in mind.'
    'Well,' said Stephen, warily content, 'you may remain in attendance against the town's fall, but we have no immediate work for you here. Should I have occasion to call you, where will you be found?'
    'If they have room,' said Beringar, 'at the abbey guest house.'
    The boy Godric stood through Vespers among the pupils and the novices, far back among the small fry of the house, and close to the laity, such as lived here outside the walls on the hither bank of the river, and could still reach this refuge. He looked, as Brother Cadfael reflected when he turned his head to look for the child, very small and rather forlorn, and his face, bright and impudent enough in the herbarium, had grown very solemn indeed here in church. Night was looming, his first night in this abode. Ah well, his affairs were being taken in hand more consolingly than he supposed, and the ordeal he was bracing himself to master need not confront him at all, if things went right, and at all events not tonight. Brother Paul, the master of the novices, has several other youngsters to look after, and was glad to have one taken firmly off his hands.
    Cadfael reclaimed his protege after supper, at which meal he was glad to see that Godric ate heartily. Evidently the boy was of a mettle to fight back against whatever fears and qualms possessed him, and had the good sense to fortify himself with the things of the flesh for the struggles of the spirit. Even more reassuringly, he looked up with relief and recognition when Cadfael laid a hand on his shoulder as they left the refectory.
    'Come, we're free until Compline, and it's cool out in the gardens. No need to stay inside here, unless you wish.'
    The boy Godric did not wish, he was happy to escape into the summer evening. They went down at leisure towards the fish ponds and the herbarium, and the boy skipped at Cadfael's side, and burst into a gay whistling, abruptly broken off.
    'He said the master of the novices would want me, after supper. Is it really proper for me to come with you, like this?'
    'All approved and blessed, child, don't be afraid. I've spoken with Brother Paul, we have his good word. You are my boy, and I am responsible for you.' They had entered the walled garden, and were suddenly engulfed and drowned in all those sun-drenched fragrances, rosemary, thyme, fennel, dill, sage, lavender, a whole world of secret sweetness. The heat of the sun lingered, heady with scent, even into the cool of the evening. Over their heads swifts wheeled and screamed in ecstasy.
    They had arrived at the wooden shed, its oiled timbers radiated warmth towards them. Cadfael opened the door. 'This is your sleeping-place, Godric.'
    There was a low bench-bed neatly arrayed at the end of the room. The boy stared, and quaked under Cadfael's hand.
    'I have all these medicines brewing here, and some of them need tending regularly, some very early, they'd spoil if no one minded them. I'll show you all you have to do, it's not so heavy a task. And here you have your bed, and here a grid you may open for fresh air.' The boy had stopped shaking, the dark blue eyes were large and measuring, and fixed implacably