Brother Cadfael 06: A Virgin In The Ice

rising hopes to the open gate in the stockade, which here to the west was still only breast-high. Nevertheless, even on this side an archer rose in the gate to challenge them, and his bow was strung, and if he had not an arrow braced, he had a quiver on his shoulder.
    He was a shrewd fellow, so quick to measure the good equipment of the men-at-arms at Hugh's back that he had changed his wary front for a smile before ever Hugh could recite his name and titles.
    "My lord, you've very welcome. The lord sheriff's deputy could not come better. If our lord had known you were so near he would have sent to you. For he could not well come himself ... But ride in, my lord, ride in, and my boy here will run for the steward."
    The boy was already in full flight across the trampled snow within the pale. By the time they had ridden across to the stone stairway that led up to the great door of the hall, the steward was scurrying out to receive them, a stout elderly man, russet of beard and bald of head.
    "I am seeking Evrard Boterei," said Hugh, descending with a flurry of snow at his heel. "He's within?"
    "He is, my lord, but not yet in full health. He has been in a sharp fever, but it mends gradually. I'll bring you to him."
    He went before, stumping up the steep stairs, and Hugh followed him close, with Brother Cadfael and Yves on his heels. Within the great hall, at this hour of this winter day, and with hardly a soul using it and hardly a torch to light it, thick gloom hung heavy, warmed only grudgingly by the dampened fire on the stones of the central hearth. All the manor's menfolk were working on the defence. A middle-aged matron jingled her keys along the passage behind the screens, a couple of maids whispered and peered from the kitchen.
    The steward brought them with a flourish into a small room at the upper end of the hall, where a man lay back languidly in a great, cushioned chair, with wine and a smoky oil-lamp on a table at his side. One small window was unshuttered, but the light it provided was growing dim, and the yellow flame from the wick of the lamp cast deceptive shadows, and gave them only a dusky view of the face that turned towards them as the door was opened.
    "My lord, here are the sheriff's officers come south to Ludlow." The steward had softened his bluff voice to the coaxing tone he might have used to a child, or a very sick man. "The lord Hugh Beringar comes to see you. We shall have help if we should need it, you can put your mind at rest."
    A long and muscular but slightly shaky hand was put out to move the lamp, so that it might show host and visitors to each other more clearly. A low-pitched voice said, over somewhat quick and shallow breath: "My lord, you're heartily welcome. God knows we seem to have need of you in these parts." And to the steward he said: "Bring more lights, and some refreshment." He leaned forward in the chair, gathering himself with an effort. "You find me in some disarray, I am sorry for it. They tell me I have been in fever some days. T am out of that now, but it has left me weaker than I care to be."
    "So I see, and I am sorry," said Hugh. "I brought a force south here, I must tell you, upon other business, but by chance it has taken me to your manor above at Callowleas. I have seen, sir, what has been done to you there. I am glad that you, and some, at least, of your people escaped alive from that massacre, and I intend to make it my business to find and root out whatever nest of vultures brought that upon you. I see you have been busy strengthening your own defences."
    "As best we can."
    A woman brought candles, disposed them silently in sconces on the walls, and withdrew. The sudden brightness brought them all vividly close, eyes startled wide. Yves, who had stood rooted and stiff by Cadfael's side, a lordling ready to confront his enemy, suddenly clutched at Cadfael's sleeve and softened in uncertainty.
    The man in the great chair looked no more than twenty-four or twenty-five. He had heaved himself forward, and the cushions had slid down at his back. He presented to the light a face pale and hollow-cheeked, the eyes large and dark, and sunken into bruised hollows, glittering still with the hectic brilliance of fever. His thick fair hair was rumpled and on end from the pillows that had propped him. But no question, this was a very handsome and engaging person, and when in health a tall and athletic one. He was clothed and booted, plainly he had been out during the day