Brother Cadfael 06: A Virgin In The Ice

brought it on myself. But what had she done?"
    It was the eternal question, and the one to which there exists no answer. Why do the innocent suffer?
    "And yet," she said doubtfully, "it may be true what he says. He was not used to being thwarted, it made him mad ... He had a devil's temper. God forgive me, I used almost to admire him for it once ..."
    Yes, it might be true that he had killed without meaning to, and in panic sought to cover up his deed. Or it might be that he had reasoned coldly that a dead woman could never accuse him, and made sure of her eternal silence. Let those judge who were appointed to do the judging, here in this world.
    "Don't tell Yves!" said Ermina. "I will do that, when the time comes. But not here. Not now!"
    No, there was no need to say any word to the boy of the battle that was over. Evrard Boterei was gone to Ludlow under armed escort, and there was no sign in the great court that ever a crime had been uncovered. Peace came back to Bromfield very softly, almost stealthily. In less than half an hour it would be time for Vespers.
    "After supper," said Cadfael, "you should go to your bed, and get some hours of sleep, and the boy also. I will keep watch and let your squire in."
    He had chosen his words well. It was like the coming of the thaw outside. She lifted her face to him like a flower opening, and all the bitter sadness of guilt and folly regretted melted away and fell from her before such a radiance that Cadfael's eyes dazzled. From death and the past she leaned eagerly to life and the future. He did not think she was making any mistake this time, nor that any power would now turn her from her allegiance.
    There was a small congregation in the parish part of the church even at Compline that night, a dozen or so goodmen of the district, come to offer devout thanks for deliverance from terror. Even the weather partook of the general grace, for there was barely a touch of frost in the air, and the sky was clear and starry. Not a bad night for setting out on a journey.
    Cadfael knew what to look for by now, but for all that it took him a little time to single out the bowed black head for which he was searching. Marvellous that a creature so remarkable could become at will so unremarked. When Compline ended, it was no surprise to count the villagers leaving, and make them one less than had entered. Olivier could not only look like a local lad when he pleased, he could also vanish into shadow without a sound, and remain as still as the stones about him.
    They were all gone, the villagers to their homes, the brothers to the warming-room for half an hour of relaxation before bed. The chill dark bulk of the church was silent.
    "Olivier," said Brother Cadfael, "come forth and be easy. Your wards are getting their rest until midnight, and have trusted you to me."
    The shadows stirred, and gave forth the shape of a lean, lissome, youthful body, instantly advancing to be seen. He had not thought wise or fit to bring his sword with him into a sacred place. He trod without sound, light as a cat. "You know me?"
    "From her I know you. If the boy promised silence, be content, he has kept his word. She chose to trust me."
    "Then so can I," said the young man, and drew nearer. "You have privilege here? For I see you come and go as you please."
    "I am not a brother of the house, but of Shrewsbury. I have a patient here mending, my justification for an irregular life. At the battle up there you saw him - the same distraught soul who marched into peril of his life and gave Yves the chance to break free."
    "I am much in his debt." The voice was low, earnest and assured. "And in yours, too, I think, for you must be the brother to whom the boy ran, the same of whom he spoke, the one who first brought him safe to this house. The name he gave you I do not remember."
    "My name is Cadfael. Wait but a moment, till I look out and see if all are within ..." In the sinking glow of torchlight, the last of the evening, the court showed its pattern of black and white as the paths crossed, empty, quiet and still. "Come!" said Cadfael. "We can offer you a warmer place to wait, if not a holier. I advised leaving while the brethren are at Matins and Lauds, for the porter will also attend, and I can let you out at the wicket in peace. But your horses?"
    "They are handy, and in shelter," said Olivier serenely. "There is a boy goes with me, orphaned at Whitbache, he has them in charge. He will wait until we come. I will go