Brother Cadfael 07: The Sanctuary Sparrow

intent, whether trusting in his ecclesiastical shelter, or simply resigned, there was no knowing.
    'Keep within, out of sight, lad,' said Cadfael over his shoulder, 'unless you're called for. Leave all to the lord abbot.'
    Radulfus greeted the sergeant composedly, and after him the provost.
    'I expected your visit, after the night's alarm. I am acquainted with the charges then made against a man who has appealed to sanctuary within our church, and been received according to our duty. But the charges have no force until made in due form, through the sheriff's authority. You are very welcome, sergeant, I look to you to inform me truly how this matter stands.'
    He had no intention, Cadfael thought, watching, of inviting them withindoors into chapterhouse or hall. The morning was fine and sunny, and the matter might be agreed more briskly here, standing. And the sergeant had already recognized that he had no power to take the fugitive out of the hands of the church, and was intent only on agreeing terms, and hunting his proofs elsewhere.
    'There is a charge lodged with me,' he said practically, 'that the jongleur Liliwin, who was employed last night to play at a wedding in the house of Master Walter Aurifaber, struck down the said Walter in his workshop, where he was then laying away certain valuable wedding gifts in his strong-box, and robbed the strong-box of a treasure in coins and goldsmith's work to a great value. This is sworn to by the goldsmith's son, here present, and by ten of the guests who were at the feast.'
    Daniel braced his feet, stiffened his neck, and nodded emphatic confirmation. Several of the neighbours at his back murmured and nodded with him.
    'And you have satisfied yourself,' said Radulfus briskly, 'that the charges are justified? At least, whoever did them, that these deeds were done?'
    'I have viewed the workshop and the strong-box. The box is emptied of all but heavy items of silverware that would be ill to carry undetected. I have taken sworn witness that it held a great sum in silver pence and small, fine works of jewellery. All are gone. And as to the act of violence against Master Aurifaber, I have seen the marks of his blood close to the coffer, where he was found, and I have seen how he lies still out of his senses.'
    'But not dead?' said Radulfus sharply. 'It was murder was cried here at midnight.'
    'Dead?' The sergeant, an honest man, gaped at the suggestion. 'Not he! He's knocked clean out of his wits, but it was not so desperate a blow as all that. If he hadn't had a fair wash of drink in him he might have been fit to speak up for himself by now, but he's still addled. It was a fair dunt someone gave him, but with a good hard head ... No, he's well alive, and will live his proper span if I'm a judge.'
    The witnesses, solid and sullen at his back, shifted their feet and looked elsewhere, but covertly came back to eyeing the abbot and the church door, and if they were discomfited at having their largest claims refuted, nonetheless held fast to their mortal grievance, and wanted a neck stretched for it.
    'It seems, then,' said the abbot composedly, 'that the man we have in sanctuary is accused of wounding and robbing, but not of murder.'
    'So it stands. The evidence is that he was docked of his full fee because he broke a pitcher in his juggling, and complained bitterly when he was put out. And some time after that, this assault upon Master Aurifaber was made, while most of those invited were still there in the house, and vouched for.'
    'I well understand,' said the abbot, 'that on such a charge you must enquire, and may justice be done. But I think you also know well the sacredness of sanctuary. It is not shelter against sin, it is the provision of a time of calm, when the guilty may examine his soul, and the innocent confide in his salvation. But it may not be violated. It has a period, but until that time is spent it is holy. For forty days the man you seek on this charge is ours - no, he belongs to God! - and he may not be haled forth, nor persuaded forth, nor any way removed against his will from these premises. He is ours to feed, to care for and to shelter, for those forty days.'
    'That I grant,' said the sergeant. 'But there are conditions. He came of his own will within, he may enjoy only the allowance of food those within here enjoy.' Less than he did, by his lusty bulk, but surely more than Liliwin had ever enjoyed as his regular provision. 'And when the respite is over, he