Brother Cadfael 07: The Sanctuary Sparrow

from among the tussocks his despised gold and silver.
    Chapter Fourteen
    Afterwards
    They took back the living and the dead alike into Shrewsbury in the radiant, slanting light of morning, Iestyn, mute now and indifferent to his fate, to a lodging in the castle; Susanna, safe from any penalty in this world, to the depeopled household from which three generations together would shortly be carried to the grave. Walter Aurifaber followed dazedly, hugging his recovered wealth, and regarding his daughter's body with a faint frown of bewilderment, as though, tugged between his loss and his gain, he could not yet determine what he should be feeling. For after all, she had robbed him and vilified him at the end, and if he had been deprived of a competent housekeeper, that was his sole serious loss, and there was another woman at home now to take her place. And with Daniel surely maturing and taking a pride in his own craftsmanship, he might very well manage without having to pay a journeyman. Whatever conflict disrupted Walter would soon be resolved in favour of satisfaction.
    As for the two delivered lovers, bereft of words, unable to unlock eyes or hands, Cadfael took them in charge and, mindful of the proprieties, of Prior Robert's chaste disapproval and Abbot Radulfus's shrewd regard for the ordered peace of the rule, thought well to speak a word in Hugh's ear and enlist the ready sympathy of Hugh's lady. Aline welcomed Rannilt into her care with delight, and undertook to provide and instruct her in everything a bride should possess and know, to feed her plump and rosy, and coax into full light those beauties in her which hitherto had gone veiled and unregarded.
    'For if you intend to take her away with you,' said Cadfael, propelling the half-reluctant Liliwin back over the bridge towards the abbey gatehouse, 'you'd best marry her here, where there'll be shame-faced folk enough anxious to set you up with small favours, to pay for their misuse of you earlier. No need to despise the gifts of this world when they come honestly. And you'll be doing the givers a kindness, they'll have made their peace with their consciences. You come back to us, and don't grudge a week's waiting to make ready for your marriage. You could hardly bring your girl back to share your bed in the porch.' Or behind an altar, he thought but did not say. 'She'll be safe there with Hugh's lady, and come to you with every man's goodwill.'
    Cadfael was right. Shrewsbury had a bad conscience about Liliwin, as soon as word of the scandalous truth was being passed round over market-stalls and shop counters and traded along the streets. All those who had been too hasty in hunting him took care to proffer small favours by way of redress. The provost, who had taken no part, noted the sad state of the young man's only pair of shoes, and set an example by making him a fine new pair in which to resume his travels. Other members of the guild merchant took the hint. The tailors combined to clothe him decently. He bade fair to emerge better provided than ever before in his life.
    But the best gift of all came from Brother Anselm.
    'Well, since you won't stay and be celibate here among us,' said the precentor cheerfully, 'here is your own rebec ready for playing, and a good leather bag to carry it in. I'm pleased with my work, it came out better than I dared hope, and you'll find it still has a very sweet voice, after all its misadventures.' And he added sternly, while Liliwin embraced his recovered treasure with a joy far more profound than if it had been gold and silver: 'Now bear in mind what you've learned here concerning the reading and writing of music. Never lose your skills. Let me not be ashamed of my pupil when you come this way and visit us again.'
    And Liliwin poured out fervent thanks, and promises he might never be able to keep, though he meant them with all his heart.
    They were married at the parish altar, where Liliwin had first taken refuge, by Father Adam, priest of the Foregate parish, in the presence of Hugh and Aline Beringar, Brother Cadfael, Brother Oswin, Brother Anselm, and several more of the brothers who felt a sympathetic interest in their departing guest. Abbot Radulfus himself gave them his blessing.
    Afterwards, when they had packed up their wedding clothes and put on the everyday homespun in which they meant to set out together, they sought out Hugh Beringar, who was sitting with Brother Cadfael in the ante-chamber of the