Brother Cadfael 12: The Raven in the Foregate

way. But I do believe that you know more of what happened here that night than you have told. Tell the rest, and let me know where we really stand. You did come here to the mill, did you not?"
    Ninian blew out a gusty, rueful breath that warmed Cadfael's leaning cheek for a moment. "I did. I had to. I got no more answer from Giffard than that he'd received and understood the message I sent. I'd no means of knowing whether he meant to come or not. But I came very early, to view the place and find a corner to hide in until I saw what came of it. I stayed there in the doorway in the abbey wall, with the wicket ajar, so that I could watch for whoever came. I had to make haste round the corner of the infirmary, I can tell you, when the miller came bustling through on his way to church, but I had the place to myself after that, to keep watch on the path."
    "And it was Ailnoth who came?" said Cadfael.
    "Storming along the path like a bolt from God. Dark as it was, there was no mistaking him, he had a gait all his own. There was no possible reason he should be there at such an hour, unless he'd got wind of what I was up to, and meant all manner of mischief. He was striding up and down and round the mill and along the bank, thumping the ground like a cat lashing its tail. And I'd perhaps got another man into the mud with me, and must make some shift to get him, at least, out of it, even if I was still stuck in the mire."
    "So what did you do?"
    "It was still early. I couldn't leave Giffard to come to the meeting all unsuspecting, could I? I didn't know if he meant to come at all, but still he might, I couldn't take the risk. I hared away back through the court and out at the gatehouse, and went to earth among the bushes close by the end of the bridge. If he came at all, he had to come that way from the town. And I didn't even know what the man looked like, though I knew his name and his allegiance from others. But I thought there'd be very few men coming out from the town at that hour, and I could risk accosting any who looked of his age and quality."
    "Ralph Giffard had already come over the bridge," said Cadfael, "a good hour earlier, to visit the priest and send him hot-foot to confront you at the mill, but you could hardly know that. I fancy he was already back in his own house while you were watching for him in the bushes. Did you see any others pass by you there?"
    "Only one, and he was too young, and too poor and simple in his person and gear to be Giffard. He went straight along the Foregate and turned in at the church."
    Centwin, perhaps, thought Cadfael, coming from paying his debt, to have his mind free and at peace, owing no man, as he went to celebrate the birth of Christ. Well for him if it proved that Ninian could speak for him, and show clearly that his own bitter debt had gone unreclaimed.
    "And you?"
    "I waited until I was sure he was not coming - it was past the time. So I made haste back to be in time for Matins."
    "Where you met with Sanan." Cadfael's smile was invisible in the dark, but perceptible in his voice. "She was not so foolish as to go to the mill, for like you, she could not be quite sure her step-father would not keep the tryst. But she knew where to find you, and she was determined to respond to the appeal Giffard had preferred to reject. Indeed, as I recall, she had already taken steps to get a good look at you, as you yourself told me. Maybe you'll do for a lady's page, after all. With a little polishing!"
    Within the muffling folds of the cloak he heard Ninian laughing softly. "I never believed, that first day, that anything would really come of it. And now see - everything I owe to her. She would not be put off ... You've seen her, you've talked to her, you know how splendid she is ... Cadfael, I must tell you - she's coming with me to Gloucester, she's promised herself to me in marriage." His voice was low and solemn now, as though he had already come to the altar. It was the first time Cadfael had known him in awe of anything or anyone.
    "She is a very valiant lady," said Cadfael slowly, "and knows her own mind very well, and I, for my part, wouldn't say a word against her choice. But, lad, is it right to let her do this for you? Is she not abandoning property, family, everything? Have you considered that?"
    "I have, and urged her to consider it, too. How much do you know, Cadfael, of her situation? She has no land to abandon. Her father's manor was taken from him after the siege here,