Brother Cadfael 15: The Confession of Brother Haluin

had not been deceived in their relationship, for this one was clearly father to the other, a tough, square-set man in his fifties, close-mouthed like his son, broader in the shoulders, more bowed in the legs from years spent as much on horseback as on his own two feet. The same cold, unconfiding eyes, the same bold and powerful shaven jaws, but this one was tanned to a lasting bronze that Cadfael recognized from his own past as having its origin very far from England. His lord had been a crusader. This man had surely been with him there in Holy Land, and got his burnished gloss there under the fierce, remembered sun.
    The elder groom came again later in the afternoon, with a message not for Haluin but for Cadfael. It so happened that Haluin had fallen asleep on his pallet, and the man's entrance, light and soft as a cat for all his bulk, did not disturb his rest, for which Cadfael was grateful. There was a long and unrestful night to come. He motioned to the groom to wait, and went out into the courtyard to him, closing the door softly after him.
    "Let him lie. He'll need to be wakeful later."
    "My lady told us how he means to spend the night," said the groom. "It's you she bids to her, if you'll come with me now. Let the other brother rest, she says, for he's been mortal sick. I grant him a man's guts, or he'd never have come so far on those feet. This way, Brother!"
    Her dower dwelling was built into a corner of the curtain wall, sheltered from the prevailing winds, small, but enough for such occasional visits as she chose to make to her son's court. A narrow hall and chamber, and a kitchen built lean-to against the wall outside. The groom strode in and through the hall with simple authority, as one having privilege here, and entered his mistress's presence much as a son or brother of hers might have done, trusting and trusted. Adelais de Clary was well served, but without subservience.
    "Here is Brother Cadfael from Shrewsbury, my lady. The other one's asleep."
    Adelais was sitting at a distaff loaded with deep blue wool, spinning the spindle with her left hand, but at their entrance she ceased to turn it, and lodged it carefully against the foot of the distaff to prevent the yarn from uncoiling.
    "Good! It's what he needs. Leave us now, Lothair, our guest will find his own way back. Is my son home yet?"
    "Not yet. I'll be looking out for him when he comes."
    "He has Roscelin with him," she said, "and the hounds. When they're all home and kenneled and stalled, take your ease, it's well earned."
    He merely nodded by way of acknowledgment, and departed, taciturn and uneffusive as ever, and yet there was a tone in their exchange of invulnerable assurance, secure as rooted rock. Adelais said no word until the door of her chamber had closed after her servant. She was eyeing Cadfael with silent attention, and the faint shadow of a smile.
    "Yes," she said, as if he had spoken. "More than an old servant. He was with my lord all the years he fought in Palestine. More than once he did Bertrand that small service, to keep him man alive. It is another manner of allegiance, not a servant's. As bound in fealty as ever lord is to his overlord. I inherited what was my lord's before me. Lothair, he's called. His son is Luc. Born and bred in the some mold. You'll have seen the likeness, God knows it can hardly be missed."
    "I have seen it," said Cadfael. "And I knew where Lothair got that copper skin he wears."
    "Indeed?" She was studying him with concentrated interest now, having gone to the trouble to see him for the first time.
    "I was some years in the east myself, before his time. If he lives long enough his brown will fade as mine has faded, but it takes a long while."
    "Ah! So you were not given to the monks in childhood? I thought you had not the look of such virgin innocents," said Adelais.
    "I entered of my own will," said Cadfael, "when it was time."
    "So did he - of his own will, though I think it was not time." She stirred and sighed. "I sent for you only to ask if you have everything you need - if my men have taken proper care of you."
    "Excellent care. And for their kindness and yours we are devoutly grateful."
    "And to ask you of him - of Haluin. I have seen in what sad case he is. Will it ever be better for him?"
    "He will never walk as he did before," said Cadfael, "but as his sinews gain time and strength he will improve. He believed he was dying, so did we all, but he lives and will yet find much good in life -