Sir Hugh Corbett 11 - The Demon Archer

in the refectory; I never finish my food! So, I’m given tasks, little punishments. I hate leaves!’
    ‘I beg your pardon?’ Ranulf asked.
    ‘Leaves,’ Sister Fidelis repeated. ‘Because I don’t eat my food quickly enough, when the other novices go to recreation, I have to sweep the yard. I’m given a thick, heavy apron which scores my neck and a broom that’s far too heavy. I’m told to sweep the cobbled yard which divides our refectory from Lady Madeleine’s house.’
    ‘I don’t like leaves either,’ Corbett told her. ‘And, I promise you, I’ll have a word with Lady Madeleine not to punish you so rigorously.’
    ‘Oh, would you, sir, and would you also mention Lady Johanna’s ferrule?’
    ‘For the love of God!’ Ranulf whispered.
    ‘The leaves?’ Corbett asked.
    ‘Well, one night, I think it was on the eve of St Matthew.’ Her fingers flew to her lips. ‘Or was it the feast of St Cornelius?’
    ‘You were sweeping leaves in the yard?’
    ‘Yes. I went into a corner when it was growing dark and no one would see me. I’d stolen a piece of marchpane from the refectory and my fingers were cold. Anyway, I ate the marchpane. I was very cross because the novices were in their house and all the other sisters were enjoying themselves. Suddenly.’ Her head came forward and Corbett nearly jumped.
    Suddenly,’ she whispered hoarsely, ‘I saw a man, cowled and cloaked, cross the yard.’
    ‘You are sure it wasn’t one of the sisters?’ Corbett asked.
    ‘They don’t wear spurs which clink nor do they carry swords! They certainly don’t walk with a swagger. Anyway, he enters Lady Madeleine’s house. Oh, I say to myself, what goes on here? In he goes, just opens the door. Now downstairs is her own refectory and chambers; upstairs is her own bedchamber. No one ever goes up there! I put the broom down and stole across the yard. I looked through the window but saw no one there.’
    ‘So, the man must have gone upstairs?’ Corbett asked.
    ‘He must have done. Do you know, sir, I swept that yard time and again but he never came out. A week later, it was the end of the month because we had celebrated the feast of St Jerome , he was the man who...’
    ‘Yes,’ Corbett intervened. ‘I know who St Jerome was. And you were sweeping the yard again?’
    ‘No, sir, I was sweeping the refectory floor all by myself, another punishment. I am sure,’ Sister Fidelis confided, ‘that I saw the same man cross the yard.’
    ‘But surely, the prioress would not entertain male friends?’
    ‘But that’s it, sir, she has no male friends! Lady Madeleine believes men are no better than devils.’
    ‘Has she said as much?’
    ‘No, it’s just in her warnings to us. How we should act when male guests arrive.’
    ‘Like me?’
    ‘Oh, you’re the King’s emissary and you have helped my singing. You are also going to tell Lady Johanna not to use that ferrule!’
    ‘And do you know who this stranger was?’ Corbett asked.
    The young novice shook her head. ‘Perhaps I’ve said wrong,’ she mused. ‘The stranger could have left the other way?’
    ‘What way?’
    ‘Lady Madeleine’s house is a little palace. It has its own kitchen and stables beyond, with a yard and a small postern door in the forest wall.’
    ‘And this stranger could have left by that?’
    ‘It’s possible!’
    ‘Have you seen anything else suspicious?’ Ranulf insisted.
    Sister Fidelis gazed round fearfully.
    ‘Oh no! I haven’t told anyone else. I daren’t! Lady Madeleine’s rages are terrible to behold.’
    ‘Does she ever leave the convent?’ Ranulf asked.
    ‘Yes, the priory owns properties in the town of Rye . She sometimes goes there with the almoner or one of her brothers to collect the rents and inspect the steward’s accounts. She’s gone four or five days, it’s always a relief. However, in many ways Lady Madeleine is kind and very proud of her shrine.’
    ‘Yes, I was going to ask about that.’ Corbett looked over his shoulder at the door. Lady Madeleine was sure to arrive soon and he didn’t want to get this young, very naive novice into trouble. ‘I know little about St Hawisia.’
    ‘Oh, then let me tell you. I’ve learned everything.’
    Sister Fidelis took them out of the sanctuary and around to the side chapel. Corbett stared appreciatively at the long oaken tomb.
    ‘How old is that?’
    ‘Lady Johanna says at least two hundred years. The oak was brought specially from the West