Alys Clare - Ashes of the Elements

Why had it been felled?

Josse edged forwards, peering down into the hole beneath the bigger tree. There was a gap, a sort of earthy cave, opening off the side of the hole … Taking a firm handhold on one of the oak’s thick roots, and swinging the Abbess’s cross over his shoulder and out of the way, Josse climbed down.

What had looked like a cave was in fact the mouth of a tunnel. Not a very long one, but it must have led straight under the tree that someone had cut down.

With the tree lying on the ground, the next task had apparently been to dig out its roots. Someone had been doing that, too. Further along, the tunnel was open to the night sky.

Scrambling out again, standing up and brushing earth off his knees, Josse thought he had probably found Hamm Robinson’s treasure trove. And, also, the secret of the Forest People, which they had killed to keep.

He had been going to delve down into the tunnel, to see if Hamm had been disturbed before he had cleared everything out of it. But, suddenly, that didn’t seem like a very good idea. Apart from anything else, he would need to make a light. And a light, even a small one, could attract attention that he wouldn’t welcome.

Especially not when, for all that he was trying to master it, he kept having the distinct and highly disturbing feeling that eyes were upon him …

Looking round for his pack, he picked it up and hurried away from the clearing and the fallen trees. Then, trying not to break into a run, he set out on the track that led back to the outside world.

* * *

For what remained of the night, he slept in a corner of the monks’ shelter down in the vale. There was a family of pilgrims also putting up there, comprising a couple, an elderly man and a child with a withered limb, all of whom were taking the holy water and attending the monks’ services in the shrine, praying for a miracle.

Josse, knowing that they would be there, was careful not to disturb them.

Settling himself as quickly and as quietly as he could, he made himself put aside images of the deep, mysterious forest and whatever secrets it held. His breathing growing steady and even, very soon he was asleep.

* * *

Brother Saul brought him bread and water for his breakfast. The family of pilgrims had gone; with a smile, Brother Saul informed Josse that it was mid-morning.

Josse hurried to wash, dress and head up to the Abbey. He had news for the Abbess, and she might well be eager to hear how his venture had gone.

Going up towards the rear gate that led into the Abbey from the vale, he saw a figure hurrying along in front of him, coming round from the other side of the Abbey. A woman, young, not wearing the habit of a nun. Increasing his pace, he noticed with some surprise that she was not actually running. She was dancing.

And, as he heard when he was within earshot, she was also singing.

‘… and the sweet birds do sing,’ came her voice, light, happy, holding the notes purely.

She became aware of someone behind her. Surprising Josse again, she said, without turning, ‘You should be gone! And don’t you go trying to make me jump, now, you-’

At that instant she looked over her shoulder, saw Josse, and instantly ceased what she was saying. ‘Good morning, sir.’ She lowered her eyes, and, in a flash, her tone had altered. From being lush, warmly affectionate, now it was merely courteous.

‘Good morning,’ Josse replied. And just who, he wondered, did she think I was? ‘You’re bound for the Abbey?’

She gave him a mischievous smile ‘Now, where else would I be going? Why, we’re almost at the gate!’

He smiled back. It was hard not to. ‘You must be Esyllt,’ he guessed.

‘Indeed. And you, I imagine, are Sir Josse d’Acquin.’

‘Aye.’ He was just working out how he could phrase a question that might elicit from her where she had been when she preempted him.

‘Staying with the monks in the vale, are you, sir? I hear tell they offer a tasty breakfast.’

‘Well, I-’ No. She was teasing! ‘Indeed,’ he said instead. ‘Juicy beef fresh-carved and dripping gravy, the softest of bread, the finest of French wine.’

She threw back her head and laughed. ‘Now why didn’t I think to join you?’ she said. ‘Me, I made do with the weak porridge we give the old folks. No teeth, you see.’ She bared her own, which were strong, white and even.

‘It appears to be doing you good,’ he observed.

She laughed again. ‘Ah, it’s full of nourishment, really.’ She looked serious suddenly, as if she could only joke for so long about her charges. ‘We do look after them, you know, sir. It’s not just a matter of putting them in a corner and waiting till they die.’

‘I didn’t for one moment think it was,’ he said gently. ‘And I am reliably informed, Esyllt, that you are highly regarded in your work.’

‘Are you?’ She looked delighted. ‘Thank you, sir. I’m right glad to hear it.’

They were through the gate now, and she turned off to the right, towards the aged monks’ and nuns’ home. He went with her.

‘Are you coming to see my old dearies?’ she asked.

‘I — no, Esyllt, not at the moment. I have to see the Abbess.’

She actually looked disappointed, as if it had mattered to her that he go with her, that she had procured a visitor to brighten up her old dears’ morning. ‘Oh.’

‘I will come,’ he said. ‘I promise.’

She smiled again. ‘I’ll hold you to that,’ she murmured.

And, heading off for the door of her old people’s home, left him standing on the path.

Wondering why, when her words had been so innocent, he was feeling as if a very lovely and seductive woman had just made him a not very well-veiled proposition.

* * *

Abbess Helewise had been expecting Josse for some time when he finally knocked on her door. Impatient to know what, if anything, he had discovered, she had managed to resist the temptation to send for him. For one thing, it was hardly the thing, to send for a man of Josse d’Acquin’s standing. For another, if he had been up for much of the night, then he had earned his rest.

‘Come in,’ she said in reply to his tapping.

She watched him move into the room. He looked much as usual, which was a relief. ‘Good morning, Sir Josse,’ she said.

‘Good morning, Abbess.’ He smiled, pulled up the stool and sat down. Without preamble, he said, ‘There is something in the forest. A pit, where a great oak has fallen, and signs that someone — maybe more than one person — has been excavating there.’

‘Ah! And you think that Hamm Robinson discovered it, whatever was hidden there?’

He shrugged. ‘I can’t say, not for certain. Although poachers had been active nearby, and we know Hamm and his friends were poachers. But, Abbess, it seems something of a coincidence otherwise, wouldn’t you say?’

‘Indeed I would.’ She frowned as a sudden thought occurred to her. ‘Sir Josse, did you see — I mean, was there any sign of the Forest People? What I’m trying to say is-’

‘Was I scared?’ he finished for her, with a grin. ‘Abbess dear, I was terrified. At one point, I had quite convinced myself I was being watched, and I ran out of that strange grove as if all the demons in hell were at my heels.’ His smile widened. ‘Of course, it was all in my imagination.’

‘Of course,’ she echoed faintly.

He was reaching inside his tunic. ‘I forgot — thank you for my talisman.’ He pulled at a length of leather cord fastened around his neck, threading it through his fingers until he found what he was looking for. ‘It was a thoughtful gift, Abbess. As you see, I took it from my pack and put it round my neck — it helped, to have it close by.’