Michael Jecks - The Outlaws of Ennor

‘You did have a goodly purse and a sword like that one could be worth a few pounds,’ she said amiably. She finished her kneading and set the loaf at the fireside on a prepared, hot stone.

Watching her, Baldwin found it hard to hate her. He should, he knew. This woman had willingly left him to die, but she was not ashamed. That alone surprised him. ‘I had anticipated some form of words to indicate regret,’ he said stiffly.

‘Ah well, I am truly contrite, Sir Knight. In fact, I went straight to the church to apologise, as soon as I learned you were alive. It was a bit of a shock, that. I hadn’t realised beforehand.’

‘You took my sword and were carrying it over to Ennor, then?’

‘Yes. Hamadus often takes little trinkets from me, things I find on the beaches. He sells them to people at the castle, sometimes to the ship that comes from the mainland once a week. He earns enough from that to pay me a goodly sum.’

‘Tell me what you saw.’

She met his gaze sadly. ‘I suppose I have to. I crossed the water after finding you and the sword. The purse, I fear, I took too. The way isn’t that hard when you’ve grown up with it all your life.

‘It was not until I got to Penn Trathen that I realised I was in trouble. That damned fool Robert was there, and he laughed to see my startled face. I said, “What are you doing hiding here?” and he said, “Preparing to deflower that wench of Isok’s.” I’m sorry, Tedia,’ she added. ‘But he wasn’t worth your time, that one. He was just after the inside of your thighs …’

‘What then?’ Baldwin rumbled as Tedia bent her head. He was frowning intently as she spoke. ‘Did you stab him to stop him?’

‘Rot his soul, no! I’m no murderer. I gave him a sharp word, but he didn’t care. He just carried on pulling off his boots. Someone,’ she said, with a sidelong glance at Tedia, ‘had told him about the path between the islands. Anyway, while he was going on, I heard shouting. I went back into the grasses to hide, and soon I saw Thomas, that Sergeant, coming. He was bellowing, calling out for someone, like he’d been arguing with someone, and they’d fought, and he was chasing after the fellow in rage. His sword was out, and he stood at the water’s edge. Robert asked him what he was doing, and “Who in God’s name is that?” Thomas yells, spinning round. I thought he would kill Robert, but no, he just curses him some and storms off.

‘I was all for hurrying to Hamadus’s house, but before I could, Luke appeared. He was fearful, and well he might have been. Robert saw him. “Hello, Luke,” he says. “Don’t worry, Tom’s gone now.” “Which way did he go?” Luke says, and Robert says, all cheery, “Back to the castle. Whatever did you say to upset him?”

‘Luke was all fretful, I could see. He says, “That madman Thomas tried to kill me! I only wanted a favour, and he tried to kill me! He would have, if he’d caught me!”

‘“Why? What did you say to him?” asks Robert.

‘“I told him I knew all about his scams with the merchant ships,” says Luke.’

‘“Everyone knows about that, though,” Robert says.

‘“Yes, but I told him I’d tell Ranulph about it.”

‘Then there was a rustling, and Luke thought it must be Thomas come back. He took to his heels. There was a little boat down the beach, and he ran to it, hopped in, and was off like the coward he was.’

‘And then,’ Baldwin prompted, ‘the real murderer appeared.’

‘Then William appeared.’

‘I do not believe it,’ Baldwin said sadly. ‘He appeared such a sympathetic fellow.’

Mariota looked at him sternly. ‘It is better for all if you stop and listen without jumping to conclusions. William appeared, spoke a few words with Robert, all perfectly polite, and then left after staring after Luke for some while. Robert by now had his boots off, and had set them about his neck. He went down to the water’s side, and as he stood there, entering the water with some nervousness, I heard another man. He gave a gasp, and I heard him say, “No!” like he was in pain, and then he ran forward. Robert heard him, and turned. He walked back up the sand to talk, never knowing he was talking to his murderer.’

‘Enough suspense! Who was it?’

‘He is always so courteous, isn’t he, the Prior? He waved Robert on in front of him, and then stabbed him, once, very quickly, like it was distasteful to him to be so close to the corpse. Then he threw the man down and watched while he died. As soon as Robert was dead, Cryspyn lifted his skirts and set off after Luke. And that was that.’

‘ Cryspyn! ’

‘I waited a while, wondering what to do, and then William came back. He almost tripped over Robert’s body, and swore to himself, but when he looked out to sea, he could see who was there. There was no hiding Cryspyn’s figure. So, William looks down again and sort of sighs. Then he walked off home. Me, I daren’t be found with something like your sword, so I threw it a ways into the sands, and then sat down and waited. I couldn’t go straight to Tedia’s, in case Cryspyn saw me. I didn’t want that. No, I sat and bided my time, and when he was over on St Nicholas, I went off as sharp as I could. Back home.’

‘I thank you for your time,’ Baldwin said, coldly angry. When Mariota looked up at him, he turned on his heel. She repelled him: this was a reaction against her words. Cryspyn had not seemed an evil man — the tale of his crime before being sent here was damning, certainly, but Baldwin felt sure that he must have served out a penance, and subsequently he had reached the status of Prior. That meant that Abbot Robert of Tavistock and Bishop Walter both trusted him enough. Yet now Mariota’s words had damned the man.

It was with a heavy heart that Baldwin made for the door, and only after he had left the building did he hear Mariota calling out sharply. Turning, he saw Tedia’s face in the doorway.

‘I …’ she faltered, glancing over her shoulder.

‘Tedia!’ Mariota called again, and this time there was more harshness in her tone.

Baldwin recognised that tone: it was the same as that which a handler might use, calling to his dog when the beast was about to launch himself after forbidden prey. There was command, but also pleading in the voice, as though Mariota was certain that Tedia would be lost forever unless she returned. Baldwin gave her a grin, and there was a lessening of tension in her face, but there was no time for more. Baldwin had to get back to the priory. With a wrench, he left her there and made his way back to speak to the Prior.

And although he didn’t glance back, he knew that she was there, waiting in the doorway, neither a part of Mariota’s tribe nor Baldwin’s. Stuck in a strange middle ground, unsure where she would finish. Hopeful that Baldwin could represent a new beginning for her, except Baldwin knew that he couldn’t. Tedia must find a new man.

His wife Jeanne was waiting for him, and just now Baldwin felt he had never missed her so much as he did this moment, lurching his way back up the lane towards the Priory where he must confront Cryspyn.

In the hall, Simon was sitting blearily at the fireside. He looked up as Baldwin entered. ‘I was wondering where you had gone,’ he said, and held out a jug to Baldwin.

‘I have had a most interesting talk with Mariota. She saw the murder,’ Baldwin said. As he spoke he saw the figure of Cryspyn approaching them. ‘Prior.’

‘My friend. I am glad to see you have returned. I was wondering where you might have gone.’

‘I was with a most interesting person who witnessed the death of Robert,’ Baldwin said.

‘Was it William?’ Simon asked.