The Paths of the Air

Thirteen

On arriving back at Hawkenlye, Josse went straight to the Abbess to announce his safe return. He strode along to her room to discover Gervase was there, and interrupting him in mid-sentence — he was declaiming Josse’s action as foolhardy and careless of his own safety — Josse said, ‘Thank you for your concern, Gervase, but as you see, I have survived without a blemish.’ Gervase raised an eyebrow at the gentle irony. ‘I can report that whoever was out there has gone. They’ve left the undercroft clean and tidy, the stalls have been swept out and there is no sign save a little residual warmth in the hearthstones to say that anyone was there.’

‘What of Akhbir?’ Gervase asked.

‘There’s a new grave out in the woods. Whoever shot him has buried him.’

Gervase regarded him, his expression grave. ‘This is not the end of the matter, Josse. Akhbir should have been arrested and made to answer for his crime. To shoot him dead is a criminal act in itself, and I must now find this mysterious crossbow man and question him.’

‘It is not a crime if you kill a man who would otherwise kill you, is it, Gervase?’ the Abbess asked.

‘No, my lady,’ he said courteously. ‘The law recognizes a man’s right to kill in self-defence.’

‘Thank you. So, if the man hiding in the house in the woods saw Akhbir approach-’

‘Wielding his sword,’ Josse put in helpfully.

‘- with his sword in his hand,’ she went on, ‘then, knowing what Kathnir and Akhbir did to the dead Turk, would he not be perfectly justified in shooting Akhbir?’

‘Yes, very probably,’ Gervase said, ‘but he must give me an account of these events himself! I am not unreasonable and neither is the system of justice in which I am involved. I will not send a man to be hanged if he killed in self-defence. You have my word on it.’

‘I did not think that you would,’ the Abbess said gently. Then, addressing Josse: ‘Sir Josse, you have undertaken the search for the missing Hospitaller on Thibault’s behalf while he lies abed.’

‘Aye, my lady.’

‘I propose that we visit him now and ask if we are right in our supposition that Fadil is travelling with the English monk; moreover, if he has heard any rumour that Fadil has adopted the name John Damianos. You reason, Sir Josse, that it is Fadil who has been living at the house in the woods. Since you only missed him there by a hair’s breadth, it would be reasonable to say that you have been doing your best to carry out your mission. In all fairness, I think we may now demand a little more frankness from Thibault.’

Josse grinned. ‘We may demand it, my lady. Whether or not it will be forthcoming, I would not like to say.’

She had risen to her feet and was sweeping across the room towards the door. ‘I shall at least try,’ she said. ‘Come along! Gervase, you had better accompany us.’

Gervase and Josse exchanged a glance. Then they meekly fell into step behind her.

Helewise did not intend to let either Josse or Gervase question Thibault. As Sister Euphemia ushered her into the small recess, she positioned herself very firmly by the bed so that neither of them could stand in front of her. Then, smiling down at Thibault — who, she could not help noticing, was regarding her with a certain amount of apprehension — she said, ‘Thibault, you asked Sir Josse to search for your missing monk. This morning he has, on your behalf, made a dangerous journey. He believes he knows where your runaway has been hiding. He further believes that this man’s companion earlier took refuge at Sir Josse’s own manor of New Winnowlands.’ She paused to let that sink in.

‘Sir Josse has-’ Thibault looked past her at Josse. ‘You already knew of this man that I seek? Yet you did not mention this to me?’

‘You did not tell us his name,’ Josse said. ‘All you revealed was that your man was dressed like you and your companions. The man who came to New Winnowlands was not your monk for he was a Saracen, dressed in the traditional style. But he was in the habit of going out secretly at night and’ — as Helewise watched, a sort of brightness lit up his face — ‘I would guess that his excursions might well have been to meet up with his long-time travelling companion. Your monk,’ he added, in case it was not sufficiently clear.

‘You believe that this man who stayed with you was Fadil?’ Thibault looked astounded.

‘Aye.’

But Helewise was watching Thibault’s face and she could see that for some reason he found this suggestion laughable. ‘Why should Fadil come to England?’ he asked.

‘Your monk brought him,’ Josse said eagerly. ‘When the exchange in the desert went so fatally wrong, your man believed that for some reason he could not take his prisoner back to Margat. As the only surviving Hospitaller of the group, he took — or had put on him — the duty of getting the prisoner Fadil and the ransom to safety. Which he is still trying to do.’

Thibault had put his head back and seemed to be staring at the ceiling. ‘It is absurd,’ he said flatly.

Helewise, stung on Josse’s behalf, said coolly, ‘Thibault, you ask for Sir Josse’s aid and yet, far from giving him any assistance, you seem to go out of your way to increase the mists of mystery that surround this matter. What is your monk’s name? What does he look like? Can you not at least answer these questions?’

Thibault looked at her and she was sure she read regret and, strangely, pity in his expression. ‘I am sorry but I cannot, my lady,’ he said. ‘As another of the avowed, you will appreciate that it is not for us to make independent decisions when we have been given clear orders to follow.’

Oh, yes, she thought. I appreciate that all right. And how very convenient for Thibault to be able to produce such an unbreakably sound reason for not telling us what we so much want to know.

Josse was addressing Thibault. She made herself listen.

‘Your monk,’ he was saying, ‘is a fighting man?’

‘He is,’ Thibault replied warily.

‘He uses which weapons?’

‘Lance and sword.’

‘Can he shoot a bow?’

‘Most men can shoot a bow.’

‘Aye. I am asking if he is a good shot.’

Thibault shrugged. ‘Average, perhaps. I cannot say.’

‘And if a Knight Hospitaller such as he were to use a bow, of what type would it be?’

‘Probably the longbow.’

‘So you do not think it likely that your runaway is a deadly shot with the crossbow?’

‘If he is, I never heard tell of it,’ Thibault said decisively. ‘And if he were as good as that, then those in charge of his training would have discovered the talent and put it to use.’

‘Thank you,’ Josse said.

Helewise shot him a quick look; he raised his eyebrows at her and she nodded.

He had just established that if the shots that had killed Akhbir and driven Josse off had been fired by the fugitive monk and his Saracen prisoner, then the bowman had to have been Fadil.

For the first time Gervase spoke. ‘Thibault, I have taken note of all you have said and I am inclined to believe that your monk did not fire the shot that killed Akhbir. However, we — that is, my lady Abbess, Sir Josse and I — are convinced that he is involved in all four of the deaths that have recently occurred in this area. I will join forces with Sir Josse in our hunt for your runaway. If he is found, he will have to answer to the law of this land before he can be called to account by your Order.’

Helewise could see that Thibault objected to this statement. Perhaps Gervase realized it too for, before Thibault could say a word, he had turned smartly on his heel and could be heard marching away out of the infirmary.

Josse appeared to be concentrating very hard on Thibault. Helewise wondered why; the question was answered as Josse spoke. ‘I am going hunting,’ he announced. ‘First I shall ride over to New Winnowlands, keeping my eyes open and asking anyone I meet if they have seen two strangers, one dressed in a Saracen’s garb and the other in the robes of a Knight Hospitaller.’ Thibault regarded him steadily. ‘Then,’ he went on, ‘I shall go to Robertsbridge and speak to Gerome de Villieres.’

If Josse’s intention was to provoke a reaction, Helewise thought admiringly, he had succeeded surely beyond his wildest hopes. Thibault paled and shot out a bandaged hand, grasping at Josse’s sleeve as if he would detain him by force if he had to. But his self-control was excellent and his turmoil was not evident in his tone of voice: ‘I would not bother going there,’ he said calmly. ‘Brother Otto and I spoke to Gerome de Villieres, as I told you. The man whom we seek is not there and there is no likelihood at all that he will visit in the future.’ There was a small and, Helewise thought, telling pause. ‘There was a dispute,’ Thibault went on. Then, grudgingly: ‘The runaway caused grave distress to the family’s household out in Antioch. The lady Aurelie, a distant cousin of Gerome, had cause to report in the most reproachful terms to her English kinsman. Believe me,’ he concluded earnestly, ‘you would be wasting your time, Sir Josse, if you went there.’

Josse nodded. ‘Thank you for that advice.’ Helewise noticed — and she was quite sure Thibault did too — that Josse did not say whether or not he was going to take it.

‘We will leave you to rest, Thibault,’ she said. She glanced down at Brother Otto, who was looking at her out of dazed eyes. ‘You too, Brother,’ she added softly. She touched his shoulder very gently with her fingertips and the monk gave her a smile. ‘How are you feeling?’ she whispered, bending down over his bed.

Brother Otto tried to say something, but all that emerged was the whistling sound of air passing out through his lips.

‘His throat was burned,’ Thibault said. ‘He cannot speak.’

Helewise crouched down beside Brother Otto. ‘We will help you,’ she said. ‘Have faith, try to keep your spirits up and we will do all we can to make you better.’

Brother Otto nodded his thanks. Then he closed his eyes.

Helewise led the way out through the gap in the curtains, Josse behind her. On the way out of the infirmary she caught the eye of Sister Euphemia who, understanding that it was a summons, stopped what she was doing and came over to give her superior a bow of reverence. ‘My lady?’

‘Sir Josse and I have just been visiting Thibault and Brother Otto,’ she said. ‘How are they?’

‘Thibault is determined to be out of his bed and off about his business as soon as he can,’ the infirmarer replied, ‘and his resolve certainly seems to be aiding his recovery. His burns are healing well and he has insisted that we reduce the amount of pain relief. Although I am quite sure he suffers a great deal, his mind is much less clouded.’

‘I see. And Brother Otto?’

‘That poor young man has lost the power of speech. We are treating him with soothing herbal drinks to heal his burned throat but only time will tell if we will be successful.’

‘And the burns to his body?’

‘He progresses, but it is very slow. So far we have managed to keep infection away, thanks be to the good Lord,’ — and to your and Sister Caliste’s scrupulous care, Helewise thought — ‘so there is a good chance that he will make a reasonable recovery. It will take time, however.’

‘Thank you, Sister.’ Helewise patted the infirmarer’s shoulder. ‘We will leave you to your work.’

Outside, she and Josse stood in the cold morning air and she noticed that, like her, he too was taking deep breaths. Even in an infirmary as well run as Sister Euphemia’s there was no avoiding foul smells.

‘So, Sir Josse, you ride now to New Winnowlands?’ she asked.

‘Aye. John Damianos came there for refuge before, and now he has been driven away from the house in the woods, there is a chance he may come back.’

‘You still believe that he is Fadil?’

‘Aye, I do. Thibault has said that his monk does not use the crossbow, yet whoever killed Akhbir and fired those carefully aimed bolts at me was a first-rate exponent of the weapon. Which means that it must have been Fadil, an assumption that is reinforced by-’ He stopped abruptly.

‘Yes, Sir Josse? Reinforced by what?’

He looked bashful. ‘Well, Fadil — John Damianos — must have recognized me. He might well have wanted me to back off, but he did not want to hurt me. I just think — I mean, it’s likely that-’

‘Of course he did not wish to hurt you,’ she said warmly. ‘You took him in; your Will made up a comfortable place where he could rest and Ella cooked good, nourishing meals for him. You acted in the true spirit of loving kindness, Sir Josse, and whatever Fadil may be or may have done, it would be a thankless, vicious man who turned on his benefactor.’

‘Or a desperate one,’ Josse said glumly.

She thought about it. Yes, he was right. There were circumstances under which one might have to do such a terrible deed: to save one’s own life, perhaps. Or that of a loved one. ‘Take care,’ she said, reaching out to take his hand. ‘Oh, do take care, dear Josse. Will you take one or two of the lay brothers with you? Brother Saul and Brother Augustus have often accompanied you into danger.’

‘It is a kind thought, my lady, but I prefer to go alone. We would be more of a threat riding three abreast and I do not want Fadil to think we mean him harm.’

‘I understand,’ she said. ‘God bless you, and return to us soon and safe,’ she murmured.

‘Amen.’ He gave her a swift bow, then turned and strode off towards the stables. Her heart heavy and with a strange sense of foreboding, she returned to her room.

Josse made good time to New Winnowlands; Horace seemed to appreciate the crisp, sharp air and the frost-hardened ground under his big feet. The ride was exhilarating and as the familiar landscape came into view, Josse felt as if he had been given some powerful elixir that stepped up his brain function and encouraged him to action. He had seen few people on the way and those whom he had questioned had to a man — and a woman — shaken their heads and said no, they had seen neither a black-robed monk nor a swathed Saracen. Even the series of negative replies had not discouraged Josse. He told himself that he would have been most surprised if anyone had seen either of the men he was searching for. They were just too good at hiding.

Will greeted him with his usual total lack of surprise. He went with Josse into the hall, called out to Ella that master was home, hungry, cold and thirsty. As Ella bustled about stoking up the fire and preparing food and drink, Josse explained why he had come back and asked Will if there had been any sign of their former guest.

‘No,’ Will replied. Then, lowering his voice and with a quick glance to make sure Ella was not in earshot, he said, ‘If it’s all the same to you, sir, could you not ask the same question of Ella? She’s well over that business now and it’d be a shame to bring it all up and set her to fretting and worrying again.’

‘Aye, it would indeed,’ Josse agreed, ‘and I won’t mention it, Will.’ There was no point, he thought. If Ella had any idea that the man she knew as John Damianos might return, she would be plunged back into the agitated state she had exhibited before. He was content to take Will’s word for it.

When Ella, having deposited a tray laden with bread, cheese, strips of dried pork, some berries and a jug of spiced wine, disappeared off in the direction of her kitchen, Josse indicated that Will should stay.

‘Where would you go, Will,’ he asked, ‘if you needed a safe refuge in the winter?’

Will gave the question considerable thought. ‘I’d go to a trusted friend.’

‘Supposing you did not dare trust anyone? If, for instance, you carried with you something of great value that you had to keep safe?’

Will frowned. ‘If there was not one single person I could ask for help, I reckon I’d find some out of-the-way place and build a shelter. I’d cut stout poles,’ he went on, warming to his theme, ‘and fix bracken and branches of evergreen over them to keep out the rain and the wind. I’d find stones and make a hearth, then I’d scour the land for firewood. I’d risk a bit of poaching to feed myself and when night fell I’d barricade myself in and hope for the best.’

It was a long speech from the usually taciturn Will and, amused at the romantic, imaginative streak in his servant that had created such a colourful and optimistic image of life in the wilds, Josse hid a smile. ‘You may be right, Will,’ he said seriously. ‘Perhaps our former guest has done just that.’

‘You’ll never find him if he has,’ said Will sagely. ‘There’s a whole forest full of out-of-the-way places not five miles from here. If he’s gone to ground in there, that’ll be that.’

Josse sighed. Although it was an unwelcome conclusion, he had a suspicion that Will might well be right.

Will excused himself and went back outside. Josse finished his food and drained the jug of wine and as the nourishment and the fire’s warmth relaxed him, he found his optimism beginning to creep back.

Fadil and the monk might well have done what Will suggested and hidden themselves away deep inside the forest. But they could not stay there for ever. If they were going to hide for the rest of their lives they could have done so out in Outremer. No: the monk had a clear purpose in coming to England, a purpose that was not going to be fulfilled by sleeping rough in the depths of the Great Wealden Forest. If Josse was right, the Hospitaller was aiming to get both his prisoner and the ransom safely to the headquarters of his Order at Clerkenwell. While he waited for them to emerge, there were other things that he could do and he intended to set about one of them immediately.

He stood up, brushed down his tunic and gathered up his cloak from where Ella had spread it to warm in front of the fire. Wrapping it round him with a dramatic flourish, he went outside, called for his horse and set off for Robertsbridge.