A great thank you for rereading my story for mistakes, xxCee-Gisborne-Cullenxx
Illusions 21
Rhobert was well known and the Bishop's guard let him enter without further questions. Shortly thereafter an old spindly priest approached them. "Welcome, Abbot Rhobert," He gazed friendly at the young abbot and cast a brief glance at Guy. "Of course, you are exhausted and it is too late to pay your respects to His Excellency. No doubt you want to retire as soon as possible. Your lad may sleep in the stables. I will see to it that you get something to eat. Please follow me."
Rhobert had flinched inwardly at the priest's words. He could well imagine how Guy felt at the moment, but he could not change anything. "We'll talk tomorrow," he said to Guy. "I'll tell the servants that they are to bring you something to eat, too."
Guy knew that this was the beginning of his new life. The sooner he got used to it the better. He didn't say anything, only looked at Rhobert's departing figure and went slowly towards the stables - Bishop Cadarn - probably the wish had been father to the thought when his parents had named him 'strong'. He was a short podgy man with a red face and bags under his dodgy eyes. His nose was small and shaped like a pig's and although he avoided movement at all costs, he was constantly wiping his sweaty brow and neck. Rhobert bowed his knee and kissed Bishop's ring. Surreptitiously, he glanced around. He could not like the luxury he saw and he was well aware that the Bishop's red nose was not ascribe to too much sun. It was not only the servants knew that the Bishop appreciated a good wine.
"Sit down, sit down," Cadarn said hastily. "And you must take a sip of wine; of course you are still tired and there is nothing like a little wine…." Rhobert knew he could not refuse without annoying Cadarn. His modest way of life was a constant irritant for his superior, since it gave him a bad conscience. Rhobert poured from the jar, which was standing on the carved little desk beside the Bishop's stool, and took a sip. On another table he noticed a precious book of psalms.
Cadarn saw Rhobert's gaze, and sighed. "Oh, it's a hard lot that I am forced to bear. My eyes…you see…my vision is blurred and so my joy to read the psalms daily was taken from me. Yes, yes, I could have it read to me, but you know how it is…Not even all of the priests are able to read Latin properly and to destroy the beauty of the psalms thus…." He sighed again. "And as for travelling….it seems rather dangerous as your own example shows. You know how important a visit at Lord Rhys' court would be. But if those brigands don't even shrink away from attacking the servants of the Church….I've already known, but Lord Rhys said that he cannot spare some soldiers to protect me. He even said that I had enough money to pay for my protection myself. I don't know what might have given him the idea.
Rhobert could have told him what gave Lord Rhys this idea, but he preferred to keep silent and instead took another sip of wine. His brother Griffin had once told him that Lord Rhys had been called a fat hypocrite – of course not to his face – and was rather glad to be able to keep him at bay. The excuse with the soldiers had worked very well so far.
"How awful to be confined to these chambers," Cadarn complained whiney voiced. "There are so few people, who are willing to do the Church a service…." He nipped at his tankard and gazed at Rhobert through heavy-lidded eyes. "How is your brother, Abbot Rhobert? Would it be a comfort to him, if I read Mass for his father personally?" he continued rather abruptly and the abbot blinked, confused. Then he understood. Bishop Cadarn had indeed realised that Griffin like his father before him would never donate a church. Griffin would not, however, deny the Bishop's request for escort to Cardigan Castle. Perhaps Griffin would even be glad to get off so lightly.
"Your Excellency, perhaps I could send a message to my brother and tell himof your unfortunate situation. He might be able to escort you to the court ofLord Rhys," Rhobert replied and Cadarn smiled, satisfied.
You do that; it's an excellent idea. The best idea would be if you set about directlyafter the noon prayer."
Rhobert realised that he was dismissed and rose. He bowed his knee and kissedthe ring the Bishop held out to him. "I will send the messenger immediately, Your Excellency." He headed towards the door and opened it. "Your Excellency, perhaps I know someone who could read to you; he is an Englishman however."
"An Englishman!" Cadarn said indignantly, only to add a little less resolute. "Oh well, we won't be partial. Does he belong to your order and….would he accompany me for charity's sake?"
"He is not a monk," Rhobert replied. "….but a friend and I vouch for him. "It was he, who protected me during my voyage….And I believe that you don't have to spend the Church's money."For a moment it was obvious that the fact that the Englishman was the Abbot's friend, and this was not exactly a recommendation in the Bishop's eyes, but then the chance to save money won. "Err, well, as I said, the Church cannot be partial. If he is a humble person and saved your life and….if you vouch for him…"
Guy? Humble? Rhobert's face didn't betray him; he bowed again and left the room.
Griffin,
I'm writing from the Bishop's palace and you know what that means. He has an urgent request and I thought it a good moment so shortly after Father's death. Obviously, he has realised that our family won't bestow any money to him and he is trying to increase his influence. I don't know what he expects of travelling to Lord Rhys' court, since Lord Rhys isnot exactly keen on seeing him – and nor am I. I shouldn't say this; but this is the way it is.. The Bishop desires the escort free of charge and he will read Mass for Father. – Not that our old Kaplan could not do this herself. If you agree to this, you will be rid of Bishop Cadarn for a while and I can return to the monastery, which I will be very glad of. There I am able to breathe freely. Griffin, you know that I have never asked anything of you, but there is something that is very important to me. It is not about me but about a friend. I already hear you say "Granted!" but you have to hear some more thereof. My friend Guy is an Englishman. "I trust him completely and he saved my life during my trip. There are reasons why I can't tell you more. Bishop Cadarn is looking for someone who will read to him. I don't think that anybody will put up with the Bishop for more than a few weeks, but perhaps this may to Guy's advantage. The Bishop won't pay anything, but I am asking you to pay Guy the same one of your soldiers would get, let's say, for half a year.
Your brother Rhobert
Griffin smiled at the first sentences of Rhobert's letter. Although Rhobert was the abbot of a monastery now, he still talked and wrote as he used to, and he was right. The escort to Cardigan Castle would keep him at arm's length for a while.
But then his mien became sombre. What had Rhobert thought to stand up for an Englishman? But then Griffin sighed; his brother had always been too benign a man, but nobody would have said that he was naï ve . If Rhobert trusted this man, he would grant his wish. And perhaps this Guy was only a young man, who wanted to take service with the Church. Perhaps…
But somehow he was still worried about it when he gave his answer to the messenger.
A week later Rhobert returned to the monastery. He was not positive, however, whether he had done Guy a favour to recommend him to the Bishop.
He was glad that he had taught Guy the Welsh language, but the most important thing Guy would need in the presence of the Bishop was something he already possessed: self-control!