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Illusions 26
Rhobert edged his donkey on. He would not beat old Sam and the animal certainly would not understand if he talked to him about the urgency of the matter. Yes, in the bible there had been a talking donkey …
Bishop Cadarn's letter calling him to the royal Court had been accusatory and had not boded well,with talk of severe punishment, but Rhobert had not even paid attention: Guy was accused of being a spy? What nonsense! How long would his friend stand torture? Rhobert didn't doubt for a minute that Lord Rhys would interrogate him with all possible means risking his untimely death. What if he was too late andn could not save Guy?
It was nearly midnight on the third day when Rhobert reached the castle. He was exhausted, hungry and dirty, but yet he didn't care. "Lord Rhys has sent for me. Take me to him at once!" he called out to the guard at the gate. The man looked at him incredulously. This is the monk, who's brought the spy to the Court. I wouldn't be that keen on meeting Lord Rhys, if I were in his shoes. He shrugged and lead the young Abbot towards the Prince's chambers since he had got the order to bring Rhobert ap Morthwyl as soon as he arrived, regardless the time of day or night.
It was not much later when the door was opened and Rhobert was allowed to enter. He bowed hastily. "My Lord," he said without ceremony. "A horrible mistake has been made. Guy is no spy and I vouch for him."
Lord Rhys looked at the young dishevelled Abbot, who was standing in front of him without any sign of fear. Griffin had once told him, rather embarrassed, that his brother had entered a convent because he could not stand the sight of blood. But when his gaze scrutinized the huge man he knew at once that Rhobert had another kind of bravery. He smiled at the monk. "Sit down, Father Rhobert," he said kindly and ordered his servant to bring something to eat and drink for his guest; then he addressed Rhobert again.
"This is a serious matter, Father Rhobert. Your…friend… has confessed. Could you give me a reason why he should do this, if it were not true? He knew he was found out and even told me before the interrogation." Lord Rhys paused. "He said that he had deceived you and had told you a sappy story."
Rhobert stared at his ruler. This didn't make sense; why should Guy admit being a spy, if…?" But….yes, it did make sense. "What was the exact moment my friend confessed?" he asked. "Was it when he heard that you would send for me?"
It didn't slip Rhys' attention how the young man emphasized the word my friend. This was more than just an acquaintance. He became curious. „What did he tell you?"
"In short, my lord?... He tried to kill the English King and was banished."
Rhys laughed out loud. "Banished? Someone who tries to kill his sovereign hangs. What a cock and bull story! It's definitely a blessing that you didn't become a warrior but a monk."
Of course you don't believe this and who would? Guy knew this," Rhobert replied. "But tell me, who would make up such a story?"
Rhys looked at Rhobert, musing. "Go on."
"I found Guy by the wayside near the border. I saw at once that he had been beaten and was near death. He burned with fever and some days went by until we knew for sure that he would live. We nursed him at our monastery and he became my friend. I know and I love him as a brother and I… I would never betray his confidence and never tell anybody the things he told me, although it was not under the seal of confession. It's only now that his life is at stake…"
Rhobert was well aware that Lord Rhys was listening closely. Oh God, help me to convince him, help that Guy may live!
He was reluctant to tell the Prince of things Guy had entrusted to him as a friend and he omitted many personal things the ruler didn't need to know; he didn't tell him that Guy was a natural son of Henry II, but the older man's mien told him that he was inclined to believe Rhobert. "Did you find the letter that Guy always carries with him" Rhobert asked and Lord Rhys fetched the writ.
"I wondered," he said. "It didn't seem to make sense." He looked at Rhobert pensively. "He knew that I would not, could not believe him and wanted to save you from an alleged punishment. He must have reckoned that I would be suspicious of your involvement in a plot. He seems to be a true friend."
Lord Rhys rose and beckoned to the guard. "Fetch the prisoner!"
The heavy oaken door squeaked in its hinges. "Get up!" one of the guards shouted at the drowsy man lying on the dirty straw, and a heavy boot hit his ribs. The welts on his back burned and every motion hurt as he rose arduously, but Guy hurried to obey the soldier's order to avoid another kick. What did they want so late at night? He didn't resist when they bound his hands; he was tired, tired to death; he didn't have any strength left and hoped that it would soon be over and he would finally be allowed to sleep forever.
A soldier led on and Guy realised that they didn't take him to the dungeon but instead to Lord Rhys. The guard opened the door and stepped aside.
Rhobert had risen and stared at his friend, shocked. Guy's hair was dirty and the face swollen; the shirt was bloody and torn to shreds, dark and ugly bruises visible. He had known it would be like this, but he was worried when he saw that Guy didn't react at all. He was standing hunched up and staring into space so much so that he had not even noticed Rhobert.
"Guy!" he cried hoarsly. "Guy!" and eventually Guy turned his head slowly towards the young Abbot. Rhobert saw a slight flicker of the eye, but Guy looked away as if he had never seen the young monk.
"Guy," repeated Rhobert lowly but audible. "I wouldn't have given your secret away, but it was the only way to save your life."
"And why should anybody believe such a story?" Guy murmured and then broke off. Why had Rhobert been so foolish to stand by him? But perhaps he had known that his friend would not hesitate to help him. Even if he had to die, Guy was happy to have seen Rhobert for one last time.
Rhys had watched the interaction between the two men and he realised that Rhobert had been right. The Englishman was weakened after the days of torture and he was not a good actor; his facial expression had betrayed him. Rhys came to a decision.
"Unbind him and take care that he gets something to eat and a bed," he ordered a servant, who looked at him with wide eyes, but loosened the bindings at Guy's wrists at once.
Guy stood motionless for a moment and then stared at the Welsh Prince incredulously. Rhys returned the gaze quietly but unsmiling. "Let's say that I'm inclined to believe Father Rhobert. You may go now and we will talk tomorrow."
Rhobert could see that Guy was still confused, and he nodded at him, smiling. Eventually, Guy bowed and followed the waiting servant.
When the door had closed Rhobert breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, my lord," he said. "I knew that he was no spy, but I also knew that his story is far from believable."
"Sit down, Father Rhobert," Rhys said. "Even if you friend has got off for now, it doesn't mean that I'm so careless to believe this without any proof. I have my men in England too and if he is what he claims to be, I will find out. Until then… " He didn't continue.
Rhobert nodded. "…he will be your guest… I have to go back to the monastery soon, but I would ask you permission to keep Guy company till then."
"Permission granted…. But another question… Why, do you think, should I trust this Englishman, even if it turns out that he is not a spy? A man who tried to kill the King…"
"I cannot tell you everything without betraying Guy's confidence. From his point of view he had good reason for this assassination. I cannot condone what he did, and he told me many things that shocked me. But I know he is someone who is loyal and grateful and I believe that you might win a faithful subject, if you convince him to stay in Wales and he is treated with decency.
Rhys' mien showed his approval; Rhobert had expressed at thought he had had himself. "You are not a warrior but a monk, Rhobert; I believe, however, that your extraordinary talents as a strategist are rather wasted in your monastery. But now, I'm afraid, you'll have to fight something out with your Bishop." His eyes glittered, amused, and Rhobert rose. He knew that he was dismissed, bowed and left the Great Hall.
Now that the audience with the Prince was over and his goal to save his friend had been achieved, Rhobert felt the exhaustion of the long journey. He would have like to postpone the inevitable meeting with his superior, but this was impossible. In his letter Cadarn had made clear that he wanted to see him immediately at his arrival. In seeing Lord Rhys at first, he had antagonized him even more.
"Please announce me to his Excellency," he asked the Bishop's little secretary. A few minutes later the thin monk appeared again and told Rhobert to sit down and wait. It was nearly an hour later that he was allowed to enter the Bishop's chambers. The young Abbot knew that Cadarn had shown his displeasure with this long wait; he was surprised, however, to see that the Bishop received him in full regalia. Rhobert was even more tired by now, but there was no chair for him to sit down. Cadarn's piggy little eyes glittered as he held out his hand with the ring for Rhobert to kiss. Rhobert knelt down briefly and then stood before the Bishop, waiting.
"In bringing this spy to the Prince's Court, you have discredited the Church. I don't even know whether it will be possible to make up for the damage you have done. Although your behaviour towards your superiors has been lamentable before, I have been indulgent, too indulgent as I may say now. The Church needs servants she can rely on, servants who enhance the prestige and earn the respect of the people. You are not one of them. I had no idea that a simple favour I wanted to do to your father would be detrimental to the standing of the Church. As of today, I release you from your oath towards the Church."
Rhobert was petrified. He had expected punishment, even that the Bishop would dismiss him as an Abbot and would make him a common monk, but he had not expected expulsion. "Your Excellency, perhaps I could explain…"
"You may save your breath!" the Bishop interrupted. "Those who sow the wind will reap the whirlwind. Your actions caused a disaster and I am determined to save the Church from further harm."
Rhobert understood. The Bishop washed his hands of it like Pontius Pilate and Rhobert's explanation that Guy was not a spy, was useless.
Cadarn held out his hand and the young man knew what he wanted. He took his keys from the pocket in his robe; his hands were trembling when he fiddled with the cross around his neck and handed it to the Bishop. Then he turned around and left the room.
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I don't know whether it is possible for a Bishop to release a monk from his oath. But perhaps some of you know the film "A Nun's Story" with Audrey Hepburn. She wanted to leave the convent and wrote to the Bishop.