Illusions 27
The Bishop wiped the sweat from his brow; this had been easier than he had thought. If Rhobert was punished for having brought this spy to the Prince's court, Lord Rhys would know by now that he, Bishop Cadarn, bore no responsibility and would, of course, approve of this step. With these comforting thoughts he removed his stole and reached for the jar of wine standing on his table. This was going to be a good evening.
Rhobert was still dazed when he walked through the corridors. He had not felt a vocation when he had decided to enter a convent, but he had liked being a monk. What should he do now? He was not cut out to be a soldier and, although he knew that his brother Griffin would support him, he would be useless…. Griffin… of course, he was still at Dinefwr. Rhobert stepped into the courtyard and stopped a guard walking by. "Take me to my brother." The young Abbot was well known and the soldier didn't ask any questions.
Griffin had already been asleep, but he rose at once when he learned that his brother had come. "Sit down," he said and pulled out a chair. He poured wine from a jar on the table and pushed it over to Rhobert, eying him concernedly. "I don't believe that Lord Rhys will blame you for bringing the Englishman here. Thanks to Morgan nothing has happened." He grimaced. „…although I hat his guts…You've been too gullible, that's it."
Rhobert shook his head and then said. "No, Griffin, that's not it. Guy is not a spy and I could persuade Lord Rhys of this."
"The Englishman is innocent?...Then I don't understand…."
"I've been to the Bishop, Griffin and he has released me from my oath… I'm no longer a monk…. I had expected punishment, but not this," he said in a flat voice.
His brother stared at him. "I'm not surprised that Cadarn wanted to get rid of you as soon as possible….What will you do now?" he asked after a while.
"I don't know, Griffin." Rhobert smiled bleakly. "But I'm still glad that I could save Guy's life."
Yeah, well, your English friend; are you sure that he's worth it?"
"Even if he were not, it was the truth and I could not have done otherwise." Rhobert replied.
"You might not want to hear it now, but I'm glad that you have left the convent. You were not meant to be a monk." Then he grinned. "Do you know how many women will pursue you now that you have shed your clerical habit? And Morared will at once try to pair you off with one of her numerous sisters."
He punched him amicably and Rhobert flushed but didn't say anything. He liked his sister in law. She was a pretty woman, who didn't look having born five children already. Inwardly, he groaned; yes, she would try to hook him up with one of her younger sisters. Not that he had not looked after a beautiful woman once in a while, but like in his youth, none of them would be interested in a man who didn't like to handle a sword. He sighed; this would be the least of his problems.
"Well, we'll have to get you some clothing, I suppose. For the time being you may have some of mine, although it will be a tad short. Tomorrow I'll give orders to have something made for you… Have you eaten?"
Stop acting like a mother hen," Rhobert laughed, who had calmed down, but he remained seated and reached for the cup Griffin had put in front of him. His brother ordered a servant to bring some bread and cold meat and they sat together for a short while. Rhobert was glad that his brother was able to be silent and for the present the wine was warming him. Griffin had a pallet made for his brother, but it was not until dawn that Rhobert fell asleep.
"I must speak to Lord Rhys; it is a matter of urgency," Bishop Cadarn said to the guard standing in front of the Prince's chambers.
What did the Bishop want so early in the morning? Usually he didn't rise before noon. Rhys sighed and told the guard to let the Bishop in.
Cadarn bowed. "My Lord," he said hastily. "I was so upset yesterday to express my dismay about this disastrous incident. " He stood there, waiting, but Lord Rhys didn't bid him to sit down. Of course this was also due to Father Rhobert's shocking misdemeanour's. "Surely you know by now that it was not my fault that this spy was brought here, but that Father Rhobert recommended him to me, that he even vouched for him. I had doubts from the beginning that this man was fit for serving the Holy Church… It was pure Christian love that induced me to…" He broke off when he saw that the Prince's mien had not brightened at all, rather the contrary.
"What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Cadarn nearly flinched. How rude the ruler was. „Of course, my Lord," he continued. "I have come to tell you that I have released Father Rhobert from his oath. His actions have cast a damning light on the Church and he will leave the monastery at once."
Lord Rhys nodded. "I just thought so. I will talk to Rhobert ap Morthwyl as soon as possible. Maybe you are interested to hear that the Englishman has been released from the dungeon and that he will be my guest for the time being."
"Released…. As a guest?" Cadarn echoed. His hasty retreat was nearly a flight. Had the Prince's first words satisfied him, he had the uneasy feeling by now that he had made a grave mistake.
The young servant opened the door carefully. She had been told to bring something to eat and fresh water into the chamber and that it was for the Englishman Lord Rhys had released. It turned out to be true. The man was still lying on the bed and he was fast asleep. She eyed him suspiciously; apparently he was not a spy after all, but he was an Englishman and you couldn't be too careful. Oooh! He really needed that water to wash. And later she was supposed to prepare a bath for him and even bring fresh clothing. Of course she had to obey these orders, but Siwan shook her head disapprovingly. Then she put down the bowl and fetched bread, cheese, ham and some apples and ale.
Not much later Guy awoke. It hadn't been a dream after all. Lord Rhys had set him free, at least let him out of the dungeons. He looked at his hands; his fingernails would need a while to grow out and the wounds on his back hurt, but this was not important. He was alive and somehow he was glad to be. Guy washed and tried to clean the bruises on his back, which was barely possible. His stomach growled… he had to eat something…. There, on the table…
At that moment the door opened and two male servants carried a wooden tub into the chamber and laid some clothing on a chest in the corner. Then they left the room without a word and without looking at Guy.
"A bath for this Englishman!" one of them puffed angrily. "What the heck… Even if he is not a spy, …string him up, I say…Shall stay in England…What happened anyway?" he asked the guard in front of Guy's chamber. The man shrugged. "Nobody's telling me a thing. I'll take him to Lord Rhys later on; that's all I know. I have to fetch the Abbot as well, but I head he's not an Abbot any more."
Guy stretched out in the warm water… just a few minutes longer… The water began to turn cold when he stepped out of the tub. He dressed and shortly after a guard opened the door. Guy didn't react. He had known that the Prince was not a fool and that he would not take the risk to leave him unguarded. The soldier scowled at Guy. "Are you ready? I'll take you to his His Highness."
Guy nodded and followed the guard. What was the Prince aiming to achieve with the release? According to his experience rulers were rarely philanthropists and didn't ask whether someone was innocent or not. Although Guy knew that he could not exactly called be an innocent. He was not a spy, but he had many sins to atone for.
The first time he had stood before Lord Rhys Guy had known that this man was different from King Richard. He was a great warrior, but Richard loved to play to the gallery, his garments and the rings on his fingers being proof of his vanity. Rhys on the other hand was rather simply dressed, his whole behaviour different, he radiated the aura of a man who lived with his sword. His face was gaunt and his formerly black hair was mostly grey now, but nothing indicated that he had gone soft. His gaze was like granite and Guy knew at once that this was not a man who talked much. Guy didn't know anything about him besides the famous stories about his rebellion against King Richard. If his garments and the furnishing of the Great Hall were an indication, he didn't care for luxuries.
The Prince beckoned Guy to sit down. "You are probably wondering why I chose to believe you and let you live." His lips curled in a slight smile. "Time will tell. If your story turns out to be true, you will stay at my Court. Rhobert ap Morthwyl vouched for you."
Guy understood all too well that Lord Rhys didn't leave him the option to leave Wales and he noticed the veiled threat concerning Rhobert. When the audience with the Prince was over, he would immediately see his friend.
At this very moment the door opened and a guard entered, announcing Rhobert ap Morthwyl. When he stepped aside, Rhobert entered and bowed. His friend looked bleary-eyed and….Rhobert without his monk's habit? Guy paled when he realised how Rhobert had paid for bringing the alleged spy to Bishop Cadarn.
"Sit down, Rhobert," Lord Rhys said kindly; then his mien hardened and he continued. "Bishop Cadarn was here early in the morning and told me that he was not willing to tolerate you any longer. He could barely wait to get rid of you. So you will be able to keep your friend company much longer than you planned. " He eyed the young man approvingly. „I need men like you. You will stay at the court and take service with me."
Rhobert's eyes widened. "My Lord, " he said eventually. "I'm grateful for your trust… However…."
Rhys smiled. "Your brother told me about your …handicap. Handling a sword is good, but there are other weapons as a sharp mind and loyalty. You will stay."