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ASIGNETBOOK

SIGNET

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ToMarie-Claire,

theappleofmyeye

ContentsContents

PROLOGUE

PARTONE

Chapter1

I

II

III

IV

V

Chapter2

I

II

III

Chapter3

I

II

III

Chapter4

I

II

III

PARTTWO

Chapter5

I

II

III

Chapter6

I

II

III

Chapter7

I

II

III

PARTTHREE

Chapter8

I

II

III

Chapter9

I

II

III

Chapter10

I

II

III

IV

V

PARTFOUR

Chapter11

I

II

Chapter12

I

II

Chapter13

I

II

III

PARTFIVE

Chapter14

I

II

Chapter15

I

II

III

Chapter16

I

II

III

IV

PARTSIX

Chapter17

Chapter18

I

II

III

IV

Acknowledgements

AboutTheAuthor

Onthenightof25November1120theWhiteShipsetoutforEnglandandfounderedoffBarfleurwithallhandssaveone....Thevesselwasthelatestthinginmarinetransport,fittedwithallthedevicesknowntotheshipbuilderofthetime....Thenotorietyofthiswreckisduetotheverylargenumberofdistinguishedpersonson

board;besidetheking’ssonandheir,thereweretworoyalbastards,severalearlsandbarons,andmostoftheroyalhousehold...itshistoricalsignificanceisthatitleftHenrywithoutanobviousheir...itsultimateresultwasthedisputedsuccessionandtheperiodofanarchywhichfollowedHenry’sdeath.

—A.L.POOLE,

FromDomesdayBooktoMagnaCarta

PROLOGUE1123

THESMALLBOYScameearlytothehanging.

Itwasstilldarkwhenthefirstthreeorfourofthemsidledoutofthehovels,quietascats

intheirfeltboots.Athinlayeroffreshsnowcoveredthelittletownlikeanewcoatofpaint,andtheirswerethefirstfootprintstoblemishitsperfectsurface.Theypickedtheirwaythroughthehuddledwoodenhutsandalongthestreetsoffrozenmudtothesilentmarketplace,wherethegallowsstoodwaiting.

Theboysdespisedeverythingtheireldersvalued.They

scornedbeautyandmockedgoodness.Theywouldhootwithlaughteratthesightofacripple,andiftheysawawoundedanimaltheywouldstoneittodeath.Theyboastedofinjuriesandworetheirscarswithpride,andtheyreservedtheirspecialadmirationformutilation:aboywithafingermissingcouldbetheirking.Theylovedviolence;theywouldrunmilestoseebloodshed;

andtheynevermissedahanging.

Oneoftheboyspiddledonthebaseofthescaffold.Anothermountedthesteps,puthisthumbstohisthroatandslumped,twistinghisfaceintoagrislyparodyofstrangulation:theotherswhoopedinadmiration,andtwodogscamerunningintothemarketplace,barking.Averyyoungboyrecklessly

begantoeatanapple,andoneoftheolderonespunchedhisnoseandtookhisapple.Theyoungboyrelievedhisfeelingsbythrowingasharpstoneatadog,sendingtheanimalhowlinghome.Thentherewasnothingelsetodo,sotheyallsquattedonthedrypavementintheporchofthebigchurch,waitingforsomethingtohappen.

Candlelightflickeredbehind

theshuttersofthesubstantialwoodandstonehousesaroundthesquare,thehomesofprosperouscraftsmenandtraders,asscullerymaidsandapprenticeboyslitfiresandheatedwaterandmadeporridge.Thecoloroftheskyturnedfromblacktogray.Thetownspeoplecameduckingoutoftheirlowdoorways,swathedinheavycloaksofcoarsewool,andwentshiveringdowntothe

rivertofetchwater.

Soonagroupofyoungmen,groomsandlaborersandapprentices,swaggeredintothemarketplace.Theyturnedthesmallboysoutofthechurchporchwithcuffsandkicks,thenleanedagainstthecarvedstonearches,scratchingthemselvesandspittingonthegroundandtalkingwithstudiedconfidenceaboutdeathby

hanging.Ifhe’slucky,saidone,hisneckbreaksassoonashefalls,aquickdeath,andpainless;butifnothehangsthereturningred,hismouthopeningandshuttinglikeafishoutofwater,untilhechokestodeath;andanothersaidthatdyinglikethatcantakethetimeamantakestowalkamile;andathirdsaiditcouldbeworsethanthat,hehadseenonewherebythetimethemandiedhisneck

wasafootlong.

Theoldwomenformedagroupontheoppositesideofthemarketplace,asfaraspossiblefromtheyoungmen,whowereliabletoshoutvulgarremarksattheirgrandmothers.Theyalwayswokeupearly,theoldwomen,eventhoughtheynolongerhadbabiesandchildrentoworryover;andtheywerethefirsttogettheir

fireslitandtheirhearthsswept.Theiracknowledgedleader,themuscularWidowBrewster,joinedthem,rollingabarrelofbeeraseasilyasachildrollsahoop.Beforeshecouldgetthelidofftherewasasmallcrowdofcustomerswaitingwithjugsandbuckets.

Thesheriffsbailiffopenedthemaingate,admittingthepeasantswholivedinthe

suburb,inthelean-tohousesagainstthetownwall.Somebroughteggsandmilkandfreshbuttertosell,somecametobuybeerorbread,andsomestoodinthemarketplaceandwaitedforthehanging.

Everynowandagainpeoplewouldcocktheirheads,likewarysparrows,andglanceupatthecastleonthehilltopabovethetown.Theysaw

smokerisingsteadilyfromthekitchen,andtheoccasionalflareofatorchbehindthearrow-slitwindowsofthestonekeep.Then,ataboutthetimethesunmusthavestartedtorisebehindthethickgraycloud,themightywoodendoorsopenedinthegatehouseandasmallgroupcameout.Thesheriffwasfirst,ridingafineblackcourser,followedbyanoxcartcarryingthebound

prisoner.Behindthecartrodethreemen,andalthoughtheirfacescouldnotbeseenatthatdistance,theirclothesrevealedthattheywereaknight,apriestandamonk.Twomen-at-armsbroughtuptherearoftheprocession.

Theyhadallbeenattheshirecourt,heldinthenaveofthechurch,thedaybefore.Thepriesthadcaughtthethiefred-handed;themonkhad

identifiedthesilverchaliceasbelongingtothemonastery;theknightwasthethief’slord,andhadidentifiedhimasarunaway;andthesheriffhadcondemnedhimtodeath.

Whiletheycameslowlydownthehill,therestofthetowngatheredaroundthegallows.Amongthelasttoarriveweretheleadingcitizens:thebutcher,thebaker,twoleathertanners,

twosmiths,thecutlerandthefletcher,allwiththeirwives.

Themoodofthecrowdwasodd.Normallytheyenjoyedahanging.Theprisonerwasusuallyathief,andtheyhatedthieveswiththepassionofpeoplewhosepossessionsarehard-earned.Butthisthiefwasdifferent.Nobodyknewwhohewasorwherehecamefrom.Hehadnotstolenfromthem,butfromamonastery

twentymilesaway.Andhehadstolenajeweledchalice,somethingwhosevaluewassogreatthatitwouldbevirtuallyimpossibletosell—whichwasnotlikestealingahamoranewknifeoragoodbelt,thelossofwhichwouldhurtsomeone.Theycouldnothateamanforacrimesopointless.Therewereafewjeersandcatcallsastheprisonerenteredthemarketplace,buttheabuse

washalf-hearted,andonlythesmallboysmockedhimwithanyenthusiasm.

Mostofthetownspeoplehadnotbeenincourt,forcourtdayswerenotholidaysandtheyallhadtomakealiving,sothiswasthefirsttimetheyhadseenthethief.Hewasquiteyoung,somewherebetweentwentyandthirtyyearsofage,andofnormalheightandbuild,but

otherwisehisappearancewasstrange.Hisskinwasaswhiteasthesnowontheroofs,hehadprotuberanteyesofstartlingbrightgreen,andhishairwasthecolorofapeeledcarrot.Themaidsthoughthewasugly;theoldwomenfeltsorryforhim;andthesmallboyslaugheduntiltheyfelldown.

Thesheriffwasafamiliarfigure,buttheotherthree

menwhohadsealedthethief’sdoomwerestrangers.Theknight,afleshymanwithyellowhair,wasclearlyapersonofsomeimportance,forherodeawar-horse,ahugebeastthatcostasmuchasacarpenterearnedintenyears.Themonkwasmucholder,perhapsfiftyormore,atall,thinmanwhosatslumpedinhissaddleasiflifewereawearisomeburdentohim.Moststrikingwasthe

priest,ayoungmanwithasharpnoseandlankblackhair,wearingblackrobesandridingachestnutstallion.Hehadanalert,dangerouslook,likeablackcatthatcouldsmellanestofbabymice.

Asmallboytookcarefulaimandspatattheprisoner.Itwasagoodshotandcaughthimbetweentheeyes.Hesnarledacurseandlungedatthespitter,buthewas

restrainedbytheropesattachinghimtothesidesofthecart.TheincidentwasnotremarkableexceptthatthewordshespokewereNormanFrench,thelanguageofthelords.Washehigh-born,then?Orjustalongwayfromhome?Nobodyknew.

Theoxcartstoppedbeneaththegallows.Thesheriff’sbailiffclimbedontotheflatbedofthecartwiththe

nooseinhishand.Theprisonerstartedtostruggle.Theboyscheered—theywouldhavebeendisappointediftheprisonerhadremainedcalm.Theman’smovementswererestrictedbytheropestiedtohiswristsandankles,buthejerkedhisheadfromsidetoside,evadingthenoose.Afteramomentthebailiff,ahugeman,steppedbackandpunchedtheprisonerinthe

stomach.Themandoubledover,winded,andthebailiffslippedtheropeoverhisheadandtightenedtheknot.Thenhejumpeddowntothegroundandpulledtheropetaut,securingitsotherendtoahookinthebaseofthegallows.

Thiswastheturningpoint.Iftheprisonerstrugglednow,hewouldonlydiesooner.

Themen-at-armsuntiedtheprisoner’slegsandlefthimstandingaloneonthebedofthecart,hishandsboundbehindhisback.Ahushfellonthecrowd.

Therewasoftenadisturbanceatthispoint:theprisoner’smotherwouldhaveascreamingfit,orhiswifewouldpulloutaknifeandrushtheplatforminalast-minuteattempttorescuehim.

SometimestheprisonercalleduponGodforforgivenessorpronouncedblood-curdlingcursesonhisexecutioners.Themen-at-armsnowstationedthemselvesoneithersideofthescaffold,readytodealwithanyincident.

Thatwaswhentheprisonerbegantosing.

Hehadahightenorvoice,verypure.Thewordswere

French,buteventhosewhocouldnotunderstandthelanguagecouldtellbyitsplaintivemelodythatitwasasongofsadnessandloss.

Alark,caughtinahunter’snet

Sangsweeterthenthanever,

Asifthefallingmelody

Mightwingandnetdissever.

Ashesanghelookeddirectlyatsomeoneinthecrowd.Graduallyaspaceformedaroundtheperson,andeveryonecouldseeher.

Shewasagirlofaboutfifteen.Whenpeoplelookedathertheywonderedwhytheyhadnotnoticedherbefore.Shehadlongdark-

brownhair,thickandrich,whichcametoapointonherwideforeheadinwhatpeoplecalledadevil’speak.Shehadregularfeaturesandasensual,full-lippedmouth.Theoldwomennoticedherthickwaistandheavybreasts,concludedthatshewaspregnant,andguessedthattheprisonerwasthefatherofherunbornchild.Buteveryoneelsenoticednothingexcepthereyes.Shemighthave

beenpretty,butshehaddeep-set,intenseeyesofastartlinggoldencolor,soluminousandpenetratingthatwhenshelookedatyou,youfeltshecouldseerightintoyourheart,andyouavertedyoureyes,scaredthatshewoulddiscoveryoursecrets.Shewasdressedinrags,andtearsstreameddownhersoftcheeks.

Thedriverofthecartlooked

expectantlyatthebailiff.Thebailifflookedatthesheriff,waitingforthenod.Theyoungpriestwiththesinisterairnudgedthesheriffimpatiently,butthesherifftooknonotice.Heletthethiefcarryonsinging.Therewasadreadfulpausewhiletheuglyman’slovelyvoicehelddeathatbay.

Atduskthehuntertookhisprey,

Thelarkhisfreedomnever.

Allbirdsandmenaresuretodie

Butsongsmayliveforever.

Whenthesongendedthesherifflookedatthebailiffandnodded.Thebailiff

shouted“Hup!”andlashedtheox’sflankwithalengthofrope.Thecartercrackedhiswhipatthesametime.Theoxsteppedforward,theprisonerstandinginthecartstaggered,theoxpulledthecartaway,andtheprisonerdroppedintomidair.Theropestraightenedandthethief’sneckbrokewithasnap.

Therewasascream,andeveryonelookedatthegirl.

Itwasnotshewhohadscreamed,butthecutler’swifebesideher.Butthegirlwasthecauseofthescream.Shehadsunktoherkneesinfrontofthegallows,withherarm!stretchedoutinfrontofher,thepositionadoptedtoutteracurse.Thepeopleshrankfromherinfear:everyoneknewthatthecursesofthosewhohadsufferedinjusticewereparticularlyeffective,andtheyhadall

suspectedthatsomethingwasnotquiterightaboutthishanging.Thesmallboyswereterrified.

Thegirlturnedherhypnoticgoldeneyesonthethreestrangers,theknight,themonkandthepriest;andthenshepronouncedhercurse,callingouttheterriblewordsinringingtones:“Icurseyouwithsicknessandsorrow,withhungerandpain;your

houseshallbeconsumedbyfire,andyourchildrenshalldieonthegallows;yourenemiesshallprosper,andyoushallgrowoldinsadnessandregret,anddieinfoulnessandagony....”Asshespokethelastwordsthegirlreachedintoasackonthegroundbesideherandpulledoutalivecockerel.Aknifeappearedinherhandfromnowhere,andwithonesliceshecutofftheheadofthe

cock.

Whilethebloodwasstillspurtingfromtheseveredneckshethrewthebeheadedcockatthepriestwiththeblackhair.Itfellshort,butthebloodsprayedoverhim,andoverthemonkandtheknightoneithersideofhim.Thethreementwistedawayinloathing,butbloodlandedoneachofthem,spatteringtheirfacesandstainingtheir

garments.

Thegirlturnedandran.

Thecrowdopenedinfrontofherandclosedbehindher.Forafewmomentstherewaspandemonium.Atlastthesheriffcaughttheattentionofhismen-at-armsandangrilytoldthemtochaseher.Theybegantostrugglethroughthecrowd,roughlypushingmenandwomenandchildrenout

oftheway,butthegirlwasoutofsightinatwinkling,andthoughthesheriffwouldsearchforher,heknewhewouldnotfindher.

Heturnedawayindisgust.Theknight,themonkandthepriesthadnotwatchedtheflightofthegirl.Theywerestillstaringatthegallows.Thesherifffollowedtheirgaze.Thedeadthiefhungattheendoftherope,hispale

youngfacealreadyturningbluish,whilebeneathhisgentlyswingingcorpsethecock,headlessbutnotquitedead,ranaroundinaraggedcircleonthebloodstainedsnow.

PARTONE1135-1136

Chapter1

I

INABROADVALLEY,atthefootofaslopinghillside,besideaclearbubblingstream,Tomwasbuildingahouse.

Thewallswerealreadythreefeethighandrisingfast.The

twomasonsTomhadengagedwereworkingsteadilyinthesunshine,theirtrowelsgoingscrape,slapandthentap,tapwhiletheirlaborersweatedundertheweightofthebigstoneblocks.Tom’ssonAlfredwasmixingmortar,countingaloudashescoopedsandontoaboard.Therewasalsoacarpenter,workingatthebenchbesideTom,carefullyshapingalengthofbeech

woodwithanadz.

Alfredwasfourteenyearsold,andtalllikeTom.Tomwasaheadhigherthanmostmen,andAlfredwasonlyacoupleofinchesless,andstillgrowing.Theylookedalike,too:bothhadlight-brownhairandgreenisheyeswithbrownflecks.Peoplesaidtheywereahandsomepair.ThemaindifferencebetweenthemwasthatTomhadacurlybrown

beard,whereasAlfredhadonlyafineblondfluff.ThehaironAlfred’sheadhadbeenthatcoloronce,Tomrememberedfondly.NowthatAlfredwasbecomingaman,Tomwishedhewouldtakeamoreintelligentinterestinhiswork,forhehadalottolearnifhewastobeamasonlikehisfather;butsofarAlfredremainedboredandbaffledbytheprinciplesofbuilding.

Whenthehousewasfinisheditwouldbethemostluxurioushomeformilesaround.Thegroundfloorwouldbeaspaciousundercroft,forstorage,withacurvedvaultforaceiling,sothatitwouldnotcatchfire.Thehall,wherepeopleactuallylived,wouldbeabove,reachedbyanoutsidestaircase,itsheightmakingithardtoattackandeasytodefend.Againstthehallwall

therewouldbeachimney,totakeawaythesmokeofthefire.Thiswasaradicalinnovation:Tomhadonlyeverseenonehousewithachimney,butithadstruckhimassuchagoodideathathewasdeterminedtocopyit.Atoneendofthehouse,overthehall,therewouldbeasmallbedroom,forthatwaswhatearls’daughtersdemandednowadays—theyweretoofinetosleepinthe

hallwiththemenandtheservingwenchesandthehuntingdogs.Thekitchenwouldbeaseparatebuilding,foreverykitchencaughtfiresoonerorlater,andtherewasnothingforitbuttobuildthemfarawayfromeverythingelseandputupwithlukewarmfood.

Tomwasmakingthedoorwayofthehouse.Thedoorpostswouldberounded

tolooklikecolumns—atouchofdistinctionforthenoblenewlywedswhoweretolivehere.Withhiseyeontheshapedwoodentemplatehewasusingasaguide,Tomsethisironchiselobliquelyagainstthestoneandtappeditgentlywiththebigwoodenhammer.Asmallshoweroffragmentsfellawayfromthesurface,leavingtheshapealittlerounder.Hediditagain.Smoothenoughfora

cathedral.

Hehadworkedonacathedralonce—Exeter.Atfirsthehadtreateditlikeanyotherjob.Hehadbeenangryandresentfulwhenthemasterbuilderhadwarnedhimthathisworkwasnotquiteuptostandard:heknewhimselftoberathermorecarefulthantheaveragemason.Butthenherealizedthatthewallsofacathedralhadtobenotjust

good,butperfect.ThiswasbecausethecathedralwasforGod,andalsobecausethebuildingwassobigthattheslightestleaninthewalls,themerestvariationfromtheabsolutelytrueandlevel,couldweakenthestructurefatally.Tom’sresentmentturnedtofascination.ThecombinationofahugelyambitiousbuildingwithmercilessattentiontothesmallestdetailopenedTom’s

eyestothewonderofhiscraft.HelearnedfromtheExetermasterabouttheimportanceofproportion,thesymbolismofvariousnumbers,andthealmostmagicalformulasforworkingoutthecorrectwidthofawallortheangleofastepinaspiralstaircase.Suchthingscaptivatedhim.Hewassurprisedtolearnthatmanymasonsfoundthemincomprehensible.

AfterawhileTomhadbecomethemasterbuilder’sright-handman,andthatwaswhenhebegantoseethemaster’sshortcomings.Themanwasagreatcraftsmanandanincompetentorganizer.Hewascompletelybaffledbytheproblemsofobtainingtherightquantityofstonetokeeppacewiththemasons,makingsurethattheblacksmithmadeenoughoftherighttools,burninglime

andcartingsandforthemortarmakers,fellingtreesforthecarpenters,andgettingenoughmoneyfromthecathedralchaptertopayforeverything.

IfTomhadstayedatExeteruntilthemasterbuilderdied,hemighthavebecomemasterhimself;butthechapterranoutofmoney—partlybecauseofthemaster’smismanagement—andthe

craftsmenhadtomoveon,lookingforworkelsewhere.TomhadbeenofferedthepostofbuildertotheExetercastellan,repairingandimprovingthecity’sfortifications.Itwouldhavebeenalifetimejob,barringaccidents.ButTomhadturneditdown,forhewantedtobuildanothercathedral.

Hiswife,Agnes,hadneverunderstoodthatdecision.

Theymighthavehadagoodstonehouse,andservants,andtheirownstables,andmeatonthetableeverydinnertime;andshehadneverforgivenTomforturningdowntheopportunity.Shecouldnotcomprehendtheirresistibleattractionofbuildingacathedral:theabsorbingcomplexityoforganization,theintellectualchallengeofthecalculations,thesheersizeofthewalls,

andthebreathtakingbeautyandgrandeurofthefinishedbuilding.Oncehehadtastedthatwine,Tomwasneversatisfiedwithanythingless.

Thathadbeentenyearsago.Sincethentheyhadneverstayedanywhereforverylong.Hewoulddesignanewchapterhouseforamonastery,workforayearortwoonacastle,orbuildatownhouseforarich

merchant;butassoonashehadsomemoneysavedhewouldleave,withhiswifeandchildren,andtaketotheroad,lookingforanothercathedral.

HeglancedupfromhisbenchandsawAgnesstandingattheedgeofthebuildingsite,holdingabasketoffoodinonehandandrestingabigjugofbeerontheoppositehip.Itwasmidday.Helookedather

fondly.Noonewouldevercallherpretty,butherfacewasfullofstrength:abroadforehead,largebrowneyes,astraightnose,astrongjaw.Herdark,wiryhairwaspartedinthemiddleandtiedbehind.ShewasTom’ssoulmate.

ShepouredbeerforTomandAlfred.Theystoodthereforamoment,thetwobigmenandthestrongwoman,drinking

beerfromwoodencups;andthenthefourthmemberofthefamilycameskippingoutofthewheatfield:Martha,sevenyearsoldandasprettyasadaffodil,butadaffodilwithapetalmissing,forshehadagapwheretwomilkteethhadfallenoutandthenewoneshadnotyetgrown.SherantoTom,kissedhisdustybeard,andbeggedasipofhisbeer.Hehuggedherbonybody.“Don’tdrinktoo

much,oryou’llfallintoaditch,”hesaid.Shestaggeredaroundinacircle,pretendingtobedrunk.

Theyallsatdownonthewoodpile.AgneshandedTomahunkofwheatbread,athicksliceofboiledbaconandasmallonion.Hetookabiteofthemeatandstartedtopeeltheonion.Agnesgavethechildrenfoodandbegantoeatherown.Perhapsitwas

irresponsible,Tomthought,toturndownthatdulljobinExeterandgolookingforacathedraltobuild;butI’vealwaysbeenabletofeedthemall,despitemyrecklessness.

Hetookhiseatingknifefromthefrontpocketofhisleatherapron,cutasliceofftheonion,andateitwithabiteofbread.Theonionwassweetandstinginginhismouth.Agnessaid:“I’mwithchild

again.”

Tomstoppedchewingandstaredather.Athrillofdelighttookholdofhim.Notknowingwhattosay,hejustsmiledfoolishlyather.Afterafewmomentssheblushed,andsaid:“Itisn’tthatsurprising.”

Tomhuggedher.“Well,well,”hesaid,stillgrinningwithpleasure.“Ababetopull

mybeard.AndIthoughtthenextwouldbeAlfred’s.”

“Don’tgettoohappyyet,”Agnescautioned.“It’sbadlucktonamethechildbeforeit’sborn.”

Tomnoddedassent.Agneshadhadseveralmiscarriagesandonestillbornbaby,andtherehadbeenanotherlittlegirl,Matilda,whohadlivedonlytwoyears.“I’dlikea

boy,though,”hesaid.“NowthatAlfred’ssobig.Whenisitdue?”

“AfterChristmas.”

Tombegantocalculate.Theshellofthehousewouldbefinishedbyfirstfrost,thenthestoneworkwouldhavetobecoveredwithstrawtoprotectitthroughthewinter.Themasonswouldspendthecoldmonthscuttingstones

forwindows,vaults,doorcasesandthefireplace,whilethecarpentermadefloorboardsanddoorsandshuttersandTombuiltthescaffoldingfortheupstairswork.Theninspringtheywouldvaulttheundercroft,floorthehallaboveit,andputontheroof.ThejobwouldfeedthefamilyuntilWhitsun,bywhichtimethebabywouldbehalfayearold.Thentheywouldmoveon.

“Good,”hesaidcontentedly.“Thisisgood.”Heateanothersliceofonion.

“I’mtoooldtobearchildren,”Agnessaid.“Thismustbemylast.”

Tomthoughtaboutthat.Hewasnotsurehowoldshewas,innumbers,butplentyofwomenborechildrenathertimeoflife.However,itwastruetheysufferedmoreas

theygrewolder,andthebabieswerenotsostrong.Nodoubtshewasright.Buthowwouldshemakecertainthatshewouldnotconceiveagain?hewondered.Thenherealizedhow,andacloudshadowedhissunnymood.

“Imaygetagoodjob,inatown,”hesaid,tryingtomollifyher.“Acathedral,orapalace.Thenwemighthaveabighousewithwoodfloors,

andamaidtohelpyouwiththebaby.”

Herfacehardened,andshesaidskeptically:“Itmaybe.”Shedidnotliketoheartalkofcathedrals.IfTomhadneverworkedonacathedral,herfacesaid,shemightbelivinginatownhousenow,withmoneysavedupandburiedunderthefireplace,andnothingtoworryabout.

Tomlookedawayandtookanotherbiteofbacon.Theyhadsomethingtocelebrate,buttheywereindisharmony.Hefeltletdown.Hechewedthetoughmeatforawhile,thenheheardahorse.Hecockedhisheadtolisten.Theriderwascomingthroughthetreesfromthedirectionoftheroad,takingashortcutandavoidingthevillage.

Amomentlater,ayoungman

onaponytrottedupanddismounted.Helookedlikeasquire,akindofapprenticeknight.“Yourlordiscoming,”hesaid.

Tomstoodup.“YoumeanLordPercy?”PercyHamleighwasoneofthemostimportantmeninthecountry.Heownedthisvalley,andmanyothers,andhewaspayingforthehouse.

“Hisson,”saidthesquire.

“YoungWilliam.”Percy’sson,William,wastooccupythishouseafterhismarriage.HewasengagedtoLadyAliena,thedaughteroftheearlofShiring.

“Thesame,”saidthesquire.“Andinarage.”

Tom’sheartsank.Atthebestoftimesitcouldbedifficult

todealwiththeownerofahouseunderconstruction.Anownerinaragewasimpossible.“What’sheangryabout?”

“Hisbriderejectedhim.”

“Theearl’sdaughter?”saidTominsurprise.Hefeltapangoffear:hehadjustbeenthinkinghowsecurehisfuturewas.“Ithoughtthatwassettled.”

“Sodidweall—excepttheLadyAliena,itseems,”thesquiresaid.“Themomentshemethim,sheannouncedthatshewouldn’tmarryhimforalltheworldandawoodcock.”

Tomfrownedworriedly.Hedidnotwantthistobetrue.“Buttheboy’snotbad-looking,asIrecall.”

Agnessaid:“Asifthatmade

anydifference,inherposition.Ifearls’daughterswereallowedtomarrywhomtheyplease,we’dallberuledbystrollingminstrelsanddark-eyedoutlaws.”

“Thegirlmayyetchangehermind,”Tomsaidhopefully.

“Shewillifhermothertakesabirchrodtoher,”Agnessaid.

Thesquiresaid:“Hermother’sdead.”

Agnesnodded.“Thatexplainswhyshedoesn’tknowthefactsoflife.ButIdon’tseewhyherfathercan’tcompelher.”

Thesquiresaid:“Itseemsheoncepromisedhewouldnevermarryhertosomeoneshehated.”

“Afoolishpledge!”Tomsaidangrily.Howcouldapowerfulmantiehimselftothewhimofagirlinthatway?Hermarriagecouldaffectmilitaryalliances,baronialfinances...eventhebuildingofthishouse.

Thesquiresaid:“Shehasabrother,soit’snotsoimportantwhomshemarries.”

“Evenso...”

“Andtheearlisanunbendingman,”thesquirewenton.“Hewon’tgobackonapromise,evenonemadetoachild.”Heshrugged.“Sotheysay.”

Tomlookedatthelowstonewallsofthehouse-to-be.Hehadnotyetsavedenoughmoneytokeepthefamilythroughthewinter,he

realizedwithachill.“Perhapstheladwillfindanotherbridetosharethisplacewithhim.He’sgotthewholecountytochoosefrom.”

Alfredspokeinacrackedadolescentvoice.“ByChrist,Ithinkthisishim.”Followinghisgaze,theyalllookedacrossthefield.Ahorsewascomingfromthevillageatagallop,kickingupacloudofdustandearthfrom

thepathway.Alfred’soathwaspromptedbythesizeaswellasthespeedofthehorse:itwashuge.Tomhadseenbeastslikeitbefore,butperhapsAlfredhadnot.Itwasawar-horse,ashighatthewitherasaman’schin,andbroadinproportion.Suchwar-horseswerenotbredinEngland,butcamefromoverseas,andwereenormouslycostly.

Tomdroppedtheremainsofhisbreadinthepocketofhisapron,thennarrowedhiseyesagainstthesunandgazedacrossthefield.Thehorsehaditsearsbackandnostrilsflared,butitseemedtoTomthatitsheadwaswellup,asignthatitwasnotcompletelyoutofcontrol.Sureenough,asitcameclosertheriderleanedback,haulingonthereins,andthehugeanimalseemedtoslowa

little.NowTomcouldfeelthedrummingofitshoovesinthegroundbeneathhisfeet.HelookedaroundforMartha,thinkingtopickherupandputheroutofharm’sway.Agneshadthesamethought.ButMarthawasnowheretobeseen.

“Inthewheat,”Agnessaid,butTomhadalreadyfiguredthatoutandwasstridingacrossthesitetotheedgeof

thefield.Hescannedthewavingwheatwithfearinhisheartbuthecouldnotseethechild.

Theonlythinghecouldthinkofwastotrytoslowthehorse.Hesteppedintothepathandbegantowalktowardthechargingbeast,holdinghisarmswide.Thehorsesawhim,raiseditsheadforabetterlook,andslowedperceptibly.Then,toTom’s

horror,theriderspurrediton.

“Youdamnedfool!”Tomroared,althoughtheridercouldnothear.

ThatwaswhenMarthasteppedoutofthefieldandintothepathwayafewyardsinfrontofTom.

ForaninstantTomstoodstillinasickpanic.Thenheleapedforward,shoutingand

wavinghisarms;butthiswasawar-horse,trainedtochargeatyellinghordes,anditdidnotflinch.Marthastoodinthemiddleofthenarrowpath,staringasiftransfixedbythehugebeastbearingdownonher.TherewasamomentwhenTomrealizeddesperatelythathecouldnotgettoherbeforethehorsedid.Heswervedtooneside,hisarmtouchingthestandingwheat;andatthelastinstant

thehorseswervedtotheotherside.Therider’sstirrupbrushedMartha’sfinehair;ahoofstampedaroundholeinthegroundbesideherbarefoot;thenthehorsehadgoneby,sprayingthembothwithdirt,andTomsnatchedherupinhisarmsandheldhertighttohispoundingheart.

Hestoodstillforamoment,awashwithrelief,hislimbsweak,hisinsideswatery.

Thenhefeltasurgeoffuryattherecklessnessofthestupidyouthonhismassivewar-horse.Helookedupangrily.LordWilliamwasslowingthehorsenow,sittingbackinthesaddle,withhisfeetpushedforwardinthestirrups,sawingonthereins.Thehorseswervedtoavoidthebuildingsite.Ittosseditsheadandthenbucked,butWilliamstayedon.Heslowedittoacanterandthenatrotas

heguideditaroundinawidecircle.

Marthawascrying.TomhandedhertoAgnesandwaitedforWilliam.Theyounglordwasatall,well-builtfellowofabouttwentyyears,withyellowhairandnarroweyeswhichmadehimlookasifhewerealwayspeeringintothesun.Heworeashortblacktunicwithblackhose,andleathershoeswith

strapscrisscrosseduptohisknees.Hesatwellonthehorseanddidnotseemshakenbywhathadhappened.Thefoolishboydoesn’tevenknowwhathe’sdone,Tomthoughtbitterly.I’dliketowringhisneck.

Williamhaltedthehorseinfrontofthewoodpileandlookeddownatthebuilders.“Who’sinchargehere?”hesaid.

TomwantedtosayIfyouhadhurtmylittlegirl,Iwouldhavekilledyou,buthesuppressedhisrage.Itwaslikeswallowingabittermouthful.Heapproachedthehorseandhelditsbridle.“I’mthemasterbuilder,”hesaidtightly.“MynameisTom.”

“Thishouseisnolongerneeded,”saidWilliam.“Dismissyourmen.”

ItwaswhatTomhadbeendreading.ButheheldontothehopethatWilliamwasbeingimpetuousinhisanger,andmightbepersuadedtochangehismind.Withaneffort,hemadehisvoicefriendlyandreasonable.“Butsomuchworkhasbeendone,”hesaid.“Whywastewhatyou’vespent?You’llneedthehouseoneday.”

“Don’ttellmehowto

managemyaffairs,TomBuilder,”saidWilliam.“You’realldismissed.”Hetwitchedarein,butTomhadholdofthebridle.“Letgoofmyhorse,”Williamsaiddangerously.

Tomswallowed.InamomentWilliamwouldtrytogetthehorse’sheadup.Tomfeltinhisapronpocketandbroughtoutthecrustofbreadhehadbeeneating.Heshoweditto

thehorse,whichdippeditsheadandtookabite.“There’smoretobesaid,beforeyouleave,mylord,”hesaidmildly.

Williamsaid:“Letmyhorsego,orI’lltakeyourheadoff.”Tomlookeddirectlyathim,tryingnottoshowhisfear.HewasbiggerthanWilliam,butthatwouldmakenodifferenceiftheyounglorddrewhissword.

Agnesmutteredfearfully:“Doasthelordsays,husband.”

Therewasdeadsilence.Theotherworkmenstoodasstillasstatues,watching.Tomknewthattheprudentthingwouldbetogivein.ButWilliamhadnearlytrampledTom’slittlegirl,andthatmadeTommad,sowitharacinghearthesaid:“Youhavetopayus.”

Williampulledonthereins,butTomheldthebridletight,andthehorsewasdistracted,nuzzlinginTom’sapronpocketformorefood.“Applytomyfatherforyourwages!”Williamsaidangrily.

Tomheardthecarpentersayinaterrifiedvoice:“We’lldothat,mylord,thankingyouverymuch.”

Wretchedcoward,Tom

thought,buthewastremblinghimself.Neverthelessheforcedhimselftosay:“Ifyouwanttodismissus,youmustpayus,accordingtothecustom.Yourfather’shouseistwodays’walkfromhere,andwhenwearrivehemaynotbethere.”

“Menhavediedforlessthanthis,”Williamsaid.Hischeeksreddenedwithanger.

Outofthecornerofhiseye,Tomsawthesquiredrophishandtothehiltofhissword.Heknewheshouldgiveupnow,andhumblehimself,buttherewasanobstinateknotofangerinhisbelly,andasscaredashewashecouldnotbringhimselftoreleasethebridle.“Payusfirst,thenkillme,”hesaidrecklessly.“Youmayhangforit,oryoumaynot;butyou’lldiesoonerorlater,andthenIwillbein

heavenandyouwillbeinhell.”

ThesneerfrozeonWilliam’sfaceandhepaled.Tomwassurprised:whathadfrightenedtheboy?Notthementionofhanging,surely:itwasnotreallylikelythatalordwouldbehangedforthemurderofacraftsman.Washeterrifiedofhell?

Theystaredatoneanotherfor

afewmoments.TomwatchedwithamazementandreliefasWilliam’ssetexpressionofangerandcontemptmeltedaway,tobereplacedbyapanickyanxiety.AtlastWilliamtookaleatherpursefromhisbeltandtossedittohissquire,saying:“Paythem.”

AtthatpointTompushedhisluck.WhenWilliampulledonthereinsagain,andthe

horselifteditsstrongheadandsteppedsideways,Tommovedwiththehorseandheldontothebridle,andsaid:“Afullweek’swagesondismissal,thatisthecustom.”HeheardasharpintakeofbreathfromAgnes,justbehindhim,andheknewshethoughthewascrazytoprolongtheconfrontation.Butheplowedon.“That’ssixpenceforthelaborer,twelveforthecarpenterand

eachofthemasons,andtwenty-fourpenceforme.Sixty-sixpenceinall.”Hecouldaddpenniesfasterthananyoneheknew.

Thesquirewaslookinginquiringlyathismaster.Williamsaidangrily:“Verywell.”

Tomreleasedthebridleandsteppedback.

Williamturnedthehorseandkickedithard,anditboundedforwardontothepaththroughthewheatfield.

Tomsatdownsuddenlyonthewoodpile.Hewonderedwhathadgotintohim.IthadbeenmadtodefyLordWilliamlikethat.Hefeltluckytobealive.

ThehoofbeatsofWilliam’swar-horsefadedtoadistant

thunder,andhissquireemptiedthepurseontoaboard.Tomfeltasurgeoftriumphasthesilverpenniestumbledoutintothesunshine.Ithadbeenmad,butithadworked:hehadsecuredjustpaymentforhimselfandthemenworkingunderhim.“Evenlordsoughttofollowthecustoms,”hesaid,halftohimself.

Agnesheardhim.“Justhope

you’reneverinwantofworkfromLordWilliam,”shesaidsourly.

Tomsmiledather.Heunderstoodthatshewaschurlishbecauseshehadbeenfrightened.“Don’tfrowntoomuch,oryou’llhavenothingbutcurdledmilkinyourbreastswhenthatbabyisborn.”

“Iwon’tbeabletofeedany

ofusunlessyoufindworkforthewinter.”

“Thewinter’salongwayoff,”saidTom.

II

Theystayedatthevillagethroughthesummer.Later,theycametoregardthisdecisionasaterriblemistake,butatthetimeitseemedsensibleenough,forTomand

AgnesandAlfredcouldeachearnapennyadayworkinginthefieldsduringtheharvest.Whenautumncame,andtheyhadtomoveon,theyhadaheavybagofsilverpenniesandafatpig.

Theyspentthefirstnightintheporchofavillagechurch,butonthesecondtheyfoundacountryprioryandtookadvantageofmonastichospitality.Onthethirdday

theyfoundthemselvesintheheartoftheChuteForest,avastexpanseofscrubandroughwoodland,onaroadnotmuchbroaderthanthewidthofanoxcart,withtheluxuriantgrowthofsummerdyingbetweentheoaksoneitherside.

Tomcarriedhissmallertoolsinasatchelandslunghishammersfromhisbelt.Hehadhiscloakinabundle

underhisleftarmandhecarriedhisironspikeinhisrighthand,usingitasawalkingstick.Hewashappytobeontheroadagain.Hisnextjobmightbeworkingonacathedral.Hemightbecomemastermasonandstaytheretherestofhislife,andbuildachurchsowonderfulitwouldguaranteethathewenttoheaven.

Agneshadtheirfew

householdpossessionsinsidethecookingpotwhichshecarriedstrappedtoherback.Alfredcarriedthetoolstheywouldusetomakeanewhomesomewhere:anax,anadz,asaw,asmallhammer,abradawlformakingholesinleatherandwood,andaspade.Marthawastoosmalltocarryanythingbutherownbowlandeatingknifetiedtoherbeltandherwintercloakstrappedtoherback.

However,shehadthedutyofdrivingthepiguntiltheycouldsellitatamarket.

TomkeptacloseeyeonAgnesastheywalkedthroughtheendlesswoods.Shewasmorethanhalfwaythroughhertermnow,andcarryingaconsiderableweightinherbellyaswellastheburdenonherback.Butsheseemedtireless.Alfred,too,wasallright:hewasat

theagewhenboyshavemoreenergythantheyknowwhattodowith.OnlyMarthawastiring.Herthinlegsweremadefortheplayfulscamper,notthelongmarch,andshedroppedbehindconstantly,sothattheothershadtostopandwaitforherandthepigtocatchup.

AshewalkedTomthoughtaboutthecathedralhewouldbuildoneday.Hebegan,as

always,bypicturinganarchway.Itwasverysimple:twouprightssupportingasemicircle.Thenheimaginedasecond,justthesameasthefirst.Hepushedthetwotogether,inhismind,toformonedeeparchway.Thenheaddedanother,andanother,thenalotmore,untilhehadawholerowofthem,allstucktogether,formingatunnel.Thiswastheessenceofabuilding,forithadaroofto

keeptherainoffandtwowallstoholduptheroof.Achurchwasjustatunnel,withrefinements.

Atunnelwasdark,sothefirstrefinementswerewindows.Ifthewallwasstrongenough,itcouldhaveholesinit.Theholeswouldberoundatthetop,withstraightsidesandaflatsill—thesameshapeastheoriginalarchway.Usingsimilarshapesforarchesand

windowsanddoorswasoneofthethingsthatmadeabuildingbeautiful.Regularitywasanother,andTomvisualizedtwelveidenticalwindows,evenlyspaced,alongeachwallofthetunnel.

Tomtriedtovisualizethemoldingsoverthewindows,buthisconcentrationkeptslippingbecausehehadthefeelingthathewasbeingwatched.Itwasafoolish

notion,hethought,ifonlybecauseofcoursehewasbeingobservedbythebirds,foxes,cats,squirrels,rats,mice,weasels,stoatsandvoleswhichthrongedtheforest.

Theysatdownbyastreamatmidday.Theydrankthepurewaterandatecoldbaconandcrabappleswhichtheypickedupfromtheforestfloor.

IntheafternoonMarthawastired.Atonepointshewasahundredyardsbehindthem.Standingwaitingforhertocatchup,TomrememberedAlfredatthatage.Hehadbeenabeautiful,golden-hairedboy,sturdyandbold.FondnessmingledwithirritationinTomashewatchedMarthascoldingthepigforbeingsoslow.Thenafiguresteppedoutoftheundergrowthjustaheadof

her.WhathappenednextwassoquickthatTomcouldhardlybelieveit.Themanwhohadappearedsosuddenlyontheroadraisedacluboverhisshoulder.AhorrifiedshoutroseinTom’sthroat,butbeforehecouldutteritthemanswungtheclubatMartha.Itstruckherfullonthesideofthehead,andTomheardthesickeningsoundoftheblowconnecting.Shefelltothegroundlikea

droppeddoll.

Tomfoundhimselfrunningbackalongtheroadtowardthem,hisfeetpoundingthehardearthlikethehoovesofWilliam’swar-horse,willinghislegstocarryhimfaster.Asheran,hewatchedwhatwashappening,anditwaslikelookingatapicturepaintedhighonachurchwall,forhecouldseeitbuttherewasnothinghecoulddo

tochangeit.Theattackerwasundoubtedlyanoutlaw.Hewasashort,thicksetmaninabrowntunic,withbarefeet.ForaninstanthelookedstraightatTom,andTomcouldseethattheman’sfacewashideouslymutilated:hislipshadbeencutoff,presumablyasapunishmentforacrimeinvolvinglying,andhismouthwasnowarepulsivepermanentgrinsurroundedbytwistedscar

tissue.ThehorridsightwouldhavestoppedTominhistracks,haditnotbeenforthepronebodyofMarthalyingontheground.

TheoutlawlookedawayfromTomandfixedhisgazeonthepig.Inaflashhebentdown,pickeditup,tuckedthesquirminganimalunderhisarmanddartedbackintothetangledundergrowth,takingwithhimTom’sfamily’sonly

valuablepossession.

ThenTomwasonhiskneesbesideMartha.Heputhisbroadhandonhertinychestandfeltherheartbeat,steadyandstrong,andhisworstfearsubsided;buthereyeswereclosedandtherewasbrightredbloodinherblondhair.

Agneskneltbesidehimamomentlater.ShetouchedMartha’schest,wristand

forehead,thenshegaveTomahard,levellook.“Shewilllive,”shesaidinatightvoice.“Fetchbackthatpig.”

Tomquicklyunslunghissatcheloftoolsanddroppeditontheground.Withhislefthandhetookhisbigiron-headedhammerfromhisbelt.Hestillhadhisspikeinhisright.Hecouldseethetrampledbusheswherethethiefhadcomeandgone,and

hecouldhearthepigsquealinginthewoods.Heplungedintotheundergrowth.

Thetrailwaseasytofollow.Theoutlawwasaheavilybuiltman,runningwithawrigglingpigunderhisarm,andhecutawidepaththroughthevegetation,flatteningflowersandbushesandyoungtreesalike.Tomchargedafterhim,fullofa

savagedesiretogethishandsonthemanandbeathimsenseless.Hecrashedthroughathicketofbirchsaplings,hurtleddownaslope,andsplashedacrossapatchofbogtoanarrowpathway.Therehestopped.Thethiefmighthavegoneleftorright,andnowtherewasnocrushedvegetationtoshowtheway;butTomlistened,andheardthepigsquealingsomewheretohisleft.Hecouldalsohear

someonerushingthroughtheforestbehindhim—Alfred,presumably.Hewentafterthepig.

Thepathledhimdownintoadip,thenturnedsharplyandbegantorise.Hecouldhearthepigclearlynow.Heranuphill,breathinghard—theyearsofinhalingstonedusthadweakenedhislungs.Suddenlythepathleveledandhesawthethief,onlytwenty

orthirtyyardsaway,runningasifthedevilwerebehindhim.Tomputonaspurtandstartedtogain.Hewasboundtocatchup,ifonlyhecouldkeepgoing,foramanwithapigcannotrunasfastasamanwithoutone.Butnowhischesthurt.Thethiefwasfifteenyardsaway,thentwelve.Tomraisedthespikeabovehisheadlikeaspear.Justalittlecloserandhewouldthrowit.Elevenyards,

ten—

Beforethespikelefthishandheglimpsed,outofthecornerofhiseye,athinfaceinagreencapemergingfromthebushesbesidethepath.Itwastoolatetoswerve.Aheavystickwasthrustoutinfrontofhim,hestumbledonitaswasintended,andhefelltotheground.

Hehaddroppedhisspikebut

hestillhadholdofthehammer.Herolledoverandraisedhimselfononeknee.Thereweretwoofthem,hesaw:theoneinthegreenhatandabaldmanwithamattedwhitebeard.TheyranatTom.

Hesteppedtoonesideandswunghishammeratthegreenhat.Themandodged,butthebigironhammerheadcamedownhardonhis

shoulderandhegaveascreechofagonyandsanktotheground,holdinghisarmasifitwerebroken.Tomdidnothavetimetoraisethehammerforanothercrushingblowbeforethebaldmanclosedwithhim,sohethrusttheironheadattheman’sfaceandsplithischeek.

Bothmenbackedoffclutchingtheirwounds.Tomcouldseethattherewasno

fightleftineitherone.Heturnedaround.Thethiefwasstillrunningawayalongthepath.Tomwentafterhimagain,ignoringthepaininhischest.Buthehadcoveredonlyafewyardswhenheheardashoutfrombehindinafamiliarvoice.

Alfred.

Hestoppedandlookedback.

Alfredwasfightingthemboth,usinghisfistsandhisfeet.Hepunchedtheoneinthegreenhatabouttheheadthreeorfourtimes,thenkickedthebaldman’sshins.Butthetwomenswarmedhim,gettinginsidehisreachsothathecouldnolongerpunchorkickhardenoughtohurt.Tomhesitated,tornbetweenchasingthepigandrescuinghisson.Thenthebaldonegothisfootbehind

Alfred’slegandtrippedhim,andastheboyhitthegroundthetwomenfellonhim,rainingblowsonhisfaceandbody.

Tomranback.Hechargedthebaldonebodily,sendingthemanflyingintothebushes,thenturnedandswunghishammeratthegreenhat.Thismanhadfelttheweightofthehammeroncebeforeandwasstill

usingonlyonearm.Hedodgedthefirstswing,thenturnedanddivedintotheundergrowthbeforeTomcouldswingagain.

Tomturnedandsawthebaldmanrunningawaydownthepath.Helookedintheoppositedirection:thethiefwiththepigwasnowhereinsight.Hebreathedabitter,blasphemouscurse:thatpigrepresentedhalfofwhathe

hadsavedthissummer.Hesanktotheground,breathinghard.

“Webeatthreeofthem!”Alfredsaidexcitedly.

Tomlookedathim.“Buttheygotourpig,”hesaid.Angerburnedhisstomachlikesourcider.Theyhadboughtthepiginthespring,assoonastheyhadsavedenoughpennies,andtheyhadbeen

fatteningitallsummer.Afatpigcouldbesoldforsixtypence.Withafewcabbagesandasackofgrainitcouldfeedafamilyallwinterandmakeapairofleathershoesandapurseortwo.Itslosswasacatastrophe.

TomlookedenviouslyatAlfred,whohadalreadyrecoveredfromthechaseandthefight,andwaswaitingimpatiently.Howlongago

wasit,Tomthought,whenIcouldrunlikethewindandhardlyfeelmyheartrace?SinceIwasthatage...twentyyears.Twentyyears.Itseemedlikeyesterday.

Hegottohisfeet.

HeputhisarmaroundAlfred’sbroadshouldersastheywalkedbackalongthepath.Theboywasstillshorterthanhisfatherbythe

spanofaman’shand,butsoonhewouldcatchup,andhemightgrowevenbigger.Ihopehiswitgrowstoo,Tomthought.Hesaid:“Anyfoolcangetintoafight,butawisemanknowshowtostayoutofthem.”Alfredgavehimablanklook.

Theyturnedoffthepath,crossedtheboggypatch,andbegantoclimbtheslope,followinginreversethetrail

thethiefhadmade.Astheypushedthroughthebirchthicket,TomthoughtofMartha,andonceagainragecurdledinhisbelly.Theoutlawhadlashedoutathersenselessly,forshehadbeennothreattohim.

Tomquickenedhispace,andamomentlaterheandAlfredemergedontotheroad.Marthalaythereinthesameplace,nothavingmoved.Her

eyeswereclosedandthebloodwasdryinginherhair.Agneskneltbesideher—andwiththem,toTom’ssurprise,wereanotherwomanandaboy.Thethoughtstruckhimthatitwasnowonderhehadfeltwatched,earlierintheday,fortheforestseemedtobeteemingwithpeople.HebentdownandrestedhishandonMartha’schestagain.Shewasbreathingnormally.

“Shewillwakeupsoon,”saidthestrangewomaninanauthoritativevoice.“Thenshewillpuke.Afterthatshe’llbeallright.”

Tomlookedathercuriously.ShewaskneelingoverMartha.Shewasquiteyoung,perhapsadozenyearsyoungerthanTom.Hershortleathertunicrevealedlithebrownlimbs.Shehadaprettyface,withdarkbrownhair

thatcametoadevil’speakonherforehead.Tomfeltapangofdesire.Thensheraisedherglancetolookathim,andhegaveastart:shehadintense,deep-seteyesofanunusualhoney-goldcolorthatgaveherwholefaceamagicallook,andhefeltsurethatsheknewwhathehadbeenthinking.

Helookedawayfromhertocoverhisembarrassment,and

hecaughtAgnes’seye.Shewaslookingresentful.Shesaid:“Where’sthepig?”

“Thereweretwomoreoutlaws,”Tomsaid.

Alfredsaid:“Webeatthem,buttheonewiththepiggotaway.”

Agneslookedgrim,butsaidnothingmore.

Thestrangewomansaid:“Wecouldmovethegirlintotheshade,ifwe’regentle.”Shestoodup,andTomrealizedthatshewasquitesmall,atleastafootshorterthanhe.HebentdownandpickedMarthaupcarefully.Herchildishbodywasalmostweightlessinhisarms.Hecarriedherafewyardsalongtheroadandputherdownonapatchofgrassintheshadowofanoldoak.Shewasstill

quitelimp.

Alfredwaspickingupthetoolsthathadbeenscatteredontheroadduringthefracas.Thestrangewoman’sboywaswatching,hiseyeswideandhismouthopen,notspeaking.HewasaboutthreeyearsyoungerthanAlfred,andapeculiar-lookingchild,Tomobserved,withnoneofhismother’ssensualbeauty.Hehadverypaleskin,

orange-redhair,andblueeyesthatbulgedslightly.Hehadthealertlystupidlookofadullard,Tomthought;thekindofchildthateitherdiesyoungorgrowsuptobethevillageidiot.Alfredwasvisiblyuncomfortableunderhisstare.

AsTomwatched,thechildsnatchedthesawfromAlfred’shand,withoutsayinganything,andexamineditas

ifitweresomethingamazing.Alfred,offendedbythediscourtesy,snatcheditback,andthechildletitgowithindifference.Themothersaid:“Jack!Behaveyourself.”Sheseemedembarrassed.

Tomlookedather.Theboydidnotresembleheratall.“Areyouhismother?”Tomasked.

“Yes.MynameisEllen.”

“Where’syourhusband?”

“Dead.”

Tomwassurprised.“You’retravelingalone?”hesaidincredulously.Theforestwasdangerousenoughforamansuchashe:awomanalonecouldhardlyhopetosurvive.

“We’renottraveling,”said

Ellen.“Weliveintheforest.”

Tomwasshocked.“Youmeanyou’re—”Hestopped,notwantingtooffendher.

“Outlaws,”shesaid.“Yes.DidyouthinkthatalloutlawswerelikeFaramondOpenmouth,whostoleyourpig?”

“Yes,”saidTom,althoughwhathewantedtosaywasI

neverthoughtanoutlawmightbeabeautifulwoman.Unabletorestrainhiscuriosity,heasked:“Whatwasyourcrime?”

“Icursedapriest,”shesaid,andlookedaway.

ItdidnotsoundlikemuchofacrimetoTom,butperhapsthepriesthadbeenverypowerful,orverytouchy;orperhapsEllenjustdidnot

wanttotellthetruth.

HelookedatMartha.Amomentlatersheopenedhereyes.Shewasconfusedandalittlefrightened.Agneskneltbesideher.“You’resafe,”shesaid.“Everything’sallright.”

Marthasatuprightandvomited.Agneshuggedheruntilthespasmspassed.Tomwasimpressed:Ellen’spredictionhadcometrue.She

hadalsosaidthatMarthawouldbeallright,andpresumablythatwasreliabletoo.Reliefwashedoverhim,andhewasalittlesurprisedatthestrengthofhisownemotion.Icouldn’tbeartolosemylittlegirl,hethought;andhehadtofightbacktears.HecaughtalookofsympathyfromEllen,andonceagainhefeltthatherpalegoldeyescouldseeintohisheart.

Hebrokeoffanoaktwig,strippeditsleaves,andusedthemtowipeMartha’sface.Shestilllookedpale.

“Sheneedstorest,”saidEllen.“Letherliedownforaslongasittakesamantowalkthreemiles.”

Tomglancedatthesun.Therewasplentyofdaylightleft.Hesettleddowntowait.AgnesrockedMarthagently

inherarms.TheboyJacknowswitchedhisattentiontoMartha,andstaredatherwiththesameidiotintensity.TomwantedtoknowmoreaboutEllen.Hewonderedwhethershemightbepersuadedtotellherstory.Hedidnotwanthertogoaway.“Howdiditallcomeabout?”heaskedhervaguely.

Shelookedintohiseyesagain,andthenshebeganto

talk.

Herfatherhadbeenaknight,shetoldthem;abig,strong,violentmanwhowantedsonswithwhomhecouldrideandhuntandwrestle,companionstodrinkandcarouseintothenightwithhim.Inthesemattershewasasunluckyasamancouldbe,forhegotEllen,andthenhiswifedied;andhemarriedagain,buthis

secondwifewasbarren.HecametodespiseEllen’sstepmother,andeventuallysentheraway.Hemusthavebeenacruelman,butheneverseemedsotoEllen,whoadoredhimandsharedhisscornforhissecondwife.Whenthestepmotherleft,Ellenstayed,andgrewupinwhatwasalmostanall-malehousehold.Shecutherhairshortandcarriedadagger,andlearnednottoplaywith

kittensorcareforblindolddogs.BythetimeshewasMartha’sageshecouldspitonthegroundandeatapplecoresandkickahorseinthebellysohardthatitwoulddrawinitsbreath,allowinghertotightenitsgirthonemorenotch.Sheknewthatallmenwhowerenotpartofherfather’sbandwerecalledcocksuckersandallwomenwhowouldnotgowiththemwerecalledpigfuckers,

althoughshewasnotquitesure—anddidnotmuchcare—whattheseinsultsreallymeant.

Listeningtohervoiceinthemildairofanautumnafternoon,Tomclosedhiseyesandpicturedherasaflat-chestedgirlwithadirtyface,sittingatthelongtablewithherfather’sthuggishcomrades,drinkingstrongaleandbelchingandsinging

songsaboutbattleandlootingandrape,horsesandcastlesandvirgins,untilshefellasleepwithherlittlecroppedheadontheroughboard.

Ifonlyshecouldhavestayedflat-chestedforevershewouldhavelivedahappylife.Butthetimecamewhenthemenlookedatherdifferently.Theynolongerlaugheduproariouslywhenshesaid:“Getoutofmyway

orI’llcutoffyourballsandfeedthemtothepigs.”Someofthemstaredatherwhenshetookoffherwooltunicandlaydowntosleepinherlonglinenundershirt.Whenrelievingthemselvesinthewoods,theywouldturntheirbackstoher,whichtheyneverhadbefore.

Onedayshesawherfatherdeepinconversationwiththeparishpriest—arareevent—

andthetwoofthemkeptlookingather,asiftheyweretalkingabouther.Onthefollowingmorningherfathersaidtoher:“GowithHenryandEverardanddoastheytellyou.”Thenhekissedherforehead.Shewonderedwhatonearthhadcomeoverhim—washegoingsoftinhisoldage?Shesaddledhergraycourser—sherefusedtoridetheladylikepalfreyorachild’spony—andsetoff

withthetwomen-at-arms.

Theytookhertoanunneryandleftherthere.

Thewholeplacerangwithherobscenecursesasthetwomenrodeaway.Sheknifedtheabbessandwalkedallthewaybacktoherfather’shouse.Hesentherback,boundhandandfootandtiedtothesaddleofadonkey.Theyputherinthe

punishmentcelluntiltheabbess’swoundhealed.Itwascoldanddampandasblackasthenight,andtherewaswatertodrinkbutnothingtoeat.Whentheyletheroutshewalkedhomeagain.Herfathersentherbackagain,andthistimeshewasfloggedbeforebeingputinthecell.

Theybrokehereventually,ofcourse,andshedonnedthe

novice’shabit,obeyedtherulesandlearnedtheprayers,evenifinherheartshehatedthenunsanddespisedthesaintsanddisbelievedeverythinganyonetoldheraboutGodonprinciple.Butshelearnedtoreadandwrite,shemasteredmusicandnumbersanddrawing,andsheaddedLatintotheFrenchandEnglishshehadspokeninherfather’shousehold.

Lifeintheconventwasnotsobad,intheend.Itwasasingle-sexcommunitywithitsownpeculiarrulesandrituals,andthatwasexactlywhatshewasusedto.Allthenunshadtodosomephysicallabor,andEllensoongotassignedtoworkwiththehorses.Beforelongshewasinchargeofthestables.

Povertyneverworriedher.Obediencedidnotcome

easily,butitdidcome,eventually.Thethirdrule,chastity,nevertroubledhermuch,althoughnowandagain,justtospitetheabbess,shewouldintroduceoneoftheothernovicenunstothepleasuresof—

AgnesinterruptedEllen’staleatthispointand,takingMarthawithher,wentofftofindastreaminwhichtowashthechild’sfaceand

cleanuphertunic.ShetookAlfredtoo,forprotection,althoughshesaidshewouldnotgooutofearshot.Jackgotuptofollowthem,butAgnestoldhimfirmlytostaybehind,andheappearedtounderstand,forhesatdownagain.TomnotedthatAgneshadsucceededintakingherchildrenwheretheycouldnothearanymoreofthisimpiousandindecentstory,whileleavingTomchaperoned.

Oneday,Ellenwenton,theabbess’spalfreywentlamewhenshewasseveraldaysawayfromtheconvent.KingsbridgePrioryhappenedtobenearby,sotheabbessborrowedanotherhorsefromthepriorthere.Aftershegothome,shetoldEllentoreturntheborrowedhorsetotheprioryandbringthelamepalfreyback.

There,inthemonasterystable

withinsightofthecrumblingoldcathedralofKingsbridge,Ellenmetayoungmanwholookedlikeawhippedpuppy.Hehadtheloose-limbedgraceofapup,andthetwitching-nosedalertness,buthewascowedandfrightened,asifalltheplayfulnesshadbeenbeatenoutofhim.Whenshespoketohimhedidnotunderstand.ShetriedLatin,buthewasnotamonk.Finallyshesaidsomethingin

French,andhisfacewassuffusedwithjoyandherepliedinthesamelanguage.

Ellenneverwentbacktotheconvent.

Fromthatdayonshelivedintheforest,firstinaroughshelterofbranchesandleaves,laterinadrycave.Shehadnotforgottenthemasculineskillsshehadlearnedinherfather’shouse:

shecouldstillhuntdeer,traprabbitsandshootswanswithabow;shecouldgutandcleanandcookthemeat;andsheevenknewhowtoscrapeandcurethehidesandfursforherclothes.Aswellasgame,sheatewildfruits,nutsandvegetables.Anythingelsesheneeded—salt,woolenclothing,anaxoranewknife—shehadtosteal.

Theworsttimewaswhen

Jackwasborn....

ButwhatabouttheFrenchman?Tomwantedtoask.WasheJack’sfather?Andifso,whendidhedie?Andhow?Buthecouldtell,fromherface,thatshewasnotgoingtotalkaboutthatpartofthestory,andsheseemedthetypeofpersonwhowouldnotbepersuadedagainstherwill,sohekepthisquestionstohimself.

Bythistimeherfatherhaddiedandhisbandofmenhaddispersed,soshehadnorelativesorfriendsintheworld.WhenJackwasabouttobebornshebuiltanall-nightfireatthemouthofhercave.Shehadfoodandwateronhand,andherbowandarrowsandknivestowardoffthewolvesandwilddogs;andsheevenhadaheavyredcloak,stolenfromabishop,towrapthebabyin.Butshe

hadnotbeenpreparedforthepainandfearofchildbirth,andforalongtimeshethoughtshewasgoingtodie.Neverthelessthebabywasbornhealthyandstrong,andshesurvived.

EllenandJacklivedasimple,frugallifeforthenextelevenyears.Theforestgavethemalltheyneeded,aslongastheywerecarefultostoreenoughapplesandnutsand

saltedorsmokedvenisonforthewintermonths.Ellenoftenthoughtthatiftherewerenokingsandlordsandbishopsandsheriffs,theneveryonecouldlivelikethisandbeperfectlyhappy.

Tomaskedherhowshedealtwiththeotheroutlaws,mensuchasFaramondOpenmouth.Whatwouldhappeniftheycreptuponheratnightandtriedtorapeher?

hewondered,andhisloinsstirredatthethought,althoughhehadnevertakenawomanagainstherwill,notevenhiswife.

TheotheroutlawswereafraidofEllen,shetoldTom,lookingathimwithherluminouspaleeyes,andheknewwhy:theythoughtshewasawitch.Asforlaw-abidingpeopletravelingthroughtheforest,people

whoknewtheycouldrobandrapeandmurderanoutlawwithoutfearofpunishment—Ellenjusthidfromthem.WhythenhadshenothiddenfromTom?Becauseshehadseenawoundedchild,andwantedtohelp.Shehadachildherself.

ShehadtaughtJackeverythingshehadlearnedinherfather’shouseholdaboutweaponsandhunting.Then

shehadtaughthimallshehadlearnedfromthenuns:readingandwriting,musicandnumbers,FrenchandLatin,howtodraw,eventheBiblestories.Finally,inthelongwinterevenings,shehadpassedonthelegacyoftheFrenchman,whoknewmorestoriesandpoemsandsongsthananyoneelseintheworld—

Tomdidnotbelievethatthe

boyJackcouldreadandwrite.Tomcouldwritehisname,andahandfulofwordssuchaspenceandyardsandbushels;andAgnes,beingthedaughterofapriest,coulddomore,althoughshewroteslowlyandlaboriouslywithhertonguepokingoutofthecornerofhermouth;butAlfredcouldnotwriteaword,andcouldbarelyrecognizehisownname;andMarthacouldnotevendo

that.Wasitpossiblethatthishalf-wittedchildwasmoreliteratethanTom’swholefamily?

EllentoldJacktowritesomething,andhesmoothedapatchofearthandscratchedlettersinit.Tomrecognizedthefirstword,Alfred,butnottheothers,andhefeltafool;thenEllensavedhisembarrassmentbyreadingthewholethingaloud:“Alfredis

biggerthanJack.”Theboyquicklydrewtwofigures,onebiggerthantheother,andalthoughtheywerecrude,onehadbroadshouldersandaratherbovineexpressionandtheotherwassmallandgrinning.Tom,whohimselfhadatalentforsketching,wasastonishedatthesimplicityandstrengthofthepicturescratchedinthedust.

Butthechildseemedanidiot.

Ellenhadlatelybeguntorealizethis,sheconfessed,guessingTom’sthoughts.Jackhadneverhadthecompanyofotherchildren,orindeedofotherhumanbeingsexceptforhismother,andtheresultwasthathewasgrowinguplikeawildanimal.Forallhislearninghedidnotknowhowtobehavewithpeople.Thatwaswhyhewassilent,andstared,andsnatched.

Asshesaidthisshelookedvulnerableforthefirsttime.Herairofimpregnableself-sufficiencyvanished,andTomsawherastroubledandratherdesperate.ForJack’ssake,sheneededtorejoinsociety;buthow?Ifshehadbeenaman,shemightconceivablyhavepersuadedsomelordtogiveherafarm,especiallyifshehadliedconvincinglyandsaidshewasbackfromapilgrimage

toJerusalemorSantiagodeCompostela.Thereweresomewomenfarmers,buttheywereinvariablywidowswithgrownsons.Nolordwouldgiveafarmtoawomanwithonesmallchild.Nobodywouldhireherasalaborer,eitherintownorcountry;besides,shehadnoplacetolive,andunskilledworkrarelycamewithaccommodationprovided.Shehadnoidentity.

Tomfeltforher.Shehadgivenherchildeverythingshecould,anditwasnotenough.Buthecouldseenowayoutofherdilemma.Beautiful,resourceful,andformidablethoughshewas,shewasdoomedtospendtherestofherdayshidingintheforestwithherweirdson.

Agnes,MarthaandAlfredcameback.Tomgazed

anxiouslyatMartha,butshelookedasiftheworstthingthathadeverhappenedtoherwashavingherfacescrubbed.ForawhileTomhadbeenabsorbedinEllen’sproblems,butnowherememberedhisownplight:hewasoutofworkandhispighadbeenstolen.Theafternoonwaswearingon.Hebegantopickuptheirremainingpossessions.

Ellensaid:“Whereareyouheaded?”

“Winchester,”Tomtoldher.Winchesterhadacastle,apalace,severalmonasteries,and—mostimportantofall—acathedral.

“Salisburyiscloser,”Ellensaid.“AndlasttimeIwasthere,theywererebuildingthecathedral—makingitbigger.”

Tom’sheartleaped.Thiswaswhathewaslookingfor.Ifonlyhecouldgetajobonacathedralbuildingprojecthebelievedhehadtheabilitytobecomemasterbuildereventually.“WhichwayisSalisbury?”hesaideagerly.

“Backthewayyoucame,forthreeorfourmiles.Doyourememberaforkintheroad,whereyouwentleft?”

“Yes—byapondoffoulwater.”

“That’sit.TherightforkleadstoSalisbury.”

Theytooktheirleave.AgneshadnotlikedEllen,butmanagedneverthelesstosaygraciously:“ThankyouforhelpingmetakecareofMartha.”

Ellensmiledandlooked

wistfulastheyleft.

WhentheyhadwalkedalongtheroadforafewminutesTomlookedback.Ellenwasstillwatchingthem,standingintheroadwithherlegsapart,shadinghereyeswithherhand,thepeculiarboystandingbesideher.Tomwaved,andshewavedback.

“Aninterestingwoman,”hesaidtoAgnes.

Agnessaidnothing.

Alfredsaid:“Thatboywasstrange.”

Theywalkedintothelowautumnsun.TomwonderedwhatSalisburywaslike:hehadneverbeenthere.Hefeltexcited.Ofcourse,hisdreamwastobuildanewcathedralfromthegroundup,butthatalmostneverhappened:itwasmuchmorecommonto

findanoldbuildingbeingimprovedorextended,orpartlyrebuilt.Butthatwouldbegoodenoughforhim,aslongasitofferedtheprospectofbuildingtohisowndesignseventually.

Marthasaid:“Whydidthemanhitme?”

“Becausehewantedtostealourpig,”Agnestoldher.

“Heshouldgethisownpig,”Marthasaidindignantly,asifshehadonlyjustrealizedthattheoutlawhaddonesomethingwrong.

Ellen’sproblemwouldhavebeensolvedifshehadhadacraft,Tomreflected.Amason,acarpenter,aweaveroratannerwouldnothavefoundhimselfinherposition.Hecouldalwaysgotoatownandlookforwork.There

wereafewcraftswomen,buttheyweregenerallythewivesorwidowsofcraftsmen.“Whatsheneeds,”Tomsaidaloud,“isahusband.”

Agnessaidcrisply:“Well,shecan’thavemine.”

III

Thedaytheylostthepigwasalsothelastdayofmildweather.Theyspentthat

nightinabarn,andwhentheycameoutinthemorningtheskywasthecolorofaleadroof,andtherewasacoldwindwithgustsofdrivingrain.Theyunbundledtheircloaksofthick,feltedclothandputthemon,fasteningthemtightundertheirchinsandpullingthehoodswellforwardtokeeptherainofftheirfaces.Theysetoffinagrimmood,fourgloomyghostsinarainstorm,

theirwoodenclogssplashingalongthepuddled,muddyroad.

TomwonderedwhatSalisburycathedralwouldbelike.Acathedralwasachurchlikeanyother,inprinciple:itwassimplythechurchwherethebishophadhisthrone.Butinpracticecathedralchurcheswerethebiggest,richest,grandestandmostelaborate.Acathedral

wasrarelyatunnelwithwindows.Mostwerethreetunnels,atalloneflankedbytwosmalleronesinahead-and-shouldersshape,forminganavewithsideaisles.Thesidewallsofthecentraltunnelwerereducedtotwolinesofpillarslinkedbyarches,forminganarcade.Theaisleswereusedforprocessions—whichcouldbespectacularincathedralchurches—andmightalso

providespaceforsmallsidechapelsdedicatedtoparticularsaints,whichattractedimportantextradonations.Cathedralswerethemostcostlybuildingsintheworld,farmoresothanpalacesorcastles,andtheyhadtoearntheirkeep.

SalisburywascloserthanTomhadthought.Aroundmid-morningtheycrestedarise,andfoundtheroad

fallingawaygentlybeforetheminalongcurve;andacrosstherainsweptfields,risingoutoftheflatplainlikeaboatonalake,theysawthefortifiedhilltownofSalisbury.Itsdetailswereveiledbytherain,butTomcouldmakeoutseveraltowers,fourorfive,soaringhighabovethecitywalls.Hisspiritsliftedatthesightofsomuchstonework.

Acoldwindwhippedacrosstheplain,freezingtheirfacesandhandsastheyfollowedtheroadtowardtheeastgate.Fourroadsmetatthefootofthehill,amidascatterofhousesspilledoverfromthetown,andtheretheywerejoinedbyothertravelers,walkingwithhunchedshouldersandloweredheads,buttingthroughtheweathertotheshelterofthewalls.

Ontheslopeleadingtothegatetheycameupwithanoxcartbearingaloadofstone—averyhopefulsignforTom.Thecarterwasbentdownbehindthecrudewoodenvehicle,pushingwithhisshoulder,addinghisstrengthtothatofthetwooxenastheyincheduphill.Tomsawachancetomakeafriend.HebeckonedtoAlfred,andtheybothputtheirshoulderstothebackofthecartandhelped

push.

Thehugewoodenwheelsrumbledontoatimberbridgethatspannedanenormousdrymoat.Theearthworkswereformidable:diggingthatmoat,andthrowingupthesoiltoformthetownwall,musthavetakenhundredsofmen,Tomthought;amuchbiggerjobeventhandiggingthefoundationsforacathedral.Thebridgethat

crossedthemoatrattledandcreakedundertheweightofthecartandthetwomightybeaststhatwerepullingit.

Theslopeleveledandthecartmovedmoreeasilyastheyapproachedthegateway.Thecarterstraightenedup,andTomandAlfreddidlikewise.“Ithankyoukindly,”thecartersaid.

Tomasked:“What’sthe

stonefor?”

“Thenewcathedral.”

“New?Iheardtheywerejustenlargingtheoldone.”

Thecarternodded.“That’swhattheysaid,tenyearsago.Butthere’smorenewthanold,now.”

Thiswasfurthergoodnews.“Who’sthemasterbuilder?”

“JohnofShaftesbury,thoughBishopRogerhasalottodowiththedesigns.”

Thatwasnormal.Bishopsrarelyleftbuildersalonetodothejob.Oneofthemasterbuilder’sproblemswasoftentocalmthefeveredimaginationsoftheclericsandsetpracticallimitstotheirsoaringfantasies.ButitwouldbeJohnofShaftesburywhohiredmen.

ThecarternoddedatTom’ssatcheloftools.“Mason?”

“Yes.Lookingforwork.”

“Youmayfindit,”thecartersaidneutrally.“Ifnotonthecathedral,perhapsonthecastle.”

“Andwhogovernsthecastle?”

“ThesameRogerisboth

bishopandcastellan.”

Ofcourse,Tomthought.HehadheardofthepowerfulRogerofSalisbury,whohadbeenclosetothekingforaslongasanyonecouldremember.

Theypassedthroughthegatewayintothetown.Theplacewascrammedsofullofbuildings,peopleandanimalsthatitseemedindangerof

burstingitscircularrampartsandspillingoutintothemoat.Thewoodenhouseswerejammedtogethershouldertoshoulder,jostlingforspacelikespectatorsatahanging.Everytinypieceoflandwasusedforsomething.Wheretwohouseshadbeenbuiltwithanalleywaybetweenthem,someonehadputupahalf-sizedwellinginthealley,withnowindowsbecauseitsdoortookup

almostallthefrontage.Whereverasitewastoosmallevenforthenarrowestofhouses,therewasastallonitsellingaleorbreadorapples;andiftherewasnotevenroomforthat,thentherewouldbeastable,apigsty,adunghillorawaterbarrel.

Itwasnoisy,too.Theraindidlittletodeadentheclamorofcraftsmen’sworkshops,hawkerscallingtheirwares,

peoplegreetingoneanotherandbargainingandquarreling,animalsneighingandbarkingandfighting.

Raisinghervoiceabovethenoise,Marthasaid:“What’sthatstink?”

Tomsmiled.Shehadnotbeeninatownforacoupleofyears.“That’sthesmellofpeople,”hetoldher.

Thestreetwasonlyalittlewiderthantheoxcart,butthecarterwouldnotlethisbeastsstop,forfeartheymightnotstartagain;sohewhippedthemon,ignoringallobstacles,andtheyshoulderedtheirdumbwaythroughthemultitude,indiscriminatelyshovingasideaknightonawar-horse,aforesterwithabow,afatmonkonapony,men-at-armsandbeggarsandhousewives

andwhores.

Thecartcameupbehindanoldshepherdstrugglingtokeepasmallflocktogether.Itmustbemarketday,Tomrealized.Asthecartwentby,oneofthesheepplungedthroughtheopendoorofanalehouse,andinamomentthewholeflockwasinthehouse,bleatingandpanickingandupsettingtablesandstoolsandalepots.

Thegroundunderfootwasaseaofmudandrubbish.Tomhadaneyeforthefallofrainonaroof,andthewidthofgutterrequiredtotaketherainaway;andhecouldseethatalltherainfallingonalltheroofsofthishalfofthetownwasdrainingawaythroughthisstreet.Inabadstorm,hethought,youwouldneedaboattocrossthestreet.

Astheyapproachedthecastle

atthesummitofthehill,thestreetwidened.Heretherewerestonehouses,oneortwooftheminneedofalittlerepair.Theybelongedtocraftsmenandtraders,whohadtheirshopsandstoresonthegroundfloorandlivingquartersabove.Lookingwithapracticedeyeatwhatwasonsale,Tomcouldtellthatthiswasaprosperoustown.Everyonehadtohaveknivesandpots,butonlyprosperous

peopleboughtembroideredshawls,decoratedbeltsandsilverclasps.

Infrontofthecastlethecarterturnedhisoxteamtotheright,andTomandhisfamilyfollowed.Thestreetledaroundaquarter-circle,skirtingthecastleramparts.Passingthroughanothergatetheyleftthehurly-burlyofthetownasquicklyastheyhadenteredit,andwalked

intoadifferentkindofmaelstrom:thehecticbutordereddiversityofamajorbuildingsite.

Theywereinsidethewalledcathedralclose,whichoccupiedtheentirenorthwestquarterofthecirculartown.Tomstoodforamomenttakingitin.Justseeingandhearingandsmellingitgavehimathrilllikeasunnyday.Astheyarrivedbehindthe

cartloadofstone,twomorecartswereleavingempty.Inlean-toshedsallalongthesidewallsofthechurch,masonscouldbeseensculptingthestoneblocks,withironchiselsandbigwoodenhammers,intotheshapesthatwouldbeputtogethertoformplinths,columns,capitals,shafts,buttresses,arches,windows,sills,pinnaclesandparapets.Inthemiddleoftheclose,

wellawayfromotherbuildings,stoodthesmithy,theglowofitsfirevisiblethroughtheopendoorway;andtheclangofhammeronanvilcarriedacrossthecloseasthesmithmadenewtoolstoreplacetheonesthemasonswerewearingdown.Tomostpeopleitwasasceneofchaos,butTomsawalargeandcomplexmechanismwhichheitchedtocontrol.Heknewwhateachmanwas

doingandhecouldseeinstantlyhowfartheworkhadprogressed.Theywerebuildingtheeastfacade.

Therewasarunofscaffoldingacrosstheeastendataheightoftwenty-fiveorthirtyfeet.Themasonswereintheporch,waitingfortheraintoeaseup,buttheirlaborerswererunningupanddowntheladderswithstonesontheirshoulders.Higherup,

onthetimberframeworkoftheroof,weretheplumbers,likespiderscreepingacrossagiantwoodenweb,nailingsheetsofleadtothestrutsandinstallingthedrainpipesandgutters.

Tomrealizedregretfullythatthebuildingwasalmostfinished.Ifhedidgethiredheretheworkwouldnotlastmorethanacoupleofyears—hardlyenoughtimeforhimto

risetothepositionofmastermason,letalonemasterbuilder.Neverthelesshewouldtakethejob,ifhewereofferedit,forwinterwascoming.Heandhisfamilycouldhavesurvivedawinterwithoutworkiftheyhadstillhadthepig,butwithoutitTomhadtogetajob.

Theyfollowedthecartacrosstheclosetowherethestoneswerestacked.Theoxen

gratefullydippedtheirheadstothewatertrough.Thecartercalledtoapassingmason:“Where’sthemasterbuilder?”

“Inthecastle,”themasonreplied.

ThecarternoddedandturnedtoTom.“You’llfindhiminthebishop’spalace,Iexpect.”

“Thanks.”

“Minetoyou.”

TomlefttheclosewithAgnesandthechildrenfollowing.Theyretracedtheirstepsthroughthethronged,narrowstreetstothefrontofthecastle.Herewasanotherdrymoatandasecondhugeearthenrampartsurroundingthecentralstronghold.Theywalkedacrossthedrawbridge.Inaguardhousetoonesideofthegateway,a

thicksetmaninaleathertunicsatonastool,lookingoutattherain.Hewaswearingasword.Tomaddressedhim.“Goodday.I’mcalledTomBuilder.Iwanttoseethemasterbuilder,JohnofShaftesbury.”

“Withthebishop,”theguardsaidindifferently.

Theywentinside.Likemostcastles,thiswasacollection

ofmiscellaneousbuildingsinsideawallofearth.Thecourtyardwasaboutahundredyardsacross.Oppositethegateway,onthefarside,wasthemassivekeep,thelaststrongholdintimeofattack,risinghighabovetherampartstoprovidealookout.Ontheirleftwasaclutteroflowbuildings,mostlywooden:alongstable,akitchen,abakeryandseveralstorehouses.There

wasawellinthemiddle.Ontheright,takingupmostofthenorthernhalfofthecompound,wasalargestonehousethatwasobviouslythepalace.Itwasbuiltinthesamestyleasthenewcathedral,withsmallround-headeddoorwaysandwindows,andithadtwostories.Itwasnew—indeed,masonswerestillworkingononecornerofit,apparentlybuildingatower.Despitethe

raintherewereplentyofpeopleinthecourtyard,cominginandgoingoutorhurryingthroughtherainfromonebuildingtoanother:men-at-arms,priests,tradesmen,constructionworkersandpalaceservants.

Tomcouldseeseveraldoorwaysinthepalace,allopendespitetherain.Hewasnotquitesurewhattodonext.Ifthemasterbuilder

waswiththebishop,perhapsheoughtnottointerrupt.Ontheotherhand,abishopwasnotaking;andTomwasafreemanandamasononlegitimatebusiness,notsomegrovelingserfwithacomplaint.Hedecidedtobebold.LeavingAgnesandMartha,hewalkedwithAlfredacrossthemuddycourtyardtothepalaceandwentthroughthenearestdoor.

Theyfoundthemselvesinasmallchapelwithavaultedceilingandawindowinthefarendoverthealtar.Nearthedoorwayapriestsatatahighdesk,writingrapidlyonvellum.Helookedup.

Tomsaidbriskly:“Where’sMasterJohn?”

“Inthevestry,”saidthepriest,jerkinghisheadtowardadoorintheside

wall.

Tomdidnotasktoseethemaster.Hefoundthatifheactedasifhewereexpectedhewaslesslikelytowastetimewaitingaround.Hecrossedthelittlechapelinacoupleofstridesandenteredthevestry.

Itwasasmall,squarechamberlitbymanycandles.Mostofthefloorspacewas

takenupbyashallowsandpit.Thefinesandhadbeensmoothedperfectlylevelwitharule.Thereweretwomenintheroom.BothglancedbrieflyatTom,thenreturnedtheirattentiontothesand.Thebishop,awrinkledoldmanwithflashingblackeyes,wasdrawinginthesandwithapointedstick.Themasterbuilder,wearingaleatherapron,watchedhimwithapatientairanda

skepticalexpression.

Tomwaitedinanxioussilence.Hemustmakeagoodimpression:becourteousbutnotgrovelingandshowhisknowledgewithoutbeingcocky.Amastercraftsmanwantedhissubordinatestobeobedientaswellasskillful,Tomknewfromhisownexperienceofbeingthehirer.

BishopRogerwassketching

atwo-storybuildingwithlargewindowsinthreesides.Hewasagooddraftsman,makingstraightlinesandtruerightangles.Hedrewaplanandasideviewofthebuilding.Tomcouldseethatitwouldneverbebuilt.

Thebishopfinisheditandsaid:“There.”

JohnturnedtoTomandsaid:“Whatisit?”

Tompretendedtothinkhewasbeingaskedforhisopinionofthedrawing.Hesaid:“Youcan’thavewindowsthatbiginanundercroft.”

Thebishoplookedathimwithirritation.“It’sawritingroom,notanundercroft.”

“Itwillfalldownjustthesame.”

Johnsaid:“He’sright.”

“Buttheymusthavelighttowriteby.”

JohnshruggedandturnedtoTom.“Whoareyou?”

“MynameisTomandI’mamason.”

“Iguessedthat.Whatbringsyouhere?”

“I’mlookingforwork.”Tomheldhisbreath.

Johnshookhisheadimmediately.“Ican’thireyou.”

Tom’sheartsank.Hefeltliketurningonhisheel,buthewaitedpolitelytohearthereasons.

“We’vebeenbuildingfortenyearshere,”Johnwenton.

“Mostofthemasonshavehousesinthetown.We’recomingtotheend,andnowIhavemoremasonsonthesitethanIreallyneed.”

Tomknewitwashopeless,buthesaid:“Andthepalace?”

“Samething,”saidJohn.“ThisiswhereI’musingmysurplusmen.Ifitweren’tforthis,andBishopRoger’s

othercastles,I’dbelayingmasonsoffalready.”

Tomnodded.Inaneutralvoice,tryingnottosounddesperate,hesaid:“Doyouhearofworkanywhere?”

“TheywerebuildingatthemonasteryinShaftesburyearlierintheyear.Perhapstheystillare.It’saday’sjourneyaway.”

“Thanks.”Tomturnedtogo.

“I’msorry,”Johncalledafterhim.“Youseemlikeagoodman.”

Tomwentoutwithoutreplying.Hefeltletdown.Hehadallowedhishopestorisetooearly:therewasnothingunusualaboutbeingturneddown.Buthehadbeenexcitedattheprospectofworkingonacathedralagain.

Nowhemighthavetoworkonamonotonoustownwalloranuglyhouseforasilversmith.

HesquaredhisshouldersashewalkedbackacrossthecastlecourtyardtowhereAgneswaitedwithMartha.Henevershowedhisdisappointmenttoher.Healwaystriedtogivetheimpressionthatallwaswell,hewasincontrolofthe

situation,anditwasofnogreatconsequenceiftherewasnoworkherebecausetherewassuretobesomethinginthenexttown,ortheoneafterthat.HeknewthatifheshowedanysignofdistressAgneswouldurgehimtofindaplacetosettledown,andhedidnotwanttodothat,notunlesshecouldsettleinatownwheretherewasacathedraltobebuilt.

“There’snothingformehere,”hesaidtoAgnes.“Let’smoveon.”

Shelookedcrestfallen.“You’dthink,withacathedralandapalaceunderconstruction,therewouldberoomforonemoremason.”

“Bothbuildingsarealmostfinished,”Tomexplained.“They’vegotmorementhantheywant.”

Thefamilycrossedthedrawbridgeandplungedbackintothecrowdedstreetsofthetown.TheyhadenteredSalisburybytheeastgate,andtheywouldleavebythewest,forthatwayledtoShaftesbury.Tomturnedright,leadingthemthroughthepartofthetowntheyhadnotsofarseen.

Hestoppedoutsideastonehousethatlookedindireneed

ofrepair.Themortarusedinbuildingithadbeentooweak,andwasnowcrumblingandfallingout.Frosthadgotintotheholes,crackingsomeofthestones.Ifitwereleftforanotherwinterthedamagewouldbeworse.Tomdecidedtopointthisouttotheowner.

Theground-floorentrancewasawidearch.Thewoodendoorwasopen,andinthe

doorwayacraftsmansatwithahammerinhisrighthandandabradawl,asmallmetaltoolwithasharppoint,inhisleft.Hewascarvingacomplexdesignonawoodensaddlewhichsatonthebenchbeforehim.InthebackgroundTomcouldseestoresofwoodandleather,andaboywithabroomsweepingshavings.

Tomsaid:“Goodday,Master

Saddler.”

Thesaddlerlookedup,classifiedTomasthekindofmanwhowouldmakehisownsaddleifheneededone,andgaveacurtnod.

“I’mabuilder,”Tomwenton.“Iseeyou’reinneedofmyservices.”

“Why?”

“Yourmortariscrumbling,yourstonesarecrackingandyourhousemaynotlastanotherwinter.”

Thesaddlershookhishead.“Thistownisfullofmasons.WhywouldIemployastranger?”

“Verywell.”Tomturnedaway.“Godbewithyou.”

“Ihopeso,”saidthesaddler.

“Anill-manneredfellow,”AgnesmutteredtoTomastheywalkedaway.

Thestreetledthemtoamarketplace.Hereinahalf-acreseaofmud,peasantsfromthesurroundingcountrysideexchangedwhatlittlesurplustheymighthaveofmeatorgrain,milkoreggs,forthethingstheyneededandcouldnotmakethemselves—pots,

plowshares,ropesandsalt.Marketswereusuallycolorfulandratherboisterous.Therewasalotofgood-naturedhaggling,mockrivalrybetweenadjacentstallholders,cheapcakesforthechildren,sometimesaminstreloragroupoftumblers,lotsofpaintedwhores,andperhapsacrippledsoldierwithtalesofeasterndesertsandberserkSaracenhordes.Thosewho

madeagoodbargainoftensuccumbedtothetemptationtocelebrate,andspenttheirprofitonstrongale,sothattherewasalwaysarowdyatmospherebymidday.Otherswouldlosetheirpenniesatdice,andthatledtofighting.Butnow,onawetdayinthemorning,withtheyear’sharvestsoldorstored,themarketwassubdued.Rain-soakedpeasantsmadetaciturnbargainswith

shiveringstallholders,andeveryonelookedforwardtogoinghometoablazingfireplace.

Tom’sfamilypushedthroughthedisconsolatecrowd,ignoringthehalfheartedblandishmentsofthesausagesellerandtheknifesharpener.TheyhadalmostreachedthefarsideofthemarketplacewhenTomsawhispig.

Hewassosurprisedthatatfirsthecouldnotbelievehiseyes.ThenAgneshissed:“Tom!Look!”andheknewshehadseenittoo.

Therewasnodoubtaboutit:heknewthatpigaswellasheknewAlfredorMartha.Itwasbeingheld,inanexpertgrip,byamanwhohadthefloridcomplexionandbroadgirthofonewhoeatsasmuchmeatasheneedsandthen

somemore:abutcher,withoutdoubt.BothTomandAgnesstoodandstaredathim,andsincetheyblockedhispathhecouldnothelpbutnoticethem.

“Well?”hesaid,puzzledbytheirstaresandimpatienttogetby.

ItwasMarthawhobrokethesilence.“That’sourpig!”shesaidexcitedly.

“Soitis,”saidTom,lookinglevellyatthebutcher.

Foraninstantafurtivelookcrossedtheman’sface,andTomrealizedheknewthepigwasstolen.Buthesaid:“I’vejustpaidfiftypenceforit,andthatmakesitmypig.”

“Whoeveryougaveyourmoneyto,thepigwasnothistosell.Nodoubtthatwaswhyyougotitsocheaply.

Whodidyoubuyitfrom?”

“Apeasant.”

“Oneyouknow?”

“No.Listen,I’mbutchertothegarrison.Ican’taskeveryfarmerwhosellsmeapigoracowtoproducetwelvementosweartheanimalishistosell.”

Themanturnedasideasifto

goaway,butTomcaughthimbythearmandstoppedhim.Foramomentthemanlookedangry,butthenherealizedthatifhegotintoascufflehewouldhavetodropthepig,andthatifoneofTom’sfamilymanagedtopickitup,thebalanceofpowerwouldchangeanditwouldbethebutcherwhohadtoproveownership.Soherestrainedhimselfandsaid:“Ifyouwanttomakeanaccusation,

gotothesheriff.”

Tomconsideredthatbrieflyanddismissedit.Hehadnoproof.Insteadhesaid:“Whatdidhelooklike—themanwhosoldyoumypig?”

Thebutcherlookedshiftyandsaid:“Likeanyoneelse.”

“Didhekeephismouthcovered?”

“NowthatIthinkofit,hedid.”

“Hewasanoutlaw,concealingamutilation,”Tomsaidbitterly.“Isupposeyoudidn’tthinkofthat.”

“It’spissingwithrain!”thebutcherprotested.“Everyone’smuffledup.”

“Justtellmehowlongagoheleftyou.”

“Justnow.”

“Andwherewasheheaded?”

“Toanalehouse,I’dguess.”

“Tospendmymoney,”Tomsaiddisgustedly.“Goon,clearoff.Youmayberobbedyourself,oneday,andthenyou’llwishtherewerenotsomanypeopleeagertobuyabargainwithoutaskingquestions.”

Thebutcherlookedangry,andhesitatedasifhewantedtomakesomerejoinder;thenhethoughtbetterofitanddisappeared.

Agnessaid:“Whydidyoulethimgo?”

“Becausehe’sknownhereandI’mnot,”Tomsaid.“IfIfightwithhimI’llbeblamed.Andbecausethepigdoesn’thavemynamewrittenonits

arse,sowhoistosaywhetheritismineornot?”

“Butalloursavings—”

“Wemaygetthemoneyforthepig,yet,”saidTom.“Shutupandletmethink.”Thealtercationwiththebutcherhadangeredhim,anditrelievedhisfrustrationtospeakharshlytoAgnes.“Somewhereinthistownthereisamanwithnolips

andfiftysilverpenniesinhispocket.Allwehavetodoisfindhimandtakethemoneyfromhim.”

“Right,”saidAgnesdeterminedly.

“Youwalkbackthewaywe’vecome.Goasfarasthecathedralclose.I’llwalkon,andcometothecathedralfromtheotherdirection.Thenwe’llreturnbythenextstreet,

andsoon.Ifhe’snotonthestreetshe’sinanalehouse.Whenyouseehim,staybyhimandsendMarthatofindme.I’lltakeAlfred.Trynottolettheoutlawseeyou.”

“Don’tworry,”Agnessaidgrimly.“Iwantthatmoney,tofeedmychildren.”

Tomtouchedherarmandsmiled.“You’realion,Agnes.”

Shelookedintohiseyesforamoment,thensuddenlystoodonhertoesandkissedhismouth,brieflybuthard.ThensheturnedandwentbackacrossthemarketplacewithMarthaintow.Tomwatchedheroutofsight,feelinganxiousforherdespitehercourage;thenhewentintheoppositedirectionwithAlfred.

Thethiefseemedtothinkhe

wasperfectlysafe.Ofcourse,whenhestolethepig,TomhadbeenheadingforWinchester.Thethiefhadgoneintheoppositedirection,tosellthepiginSalisbury.Buttheoutlawwoman,Ellen,hadtoldTomthatSalisburycathedralwasbeingrebuilt,andhehadchangedhisplans,andinadvertentlycaughtupwiththethief.However,themanthoughthewould’neversee

Tomagain,whichgaveTomachancetocatchhimunawares.

Tomwalkedslowlyalongthemuddystreet,tryingtoseemcasualasheglancedinatopendoorways.Hewantedtoremainunobtrusive,forthisepisodecouldendinviolence,andhedidnotwantpeopletorememberatallmasonsearchingthetown.Mostofthehouseswere

ordinaryhovelsofwood,mudandthatch,withstrawonthefloor,afireplaceinthemiddle,andafewbitsofhomemadefurniture.Abarrelandsomebenchesmadeanalehouse;abedinthecornerwithacurtaintoscreenitmeantawhore;anoisycrowdaroundasingletablesignifiedagameofdice.

Awomanwithred-stainedlipsbaredherbreaststohim,

andheshookhisheadandhurriedpast.Hewassecretlyintriguedbytheideaofdoingitwithatotalstranger,indaylight,andpayingforit,butinallhislifehehadnevertriedit.

HethoughtagainofEllen,theoutlawwoman.Therewassomethingintriguingabouther,too.Shewaspowerfullyattractive,butthosedeep-set,intenseeyeswere

intimidating.AninvitationfromawhoremadeTomfeeldiscontentedforafewmoments,butthespellcastbyEllenhadnotyetwornoff,andhehadasuddenfoolishdesiretorunbackintotheforestandfindherandfallonher.

Hearrivedatthecathedralclosewithoutseeingtheoutlaw.Helookedattheplumbersnailingtheleadto

thetriangulartimberroofoverthenave.Theyhadnotyetbeguntocoverthelean-toroofsonthesideaislesofthechurch,anditwasstillpossibletoseethesupportinghalf-archeswhichconnectedtheoutsideedgeoftheaislewiththemainnavewall,proppingupthetophalfofthechurch.HepointedthemouttoAlfred.“Withoutthosesupports,thenavewallwouldbowoutwardandbuckle,

becauseoftheweightofthestonevaultsinside,”heexplained.“Seehowthehalf-archeslineupwiththebuttressesintheaislewall?Theyalsolineupwiththepillarsofthenavearcadeinside.Andtheaislewindowslineupwiththearchesofthearcade.Stronglinesupwithstrong,andweakwithweak.”Alfredlookedbaffledandresentful.Tomsighed.

HesawAgnescomingfromtheoppositeside,andhismindreturnedtohisimmediateproblem.Agnes’shoodconcealedherface,butherecognizedherchin-forward,sure-footedwalk.Broad-shoulderedlaborerssteppedasidetoletherpass.Ifsheweretorunintotheoutlaw,andtherewasafight,hethoughtgrimly,itwouldbeafairlyevenmatch.

“Didyouseehim?”shesaid.

“No.Obviouslyyoudidn’teither.”Tomhopedthethiefhadnotleftthetownalready.Surelyhewouldnotgowithoutspendingsomeofhispennies?Moneywasnouseintheforest.

Agneswasthinkingthesame.“He’sheresomewhere.Let’skeeplooking.”

“We’llgobackbydifferentstreetsandmeetagaininthemarketplace.”

TomandAlfredretracedtheirstepsacrossthecloseandwentoutthroughthegateway.Therainwassoakingthroughtheircloaksnow,andTomthoughtfleetinglyofapotofbeerandabowlofbeefbrothbesideanalehousefire.Thenhethoughthowhardhehad

workedtobuythepig,andhesawagainthemanwithnolipsswinginghisclubatMartha’sinnocenthead,andhisangerwarmedhim.

Itwasdifficulttosearchsystematicallybecausetherewasnoordertothestreets.Theywanderedhereandthere,accordingtowherepeoplehadbuilthouses,andthereweremanysharpturnsandblindalleys.Theonly

straightstreetwastheonethatledfromtheeastgatetothecastledrawbridge.OnhisfirstsweepTomhadstayedclosetotherampartsofthecastle.Nowhesearchedtheoutskirts,zigzaggingtothetownwallandbackintotheinterior.Thesewerethepoorerquarters,withthemostramshacklebuildings,thenoisiestalehousesandtheoldestwhores.Theedgeofthetownwasdownhillfrom

thecenter,sotherefusefromthewealthierneighborhoodwaswasheddownthestreetstolodgebeneaththewalls.Somethingsimilarseemedtohappentothepeople,forthisdistricthadmorethanitsshareofcripplesandbeggars,hungrychildrenandbruisedwomenandhelplessdrunks.

Butthemanwithnolipswasnowheretobeseen.

TwiceTomspottedamanofabouttherightbuildandgeneralappearance,andtookacloserlook,onlytoseethattheman’sfacewasnormal.

Heendedhissearchatthemarketplace,andtherewasAgneswaitingforhimimpatiently,herbodytenseandhereyesgleaming.“I’vefoundhim!”sh