D Sanctuary

We had never heard such hammering on the door. The brothers
were busy with Vespers and just coming to the end of the Kyrie
when we heard them. The abbot nodded to Brother Stephen who
hurried out of the chapel to investigate.

He came back moments later to confer with abbot Simeon.
What was going on ? Simeon beckoned to me to join them
and I obeyed swiftly.

"Brother Michael, there are two knights at the door. They
appear to be wounded and are demanding sanctuary in the abbey.
We must ask them to leave their weapons at the door, and then
they are welcome to our hospitality and our care. Go with Stephen
and bring them in at once."

I exchanged nods with Brother Stephen and we both hurried back to
the main door where the knocking and hammering was now
accompanied
by oaths and shouts of rage.

"By God Sir, let us in, or I will know the reason why."

We cautiously opened the peep-hole in the great oaken door.

"You are right welcome here Sir, but you must leave your weapons
outside."

"Yes, yes quickly man, open the door, we are both sore wounded."

After another exchange of glances with Brother Stephen we agreed
and lifted the heavy iron bar which held the door fast.

The two strangers stumbled in over the doorstep and I could see
that they were both injured. They were both wearing tattered,
bloodstained
surcoats over chain mail hauberks, and carrying their battered plumed
helms.
The older man was bearded and his surcoat was scarlet. His companion
was
clean shaven and clad in black.

"My Lords, may it please you to leave your swords here and I will
take
you to where you may rest."

The older of the two men glared at me.

"I will leave my sword in your guts monk. Cease your prattling - my
man
here is dying."

I thought better of further argument. I called for two more brothers to
bring
a stretcher for the other man and we somehow managed to get them up the
stairs
to the rooms appointed.

Brother Septimus was summoned and he came quickly with his bag of herbs
and salves.
He examined the black knight with much tut-tutting and sucking the air
in over his
few remaining teeth.

"Well monk, what say you, will he live ?"

"He may die tonight my Lord, it is in the hands of Almighty God."

The red knight roared with fury at this.

"You may consider trying harder to save him, knave, for if he dies you
will join him !"

Septimus blanched and looked nervously at me.

"Fetch the abbot" he whispered, "Quickly - go !."

I found Simeon at prayer. He made me wait until he had finished his
orison.

"Yes Brother Michael what is it".

"Father Simeon - the knight has threatened Brother Septimus. I fear
they
may make trouble here."

"Very well Michael - I will see to it."

I followed Simeon to the kitchens where he conferred with Brother
William
at some length. I noticed him pointing to the locked cupboard in the
corner
and Brother William's curious reaction. He seemed to know what Simeon
meant
without any exchange of words, but he seemed frightened somehow,
perhaps of
the knights. We left him preparing some broth for them and proceeded up
to
their room.

The red knight was sitting with shoulders hunched on the bed, breathing
heavily,
and his companion was lying on the floor, looking very pale.

"My son, my son," the abbot began in his most soothing tones.

"Fear not, you are safe here and your friend will be cured of his
wounds."

The knight grumbled assent.

"First you must both have some warming broth, to restore your
strength."

Brother William appeared bearing a tray with two bowls of steaming
broth.

The red knight ate hungrily and the monks managed to get his companion
to
sit up enough to be spoon fed some of the soup.

"We will leave you to rest for a moment, good Sirs, I have sent for
a
physician of great renown who will be here within the hour. He will
attend
to your wounds and you can stay here to recover.

The knights seemed satisfied with this and we left them.

As we descended the stairs Simeon turned to Brother William.

"Bury them in the pit with the others William. Let us pray these
terrible wars will
soon come to an end."