Chapter 25 Rosenwin and Justin did not rise to their feet as expected.
Indeed,
Rosenwin appeared openly annoyed at the intrusion.
Not,
Thought Father Christopher,
The way she should be treating himself and Prior Richard in these troubled times.
My Lady,
Prior Richard bowed his head briefly,
But made no attempt to skirt delicately around the reason for his visit.
He paused,
Expecting some response,
But finding none,
Cleared his throat and continued slightly self-consciously.
Father Christopher and I have had a discussion,
And feel,
Due to the current circumstances,
Particularly concerning the disappearance of the maidens.
He paused once more,
Coughed delicately and drew a deep breath.
I,
That is we,
Father Christopher and myself,
Feel the relics of our blessed St Clethoris are no longer safe in your care.
That is,
In the chapel,
And it is therefore in all our interests they be removed to the confines and sanctity of the church as soon as possible.
In fact,
Father Christopher is able and ready to transport them back to the church on your behalf now,
That is,
This very afternoon.
Father Christopher started.
He had not expected to carry the relics himself at that precise moment,
And wondered exactly how heavy they were going to be.
In all honesty,
He had never actually seen them,
And had no idea of what they comprised.
Rumour said there was a skull and some bones,
But exactly how many he could not be sure,
And how unsavoury might they have become after all these years.
Rosenwyn rose to her feet,
Appearing taller and more stately than prior Richard remembered,
An uncompromising look on her gentle features.
The blessed relics have been entrusted to the care of the chapel for many years now,
She murmured.
In fact,
It was a decree of the Priory they remain here.
Many pilgrims pass this way merely to drink of the sacred water which has passed over them,
Which they can do just as easily in the church.
Such things can be suitably arranged,
Cut in Father Christopher impatiently,
Refraining from rubbing his hands together now his dream was about to be fulfilled.
And they will be much safer in my care,
Especially,
He added piously,
In these troubled times.
How?
Pardon?
How will they be safer in your care?
Questioned Rosenwyn.
Why,
Is it not obvious?
You are a fragile woman with no strength to ward off intruders whilst.
.
.
I see,
Rosenwyn surveyed Father Christopher's skinny form as his words dried upon his lips.
And also you have a lock on your door to stop the people freely entering your house of God,
Whilst I do not.
Enough,
Prior Richard clapped his hands.
I have made my decision and we have come to claim the sacred relics.
Father Christopher,
If you would.
He nodded towards the chapel and Father Christopher scurried inside.
Rosenwyn stood pale and silent by the entrance,
Gazing steadily at prior Richard.
Eventually Justin stepped forwards,
Hand on the hilt of his sword.
My lady?
He questioned softly.
Rosenwyn gave a small shake of her head and he stepped back,
But his hand remained upon his sword and there was a wary look in his eyes.
The door of the chapel swung open and Father Christopher appeared.
My lord,
He burbled,
They have gone.
What?
The most sacred relics of our most sacred and worshipful St Clethoris.
Father Christopher babbled incoherently.
Beneath the altar,
Nothing but an empty space,
My lord.
Glory be to God.
He sank to his knees,
Crossing himself fervently.
First the maidens and now the sacred relics.
What is to become of us all?
It was not long before fingers were pointed and rumours began to fly once more.
A number of theories abounded.
Some whispered that Father Christopher was behind the disappearance of the relics,
His agitation being a cover for the fact he had already stolen them.
Others wondered if they were hidden by Rosenwyn herself,
Following the disappearance of the maidens.
Whilst yet more pointed their fingers at Justin,
The stranger in their midst,
Who appeared just as the problems began.
And even Duncan,
Who they had known all their lives and would hitherto have trusted with their very souls,
Was whispered to have become jealous of Rosenwyn's friendship with the knight and stolen the relics in order to punish her.
The longer it lasted,
The more ridiculous the theories became.
