Crispin_ At the Edge of the World - Avi [18]
Angry, I lunged and tried to pry William’s hands away from Aude. Even as we thrashed about, a scream erupted from the house, a long, beseeching cry, full of awful anguish.
Ashen-faced, Goodman William released Aude and whirled toward the sound. Next moment, he swung back, went to his knees, clasped his hands, and looked up at Aude with eyes full of panic. “In God’s mercy, woman!” he cried. “Help my wife!”
“I can only try,” muttered the old dame, and moved forward again, clinging to Troth, as much as Troth clung to her.
As Aude drew near to the birthing house, the village folk retreated some paces. I could not tell if they moved from her because they did not wish to be near her, or to give her room. I was beyond their notice.
Then, just as Aude approached, the bailiff emerged from the house. At least I took him to be the bailiff. A big, burly man, he was dressed somewhat better than the others, with buskin boots and a paltry collar of some ragged sheep wool. His garments and hands were stained with blood.
When he appeared, the townspeople fell back to form a half circle behind him. Then, as Aude and Troth advanced, the bailiff stepped forward to block entry to the house.
“No,” he shouted. “You must not go further! You’re no Christian.” It seemed to me his cry was as much to the townspeople as it was to her.
Aude halted. Small as she was, she seemed to diminish in size before this man.
But then the distraught husband tried to shove the bailiff away from the entry, crying, “She can save my wife!”
“Better she die than be damned,” the bailiff said, refusing to move.
Another terrible cry came from the house.
It seemed to drive the husband mad. With a sudden leap, he wrapped his arms around the bailiff and dragged him away. “Go to her,” he called to Aude. “I beg you! Go!”
Aude hesitated momentarily then went forward again. Troth stayed close. Next moment, the bailiff broke free from the husband and pounced at the old woman, only to miss. But he managed to take hold of Troth’s arm. As the old woman went into the house, the bailiff yanked the girl back, forcing her to stay behind. As that happened, the husband followed Aude within and was also lost to my view.
The bailiff forcibly thrust Troth away from the house. “Evil thing!” he cried. “Begone!” He began to pummel her about her head and shoulders.
With sudden rage, Troth erupted. Whirling about, growling and grunting like some wild beast, she kicked and clawed at the bailiff. Small though she was, her attack came with such unexpected ferocity that the bailiff doubled over, putting his hands up to protect himself. The crowd, which had been inactive until then, came to life. With a shout, they rushed forward.
14
AT FIRST I thought the people were going to help Troth, and free her from the bailiff. It took just moments for me to realize otherwise: like a pack of attacking dogs, they joined the bailiff in beating Troth, kicking and clawing at her. “Kill her. Kill the Devil-girl!” they screamed. Troth tried to resist but was quickly overwhelmed.
I was so stunned by what was happening, that at first I remained rooted where I was. But when I saw Troth fall I ran forward and dove among the swarm of brawling people. I struck out at whomever was before me, receiving as many blows—if not more—than I gave.
In the middle of this struggle came a long, drawn-out cry from the birthing house, a cry of appalling torment. It crested above all shouts and screams, enough to cause the mob to stay their fury.
In that brief lull, I wedged myself among the mob. Troth was cowering on the ground, crouched, arms up to protect her head, crying uncontrollably, bleeding. I put my arms round her, shouting, “Troth! It’s me! Crispin!”
She gripped me.
Holding her tightly, I pushed back with my body, kicking and shoving as best I could, until I dragged the sobbing, gasping girl from beneath the frenzied swarm. The crowd did not even seem