The Forest - Edward Rutherfurd [82]
The court had only just started to buzz, however, when the justice said sharply to the clerk: ‘Now then, what about this lay brother?’
And again, the courtroom grew quiet. Luke was one of the Prides. There was a lot of interest. Near the back of the court Mary strained to hear every word.
The case against Luke was less clear.
‘First,’ the clerk announced, ‘that he gave shelter to the malefactors at the grange. Second, that he was in league with them. Third that he attacked an abbey monk, Brother Matthew, who sought to prevent the poachers from entering the grange.’
‘Is the abbey represented?’ the justice demanded.
John of Grockleton raised his claw, and a moment later Brother Matthew and three of the lay brothers stood with him before the justice.
The justice, naturally, was well acquainted with the facts from the steward, but there were aspects of the business he did not like.
‘You refuse to take responsibility for this lay brother?’
‘We disown him utterly,’ said the prior.
‘The charge says he was in league with these poachers. Presumably because he let them into the grange?’
‘What other explanation is possible?’ said Grockleton.
‘I should think he might have been frightened of them.’
‘They offered no violence,’ remarked the clerk.
‘That’s true. Now what about this attack?’ He turned to Brother Matthew.
‘Well.’ Brother Matthew’s kindly face was a little embarrassed. ‘When Martell refused to take his wounded companion away, I’m afraid I attacked him with a staff. Brother Luke grabbed a spade and swung it, and broke the staff. Then the spade hit me on the head.’
‘I see. Was this lay brother your enemy?’
‘Oh no. Quite the reverse.’
Grockleton’s claw shot up. ‘Which proves that he must have been in league with Martell.’
‘Or was trying to prevent this monk from starting a fight.’
‘I must confess,’ Brother Matthew said mildly, ‘I did wonder that myself, afterwards.’
‘Brother Matthew is too kind, Justice,’ the prior cut in. ‘His judgement is too forgiving.’
It was at this point that the justice decided he really did not like Grockleton. ‘So he ran?’ he continued.
‘He ran,’ chimed Grockleton definitively.
‘Why the devil isn’t the abbot trying him over his assault of this monk?’
‘He is expelled from the order. We are here to prosecute him,’ said Grockleton.
‘He’s not here, I suppose?’ Heads were shaken. ‘Very well, then.’ He eyed the prior with distaste. ‘Since he belonged to the abbey at the time of this crime, if such it was, and was within the Great Close, you do realize that you are responsible for producing him, don’t you?’
‘I?’
‘You. The abbey. Of course. For his non-appearance, therefore, the abbey is amerced. Two pounds.’
The prior went bright red. All round the court there were smiles.
‘I’m sorry he isn’t here to defend himself,’ the justice went on, ‘but there it is. The law takes its course. As the offence seems to be a felony and he’s not here, I have no option. Let him be exacted and, if he doesn’t appear at the next court, outlawed.’
From her position at the back, Mary listened with a heavy heart. Exacted: that just meant he must be produced. And outlawed? Technically it signified he was outside the law. You couldn’t be harboured by anyone; you could even be killed with impunity. You had no rights. A powerful sanction.
If only Luke had turned up. Brother Adam, the clever monk, had been right. Luke had underestimated the good sense of the court. It was obvious that the justice was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. But what could she do? Luke had gone and no one even knew where he was. She could have wept.
‘That’s it, I think.’ The justice was looking at the clerk. People were preparing to move. ‘Is there any other business?’
‘Yes.’
Mary started. Tom had left her at the beginning of the proceedings to stand with some of the other men and she had not been able to see him over the crowd of heads. Yet this was his voice and she could see him now, elbowing his