Chapter 15.5.2

"The problem is one that has been with me for some time. I have learned to live with it." There – let him find fault with that.

The abbot leaned back, the mouse gone from view. "The monks here who know you: they say they have seen you at Lord Reinard’s holding."

"I spent some time there, yes."

"Did you ever meet the man who is called the Bard-killer?"

Sourness burned the back of my throat. How would a pious Christian answer that? My movements were still curt. "I did indeed. He is not an easy master, but his people should not have to suffer for his sins."

"Indeed." The abbot linked his hands together on his lap. "Have you heard that the old lord is dead, and his son now rules the holding?"

This seemed an honest question, so I answered it truthfully. "Yes. But no priest has come to unlock the church so that the people may enter."

"The new lord has neither petitioned the Bishop for forgiveness, nor made peace with the Bardhall. Until he does, his people will stay without grace."

Had anyone explained this to Wallen?

Suddenly the abbot straightened. "But we were talking about you. The things I have heard about you, Gerard, since you came through our gate! Brother Peter swears you are a brother in good standing. Brother Umberto thinks you are a wizard in disguise, for he found strange symbols sewn into your robe. A maiden who lives with the nuns claims that you are a saint – though her father says you are a black-souled Heathen, yet a good man. None of the brethren will speak against you, but none will explain you, either. Tell me truthfully, Gerard, what are you?"

"I am a humble beggar who does not pretend his is anything." Thus I proved that I did indeed pay attention to the sayings of the Silent Monks.

The abbot leaned forward. "Oh, I heard that you play a harp. Gerard, are you a Bard?"

I jerked up my hands, palms inward, to show him that no harp was marked on them, and I glared – then realized that I had answered his question. No one but a Bard would gesture so. Slowly I signed, "What will you do with me now?"

"Rest. You are safe and will remain so." Father Alfred stood and laid his hand on my head. "May the gods watch carefully over your path."