BRETWALDA by H A CULLEY

Author:H A CULLEY [CULLEY, H A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Orchard House Publishing
Published: 2017-01-29T23:00:00+00:00

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Cuthbert was in something of a quandary. He was thirteen and enjoying life as at novice at Melrose. However, the life was predictable and mundane. During his first year he had learned to read and write, mainly in Latin but also in English. He had enjoyed studying the life of Jesus Christ and learning about the Celtic Church. Now he was putting that knowledge into practice, helping to copy documents whilst continuing his education. He was beginning to learn Greek whilst continuing to improve his Latin and English.

In a few months he’d be fourteen and it would be time to decide whether he wanted to take his vows as a monk or to leave to train as a warrior. He was drawn to the latter. A life of adventure and fighting had an attraction for a restless boy. The humdrum round of prayers, never having enough to eat, prayers, lessons, copying in the scriptorium, prayers, working on the monastery farm and more prayers failed to satisfy him.

He was a devout boy but he wanted more out of life. Therefore, when Abbot Offa sent for him to ask him what he wanted to do when he finished his noviciate, he didn’t know what to say.

‘I’m not sure, Father Abbot. I’d like to experience the exciting life of a warrior but I’m drawn to a life of quiet contemplation and prayer as well. Whatever I do, I want to serve God and His Son.’

‘I can’t advise you, Cuthbert. I’ve always wanted to be a monk and have spent much of my life as a hermit in prayer and meditation; I’ve never had a craving for adventure and excitement, though, from what others have told me, a warrior’s life is one of boredom interspersed with short periods of intense terror.’

‘That may well be the case, Father, but I think I need to experience that for myself.’

‘I see. One thing I can say which might help you decide is that several warriors, even the odd king, has become a monk later in life. However, if you choose the path that Bishop Aidan and I follow, then you cannot then decide to become a warrior later. Learning to fight is a young man’s game. Does that help?’

‘Yes, Father Abbot. I hadn’t thought of it that way before. In that case I think I should opt for the life of a warrior when I reach fourteen.’

‘Good, I’m glad I’ve helped you reach a decision. Now, there is another matter I need to discuss with you. As you know the present senior novice takes his vows next week and the Master of Novices and I need to decide on who to appoint to succeed him. I know that you’re the eldest, but there is a new novice arriving tomorrow.’

‘A new novice? How does that affect your choice of the senior?’

Cuthbert would never have spoken so impolitely had he not suspected that his expectations were about to be dashed.

‘Don’t take that tone with me, boy!’

Offa never spoke sharply

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