Three Kings - One Throne by Michael Wills

Author:Michael Wills [Wills, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SilverWood Books
Published: 2020-01-29T05:00:00+00:00

After exchanging greetings, Torkil said, “Abbetissa, I have a request from Earl Harold for my sister to accompany me on a visit to him in Boseham. He has—”

The nun interrupted Torkil. “Yes, yes, I have read the letter. This is a most extraordinary demand,” she said as she handed the letter back to her visitor. [CC164] “Sister Emma has been here for many years. She is very unworldly. I cannot think why the Earl would want her company.”

Fearing that the nun might refuse the request, Torkil stuttered, “But I will be responsible for her. You need not be troubled for her safety.”

“How do you propose to travel?”

“I have brought a horse.”

“A horse! She has not been on a horse in her life. You cannot expect her to make a long journey in such discomfort.”

Torkil had not considered this. However, he did know that what the nun had said was not quite true: Emma used to ride at Selceeflet. He realised that it would not be politic to argue this point and said, “Then can I borrow a cart?”

“It could be arranged, but you will have to pay.”

Such arrangements were made; the thayne was not in a position to argue. Torkil left the Abbetissa who went to inform Emma about the journey she was to make[CC165], and waited outside the nunnery with the door closed once more. Eventually, he heard a rumbling sound as a cart, driven by a nun, came round from what must have been the nunnery farm at the back of the building. His two horses were tied to the back of the primitive vehicle [CC166]. The cart stopped and the nun driving it climbed down. [CC167]

Torkil looked at the vehicle and wondered how long it would take to get to Boseham using this as transport. There was a flat platform for a passenger and a driver to sit on with their legs dangling over the front. The flat part had a low fence of split hazel hurdles around three sides to stop goods from falling off. The shafts of the cart which were tied to the horse with leather thongs were roughly shaped tree branches. The wheels were planks edge to edge, cut into a circle, with a metal hoop holding them in place.

Then the sound of the door bolts being drawn again announced that someone was coming. The old nun appeared together with another who was carrying a bundle. The second nun had her head down so it was not possible for Torkil to judge her age.

“This is Sister Emma,” said the Mother Superior. “I charge you with responsibility for her well-being and for her safe return to her home here.”

“A responsibility I am honoured to accept,” answered Torkil.

The young nun[CC168] looked up and, for the first time in thirteen years, Torkil’s [CC169] eyes met his sister’s. Emma placed her bundle in the cart and climbed onto the seat.

Torkil addressed the old nun and said,[CC170] “I am beholden to you, Abbetissa [CC171] I am sure that the Earl will show his appreciation.

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