Part 9 (1/2)

”I don't mind,” I said, which wasn't exactly the truth. ”But I think I would rather have known all along that I was ugly than have been surprised into it.

Disconcerting, it was.” That was a good word, and I said it again to make sure it came out right a second time, and then explained to him how Brother Jude (the Less) had been teaching me to speak properly. He was impressed, I could tell, because he stroked his moustache and under his hand I saw his lips twitch a little.

”And where do you go now?”

”To find the owner of the pebbles, of course: this is mine, see?” and I pulled up my jerkin.

”Put it away,” he said hurriedly, and went quite red. ”You shouldn't-never mind.”

”You mean it's a secret?”

”Very. Don't do that again.”

”But I just wanted to show-”

”All right! Enough . . . Just don't go-displaying-it like that again.

Understand?”

I didn't, but I nodded wisely. ”Are you coming with us, then?”

”With you . . . ?” He was plainly at a loss.

”Well, we came together, so we'd better leave the same way, I suppose, or the monks will think it rather funny.”

”Oh. Yes. Of course.”

”But I didn't mean just the leaving bit, I meant about coming with us to find a magician first. It's obvious you are also under some spell or other too, with that rusty armour and broken sword-”

”Nonsense!” he shouted. Really shouted, so that I fell off the stool in surprise and ended up on the floor. He glared at me again. ”Nothing of the sort!”

The curtains at the end of the Infirmary parted and Brother Infirmarar came rus.h.i.+ng in. ”You called, Brother Knight, you called? You are worse? Dearie, dearie me: too much excitement, I fear. Your servant must return to the stables, but before that we shall pray together, and then I will bleed you . . .”

I reported back despondently to the others, but Snowy comforted me.

”You did your best. Don't forget that we shall be leaving together and he may well change his mind once we are on the road . . .”

And so it was that, some five days later in the Moon of Frost, we seven were a.s.sembled at the gates of the Priory. Snowy was loaded with our gear and the knight's, the animals all in or on my wicker carrier. The knight and I were on foot. The Brothers came to wish us ”G.o.d-speed,” and Brother Jude (the Less) even gave me an affectionate hug, at which Brothers Matthew and Mark looked suitably scandalized. We were provisioned for three days and I saw the knight hand over a suitable ”donation” to the Head Prior, for of course they would not charge for their charity to us. The size of the gift occasioned much bowing of heads, folding of hands and the beginning of what looked like another prayer session, but we didn't wait for the end because I nudged Snowy and we moved away, the knight following.

”Looks like snow,” said Corby, and ruffled his feathers against the cold.

The Gathering: One- Two-

Three- Four- Five- Six- Seven

Crossroads

We had our first confrontation that very evening.

We had walked due south from the Priory, because Snowy said there was a reasonable road some couple of leagues away that was heading in the right direction. At first the knight strode ahead, scornful of our slow pace, but after the third stop he made for us I could see he was still not as strong as he thought. He leant against a tree, ostensibly being very patient and forbearing of our tardiness, but I could see the beads of sweat on his forehead. Somehow I knew that his pride was a very big thing in him, and if necessary I should have to pretend sometimes to give him an excuse to indulge his weakness- Another knight in another time, a woman feigning fatigue to hide his convalescent wound, an uncomprehending child who could run forever- I shook my head, and the vision faded.

”I'm sorry we're so slow,” I said. ”But poor old Snowy is laden down and I've got much shorter legs than you. It was kind of you to wait.”

He shrugged. ”Doesn't matter. But the days grow shorter: perhaps we should look for a night's shelter soon.”

I s.n.a.t.c.hed at his suggestion. ”Snowy says there is a ruined church some half- league away: most of the walls are standing and Puddy says it will be fine.”

He scowled. ”Which is Puddy, for G.o.d's sake? A toad! He says, the horse says .

. . Never mind. Lead on then, but it had better be there!” and he gave Snowy a gentle slap on the rump. I hoped he didn't mind: I had forgotten to tell the knight he was magic.

The church had three walls left, but only a sc.r.a.p of roofing, in the corner nearest where a desecrated altar still stood. The knight stood in the ruined nave and stared upwards to where a trefoil window, framed in still-green ivy, showed us the last of a reddening sun.

”Vandals,” he muttered. ”Barbarians.”

Again my mind gave a sudden jump: soldiers in armour; horses, spears, swords; long hair, beards, distant shouting; a hiding place-Gone.

”What is there to eat?” demanded the knight, but did not wait for an answer, lifting his pack and my baggage from Snowy's back. ”How about a fire, Thingummy, while I make this fellow more comfortable . . .” and I crept to the roofed corner and Corby brought me sticks. The knight rubbed Snowy down with a wisp or two of dried gra.s.ses, then gave him a handful of oats from the provisions sack. ”There you are, old lad: there's still gra.s.s between the stones, and a dew-pond over there . . .”

We ate; cold lamb, rye bread and cheese, and shared a flagon of ale. The empty jar would be useful for water, in case we were away from a supply, so I packed it with our things: the knight had a proper one in his pack, but just in case he decided-But I would not think about things like that.

The fire burned brightly and we had no need of the lantern the Brothers had so thoughtfully provided.

”This is cosy,” I said, throwing the rest of the crumbs to Corby and taking Moglet on my lap, where she continued to clean lamb-fat from her whiskers.

”Find something to eat, Puddy?”

His throat moved up and down towards the roof of his mouth, which was a toad's way of toothless chewing. ”Would you believe gnats? It's sheltered here: fine tomorrow, too.”

I translated the last bit to the knight, and added that Snowy had said we were free from danger for the time being.

”I don't believe all that falderal about speaking with animals,” said the knight, crossly. ”None of you said a word just then: n.o.body even moved. I think you are just making it all up.”

Patiently I explained about thought-messages, about the niceties of body- communication, but obviously my words were not enough.

”Prove it! Make them do things . . .”

”They're not performing animals!”

”I never said they were!” He was getting crosser by the minute: then he sighed and shook his head. ”Sorry, Thingummybob-You must have some other name than that?”

I looked at the fire, and shrugged. ”I've known no other, ever since I can remember.” I didn't want to add that it was just ”Thing,” because I rather liked the way he added bits like ”ummy” and ”ummybob” at the end: it made it more personal between him and me. And nice.

There was a nudge on my chest. ”If he wants some sort of proof,” sighed Moglet plaintively, ”I don't mind chasing my tail, or something like that . . .”