Free A Gift of Sanctuary by Candace Robb Page A

you identified the body left at Tower Gate.’
    ‘I did.’
    ‘John de Reine was to have been at Carreg Cennen, not St David’s.’
    Dyfrig had begun to snore. Edern shook him.
    Owen thought the monk awakened too easily, with too little confusion. ‘The warmth in here makes you drowsy after your journey,’ Owen said. ‘Perhaps you should get some air.’
    Smiling slightly, Dyfrig rose, bowed to Owen, wished him a safe journey, and then departed.
    Edern had observed the exchange in silence. When the door closed behind the monk, Edern said, ‘You had only to say.’
    ‘I did.’
    ‘So you did. Forgive me. So. Let us continue. Bishop Houghton turned away some armed men in Cydweli livery today, did you know?’
    ‘Aye. Because they had been sent into his jurisdiction without the necessary courtesies,’ said Owen.
    ‘Precisely.’
    ‘But what brought them to St David’s? Any of them?’
    ‘He did not tell you that? I can see by your look that he did not. Bishop Houghton, for all his chatter, is fond of informing in partial measures. You say Reine was expected at Carreg Cennen. How do you know?’
    The time had passed for secrecy. Owen told Edern of his mission, Reine’s part in it.
    Edern shook his head. ‘Rhodri ap Gruffudd ap Llywelyn ab Iorwerth’s grandson. Who would have thought Lawgoch would cause such a stir?’ There were many Welshmen who laughed at the thought of Rhodri’s grandson being the saviour of the Welsh. Rhodri himself had fought in King Edward’s army against his brother Llywelyn, and had died in his bed, an English knight, known as Sir Roderick de Tatsfield.
    But Owen’s purpose was not to discuss Lawgoch’s pedigree. ‘Now tell me what brought Cydweli men to St David’s.’
    ‘They were Constable Burley’s men,’ Edern said. ‘They say the exchequer was robbed. They pursued a man described by Roger Aylward, the receiver who was injured by the thief. When they heard that a body had been found in their livery, they thought perhaps the thief had cleverly stolen livery as well as gold.’
    Owen was not pleased to hear of another complication. ‘Why would they not guess it was Reine? Or might be?’
    ‘They did not care to say?’ Edern suggested, his expression indifferent.
    ‘Was Reine not also Burley’s man?’
    ‘I do not know. When last I met Reine, he was the former steward William Banastre’s personal guard. But I would be surprised to learn he was Burley’s man now. I would guess him Lascelles’s man.’
    ‘Trust family before a stranger.’
    ‘Sir John might be wise. Though from what you tell me, the son was not so fond of his father.’
    ‘We may never know what motivated him to write to the Duke. But no matter what is behind Reine’s death, it means trouble.’
    ‘Where Richard de Burley is, there is trouble, Captain. He is a man with a flawed soul.’
    ‘What sort of flaw?’
    ‘You will see.’
    ‘You do not care for Burley.’
    ‘I do not care for Englishmen, Captain. Do you?’
    ‘My wife is English.’
    A raised eyebrow. ‘Then she has taught you tolerance.’
    Owen smiled to think how Lucie would respond to that comment. ‘She would not say so.’
    Edern slapped his thighs. ‘Do I pass your inspection, Captain?’
    Owen rose. ‘You do. I thank you for your hospitality.’
    ‘Until the morning, Captain.’
    ‘God grant you a good night’s rest,’ Owen said. He ducked through the door and out into steadily falling rain.
    He was of two minds about the vicar. Edern still hid something, but he had a confident air about him and knew far more of the situation than Owen had expected. He might prove of more use than a mere clerical escort. Still, Owen would keep him closely watched.
    As Owen entered the room he shared with Sir Robert, Michaelo and Geoffrey, the former grasped his son-in-law’s arm with surprising strength, then drew back.
    ‘You are wet through. I thought you were with the bishop.’
    ‘I was. And then I took a walk in the