Free Hawksmaid by Kathryn Lasky

they reminded me of something. I can’t explain, but I felt they had seen me before.”
    â€œThe eyes had seen you before?” Rich asked, confused. “Are you trying to say she recognized you or you recognized her?”
    â€œI—I…” Matty shook her head. “I don’t know. It just all felt very queer to me.”
    â€œSo you think,” Rich continued, “that she could be taking over from the old abbess?”
    â€œNo,” Fynn said. “I heard my father say that there is a new abbess at the big abbey in Nottingham and that’s just my point, lads.”
    â€œWhat’s the point?” Matty said.
    â€œIt’s why Hubie called the meeting, isn’t it, Hubie?”
    â€œWell, yes, but—” Hubie started to speak then Rich interrupted.
    â€œOh, this is the missing chalice thing,” Rich said.
    â€œThe missing chalice thing!” Fynn mimicked with undisguised contempt. “It’s real, Rich. Don’t make fun of it.”
    â€œMy mum noticed it was gone. But she wasn’t sure of its value,” Hubie offered.
    â€œI noticed it was gone, too. Since three Sundays ago, right?” Matty said.
    â€œAre you talking about the chalice with the rubies?” Will interrupted.
    â€œExactly,” Fynn said. “It hasn’t been there in its niche for these past three Sundays!”
    â€œSo what’s the point?” asked Rich.
    â€œThe point is this,” Fynn said more quietly. “Prince John has King Richard just where he wants him—miles away. Right now Prince John is the most powerful man in England and pretty near the richest. But there is still also one powerful man who stands in his way and has remained loyal to King Richard.”
    â€œWho’s that?” Rich asked with sudden respect.
    Matty watched Fynn carefully. He could certainly command attention when he wanted to. There was aforce to the way he spoke. In a mews there was always one hawk who emerged as the leader. In hers it was old Moss whom the others, even the arrogant Morgana, regarded highly. Fynn was definitely the leader here. He did not have to be called that. He simply was.
    â€œGo on, Fynn,” Matty said softly. He cast her a quick glance. “Who is it?”
    â€œThe Bishop of Ely, William Longchamp. He is the only high churchman who has been honest, faithful to his king and his flock. And he is the chancellor. That means that he is supposed to be the boss while Richard is away. He’s meant to keep an eye on Prince John, I’ll wager.”
    â€œBut what does this have to do with the church, except that he is a bishop?” Will asked.
    Fynn lowered his voice to a whisper. “The church is rich. John has drained the nobles of every penny. On top of that, there are these new taxes for the Crusades. Now you watch, Prince John will turn more and more to the church. Its treasures could raise him an army. I’ll wager the Bishop of Ely is going to make it more difficult for him to get what he wants. Probably already has.”
    â€œBut the Bishop of Ely is far from here and fromthis church. I’m sure he doesn’t know that the chalice has gone missing,” Rich said.
    â€œBut there are rumors about another bishop, a bad one who is closer to here, to Barnsdale—the Bishop of Hereford,” said Hubie. “He’s Prince John’s supporter.”
    â€œAnd,” Will added, “he works closely with Prince John’s chief bully, Sir Guy of Gisborne.”
    Matty turned pale at the mere mention of Sir Guy. The memory of him standing in the bailey holding up her mother’s necklace with its Star of Jerusalem sapphire dripping blood was still vivid in her mind’s eye.
    â€œYou all right, Matty?” Fynn asked with sudden concern. She blinked rapidly and shook her head as if to banish the horrible image. “I wonder sometimes,” she said slowly, “whatever happened to my