Free The Midnight Man by Paul Doherty Page A

sounded. Stephen had listened to its peals, recalling the ancient tradition that tolling church bells were a sure defence against demons and diabolic attack. He stared around the lovely shrine. The three walls of the chapel were painted a deep blue. The silver borders at top and bottom were decorated by resplendent, bejewelled gold
fleur de lys
with a gleaming ruby at the base of the middle stalk of every flower. The chapel ceiling was of a fainter blue; it depicted a scene from the Apocalypse, of the Virgin about to give birth while confronting a scarlet, seven-headed dragon. The floor of the Lady chapel was tiled in a glossy stone, which sparkled in the pool of taper light fixed from silver spigots in front of the magnificent statue. The sculptor had carved the Virgin in the brilliant likeness of a young court maiden, her dark hair half-hidden beneath a gold-edged, gauze white veil, her body clothed in a sheer silk gown under a robe of imperial purple edged with gold. The Virgin’s feet, encased in diamond-studded sandals, crushed the head of a writhing serpent. Stephen, however, as always, was fascinated by the face: not pious or holy but wreathed in a warm, welcoming smile. Such a look, Stephen had come to realize, was all he could remember of his beloved mother bending over him, her face full of concern, a lock of hair out of place – then she had gone. All that remained was a stern father, an esteemed physician who had no time for his son’s flights of fancy.
    Now in safety, Stephen’s mind drifted back to the events at St Michael’s and the assault in that eerie, smelly alleyway. Was this what he really wanted? Anselm he liked, respected and even loved, but this constant battle with the lords of the air, the barons and earls of hell? Stephen drew deep breaths to calm himself. Anselm had taught him to do this while repeating the Jesus prayer. Anselm maintained this would lead Stephen to meditation and contemplation but, invariably, it always put him to sleep. He was shaken awake by a servitor, face all anxious.
    â€˜Brother Stephen, Brother Stephen, I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Master Anselm and Sir Miles Beauchamp are waiting for you in the parlour.’
    Still heavy-eyed with sleep, Stephen was ushered into the elegant chamber overlooking the main courtyard of the friary. A spacious but austere room dominated by a gaunt, crucified Christ and an embroidered cloth telling the story of the Virgin’s miraculous appearance on Mount Carmel. Sir Miles and Anselm were sitting opposite each other at the oval table, which ran down the centre of the room. Shafts of afternoon light, in which a host of dust motes danced, pierced the glass windows high on the outside wall. Anselm beckoned him to sit on his left and returned to watching Sir Miles. The clerk, as elegant as ever in his blue quilted jerkin and matching hose, was sifting through a sheaf of documents on the table before him. He looked as if he had stepped out of the royal presence chamber: hair neatly combed, jewels sparking on his fingers. Stephen caught sight of the chancery ring emblazoned with the royal arms which could demand entrance to any building as well as insist on the allegiance of those who lived there. Beauchamp had slung his thick war cloak over the prior’s chair at the head of the table and looped his sword belt around the chair’s high post.
    Stephen, embarrassed by the brooding silence, apologized once again, explaining where he’d been and how he had fallen asleep. Anselm brushed him gently on the arm. Sir Miles kept shuffling the pile of manuscripts before him. Stephen glimpsed red and purple seals and wondered what the Clerk of the Secret Chancery would want with them.
    â€˜I apologize.’ Sir Miles lifted his head and smiled dazzlingly at both of them. ‘Master Anselm, I apologize for dragging you from your meeting with Father Guardian, and you, Brother Stephen, from your prayerful sleep.