Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,38

and rounded a small stand of beeches. Ahead of them, with the dark bulk of downland looming behind it, was a small church. She knew it the heavy old Norman archway sheltering the oak door confirming her knowledge, as they rode past. They had landed at Bishopstone. She was only a few miles from Lewes and heading inland, towards it. She sat, moving easily to the horses’ rhythm, and thought furiously. To be passing so close to her intended destination she must be

able to get a

message to the Priory somehow!

Now they were riding along the ancient track which wound along, mostly at the foot of the Downs, all the way to Lewes. It was well-marked, with the chalk showing most of the way, indicating heavy use. She had ridden along it herself, several times, and knew it well.

It branched into two ways at one point, and she knew that the left one curved back to Seaford, where the merchant ships from across the Channel came, through the narrow harbour entrance, with their cargoes of wine and spices. Some of the ships sailed right up the River Ouse to Lewes, with cargoes of Caen stone for building.

Silently, apart from the sound of the horses’ hooves, the small party rode through the night. Judith could feel sleep beginning to steal over her, and fought against it. The headache caused by the blow she had received had almost gone, although she could feel the lump, if she put her hand to the place where she had been struck. She took a deep breath, and the cold air entered her lungs almost painfully and revived her. If she was sleepy, perhaps the others were, too. She turned cautiously in her saddle, twisting her neck round to look behind her.

"I’m still here!" said Guy’s voice. "And still awake and watching your every move, never fear!"

She turned back again, without bothering to answer.

The track turned round a another clump of stunted trees and the moon shone on the town of Lewes. She could see the Castle, high on its mound, with the townspeople s dwellings clustered around its base, and her own house and those of the small community of Jews a short way beyond, but still at the top of a slope. Below it all, the great Priory stood on the flat land, with the stream running alongside it, and on to where it joined the River Ouse. The man in front raised his arm as a signal to halt and they did so. Guy, walking his horse alongside hers, grasped part of the bridle and forced her horse to walk with his until they reached the man who was their guide.

"What is it?" he said to the guide. "Why stop here?"

"We should be met here and taken to shelter for the rest of the night," said the man, in a low voice. "There should have been someone waiting here, in the trees."

BOSON BOOKS

-72-

Belaset’s Daughter

"And where is this someone?" said Guy, impatiently.

There was a rustling from the middle of the copse. Guy swung round, sweeping his cloak to one side and placing his hand on his sword. The guide put his arm out, to restrain Guy’s movement. The trees parted and a boy appeared, grinning delightedly.

"Colin, you should have shown yourself earlier!" said the guide, sternly.

Colin nodded, but continued to beam at them, obviously mightily pleased with himself.

He pointed to the guide’s saddle, and the man nodded. Colin swung himself up, nimbly, and sat astride the horse in front of its rider. Then he pointed to the right and nodded, twisting to gaze up into the man’s face.

"What’s wrong with him?" said Guy. "Surely we’re not to be shown our way by an idiot boy?"

"No, no!" said the guide. "He is not simple, but dumb. He can hear your every word, and understand better than many, can you not Colin?"

The boy nodded, glaring angrily at Guy de Montfort.

"Well, prove it, by taking us to our rest in safety then, boy!" said Guy, gruffly.

The man who had led them thus far gave the boy a squeeze on the shoulder.

"That’s an apology!" he said.

Colin still glared at Guy, but the guide urged his horse forward, and the boy sat straight again. The others followed in single file. Guy dropped Judith’s bridle and fell back behind her, as they made their way down a gentle slope and rode towards the Priory. They skirted round the left side of the dorter and passed the west entrance of the great