World Without End Page 0,372

with the nuns. Get a parish priest to come into the cathedral for mass, if you can find one still alive. You cannot perform the mass, but you can hear confessions - there has been a special dispensation from the archbishop, because so many clergymen have died."

Caris was not going to let him slide past the question of her election. "Are you confirming me as prioress?" she said.

"Of course," he said irritably.

"In that case, before I accept the honour-"

"You have no decision to make, Mother Prioress," he said indignantly. "It is your duty to obey me."

She wanted the post desperately, but she resolved to pretend otherwise. She was going to drive a hard bargain. "We live in strange times, don't we?" she said. "You've given nuns authority to hear confessions. You've shortened the training for priests, but you still can't ordain them fast enough to keep up with deaths from the plague, I hear."

"Is it your intention to exploit the difficulties the church is facing for some purpose of your own?"

"No, but there is something you need to do to make it possible for me to carry out your instructions."

Henri sighed. Clearly he did not like being spoken to in this way. But, as Caris had suspected, he needed her more than she needed him. "Very well, what is it?"

"I want you to convene an ecclesiastical court and reopen my trial for witchcraft."

"For heaven's sake, why?"

"To declare me innocent, of course. Until that happens, it could be difficult for me to exercise authority. Anyone who disagrees with my decisions can all too easily undermine me by pointing out that I stand condemned."

The tidy secretarial mind of Archdeacon Lloyd liked that idea. "It would be good to have the issue disposed of once and for all, my lord bishop."

"Very well, then," said Henri.

"Thank you." She felt a surge of delight and relief, and bowed her head for fear that her triumph would show in her face. "I will do my best to bring honour to the position of prioress of Kingsbridge."

"Lose no time in inquiring after Godwyn. I'd like some kind of answer before I leave town."

"The alderman of the parish guild is a crony of Godwyn's. He'll know where they've gone if anyone does. I'll go and see him."

"Right away, please."

Caris left. Bishop Henri was charmless, but he seemed competent, and she thought she could work with him. Perhaps he would be the kind of leader who made decisions based on the merits of the case, instead of siding with whomever he perceived as an ally. That would be a pleasant change.

Passing the Bell, she was tempted to go in and tell Merthin her good news. However, she thought she had better find Elfric first.

In the street in front of the Holly Bush she saw Duncan Dyer lying on the ground. His wife, Winnie, was sitting on the bench outside the tavern, crying. Caris thought the man must have been hurt, but Winnie said: "He's drunk."

Caris was shocked. "It isn't even dinner time yet!"

"His uncle, Peter Dyer, caught the plague and passed away. His wife and children died too, so Duncan inherited all his money, and he just spends it on wine. I don't know what to do."

"Let's get him home," Caris said. "I'll help you lift him." They each took an arm and got Duncan to his feet. Holding him upright, they half dragged him down the street to his house. They put him on the floor and covered him with a blanket. Winnie said: "He's like this every day. He's says it's not worth working, because we're all going to die of the plague. What shall I do?"

Caris thought for a moment. "Bury the money in the garden, now, while he's sleeping. When he wakes up, tell him he lost it all gambling with a chapman who left town."

"I might do that," Winnie said.

Caris crossed the street to Elfric's house and went inside. Her sister, Alice, was sitting in the kitchen sewing stockings. They had not been close since Alice married Elfric, and what little was left of their relationship had been destroyed by Elfric's testifying against Caris in the heresy trial. Forced to choose between sister and husband, Alice had been loyal to Elfric. Caris understood that, but it meant her sister had become like a stranger to her.

When Alice saw her she stood up and dropped her sewing. "What are you doing here?" she said.

"The monks have all disappeared," Caris told her. "They must