Cecelia Mecca - The Mercenary

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Chapter 1

S t. Andrew Holybourne Abbey, England, 1214

Lady Sabine never wanted to be a nun.

Shed attempted to escape the abbey twice. On her last attempt, the monk with whom shed arranged to leave had fallen ill and later died, a horrible omen, if one believed in such things. The time before that, shed gone off alone, only to be spied by a stable boy, who had promptly told the abbess. Sabine had been given a warningone more attempt and Lord Burge would be notified of her antics.

She shuddered at the thought.

There you are, said a familiar voice, the tone thick with accusation.

Sister Christine, the very woman shed snuck out of the sext to avoid. The bishop was visiting, which had driven the sister into a frenzy. She had never taken to Sabine and had begun to critique her every action, especially at mealtimes. Straighten your shoulders or Do not eat with such force were admonishments she had heard for the past three days at nearly every meal.

How does one eat with force, precisely? Sabine wanted to ask but knew doing so would only anger Sister Christine. And so she had taken to avoiding meals these past three days, preferring to eat in her small chamber. Such an arrangement robbed Sister Christine of the chance to better her, however, and the sister often sought her out.

Your presence is required at the evening meal.

Reverend Mother gave me leave, she whispered in her most reverent tone. One shed perfected of late.

The nun, her headpiece hiding all but her pale face riddled with wrinkles, was apparently not pleased with that particular response. Her eyes pinned Sabine to the spot. Bishop Salerno is in residence, she said, her tone brooking no argument. You will take your meal in the refectory.

Eyes downcast Sabine moved to make her way through the cloister to do just that when the nuns hand wrapped around her wrist.

And you will quit your attempts at escape. Many would be grateful for the opportunity youve been given.

Her hand squeezed.

Reverend Mother has been too tolerant.

Sabine did not attempt to disengage her hand. Nor did she question the nun or comment on what she had left out of her speech. All knew the abbess was ill, even though she went about her duties as if well. Sabine had only been at the abbey one month, and even she could discern a difference in the elderly womans health. Sister Christine clearly had ambitions, and once she took control of the abbey, she would not be so tolerant.

Aye, Sister. If you will pardon me?

She attempted to pull her hand away, to no avail.

You will be a Bride of Christ, child. Your haughtiness is not welcome here.

Haughtiness? Sabine had never been accused of such in her life. But then, shed never said so few words as she had since coming here. Her parents would be both surprised and appalled at the woman shed become.

I understand.

Sister Christine did let go of her then, but she continued to glare at her as if Sabine had breathed a word of dissent. Turning slowly so as not to anger her further, Sabine held her head high and walked the length of the cloister to the hall. Nuns sat side by side in rows, mostly silent other than a few whispered words. Moments after she sat, another novice plopped down a bowl of soup in front of her. Sabine had served both the morning and midday meal, but still the young woman glared at her as if shed shirked her duties.

Unlike Sabine, she wanted to be here. Had chosen to become a nun and devote her life to God. So why the dour disposition?

He seems to know the bishop, said the older nun beside her.

Who? she asked, attempting to peer over the tables that separated them from their august visitor.

Weve another visitor this eve.

A knight, whispered the nun to her left.

Sabine couldnt remember her name, but she liked this one. She had an easy way about her, and when she smiled, it was obvious she meant it. The smile she was giving Sabine now looked almost... conspiratorial, as if their new visitor was...

Is he handsome?

A certain sparkle in the nuns eyes was her answer. The nun seated directly across from Sabine gave her a stern glance that cautioned her not to say such things.

It was the kind of remark she may have made to her mother. Who would have laughed as her father admonished both of them for their forwardness. But hed have done it with a smile on his face.

Sabine pushed aside the thought.

A handsome knight. Friend to the bishop.

She really should eat her soup and make her way to the kitchen, where shed be expected to work until vespers. It would be best to forget about a man who was as likely to tell the Reverend Mother on her as he was to help her escape.

But once the thought took hold, she could not put it aside so easily.

Chapter 2

Y ou may use the calefactory, if you please, the abbess said to Bishop Salerno after they finished their meager meal. I will see you are not disturbed. She didnt spare a glance for Guy, although that didnt surprise him. He could tell she was leery of him, and his purpose here.

Smart woman.

Guy followed the bishop into the room. Three nuns stood at the fire, their hands outstretched, although they quickstepped away from the hearth when they spotted the visitors. They nodded to the bishop in deference as they passed, ignoring Guy.

With luck, this would be the first and only night hed spend at the cold and unwelcoming Holybourne Abbey. When Guy had spoken of his mission with the rest of the Order of the Broken Blade, his friend Terric had burst into laughter. So many women, none of whom would fall at his feet the moment Guy stepped into the room. Hed laughed at the time, but in truth, it was slightly disconcerting. He was unused to receiving so little attention from the fairer sex.

And he liked it not at all.

That he should admit the fact, even to himself... Guy shrugged internally. He was nothing if not honest.

The bishop extended his hand, and Guy sat, as indicated, in front of the fire. Though hed been in the mans presence all evening, he had little indication of the mans temperament. He knew only what Conrad, their leader, had told him. That Bishop Salerno supported the orders cause. Like them, he was alarmed by King Johns overreach. In truth, nothing else mattered.

When the abbess closed the door, Guy waited until he was sure she had left and was out of hearing. He tried not to stare at the rings bedecking every finger of the old mans hands. Such wealth could serve a better purpose, but saying so, or even acting like he thought so, would not win him any friends.