the youth deserved praise, he knew that, but their safety was not something they could take any chances with. Their mission was too vital for that.
'Still you must be careful; you can never be sure who is around. But you've done well. Let's find ourselves somewhere warm and get a hot meal and a bed for the night. We'll find a more permanent place in the morning.'
'I think my cousin will be able to help with that,' Mayel said, trying to sound cheerful again, despite the storm. 'He rents rooms to work¬men, so I'm sure he'd give me a good price – and watch out for us.' He started shivering, his saturated clothes clammy against his skin. Glancing nervously out from under the archway he saw the sky was an angry grey. It felt more like autumn than an early summer's evening, as though their pursuer swept away the joy and warmth of the season as he closed on them.
'We'll need a house, somewhere with a cellar,' said the abbot. 'I have work to do; I'll need complete privacy. It can't wait any longer.'
'I don't understand.' Mayel stared at the old man, wondering what could possibly be so important when they were fleeing for their lives.
'If Prior Corci does find out where we are, I need to be ready for him – and I need your help, not just to carry the books, but to protect me from the rest of this city.'
'Do we really need all these books with us?' There was understand¬able irritation in Mayel's voice: he had been lugging around the six thick volumes for two weeks now.
'You know what they are, boy. Our order's texts are sacred. That traitor may have made me flee the monastery, but he will never force me to give up the traditions that he himself has tried to destroy. The books must not leave the presence of the abbot – that is one of the very first lessons we learn.'
'Of course I know that,' Mayel said, 'but are you still abbot if you
flee the island?'
The old man shuddered and Mayel continued hurriedly, 'I mean, surely the sacred texts are there for the community, to look to for guidance. Should they not stay on the island?'