That’s where the dispute starts. The abbey claims it wasclearly agreed the tenancy ended with the old man’s death, thathe himself understood it so, and intended it should be restored tothe abbey as soon as he was out of it. While Roger says there was nosuch agreement to restore it unconditionally, but the tenancy wasgranted to the Mauduits, and ought to be hereditary. And so far he’shung on to it tooth and claw. After several hearings they remitted itto the King himself. And that’s why you and I, my friend, willbe off with his lordship to Woodstock the day after tomorrow.”

“And how do you rate his chances of success? He seems none toosure himself,” said Cadfael, “to judge by his shorttemper and nail-biting this last day or so.”

“Why, the charter could have been worded better. It says simplythat the village is granted back in tenancy during the old man’slifetime, but fails to say anything about what shall happenafterwards, whatever may have been intended. From what I hear, theywere on very good terms, Abbot Fulchered and the old lord, agreementsbetween them on other matters in the manor book are worded as betweenmen who trusted each other. The witnesses are all of them dead, asAbbot Fulchered is dead. It’s one Godefrid now. But for all Iknow the abbey may hold letters that have passed between the two, anda letter is witness of intent, no less than a formal charter. All ingood time we shall see.”

The nobility still sat at the high table, in no haste to retire,Roger brooding over his wine, of which he had already drunk his fairshare and more. Cadfael eyed them with interest, seen thus in afamily setting. The boy had gone to his bed, hauled away by anelderly nurse, but the Lady Eadwina sat in close attendance at herlord’s left hand, and kept his cup well filled, smiling herfaint, demure smile. On her left sat a very fine young squire ofabout twenty-five years, deferential and discreet, with a smile