“Yes, son?”

“Would even the empress really dare lay hands on theBishop of Winchester? The Holy Father’s legatehere?”

“Who can tell? But there’s not much she will notdare.”

“But… That there could be fighting betweenthem…”

Oswin puffed out his round young cheeks in a great breath ofwonder and deprecation. Such a thing seemed to him unimaginable.“Brother, you have been in the world and have experience ofwars and battles. And I know that there were bishops and greatchurchmen went to do battle for the Holy Sepulchre, as you did, butshould they be found in arms for any lesser cause?”

Whether they should, thought Cadfael, is for them to take upwith their judge in the judgement, but that they are so found, havebeen aforetime and will be hereafter, is beyond doubt. “To becharitable,” he said cautiously, “in this case hislordship may consider his own freedom, safety and life to be a veryworthy cause. Some have been called to accept martyrdom meekly, butthat should surely be for nothing less than their faith. And a deadbishop could be of little service to his church, and a legatemouldering in prison little profit to the Holy Father.”

Brother Oswin strode beside for some moments judicially mute,digesting that plea and apparently finding it somewhat dubious, orelse suspecting that he had not fully comprehended the argument.Then he asked ingenuously: “Brother, would you takearms again? Once having renounced them? For anycause?”

“Son,” said Cadfael, “you have the knack ofasking questions which cannot be answered. How do I know what Iwould do, in extreme need? As a brother of the Order I would wishto keep my hands from violence against any, but for all that, Ihope I would not turn my back if I saw innocence or helplessnessbeing abused. Bear in mind even the bishops carry a crook, meant toprotect the flock as well as guide it. Let princes and empressesand warriors mind their own duties, you give all your mind toyours, and you’ll do well.”