Within the enclave there were mixed feelings amongthe brothers concerning Cadfael’s venture, undertaken thuswith only partial and limited sanction, and with no promise ofsubmission to the terms set. Prior Robert had made known in chapterthe precise provisions laid down for Cadfael’s absence,limited to the duration of the conference at Coventry, and hademphasized that strict injunction as if he had gathered that it wasalready threatened. Small blame to him, the implication hadcertainly been there in the abbot’s incomplete instruction tohim. As for the reason for this journey to be permitted at all,even grudgingly, there had been no explanation. Cadfael’sconfidence was between Cadfael and Radulfus.

Curiosity unsatisfied put the worst interpretation upon suchfacts as had been made public. There was a sense of shock, grievedeyes turning silently upon a brother already almost renegade. Therewas dread in the reactions of some who had been monastic frominfancy, and jealousy among some come later, and uneasy at times intheir confinement. Though Brother Edmund the infirmarer, himself anoblate at four years old, accepted loyally what puzzled him in hisbrother, and was anxious only at losing his apothecary for a time.And Brother Anselm the precentor, who acknowledged few disruptionsother than a note off-key, or a sore throat among his best voices,accepted all other events with utter serenity, assumed the best,wished all men well, and gave over worrying.

Prior Robert disapproved of any departure from the strict Rule,and had for years disapproved of what he considered privilegesgranted to Brother Cadfael, in his freedom to move among the peopleof the Foregate and the town when there was illness to beconfronted. And time had been when his chaplain, Brother Jerome,would have been assiduous in adding fuel to the prior’sresentment; but Brother Jerome, earlier in the year, had suffered a