Chapter 18

Charlotte was livid. "Those fences are strong, there is no way the cows could have pushed their way through. Someone tore down the fence rails Odo Read, and because of it, ye are now in trouble!"

"What can I do? Nothing, not a thing. I accepted responsibility for Blacky and will have to pay Lord Ridgley his worth. I hate to think of the cost."

"And the damage to the crops? Will that be a lot?" she asked.

"I don't know. The lord will likely have me pay for damages and fine me."

"Can't be much damage - how long were the cows loose?"

"We turned them out from the byre before dawn, and it was just about daybreak when Merick rode up."

Charlotte and Odo were sitting on a bench outside the Cheese Shoppe. Since Blacky's death Odo had no zeal to work and was mostly worried about how Lord Ridgley would react. The thought of appearing before a lord he didn't know was frightening; anything could happen.

"Then someone tore the fence down during the night, waited for you to turn out the cows and chased them through the hole," she said.

"That's what I believe too."

"Oh, Odo, what will we do?"

It was mid-afternoon when Herdsman Searl arrived in Mellester and a small crowd of onlookers expecting entertainment at Odo's expense followed the wagon to his home. Odo greeted him and led him into the empty byre.

Puzzled, Searl followed and wondered what was happening.

Odo invited Searl to sit, while he stood fidgeting.

"What has happened, Odo? You look unwell, have you taken ill?"

"I wish I were. I have some bad news. It's, uh, Blacky, he's dead."

Herdsman Searl took a big breath and exhaled slowly. The expression on his face was grim. "Tell me what happened."

Odo explained all he knew and spared no details. Searl listened, asked a few questions, and remained quiet until Odo finished his tale.

"I've worked with cows me whole life and they are not aggressive animals. What ye told me doesn't make sense. It means someone tore down yer fence and chased them through - simple. And Blacky wouldn't have been causing trouble. If the fence had come down, in that short time he would have grazed on the crops nearest where he crossed. Someone did this to ye, Odo."

"I believe that too, but I still owe Lord Ridgley a fair price for Blacky. He was my responsibility and it is my duty to pay for him," he handed Searl a bag of coins. "This is all the money I have. I don't believe this is enough, but give it to the lord and explain what happened. I will pay him more when I sell some cows."

Searl hefted the bag of coin. "I will talk to Steward Baldric. He's a good man, Odo, and if something can be worked out, then... we can only try, eh."

Most of the inhabitants of Mellester Village were walking towards Mellester Hall. Amongst them was Odo, as today was the day he had to appear before Mellester's lord. A few people offered their sympathy, many said horrible things, some even threw the small plants at him that his cows trampled. Resolutely, he walked up the carriageway, doing his best to ignore the taunts and avoid provoking anyone into violence.

Charlotte insisted she accompany him, but he refused, telling her that the villagers had every right to be angry with him. He couldn't predict what would happen and didn't want to see her come to any harm. She argued, but he was adamant. She stamped her foot in protest and folded her arms. It did her little good.

The walk towards the hall was slow and painful.

Not everyone was admitted to the hall. Many commoners waited outside, hoping for news of Odo's punishment, while nobles, freemen, and others with means were allowed in as spectators.

As Odo approached the man-at-arms guarding the door, a few people began jostling and pushing, and some began to spit. Gaining entry to Mellester Hall was almost a relief.

In the past, he was accompanied by his father or by Norman, but today he felt alone and uncertain. He wished Charlotte were with him, although after what he endured walking to the hall, he was pleased he told her not to come.

The hubbub quietened as he tentatively walked towards the front of the hall, took a seat, and wiped sputum from his face with his sleeve. He ignored the odd jeer and obscenities hurled at him. Some even offered kind words of support, but he didn't want to make eye contact with anyone and sat quietly, praying the ordeal would be over quickly.

Odo saw Merick standing near the dais. When the reeve noticed him he winked. Odo looked at his feet and resisted the temptation to react. After a short while the audience buzzed and he looked up to see Steward Alard walking towards his desk. The priest Oswald followed, took his customary position near the steward and stood as he always did, with head bowed and hands clasped benignly in front. He didn't look happy. A few knights stood in the background, and as usual, talked loudly amongst themselves. Some looked over at him and laughed, obviously looking forward to the spectacle.

Finally Sir Wystan strolled casually in. Despite the lord's pretensions to dignity, Odo believed he was drunk.