Chapter 20

The hall was deathly quiet. Everyone felt the seriousness of the punishment. It was one thing to have some wheat and barley plants trampled but losing title on land over it was quite out of proportion.

The priest Oswald looked up in surprise at the declaration. His face clouded over.

A voice from the back of the hall shouted: "What of yer cows, Odo?"

Hearing the question, Sir Wystan responded. "Herdsman!" he shouted, "Your cows now belong to the manor."

"Milord?" queried Steward Alard. "Ye can't -"

"That's enough Steward! It is my word - it is so!" A servant handed the lord another goblet. "Have ye anything further to say, herdsman?"

Odo was staring at the wall behind Sir Wystan, he wasn't listening. He wanted to run away and hide.

Unseen, Charlotte had quietly entered the hall and remained in the rear. She watched in despair as the man she loved was humiliated and lost everything he'd worked so hard for. She wanted to hold him and offer her support. But she couldn't, she had to watch as Sir Wystan took pleasure in humiliating and punishing him. Tears streamed down her face. Poor Odo.

The Lord of Mellester rose from his seat. "That is all, now go back to your work!" he barked and strode unsteadily away.

Reeve Merick walked to Odo, who hadn't moved. "You're not thinking of leaving Mellester, are ye?"

Odo, still in shock, ignored him.

"I will see ye in the square on the morrow just before sunrise."

Charlotte pushed through the departing crowd and as the reeve stomped away, rushed into Odo's arms.

The great hall of Ridgley Manor was similar to that of Mellester Manor, except larger and grander. When in residence, the Lord of Ridgley, Sir Hyde Fortescue, spent far more time conducting the manor's affairs with his advisors, reeve, bailiff and steward, than his counterpart at Mellester. Most frequently, discussion was orderly and followed protocol, though sometimes there was a noted difference of opinion and subsequent argument. The lord approved of this, feeling it promoted honesty and an expression of free thoughts and ideas. Whenever an exchange became heated and personal, he would step in and exert his authority and end it immediately. Later, at the conclusion of business, they would all share mead or wine and repair hurt feelings and bruised egos.

Steward Baldric Bigge invited Herdsman Searl to appear before the lord and his advisors and explain the unfortunate incident at Mellester where the lord's prized and much-loved bull, Blacky, perished.

Sir Hyde listened attentively as Herdsman Searl recounted all he knew.

"Was the young herdsman negligent?" asked Lord Ridgley's reeve, Peter Hardwick.

"I don't think so. Seems unlikely."

Sir Hyde turned to his herdsman. "You saw his fences, Searl. What do ye think?"

"His fences were sturdy, and I could see where repairs were made. From what I'd seen, Herdsman Odo knows his cows. I don't believe he was negligent, sire."

"How much was Blacky worth?" asked the bailiff.

"It is hard to say, perhaps seven shillings," replied Steward Baldric.

The bailiff whistled at the amount.

"How much did the herdsman give ye?" asked Sir Hyde.

"He gave me five shillings, milord," replied Herdsman Searl.

Sir Hyde nodded. "I'm impressed that a herdsman had that much money on hand."

"I've heard he is very astute, especially for a young fellow," offered the steward.

"Have ye spoken with him?" Lord Ridgley asked.

"Nay, milord, never met him."

The lord scratched the back of his neck. "How much was he to pay for the two months he had Blacky?"

"It was agreed to charge him two shillings, milord," replied the steward. "He paid the full amount when I left Blacky with him. If ye insist Blacky was worth seven shillings, then he still owes you two shillings, milord."

Lord Ridgley thought for moment. "Thank ye all for coming. Please leave us, I need to discuss matters with Steward Baldric." He watched silently as his men left the hall.

Once the door to the great hall was closed and they were alone, the lord leaned forward in his seat. "I assume that Lord Mellester will penalise the herdsman. Knowing the state of Mellester's affairs, he will undoubtedly impose a heavy fine and recover all his damages, and perhaps more." Sir Hyde gave Steward Baldric a steely look. "And he will do this before I can obtain compensation for my loss. I'm pleased it's only two shillings I am owed."

The lord sat back in his chair and resumed scratching his neck. Steward Baldric Bigge waited patiently, knowing that his lord, as he was apt to do, planned and thought two steps ahead. "Listen, Baldric, I want this mill to be built and I promised Lord Mellester I would pay the cost. Your first visit to Mellester wasn't a pleasant experience, but this time it will be better, eh? I need you to go there again."

"As ye say, milord," Steward Baldric nodded, groaning inwardly at the thought of returning to Mellester Manor.