Fiat Lux: Part IX

Time passed.
Midsummer came and went. Up in the mountains, Brother Llwyd went about the business of winning the trust of the villagers. The first few days he worked alone on the chapel. Then a few bored children wandered in, and stayed to help after he entertained them with a few stories. Another morning a bedraggled traveler showed up on his doorstep, grinned and said: "Hello! I'm Sergeant Timmons. Blackthorn sent me." The wily veteran stayed a few days; when he "moved on", another member of the Black Watch showed up on the doorstep the very next day. All through the summer this went on as Llwyd sent Ian reports. Another thing the monk noticed were the warriors who trickled in one by one to take up residence in the White Crow compound. Llwyd was sure Blackthorn was behind that as well.

Each day was spent cleaning and repairing the chapel. The nights alternated between time spent in the tavern and friendly talks over tea with Branwen. And gradually, ever so slowly, the villagers came to accept him. Only Heryn and a small group of regulars from the Bleddyn Inn remained aloof, and in Heryn's case, hostile. So naturally the monk took it upon himself to try to bridge this inexplicable gap. He visited the inn more often in the evenings. And somehow or another, he always seemed to be sitting on the new bench outside the chapel each morning when the shipments either left or arrived.

One such morning Llwyd and a once more "traveling" Timmons sat and watched as horses and a wagon were being loaded up for a trip to Camelot. A rather sturdy looking fellow was hauling a small crate out on his shoulder when Llwyd suddenly sat up, blinked, and rammed a not to subtle elbow into the ribs of his companion. "Brother, ye have elbows sharp as pikes! What in... "

"That box! That crate that Kevern there is loading!" Timmons took a look in the direction of the large lad, then nodded. "Aye, a strong one he is, Brother. What of it?"

"It took him and Madron to carry that in yesterday morn when the cart arrived." Llwyd's eyes danced in speculation. "And I know it's the same box, because it had one slat that was a darker grain then the rest... see ... there, in the center!"

"Don't point, for mercy's sake, Brother. Alright, I see it. And what does this tell your fine Church trained logic, heh?" Timmons grinned, then slapped Llwyd on the back as if they had just been trading some jokes. He watched as the dawning realization told the monk what he had already guessed. "Aye, it's not as full as it was when it went into yon Inn. And since that box is clearly marked for House O'Donnell 's warehouse, it should nae be, should it, Brother?" He stood, then stretched as if working out some kinks, then shook the monks hand while making loud farewells. "I'll be back again, Brother!" Then he leaned closer, and said in a lower voice, " The captain will be coming back soon, I wager, once he hears my report. Be careful, Llwyd. Two people are dead already; a third will not trouble the killer." He nodded grimly and set off down the road to the small cave where his horse was kept. Llwyd sat back down, then once more began watching the front of Bleddyn Inn. " 'Little wolves', indeed! More like a pack of thieves!"

**********

Inside the Inn, a cold eyed Heryn grabbed Kevern by the arm as he came back into the main room. "Yon monk is entirely too much interested in our doings for my comfort. When you and Madron get to Llandaf, switch off with our men there and get back here, quick like!"

"Little Llwyd is going to have an unfortunate accident. He can ask his questions of the Blade Sisters when he gets to the Other Side!"