Original subtitles

(GONG STRUCK)

(GONG STRUCK)

# Veni sancte spiritus

# Mentes tuorum visita

# Amen #

(COUGHING)

My first bleeding.

AAARGH!

Wait! We must not touch blood!

Now, fetch Elixir, hurry, hurry!

Brother Cadfael! Columbanus...

Help me, Oswin!

Don't spill any more. Take it to the blood pits, dispose of it at once!

(CHOKING)

Hold his head.

I'll try and get this poppy juice down his throat.

It's calmed him before.

(CHOKING)

Has he had another vision, Brother Cadfael?

His soul is amazingly open.

Or his head weak through loss of blood.

Do you deny the benefits of blood-letting?

That it calms the body and soul.

I think, even in the house of God, there is danger in excess.

I'll leave the poppy juice there.

Though I doubt he'll need any more of it.

But can someone sit with him?

I will stay with him.

You may leave me.

Columbanus...

Are you well, Brother?

I have seen a wondrous sight.

She was so beautiful.

Pure white and gold.

You have seen the lady?

I can feel her radiance still.

The one you've seen before?

She beckons me,...

..as if she would transport me into blessedness.

Brother Columbanus.

Did she say her name this time?

Is her name Winifred?

Winifred?

That is her name?

Winifred? Saint Winifred.

SAINT WINIFRED!

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

Father Abbot, a divine mercy!

Brother Columbanus is recovered?

More than that, much more. Please!

I am blessed above all men.

He cried out 'Saint Winifred'.

The martyred virgin of Gwytherin in Wales.

She beckons me!

Beckons?

She said she is uneasy in her grave. Saint Winifred!

This is the saint I told you of who lies neglected by the Welsh.

Yes, Prior, I recall our talks on the matter.

Are we not being divinely guided, when a gentle saint visits us?

She wishes to be here in Shrewsbury!

The Cluniac abbey which has sacred relics on the altar is now renowned.

It is true that many pilgrims visit them.

Father, I pray that we undertake an expedition without delay

to take up Saint Winifred's bones and house them here.

Where she may both rest at ease and bring glory to our house.

Where is the glory in digging up a young girl's remains?

If the Welsh took better care, she'd not call us to her rescue.

Though being Welsh, you must feel some shame in this yourself.

I feel no shame. It is not I using Brother Columbanus -

Brother Cadfael, enough!

I would speak with you.

Have a care with visionaries, they are not always biddable.

I am her servant! Brother Cadfael!

I will not call Brother Jerome a liar, nor will you.

Nor will you accuse Prior Robert of pride and envy.

He is my right hand, and your master.

St Winifred's naming may be deemed convenient,

but it may be truly miraculous.

Brother Columbanus may have seen her.

I also dislike disturbing a sacred lady's bones.

Yet perhaps it is God's will.

Not just for the glory of our house, but for the benefit of pilgrims

whom she will never touch where she lies now.

But, surely, she may touch all who pray to her, near or far?

An expedition will be mounted, and you will be part of it.

I, Father?

You are Welsh, and know the world.

Brother Prior does not.

He will get the permissions from Prince Owyn and Bishop David.

But I give you this.

For safekeeping.

The journey is long and uncertain. Funds may be needed.

Let your Brothers look to heaven,...

..but keep their feet on the ground.

The success of this enterprise is in your hands.

Thank you, Father.

(DOOR CLOSES)

May the Lord protect you, Brother.

Thank you.

Brother Columbanus, I -

Brother Columbanus?

Have you still got the poppy juice?

Yes, though I won't need it in the presence of Saint Winifred.

Is all ready? Oh, yes, um...

Except Brother Oswin.

God's business can't wait. We've been blessed, we leave now!

No, father! No! No! No!

Sioned!

Why do you and he persist?

Because you were matched from birth, and he loves you dearly!

I love him as a sister. He must be content with that!

No, my little spitfire. None of us can be content with that.

As my only heir, you have a duty to me and this house.

I will see you married, and married well, before I die.

And I will see you die, before I marry Peredur!

Just go home to your kennel, faithful bloodhound!

Sioned!

You see, Peredur...

..she's definitely softening (!)

I think, sir, you are too indulgent.

Oh?

A father should be obeyed.

Peredur!

Obedience, like a woman's love, must be earned.

If there are obstacles in your path, you must remove them.

My Lord Rhysart, forgive me.

Father Ianto. Ha! No wedding service yet, I'm afraid.

I thought you'd want to know.

The English monks? Now but two valleys away.

They will reach Gwytherin tomorrow.

Then they must have... the welcome they deserve.

(HORSE NEIGHS)

Tell your oxen to close their eyes, too.

Have a care!

I just mended these.

Saint Winifred has called us here.

Do you know, or care, where she lies?

We know, and care.

Straight on and up the hill.

Here?

Aye, here. We know the spot.

Bishop David and Prince Owyn may approve of your enterprise...

..but Saint Winifred is not theirs.

She was born in Gwytherin.

Died in Gwytherin.

And has kept us safe ever since.

Why should she now wish to leave us and go to an English abbey?

You ask that when this is how you honour her?

She was a country girl, and rests in country soil. Welsh soil!

Do you even know her story?

I know that she was murdered for her piety

by a young prince to whom she would not yield.

Aye, he sliced her head off.

Whereupon the miracle.

Her head grew back again, and she stood up alive.

While he melted into the grass, like wax in a fire.

Though thereafter she performed sundry miracles

of a tender and merciful nature...

..you'd do well to mark the moral of this story.

Which is?

Those that seek to lay hands on Saint Winifred are apt to perish.

(PEASANTS MURMUR ASSENT)

Do you distrust the omens?

No, I do not doubt that this holy Brother has experienced portents.

I just tell you he's been deceived, as all you English have been.

BY DEVILS!

Saints do not seek honour for themselves!

Lord Rhysart, I respect your eloquence and devotion...

..but we are not so far apart.

We both respect the blessed saint.

Let us go into the chapel...

..and speak quietly man to man...

..and avoid this rising sin of anger.

Having spoken, I will say no more.

You can then sway your people, without challenge.

That is reasonable...

..is it not, my lord?

(CROWD MURMURS ASSENT)

Very well.

Where's Father Abbot's money? The money! Give it to me!

I -

(DOOR SHUTS)

Lord Rhysart...

..both Church and State are with us.

And you know better than I a Welsh nobleman owes duty to both.

But the saint leaving Gwytherin will be a great loss.

That I own freely.

And would seek to make due reparation.

Reparation?

To Gwytherin?

And to you.

If you will withdraw your opposition.

It is yours.

If you will persuade the parish to give up the saint.

To be used as you think fit for the benefit of Gwytherin.

(SNEERING) Money!

You dare offer to buy our saint?

To buy ME!

And in this holy place?

No, one can't buy holiness.

I merely offer a gift in gratitude and compensation.

I have listened to these English monks.

And this is my judgement.

I am confirmed a thousand times

that I was right to oppose the sacrilege they desire.

I pledge opposition to any removal of Saint Winifred's bones.

To the death!

You have till dawn to leave here.

Empty-handed!

Spare me your pious reproach, Brother Cadfael!

An appeal to his kindness might have worked, but this!

What is your allegiance, Brother?

You seem more Welsh than Benedictine in these matters!

You needed Rhysart's approval, not his contempt!

I won't be stopped by an upstart.

We leave when I say, not Rhysart.

Impious man to disdain our Prior and threaten us!

He should be excommunicated, or even struck down.

Pray speak not so.

The Lord Rhysart is both honourable and devout.

Columbanus, you keep vigil tonight.

Gladly, Brother Prior.

Jerome, you too.

Father Ianto, find us lodgings, please.

Remember, Saint Winifred has called us.

Those who defy her will...

..must face the consequences. Let Lord Rhysart ponder on that!

You are Bened? Aye.

Brothers Cadfael and Oswin. Father Ianto directed us to you.

He said two, not three.

I'll stay with Father Ianto.

Brother Cadfael, we'll speak tomorrow.

Brother Prior!

Rhysart will surely be back at dawn.

If all Gwytherin hears what passed between you -

I offered alms to Gwytherin.

Do not underestimate the danger we're in.

Speak to Rhysart, Welshman to Welshman.

That is what you're here for.

Not much chance until he calms down.

Then let tomorrow bring what it will.

(VIXEN'S CRY)

Brother Columbanus?

Food and wine, Brother. A long night till the Prior comes.

My food and wine?

Just a small sacrifice.

I'll take no refreshment till our case has prevailed.

I could have sacrificed thus, also.

(BIRD SONG)

My Lord Rhysart!

Father, father!

No, leave him alone. He has things to tell us.

Brother Jerome!

Brother Prior summons you.

Have our prayers been answered?

Not unless you prayed for murder.

Behold!

The saint's vengeance!

Did I not say her wrath would fall on those who stood in the way

of her desire? St Winifred has shown her anger!

And her power!

This arrow didn't come from heaven, Brother Prior.

Look at the angle of it!

From under his ribs into his heart. This was a human assailant.

Someone with a short bow crouched close by, in these bushes.

Avenging saints make use of earthly instruments.

That instrument is still a murderer.

Something should be said.

The arrow... The blue feathering.

It is the outlander's, Godwin's.

It is well known he has been at odds with Rhysart, on a certain matter.

Say what you mean.

But Godwin could not do this.

Sioned.

Who can say how far a man can go beyond his nature, for love?

I thought you were his friend!

I am his friend. I speak of myself as much as of him.

We must question Godwin.

It's clear he had some motive.

Motive?

You speak of motive, Brother Prior?

When everyone here knows what store you set upon

to get St Winifred away from us!

My father told me of your 'gift'.

Take care, girl.

You put your soul in grave peril.

The rest of you! Why delay?

The evidence is plain.

He died by Godwin's arrow. Find him!

He's right, Godwin must answer.

Could a Welshman do this?

Let the outlander prove his innocence!

If he can!

CROWD: Aye!

Godwin! Godwin, for God's sake, run!

What? They're coming for you!

(DISTANT SHOUTS OF PURSUIT)

Rhysart's dead, murdered.

You are blamed. Sioned cannot help. Sioned?

Run!

(SHOUTS OF PURSUIT)

Was it Godwin I saw yesterday?

Leaving his ox-team?

Is it so wrong to love a man who is not Welsh?

Godwin has escaped.

Perhaps that is all to the good.

Godwin's arrow didn't kill your father.

You see here on the ground where his back was,

it's wet with blood.

Yet the arrow didn't pass through his body.

Look at this shirt.

See that hole? Made by a knife.

Rhysart was stabbed in the back.

But the arrow?

Pushed in, by hand, from the front, after he lay dead.

But if Godwin's arrow did not kill my father...

..then whose knife was it?

You monks all carry knives...

..and two of you were close by in the chapel.

Father Prior! Mea culpa. I am to blame.

Brother Columbanus! I desire to make confession!

Brother, what are you saying? You have no guilt, no more than I!

We were in the chapel keeping vigil, until Brother Oswin came.

We were there to pray earnestly, but my flesh was weak.

I was kneeling when I fell asleep.

To my endless shame, I must have slumbered till long past dawn.

The next I remember is you, Brother, saying Brother Oswin had arrived.

Now, instead of peace, there is death because of my failing!

So, Brother,...

..did you spend dawn in prayer...

..or sneak out while he slept?

Stand back! You speak more poisonous blasphemy than the girl!

Does your knife have blood on it?

I swear it is not so.

By St Winifred, you take her name in vain!

Bened! Bened!

Yes, one of you has murdered Rhysart.

You can forget about St Winifred's grave,

and prepare your own!

Bened! Is this justice? To blame those we hate, without proof?

You are as suspect in this as we are! All of you!

Rhysart told you to go.

Now I am telling you to stay.

You will stay until we have our proof.

Then you will feel the edge of justice!

You have no authority over me, any more than that Rhysart!

Take him home. Mourn him.

And save yourselves from further sin.

Prior, will you face reality!

We cannot ignore this. Nor should we.

I-I am not usurping your authority.

If we want to leave with our lives, let alone St Winifred's bones,

we must find out the truth of this.

Our deaths under these circumstances would not be martyrdom.

Be gracious to them, and give me time.

Three days.

Give me three days.

Men of Gwytherin!

We have nothing to hide.

Therefore nothing to fear.

I have decided that we will spend three more nights here...

..and in that time stand further vigil...

..and pray to St Winifred, that she may reveal to all...

..that our purpose here is both right and blessed.

Brother Cadfael?

We shall stay.

You have my word.

Sioned, where will Godwin be now?

I do not know, Brother.

Peredur!

You are the Welsh monk?

Brother Cadfael. I saw you slip away when the search was on for Godwin.

Did you have a hand in his escape?

He's my friend.

Oh, you acted from pure loyalty?

Not from knowledge?

Godwin's arrow didn't kill Rhysart. Who says so?

I say so. There was a knife wound in his back.

Then I was right.

Godwin could no more stab Rhysart in the back than could I.

Peredur? Why should he kill?

Rhysart was his staunchest ally.

Urging his case with Sioned, daily.

So he and Godwin were rivals?

Or impatience, then? Or perhaps despair?

If impatience, it was Godwin's.

Is it true he's heir to a manor in England?

His father owns land in Cheshire, so he says.

Godwin had to flee.

Caught poaching the Earl's venison.

That was two years ago, and Rhysart gave him work.

But not his daughter's hand.

How can a Welsh lord's girl marry an outlander?

Custom will not allow it.

Rhysart took his role seriously.

Yes, he spoke with great passion against our enterprise.

His voice was heard in all things, Brother.

He was big-hearted...

..but given to arrogance.

I see, and had you suffered in that respect?

We had a dispute, about a field and some livestock.

Which I'd have settled long ago, had he not brow-beaten me with rank.

Really, there's little between you.

Exactly. I'm a smith, a craftsman.

He was just a farmer, though he liked to play the mighty landowner.

Oh, no, Brother. A few yards of pasture, a few lost cattle...

..would I kill for that?

If justice is denied, who knows what we will do?

A man may step outside his nature.

Peredur's words.

Not mine.

No, you must stay here.

I'll bring you all you need.

Godwin, when all is settled -

When?! How long must I live like an animal?

Listen! You are no longer an outlander servant.

That bond is now dissolved by my father's death and by my consent.

Whatever else, there is no reason why we cannot marry.

Only think of that, huh?

Do not fear, there is no proof against you.

Well, Brother Cadfael, it seems perhaps Rhysart spoke the truth.

You were guided to Gwytherin by devils.

I've washed him, Brother.

I trust that is in order?

Of course, I doubt he had much more to tell us.

Then why are you here? I followed you today.

To Godwin, and I heard you speak.

A less open-minded man than I might suspect complicity.

That you and Godwin fixed your father's death.

How dare you! You lied about where Godwin was.

Could I trust you then? Can I now?

Can I trust you?

If I aided my father's death, let his blood rise now.

Let it spout forth red upon this hand and brand me a murderess.

Is that not enough for you? Do you not share such beliefs?

That corpses bleed in accusation?

My view is irrelevant. Do you believe it?

Yes. You see?

No blood rises.

And will Godwin dare to undergo such a challenge?

Would your holy Brothers?

You spy on me, but it is clear the murderer is one of yours.

Let them be tested as well!

Do you deny the possibility?

That a holy Brother could kill? No.

We are none of us holy because we say we are...

..but I pray God you are wrong. Test them.

What is this?

Who can say, Brother Prior?

You have a prayer, daughter?

Yes, Reverend Prior.

I ask, for the ease of my father, that if he offended St Winifred...

..which was never his intent,

he might lie these three nights of your vigil before her altar.

In care of those who keep watch.

I ask they might spare a prayer for his soul.

One only, in a long night of prayer.

I hope that is not too much to ask.

Very well.

Brother Cadfael, attend to it.

What is this?

It is my father.

Indeed!

The Prior said you'd pray for him.

Gladly.

And I would ask for one more kindness, also.

Will you lay your hand on his heart as a token of forgiveness?

Daughter, I have no doubt your father was a religious man...

..but he died violently.

And as such a death brings the health of his soul into question,

I am not fit to pronounce in this case. I am sorry.

There. Did ever a fish wriggle so on the hook?

He was afraid. He knew my father's blood would prove his guilt.

He is the murderer.

He has proved that he could be.

But there are others, yet.

Brother Oswin, what are you doing?

Laying a blessing on Lord Rhysart.

Why do you shake so?

What is this?

Explain, Brother Cadfael.

Has not Brother Jerome told you

how he fears to touch my murdered father?

Do you dare?

You seek to put us to some pagan test?

And you are party to this?

Time-honoured, Brother Prior, not pagan.

You do it, if you are innocent.

I will not.

Brother Cadfael, you exceed yourself.

Is there no profanity you will not sink to?

If it were not for your profanity my father would be alive!

Leave here! All of you!

Brother Cadfael. Brother Prior.

You have found no murderer and half your time is gone.

Make the most of the time left. And when you keep vigil...

..ponder your future.

In this vigil, Brother, we are privileged.

The history of our abbey will record our names,

and Brothers in generations to come will envy us.

Yes, if we return alive and with St Winifred.

Do you doubt it?

We are accused of murder. You and the rest of us.

Murder is an earthbound crime, Brother,

and we are not on earthly business.

Even so, Columbanus, our success would please you, wouldn't it?

To bring glory to St Winifred is all I want.

So you've no ambition?

For a bishop's mitre?

Do any, in our order?

Indeed, they do.

To some, saints and martyrs have uses you've never dreamt of.

I dream only of the light.

Of being drawn to God.

There's holiness in the air.

And elder blossom.

(SIGHS)

Shall we lay a blessing on the Lord Rhysart?

Brother Columbanus?

Have mercy, Christ.

My Lady!

One of these days, you'll be drawn into that light, and never return.

Is his soul truly transported, Brother Prior?

Oh, Brother Prior, such bliss.

How did I come here?

Have no fear. You were keeping vigil in St Winifred's chapel.

Do you remember?

I went from night darkness to glorious light.

To a world beyond my deserving.

Although unworthy, I am to be the agent of reconciliation.

She was there, in the chapel.

Our blessed virgin saint.

Within a miraculous shower of white petals,

and sweet odours came from her robe and her long golden hair.

And did she speak?

In words of such sweetness, Father.

She approved our enterprise, and then...

..o' marvellous goodness! She laid her hand on Rhysart's breast...

..as Sioned had asked us to do as a token of forgiveness...

..and gave him divine absolution.

You tell a greater wonder than we dared hope.

Even the lost are saved.

After giving him grace, she bade me speak to all men here.

Both native and stranger.

'Taking my bones,' she said...

..leaves an open grave.

In this grave, bury Rhysart.

So his rest may be assured, and my will made manifest.'

People of Gwytherin!

Do you hear the word of St Winifred?

It seems a most diplomatic vision, Brother Prior,

that gives you what you came for, and tells us to bury Rhysart...

..and suspicions with him.

You have engineered this, this is a trick.

Columbanus is no trickster.

Perhaps not, but what of these two?

Are they as honest as they are holy, these 'men of God'?

Bened, you are close to blasphemy.

You take their side now, Father Ianto!

I take neither side.

Can we believe that St Winifred...

..is looking favourably upon this continuing strife and hatred?

Or that she wishes to be argued over like a marrow bone by dogs?

Consider, if Brother Columbanus doth not speak her will...

..she will make it clear.

Let us trust her.

We will bury our dead.

Your wisdom is a fine example to your people, Father Ianto.

But, though you may remove our saint's bones from the earth...

..they stay in Gwytherin!

Until Rhysart's murderer is found.

I will show you where she lies.

CHANTED: Et cum peruisset saeculum septimum.

Maximum est sinentium in caelo quasi mediora.

Et vilis septima angelos.

Stant in conspectu Dei.

Est datae sunt septem dubae.

Brother Jerome.

Steady, boy - gently!

I'll finish it.

So deep, Brother Cadfael.

Can she really be here?

It would be wondrous to encounter a saint.

We have found her.

Softly!

Leave her to me.

Pass me a linen sheet.

She shall not come out of here bone by bone.

But whole woman.

As she went in.

We must wash away the soil, wrap her afresh.

If we rob her of the rich earth, she may crumble away.

Best to wrap her now, and put her in the reliquary.

Out of this air, as quickly as we can.

Fix the seals, make all fast.

She'll hardly escape now (!)

With this sacred duty done...

..it is time to attend to the other duty

that the saint has herself laid upon us.

Bury Rhysart, honourably.

Peredur, we have missed you.

I'm going to ask you something.

One last gift I wish to give my father.

I'd like you, Peredur, to be the one to give it.

You've been like a son to him.

Will you lay this cross on him, where the arrow pierced?

I want it to be buried with him.

It is my farewell.

Let it be yours, too.

Come, my son...

..do not keep the dead waiting.

We know you share Sioned's loss.

So do we all.

He cannot accuse me!

I am not guilty of murder!

Of what are you guilty?

I did not kill Rhysart.

I found him, dead.

You are right, he was stabbed in the back.

Not shot by an arrow in the chest.

My crime was to push in the arrow.

You sought to put blame on Godwin?

I thought he would run...

..take himself back to England, where he belongs

and leave us all alone.

I never wished him worse than that.

I thought with him gone, in time you'd -

(SIGHS)

Come.

Give him blessing.

He won't accuse you of more than is your due.

Enough.

Bury him.

If the man who killed my father can hear me now...

..let him beware.

He will pay yet.

(DREAM VOICE) 'There's been murder.'

(DREAM) 'Are they honest as they are holy, these 'men of God'?'

(DREAM) 'He should be struck down!'

(DREAM) FOX CRY AND CROW SQUAWK)

MY LORD RHYSART!

(SOBS)

They were taking him home -

PLEASE! I'M SORRY!

I fear he may injure himself.

OH, PLEASE! Where are Jerome and Columbanus?

In the yard. But they're not here.

I never meant you harm!

This is where they sleep.

Somewhere, Columbanus has some poppy juice in a glass phial.

I gave it him before we came from Shrewsbury.

Ah.

What's wrong?

It's three quarters empty when it should be full.

He's had no need of it.

Last night's transports were of the...quieter kind.

Is there still enough for Peredur?

Hopefully. Mixed with a little mead.

So. The saint is ours.

Lord Rhysart buried. An end.

Could we not leave now for Shrewsbury, Brother Prior?

No, it's late. We can't go into these Welsh hills in the dark.

We leave at dawn.

And let those who try to stop us answer to God!

If we stay until dawn, might I still make amends?

Amends?

I have not yet done penance for my night of slumber

in the chapel. Let me keep vigil tonight.

Again? Very well.

Should I not go with Columbanus, to double our devotion?

No. He's earned the right to honour the saint in solitude.

So the Shrewsbury monks do deal in peace, as well as arrogance.

Yes, I'm sorry we brought so much turbulence, Father Ianto.

Brother Cadfael, you were not the cause.

Nor have I found truth, to stop more bloodshed.

I have little time left.

Peredur will recover.

Confession is a bitter medicine, but more healing than this.

Brother Cadfael, Jerome has returned.

Forgive me, Brother, for intruding.

It is the hour of Vespers, Brother.

Where is Brother Columbanus?

Preparing himself.

He goes to chapel tonight to keep vigil over his St Winifred.

His St Winifred?

No longer 'yours' or 'ours'?

You would think he owned her, and she him.

I tell you, Brother, I am beginning to feel

that she's the wellspring not of love and grace,

but of jealousy, pride, and hate.

How many lives have been lost or spoilt since she called us?

None.

Because she did not call us...

..as you well know.

Brother Jerome, Rhysart's death seems to be on your conscience.

Why is that?

Did you strike the blow?

Did you?

As good as. As good as?

You heard me say it was his due, for his rebelliousness.

For refusing a bribe!

No, for flouting our Prior.

Wh -? So in a flash of rage, you wished him dead,

and now you blame yourself? Is that how these things work?

That God's will is driven by human pique?

You take too much upon yourself.

Or...perhaps there is something else?

Something you've not said, that connects you with this crime

in a more definite way than prayer? No.

This phial. Do you know it?

Columbanus keeps it. It's poppy juice. You gave to him.

Have you ever seen him use it here in your lodgings?

No. Have you ever used it?

No! Then why is there enough gone

to put a man to sleep for several hours?

Perhaps he was faint from fasting and drank it in error.

Was ever a man more sanctimonious in his self denial?

Or more selfish?

That first night of vigil, he brought me food and wine,

and yet he took none for himself.

Not one bite or drop.

Just kneels in pious prayer, watching me eating and drinking

as if I were a sinful glutton.

If Columbanus is touched by God, I am glad to be merely human.

What has happened?

You know the truth, Brother?

Perhaps.

We have much to do, and little time.

Ah, Brother Columbanus!

Brother Cadfael.

I've been charged to bring you fresh light.

We've used every candle in Gwytherin, in our constant vigils.

Of course I do appreciate that you are the saint's chosen one...

..and it's your right, nay duty, to spend our last night here,

in solitary contemplation.

But, if I could mortify my bones...

...just for a few moments.

Thank you.

Columbanus.

Columbanus.

Do you feel the saint's presence?

I feel it, as never before.

Can it be that I might share the light that you have known?

O blessed lady!

Columbanus, she is here with us.

Tell me I'm not mistaken.

Look into the light. You can see, where I cannot.

Look into the light, and tell me she is near.

Columbanus.

Is it so?

Yes.

You see her?

Yes.

If only I were worthy, for I do not.

But I hear her, Columbanus, I hear her.

Such sweetness of voice.

But she talks to you, not to me.

Columbanus, do you hear?

She is troubled for you.

She does not understand.

She asks why you do penance...

..when you did not sleep that dawn of Rhysart's death.

Columbanus?

She says you did not sleep, your flesh was not weak.

She draws nearer.

It was Jerome who slept during the vigil.

Though he has no recollection.

Because it was the deep, drugged sleep of a man given poppy juice.

Jerome slept.

You did not.

Blessed virgin! I serve you!

She sees you, Columbanus.

She reads your heart.

Speak the truth.

I beg you, for your soul's sake.

Speak out.

(HEAVILY) Rhysart defied the will of God!

Speak plainly. Say what you did.

Say it! Let her understand.

You fasted, but you brought food and wine for Jerome.

Did you pour poppy juice into his wine?

I did.

He's a fool.

Not worthy.

He feels nothing, touches nothing.

His soul is petty.

Earthbound.

He would not have understood.

So I needed him to sleep.

And, while he slept?

I stole out to the forest path, and lay in wait for Rhysart.

Sweet lady.

He was your enemy, not a friend.

He was profane.

What did you do, Columbanus?

I struck him...

..with my dagger.

I struck him dead.

For you, dear lady.

And then rejoiced.

(SCREAM) NO!

Sioned!

You were to witness, not avenge!

(DOOR CLOSES)

Godwin, take care!

Sioned, stay back!

Godwin, NO!

Did he not kill your father? Off, boy!

Do you want the law to have a real hold on you!

Eugh - uh.

He's foxing, he's a master of it.

His neck is broken, he's dead.

Why are you here, boy?

I asked him to stay close.

Well, help me shift him out of sight.

I do not see the difficulty, I never meant to kill him.

But I feel no guilt about it.

He's carrion. He was sick in mind.

A sickness fed by a zeal which you or I will never know.

Have pity.

Even for him.

His soul will have need of it.

Pity or not, he killed, and now is dead.

Just because we exposed a wrong, the world will congratulate us?

Our only proof is his confession.

Yes, which you and I both heard.

Yes, but which he will never now repeat.

And there is no other proof.

If we accuse him, we cause a scandal to smirch the Benedictine Order.

You fear scandal?

No. But do you think the authorities will stand for it?

Because if you do, you're both fools.

Prior, bishop, even prince will unite against it.

This will be pronounced an unlawful killing

by a desperate fugitive already wanted for another crime.

In short, you'll hang.

So give up all idea, both of you...

..of telling anyone the truth!

Until I say so.

Justice must be arrived at by a different route.

Sioned, go and gather elder blossom, as much as you can.

We shall have white petals, and sweet odours.

You, Godwin, must dig.

Don't worry, it'll be easy work.

The ground has been freshly turned.

(SIZZLE)

I hope she will not mind my father's company.

Let St Winifred and Lord Rhysart rest together in peace.

Forever.

Amen.

(DOOR OPENS)

What of Columbanus?

Strip him.

Brother Prior!

Forgive me, I overslept.

You've had your three days, and more!

You've found no murderer.

Your time has expired fruitlessly, as I knew it would.

We leave now, and do not wave the flag of truth in my face again.

St Winfred's will is clear.

If Gwytherin is not content, it must seek justice without us.

And Father Abbot...

..shall learn of your excesses.

We are leaving now, Father Ianto. We kept our word.

Tell your people to let us pass.

Brother Prior, we've been holding council.

There is not a man nor woman here does not now believe

that what is in the chapel is yours to take.

Do so with our blessing.

The people of Gwytherin are to be commended on their good sense.

Come, let us relieve Brother Columbanus from his vigil.

(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)

Is it possible, Brother Prior?

He has been most marvellously favoured.

He has been taken into the light of inexpressible bliss.

Behold!

The virgin saint has found Brother Columbanus worthy above all men.

Dabis elegeos Deus.

Ad ex salutaris sublatium.

Et appropriis nos reatibus in disseninente expediet.

Et ab omnibus tues artor adversis.

Per Dominum.

Amen.

Now.

Now. Let us take up this... blessed burden.

And praise God for the weight we carry.

Who would have thought her slender bones could weigh so heavily?

Another miracle? The weight of the saint's worthiness is manifest.

Go in peace, Brother Prior.

We go in joy, Father. In joy.

God bless you, Brother Cadfael.

And this for Godwin's sake.

For shame, Brother Cadfael, even now your behaviour -

Is unseemly, Brother?

When you tell the Abbot of my excesses...

..will you return his bag of coin to him, or shall I?

Brother Cadfael, I have a question.

You may ask anything, Oswin.

Do you really believe in the miraculous power of...

..bones?

Well, Brother Cadfael, answer your novice.

Was your doubting of our rightness not misplaced?

Will our saint not reach out to those who need her?

Oh, indeed, Brother Prior.

I understand she even still works miracles in Wales.

itfc subtitles