Original subtitles

[theme music]

Veni, sancte spiritus.

Mentes tuorum visita.

Amen.

Let the King's messenger pass!

My lords, a deputation has come from Steven's camp

to parley.

Arnulf of Hesdin!

I am charged by His Grace, King Stephen,

to demand your immediate surrender.

Let the bastard ran all he will.

We do not kneel before thieves and usurpers!

You took an oath, all of you.

You all swore allegiance to His Grace .

We stand as we did, for Empress Maud,

rightful Queen of England.

You cannot hold forever.

Come then, dig us out!

In God's name, hasn't there been enough slaughter?

Yield now.

Deliver the rebels Adeney and Fitzalana

into the King's hands, and you may yet be spared.

You have our answer, Courcelle.

Run back to the villain you serve,

and pray that he receives your report kindly!

I shall tear Arnulf's tongue from his head myself.

I give them land, position.

Fitzalan I created Sheriff of Salop.

And now they sit in a castle, my castle,

in this miserable dung hill of a town, and pour scorn on me.

Lord King, it is time to strike terror.

So you have said, Captain Ten Heyt.

Yet still, we are here and they are there.

I promise, what we have planned for the morning

will get Your Grace into Shrewsbury.

Honor that promise, Prescote, and the office of sheriff

is yours.

Be assured, Arnulf, we'll not run and leave

you to face Stephen alone.

Adeney has already got his daughter safely away.

She'll be taken to the Abbey tomorrow.

But my treasury, that must now be got to the Empress

Maud in France at all costs.

It contains enough silver and jewelry to raise an army

10 times Stephen's strength.

My lords, I will undertake the mission.

No, Giles.

We will need every soldier here tomorrow.

I have chosen two squires to make the run.

They are completely unknown in this county.

And how will they know where to find your treasure?

The town butcher, Edric Flescher, remains loyal.

He will escort them to Frankwell and show

them where it's hidden.

They can rest out the day there, and make the run to Wales

under cover of darkness.

And who are these lads?

Halt, who comes up on the watch?

My name is Giles Siward.

I bed an audience with the King.

I'm from the rebel garrison.

Take him to the officer of the watch.

MAN: Come on, run forward!

Forward!

Come on, men!

[shouting]

Run, we're lost!

Where are they, Hesdin?

I thought you fair and looked to be treated with honor!

As a nobleman of England and France,

I am worth an earl's ransom!

You were foulmouthed when there were walls between us.

I swore then to have your life.

No earl's ransom can buy it back.

You have my price.

I find your price too high!

Where are Fitzalan and Adeney?

King Stephen commands all to provide

food lodgings for his army.

(CHANTING) Magnificavit Dominus facere cum eis.

Magnificavit Dominus facere nobiscum.

Facti sumus laetantes.

Converte, Domine, captivatem nostram.

Sicut torrens in austro.

- Brother Cadfael. - Hm?

Brother Prior?

You were late to God's work.

Yes, but Father Abbot gave leave

to take my place in the choir.

Father Abbot's mind is distracted by the strife

beyond these walls.

Were it not so, he would doubtless

have sought satisfaction.

What delayed you, Brother?

An old man needed his dressing changed.

Work for an assistant, surely.

Ordinarily yes.

But events have robbed me of my usual help,

as brother Jerome is too well aware.

One has left to take up arms on King Stephen's side,

and the other has declared for Empress Maud

and fled for his family's manner.

Is not even this holy enclave immune from such conflict?

But why should it be?

Like castle and town, we are also besieged.

In our case, it's the innocent and the dispossessed.

People least able to defend themselves.

We have a duty to them.

Do you tell me?

Our duty is to first to God, Brother.

Remember that.

[laughter]

Leave him be.

[laughter]

Leave him alone!

How dare you raise a hand against this holy brother!

Go on, get back to your duties now.

Go!

It's hard enough keeping these bastards in check

at the best of times.

This morning, one of them had his throat cut.

Rebels, no doubt fleeing for their lives.

Stephen has taken the castle?

And those within?

Your voice is familiar, Brother.

I feel I should know you.

So you should, Sergeant Rhys.

But small blame, if my name escapes you.

40 years apart since we last fought together.

At the fall of Jerusalem.

No, you can't be.

Cadfael?

Mm-hm.

Cadfael!

[laughter]

This woman and her boy have business at the Abbey.

Best let them pass.

Clear off!

[barking]

Brother Cadfael, I have a new assistant for you.

His name is Godric.

A good woman of the town brought him in.

Her nephew from Hencot.

Both his parents are dead, so she says.

And she asks that we might take him in as a novice.

I thought instantly of you, Brother, that your labors may

be eased and agree to have him.

And I bring 10 shillings as a gift to the Abbey, Brother.

Well, that was very thoughtful of you, Brother.

I'm sure the boy will do very well.

Yes.

Well, he's in your care now, Brother.

[bell ringing]

This is my herb garden.

Between the offices of the day, I

prepare medicines from these plants for the sick

in the Abbey and the town.

What is this place?

My workshop.

And, for the present, your sleeping place.

Certain of these medicines need tending regularly,

some quite early.

So there you have your bed.

And unlike the novices' quarters,

these doors can be barred.

You may shut out the world and myself also.

Until you're ready to come out to us, daughter.

I thought I could pass all trials.

Child, I was 40 years about the world from end to end of it

before I took the cowl.

And what will you do now?

What should I do?

Help you, as best I can.

But you don't know who I am.

Child, left forlorn here to weather

the storm until restored to your own people, is that not enough?

No I'm a danger to anyone who befriends me now, even to you.

I'm daughter to the King's sworn enemy.

My name is Godith Adeney.

[neighing]

- Nick, what is it? - The horse is lame.

Caltrops?

The path's covered with them.

She'll never make it out of the woods, never mind to Wales.

Look, go back to Edric Flescher's barn

and wait for me.

I'll try and find you another mount.

I'll take the treasury.

Somebody knows our road.

Where are they?

Answer me!

No.

[screaming]

And the rest, how many of the garrison were taken alive?

Apart from him, 93 in arms.

Hang them.

All, Your Grace?

And at once.

Have them all out of the world before tomorrow.

Come on, you're next.

No, not me!

I'm to be spared!

It was promised!

I am Giles Siward!

No!

Nick?

Nick, are you there?

Nick?

Oh, my God.

Nick, Nick!

Nick!

You sent for me, Father.

Your Father Abbot is going this night

to ask the King's leave to give Christian burial

to the slaughtered prisoners.

94 men, Brother, disposed of as animals.

If His Grace consents, tomorrow we

must take up their poor bodies and prepare

them decently for the grave.

You have yourself been a soldier.

Will you take charge of this work?

Yes, Father.

70, 80, 90.

5.

Goose grass?

Sheriff Prescote!

I was told 94 had been dispatched

on the King's orders.

There were 95 here.

One more or less, what does it matter?

Traitors all, and condemned.

Am I to tear my heart out because the number

does not tally?

94 you had orders to slay, but the 95th?

No King authorized his removal.

And whoever destroyed him is guilty of murder.

An officer in the heat of fighting miscounts by one.

One, mark you.

And you make a murder case of it.

He rebels like the rest, he is hanged like the rest.

And that, I tell you, is an end of it.

No, he was not hanged like the rest.

His hands have not been bound like the rest.

He's in no way comparable.

Yet, someone took it for granted that we'd

miss this one leaf hidden in the middle of your forest.

My Lord Prescote, this man was murdered.

It would be well if you could at least come and look at him.

You had 95 dead here.

And by my reckoning, that's one corpse too many.

These are the keys to all our estates.

My brother Giles should be here to offer allegiance.

But when Your Grace assumed the crown,

he took the Empress' side.

It is rumored he made his way to her in France.

Mistress Siward, no blame may light on you for your brother's

lack of wisdom.

I hold your loyalty dear to me as that of any baron.

Tell me what I can do to serve you.

I understand you've made no provision for yourself as yet.

I had hoped to stay at the Abbey.

A sign of good will from the Abbot is long overdue.

Captain Courcelle, see that Mistress

Siward is safely installed.

Gladly, Your Grace.

Hugh Beringar of Masebury at Your Grace's

service, with all that I hold.

Your name, Master Beringar, is known to us.

That it was devoted to our cause was not so well known.

As I hear, you have until recently

been in the confidence of our vile traitors, Fitzalan

and Adeney.

I would be still, had they not chosen one way and I another.

Indeed.

Strange, how many rally to the victor's side

when the battle is already won.

I stand ready to prove my fealty, Your Grace.

Say only the way you would have me serve, and it shall be done.

No, I think we shall consider carefully before welcoming you

to our cause, even more so when you are betrothed to Adeney's

his daughter.

That arrangement was made on us when we were children.

The times have changed a great many plans previously made.

Should her father escape me, even at this late hour,

she might prove a valuable hostage.

You say you are ready to prove your fealty.

Very well.

Deliver the girl, and you will not go unrewarded.

PRESCOTE: He died strangled, like all the others.

CADFAEL: Yes, so he did, but not by a rope.

Look at the thinness of the cord that took his life.

No man ever dangled from such a noose,

and it runs level right around his neck.

Fine as fishing line, which it may very well have been.

Now you see, the edges of the furrow?

See where it's discolored and shiny?

The cord was waxed to make it bite smooth and deep.

Ah, mark his nails.

He clawed at the cord that was killing him.

His hands were free.

Did you hang any whose hands were not tied?

No.

There is nothing to be gained by making public so wild a tale.

Bury your dead and be content.

Sheriff Prescote, gives free warranty to any

who wish to claim their dead.

Since there is one in particular whose identity is not known,

he asks that all who come may view him.

Also, be it know that any townsfolk

found harboring rebels shall suffer penalty of execution.

I think you've found cause for distress

in what you've just heard.

If I can be of service.

This is something only I can do.

No other would know Giles' face.

He can have had nothing to make

him worth killing for gain.

Friend, there are those who would

kill a beggar for the few coins he'd made during the day.

But when they see Kings cut down more than 90?

Is it such wonder?

Christ God!

Aline, Madame, should you be here, so desolate a spectacle?

I marvel you would bring her to face a scene so harrowing.

I insisted on coming.

Since he could not prevent it, Master Beringar has been

kind enough to accompany me.

I have a brother.

Aye, fled to Normandy, you said?

He may have reached France or taken

arms on behalf of the Empress with some company closer

to to home.

Surely the garrison here were well known.

The sheriff's proclamation mentioned one not known.

This is a most Christian service

you're doing here, Brother.

Uh, Cadfael.

Is this the unexpected one?

So young.

I wish I could tell you his name.

Come, quit this sad place.

Your brother is not here.

How can I be sure unless I see them all?

Giles.

Oh, Giles.

Mistress?

Oh, dear God.

Is this indeed your brother?

If I'd known, I would have saved him for you.

No matter what the cost, I would have delivered him.

Oh, God, forgive me.

You had your orders.

How could you have saved one and let the rest die?

Wait.

Brother Cadfael, I thank you for all you have done.

But now I must take my brother's burial into my charge.

Master Beringar, you have been very kind.

This was among the property left behind

in the guardroom at the end.

This clasp has the same design as his buckle.

At least let me restore this to him.

There should be a dagger.

The Flemings wouldn't be above such vile

thievery, especially if it had some worth.

Master Hugh!

Oh, to see a known and trusted face here now.

If you're hunted, you're welcome to shelter.

No, I'm in no danger.

No, I only came to look for Godith.

To provide for her.

Someone sent you?

No.

But where else would Adeney place her,

if not with her trusted nurse.

Now, never tell me she wasn't here.

What we don't know, we can't be made to tell.

Edric.

I'm sorry we have no better news for you, lad,

but there it is.

Take that.

No enemy has laid hand on her yet.

We pray none ever will.

Then I shall put you in no further peril.

God bless and keep you both.

Hunting for his bride!

Shh!

[bell ringing]

None have claimed your unknown yet, then, Brother.

No.

Well, if he was with the rebel garrison,

you'll get little support from the King, seeking his assassin.

And this is the man whose cause you choose to follow?

We make our choices, and we live with them.

And you, Brother, whose cause do you follow?

My monarch is neither Stephen nor Maud.

In all my life, I've fought for one King only.

To him alone can I look for absolution.

You have no cause for reproach, surely.

I've looked in the faces of hangmen before.

And your hands restored them some dignity.

I have looked on things today that I

hoped I would never see again.

I once put all such horrors behind me, and gladly too.

But for all that, you would seek his murderer?

That duty belongs to better men.

Good night, my lord.

And if such men shrink from their duty?

What then, Brother?

[bell rings]

Good day, my lady.

I was looking for Brother Cadfael.

It's only, I've brought these.

My brethren no longer needs them.

They're still good, and I thought

someone would be glad of them.

You had a brother in there?

In the castle?

Oh, I am sorry.

He made his choice.

I was taught to think it was the wrong one.

But at least he stood by it to the end.

Brother Cadfael.

You should not be here, child.

Mistress Siward brought these.

[gasp]

You recognize him?

His name is Nicholas Faintree.

He's a squire of Fitzalan's from Ellesmere.

Ellesmere?

And what was he doing so far south?

Fitzalan's business was almost finished in these parts.

I know of someone who may be able to tell

you what he was doing here.

But if you can be sure no harm will come to them.

Abbot Heribert, there is rumor of a man

found murdered amongst my lawfully executed.

I understand this rumor was started by a Benedictine.

No one's suggesting Your Grace had any part in such an act.

There's obviously been a mistake, of course.

How could there be a man dead there in some other way.

He's there because some felon put

him there, to pass for just one among the many

and arouse no curiosity.

Be ashamed to make such rash accusations.

Your Grace, if what Brother Cadfael says is true,

such a person would need to know how your traitors

were to be disposed.

Well, most of the town, certainly all the garrison

would have known by nightfall.

And this deed was committed in darkness.

And how can you say that with any certainty?

We don't even know his name.

His name was Nicholas Faintree.

Be silent.

No, let him speak.

Why do you say he was killed at night?

I examined his body, Your Grace.

A man's physical appearance changes postmortem.

There were signs.

A stiffening of the muscles.

Also, he had been moved after death.

Most likely slung over a horse.

His blood, you see, had settled in his hands and his feet.

Well, all the rebels were dispatched by late afternoon,

and none of them conveyed anywhere by horse.

Naturally, there is nothing to implicate Your Grace.

No, no.

The murderer merely crept into your shadow for cover.

Unfortunately, my army moves east in four days.

I can spare neither the men nor the time

to pursue this investigation.

Oh, that is indeed unfortunate,

Your Grace, because the Empress Maud's faction

will doubtless seize upon your inability to act in this matter

and offer it as proof that Your Grace

cares little about justice.

Faintree, you say?

It is possible he had come here to seek service with us.

You did right to report what you found.

Pursue such inquiries as can be made.

Abbot Heribert, you will present any findings at the feast

on the eve of our departure.

You have four days, Brother.

The two lads came at dawn, the day the castle fell.

There had been a council the night before.

Fitzalan wanted his treasury taken to the empress,

whether he lived or not.

Then all those who were at this council

knew that there should be two abroad that night.

Aye, but not where the treasure was hidden.

Only Fitzalan and I knew the place.

So if any had designs on the treasury,

they would have had to waylay it on the road.

One of Fitzalan's own?

Never.

Two men riding by night could have been

taken by robbers in the forest.

No, this was no chance attack.

Whoever killed Faintree did so close by the town to have time

and means to conceal his body among the rest.

This other lad who rode with Faintree, do you know him?

No, he gave his name as Torold Blund.

More than that, I cannot tell you.

You forget, Edric, he came, Hugh Beringar,

pretending to be all concerned for Godith

and asking where he might find her.

But there could have been no mention of Faintree's mission

when he came, nothing that made him prick his ears?

EDRIC: No.

He's very quick, that one, and very private.

Don't let my lamb get within sight of him, Brother.

As hostage for her father, she's worth a fat commission.

Never fear.

I've seen that danger.

He won't lay a hand on her, not if I can stop him.

(CHANTING) Lam lucis orto sidero.

Deum precemur supplices.

Ut in diurnis actibus.

Nos servet a nocentibus.

Linguam refrenans temperet.

Ne litis horror insonet.

Visum fovendo contegat.

Ne vanitates hauriat.

Do you think he recognized you?

No, he didn't look at me.

Oh, that one took his measure of all of us.

I have changed in five years.

So has he, the renegade.

To think, we should have married.

Well, until we know for certain why he's here,

I think it best that you stay far away

from the guest house, the stables, or anywhere else

that he might be.

Quick, after him!

Agh!

How long?

Two days.

I wouldn't give you much for his chances, Brother.

I remember he was first taken like this in the Holy Land.

If I give you instructions, can you medicine him?

I suppose so.

But you're wasting your time.

He must be cooled when he burns, and warmed

when these chills are on him.

Also, give him three drops of this, twice a day.

- What is it? - Papaver somniferum.

Oriental poppy.

Or at least the juice of it.

Anything else?

Yes, you can pray for him.

[shivering]

A pleasant change from harvesting dead men, Brother.

Well, I hope we've finish with that kind of crop

in Shrewsbury.

You found a name for your stranger, then.

How was that?

All questions find their answers,

if you wait long enough.

Is there something here I can help you to?

Or are you just curious to learn about these simple herbs

of mine?

I'd hardly say it was any simplicity I came to study.

They say you had a wide ranging career

before coming to the cloister.

You must find it unbearably dull here after such battles,

with no enemy left to fight.

Well, I'm not finding it all dull these days.

And as for enemies, the devil finds his way in everywhere,

even in cloister and church.

Brother Cadfael, you're the most practical

of men in these parts.

Should I have need of your help, you would not

refuse it without due thought?

[bell ringing]

I hope I never do anything without due thought.

Now, be easy, boy.

Lie still while I see where you hurt.

You're out of joint, by the look of your.

No, nothing broken.

Where are we?

Some small way from the Abbey.

That was done by an arrow.

You've been leading an interesting life lately, boy.

Who was hunting you?

King's men.

Who else?

I'll need you to soak this bandage with betony.

It'll help make the wound knit clean.

Then you must eat something, but not too much,

lest you're overweary to make best use of it.

I shall have trouble paying you back.

A straight story buys whatever hospitality we're offering.

But that can wait.

[wincing]

My name at least.

Your name is Torold Blund.

The rest can wait till tomorrow.

At the present, save your strength.

Nick?

Nick, are you there?

God, no!

Nick!

Nick?

Bad dreams, Torold?

Or worse, memory?

Caltrops?

I don't understand.

I have sworn to die in the Empress's service,

because I believe the crown of this realm is hers by right.

But you and Brother Cadfael owe no such allegiance.

Indeed, the church has taken King Stephen's side.

So why should you help me?

We have a Christian duty to help any who need our aid.

Then I'll not put you in further peril, Brother.

I'm fit and strong.

In my place, you'd have been out of here long before now.

I would not.

What use would you be on the run from here?

No weapon, your horse turned loose to battle pursuit.

How far would you get?

You'd be carried back on Brother Cadfael's shoulders.

Oh, would I, so?

A 10-year-old could lay you out.

I'll show you, Master Godric, whether I fit or no.

One hand of mine can more than deal with you, my lad!

Why didn't you tell me?

There was no need for you to know.

Does Brother Cadfael know?

Of course.

He at least can tell a heart from a hind.

Then tell me, mistress, who are you?

Broken off from a dagger's hilt, would you think?

Not from yours, then?

Mine?

Where would a poor squire get so fine a weapon

as this must have been?

No, this is not of mine.

- Nor from Faintree's? - No.

Where did you get this?

Fletscher's barn.

I found everything just as you told me.

This must have snapped off against the ground

during your struggle.

Then it belonged to Faintree's killer.

Almost certainly.

Then it's the only thing we have that could lead us to him.

If he still has the dagger.

Oh, yes, I think he has.

No one would discard so valuable a weapon merely

because one stone was missing.

No, he'll keep it safe until such time

as he dare have it repaired.

If we find the dagger, we shall have found the murderer.

I should be glad to be the one who avenges Nick.

Your part is to do your duty and get

Fitzalan's treasure to France.

Yes, and Adeney his treasure too.

You shall take Gofith with you, take her safely to her father.

All I have to do is to conjure two good horses out of the air,

retrieve your treasure, and see you clear of the town

towards Wales.

Well, harder things are done daily by the saints.

[clucking]

What is it?

Nothing.

Well, Godric, I think you and I must

be getting back to vespers.

It wouldn't do to be late.

Wait here.

It has been of some service.

Very fair evening, Brother.

May we walk together?

We are bound for vespers.

So am I.

Oh, well, you run ahead, lad.

Here, put that away.

And then come to vespers with the other boys.

Go on.

A most biddable lad you have, Brother.

A year's endowment with us, though I doubt

if he's one to take the cowl.

You're at leisure today, my lord?

Not so much at leisure as in need

of your skills and knowledge.

The King is about to order a tithe of provisions

from all stores.

And all-- mark that-- all the good horses

are to be commandeered for army use, no matter who owns them.

And the Abbey will not be exempt.

Oh, bad news for Brother Prior.

It's bad news for me.

I have four horses stabled there.

I have no intention of losing my two best.

No, I want them somewhere they can evade Sheriff

Prescote's foraging parties.

Only the two?

You have more cunning than that, Brother.

If they find none, they'd hunt for all.

And small chance I'd have left for royal favor.

Brother Cadfael, do you know this countryside

better than any mine.

Is there not a place I can lie out my horses safely

for a few days?

[snorting]

Now, be sure to surrender them to no one

but myself or Brother Cadfael.

Well, if you're ready, my lord,

it will be full dark soon.

We have a long walk ahead of us.

[neighing]

Have you ever contemplated marriage, Brother?

Yes, once before taking the cross, I had thoughts to marry.

She was a very fair woman, was Richildis, but to speak truth,

I forgot about her in the east.

And in the west, she forgot me.

I was away too long.

Have you ever seen her again?

No, never.

Probably has grandchildren by now.

May they be good to her.

Well, the East also had women, and you a young crusader.

I cannot but wonder, Brother.

So wonder.

I wonder about you too, a natural conspirator, I'd say.

Yes, well, one knows another.

Oh, Brother, I don't know if this

has any bearing on the Faintree murder or not,

but they're saying before the fall,

a bodyguard was sent from the castle

to escort Adeney's daughter out of Shrewsbury.

Why should they think that?

The King's men hunted a squire of Fitzalan's into the river.

An archer took him.

Later, two saddle horses were found running loose.

So it would seem the attempt had failed.

And the girl?

Still missing, but thought to be someone close in hiding.

And they'll be looking for her, Brother Cadfael.

Now more than ever.

Good night.

ROBERT: Sheriff Prescote, why have you closed our gates?

What is the meaning of this intrusion?

I'm ordered by His Grace to require a tithe of your stores

and any horses not already in the use of people

in His Grace's commission.

I'm also commanded to search and inquiry

everywhere for the girl Godith, daughter of His Grace's

traitor, Fulke Adeney.

[grunting]

There's nothing here.

I told you, there's nothing here.

[clattering]

But where are you, child?

[knocking on door]

Godric, what's the matter?

Come, come within.

Godric.

No, my lady.

Not Godric.

A fine weapon.

Keen edged, well-balanced.

Where did you find it?

In a fishing hut along the water meadow.

Seemingly long abandoned.

But there were tracks suggesting someone had been there of late.

Be easy.

She's safe.

In my house. - Praise to God.

[clattering]

Hey!

Oh.

Halt as you stand!

Let no man move, for the lady's sake.

Easy, Torold.

Do as he says.

Brother Cadfael speaks wisely.

What is your will, Master Beringar?

Do you mean to stand on your rights and marry me?

I admit, I have never felt so tempted to marry you before.

But no.

Then I am just the means to buy

your way into Stephen's favor.

In a manner of speaking, yes.

We came here to find horses.

Well, here they are.

You may ride as soon as you please.

We can go?

Yes, and swiftly, if you'll take my advice.

However, you'll ride the faster if you'll lighten your load,

the saddlebags that Brother Cadfael, so negligently

obscuring, those I'll keep.

By way of memento of you, my sweet Godith.

I've mistaken you, Hugh Beringar.

You had a right to try for this prize.

It'll go some way towards blunting His Grace's rage

when I tell him despite my very best

efforts I couldn't find you.

Well, there's no help for it.

They're yours.

now, mount and good speed.

Brother Cadfael, everything I owe to you.

She's in your care now, but as a sacred charge.

So beware of taking advantage.

You'll miss her.

Like a fiber gone from my heart.

You carried this on your back all that way?

Well, you saw me do it.

Here, let me give you some light.

Would you like to taste my wine?

Oh, gladly.

And I'll drink to your better success against all opponents

but Hugh Beringar.

Yes, at least the mercenaries missed.

And I've been commiserating with you all this time, when

you had this in store for me.

What a fool I was to think I could out-trick you.

Now I'll drink to your better success against all opponents

but Cadfael.

How?

How was this done?

I-- I swear I never took my eyes from you.

You did draw up what Torold had drowned in the river.

I heard it rise.

So I did.

And then I let it slip in again, softly.

This I already had in the boat.

The other, Godith reclaimed this morning.

Then where is it?

They departed empty handed.

On the weight of the grains, I suggested

that they might the sooner reach their mounts

if they left their load in the stump of a certain oak.

By now, I hope it's been retrieved

and it's with them, safe in Wales,

where Stephen can no longer reach them.

My treasure.

Well, I mean the stones and sacks, that I understand.

Anything to make like for like, but what are these things?

They're the clothes Faintree was

wearing when he was strangled.

You put these together for me to see and recoil

at my own guilt. I understand that I might well be suspect,

Cadfael, but do I seem to you a man who

would kill in so foul a way?

There's little I would put out of your scope,

but killing by stealth?

No.

That I would never look for.

No, there's nothing here to shake you,

or for you to recognize.

Recognize?

No, not that.

But this?

This, after a fashion, I think I may know.

Yes, this came from the hilt of Giles' dagger.

Where did you find it?

At a certain barn in Frankwell.

How did it come to be there?

That is not certain.

Yet.

If we may keep the stone for the present.

Hugh, is there something I should know, you will tell me,

won't you?

What could I possibly hide from you?

Giles killed Faintree.

Must she bear that too? - No, no, no, no.

Never fear.

There's no guilt there to touch Aline.

Her brother was already dead several hours

before Faintree was murdered.

And whoever killed him first robbed Giles' corpse

and then went to Faintree's ambush wearing the dagger

he'd stolen.

Yet how did he learn of the plan?

Well, perhaps one of the rebels

tried to buy his own life by betraying Fitzalan's treasury.

But who?

Which of them?

Look, time is against us, Cadfael.

After tomorrow, Stephen marches for Worcester and our murder

with him, most likely.

"Our murderer"?

Look, I-- I know you can work miracles, Cadfael,

but even you would be hard pressed

to find this killer alone by tomorrow night's feast.

Now, together we can cover twice the ground.

Believe me, once the King puts this town behind him,

he's gonna forget about Faintree.

Now, we stand side by side on this, Cadfael, or not at all.

You go to the castle, see what you can learn.

And I'll go to the siege camp and do likewise.

And remember, Hugh, the dagger.

Everything turns on that dagger.

Find it, and we found our murderer.

Cadfael, how did I come by this cloak?

Alms from a gentlewoman.

Then he that wore it before me is surely dead.

Yes, he is.

The lady who sent it is his sister.

And trust me, her giving blesses the gift.

I have seen him alive.

No, no.

That's just an effect of the tincture.

No, this was no dream of poppies.

I saw him, living, with this cloak about him.

I beg an audience with the King.

When?

It was dark, and I was cold.

It seems to me, the night before the castle fell, he came here.

Giles was at the King's camp in mortal dread.

He came to the besiegers offering Fitzalan's treasure

in exchange for his life.

But his treachery fell victim to a greater.

And the betrayer himself was betrayed.

By who?

Could it have been Courcelle?

Why do you pick his name above any other?

Well, he was at the camp.

Well, so too was Prescote, Ten Heyt.

There was the King.

But he can give no account for himself

the night of Faintree's murder.

Nor can you.

We cannot accuse him simply because he's your rival

for Aline's affection.

However, if you were to say that Giles was brought

before the officer of the watch that night

to state his business, and that that officer was Courcelle,

and then if you were to remind me of the horror that fell

on him when Aline found Giles among the dead,

I might say you have grounds for suspicion.

You are ahead of me, Cadfael, even in this.

Remember what he said?

"I would have saved him for you, no matter what the cost."

Oh, he realized what he'd done.

"God, forgive me," he said.

But he meant, "Aline, forgive me."

And he returned the cloak to her.

But if he was so taken with remorse, why didn't he

surrender the dagger also? - Well, how could he?

It was already broken and incomplete.

But if his eyes were on the greater prize,

why should he have stolen it in the first place?

Well, no thief would willingly give up the chance of adding so

valuable a bonus to his spoils.

But you see, when Torold escaped from the barn

with Fitzalan's treasury, that dagger became Courcelle's

sole reward for murder.

And where is it?

I-- I mean, I've searched this castle from bailey to dungeon.

There's no sign of the thing.

Now, would he keep it in hiding or get rid of it.

Well, whichever.

It's still our only proof.

Without it, we have nothing, as you well know.

Then how are we to deal?

I mean, if we accuse Courcelle and come to trial,

everything will come out.

And though I have little affection for one

who would betray his comrades at the last gasp,

I would not see Aline wounded by this, now or ever.

And therein lies our weakness.

Yes, and perhaps our strength.

Where would he stand with Aline if ever this came out?

No.

No, we may only have half an attack, Cadfael,

but likewise, he may only field half a defense.

I do understand your preoccupation,

but I will not let Faintree lie uneasy for want of justice.

Brother, we are called to bring wine.

Cadfael, time is running out.

Well, at worst, we can put what we've found to Prescote.

See what he advises. But for the present, do nothing.

Your Grace, I have a matter on which I beg

you'll hear me and do right.

Well?

There is one in this company who has abused his position

in your confidence.

By what means abused?

He has stolen and he has murdered.

MAN: By Jove!

I stand ready to prove my claim,

and I offer this stone in evidence.

Silence.

You will need to explain much, Beringar.

What is this trinket?

It is the tip of a dagger hilt, Your Grace.

The dagger itself was stolen from the body of Giles Siward.

That stone was found at the site of Nicholas Faintree's murder.

Found?

By who?

By Brother Cadfael, Your Grace.

He will testify that the man who Stole the dagger

is the same man who killed Nicholas Faintree,

and that he left behind him this proof of his guilt.

This man, you say he is with with us in the hall?

Your Grace, on a charge of theft and murder,

I accuse Adam Courcelle.

What is this villainy?

How does my name come into such a diatribe?

The villainy is yours alone, and you will hang for it.

Your Grace, these are the ravings

of a man poisoned by jealousy.

He envies me both your favor and Mistress Siward's affection.

He is destined to enjoy neither.

And why should he, when the one simple task

you set him, to find his intended bride,

proved too difficult?

Draw steel, Beringar.

I'll kill you where you stand.

Enough!

Do you deny these charges, Adam?

Absolutely, Your Grace.

If Beringar has evidence, let him produce it.

Your Grace, I have offered this stone in evidence.

Courcelle has stolen--

Oh, calm!

This bauble is nothing.

When did I ever see this supposed dagger?

When was it ever seen in my possession?

Search the belongings.

I have here.

If such a thing be found, let me know it.

Your Grace, Brother Cadfael file will back me in my claim.

Is the monk present?

Your Grace, I brought him with me.

He's obviously thought better of involving

himself in some madness.

There is no dagger.

Beringar stands alone on this.

Your Grace, I would ask you to match stone

to dagger with your own hands.

There's no doubt this belongs.

But whose word have we this is Giles Siward's weapon?

The word of Lady Aline herself.

A fair witness.

Why do you suppose it to be Adam?

There doesn't appear to be a single thread to link

him with dagger or deed.

I'm glad Your Grace puts so firm a finger

on the crux of the matter.

There is no witness can put the weapon in my hand.

Your Grace, there is a witness.

Boy!

Now, I want you to explain to the King

how you came by your knife.

I was fishing under the castle,

and a man came down and threw it in the river.

He didn't see me, but soon as he went,

I dived in and got it and kept it, since he didn't want it.

Do you know this man?

Not his name.

Only to look at.

Is he with us in the hall?

That was the man!

Move aside, Hugh.

Your Grace, this is utterly false.

You say the child lies?

At whose instigation?

At Beringar's, Your Grace.

He seemed as taken aback by the witnesses as you were.

Am I to suppose the Benedictine order

procured the boy to put up such a story?

Your Grace, I refute these allegations utterly.

I maintain them.

You have put a millstone around my neck

when most I need to move fast.

Your Grace, this must be some foolish error.

What possible reason could I have to kill Faintree?

Well, you murdered him so that you could lay

hands on Fitzalan's treasury.

What treasury?

Oh, my lord, I have learned that Fitzalan

sent out couriers to get his treasury away to the empress.

Faintree was one such courier.

Captain Courcelle knew the route he was going to take.

So he lined the road with caltrops.

This is a nonsense!

How could I be privy to the rebels' plan?

That information was given to you by one whose

courage failed him at the last.

We agreed!

In fear of his life, he offered up Fitzalan's treasury.

Cadfael, I beg you.

That he might be spared.

Your Grace, there'll be no delay if you will

countenance trial by combat!

There is my gage.

I stand ready to prove my charge against Courcelle with my body.

Well, since you both seem determined

to destroy yourselves, tomorrow then,

one or other of you in the castle courtyard

shall have justice.

I knew you wouldn't fail me.

Now see that you don't fail me.

No dread.

I shall never be readier.

And your arm will be seconding mine.

Yes, at every stroke.

Give him no quarter, Hugh.

And if you get the chance to finish him,

strike swift and clean.

Yah!

[shouting]

Oh, no. Not with my own weapon.

Ugh!

I trust I have proven my case.

Your opponent proved it for you all too well.

But you have robbed me of a deputy sheriff.

I may take reprisal by drafting you into the vacancy.

What do you say?

I am Hugh Beringar, deputy sheriff,

at Your Grace's service.

Give it to Aline yourself.

But deal generously with the boy who fished it out of the river.

Is this justice?

To force into the light the truth of one man's sins

and cover the guilt of another?

Aline knows half the tale already.

You might set her mind at peace with the rest.

There's no need for others to know.

Let them count Giles among the many who chose the wrong side

and died for it.

We deal with what is.

Leave What might have been to eyes that can see it plain.

And none see plainer than yours.

Yet I do think at first you mistook me for a villain.

I think we mistook each other.

I would know more of you, Cadfael.

In this new town of mine, I shall need a good friend.

And I can look for none better than a rare Benedictine.

Then in this ending, there is a beginning also.

And that is as it should be.

[bell ringing]

[theme music]