A shamefully drunk merchant lolled in one corner, and his apprentice kept stealing coins from his purse.It was wrong, of course, but most merchants didn’t compensate their apprentices fairly.The lad might filch a penny from his master once in a while.But Hew doubted the lad made a habit of thieving churches.
Hew took a final swig of ale.He was getting nowhere.Then a new man entered the alehouse and hung his plaid on the wall.He had a broad back and shaggy brown hair.The pig butchers waved him over.
“Cainnech!”
Cainnech nodded and joined them.“How’s pigs?”
The men groaned in mutual exhaustion.
The alewife set an ale down in front of the newcomer.“Still comin’ to town for Mary, are ye?”
“Every Saturday,” Cainnech replied.
“Pah!”she groused.“Ye let me know when ye get an itch for one o’ my daughters.”
All three growled and waved her off.
“How are the coos?”one of the pig men asked Cainnech.
“Haven’t driven them to the close yet.”
“Better watch for caterans,” one of the pig butchers warned.“I heard Boyle’s lads have been reivin’ this year.”
Caterans.Hew doubted there was any connection between stolen cattle and stolen church treasures.Caterans were usually just troublesome lads who routinely crossed over clan borders to take their neighbor’s animals.Still, he’d keep listening.
“Och aye, the Boyles,” the other pig man concurred.“That clan’s had a grudge against Dunlop for years.”
Cainnech disagreed.“Not anymore.Boyle’s made peace with Dunlop.He’s got two sons o’ marryin’ age now, and they’ve set their eyes on Dunlop’s daughter.”
“Carenza,” one of the pig men said on a sigh.
“Everyone’s set their eyes on Carenza,” the other replied.
“A real beauty, that lass,” the first said.
Cainnech scoffed.“But her da’s ne’er goin’ to wed her to a Boyle.He’s got his sights set higher.”
They all drank to that.
Then Cainnech volunteered, “Truth to tell, I’d just as soon sell the cattle before Martinmas than deal with butcherin’ ’em.”
“Wouldn’t we all?”the pig butchers agreed, raising their cups in a second toast.
The mention of selling cattle made Hew remember he meant to procure food for the monastery.A coo on the hoof would make a wise purchase, providing milk, butter, and fresh cheese every day.He almost regretted spending so much coin on the gold ring.
The hour was growing late.The alewife led the two brothers to a back room.The merchant had dozed off.His apprentice was gulping down the second trencher of pottage he’d bought with the coin he’d pilfered.The pig and coo men were now discussing the weather.Hew didn’t think he’d get any more useful information today.
He had to find the village butcher shop before it closed.He’d made up his mind.He’d purchase a slab of ham with the coin he had left.
Chapter 3
Carenza peered into the square of polished steel that served as a mirror.She was dressed now from her bath, which she’d scented with lavender to disguise the smell of cattle.She combed each strand of dark hair into a tidy braid that hung to her waist.Pinched her cheeks.And practiced the wide-eyed gentle smile that pleased her father.
It was her duty, after all, to keep him happy.
Ten years ago, she had been devastated by the loss of her mother.
But her father had been utterly ruined.The death of his wife had left him deeply melancholy.Dangerously depressed.Inconsolable.
