Two for Treason

Chapter 4 - Kirklees

5 days later, the ladies came to a compound surrounded by a palisade. They were tired, dirty and hungry. 5 days of foraging for food had made for a difficult journey. Anne jumped down from her horse and knocked at the gate. The gnarled face of an old man appeared at a small pass-through in the door of the gate. "Wha' ya want?" he slurred. He had very few teeth in his mouth, and what were there were blackened and crooked.

"Is this Kirklees Abbey?" Anne demanded.

"Aye. Wh' ya want?"

"We seek refuge with the nuns. Please let us in, we would like to speak with the Mother Superior."

"Wait 'ere," he said, closing the pass-through.

By now all 6 women were off of their respective horses.

Minutes later the old man returned and opened the gate wide. "Thank you, kind sir," Anne said, giving the man a slight bow.

"Not proper...lettin' strange people in..." the man grumbled as he led the women to the abbey.

"Thank you, Walters," said a woman of middle age. Before them stood a nun, whom Anne supposed to be the Mother Superior. She was dressed in a simple wool habit of a greyish-brown. However, her scapula and wimple were pure snowy white, resulting in the appearance of a halo around her head and shoulders. "I am Mother Mary Margaret, the Abbess of this order. How can I help you children?"

Genie stepped forward and said, "Thank you for agreeing to see us Mother. We seek refuge. We have travelled from Norwich and are very tired. We have no money to offer, but we are all strong women and can work for our keep. We only ask for a few days-"

The nun put her hand up, indicating that Genie should stop talking. "My child, you are welcome here. However, we do not have cells for 6 women."

Anne stood beside Genie, "Mother, we will sleep wherever you wish us to. We have not slept a bed for almost a month."

"Come children, we will find you some food." The Abbess had Walters deal with the women's horses and indicated that they should follow her. She led them through the cloisters to a door at the end. Through the door was a large room, part kitchen part dining hall. At one end stood an Inglenook fireplace with a large pot swung over it. On the opposite end, near the dining table, was another smaller fireplace. The Abbess led them to the table and said, "Please excuse me for a moment. I will find Sister Madeleine. She can prepare something for you to eat and then you can join us for nones."

Moments later Sister Madeleine bustled into the room. "Oh you po' chil'en. Yo mus' be starvin'." The rotund woman started shuffling around the kitchen preparing food. In mere minutes, she had put before the women steaming bowls of stew with hunks of bread and plenty of wine.

Forgetting any manners they had been taught, the women fell on the food. Sister Madeleine at first looked at them horrified, but her face softened as she reasoned that the "po' chil'en" were starving.

Once their initial hunger was sated, Anne thanked the nun. "We have been travelling for quite some time. Bless you for this food. It is wonderful."

"Och, chil'en. We got no' a lot, but we'r bidden ta' share. When yer finished t'food head out to the barn where Sister Dom'nik has hot wat'r ready fer to get warshed up." The nun continued to work in the kitchen and came to the table when the women were done. "Offen ya go." She shooed the women out.

They made their way to the barn, where sure enough, Sister Dominique was waiting with buckets of hot water. "Good day, children. Please take some time and get clean prior to nones. You must be tidied up by 3 o'clock." She left behind some lye soap, coarse towels and novice habits for all 6.

Once cleaned up the women made their way to the chapel for the service.

3 small cells were available for use, Anne and Genie wanted to be sure that the younger women were well rested and received all the care they deserved. The 2 women met with the Abbess and Sister Dominique after nones to explain all that had happened. The 2 nuns sat listening intently, shocked by the events in the village, the death of Brittany and their treatment at the hands of the Sheriff of Norwich. Anne and Genie found it particularly difficult recounting the events on the road to London, but after much encouragement by the 2 older women and many tears, they told of all that had happened.

The Abbess and Sister were quiet for a few moments. Finally, Mother Mary Margaret said, matter-of-factly, "You tortured and killed all of those men."

Anne, with downcast eyes, whispered, "Yes Mother." Tears streamed from her eyes. "I pray to God each night for forgiveness. I have seen too much blood shed and killing." She started to sob, "I cannot forgive myself. Yet I feel that it was the right thing to do."

The Abbess rose from her chair and walked over to Anne. She laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You will have to reconcile your actions with God." She smiled at the woman, "My child, this is something that only God can judge. I do not pass judgement on you. You did as you thought was just." She returned to her chair. "Now! For the rest of the afternoon, until vespers, I want you ladies to relax. You need to heal from your ordeal. Take your young women and explore our garden. Tomorrow is another day, and we shall determine what your chores shall be."

With that, she dismissed Anne and Genie, but requested that Sister Dominique stay behind.

The 6 women stayed at Kirklees Abbey for a fortnight. They were given small chores, but for the most part, were left to heal and make plans for the future. Only 5 exited the compound, Estelle decided to remain behind and take her vows. As a gift of thanks the 5 remaining ladies left behind the extra horses they had arrived with.

Departing was difficult. They were saddened to be losing Estelle, but understood the young woman's need for the regularity and serenity the Abbey offered. In just 2 weeks they had grown fond of the various personalities of Kirklees, even Walters. He cried particularly when they left. "The po' lasses. Tis too much t'endure. They be brave youngins."