Blund was attacked by a stranger, but fought him off. When Blund returned he found Faintree dead. Faintree waited at a forest hut while Blund fetched a fresh horse. Faintree's horse was lamed by a caltrop, planted on the forested track not far from Frankwell. He relates how he and Faintree tried to carry FitzAlan's treasure as planned. She and Cadfael return that evening, learning he is Torold Blund. Working in the corn harvest, Godric encounters a wounded man. Cadfael realizes that Beringar knows of the treasure. They tell Cadfael that Beringar asked after Godith the day of the hangings. FitzAlan ordered squires Faintree and Torold Blund to slip out of the castle to take his treasury from its hiding place in Frankwell to safety in Wales, then Normandy when defeat neared. Cadfael visits her old nurse, Petronilla Flesher for news. Godric/Godith identifies the murdered man as Nicholas Faintree, a squire of FitzAlan. Courcelle gave Aline her brother's cloak, found in the castle. Aline notes that a dagger has been stolen from Giles's body. Aline finds the body of her brother Giles among the ninety-four. King Stephen assents.Ĭounting the bodies, Cadfael finds not ninety-four, but ninety-five – one corpse too many. Abbot Heribert of Shrewsbury Abbey asks that the men be given Christian burial. Infuriated, King Stephen orders the ninety-four survivors of the turncoat garrison executed that very afternoon. The castle falls the next morning, but FitzAlan and Adeney escape. Two young men fall for Aline on first sight at the King's camp, Beringar and Adam Courcelle, designated Deputy Sheriff once the castle falls. To prove his loyalty, he is asked to find Godith and deliver her to the King. Hugh Beringar is treated with more reserve, as he was betrothed as a child to Godith, though he promises fealty once for all.

Aline Siward is welcomed even though her absent brother Giles has declared for the Empress.

Cadfael agrees to keep her secret, thus beginning 10 adventurous days.Īline Siward and Hugh Beringar enter King Stephen's camp to pledge their loyalty. She is Godith Adeney, daughter of Fulke Adeney, a rebel leader inside the castle. Cadfael recognises that Godric is a girl. Brother Cadfael welcomes the assistance of young Godric, brought to the Abbey by his aunt.

In August 1138, King Stephen is besieging rebels loyal to Empress Matilda in Shrewsbury Castle.

One corpse too many