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'We must take immediate steps to reconcile ourselves with the parish and do nothing to inflame passions The incident with Sister Alice was extre partition was the last straw'

The twoat theof the abbot's charound conduit had been res had been sent down to kill rats that had taken up residence in the elaborate system of channels and drains that supplied water to the monastery and reation of Brother Arnold who had been alerted to the health risk by Sister Alice

'The woman's a witch'

The words exploded fro about?'

'Both of them … the Cobham woman and that matron I don't believe those bruises are real She put theo doith the dean'

Willianored the interruption

'One day you will remember what I've said and you onder why you did not have the wit to recognise it' He pointed an accusing finger 'Eleanor Cobham will be the ruin of Good Duke Humphrey and I can't wait for that to happen'

'That may be the case,' Simon mused 'But we have to deal with the present Asspeak, Humphrey is the most powerful man in the land'

'I would dispute that'

Simon tried another tack 'The dean insists that a more acceptable partition be erected Master Hulle says his original recoood quality sailcloth, painted with scenes froospels'

'That's not what he told me'

'Nevertheless, it could provide a way out of our present difficulty at low cost I have spoken with the brothers in the scriptorium Brother Paul is keen to take on such a commission'

William considered the proposition

'You say it will be low cost?'

Si thatout of our way to appease them'

'It will be sufficient to satisfy our lord bishop'

'Very well' Abbot Bradford raised a dismissive hand 'You haveas you keep it within the bounds I have specified'