Original subtitles

[bell ringing]

[choir singing]

[birds chirping]

[horses galloping]

[dogs barking]

[peaceful music]

[horses galloping]

[splashing]

[raven crowing]

[peaceful music]

Snatched without trial or a chance of absolution.

But Father Abbott, the man was obviously

a traitor to King Stephen.

While this civil war lasts, Father Ailnoth, all men

are traitors to one cause or another.

[peaceful music]

Cynric.

Cynric, the church has never looked so well.

These Michaelmas daisies look beautiful.

They're Father Adam's favorites from his garden.

I hope Father Alioth likes them when he arrives.

I want the church to look its best for the new priest.

Yes, of course.

You know his appointment here has to be formally approved.

But not by us.

The reason I came, Cynric, I've still

got some of that wine left that Father

Adam used to enjoy so much.

I thought perhaps you might like to share

a cup with me sometime, and we'll drink to him.

Well, I--

Oh, it's been distilled with herbs.

It's good for the blood.

Thank you, Brother.

I should like that.

[children laughing]

[peaceful music]

Eleanor.

I'm sure Father Adam wouldn't want you to cry over him.

I know, Brother, but I needed to speak to him.

BROTHER CADFAEL: What happened now?

He was the only one I could talk to.

Now, there's no one left.

You could always talk to me if you want.

Oh no.

Don't tell her I'm here.

Eleanor.

Who's there?

Wait, it's me, Catherine.

Oh, Brother Cadfael.

Have you seen my sister?

Cynric said she was here.

Well, yes.

She is here, Catherine.

Why can't you leave me alone?

Do you have to follow me everywhere?

Well, come along, you two.

What's the matter?

Eleanor.

What on Earth is the matter with you two today?

Nothing, Brother.

We're fine.

Well, you don't seem fine to me.

Cynric says the abbot is bringing

us back a new priest today.

It is not Father Abbot who is bringing the priest, Catherine.

It is God.

[peaceful music]

[dogs barking]

[inaudible]

[horses galloping]

What is that?

Who could be hunting on abbey lands?

[dogs barking]

[peaceful music]

[dogs barking]

This forest and all the game within its bounds

belongs to the abbey of Shrewsbury.

How dare you hunt here without my permission?

[screaming]

He is still alive.

Is he?

[horse neighing]

Do you think so?

And who might you be?

You will answer for this murder on church lands.

He is a traitor to King Stephen,

and the church would do well to remember

where its loyalty lies.

ABBOT RADULFUS: I am Radulfus, abbot of Shrewsbury,

and you will do well to remember that King Stephen was not king

last month and may not be king tomorrow.

Lord Cassall, I can assure you of the church's loyalty.

I meant no offense, Father Ailnoth.

ABBOT RADULFUS: Offense.

You know this--

Father Abbot, Lord Cassall is a loyal subject

of the rightful king.

He has his duty, as we have.

This traitor had an accomplice.

Have you seen anyone?

FATHER AILNOTH: No, Lord Cassall, no one.

You will be damned for this.

And a good day to you, too, Father Abbot.

My lord, I saw a man just a few minutes ago, maybe less.

Who is this?

My manservant.

He ran across the path behind us heading that way.

Well done, William.

WILLIAM: Thank your, Father Ailnoth.

ABBOT RADULFUS: Since you are so eager to help the boy,

you can take the poor wretch back.

Christian burial.

[peaceful music]

Last night, I returned from Westminster

with the new priest.

At the [inaudible] consul there, it

was determined that in the civil war,

the church should change allegiance to King Stephen

once more.

Followers Empress Maud are proclaimed outlaws.

While attending the consul, I spoke with Bishop Henry

of Winchester himself, who did us

the honor of recommending a priest of his own following,

Father Ailnoth.

[peaceful music]

I am-- I am satisfied that he is suitable and deserving,

but he is ready to give account of himself to you.

I hath several questions.

Father Ailnoth seemed--

seemed to know the scriptures even better

than Brother Jerome.

The trowel, Brother.

You left the trowel in the fire.

Brother Cadfael, Brother Oswin, this

is William, Father Ailnoth's manservant.

Father Ailnoth has asked the abbot

if there is any extra work for him

in the abbey after his duties in the house and in the church.

Well, do you think you could manage

to leave a trowel in a fire?

Oswin, that leaves you free.

You can go and restock the medicines in St. Giles.

I know you've been longing to get down to that.

MAN: Brother! - Oh.

Come quick, Brother.

It's Alfred.

We were pulling out the tree and he

just slipped back on his leg.

Well, he's very lucky.

It could have been much worse.

Lie still.

Father Ailnoth, it's good of you to come,

but his wounds aren't that serious.

I'm glad to hear it, Brother, but I did

not know that anyone was hurt.

I am out to survey my fields.

Your fields?

This land belongs to my church, does it not?

I think it does.

MAN: Well, yes, Father, but Father Adams

let us work here for years now.

FATHER AILNOTH: Indeed.

It was nothing but woods and weeds when we came here.

And we've just finished plowing.

And the Lord will reward you for your diligence.

Father Adam said we could work this land as long as we wanted.

I cannot be held to any verbal agreement you

may have had with Father Adam.

What do you mean may have had?

I mean I think what I say.

We need the wheat from these fields, Father,

or we'll starve.

What about our children?

You should not have had so many if you

had not the means to feed them.

Am I to pay for your intemperate carnal feasting?

Father Ailnoth, surely some small compromise

could be reached.

It is my right to work these fields, is it not?

I think it is.

Nevertheless, in the circumstances--

What circumstances?

I do not recall asking for your opinion.

Please, Father.

Please.

I beg you.

Don't beg of a Norman, Alfred.

You Saxon filth.

Trade it all to King Stephen.

Ralf.

Enough.

[peaceful music]

Brother Ailnoth was within his rights.

It's church land to use as he will.

It's not a question of rights.

What about Christian charity?

His predecessor, Father Adam, was far too--

far too lax on those who offend.

Alfred had not offended.

Who spares the sinner condones the sin.

And what if they starve this winter?

Well, it's obviously better that they

learn their mistakes now rather than risk

their souls in the hereafter.

Brother Cadfael, I note your concern,

but the fact that Father Ailnoth is known

at King Stephen's court makes this matter

somewhat delicate politically.

You must speak to him, Father.

Father Adam was with us 40 years.

We must give Father Ailnoth a chance to settle in.

We've all seen how he's settling in.

Enough, Brother Cadfael.

When you are abbot, you may make the decisions,

but until then, you will do as I say.

Brother, you said I could talk to you.

Eleanor, it is very late.

I know.

I'm sorry.

But--

Can't it wait until tomorrow?

Please, Brother.

I can't bear it.

Is it Catherine?

I want you to hear my confession, Brother.

Eleanor, I'm not allowed to get confessions.

What?

Well, I'm a monk.

I'm not a priest.

Only priests can hear confessions.

Church law is very strict about that.

But we can talk if you want, by all means.

I don't want to talk.

I can talk to any fool in the Folgate.

.

I want to confess so I can be absolved.

Well, then, I'm sorry.

Brother, this is serious.

Yes, it always is.

All I'm saying is that if you want absolution,

you must go and find a priest.

Father Adam is dead.

Father Ailnoth is your priest now.

But I don't like him.

He scares me.

Well, you can't just pick and choose your holy confessor

like a loaf of bread.

And I wouldn't be your best advocate there.

Why can't you just give me confession?

What difference does it make?

You cannot just confess to anyone

that suits you and then expect everything to be as it was.

You must repent your sin with all your heart

to the proper authority.

Otherwise, it's meaningless.

You might as well demand absolution from a tree.

I expect it's just another silly fuss about nothing, anyway.

I'm sorry.

Eleanor.

Eleanor.

[peaceful music]

[indistinct prayer]

[peaceful music]

Hey, you boys.

What are you doing still there?

[peaceful music]

FATHER AILNOTH: Though a virtuous woman

is as a crown to her husband.

But she that make it ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

Her feet go down to death and her steps take hold on hell,

where the screams of the undead shall pierce the sinner

like a sword, where the lamentations of the damned

are without end, for their black hearts

are ripped asunder and cast into the pit of everlasting fire.

God is not mocked.

[bell ringing]

[chattering]

A cheerful sermon, Brother.

Oh, Father Ailnoth, forgive me.

I sent a young girl to you last night.

What of it?

Well, I asked because she's usually

here in church with her sister, but today, she doesn't seem--

Brother Cadfael, I will not tolerate this endless meddling

in my parish affairs.

If you persist, I shall have to take it up with Father Abbot.

Who is she, Brother?

Oh, her name is Mary.

And that's her father?

No, no.

Both her parents are dead, her father in Stephen's dungeons

and her mother in grief soon after.

No, that is Lord Giffard, her guardian.

Didn't he also fight for Maud?

Yes, he did.

But then, he swore an oath of allegiance to King Stephen.

To save his lands from confiscation.

You seem to have more education than I suspected,

William.

No, Brother.

Have you been long with Father Ailnoth?

No, I took up with him just a few days ago,

but it seems longer.

I'm sure.

But before that.

I worked for a noble lord, but he was killed in the war.

On which side?

Well, I don't know much about politics, Brother.

You don't know much about hard work,

either, from the look of your hands.

What sort of work did you do for this noble lord?

I worked in the stables.

Oh, did you, now?

MAN: Boy.

I must go now, Brother.

But before you go, William, last night in the church,

did you see the girl, Eleanor?

This message is for you.

The Empress Maud has sent a spy to rally support.

He is known here as William, the priest's servant.

The priest is King Stephen's man.

He has nerve, clearly.

He needs help and asked you to meet

him tonight at the old mill.

Burn it.

Burn it.

It's treason.

It is not treason to wish to fight

for the true queen of England.

Mary, do you not think I have suffered

enough for all of this?

I could lose everything.

Some of us already have.

I know. I know, Mary.

I know.

I promised your father.

But it's our duty to help him, isn't it?

Look, I'd do anything to get this foul pretender

off the throne, but we have to pick the right time.

This could be a trap.

What would my father have done?

Something brave and clever.

Sometimes, I can hardly remember him anymore.

CROWD (CHANTING): Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

To the abbey.

CROWD (CHANTING): Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Ailnoth.

Here he is.

Stand where you are!

Go back.

Stand back.

Go back to your homes.

[crowd yelling]

What is happening?

What is this?

Unhand him.

He is a priest.

[crowd yelling]

Who will give me an explanation?

We found her in the mill pond.

She was a whore.

She was with child out of wedlock.

With child?

She killed herself for shame because he

turned her out of the church when she went to confess.

She was a whore.

She was no whore.

A tramp.

A troll.

She dared not even name her impregnator.

To give absolution to such a jade would itself been a sin.

I sent her to you to confess.

You filled her head with wild distempers and false promises.

I did no such thing.

She repented.

The letter of divine law admits no compromise.

[crying]

Whether the doxy killed herself on not,

I would do again what I did, and God will be my judge, not you,

nor this dung-stained rabble.

Look what you've done to us.

You brought him here.

I promise we will look into this matter.

Now, go home at once.

Go home.

Catherine, is it true?

Was she pregnant?

Whose are these fingermarks?

Father Abbot, we must get this harlot out at the abbey ground.

This needs calm judgement, Brother Prior.

Father Abbot, suicide is a mortal sin.

She may not enter the abbey.

She may not be buried in holy ground.

Father Abbot, let her be taken to the mortuary.

That is quite out of the--

There are signs of violence on her.

We cannot be sure she killed herself.

Have her brought inside.

Catherine, I'm so sorry.

I didn't know.

I didn't know.

[solemn music]

She's been dead about two days.

So she died the night she went to see you?

Certainly not later.

And there is water in her lungs.

So she drowned.

No, she did not just drown.

Look at these marks.

Someone has held her arms tightly

so that she couldn't escape.

And thrown her into the water?

Or held her down under it.

Well, there are many other possible explanations

for these marks.

The point is they were not there

the night she came to see me.

Nevertheless.

And after that, we know that she went to see Father Ailnoth.

And after that, no one saw her alive.

You're surely not suggesting--

I am suggesting that these are the facts.

Now, we have to hear what Father Ailnoth has to say.

What plague have we brought upon the town?

If she took her own life, then she is damned and must be

buried in unconsecrated ground.

But if she was murdered, she may have Christian burial

and be at peace.

Brother Cadfael, her immortal soul is at stake.

You must find the truth.

[peaceful music]

You knew her well?

All her life.

She was no whore.

She was a child.

Very interesting and generous.

And when she needed me, I sent her away.

Is that why you don't want to believe she killed herself?

My lord.

You found him.

Miller found him this morning.

[water churning]

Stop it.

Stop the wheel.

MAN: Stand back.

[water rushing]

Someone get those children out of here.

Go on.

Father Ailnoth.

[water dripping]

I beg your pardon, my lady, but Brother Cadfael is out.

I know he is.

And you needn't play the oaf for me,

William, whatever your name is.

I saw your note to my guardian.

I take it you know Father Ailnoth

is clogging up the mill wheel.

Are you asking me if I killed him?

I don't think I care if you did.

I suppose that sounds callous.

No.

Cadfael told me what happened to your father.

Did my guardian come to meet you last night?

Then, you'll need this.

My name is Mary.

Thank you, Mary.

Yes, he also drowned.

Thank heaven that it was nothing more sinister.

Well, I didn't say that, Father Abbot.

There's a cut here to his chin and he

suffered a severe blow to his head

before he went into the water.

Not enough to kill him, perhaps, but certainly enough

to leave him helpless.

Murder.

I am most anxious that this affair is settled

before the bishop or King Stephen

learn how warm a welcome that protegees received in our town.

Until then, Brother, you will put

aside all other considerations.

[peaceful music]

I passed by the church to see if Ailnoth's

manservant had returned.

Yes, I want to speak to him, as well.

This is where Eleanor was found, and Father Ailnoth over there.

He could have been killed anywhere upstream

and floated down on the current.

Indeed, yes, so we'll have to search the riverbank upstream.

His staff and his cap are still missing.

They may tell us something.

But I think Eleanor was killed right here.

Why?

I found this.

I think it's hers.

It proves nothing, Cadfael, and I

don't think she was killed.

For heaven's sake, everybody liked her.

She had no enemies.

People aren't always killed by their enemies.

If we find what happened to Eleanor,

I think we'll find what happened to Ailnoth.

Well, if you want to waste your time

on an obvious suicide.

CATHERINE: Yes, it is hers.

I have one just like it.

Perhaps it was torn off as she struggled with someone.

Then wouldn't the string be broken?

But then why would she just cast it off herself?

Perhaps at the end, she treated the church

as it had treated her.

Those marks on her arms were made by a man.

Do you know who that could have been?

Did she say nothing when she came to you?

I'm afraid I really didn't get that much of a chance.

She took her own life, Brother, even if we

both wish to believe otherwise.

But surely she must have told you who fathered her child.

It was Ailnoth that drove her to her death.

Everyone knows that.

What does the father matter now?

Because if this man loved Eleanor,

he would have had good reason to kill Ailnoth.

And if he did not love her, then he

may have had cause to kill her.

How would I know?

She was a whore.

We all heard the priest say so.

BROTHER CADFAEL: But we know that she wasn't.

A drab and a troll.

We all heard him.

Catherine.

She was ashamed.

She would not say who it was.

Well, then why didn't you just tell me that straight away?

That day in the cemetery, what was the matter between you?

It was nothing.

We always fought.

Catherine, your sister's soul is at risk.

If she was murdered, then she's innocent.

She may be given Christian burial.

You know how important that is.

I can't understand why you won't help me.

Well, you know all about that, Brother.

It wasn't me she ran to when she needed help, it was you.

And you sent her straight to the devil.

And now, she's dead and can't even be buried.

[peaceful music]

Where have you been?

I said where have you been?

They say the king's priest was murdered last night.

Do they?

Did they say who did it?

Wow.

I shall have to tell them.

You went out last night late.

Who says I did?

There's only one way to make sure we

come safely out of this.

[crow cawing]

[horses galloping]

[screaming]

[horses galloping]

My name is Hugh Beringar.

Ah, the under-sheriff.

No one carries arms here without my permission.

I have a warrant from King Stephen

to hunt down his enemies in the Welsh borders.

And then bring them back for trial, I see.

We're still looking for their ringleader,

a nobleman, Edmund [inaudible].

He may be in this area.

My sergeant will take the details.

I applaud your diligence, under-sheriff.

Tell me, under-sheriff, where can I find Father Ailnoth?

In the mortuary chapel.

He died last night.

And how precisely did he die last night?

We're still trying to find out.

Perhaps you'll try a bit harder if we are here.

We'll deal with this ourselves.

My lord, Lord Giffard's in the castle.

He says it's urgent.

[peaceful music]

BROTHER CADFAEL: Edmund.

What happened to your arm?

I slipped on some stairs.

Perhaps you tripped over one of your lies.

It's all right.

You're safe enough for the moment.

Whatever the church might find it politic to say,

I prefer to remain neutral.

Well, you certainly fooled Ailnoth.

Did you kill him, as well?

I think I should go.

No, I don't think that you did,

but I'd like to hear you say it.

Quick.

Giffard and Beringar are coming for you.

[bang]

If you're looking for Edmund, he's gone.

Well, how long ago?

Not long.

Organize a search.

He's got to be in the forest somewhere.

Why didn't you tell us before?

Because I thought it was a trap

to test my loyalty to King Stephen,

to see if I would help a spy of Maud.

But when I heard that the priest had been killed,

obviously, it was him.

Why else would he run away?

Why should he kill Father Ailnoth?

Ailnoth was his protector here.

He didn't know he was sheltering a spy.

No, but he did.

I told him myself.

Look, the spy sent me a letter telling me who he was

and asking me to meet him at the old mill.

Well, I was appalled at how cruelly deceived Father Ailnoth

was, he being the king's man.

So I went to the church and I told Father Ailnoth what

had happened and he went charging down to the old mill

to confront him, the spy.

And we all know what came of that.

And what did you do, then?

I went home.

I'd done my duty.

Sergeant, take Lord Giffard back.

And get every spare man after Redmond.

Do you believe Giffard?

Cadfael.

Eleanor was found at the old mill.

Stories are beginning to converge.

Cynric, is that you?

Brother.

I often come out here just to find a little peace.

You find in here?

I came to see you today.

The church seems very sad somehow

without Father Adam's flowers.

Father Ailnoth didn't like them.

I was wondering if you were there when Eleanor

came to confess to Ailnoth.

Father Ailnoth didn't like me to stay after my work was done.

Sorry, Brother.

I can't help it.

Nor can anyone else, it seems.

I've spoken to all of the [inaudible]..

No one seems to know who might have made Eleanor pregnant.

No one can think who might possibly

have wanted to kill her.

And no one saw her after she left Ailnoth.

In fact, no one saw anything.

They all saw one thing, Brother.

They all saw the abbot's new priest dishonoring

the memory of Father Adam.

Cynric, you cannot blame Father Abbott.

He did nothing.

All that evil needs to flourish is for good men

to do nothing.

That's what the church says, isn't it, Brother?

Good night, Brother.

You'll be safer here than on the run.

The forest is full of soldiers.

Whose is it?

It's my guardian's.

Well, at least if I get caught here, he'll get the blame.

You mustn't be too hard on him.

He knew they'd suspect him of killing Ailnoth.

He had to blame you.

I mean, you could always run away.

He didn't know you were going to warn me.

He's been very good to me.

He was my father's best friend.

Well, your father was a great man.

You knew him?

My father did and liked him.

Of course.

They must have fought together.

Yes.

They fought and died for Empress Maud.

Do you have any family left?

None.

I'm sorry.

No.

I have to get back.

I forgot to thank you for saving my life.

You're only going to lose it somewhere else, I suppose.

Just where have you been all this time?

I got lost in the forest.

Do you know what, Mary?

I think you're lying to me.

You lied to me.

How could you betray Edmund like that?

He never hurt you.

He was fighting for the cause you're supposed to believe in.

You warned him, didn't you?

Why shouldn't I?

You went behind my back.

Look at you with your clothes all filthy.

[inaudible] rolling in the hay.

- Get off me. - You whore.

[slap]

[scream]

[peaceful music]

Brother, I'm sorry for what I said to you this morning.

It was wrong.

No, I'm afraid it was not wrong.

Then, it was cruel, and I regret it.

How did you know it was me here?

You always smell of herbs.

She looks very peaceful.

And beautiful?

Everyone always said she was beautiful.

I used to envy her.

It was a cruel gift.

She lived in her dreams.

But is that reason enough to ground yourself?

I can't believe that.

I can't just abandon her soul.

It's not for her soul you're doing this.

It's for your own.

Yes, perhaps You're right.

But I can't give up now.

Not till I find the man who fathered her child.

He did not kill her.

He would have given his life for her if she asked.

You know who he is, don't you, Catherine?

You must tell me.

I will take you to him.

Here.

I can smell it.

What?

We are in the clearing.

Yes.

What are we doing here?

A stench.

Can't you see?

See what?

I can't see anything.

It's dark.

It's here.

You must see it.

I see it.

He is the father of Eleanor's child.

[peaceful music]

Catherine tells me that her sister's lover has been dead

this past month, so he could not have killed

Father Ailnoth or Eleanor.

Can we be sure she's telling the truth?

Well, she's never before lied to me,

but I confess this affair is complex.

It's not complex at all for those not personally involved.

Father Ailnoth was murdered by his manservant.

The girl, Eleanor, took her own life.

No one witnessed her death.

No one can know what was in her mind

when she went into the water or who was with her.

Oh, come, come, Father Cadfael.

Well, there's still no explanation

for those marks on her arms.

This is nothing but wishful thinking

from a guilty conscience.

Brother [inaudible],, we can no longer delay a decision.

Let's her be buried quietly after Father

Ailnoth's funeral tomorrow.

Yes, but where, Father Abbot?

In unconsecrated ground, Brother, with the other

lost souls.

In the meantime, return to the task I set you.

Solve the priest's murder before Lord Cassall does.

C

BROTHER CADFAEL: Can you reach the cap?

Yes.

Thank you.

Well, it seems this is where Ailnoth went in.

His cap was caught on a nail down there

and his scarf is poking up through the water.

My dog could have found those.

What in God's name have you been doing?

Well, we couldn't see them.

The river was too high.

In the last day, the level has dropped,

leaving them in plain view.

It appears the water has washed them clean.

Now at least we have some indication of where he died.

We can afford to search the area more thoroughly

on both sides of the river.

[water rushing]

Cadfael, footprints.

Oh, yes.

Those of a man.

Heavy, perhaps, who stood here long

enough to sink into the mud.

Ah, but when?

If it was that night, it could be the murderer

waiting for Ailnoth.

Then, it must be Edmund.

Who is, of course, conveniently missing.

There is nothing convenient in this, Lord Cassall.

And he was not the only traitor in Shrewsbury.

You cannot hang everyone in the foregate

on the assumption that one of them might be guilty.

I was simply saying we should question certain suspects

with a little more vigor.

Ralf and Alfred are no longer suspects.

[horses galloping]

Good fields, Alfred.

Fertile.

My lord.

And where's your cousin?

Ralf?

He's gone to Huffington for the day.

Huffington.

By God, these peasants know how to live.

Well, never mind.

You'll do.

[horses galloping]

Mary, I must speak with Edmund.

As Ailnoth's manservant, he may be the only witness

as to what happened when Eleanor went to the church the night

she died.

I must find out what happened.

Now, if you know where he is, please help me.

I won't give him away.

And how should I know where he is?

Well, the last time I saw him, he was running off with you.

Well, he just ran away into the forest.

Yes, that's exactly what everyone

would expect him to do.

It would have been far safer for now

to be hiding somewhere around here.

I'm sorry.

I can't help you look for Edmund.

[peaceful music]

[groaning]

Come on.

[groaning]

Come on.

I like a nice fire.

LORD CASSALL: Tell me about Father Ailnoth.

I've done nothing, my lord.

I beg you, believe.

(GASP)

LORD CASSALL: No.

You killed Father Ailnoth so you could

get back on the church fields.

I didn't, my lord.

I swear.

Perhaps you didn't.

Perhaps it was Ralf.

No, my lord.

He was with me.

Yes.

What are friends for?

Put the pokers in.

Edmund, it's me, Mary.

You can't stay here anymore.

Cassall's men, they're all over the forest.

I'm scared they'll find you.

You're right.

I have to rejoin Maud's army.

But there's only one thing I've really been waiting for,

and that's you.

Me?

I want you to come with me, marry me as soon as we're

safe over the border in Wales.

Well, there it is.

And I'm not even asking you for dowry.

[laughter]

I want you to come with me because you want to.

Do you love me?

Yes, I do.

How do I know that?

If you don't come with me, you'll never know.

You'll spend the rest of your life

wondering what would have happened

if you'd had the courage to take this chance.

I don't know.

You're asking me to leave my home, my guardian,

everything I've ever known to follow someone to war.

I just can't.

I can't.

There's something I have to tell you.

I didn't make the connection before, but now, I have.

It's about your guardian.

Oh, my lord.

I beg you.

Tell me how Father Ailnoth died.

Please, Lord.

Please, my lord.

I didn't kill him.

It was Ralf.

He [inaudible] to the priest.

It was Ralf.

Thank you.

[screaming]

EDMUND: Cadfael.

Are you alone?

Yes.

EDMUND: You followed Mary, I suppose.

Yes.

You're a very unusual monk.

And you're a very unusual manservant.

What do you want from me?

What do you care about Ailnoth?

I care about the truth.

I'm here because I'm hoping you can tell me what happened

between Eleanor and Ailnoth.

Were you at the church that night?

Yes.

Well, then tell me what happened.

Please, Edmund.

Well, why not?

She wanted Ailnoth to hear her confession,

but he was in a bad mood about Cynric's flowers,

which he said had no place in his church,

and he ordered me to destroy them.

When the girl arrived, she interrupted his devotions.

She forced him to speak to her.

He could not avoid it.

She was pleading with him, begging for solution.

This is my fault. EDMUND: She was hysterical.

[latin]

You said you would absolve me.

BROTHER CADFAEL: Did they fight?

Did he grab her arm [inaudible]?

EDMUND: No, he never touched her.

BROTHER CADFAEL: Did you see anyone else

around the church that night?

No, only old Cynric sulking about his flowers.

And what happened when Ailnoth arrived at the old mill?

I suppose Giffard's been telling everyone I killed him.

Whereas, in fact, you are quite innocent.

Oh no, it was me.

Why should I deny it?

Tomorrow, I'll be in Wales.

How can you be so calm, Edmund?

It's a terrible sin.

You may escape Beringar and Cassall,

but you killed a priest.

No.

The man I killed, Brother, was a political zealot

who attacked me without warning and would have

handed me over for torture and death

without troubling his conscience.

No, it was an act of self defense, Brother,

and I shall answer for it before God.

When I went to meet Giffard at the old mill that night,

Ailnoth was there waiting for me.

He had found out my allegiance was with Empress Maud.

Who's there?

[inaudible]

EDMUND: He went for me with his staff like a demon.

[grunt]

Saxon filth.

[thud]

[groan]

[thud]

EDMUND: The struggle was so fierce,

I was sure the old bridge would collapse beneath us.

And then, it happened.

[splash]

I struck him and the rotten plank snapped under him.

He was skewered on the timbers.

God knows I didn't mean to kill him.

He was like a man possessed.

You seemed disappointed.

Well, I had hoped that the mystery of Ailnoth's death

would have led me to Eleanor's, but now, it

appears there is no link.

Anyway, your feet are too small.

For what?

Oh, for some footprints I found.

Why did you throw him into the water?

Who?

Ailnoth.

I didn't throw Ailnoth anywhere.

I left him stone dead on the bridge.

How did you know he was dead?

Well, he must have been.

Edmund, Ailnoth drowned.

Not when I was there.

In a moment, Ralf, my two horsemen

are going to tear you in two.

In the name of Father Ailnoth of Holy Cross,

by the powers vested in me, I sentence you to death.

Have you anything to say?

[spitting]

[inaudible]

It's as well for you he's still alive.

He murdered the priest.

His cousin admitted everything.

Take him to the dungeon.

We can hang him, as well, tomorrow.

[fire crackling]

I'm warning you, Ralf.

We want the truth.

After we took Eleanor's body to the abbey,

I kept thinking what he'd done to us, the priest.

God help me, I said to myself, this is enough.

And I went after him.

When I got to the church, I heard these voices,

and it's the Lord Giffard telling the priest

that his manservant's a spy.

FATHER AILNOTH: I just thought you ought to know.

I just want to do my duty.

RALF: The priest saying he's going out to the old mill.

He's going to confront the boy himself.

I shall meet him there.

By God, I shall.

Then, he came to me.

I knew I could get rid of Ailnoth out there in the dark,

in the middle of nowhere, and the spire would get the blame.

So I ran out to the old mill, hid in the trees,

and waited for Ailnoth to come by.

Then, I saw him.

BROTHER CADFAEL: Who, Ailnoth?

RALF: No.

Someone else was already out there by the old mill.

BROTHER CADFAEL: On the far bank?

That it.

Just standing.

Our footprints.

And what did he look like, this man?

It was too dark to see.

So I'm in the trees when--

when Ailnoth comes storming past.

Well, I let him pass.

I couldn't do nothing with somebody watching like that.

Next thing, the servant comes by.

I thought I'd have Ailnoth all to myself out there,

but by now, it's like market day.

So I go back to Alfred's and tell him to shut up.

I didn't want to get mixed up in their quarrel.

God knows I would have killed the priest, my lord.

I meant to.

But I didn't.

Why did Alfred say it was you?

He knew what I went out to do.

Next thing he hears, the priest is dead.

What would you think, my lord?

On my life, Brother, I'm telling you the truth.

I was wrong to grab him like that.

I admit that now.

It was precipitate, thoughtless even.

BROTHER CADFAEL: Thoughtless?

Yes.

The king would never forgive me for pulling

him apart like that.

He'd have him brought back to London for a fair trial

and a damn fancy hanging.

Not bad for a peasant from Shrewsbury.

You'll not take him anywhere.

It was obviously Edmund.

Who's of course not here to be punished.

Is that Ralf's fault?

That doesn't matter.

This is a crime against King Stephen, and it must be avenged

and it must be seen to be avenged.

That's the point, isn't it, Lord Cassall.

Well, at least we begin to understand what happened here,

if not, why.

Edmund left Ailnoth for dead, but he did not kill him.

How do we understand that?

Well, if by some chance I'd spoken to a traitor like Edmund

last night, you wouldn't wish to know anything about that,

would you? - No.

No.

So Edmund and Ailnoth fight here on the bridge

while Ralf slips off home through the trees.

Edmund knocks Ailnoth senseless, then

he, too, runs away, leaving Ailnoth here alone

and helpless with a man standing over there.

A man who drowned him.

Why would he drown Eleanor?

Well, I have to assume that he hated

him enough to commit murder.

We know who hated him enough for that.

Ralf, Alfred, Giffard, and Edmund.

You've exonerated all of them.

Who does that leave?

It leaves the man who loved Eleanor.

The man who lost her.

The man who lost has been dead a month, Cadfael.

His skull is in the forest.

You're refusing to see the truth.

Elinor drowned herself because Ailnoth

refused to give her absolution.

Forget her.

Yes.

What you are saying is true.

The poor girl did take her own life.

I have been blinded by my need to believe that she didn't.

I've been deceiving myself.

And I've also allowed myself to be deceived.

When Eleanor died here in this place,

she left behind a man who lost not only his lover,

but his unborn child.

Grief brought him here and fate brought Ailnoth to him.

So this is where he took his revenge.

Cadfael, the man's dead.

Oh, yes.

As Lord Cassall, would say, how convenient.

There's yet another who suffers by Eleanor's loss.

Someone who has misled me.

You've been lying to me, Catherine.

And now, Ralf will hang.

I cannot help Ralf.

Yes, you can, but you won't.

You know more about Eleanor's his death than you're telling,

and her death is the key to Father Ailnoth's.

She killed herself, I tell you.

Yes, I think perhaps she did.

Perhaps I've been looking for a murder where there was none.

But that still leaves questions unanswered.

Let me out of here.

Who made those finger marks on her arms?

I don't know.

Who is the father of her child?

He is dead.

I showed you.

No, you showed me an old skull, nothing more.

And because I trusted you, I failed to ask

myself the obvious questions.

When Eleanor became pregnant, why were you so angry?

I wasn't.

That's a lie.

You were angry because you were in love with the father.

No.

That's another lie.

You're still in love with him, aren't you?

- No. - Yet another lie.

Why else would you protect him?

I'm not protecting him.

And another lie.

It was him out by the old mill, wasn't it?

No.

And he drowned Ailnoth like a puppy.

Stop it.

Whose life is worth more than Ralf's?

Leave me alone.

She took him away from you, didn't she?

- No. - Oh, yes, she did.

Your beautiful sister, she stole him

away and left you with nothing, and he abandoned you.

Is he worth Ralf's life?

He never wanted me.

She was so beautiful.

Everyone loved her.

Who would look at me?

She used to laugh and tell me he was ugly,

but I loved the sound of his voice and his kindness.

And he killed Father Ailnoth.

I know it now.

You would never lie for a man who murdered your sister,

but you would lie for a man who killed Father Ailnoth.

If hell is as bad as Ailnoth said, then I hope he is in it.

[peaceful music]

What are you doing?

Where are you going?

My father's cape.

If the only thing of his I have left.

Still, at least he didn't die for nothing.

At least he saved you money.

What?

You begged for your life in front of Stephen's council

of war and sold my father in return for your title

and lands, didn't you?

And I never even wondered why they let you out of prison.

No.

All I had to do was swear an oath of allegiance.

I told you.

I told you.

Who told you other?

Don't lie to her.

My father knew you.

Admired you, even.

He told me all about you and about your betrayal.

I just didn't recognize you at first.

You seem so much older.

We'll be in Wales tomorrow.

Father Ailnoth knew better than anyone

the letter of divine law.

But behind the letter of the law lies something just as great--

the spirit of the law.

When these two move in conflict, only one thing can resolve it--

human compassion.

I just found one of your flowers.

You couldn't have declared your love

for Eleanor more care if you had shouted it from the castle.

Brother, there are clear footprints

down by the old mill.

No doubt they will fit you exactly.

Tell me, Cynric.

It will help.

I didn't kill her, Brother.

I would have drowned myself 1,000 times in her place,

the fool that I was.

But the fingermarks.

When Eleanor threw her out, she was hysterical.

I tried to calm her.

I held onto her.

I held her so hard.

She wouldn't listen.

She ran off and found her own way.

She didn't love me, Brother.

She took pity once.

That was all.

And then-- then she came with child.

I thought she would marry me.

I was so happy.

It was like a gift from God.

But no.

She couldn't marry me.

She would never have made a virtuous wife.

Don't be too hard on yourself, Brother.

Save your blame for the priest who sent her to her death.

But you will have to answer for his death, Cynric.

You drowned him.

No, Brother.

It wasn't me.

The hand that drowned Father Ailnoth is far beyond our laws.

It was a judgment.

But they'll hang me for it all the same.

But it was you down by the old mill.

Yes.

And as I watched, Ailnoth attacked him

with such violence.

Ailnoth was unrelenting in his attack.

But the Lord did not favor the priest.

BROTHER CADFAEL: But what happened then?

Go on, Cynric.

In the struggle, the priest had fallen

through the rotten planks.

[grunting]

[clattering]

The manservant fled.

The priest was left wedged between the rotten timbers

on the bridge.

[peaceful music]

Cynric.

Help me.

He made no sound.

I knew he must be dead.

The blow from his own staff had silenced him.

Cynric.

Help me.

Cynric.

[splash]

I went to the bridge, but before I could reach him,

he slipped through into the stream.

Cynric.

[splashing]

Help me.

[splashing]

Help me.

[splashing]

Help me.

Help.

There was nothing I could do.

He was swept away on the river and lost.

Then, it is Edmund who must answer for murder.

Why have we not heard this before?

This fool should have come forward.

Be grateful that he has.

Cynric has been a loyal and God fearing servant of the church

these 20 years past.

If you'd been less savage in your pursuit, Lord Cassall,

he would have spoken sooner.

I must take some share of the blame.

I, too, was convinced that there was another hand

in Ailnoth's death.

We should detain you no longer, Lord Cassall.

Be assured of our continuing loyalty to King Stephen.

MAN: Sergeant, Cynric is free to go.

Two tragic deaths, but no murder, at least.

BROTHER CADFAEL: Yes, Father, but that's of little comfort

to those who must bury Eleanor without Christian blessing.

I see your pain, Brother Cadfael,

but could you have prevented the child's conception

or the tragedy that followed?

Could you have made Ailnoth less of an implacable spirit?

BROTHER CADFAEL: No.

Nor could you have given the girl the absolution she craved.

Better to ask yourself now, is there anything that

can be done to heal the wounds?

I'm glad you came.

To Father Adam.

I wanted to thank you, Brother, for keeping quiet.

What you did--

Truth and justice are not always wholly compatible.

And Shrewsbury's seen enough death just recently.

I pray that God understands.

God understands everything, and I think He would agree

you've been punished enough.

But there is something you can do in return.

You have been a fool, pining for a ghost

when Catherine needs you and loves

you more than you deserve.

Me and Catherine?

She would never have me.

Why not?

Because I don't deserve her or anyone.

You are a fool, Cynric.

I asked her to come.

I knew you would want to thank her, too.

[peaceful music]