Page 36 of The Trials of Neilina MacKai
Seona had never seen an expression of such abject fear.
The abbess backhanded the novice.The stem and arms of the cross tore the skin of the girl’s face.The force of the blow knocked her to her knees.
“Please, Mother Superior, no more,” the novice begged.
“Very well.However, you will go hungry this day.Now walk to your cell.Once there and on your knees, repeat the Ave Maria one hundred times.Then remain kneeling until I come to help you into bed.”
Seona saw tears brim in the girl’s eyes, but the novice made no sound as she followed the abbess’s orders.
When the courtyard was empty once more, the abbess strode off, pulling Seona along with her.
The pain of the woman’s punishing grip compelled Seona to move her feet.What other options did she have?Seona knew that the bedchambers in abbeys were called cells, but knowing that did not prevent her from imagining chains and manacles as part of her room’s furnishings.As distraction, she carefully noted all she could see.
The courtyard where they walked was surrounded on all four sides by walls five floors in height.From the tiny windows on the upper levels she assumed the walls formed one side of a series of rooms.How many nuns lived here?
The chapel was small compared with the other structures.The roof rose only to the height of the first level of windows.A bell tower topped the building.Its spire ended near to the third level.The bells had long since fallen silent.
“Open the door for your Mother Superior, supplicant,” the abbess ordered.
The large portals of oak were heavy, and the hinges squealed.Obviously care of the convent buildings was not a priority with the abbess.
Inside the chapel was dim and cool.Although candles cast some light, the stone floor offered no warmth.Indeed, a chilly dampness seeped through the soles of Seona’s boots.The single room was completely bare of any benches or other furniture.At the far end a man-sized crucifix hung on the wall.Before it stood the communion table.
The altar was dressed with a gleaming white samite cloth embroidered in gold thread.Holding the cloth in place were two aureate candle holders as tall as a man’s arm was long and as thick as a large man’s clenched fist.Each held a large wax column topped with flame.The color and scent of the pure white candles revealed them to be made of highest quality beeswax.
A carved wooden rail separated the altar from the rest of the room.A small opening divided the rail into two sections.Clearly that was where a priest would stand when giving the Eucharist.
The abbess approached that space.When they arrived, she stepped aside, releasing her grip on Seona’s arm and leaving her outside the railing.
“Lie with your face to the floor here.”She pointed at the area in front of the break in the rail.
Seona did as ordered.She would have preferred a different penance, but the idea was to gain Mother Eadburgh’s trust.Though she strongly suspected that would no longer be possible, thanks to Lady Staunton.Nonetheless, she must act out this play, if she was to learn for certain that she had been betrayed.
“Now spread your arms out.”
Seona complied again.The cold from the stones already had her shivering.
“This is the position our lord Christ had when he was hung on the cross.Contemplate that and the fact that he died to save sinners like yourself, Lady MacFearann.”The woman practically sneered the words.Gone was the polite measured speech of the Mother Superior’s greeting.
“You are worse than disobedient,” she continued.“You are a deceiver and should be whipped.However, I doubt your heathen husband would pay well for your return were you punished as you deserve, thus whipping will not happen.At least not today.In fact, if you are obedient and keep the silence I will order for you, you might avoid any other penance.”
Seona nearly bit her tongue in half restraining herself from replying.
“Did you really imagine you could deceive me with your lies and falsehoods?”the abbess questioned.
Seona kept silent.
“Pride is another sin, so you no doubt thought you could make a fool of an elderly abbess and her nuns.Were you more humble, you might have realized that I leave nothing to chance.Lady Staunton, who is my cousin by marriage, has proven a very useful source of information about all that goes on in Castle MacFearann.’Twas her idea that we should allow you to place yourself in our hands.I’ve had few prisoners who came to me as willingly as you.I hold more than one hundred men, women and children who are a threat to England and its king.”
Mother Eadburgh—Seona refused to think of her as superior—laughed and moved a few steps away before she returned.She must have bent low for her next words came whispered in Seona’s ear.
“You will lie here until someone comes for you.Do not imagine you can escape.There are always two men at arms guarding the chapel from inside and four more outside.
Why did I not see them when I entered the chapel?Because I had my gaze downcast like a good penitent.The men must stand guard in the shadows.I’ll take this as a lesson to remember to be more observant regardless of the circumstances.
“My men would love for you to attempt escape,” the abbess continued.“I promised them that if you disobeyed me, they could have you first before I locked you into the cell where you will end your days.”
Don’t be so certain you witch.I am a more formidable opponent than you might imagine from the role I’ve been playing.
