Return to Caer Lon by Claude Dancourt Page B

the church .
    “But you implied we eloped. And you asked for the church! Now she is convinced we need a priest to… To… To marry us!”
    Finding the church would automatically lead them to the monastery, as he was about to explain to the enraged lady before she started fustigating him. Then Sacha was so far gone he didn’t bother. Derek continued to walk, his progression slowed down by the various spreads of market.
    “We will not stay long enough for her to offer you a wedding crown, if that is your concern.”
    He avoided one cart offering flowers , before he half-turned to make sure she followed him despite the garish crowd. It was nearly noon, and the market was i n full swing. Markets always made him nervous, teeming with noises and bustling tenants. The crowd was the perfect hideout for ruffians and cutpurses.
    “One conversation with the librarian should suffice to convince you Caer Lon does not exist anymore and tomorrow, we will ride north.”
    He chose to consider her glower was due to the reek coming from the next shop , t he acrid smell of stale f ruits assaulting his nose. Sacha fumed more than ever.
    “You have planned this ridiculous exit all along.”
    Derek glanced at her quickly while they reached the packed place. Sacha was looking around with a beguiled expression in her eyes . Her irritation was slowly easing . He grabbed her hand to take her away from a baker. They were not here to stroll.
    “Every woman falls for a romantic story, especially one in which the young lovers need to fight to be together.”
    “We are not lovers. In love. Whatever. ”
    She pouted, pulling her hand free from his. The haughty L ady of Haven thoroughly refused to be associated with him in any romantic way. His smile deepened as Derek thought about teasing her about it. Then he decided to hold his tongue. It was probably not a good idea to seed the notion in her lovely head. In addition, her repulsion at the idea was strangely disturbing. He was a prince after all, a fair knight and reasonably good looking. She should be… at least flattered.
    Derek tried to focus on the matter at hand. While she got steamed up about their pseudo-pairing, she did not tak e notice of his den ial over the mythic city of Caer Lon . He forced a short laugh out. He should be relieved that she was not interested. Whatever his mother and his friends insinuated, he was absolutely not ready to have marital knots tied around their wrists. She crawled under his skin too easily.
    Derek jarred when Sacha touched his elbow slightly, forcing his attention toward the high shadow on their left. A four-storey building was visible behind the bell tower. He had been right about the monastery flanking the church. They would not need to go inside to ask the sacristan for directions. He regretted it, at least a little. Just to see Sacha jittering... Given her current state of mind, it was better to avoid the place entirely.
     
    The monastery was not secluded and the monks allowed them inside . The presence of a woman into their walls made two of the older friars frown while three of the youngest skitter ed like rabbits . However, t he friar librarian who joined them in the chapter room was pretty happy to have young people querying his expertise. He guided them toward the scriptorium, chatting openly about his devoted life.
    “We acquire books as often as we can; we are lucky enough to produce honey and cheese so our resources are comfortable. Of course donations are always welcome…”
    The allusion was crystal clear. Derek extracted a little purse from his jacket to present it to the plump little man trotting by their side.
    “I trust this will secure future purchases.”
    “This is very generous, m y l ord; very generous indeed…”
    The purse disappeared quickly into the large sleeves as t he monk bowed, never slowing down. Sacha used his pause in front of a large double panel ed door to explain bashfully.
    “Friar Johan, we are passionate about