Chapters (76)
- Cover
- Praise forMATTHEW HARFFY
- BY MATTHEW HARFFY
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Maps
- Epigraph
- Contents
- Place Names
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Sixty-Two
- Author’s Note
- Acknowledgements
- About the Author
- An Invitation from the Publisher
“Yes, but knowledge and words have power. The more I prayed and pondered over the winter, the more I grew to believe that such a book is dangerous.” He held up his hand to stop me from speaking, anticipating my protestations. “No, I still do not believe it should be destroyed. To burn a book, any book, is something I cannot countenance. But some learning is best kept away from those who are weak of mind. Or weak of faith.
“When Eadmaer arrived, saying he had heard of the ship being built here and how he meant to travel to Uuiremutha, I felt God calling me to accompany him.”
“And Abbot Beonna allowed you to travel with him?”
“He did. Truth be told, I think he wished to be rid of me.”
“Surely not. Beonna values you immensely.”
“Perhaps, but I fear that ever since the fighting…” He scrubbed a hand over his bald pate. “I have not been myself.”
His words worried me. I had always looked to Leofstan for direction. He was more knowledgeable than any other man I have ever met, with perhaps the exception of Alhwin, who I met in the court of Emperor Carolus, and Abu Jafar Yusuf ibn Sa’īd al-Zarqālluh, with whom I once spent several enlightening days in Al-Andalus. But neither of those men, learned as they undoubtedly were, could rival Leofstan for wisdom and a solid sense of wellbeing and faith in the Lord that came upon me in his presence. That is why his next words shook me so profoundly.
“I have questioned my faith these last months,” he said, his voice not much more than a whisper. “When I broke the vow I had made to forswear violence, it was as if my very soul had come untethered. I fear it was adrift for some time, and as sick as my body was today.”
“And now?” I asked.
“I have managed to claw my way back to shore, I think.” He stared out at the gathering gloom for a long time, perhaps remembering the struggles he had faced. “I will never kill again,” he said into the hushed evening air. “Even if that means others will die. I have made this sacred promise before God, and I will not – I cannot – break my word to Him again.”
I nodded. But I knew not what to say, so remained silent. Leofstan seemed eager to unburden himself now, and he carried on speaking with earnest conviction.