33
It turned out to be easy to get away from his duties. Seamas came back to the sheep accompanied by his young novice, who had recovered enough for work, leaving Thomas free to do as he pleased. Being a guest at the monastery, with no obligations, was handy sometimes. He had to wait for the tide to go out, but by late afternoon he was riding Missy up to Bebbanburg village.
The guard at the gate squinted up through the rain at him. “The monks have sent you, have they?”
“Sent me?”
“Aye, to get supplies from the merchants.” He waved at the village beyond the gate. “We sent word to Lindisfarne last night.” He peered at Thomas. “But you’ve got nothing to trade?”
“No, not this time,” he said, suppressing a twinge of guilt. He had not told anyone other than Seamas about his trip, wishing to
