‘Aldonso says they adhere to a vow of silence, yet in the same breath tells me when and where they do not follow it. How do I reconcile my conscience when faced with such ambiguity? Then, he gave me a list of things that I must do — two services each day; when to have breakfast and dinner; scripture study on this day, military training on that. I will be ordered when to work in the field and when to go to market. Well, I am not minded to sell my soul to appease Aldonso! But I will have no choice. I must follow their rules until I am in a position where it is I who decides them.’
Wednesday was a complete contrast to the two preceding days: military training. A layman wearing a commoner’s tunic and rough woollen shawl, to protect against the late autumn chill, was waiting outside the refect
