Two nights ago, Brother Gilbert had arrived at the town of Nottess with the companionship of two abbey servants. As the Lord of the Castle’s cousin, he was taken to see Lord Eustace to request and be given hospitality. Lord Eustace scrutinised his cousin as he stood before him. He could swear that Gilbert’s face was more feminine, compared to the last time he saw him. The monk’s face was certainly rounder. And so was his chest and torso.
“Are you a eunuch now?” Lord Eustace asked.
Brother Gilbert was thankful it was a private audience. He handed his cousin his abbot’s letter. Lord Eustace read it slowly before looking up. Gilbert couldn’t bear to make eye contact.
“I see.” Lord Eustace said. “I, er, I didn’t think demons still did that.”
“They do.” Gilbert muttered.
“Well, you are welcome to stay here while you recover,” Lord Eustace paused. “Have you any knives on you?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Lord Eustace nodded. “Aye. Well, er, we shall…er…I appreciate you trusted me well enough to come here. You are welcome to stay in my chambers as I don’t think it would be appropriate for you to stay with the ladies or the gentlemen.”
Gilbert nodded.
“Is there anything you need?” Lord Eustace asked. “It says here, you, er, yes.”
Gilbert blushed.
“Ah,” Lord Eustace nodded. “I will have my wife’s maids assist you with that.”
“Thank you.”
“Come now. Let’s put you to bed.”
Brother Gilbert followed his cousin into his chambers. It was a large room with embroidered tapestries on the walls. The elaborate tapestries portrayed scenes from classical mythology, including a quite scandalous depiction of Venus. Brother Gilbert tried not to eye it for too long, lest Lord Eustace notice. The floor was wooden and darkened with dirt and soot. There was a large blackened fireplace that seemed to have not been cleaned in sometime. Across from the fireplace on the opposite wall was a large four poster bed. The posts were elaborately carved with depictions of the Green Man and ivy. In the corner was a small table with a basin and jug. The room seemed cosy enough. Lord Eustace gestured to his bed. “You are welcome to sleep there until we get you something else.”
“…I am bleeding.” Gilbert murmured.
Lord Eustace sucked in his cheeks. Everyone knew that menstrual blood was highly toxic. It could make a man sick and kill crops. However, after having a wife for three years, Lord Eustace wasn’t exactly sure how true that fact of life was. Especially after he had accidentally touched his wife’s blood the morning after she had bled over their sheets in their sleep. He hadn’t gotten ill, but perhaps his exposure to the substance hadn’t been long enough. Lord Eustace did not want to share a bed with Gilbert if he was bleeding, but he also knew his cousin was fragile at the moment, bordering on lunacy. He’d handle the matter delicately.
“Well, you can still sleep here for now.”
“Thank you.”
“Er, why don’t you get ready for bed? You must have had a long journey.”
“I shall.” Gilbert stared at Lord Eustace as he stood there. “...May I have privacy while I undress?”
Lord Eustace sighed. “I wish I could grant you it. You know why I can’t. For your soul’s sake.”
Gilbert shifted uncomfortably. “Can you at least turn around?”
“No.”
Gilbert sighed. Blushing and humiliated, he took off his travel muddy habit and his drawers. They were bloody. Lord Eustace went to his wife’s chest and opened it.
“Take what you need until I arrange for your own.”
Gilbert nodded and murmured a thanks. Lord Eustace poured water from the jug into the basin and leaned against the wall. Gilbert washed his body and took some supplies from the chest. He put together some moss and cloth and slipped it between his now clean legs. He put on a new pair of drawers from his satchel and his night clothes. He stared at his cousin. Lord Eustace stared back.
“I’m grateful you are still alive. God has blessed you.”
Gilbert’s shoulders slumped. He stared at the ground. “He has not blessed me.”
Lord Eustace approached Gilbert. He extended his hand and the monk took it. “He willed you to live. That is a blessing to me.”
Gilbert placed his head on Lord Eustace’s shoulder. He wept uncontrollably. The older man patted Gilbert’s back and his tonsure.
“Come now,” Lord Eustace whispered, “You’re exhausted. Some sleep will do you some good.”
Gilbert nodded and allowed his cousin to guide him into bed. It was much softer than any monastery cot. Lord Eustace sat beside him.
“I cannot watch you all the time while you are my guest,” he said. “Tonight, you will be supervised by a servant. Tomorrow you will rest. The day after that, a knight of mine will be your companion. He’ll make sure you are well taken care of.”
“Are you going to tell him?”
“I shall tell him what he needs to know. Everything else will be between you and God.”
“Thank you,” Gilbert mumbled. “God bless you.”
“And you.” Lord Eustace squeezed his cousin’s hand. “You will be well again soon. I promise.”
“Do not swear oaths you cannot keep.”
“I intend to keep this one. For your sake.”
The monk nodded, though doubtful of his cousin’s determined words.