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Prologue

Barnslay Monastery, England, 1200

Holy Bishop Hallwick, will you explain to us the hierarchy in heaven and on earth? Who is the most esteemed in God's eyes?" the student asked

"Don't the apostles stand first in God's good graces?" the second student inquired

"Nay," replied the wise bishop "The archangel Gabriel, protector of women and children, our champion of the innocents, stands first above all others"

"Who next then?" the first student asked

"All the other angels, of course," the bishop answered "Next stand the apostles, with Peter first a the twelve, and then follow the prophets and ood teachers of God's word on earth Last in heaven stand all the other saints"

"But who is the most important here on earth, Bishop Hallwick? Who is most blessed in God's eyes here?"

"Man," cahest andmen is our holy pope"

The two students nodded acceptance of that dictate Tho men, leaned forward on his perch atop the stone wall outside the sanctuary His brorinkled with concentration "Next in God's love stand the cardinals and then the other ordained men of God," he interjected

"That is so," the bishop agreed, pleased with his student's guess

"But who stands next in importance?" the second student asked

"Why the rulers of kingdoms here on earth," the bishop explained He sat down in the center of the wooden bench, spread his ornately decorated black robes, and then added, "Those leaders who fatten the church's treasury are old for their own pleasure"

Threemen walked over to listen to their holy leader's lecture They settled themselves in a half circle at the bishop's feet

"Do married and then unmarried men stand next?" Thomas asked

"Aye," the bishop replied "And they are of the same position as the merchants and the sheriffs but just above the serfs chained to the land"

"Who next, Bishop?" the second student asked

"The ani," the bishop answered, "and ending with the dull-witted oxen There, I believe I have given you the full hierarchy to repeat to your students once you have taken your vows and are ordained men of God"

Thootten women, Bishop Hallwick Where do they stand in God's love?"

The bishop rubbed his brohile he considered the question "I have not forgotten women," he finally said "They are last in God's love"

"Below dull-witted oxen?" the second student asked

"Aye, below oxen"

The three young reement

"Bishop?" Thomas asked

"What is it, my son?"

"Have you given us God's hierarchy or the church's?"

The bishop was appalled by the question It smelled blasphemous to him "They are the same, are they not?"

A great number of men who lived in the early centuries did believe that God's vieere always accurately interpreted by the church

Some women knew better This is a story about one of them

Chapter 1

England, 1206

The neas going to destroy her

Kele since Baron Raulf Willia's personal business, was given the responsibility of telling his od-awful news The servant didn't put off the dreaded task, for he guessed Lady Johanna would wish to question the two ers before they returned to London, if his mistress could speak to anyone after she'd heard about her beloved husband

Aye, he needed to tell the gentle lady as soon as possible Kelh he believed he was anxious to get it done, his feet still dragged as though mired in knee-deep mud as he made his way to the newly built chapel where Lady Johanna was in afternoon prayers

Father Peter MacKechnie, a visiting cleric fro his way up the steep incline from the lower bailey when Kelh of relief before shouting a summons to the dour-faced priest

"I've need of your services, MacKechnie," Kel wind

The priest nodded, then scowled He still hadn't forgiven the steward for his insulting behavior of two days past

"Are you wanting me to hear your confession?" the priest shouted back, a hint of ue

"Nay, Father"

MacKechnie shook his head "You've got yourself a black soul, Kelmet"

The steward made no response to the barb but patiently waited until the dark-haired Scot had gained his side He could see the a with him

"There is another an "I've just received word…"

The priest wouldn't let him finish his explanation "Today's Good Friday," he interrupted "Nothing could beco unless you confess your sins today and beg God's forgiveness You in with the distasteful sin of rudeness, Kelmet Aye, that would be a proper start"

Kely, Father, but I see that you still haven't forgiven me"

"'Tis the truth I haven't"

The steward frowned "As I explained yesterday and the day before, I would not allow you entrance into the keep because I was given specific orders by Baron Raulf not to let anyone inside while he ay I was told even to deny Lady Johanna's brother, Nicholas, entry should he co Father, try to understand I'm the third steward here in less than one year's tier than all the others"

MacKechnie snorted He wasn't quite through baiting the steward "If Lady Johanna hadn't intervened, I'd still be camped outside the walls, wouldn'

t I now?"

Kelave up your vigil and returned home"

"I won't be going anywhere until I've spoken to Baron Raulf and set hi on Maclaurin land Plainyour baron doesn't have any idea what an evil, power-hungry man Marshall has turned out to be I've heard it said Baron Raulf's an honor able ht this atrocity with all possible haste Why, even now so to the bastard MacBain for assistance Once they've given hioing to break free MacBain will go to war against Marshall and every other Englishhland warrior is no stranger to fury or vengeance, and I'd wager my soul even Baron Raulf's hide will be in jeopardy once MacBain sees for himself the rape of the Maclaurin land by the infidels your baron placed in charge"

Kelht of the Scots, was still caught up in the story There was also the fact that the priest was inadvertently aiding hi off his dreaded task A few ht to himself

"Are you suggesting this MacBain warrior would coland?"

"I' fact Your baron won't have the slightest inkling he's here either until he feels MacBain's blade at his throat It will be too late then, of course"

The steward shook his head "Baron Raulf's soldiers would kill hie"