Bened

After a great deal of tugging on the dogs 'collars and exasperated commands which the beasts largely ignored, Father Bened got the mastiffs lying down in what was evidently their proper place; curled up in the chimney corner on one side of the hearth.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

Father Bened ducked his head a little, and looked guilty.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

Father Bened listened sympathetically, and shook his head at the end.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

She nodded and smiled at Father Bened, who smiled back, and began.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

"Father Bened can only say that his Brother in the Church could be a little more charitable," he replied carefully.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

"I decided the same, but to work from below, not above," Father Bened replied.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

Father Bened slammed the door shut on the storm outside and took Rune's pack away from her, stowing it in a little closet next to the door, beside Talaysen's.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

"If she had a crisis of conscience, yes," Father Bened replied sadly.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

Father Bened beamed at her, at Talaysen, and even at the dogs, who thumped their tails on the floor, looked hopefully for a morsel of cheese, and panted.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992

Father Bened shrugged, and laid out the third slice of cheese, then wasted no time in digging into his portion.

The Lark And The Wren Lackey, Mercedes 1992