The sound of her bare feet upon the wet stones was soft and light, but the pace was faster than her normal stride would be. I knew that, as always, she tried to walk with dignity and moreover she would be careful not to slip. What an embarrassment it'd be for such an ambitious young woman to stumble and fall in the presence of her lady.

She halted at the rim of the pool, politely waiting for me to notice and address her. The girl played her role well, but I closed my eyes and pretended I had not heard her. This maiden deserved a little embarrassment. Did she truly think that a noble woman would not be aware of the games played amongst servants? They were as good at plotting and backstabbing as knights and barons...

" My lady," she eventually muttered.

I blinked and looked at the ceiling. Nowadays they called these round curves old-fashioned. Modern buildings had to be light and pointy, wildly decorated with statues and flowers. Yet my castle had no lancets or flamboyant arcs, nor were there carved saints at every corner. They could call me conservative, but I preferred to call it decent.

" My lady," she said once again, a bit louder this time.

I turned towards her.

" Yes?"

" There is a friar from Saintswood Abbey here who desires to speak to you."

" A friar? Show him in."

" But my lady..."

" Send him in."

" Yes, my lady."

I could sense the judgement behind her mask of dignity and loyalty. She disapproved and was furious about her position. Had the roles been reversed she would have trampled on me, just as she did with the other girls.

I heard her talk to the friar and soon I heard how he entered. So he had not even bothered to take off his sandals...

As he approached me, he seemed very interested in the ceiling too.

" Careful friar. The ground is slippery and you don't want to get wet."

" This is a most inappropriate place to receive a man of God, lady Lieve."

" I didn't ask for your visit, fair friar, but I could not let a servant of the church wait, could I?"

" Would you please put some clothes on?"

" Surely a man of the church is not disturbed by a look at the Lord's own creation?"

" Don't try to tempt me... You know as well as I that if Eve had not seduced Adam, we might still be in paradise."

" I'm not seducing you, and surely you will have no sinful desires or lust."

" A woman should cover her body in the presence of a man."

" If it makes you feel uncomfortable, why don't you just say so? I can understand that a man may have feelings he cannot suppress, though I expected better from a friar."

" I did not come to play games, dear lady. It's rather that I have a message from the abbot concerning your husband's lands."

" Of which I am in charge now."

" Since he is on a holy quest it is desirable that the church should take care of his property."

" It is more appropriate that it's looked after by his wife."

" It's too great a responsibility to leave it to an inexperienced woman."

" That was the message then?"

" The abbot wishes to have an audience this afternoon. I'd suggest that you receive him in another room though."

" He has been a monk much longer than you are, young man. If even he could not control his lust at the sight of a woman, then what good is your monastery? You should be considering less earthly things."

" Be careful, lady..."

" I have done nothing wrong friar. Tell your abbot that I shall receive him this afternoon between the afternoon prayer and Vespers."

" Very well. Good day, my lady."

" And a good day to you as well, fair friar."

I leant back and looked at the arches above me. The world was changing too fast and seemed to turn ever stranger. The commandments clearly stated that 'thou shalt not murder', yet the holy church had called on the men to take up the sword.

Delivery of sins by committing them. Detachment from the earthly by taking the wealth and lands of others. Being without lust, yet fearing the sight of a naked woman... Perhaps the maid was better prepared for this world than I was.