The Fate of the Arrow

by Shel Pais

  “That may be so, but the king may require all outstanding debts to be paid to the treasury.”

  “That’s a risk I’ll have to take. I can’t worry about that now.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing. If you’re wrong, you may be in big trouble.”

  Hubert then saw Brother Dominic had returned. “Brother Dominic, what did Baruch say?”

  “He will be here tomorrow morning, as you requested.”

  “Very good. Thank you.”

  Alwyn’s jaw dropped. “Hubert, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you thank anyone for doing anything.”

  “I’m in a good mood. Let’s see if tomorrow I still am.” Alwyn watched Hubert walk away. There will be trouble, he thought.

  The next morning, Baruch arrived as requested. Brother Dominic escorted him to the same small room where he had met Hubert before. This time, however, Hubert was waiting for him. The abbot stood and greeted him. Alwyn was also present but did not stand up.

  “Baruch, nice to see you again. Thank you for coming. You remember Father Alwyn.”

  “Good morning, Abbot. Father. I’m here as requested. I understand you now want to discuss a loan.”

  “That is correct. May we get you some wine?”

  “No, thank you. I never have wine when discussing business. One never knows what may be in it, or what it could do to one’s judgment,” he said, smiling.

  “Very wise.”

  “Well, how much do you want, and what do you want it for?”

  “You certainly get right to the point. You are aware Bishop Basil has ordered me to make substantial improvements here at Hedgestone?”

  “I know. We discussed it briefly last time.”

  “Yes, we did. I’ve prepared a list of the improvements, and the bishop approved them.” He handed Baruch the parchment. Baruch quickly examined the list and handed it back.

  “I don’t see any costs included.”

  “No, those have been calculated separately.”

  “I see. How much do you need?”

  Hubert slowly paced and looked right at Baruch. “We would need fifteen hundred pounds.”

  Baruch laughed. “You must be joking. Fifteen hundred pounds for your little priory? You never could generate enough revenue to make the payments.”

  Baruch began to walk out. “I am not a fool, and do not do business with fools.”

  Hubert felt a degree of panic and quickly moved to stop him. “Please don’t leave. I meant no disrespect. I never have done this before.”

  “Very well. However, you must be serious with your request. Abbot, in order for me to grant you a loan, I will need you to show me exactly how much you want based on the details you provide, and how you will generate the revenue to make your payments. The more details you provide, the easier it will be for us to negotiate. It’s called negotiating in good faith. I will, and I expect you to do so.”

  Hubert realized he had underestimated Baruch. His own lack of experience showed, and he was embarrassed by his ignorance. I should have learned the process, he thought.

  “Baruch, please accept my apology. I must admit I am ignorant of these matters. I was under the impression one merely had to request the sum, arrange the payment terms, and conclude the arrangement.”

  Baruch shook his head. “I meant no disrespect to you. I did not know you were not informed of how I do business. Perhaps other moneylenders are quick to make loans without properly understanding the purpose of the funds and how they would be repaid, but not me. Besides, no moneylender I have ever heard of would loan such an amount without the proper security. I hope you understand.”

  “I believe I do understand. In my business, we put our trust in faith. However, I can see in yours, much more than faith is required. I’ll prepare the details you requested. When they’re ready, I shall send for you, and hopefully we can obtain our loan. There’s much we’d like to improve here.”

  “Very well. I will await your summons.” He bowed slightly and left, Brother Dominic waiting outside to escort him out of the priory.

  “Honestly, Hubert, did you really believe he would give you fifteen hundred pounds just like that?” Alwyn asked.

  “That is none of your concern. I need to obtain the largest loan I can for our bishop friend. And, no, I did not expect him to just hand over the money. But I needed to know how he thinks, how he operates. And now I do. Alwyn, I want you to prepare a detailed list of all the projects Basil approved, along with as many cost details as you can. Get some of the brothers to help. I will develop a plan to show this Jew how we’ll pay for his loan.”

  Alwyn looked surprised. “It will not total fifteen hundred pounds. Give me a more realistic figure to work with.”

  Hubert shook his head vigorously. “No, I will not. You just prepare the cost estimates.”

  “I’ll do my best for you, cousin.”

  How can I project revenue I probably will not be able to generate? Hubert thought. I must be creative.

  ALWYN WORKED ON THE DETAILS for Hubert, but it was taking much longer than he expected. Hubert wanted to be sure the data was accurate and covered everything, since he assumed Baruch would only give him the largest loan if there were proper support for the figures. While determining costs was not too difficult, revenue was another matter altogether. Clever ways to do this first had to be identified and then well-documented. Hubert solicited the monks to generate ideas. Besides the usual christenings, weddings, and funerals, also considered were to raise sheep for wool, sell some of the vegetables they grow, and possibly learn blacksmithing, pottery-making or glassblowing to make items to sell. When Alwyn met with Hubert to discuss them, Hubert replied it did not matter, as these were only to secure the loan. Hubert would only do the bare minimum so his plan would be successful. All he wanted were well-detailed plans he could show Baruch. Alwyn did not believe Baruch would agree to any of this, and was frank in expressing his opinion to Hubert, who always disagreed and insisted upon doing it his way. Finally, everything was ready, and Hubert sent for Baruch. He arrived the following day.

  “Baruch, thank you for returning. We’ve been hard at work preparing what you asked for.”

  “I hope so. I don’t like wasting time, and unless you have everything in order that will be the result of this meeting.”

  “Please sit. Alwyn, would you be so kind to give Baruch what we have prepared?”

  Alwyn handed Baruch several parchments. Three were labeled revenue and five expenses. Baruch briefly glanced at them. “Well, you certainly have been busy. There is considerable detail here. I’d like to take them home with me to study everything.”

  “I’m sorry, Baruch, but these cannot leave the priory. I fear if it did, some of our ideas may be stolen.”

  Baruch grunted. “I see nothing secret here, nothing so unique no one must know. Have you lowered the amount of the loan you are asking for?”

  “Yes and no. I propose the loan be made in three phases. For the first phase, we will need two hundred pounds. Then, as we show you the revenue being produced, we will need another eight hundred pounds. Finally, as the third phase is implemented, the last five hundred pounds will be required.”

  Baruch stared at Hubert, incredulous. “Three phases? Three separate loans? With what security?”

  Hubert smiled. “I don’t suppose my word would be enough?”

  “No, it is not enough,” Baruch replied sternly.

  “I did not think so, and anyway, I was joking.”

  “I do not joke when negotiating a loan. This is serious business and must be treated as such. I am an honorable man, and I expect the same from you.”

  Hubert began to realize he had made another mistake with the Jew. His gamble Baruch would be impressed with the information provided, and the three phases to gradually obtain the funds would be agreeable to him, had failed.

  “Baruch, again I must apologize to you. I thought the details we prepared would satisfy you.”

  “Abbot Hubert,
I’m not saying I won’t be satisfied, but I’m not satisfied at this moment. I need to study your figures and plans. If, and I mean if, they look good to me, then we can discuss terms and security.”

  “But Baruch, the only security we have is the priory and the little land surrounding it, and it is owned by the Church. I would need Bishop Basil’s permission to use it as security. However, a Jew could never own a priory, so how could I satisfy your demand?”

  “You are correct, Hubert. In the event of a default, I could not take over the priory. You will need a guarantor.”

  “A guarantor? You mean someone else to ensure I will pay, and, if not, they will suffer the loss?”

  “That’s correct. I often loan money based on a guarantor. It may not be easy to find someone, but it is the only way I will loan you what you are asking for.”

  Hubert’s heart sank. Who could I get to do this for me? he thought. The bishop certainly will not. Baron Geoffrey? Not after what he believes I did to his brother.

  Hubert showed his disappointment. “I’ll have to think about this and get back to you. However, isn’t there any other way we can do business?”

  “Perhaps if you lower your request considerably.”

  An idea entered Hubert’s mind. “Baruch, may I propose this? Let us start with a loan of one hundred pounds. I will demonstrate my good faith by making the proper timely payments that we agree upon. After some amount of time of me honoring my commitment, we will agree to negotiate a second loan.”

  Baruch said nothing for what seemed to be several minutes. “One hundred to start? With no security?”

  Hubert nodded. Alwyn smiled slightly, somewhat pleased with Hubert’s suggestion. However, Alwyn did not think the bishop would be pleased with that arrangement.

  “And what will you use the funds for?”

  “You will note our plans have been prepared in the three phases I mentioned. We would start with some of the phase one items. While the hundred pounds would not be enough to complete the phase, it would give us a good start.”

  “And how will you generate the revenue to make your payments?”

  “We’ll start implementing our ideas. Surely if they all don’t work, at least one or two will.”

  Baruch studied this man, who literally was begging for a loan. “Tell me, Abbot, why this insistence on meeting my terms? There may be other moneylenders willing to do business with you who are not as, shall we say, difficult as I am.”

  “That may be true, but you are the most successful moneylender in Northampton. You have, I believe, the resources to help us meet our goals, to satisfy the wishes of the bishop. I understand you do not renege on agreements, like others I have heard of.”

  “Hubert, I have not heard that, but it is of no matter. I will think about your proposal and give you an answer next week. I hope that will be acceptable.”

  “Very well. It will have to do. I’ll await your decision, which I hope will be positive.”

  “Good bye Hubert. Alwyn.”

  “Well, Alwyn, what do you think?” Hubert asked.

  “I think you made a huge mistake. I think he doesn’t trust you and may not loan you anything.”

  “Do you think I will be outdone by a Jew? I don’t care who he is. Bishop Basil instructed me to obtain the largest loan I could. He never said how much it should be. I’ve been establishing a position eventually to dictate my own terms, can you not understand that? Baruch never will turn down an opportunity to increase his wealth. You do not understand how Jews think. I believe I do.”

  Alwyn smirked.

  “Do you mock me, Alwyn? Do you think I’m a fool?”

  “No Hubert, I am not mocking you, and I don’t think you’re a fool. But I don’t think Baruch is either. He doesn’t seem the type to take huge risks, and that is what you asked him to do.”

  “Well, we’ll see when he gives us his answer. I hope you won’t report to Basil until this matter is settled.”

  “No, of course not. I don’t have anything to report except what has not happened yet. I’m sure he’ll be expecting me soon, but I must wait, at least until next week.”

  “Yes,” Hubert repeated. “Next week.”

  David had stumbled on a patch of ground not far from his hiding place full of comfrey and deadnettle. He was able to bring back a few of each plant each time he went out. This satisfied his father and allowed him ample time to practice. Not only was his aim improving, but he had increased his distance to the target threefold. Unfortunately, this was as far as he could go if he stayed near the cave. While he wanted to find another spot where he could increase the distance to the target, he felt it was too risky. There was too great a chance of discovery. He did not know where his archery skill would lead him, but he knew if he were discovered, not only would it all have been for nothing, he would be severely punished, and perhaps even executed. He would have to be satisfied with the current situation.

  However, as David repeated the same routine over and over, he began to get bored. He had been careful with the arrows, losing only three of the dozen that the forester had on him. Two broke when they became stuck in a tree next to the target. One went wild into the forest, and after spending a good while looking for it he finally gave up. The broken ones he carefully split into small pieces, burying them as deep as he could to be sure no one would find them. As he took a short rest, he thought maybe he could try to hunt at least a small animal, such as a squirrel or rabbit. He would never eat one, of course, but he was tempted to try his archery skill as a hunter. The more he thought about it, the more he realized it was not a good idea. For one, he might lose one or more arrows, and that he could not afford to do. After all, how could he replace even one? He could never buy any from an arrow maker. If he even tried, he probably would be reported to the sheriff, who still was asking questions one year later about the forester’s death and the missing weapons. He also did not like the thought of killing an animal just for killing’s sake. The other aspect that bothered him was what would he do with it? He would have to bury it, and again that brought risk. No, he would have to be content with shooting at the target.

  He usually did not bring Avram with him on his almost-daily treks to Salcey. Mordecai tried to teach David about other herbs and medicinal plants, but he acted as if he was losing interest and was content just finding the comfrey and deadnettle. Mordecai did not challenge him. If David truly wants to become an apothecary, which he now doubted, he wanted David to learn of his own free will.

  Baruch sat in his comfortable, well-upholstered chair, sipping a glass of wine. His gut feeling was he should not get involved with Abbot Hubert and his phased loan request. While business lately had been slow, Baruch was in a position where he did not have to take huge risks or any risks at all. However, there was something intriguing to him about Abbot Hubert and Hedgestone Priory. He was not sure what it was, but the Church often borrowed money from Jews. They did this primarily because even though usury by Christians was forbidden, some did do moneylending, and at much higher rates than Jewish moneylenders charged. He continued to mull it over until he made a decision. He would go to Hedgestone tomorrow, three days sooner than Hubert would be expecting him.

  The next morning after breakfast, Baruch walked to the priory. It was a beautiful June day, and he wanted to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. He arrived and pulled the bell cord. Brother Dominic soon appeared. “Hello, Dominic,” Baruch greeted him. “I need to speak to Abbot Hubert.”

  Dominic brought him to the same room where they had met twice before. Baruch sat to wait for Hubert. After a few minutes, Hubert and Alwyn entered.

  “Good morning, Baruch. I hope you have good news for me.”

  “Hello, Abbot, Father Alwyn. Before I give you my answer, may I please see your figures again?”

  “Certainly. Alwyn, please get them right away.” Alwyn left to fetch the parchments.

  “Well, Baruch, I did not expect you for three more days. I’m surprised to see you so
soon.”

  “I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking about your proposal, and the entire request. After I review the figures again, I’ll give you my answer.”

  Alwyn returned with the parchments. Baruch spent some time reviewing the documents. Hubert was growing antsy.

  “Abbot Hubert,” Baruch finally said. “You have set forth some very ambitious plans. Your cost figures are quite detailed, and they look accurate to me. However, I don’t think you can accomplish everything in the timeframe you estimate. I also don’t think you can generate the revenue you project as well. With that in mind, I will consider the phased approach you proposed. But not three distinct phases. I will loan you fifty pounds at fifteen percent interest with no security, provided you make quarterly payments of at least ten percent of the balance plus interest. After one year of successful payments, I will lend you three hundred additional pounds at terms to be agreed to at that time. We will continue to do this, perhaps increasing the amount each year, until the entire amount you need is loaned. This will get you started on your improvements and allow time to get your revenue flowing.”

  The disappointment on Hubert’s face was obvious. This is nowhere near what he wanted to do and would not please Bishop Basil. But what options did he have?

  “Baruch, I thank you for your offer, but it saddens me. I was hoping to start with one hundred pounds. Will you consider one hundred?”

  “I’m sorry, Abbot, but the risk is too great. Fifty is all I’m willing to lend at this time.”

  “What if you make the second loan after six months instead of one year?”

  “I can make no promises. That is my offer today. If you are agreeable, I will have the documents prepared.”

  “Please give me a few minutes. I want to discuss this with Alwyn.”

  “Certainly.”

  Hubert and Alwyn stepped out of the room. “Well, Alwyn, what do you think?”