‘They are here?’
Denis nodded. ‘They are questioning Hob just now. They wanted to speak to him first, before coming to see you.’
Sir William’s jaw clenched as he considered all the work he had to do before he could rest that day, and then he nodded curtly. ‘Ride back to the castle and tell my wife I shall be back as soon as I may. I have business to attend to while this precious keeper idles away his time with my miller!’
The man of law nodded, relieved to be escaping with no curse ringing in his ears, and Sir William returned to the market hall to the papers and the pasty-faced, unwell port-reeve. ‘Come! Let’s finish our business this week, eh?’
It had not been perfect, but perhaps that was too much to expect after the last years of strife. Still, Roger reckoned the meeting with Sir John had been satisfactory, and he rode back at a steady pace. The knight would agree once he had considered Roger’s offer, he was sure of that, and when Sir William departed, that would seal the contract. There would be an end to this daft dispute between the two manors, and the lawyers could at last pack up their books: Denis could go back to whichever stone from beneath which he’d crawled before coming here and taking the family’s money.
Roger’s road did not lead direct to the castle. In preference he would go to Bow and take an ale or two at the inn. There was a new maid there who had caught his eye recently, a delightful filly who looked as though she’d give him a good gallop–and ah! when his damned brother had left the manor, life would be so much more sweet! She would certainly be more interesting than a return to the castle. It had all the charm and warmth of a charnel house recently: better, he may stay the night at the inn. There he could keep the sword safe, too.
He had hoped that Sir John would take the thing as soon as it was offered, but perhaps that was a little too much to hope for. As he said, if he took the thing, he could be accused of murder, and he was not yet happy to trust Roger with that responsibility. However, his eyes were easier at the end of their meeting, and Roger thought that they would be able to enjoy a better relationship when Roger was in charge of the manor. No bad thing, either, for Sir John to know that Roger could be ruthless when necessary. Yes. All in all, a good day’s work. He deserved his ale.
William would be happier in a convent. There was no point in his remaining in the world when all he wanted was a hermit-like existence in a monastery. Roger was ensuring that he would achieve the ambition he had craved for so long.
He turned one of the last bends in the road on the way to Bow, and suddenly a cloak was hurled at his horse. His beast leapt into the air, neighing with surprise. Roger gripped hard with his thighs, his fingers curled into talons as he clutched the reins. ‘Easy! Easy!’ he called, trying to keep the anger from his voice.
The beast was startled, but he couldn’t seek the culprit as his horse plunged and reared: his concentration was on his mount. Even as he felt the first slip of steel beneath his ribs, he could not face his danger. His mind was so fixed upon his horse that even as the sword thrust upwards, he was at first convinced that it was a strained muscle.
It was only when the strain became a flowering agony that his eyes opened wide with horror. There was a liquid thundering in his breast as blood was pumped into his lungs, and he was starting to drown even before the sword’s point burst through his fashionable tight gipon in front of his anguished eyes. He tried to scream, but as he toppled backwards, his weight slipping him down the blade made slick with his own blood, only a gurgling would come from his throat, and he vomited a gush of blood as he died.
Sir William was in the court of the castle still when the two men arrived.
‘You are the keeper who told my man of law to come and tell me to wait?’
‘I am Sir Baldwin de Furnshill,’ Baldwin said coldly. He was not happy to have ridden up to Bow only to learn that he had missed Sir William. The knight had returned to his castle.
At first sight Baldwin thought the peevish knight would be best suited to a convent, just as Hob had hinted. Sir William had that sallow, unhealthsome complexion that was always so common with monks and clerics who took fasting too seriously.
‘I had no spare time to wait. Come inside and have a little wine.’
The hall was empty but for the three. Sir William sat on his chair in the far corner, watching them with a grim expression on his face as they entered.
‘Baldwin, have you ever seen a cat staring at an approaching hound?’ Simon whispered. ‘That man hates us: he knows we could destroy him, but reckons he can scratch our noses first.’
‘He most certainly has the look of a man expecting to suffer.’
‘Enter, Sir Knight, and take your ease. Your man will find ale and cups at the table. Bring me one, too.’
Baldwin opened his mouth, but the knight was already staring up at the wide empty window space with a distracted air. ‘Simon, I apologize. I shall…’
Simon showed his teeth. ‘An easy error to make: he thinks you provide me with these rich clothes? He must consider you a most parsimonious knight!’
Baldwin sat. ‘You did not think to seek my help, I believe?’
‘No! I would prefer this whole matter was forgotten. I see little need to expose our foolishness further. That fool of a lawyer of mine suggested you to my brother, and he took it on himself…No. I see no need for all this!’
Simon had passed wine to Sir William. Now he took a large cupful for himself and another for Baldwin before sitting at Baldwin’s side.
‘You! We have affairs to discuss. You can leave us,’ Sir William grated.
Simon smiled, and Baldwin eyed the knight coldly. ‘This is Bailiff Simon Puttock. He is stannary bailiff to Abbot Champeaux of Tavistock and a king’s officer. He is here to assist me.’
‘Oh? I am sorry, Bailiff. My apologies.’
Simon, enormously enjoying the knight’s discomfiture, smiled. ‘It’s nothing, sir.’
Sir William shook his head. ‘My brother and my wife both felt it would be best for someone who could investigate this theft. I think it’s ridiculous. What good can it serve? The thing’s gone, and that’s all that matters.’
‘You don’t want it back?’
Sir William looked up, and his face twisted. ‘Want it back? I would rather cut off my own hand than touch that thing again! It’s evil! Evil! I am delighted not to have to look at it. It was a constant reminder of my family’s crime.’ Sir William gave a short, twisted grin. ‘I don’t like it. I am grateful that someone has taken it. If I’d thought of it sooner, I’d have paid a man to remove it, and thereby save me from keeping it any longer. With it gone, I can happily give up my position here, leave the castle and find a monastery to my liking, there to live in praise of God and seeking His peace. But now…’
‘Yes? Now?’
‘The thing is gone. I am glad of the fact, because to me it seems God has forgiven me. In taking the thing, He has shown me that I am not to worry about it any more. But my wife does not agree. She thinks one felon escaping the law damages all justice.’
‘Perhaps that is not your concern. Leave justice to the judges.’
‘True. But if I were to enter a monastery, I would expect Alice also to join a convent. She knows that. It colours her judgement. If the sword is found again, perhaps I should remain here to guard it. If it comes back, God doesn’t consider me deserving of the peace life in a monastery would grant me. Ach, I don’t know! What should I do? If you find the thing, I will be bound to remain here–if you don’t, I shall be better pleased.’
‘One issue concerns me,’ Simon said. ‘How can you be so sure that this was your sword? I heard that it was discovered recently by your father and he brought it back. Had he seen it before?’
‘My father was convinced when he bought it. That’s enough for me.’
‘Where did he find it?’
‘A trader in Cyprus with some outlandish name. Zuliani or something, who said it was definitely the sword which Sir William de
Tracy had used to murder St Thomas. There was no doubt.’
Baldwin said nothing to that. He had met traders in Cyprus and other bazaars about the world, and if he had met an honest one, the experience had evaded his notice. ‘What was your father doing out there?’
‘I think he had the urge to follow in Sir William de Tracy’s footsteps. He only reached as far as Cyprus, but he was able to visit shrines and pilgrimage sites even so. When he brought it back, he was proud! Proud! I wanted nothing to do with it, and when my father died only a short while later, I put it to rest, safely locked in that trunk.’
‘Except on that day of all days you left the chest unlocked. You had a good reason to wish the sword to be lost. Who else would have desired it gone?’
Sir William’s face darkened and he took a long draught of ale. ‘Plainly the thief who walked into my hall and took it,’ he spat.
‘So you say, but what would he have done with it?’ Baldwin asked. ‘It is a pretty thing, I daresay, but what use is beauty in a weapon that can never be shown or used? If he had ever drawn that steel, he would have been instantly accused of stealing it. I find this idea that he wandered aimlessly into your hall and stole this valuable and famous sword quite incomprehensible. Unless he had been paid to take it, there is no reason why he should have taken it. Someone else must either have wanted it, or wanted it to be gone. It is fair to say that you wanted it gone, and could have paid this man to remove it. Who else had a similar desire?’
Sir William lifted his head truculently, staring. ‘You accuse me of having my own sword stolen?’
His voice was low and little more than a whisper. Seeing how his face had paled, Baldwin nodded slowly. ‘Perhaps you should consider telling the truth now, Sir William.’
That evening was quiet in the castle. The servants had felt the mood of their master, and all were reserved and cautious in his presence. Simon and Baldwin sat with the lord and his wife on the dais to eat, while half his household ate in the main hall.
Simon and Baldwin spoke little, which was much to the bailiff’s taste. Today he felt that talking would be a foolish occupation. He was happier filling his belly with good meat and wine than chatting with the depressing company about the table. There was a sense almost of despair about the place. Simon was almost sad that Roger was not with them.
Sir William spoke not at all, but sat grimly toying with his food, while his wife chewed at hers with a grim determination, with many a loving look at her man. As she finished, she set her hand on his, affectionately, so Simon thought.
If it was intended to comfort or strengthen him, it failed. He snatched his hand away, and she looked desolate. ‘My love!’
Sir William shook his head, then eyed her slyly and raised his goblet in a toast. ‘No, dear. No longer. Gentlemen! Please, raise your glasses to honour us! As soon as I may I shall leave here and all will go to Roger. I shall expect my wife to join a convent to serve Christ as I go to Tavistock to serve God. It is good! Freedom from the world at last!’
‘Where is your brother tonight?’ Simon asked after he had drained his mazer.
‘He rode off earlier. Often he will go into town to mingle with the folk there,’ Sir William said with distaste. ‘He may deign to return later. If he has any sense, he’ll stay there the night: he knows I won’t have my gates opened between sunset and dawn without good reason. If he stays in Bow, all well and good. If he behaves in the way I expect, he’d find it hard to mount his horse in any case. I only hope we don’t have complaints from another peasant’s father about a squalling brat in nine months.’
Later, Simon and Baldwin went to walk about the walls where they could be alone.
Simon muttered, ‘I’ve visited happier tombs.’
‘There is a great deal of restrained anguish in this place,’ Baldwin said. ‘I shall be glad to leave. This is not a happy home. The sword has brought only misery.’
‘They were all happier when it was gone.’
‘Yes. A curious superstition.’
Simon winced. Baldwin had always been scathing about those who ascribed evil fortune to the devil, and had often derided the bailiff’s sensible precautions against the evil eye or the other signs of bad luck. ‘If it’s truly evil, it’s sensible to be glad to be rid of it.’
‘Then they might throw it away. The idea that an inanimate slab of metal has the ability or desire to harm people is ridiculous. A man does not discover an urge to kill by proximity with a weapon.’
‘A man might kill in a rash fit of rage if he has access to a weapon, though.’
‘And if he has no sword or mace, if there is no knife or dagger available, he will reach for a club, a rock or a walking staff. What would you do, remove all tools from a man’s hand in case it might be used as a weapon in the future?’
‘Of course not!’
‘No. It is a facile, ridiculous solution. And no more than the innocent stone snatched up to brain a man, or the entirely unmalicious walking staff, or a kindly fist, no more does that sword represent evil. There is nothing evil in a lump of metal, Simon; only in the mind of the man who wields it. The sword is innocent. The man who gripped it is the murderer. It is he whom we must catch!’
‘Is there much possibility of that?’
Baldwin glanced at him, then stared out over the dark land below the walls. ‘I hope so, Simon. I hope so. Tomorrow we must ride to Down St Mary and speak to Sir John de Curterne. Perhaps we shall learn more there.’
‘Let’s hope so,’ Simon said, but then he touched Baldwin’s sleeve. Down in the court he had seen a pair of figures, and even as Baldwin followed his pointing finger, and the two people stepped silently into the shadows, Simon breathed, ‘So what would Madam Alice have to say so urgently to Denis, do you think?’
‘I am not sure,’ Baldwin said, but his face was troubled.
Sir John de Curterne eyed his visitors with a degree of amusement mixed with suspicion. ‘So, let me guess: this is about that damned sword of Sir William’s? And you want to ask me whether I wanted to have my own reeve murdered, I suppose?’
Baldwin took the seat proffered. ‘No. We know why your man stole the sword.’
‘You accuse a dead man?’ Sir John’s face darkened. ‘That is vile: slandering a man who is unable to defend himself. Speak no ill of the dead!’
‘He was paid handsomely to steal that sword, Sir John. And then someone else decided to retrieve it.’
‘Sir William’s brother?’
The shrewdness of the knight’s eyes made Baldwin frown quickly. ‘Why do you think that?’
‘He wishes the sword to be gone, for then his brother might relinquish the world and step inside a convent. There is no secret about this: Sir William has willingly told all he meets that he wishes to be free of the guilt he feels for his name and the sword’s crime.’
‘Why would Roger wish to take back the sword that can guarantee him a manor of his own, then?’
‘Perhaps he reckoned to keep it for himself? I would not be surprised to hear it. It’s a valuable weapon. Maybe he chose to take it, keep it safely concealed, and then, once his brother was safely out of the way, he could bring it out and have it for himself again?’
‘You think he would be so devious?’
‘There is little which would surprise me about that man,’ Sir John said coldly. ‘He came here yesterday to ask me to help him. He wished me to agree to keep the sword. He offered it to me, so long as I kept it secret until his brother had left the manor.’
‘He admitted he had killed your reeve?’ Baldwin demanded.
‘He said he saw Walter leave the castle with something hidden as he rode back himself. Roger went to the hall, saw the open chest and guessed at Walter’s theft. That is what he told me. And he killed Walter because he thought the man had robbed his brother. Only later, he said, did he realize that the disappearance of the sword would serve him quite well, so he hid the body and concealed the sword. It makes sense. It’s the way he would ac
t–the damned fool!’
‘You said that to him?’
‘In my own hall I see no need to conceal my feelings, Sir Knight.’
There was a noise at the tapestry behind him, and Sir John turned. Seeing his son, his face broke into a broad beaming smile, and he reached down to the toddler before he could fall. ‘Careful, Matt! Walking at that speed is too dangerous for a boy.’
‘It’s hard when they’re that age,’ Baldwin observed.
‘You have a son?’
‘A daughter. My friend here has a little fellow.’
‘Yes,’ Simon grinned. ‘But he’s a fair amount older, and I don’t worry about him when he falls.’
‘We all fear for our children, though, don’t we?’ Sir John said, sitting with his boy on his knee. ‘We wish them to be safe and happy.’
Simon nodded, and then frowned musingly. ‘Is that why Sir Humphrey brought back that sword? Did he think it would ease Sir William’s mind?’
Sir John shook his head. ‘I don’t think he ever believed the thing was the same as the one that killed St Thomas. He merely thought it a pretty thing with a good balance.’
‘That would make sense,’ Baldwin said. ‘I’ve seen nothing to suggest the sword was the same as the one lost by Tracy’s ancestor. Tell me: we have heard that Sir William was a close friend to you and your brothers. Is that true?’
‘He was–and Roger. But William was closer to my oldest brother, Godfrey. He drowned many years ago now. After that, Sir William stopped seeing us. I felt…’
‘What?’
‘That he was embarrassed. You see he snatched Lady Alice and married her as soon as it was known that Godfrey was dead. I think he was ashamed of being so quick. But who could blame him? She was, is, beautiful. Any man would be keen to win her.’
Simon stopped making faces to amuse the toddler on his lap, his expression suddenly stilled. ‘You mean you think he could have killed to win her?’
Sir John’s face retained its smile, but his eyes had no humour in them. ‘I have never seen anything to prove that.’
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