by James Bee
8
Chapter 8
As he opened the door, shouting washed over him. Pausing at the threshold, Gerald sighed.
“Not a very good sign, is it?”Kayl said at his shoulder. “Wasn’t expecting any yelling until after you showed up. Looks like they got started without you.”
“I’m starting to think that Lord Banesfort might have killed himself just to be rid of them all,”Gerald replied, striding into the town hall. Despite Kayl’s reassuring presence, he was rattled. While he hadn’t expected a warm welcome, all this blatant hostility was disheartening. It was bad enough being exiled in one of the most remote places in the kingdom, but to be trapped in a town with people who hated you for no reason was nearly unbearable.
As they got closer, the voices grew louder. There were two of them, both straining to shout over the other. As the door opened, Gerald was unsurprised with who he saw. Lucan stood tall, with his hands open wide. Across from him Rolan was gesturing wildly, face as red as an overripe tomato.
“You old fool! You would dare accuse me openly of this? I should demand your hand in payment for this slight!”Rolan screeched.
“I may be old, but the true fool stands in front of me. You think I would come forward if I did not have proof! You will stand accountable for these crimes against the gods. In this life and the one after,”Lucan replied, the calmness in his voice gone, replaced by tight anger. Gerald stepped into the room, holding his hands up for peace. A gesture that he didn't doubt would soon become natural to him.
“My lords, please.”
“Proof! What proof? Show it to me. Produce it and I shall fall upon your mercy! Yours and the gods that you keep prattling on about!”If Rolan had heard him, he gave little sign.
“Do not tempt me. You shall be punished for this. Not this day perhaps, but one soon. All of your gold cannot protect you from the wrath of the gods.”Lucan’s voice rose now, as though giving a sermon.
“Peace, my lords. Calm yourselves.”Once again Gerald was ignored.
“I have not seen these gods’ work yet, and I do not expect to. You put your faith in the wrong gods, my friend. There is only the god of gold, and he is more powerful than any wraith you can conjure,”Rolan said, producing a gold coin and flipping it at the priest.
“Blasphemy! You dare speak openly against the church! The people of Redstone will not tolerate it! They will drive you from here!”Lucan stepped forward, pointing a shaky finger at the merchant.
“MY LORDS, PLEASE!”Gerald’s voice boomed, causing both of them to step backward in shock. “Will you please calm yourselves. This is hardly becoming behaviour from men such as yourselves.”
“This is no concern of yours,”Rolan sneered at him.
“Indeed. My business is with this weasel. You have no right to intervene,”Lucan said, icy gaze turned on him.
“Well, at least you can agree on something,”Kayl said dryly.
“All business within this town is my business,”Gerald said, teeth gritted. How could he hope to govern the town if he couldn’t manage these two men?
“I need not seek your permission to dispense the church’s justice,”Lucan said.
“That depends on who it is you’re punishing, and for what crime,”Gerald replied. The endless hostility was wearing his patience to a nub.
“Heathens and demon worshippers! Men and women, seduced by northerners and their false gods! Only fire and pain can make them see the folly of their ways!”Lucan’s voice rose to a sermon pitch. With a practiced flourish, he flung his arm in Rolan’s direction, finger pointed in his face. “This man is one of them! He has forsaken his gods and strayed from the path. His love for gold has blinded him. He must be punished.”
Rolan’s face twisted with rage. Stepping forward, he slapped the priest’s accusing finger away. “I ask again, what proof have you? Watch where you tread, priest. The path you walk is fraught with dangers. I would be very careful about who you try to punish. You don’t want to start a fight that you cannot win.”The men stared at each other, breathing hard. Gerald almost hoped that they would come to blows. Neither man looked as though they had so much as thrown a punch in their lives. Yet he knew he could not stand by and allow two of the most powerful men in the town to sling fists at each other.
“His question is a valid one, Lucan. What proof have you? These charges you lay against him are severe. We all know the penalties for heresy,”Gerald said, standing between the two men. He actually didn’t know the punishment, but he imagined it wasn’t pleasant.
“I will say it again. You do not have power over me. I need not make my case to you,”Lucan said, sneering at him. Gerald met the priest’s icy blue eyes.
“How many men do you command, my lord? How many blades? Though you may not like it, I hold this city under my command.”The tall man’s sneer only grew wider at Gerald’s words.
“Do not grow too confident in your powers. The people of this town look to me. If you move against the church, they will rise up against you. I would wish you luck in holding the town against itself.”
“Don’t listen to him. He overestimates his influence. The only true god that the townsfolk worship is gold. It controls everything. The wealth comes through the mine, and through the guild. If we are threatened, the townsfolk will rush to our aid. They must, for their very survival,”Rolan said. Gerald felt as though he was trapped between two boulders, each threatening to crush him. Suddenly the fifty men he’d brought seemed a paltry number. Seize control of the town. Trust no one. How to do it? Gods and gold filled up the hearts of men and women. What could he do to wrest control away from them? Little to nothing, probably. Still, he had to try.
“What the townsfolk will or will not do is not the matter at hand. It is what you two will do that concerns me. I’ve only been here two days, and yet I’ve seen you at each other’s throats twice. If Blane’s reports of hostile clansmen are true, then we will need to stay united,”Gerald said. Both men shook their heads in derision, temporarily united in their scorn.
“Beesbury is a paranoid old man, seeing threats behind every tree. He has been prophesying attacks for months, all the while asking for more money for the garrison. His fear-mongering might affect you, but I am not convinced. I will not link arms with this zealot to protect myself against a menace that will never come,”Rolan said before striding out of the room.
“I must agree with that rodent. Blane has long predicted an attack, yet none has materialized. I will not stop the church’s business for such a reason. I say again, Sir Gerald, do not presume too much on your position. The people do not trust you; they know only of the stories. You need an ally here. Think on that.”With those words, Lucan followed the guildmaster, robes billowing out behind him.
“Just as popular here as in the capital. You truly do find friends wherever you go,”Kayl said once the priest’s footsteps had faded away. Sighing, Gerald lowered himself into a nearby chair.
“As usual, my name has reached this place long before I ever did. No doubt already the stories are spreading around the taverns. The queen’s little bastard all grown up and here to spread debauchery and adultery throughout our little town. They might even been writing songs as we speak.”
Kayl shook his head, smiling slightly.“Not entirely unfair, though. You committed to spreading debauchery the moment you allowed Orland to come along. No doubt he’s already found his way into a few beds,”the big knight said. Gerald allowed himself a small smile, the first of the day. It seemed as though the problems were mounting, threatening to overwhelm him. He’d felt unprepared for the task, yet it seemed he was unprepared for how unprepared he actually was. He was a soldier, more used to the fighting than diplomacy. How could he be expected to take control of a town that hated him?
“Excuse me, my lords,”a voice rang out, causing Gerald to start. It came from a small woman standing in the doorway. She had red hair cascading down her shoulders. Eyes averted, she stepped into the room. “I heard the lords sho
uting, so I waited.”
“Who are you, my lady?”Gerald asked.
“The name’s Felicia, my lord. I’m Lord Banefort’s clerk. Or I was. Now I suppose I’m your clerk.”She looked up and met Gerald’s eyes. She was undoubtedly pretty, with striking blue eyes and fair skin.
“Pleased to meet you, Felicia. Call me Gerald. I am no lord.”Gerald felt a slight flush creeping into his cheeks, a common occurrence when he spoke to attractive women. Turning away so Kayl wouldn't see, he motioned for her to sit.
“Things always this pleasant around here?”Kayl asked as she sat down at the table across from Gerald. Kayl dropped himself down into a third chair, mail jangling noisily.
“The hall has actually been much quieter since Lord Banefort’s death. He made the rest of the lords seem soft-spoken,”Felicia said.
Kayl let out a low whistle through his teeth.“Can’t imagine that, those two are about as pleasant as wet socks.”
“Has it always been this bad?”Gerald asked.
The young woman shook her head, sending her hair shaking distractingly.“They have always hated each other, but not like this. It’s what’s been happening lately that seems to have them at each other’s throats.”Gerald felt his stomach sink a little lower. He may have not had the keenest political instincts, but he could tell when another problem was about to fall into his lap.
“What exactly has been happening?”he croaked. Felicia hesitated, a panicked looked flitting across her face.
Kayl placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.“Don’t worry, you can trust us. Me and Gerald are knights. That means we have to protect maidens and such,”he said, winking at her. A slight smile crept onto her face, and she nodded.
“Lately there have been strange activities around town. There’s talk of northern rituals and sacrifices and all sorts of things. Not that I put much belief in it, but if Father Lucan is this frenzied, some of it might be truth,”she said, looking sheepish, as though she expected them to laugh at her.
“Have you seen any of it yourself? Or do you know of anyone that has?”Gerald asked.
Felicia shook her head again.“I haven’t, but Bill swears that he saw men out in the woods, wearing unusual clothes and dancing strange-like,”she said.
“Who’s Bill?”Kayl asked.
“Bill’s an errand boy. Does odd jobs around the town for a few coins.”
“Boy?”
“Aye, he's a little shy of ten years. A bit wild but a good lad.”
Kayl frowned down at the table.“Not much of a source. At his age I made up all sorts of stories,”he said.
“What kind of tales could you spin on a farm? Cows plotting to steal all the hay?”Gerald asked.
“Aye, there was a fair amount of cowspiring going on,”he replied, drawing a groan out of Gerald.
Felicia shook her head.“Bill wouldn’t lie about that. Not to me anyway. Folks around here are scared. Years of raids and battles with the northerners have made them suspicious of anything different,”she said, wringing her hands.
“Forgive us, we don’t mean to make light. I’ll look into it. Though I might be of a mind to see Lucan put Rolan on trial. I heard witchcraft trials used to be quite popular out here, many years back,”Gerald said.
“We had a trial only last winter. Burned old Lady Salyn over a pyre,”Felicia said, staring at him solemnly.
“Err…”Gerald spluttered, struggling to find a response. The moment stretched awkwardly before Felicia burst out laughing.
“Sorry, my lord. Only joking, ’fraid I couldn't resist,”she said, covering her mouth. Gerald was fully blushing now, his face burning hot. Kayl guffawed, slamming a meaty hand down on the table.
“You had us going good, girl! I thought Gerald’s eyes were going to fall out of his head!”Completely embarrassed now, Gerald found that he couldn't help but grin.
“Aye, you got me. Though Father Lucan seems the sort that would enjoy a good burning,”he said.
“Most certainly. As uptight a bastard as I’ve seen,”Kayl agreed.
Felicia got up and bowed to them.“I’m afraid I must beg my leave, my lords. Just thought that I should introduce myself,”she said.
“It was very nice to meet you. The first friendly face we’ve seen since we got here,”Kayl said, smiling at her in his special way. A smile that could make friends of anyone. A smile that Gerald wished he had.
“Erm, yes. Very pleased to make your acquaintance,”he said, immediately feeling foolish. If Felicia noticed, she didn’t show it. Instead she bowed again and quickly left the room.
Gerald coughed and pretended to fiddle with his belt. When he looked up, Kayl was staring at him with a pitying expression. An expression a father might reserve for a teenage son who’d wet himself in public.
“Very pleased to make your acquaintance? If you want these people to like you, Gerald, you have to stop talking like you’re in the king’s ballroom.”
Nodding, Gerald leaned back in his chair. He’d so many issues competing for his attention, what a pretty young woman thought of him should have been far at the bottom. But of course it wasn’t.
9
Chapter 9
In his experience, Gerald usually found that a tavern smelled and looked much like any other. This one could have easily been mistaken for any that they had whittled their days away in, back at the capital. In fact, it was so similar that he could almost pretend that they were at home, if only for a moment.
A roaring fire in the corner sent waves of heat cascading over the whole room, making him comfortably drowsy and warm. The walls were adorned with various horns, antlers, and pelts, proud trophies from past hunts. It was busy, but not oppressively so. Men and women sat, hunched around tables or at the bar. Drinking tall flagons of ale, they laughed and talked merrily, filling the room with a gentle buzz. That every so often they looked over at his table and whispered did little to dampen Gerald’s mood. Instead, it was the conversation that pulled the good humour from him.
“Those two are going to come to blows soon enough,”Gerald said. Kayl shook his head, slowly as though he didn’t want his thoughts to fall out.
“I doubt it. They aren’t the kind of blokes that settle their scores themselves. They’ll scheme and have others do their dirty work for them,”he said.
“The noble way!”Orland said, raising his own flagon. It was far from his first, and as usual, he was drunk. Winking at a nearby serving girl, he slammed the mug back down. “Why is it your concern? Let them battle it out, it’ll be one less arse for you to have to lick.”Gerald shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He hadn’t shown them the queen’s letter yet. He wasn’t sure if he ever woul — it’s not their burden.
“Whoever wins would be that much stronger for it. The power in the town is a delicate balance; everyone pulling this way and that. I have to preserve it.”Or break their hold first, Gerald thought, staring into the dregs of his mug.
“The last bit is always the worst, all warm and sudsy,”Orland said before reaching over and draining the last of Gerald’s ale. “Not that it bothers me.”Belching, he motioned for the barkeep to bring them more.
“You can’t directly interfere, though. Not in church business,”Kayl said, frowning into his own drink.
“Nor can I do anything that would interfere with the running of the mine. Queen’s orders. Frankly, my hands are tied. I’ll just have to try to mediate the best I can,”Gerald replied gloomily.
“All you can do, mate,”said Orland at the end of another impressive belch.
“I forgot to ask, how’d it go with the mayor’s family? They’re pretty broken up about Banesfort’s death?”Kayl asked, glaring reproachfully at Orland. Gerald shook his head, waiting for the barkeep to finish placing his mug in front of him before answering.
“Angry might be a more accurate word. His son is convinced it’s murder. Me less so.”
Kayl rubbed his chin thoughtfully.“Found dead in his study. No wounds, or signs of distress or stru
ggle. His health was rumoured to be bad. Too much booze,”he said, looking pointedly in Orland’s direction. Unfortunately, the nobleman was too busy looking fixedly in the direction of the barmaid to notice.
“Exactly. Hardly a convincing murder scene. Yet Wylliam Banesfort was adamant that he was killed. Wouldn’t hear anything else about it,”Gerald said.
“How’d he like you showing up and taking his father’s job?”Orland asked.
“He wasn’t overjoyed. A less understanding man than myself would have taken some of his words as threats and insults,”Gerald answered.
Kayl put down his mug and leaned forward.“He threatened you?”he rumbled, his frown growing dangerously deep.
“Well, his man did. Caught me on my way out. Seemed even less happy to see me than Wylliam was.”
“What was his name? Maybe I should pay him a visit.”The big man had done it in the past, though Gerald reckoned he was now old enough to fight his own battles.
“Ashtin Fletcher, but don’t bother. He didn’t seem like the kind of man to be intimidated. Nor would it be worth it. We’ve got bigger problems,”he said after taking a healthy swig from his beer.
“Like a horde of barbarians coming down from the mountains, ready to slaughter all of us?”Orland asked, grinning as though it was all a joke.
“Aye, that’s what’s bothering me most of all. Rolan may have played it down, but Blane looked spooked, and he seems the kind of man who doesn’t rattle easily,”Gerald said.
Orland waved erratically in Kayl’s direction.“That’s why we brought the brute, isn’t it? Him and his merry band of swordsmen? To protect us from the big bad men in the woods?”Orland’s scorn was good-natured, and it rolled off the big man’s back like water.
“If a whole war band comes down, it might not be enough. I might even have to lend you a sword,”he said, slapping the slighter man on the arm.