Hilde muttered soothing words, but Geoffrey could see she was concerned, too. They discussed the case until Gwgan came to join them, and although he felt they were going around in circles, it was good to have a trusted friend with whom to debate.
After a while, Gwgan persuaded Hilde to visit the market with him to buy homecoming gifts for Isabella, and Geoffrey asked the innkeeper where he might find a physician. He was directed to a house near the church, where a man named Huw plied his trade.
‘You do not look as if you are in need of my services,’ said Huw, a kindly, smiling man with a demeanour that inspired confidence. ‘I have rarely seen a man more shining with health and vitality. Although I might recommend that you worry less and sleep more. You seem weary.’
Geoffrey suspected neither of those options was going to be available for a while. ‘If I describe what I know of the death of a man who died before his time, could you give me a diagnosis?’
‘No!’ Huw laughed.
‘Then will you be able to tell me whether poison might have played a part?’
Huw looked alarmed. ‘Murder?’
Geoffrey told Huw all he had learned about William’s demise, including the theory that butter might have been responsible. He described the days William had taken to die, during which he had been delirious. He also mentioned the seizures Pulchria had noted, the spells of vomiting observed by Gwgan, and the blackened fingers seen by Mabon, Richard and Cornald. When he had finished, Huw sat back thoughtfully.
‘Vomiting, convulsions and blackening of the extremities are all signs of poisoning from bad grain. It is known by many names – ergot, fire-dance, wolf-tooth or rye-bane.’
‘Wolf-tooth?’ asked Geoffrey uneasily. ‘There was wolf-tooth in a potion that killed another man recently, but he died very quickly.’
‘Then something else was added to this potion, because wolf-tooth is not a rapid killer.’
Geoffrey thought about what Gwgan had said: that Mabon’s tonic had included henbane, too. Did that mean the killer was someone skilled in the use of such substances – such as Gwgan? Or did it imply an amateur, who just added whatever deadly toxin was to hand?
‘Is wolf-tooth ever used to kill rats?’ asked Geoffrey, recalling what Pulchria had claimed about Joan’s medical supplies – which Olivier had denied.
The apothecary’s eyebrows went up. ‘Not sensibly – there are far more effective substances for that.’
Geoffrey frowned. ‘You said wolf-tooth is also called ergot. I was fed ergot not long ago, but my fingers did not turn black, nor did I have fits.’
‘It depends how much was administered,’ explained Huw. ‘Clearly, yours was diluted, whereas your first victim was subjected to a much larger dose. Perhaps you are right, and it did reach him via butter – especially as no one else seems to have partaken of the stuff.’
‘It was said to be rancid. The others must have tried a little or they would not have known.’
‘A little might have had no discernible effect. Or perhaps the wolf-tooth was concentrated in one area – in the middle, perhaps – so that those paring off the edges were spared.’
‘How would wolf-tooth come to be in the butter?’
Huw shrugged. ‘It could have been added when the butter was churned, or later, when it was being delivered to your victim or while it sat unattended in the kitchen. Regardless, it is a vicious thing to have done, and I recommend you be on your guard if you are travelling with the person you suspect for this crime.’
Geoffrey had every intention of being careful. ‘How easy is wolf-tooth to acquire?’
‘Oh, very easy. You merely gather up the diseased grains. I do it myself; if applied properly, wolf-tooth can be a useful therapeutic tool.’
‘But such harvesting suggests the crime was premeditated.’
‘Unquestionably. To collect and store wolf-tooth, then slip it into butter that might have been consumed by a large number of people . . . well, it suggests a callous ruthlessness.’
When Geoffrey returned to the inn, all his travelling companions except Richard and Edward were already there. Roger, Sear and Alberic were in high humour, the brothel having exceeded their expectations. Bale and Pulchria sat side by side with dreamy smiles on their faces, while Delwyn regaled them with complaints about the local abbey – they had taken one look at his filthy habit and declined to let him in. Gwgan appeared without a word and did not say where he had been, but his face was pale and he was in discomfort. Leah was lying down with a headache, and Cornald’s tunic was spotted with crumbs from the repast he had enjoyed with his fellow butterer.
‘You were right to avoid the fish soup,’ said Richard, slumping down a few moments later, one arm across his middle. ‘I think it was tainted. Trust you to select an inn that serves its guests rancid food, Geoffrey.’
Sear released a spiteful bray of laughter. ‘Hah! Perhaps it is divine justice, because you failed to save me some. God struck you down for selfishness.’
‘God had nothing to do with it,’ said Gwgan in a quiet voice that was indicative of his own suffering. ‘Neither did Geoffrey. Sometimes food is just bad.’
‘I thought the soup smelled bad,’ said Geoffrey. ‘I was surprised you did not notice.’
‘You let us eat rotten food?’ snarled Richard. ‘If I felt better, I would run you through!’
‘I thought it smelled rotten, too,’ said Delwyn smugly. ‘But had I said so, you would have accused me of being girlish, so I held my tongue. Clearly, Sir Geoffrey and I have better noses for that kind of thing.’
He smiled ingratiatingly, which Geoffrey supposed was either a form of apology for his earlier threat or an effort to encourage him to lower his guard. Richard began to berate the landlord for providing putrid wares, although his diatribe came to an abrupt end when he was obliged to dash outside. Gwgan followed quickly, and Sear and Alberic sniggered at their discomfort.
‘There was nothing wrong with my soup,’ declared the innkeeper angrily. ‘It was made from the finest trout giblets. Why do you think there was not much left? Because it is popular with my regulars, and they ate most of it before you arrived! None of them is ill.’
He stamped away, leaving Sear crowing about divine vengeance and Cornald defending the food industry by blaming the sickness on Richard and Gwgan drinking from streams. Then Edward arrived, his plump pink face a mask of consternation.
‘We cannot linger in Brechene,’ he said urgently, purple-gloved hands flapping in alarm. ‘I have just been with Bernard de Neufmarché, and he tells me there is a contagion in the castle. Half my men have been affected, and he has ordered me to leave my whole garrison there, lest they carry the disease with them and spread it around the country.’
‘What kind of contagion?’ asked Delwyn uneasily, glancing to where Richard and Gwgan had just returned from the latrines.
‘One that has the capacity to kill within hours,’ said Edward. ‘So I recommend we leave before we fall victim to it.’
Delwyn stood quickly, his face pale. ‘Then let us go. I have heard about such agues, and I have no intention of succumbing to one myself. I will collect Abbot Mabon from the stable.’
‘He is right,’ said Richard, struggling to his feet. ‘I do not want to be trapped here. I have been gone from Kermerdyn too long already. I never wanted to attend that silly ceremony in Gloucester – the King knows I am loyal; he does not require a scrap of parchment telling him so.’
‘It gives him peace of mind to know he has loyal officers,’ said Edward quietly. ‘I am happy to sign and swear anything he likes.’
‘He does not need anyone else when he has me,’ declared Sear loftily. ‘My loyalty is worth that of ten men, and I have never been asked to swear fealty. His Majesty knows it is not necessary.’
‘You do not look well,’ said Geoffrey to Richard and Gwgan, cutting across the argument he saw was about to begin. ‘I have observed no signs of contagion in Brechene and see no harm in resting here until tomorrow.
’
‘I disagree,’ said Cornald, crossing himself. ‘We should all leave immediately, lest Bernard de Neufmarché decides to put the town under quarantine. We might be trapped here for weeks.’
‘Then perhaps we should stay,’ said Hilde quietly. She glanced at Richard and Gwgan. ‘It would be unconscionable to carry a deadly disease to other parts of the country.’
‘Gwgan and Richard do not have what had afflicted my men,’ said Edward, crossing himself soberly. ‘They are completely covered in bleeding red blotches.’
Geoffrey had never seen his companions move so quickly, and whereas he and Roger were usually the first to be ready of a morning, they were last that day. Even Leah was there before them, her face pale and beaded with perspiration from the agony of her headache.
‘This is not a good idea,’ said Geoffrey, regarding her with concern. ‘We should wait.’
‘Do not worry about me,’ whispered Leah, giving him a wan smile. ‘I am used to these pains, and they will pass whether I lie in bed or sit astride a horse. It makes no difference.’
‘Your husband should rest, too,’ said Hilde. ‘Or at least not stray too far from a—’
‘He can manage,’ interrupted Sear briskly. ‘And so can Gwgan. They are both warriors and used to discomfort. We are not talking about monks here.’
Without further ado, Sear led them at a brisk canter out of Brechene, following a track that ran along the side of a wide, shallow river. Once clear of the town, he slackened the pace; the road was rutted and he did not want to spoil his horse. Geoffrey and Roger brought up the rear.
The first Geoffrey knew of trouble was a yell from Alberic, followed by a sudden hail of arrows. The path was narrow at that point, hemmed in by trees on one side and the river on the other, and there was scant room for manoeuvre. Sear and Alberic immediately raised their shields and prepared to ride towards the point of attack. Geoffrey opened his mouth to stop them – woods were no place for horsemen, and they would be killed by hidden archers – but they saw the danger for themselves, and his warning was unnecessary.
An arrow bounced off Geoffrey’s shield and told him attackers were behind, as well as in front. Unfortunately, those in the middle of the convoy, which comprised servants, the women and Cornald, stopped dead in hopeless confusion. So far, the attack had focussed on the two ends of the cavalcade, where the knights were able to defend themselves with their shields, but Geoffrey sensed that would not last, and staying still would see them all shot.
‘Ride on!’ he yelled.
Fortunately, Sear and Alberic understood the reasons behind his orders and galloped forward to clear the way. Richard followed, although Gwgan took time to control his prancing horse, putting Hilde directly in the line of fire. Geoffrey watched in horror, certain the Welshman’s ineptitude was going to see his wife dead. Then Edward spurred forward, placing himself and his shield between Hilde and the point of attack, and escorted her out of danger.
Delwyn and Pulchria screamed in terror, although Leah gamely put her head down and kicked her horse after her husband’s. Delwyn’s fear transmitted itself to his nag, which reared and threw him. With Roger howling like a Saracen behind him, Geoffrey grabbed the monk by the back of his habit and hauled him across his saddle, vaguely aware that Cornald had produced a small bow and was returning fire in a manner that suggested his paltry efforts at the competition had been a front.
Once safely away from the hail of arrows, Geoffrey threw Delwyn to the ground and galloped back towards the woods, aware of the attackers scattering before him. Roger was at his heels, and they almost succeeded in laying hold of one of the villains, but the fellow dived through a thicket of brambles, a place where Geoffrey had no intention of taking his horse.
‘Shall we track them?’ asked Roger, breathing hard from his exertions. He glanced around as Sear, Alberic, Bale and Edward joined them, ready to help. Richard and Gwgan were behind, although the pallor of their faces said they would not be much assistance.
Geoffrey shook his head. ‘That might be what they are hoping for – leaving the baggage cart unattended.’
‘But there is nothing on it except Abbot Mabon,’ Sear pointed out.
‘Yes, but they do not know that,’ explained Geoffrey. ‘It would not be the first time a coffin was used to transport riches, and I do not want to leave Hilde and the other women without protection.’
He expected Sear to argue, but the older knight merely inclined his head in acknowledgement and trotted away, taking Alberic with him. Bale looked disappointed that there was to be no bloodshed, but obediently trotted back to see whether Pulchria needed any comfort.
‘I saw what you did,’ said Geoffrey gratefully to Edward. ‘Thank you for protecting Hilde.’
Edward smiled, but his unsteady seat in the saddle suggested he was already suffering from the weakness that often followed such incidents for those unused to them. Geoffrey handed him a flask that contained medicinal wine, and watched the colour seep back into the man’s cheeks. Then he rode back and reorganized the column, with him and Roger at the front, and Sear and Alberic bringing up the rear.
‘Sear and Alberic gave a good account of themselves,’ said Roger begrudgingly, as they led the way out of the wood, alert for more trouble. ‘I would not have expected it. Richard and Gwgan did not, though.’
‘They are both unwell. It is unfair to judge them today,’ said Geoffrey. ‘Cornald reacted well, too. He began shooting at the robbers almost instantly.’
‘I saw,’ said Roger with a grin. ‘Cunning old Cornald, hiding his talents! Do you think we should turn back? We escaped harm, by and large, but it will be dark soon.’
‘There are lights ahead,’ said Geoffrey. ‘Let us hope the villagers are friendly.’
The villagers were not friendly, but Cornald’s heavy purse encouraged them to let the travellers use a large barn, in which there was plenty of clean straw. Gwgan, Richard and Leah lay down immediately, and Roger lit a fire and began to prepare a basic meal. Geoffrey, Edward, Cornald, Sear and Alberic sat with him, recounting the relatively easy way they had defeated the ambush.
‘Wisely, they concentrated their attack on us,’ said Roger. ‘They shot at the knights at the front and rear of the column, intending to dispatch the warriors first. Then, with us dead or incapacitated, they would have moved in on the cart and the women.’
‘White surcoats,’ said Alberic. ‘We all wear white surcoats, which makes us easy targets.’
‘Mine has a red Crusader’s cross,’ said Roger proudly. ‘And so does Geoff’s. We are different.’
‘Not that different,’ said Cornald. ‘They are both rather grubby, and the crosses do not stand out as well as they did when we left Goodrich.’
‘Perhaps we should don something else, then,’ suggested Edward nervously. ‘I have enough gowns for everyone. Perhaps if we wore no surcoats, the next attack would not be so fierce. I have a lovely red one that will suit you, Sear.’
‘There will not be another ambush,’ predicted Roger confidently, as Geoffrey struggled not to laugh at the image of Sear in a womanly kirtle. ‘We saw the last one off with ease, and the villains will not risk a second one.’
‘I do not want to think about it,’ said Edward, accepting a bowl of soup from Roger with hands that still shook. ‘I will not sleep a wink tonight.’
Geoffrey was just returning from a foray outside, on which he had circled the barn three times to ensure all was in order, when he saw Bale and Pulchria exchange a smouldering look, then aim for the shadows at the back of the building.
‘Bale,’ he said sharply, unwilling to stand by while his squire insulted the butterer quite so flagrantly. ‘Sit with Roger.’
‘But there is something I want him to do,’ said Pulchria.
‘I am sure there is,’ said Geoffrey coolly. ‘But he is not available.’
He nodded curtly to Bale, who looked from master to lover in dismay, but did as he was told, bald head well down so he
would not have to see the disappointment in Pulchria’s eyes.
‘You have no right to interfere,’ Pulchria hissed to Geoffrey, coming close so she would not be overheard. ‘You declined my services in favour of your hag of a wife, but—’
‘You would be advised to say no more, madam,’ snapped Geoffrey with barely controlled anger. ‘Or we both might regret it.’
The expression on his face told Pulchria she would be wise to back away, although she continued to glower. He glanced to where Hilde was talking to the servants, calming their uneasiness with her easy confidence. He felt a surge of affection for her, feeling he was much more fortunate in his spouse than Cornald was.
Restlessly, he went to stand in the doorway, scanning the darkness outside. He wished he still had his dog, knowing it would have growled to warn him of danger. He was not alone for long, though, because Delwyn came to join him.
‘The next time you save me, perhaps you would do it a little more gently,’ he said. ‘I have a bruise where you grabbed me.’
‘My apologies,’ said Geoffrey caustically. ‘If there is a next time, perhaps I shall not bother.’
‘There is no need for that sort of talk.’ Delwyn stepped closer. ‘You are vexed, because I made a remark to you in anger earlier today, but I did not mean it. I would never harm you.’
‘I am glad to hear it.’
‘And to prove it, I have been considering William’s murder for you. Would you like to hear my conclusions?’
‘Only if they do not come accompanied with another demand for the Archbishop’s letter.’
Delwyn grimaced. ‘I think you should not confine your suspicions to the people in this barn – or the ones who are still alive. Do not dismiss Abbot Mabon from your musings, or Bishop Wilfred and Prince Hywel.’
‘Right,’ said Geoffrey tiredly.
Delwyn leaned closer still. ‘And also bear in mind that Hywel is something of a saint, too. He is not as goodly as William was, but everyone likes him.’
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