Hawkwood's Sword

by Frank Payton

  A chill went through me at her words, and I was angry enough to draw my sword to strike her down, but once more Father Pietro’s hand stopped me.

  “No, Sir John, no. She will be dealt with by the good Lord, at her appointed hour.”

  “And you, Sir Priest, are not long for this world,” hissed the Abbess. “The Great Mother awaits you, not two moons hence. Get you gone!”

  *****

  Proserpina’s poor wilting body was passed up to me, and I placed her in front of me upon Boy’s broad back. Wrapping her in my cloak, I held her with my left arm about her slender waist. Boy’s reins I managed with my right arm and left hand. Accompanied only by Ludovico and Marco, and leaving the rest to follow under Jack’s command, I set as fast a pace as I dared with such a precious burden. The attentions of both Taddea and Hal Peasegood were needed as soon as possible, if Proserpina was to be returned to health.

  The ride became a nightmare. It was endless. The impression of every blade of grass, every twig of tree and rocky stone stayed with me for days and restless nights afterwards. The Scacci stronghold passed almost unseen, as did the deep gloomy paths of the forest. As we cleared this last obstacle, Marco brought Fiamma alongside Boy.

  “An you will, Sir John, I will ride on ahead,” he murmured, “And warn the people at Savignone to make ready.”

  “Good lad. Do that,” I said, and he put his spurs to the mare, which flew ahead of us in an instant.

  We finally clattered into the courtyard at Ludovico’s estate house to be met by Gaetano the Steward, with a group of manservants. At first the fat steward beamed with pleasure, and he seemed to have no idea of the travail and danger we had encountered, greeting us as returning heroes.

  His face and demeanour changed as I lowered Proserpina into the arms of two of the servants, who placed her upon a simple litter and carried her off into the house and towards her chamber.

  After dismounting I gave Boy’s reins to one of the waiting stable boys, who led him away, together with Fiamma. I removed my helmet and stretched to relieve my aching back and legs, cramped by being in the saddle for so long a time and holding Proserpina safe in my arms.

  “Now, Giovanni,” said Ludovico, dismounting from his own horse, “let us pray that the effects of any noxious potions, given to Proserpina by that old harridan at the Convent, lift of themselves—or are removed by Hal’s skill, and Taddea’s loving care.”

  We entered the house and hurried after Proserpina, and I was with her when she was lifted onto her own bed. Taddea hurried in, tears upon her cheeks. She gave a cry, almost a scream, at the sight, and threw herself down on her knees beside her beloved charge.

  “Oh, my dear,” she sobbed. “My dear, dear child,” and placed her arms about Proserpina, resting her head upon her breast.

  Hal Peasegood appeared shortly after, resplendent in new garments given to him by Ludovico. Despite the finery, in which he looked the very figure of a prosperous Italian doctor, Hal had still not lost his sparrow-like appearance and general air of woe. Taddea rose to her feet and stood sobbing, holding on to one of Proserpina’s hands.

  “The Lady Proserpina has been given potions to send her into deep sleep, and to take away her mind and will,” I told him. “Can you rid her of these things, and return her to her former self?”

  He did not answer at first but bent over the still form on the bed, taking Proserpina’s hand in his own. “She is cold, Sir John, and must be bathed with hot water.” He placed his hand upon her brow, then bent and, opening her mouth, sniffed at her breath. He straightened, and looked at me, saying, “The Lady has been given a very strong draught, of poppy juice and the ground dried root of setwale—probably more than once, if she has has been in the hands of someone determined to subject her mind to theirs.”

  “Can you rid her of this? Completely?”

  “I can try, Sir John,” he said in his cautious way. “If Master Bandini will translate for me, I will tell Mistress Taddea what must be done.”

  “Do that for me, will you, Marco?” I said to him. I leaned over Proserpina and kissed her icy lips, then left, sick to the depths of my soul.

  *****

  I was met outside by Alain Malwe, who was concerned over the matter of the Innkeeper.

  “He is ever a trouble, Sir John,” he said, brow furrowing. “We have treated him well and fairly as you ordered, but he shrieks and screams the day long for his freedom, and will not be quieted. Some days he will not be still, nor eat nor drink; also he swears revenge on you.”

  “His troubles are at an end,” I said. “We have brought my Lady home, so he may be released. Bring him to me, in my chamber—at sword point if necessary—and tell him he is to be quiet, or I will hold him in a cellar underground for another month.”

  Alain grinned and set off for the stables. I called to Marco, “Fetch me the money chest to my chamber.”

  I went to my quarters, and shortly after Marco came up with the chest. He set it upon a table, which we dragged across the chamber to a point in front of the window.

  “What will you do?” Marco asked with a smile.

  “Blind him with gold!” I laughed. “That will close his mouth. Off with you now, and bring him here to me.”

  Taking the key from its chain about my neck, I opened the chest. From it I took six bags of gold coins, and spilled the contents of three of them onto the table and into a patch of sunlight. They gleamed there like a pool of bright yellow water. On top of this I scattered several jewelled rings and brooches, and a heavy chain of solid gold.

  I turned away from the table at a hubbub of noise in the passage outside the chamber. There was a scuffling, dragging of something heavy along the floor. The door banged open. Marco and Alain entered with a still resisting figure in black between them: the Innkeeper. They released him to fall in a heap upon the floor. He scrambled to his feet.

  “I will not be treated thus!” he screamed. “I am a free citizen of Genoa! The Doge shall hear of this affront, this scandalous treatment meted out to me, who only wished to help. He will...he will... I will...”

  His rantings faltered to to silence as his eyes fell on the sight of the riches upon the table. “I will... What is this?” His mouth gaped open for a long moment. Then he closed it with a snap. “Signore?”

  “Well, Innkeeper. What do you have to say now? Now that you see your promised reward before you?”

  He gulped, and stammered. “I…I did not believe you, Signore.” His eyes strayed back to the table. “There is so much, so much…I apologise. I apologise most profoundly for my behaviour.” He fell on his knees before me. “Forgive me?”

  I pulled him to his feet. “Take it. I keep my word; remember that. Never seek to betray me—never—or I promise you will live to regret it, but not for very long.”

  “I will never betray you, Signore. Never, on the honour of my family. I will be true to you always.”

  Or as long as the gold keeps coming, I thought to myself. I watched as, with trembling hands, he scraped the gold back into the bags and filled his scrip with the rings. Placing the gold chain about his neck, he bowed to me.

  “I hope that your Lady recovers from the ill-usage meted out to her, and that you have happiness and good fortune together. I will leave now, if I may.”

  I held out my hand to him, and he took it eagerly and kissed it after the Italian custom, bowing low the while.

  “See the Innkeeper safely to his home, Alain,” I said, “but do not dally in the city. We have work to do here.”

  He saluted and left, shepherding the Innkeeper before him. A short time after, I heard him calling to his men. I drew a deep breath, and sighed.

  “What next, I wonder?” I asked, more of myself than of anyone present. Marco, however, thought that I had addressed him.

  “He will not betray you, Sir John. Not now that he has kissed your hand. To an Italian, it is a sacred bond. He is bound to you for life.”

  I muttered some sort of reply, and ask
ed, “What else is there?”

  “Gaetano has asked me to remind you that Alessandro the seaman is still in his custody. What is he to do with him?”

  “Ah, yes, Alessandro,” I said. “Send him away, with a purse of silver and my thanks. Will you do that for me? I have other matters to occupy me. Take the silver from the chest, then lock it and give me the key later. Do not delay. We must all talk about the danger in the North. For the present, I will sit here and await the others.”

  I had not long to wait. The sound of hooves and raised voices roused me from my tumbling thoughts. I left my chamber and went down to the Great Hall. Ludovico was already there, and we were soon joined by Jack and Giles. Gaetano waddled in behind them, and Ludovico asked for wine and food to be brought in.

  “How fares the maid, Sir John?” asked Jack, tossing back a cup of wine.

  “She is not in good health. She has been given strong potions to turn her mind and will. Hal Peasegood is hoping to rid her of these evil effects with no lasting harm, so we must wait and pray that he will be successful.”

  “And now, what do we do?” he asked.

  “Now we have serious talks about something which Marco discovered on his way to Milan. You will know that I sent him there to see Paolo da Lucca. He will tell you of the problem we now face in Romagnano.”

  Marco went over the details once more of his encounter with Landau’s men, and the officers at the tavern on the way to Milan. When he had finished, Jack exploded.

  “I should have killed that bastard when I had him at swordpoint, the night after the fight on the way to Lanzo. You stopped me. I have never trusted von Felsingen, or that cold shadow of his,” he finished accusingly.

  “We knew nothing of his intentions then, Jack. Marco is the one who pointed us to the source of treachery, and has also brought proof to me now. What we must do now is to act upon this news.” I paused.

  “We need to return to the North without delay,” said Giles. “We’ll be needed.”

  “A messenger must go ahead of us, to warn Sterz,” added Jack.

  “That is so,” I said. “I will send Niccolo, with an escort of three—two men-at-arms and an archer. Find them three good mounts, Jack. Niccolo has his gelding, and he knows the road.”

  “And what do we do?” said Jack. “The maid is safe now, surely?”

  “Yes, she is, but in all conscience I cannot leave here just yet. When I can see that her eyes are open, that she knows me and her family, and also when she knows that we rescued her, I will leave then.”

  “You’ll need an escort, Sir John,” said Giles.

  “Yes. Jack, leave five men-at-arms. And you, Giles, leave Alain Malwe and two archers. Marco and Huw will stay with me as usual. But you should leave tomorrow morning.”

  Marco rose to his feet. “I’ll go and find Niccolo, Sir John,” he said, “and get him prepared for the journey. I’ll bring him to you here.”

  Jack and Giles then left to go to their commands. Niccolo and his escort I wanted on the road as soon as possible. Ludovico left to deal with Gaetano, the affairs of the estate and the family.

  Marco soon returned with Niccolo, and I waved them to seats next to me. I asked if Niccolo were willing to accept the task of riding to Romagnano.

  “I want to help you in any way I am able, Signore Gianni, but I must have a fresh horse. Il Nero is lame. Otherwise, when you will.”

  “Very well. Go to the Count and ask him to find you one of his best and fleetest mounts. He will know why.”

  I then explained that I knew that certain of Albrecht Sterz’s men were planning to desert to our enemy. In addition they intended to take Sterz and myself prisoners, and deliver us to the Duke Bernabo of Milan.

  “Tell no one else of this matter, Niccolo, on pain of death. Too many lives hang on this matter. I am giving you an escort so that you will be safe from roadside brigands. You can leave later this afternoon, and get a good start on the way. Master Onsloe and Master Ashurst will follow behind you in the morning. Rest awhile now, and your escort will be ready to leave with you.”

  *****

  Niccolo left Savignone in mid-afternoon with his escort of four.

  “I’ve put Simon Bawdesley in charge of this escort,” Jack said. “You’ll mind he was with young Marco on his scouting ride some time ago. He’s one I can trust.”

  I remembered Bawdesley, and was glad to know what Jack had told me. Niccolo was very willing, but he was then young and needed a steady sort of man beside him. Giles had sent along Rob Allsebrook—one of his best men, who hailed from Nottingham—for the same reason, and also that he was a good marksman. So I was content as they rode off at a good pace and were soon lost to sight along the road.

  As for myself, I went again to visit Proserpina. Taddea and two of the maids had wrought wonders with her, but she still lay supine on her bed, seemingly bereft of life. Only the rise and fall of her bosom spoke of the life still within. She had been bathed and cleansed of all the foulness from that accursed convent, and her skin glowed against the white of her gown. Her dark-honey hair had been washed and groomed, and lay spread upon the pillow in a shining mass. The familiar fragrance of her favourite perfume filled the chamber. I kissed her cheeks, which felt soft and warm. The ice had left her.

  “Has she opened her eyes yet?” I asked the old nurse.

  She shook her head, the tears starting again in her eyes. “Messer Hal has looked in her eyes, but as yet there are no signs of recognition. She has taken a little food, some soup, though.”

  I patted her shoulder. “You are doing well for her. Your love will help her. Where is Hal now?” I asked.

  “Gone to his own chamber I believe, Signore, to prepare healing draughts.”

  I left her then and went in search of Hal, and found him as Taddea had said. He was pounding dried herbs and I know not what else in a mortar. He looked up, startled at my appearance.

  “Sir John! You surprised me, I was so intent upon my task. I am preparing a purging draught for the young lady. It will not be pleasant for her, but this mixture is most efficacious, so I have found.”

  “How long will this cure take?” I asked him, wrinkling my nose at the smell.

  “Days, weeks even—I do not know, Sir John. These things have a course to run, and it can be ill to hurry the healing process too much.”

  “Thank you, Hal,” I replied, my heart heavy within me. “I know you will do your utmost.”

  There was nothing I could do but wait. The evening meal that day was a glum affair. Ludovico and I were too worried about Proserpina to be good company. Jack ate too much, drank too much, and also quarrelled with Giles over his habit of trying to laugh his way out of gloom, and was at last carried off by two of his men whom Marco had to fetch in from the encampment. The rest of us sought our beds early.

  On the next day I visited Proserpina again, but found little change in her. Ludovico was there.

  “Shall I send for doctors from Genoa?” he asked. “I have much confidence in your man, but two or more heads may be better than one. The medicine which cures the English may not be wholly suitable for we Italians.”

  I heaved a sigh. “Do whatever think best, my friend; she is your sister, and you are responsible for her. As for myself, I shall go riding in the countryside, after I have seen Jack’s departure.”

  I went over to the men’s camp, which had been broken up after the morning meal. All equipment had been packed on the horses, and Jack was preparing to leave. He was more morose than usual this morning. I had heard him cursing the men as I approached with Marco at my side.

  “A poor night’s sleep, Jack?” I enquired.

  “Too much wine, and a thick head,” he admitted ruefully, turning bloodshot eyes upon me. “ You should have stopped me.”

  I laughed at this. “I’d liefer have tried to stop a herd of wild horses. The ride and the morning air will clear your head. Niccolo is about half a day ahead of you, at a guess. I’ve told him to try and get t
o Romagnano in four days, if he can. You can be a little slower. When you arrive, go and see John Brise, then the two of you together go and report to Albrecht. See him alone, no one else present, and act on his orders.”

  “He’s bound to ask when you will return. What am I tell him?”

  “I shall return when I can see that my Lady has at least started on the path to recovery. Our enemies in the Company will not act until I do return, I am sure of that. They aim to take me prisoner, a prize for their new master."

  With that we parted, and I watched them all ride out to pick up the road to the north. Huw had brought our horses, and Marco and I took to the saddle and set off into the country.

  *****

  There followed anxious days of waiting for Proserpina to show signs of recovery. Ludovico’s Genoese doctors exercised their skills, came and went, but to little better effect than had our good Hal Peasegood. I visited her chamber several times each day, but there seemed to be little change from one visit to the next.

  Marco and I rode about the countryside with a few of our escort, sometimes accompanied by Ludovico when he could spare time from the management of his estate. We took the archers’ spare bows with us, and Marco’s crossbow, to try our hand at hunting, shooting at whatever was started up from under our feet or the horses’ hooves. I was pleased to find that I could recover the trick of shooting without thinking or seeming to aim. As the old saying had it, ‘the eye to the mark and the arrow to follow.’ Sometimes we came back at the end of the day with something for the pot, a rabbit or two, a hare, a duck or goose, which Marco pronounced to be good eating. I sought a deer or a wild boar, but none such were forthcoming.

  Then, on a Spring day when the sun was sinking fast to its rest, we arrived back at Savignone to be greeted with much excitement by Gaetano and a knot of servants. From their babblings we gathered that Proserpina had at last opened her eyes and had spoken a few words.