Exile (The Nandor Tales Book 1)

by Martin Owton

  “Where is that?”

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry, Captain, I don’t recognise anything. I know the city about as well as Maldwyn.”

  “Then we need Theobald’s map and someone who does know the city,” said Nicoras. “I’ll get them. You keep watching.”

  ***

  “Isn’t the King’s Keep magnificent?” said Maldwyn. “I’d heard of the size of the walls, but I was still surprised to actually see them. They make Castle Nandor look like a child’s play house. There will be some building work when I return. I will talk to father and persuade him of the need.”

  The two of them were leaning against a wall eating hot slices of pork wrapped in a flat bread and watching the bustle of the market around them. Their eyes followed the younger women, dressed as they were in light summer skirts that were semi-transparent in the strong sunlight.

  “Some new kit for the lads wouldn’t go amiss, my Lord. If you don’t mind me saying so,” said Davo as Maldwyn paused to wipe the hot pork fat from his chin.

  “Yes. Of course. The old lot looks rather rough when you look at the guards at the Keep.”

  There was silence for a moment as Maldwyn considered rebuilding Castle Nandor.

  “Is there anything else you specially want to see, my Lord?” Davo asked. Maldwyn did not reply immediately, but looked down at his boots as he chewed the last of his snack.

  “Is there? Could we go to a,” his voice trailed off and he blushed. Davo looked at him curiously. “I mean. I’ve heard of such places, but.”

  “My Lord?” Davo struggled to conceal his grin as he waited for Maldwyn to get to the point.

  “Could we go to one of those places that have……girls?”

  “What girls would those be my Lord?” Maldwyn avoided meeting Davo’s gaze which prevented him seeing Davo’s struggle to keep a straight face.

  “Girls who will go with you if you pay them.”

  “Why would you want to go to one of them, my Lord?”

  “Dammit.” Maldwyn looked at Davo then, as if daring him to laugh. “Because I’ve never been with a girl.”

  Davo thought for a moment. Certainly in Nandor there were taverns where it was known that some of the wenches would be compliant for the right money. But not if you were the Earl’s son; there was nowhere that Maldwyn could have gone, and there had been no gossip about him flirting with the castle maids.

  “I’m sure there are such places in the City, my Lord, but I’ll need to ask the lads back at the Exiles’ place. Can’t take you to just any place.”

  “Why not?”

  “Wouldn’t do for you to catch a dose of the pox, my Lord.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “You should, my Lord. ’Tis a dreadful thing, the pox,” said Davo. “But if we go to one of the better places you should be alright. What kind of girl d’yer want?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What do you want her to look like? Fat, skinny, blonde, dark? They’ll ‘ave all kinds, yer know.”

  “Blonde, I think.” Maldwyn smiled. “Blonde and slim and not very tall, but with nice brown eyes.”

  “Right you are, my Lord,” said Davo. “I’m sure we can find one like that for you.”

  ***

  “How much do you know about Earl Baldwin?” said Lionel.

  “Why? What’s happened?” replied Aron, caught off-guard by his tone.

  “Earl Baldwin has found a friend in the city,” Lionel frowned so deeply his eyebrows met in the centre of his forehead. “He has been keeping company with Lord Tirellan. How do you explain this?”

  Aron sat very still, stunned by Lionel’s revelation, trying to assimilate the news. At length he spoke.

  “Baldwin is here? Why? What’s going on?”

  “I thought you might answer that. How is it that he associates with Tirellan?”

  “Earl Baldwin is straightforward and none too bright. I doubt he knows who Tirellan is, or who he is associated with. He has taken him on his word as a gentleman, but I don’t understand why he’s here.”

  Lionel looked straight at Aron, his eyes cold. “Are you confident enough of your opinion to risk our safety on it?”

  “Baldwin doesn’t know Maldwyn is with us. Maldwyn doesn’t know his father is in the city,” said Aron earnestly. “And I didn’t know until you told me.”

  “Do you intend to reunite Maldwyn with his father?”

  “That has been my quest ever since I got him out of Castle Sarazan.”

  “He must not be able to pass on our location here. There is too much at stake.”

  “He hasn’t left the house since we arrived,” said Aron. “Keep him here until I can take him to his family. He’s never been to the city before. I can make sure he’ll never find the house again.”

  “Be sure,” said Lionel grimly. “You know how Tirellan would use the information.”

  Lionel was silent for a long time, his brows knitted together, as he thought.

  “If it were anyone else than you,” he said at last. “I would have his throat cut to preserve our secret. See him safely away from here and he will live.”

  “I will go and see Earl Baldwin and make the arrangements. Where is he lodging?”

  “We don’t know where they are staying. But we will.”

  “They? Who is with him?”

  “His wife and a daughter. Tirellan escorted them to Duke of Norrish’s ball.”

  “What! Which daughter? What on earth is going on?”

  Aron’s stomach tightened at the thought of Tirellan with Edith or Celaine.

  “The older daughter, I believe. It looked like the usual sort of thing by all accounts. He danced with her several times. Pretty girl, I’m told,” said Lionel with a half smile.

  “But we know Tirellan isn’t interested in women.”

  “Then they’re cover for something else. The question is does Baldwin know what’s going on?”

  “I very much doubt it. He probably thinks Tirellan is going to marry his daughter.”

  He thought of Celaine and her long list of disappointments, about to get longer it seemed.

  “They’re in for a disappointment then,” said Lionel.

  “Poor girl, she doesn’t deserve any more heartache,” said Aron.

  “Oh. You know her then?” said Lionel catching the tone of Aron’s voice.

  “Yes. There are two daughters. They’re both very pretty and very nice, and don’t belong in the same world as the likes of Tirellan.”

  Lionel raised one eyebrow inquisitively and smiled at Aron.

  “Just another reason to kill him,” said Aron flatly. “Any news on that?”

  “Bazarkis the procurer reports that Tirellan’s been asking for his usual entertainment. Bazarkis passed on your details. Are you ready?”

  “I’ve been practising unarmed with Kyria’s weaponmaster. But I hope I can get a hidden blade in with me.”

  “Don’t count on it. You know how clever Tirellan is. You keep practising and in the meantime, we’ll keep Maldwyn of Nandor confined. Once you’ve disposed of Tirellan he can go to his father.”

  CHAPTER 28

  “It was so wonderful, I don’t know where to begin,” said Celaine.

  It was around midday and the two girls were sitting in the bedchamber they shared in the Seven Stars. Celaine was still in her nightgown.

  “What time did you get in?” said Edith as she brushed Celaine’s hair. “It seemed very late.”

  “I heard the watchman call four of the morning when Lord Tirellan’s coach brought us back. It’s such a beautiful coach, with black horses and four coachman all dressed up in scarlet livery.”

  Edith said nothing and continued brushing.

  “The Duke’s mansion is just so splendid. It had so many lamps it was as bright as a summer’s day. The ballroom was huge, bigger than the whole of Castle Nandor and you’ve never seen so many servan
ts.”

  “Did Lord Tirellan dance with you?” Edith asked evenly, aware that she was going to be told whether she wished it or not.

  “Yes. Three times. And I danced with Lord Merrish, Count Anador and lots of others that I can’t remember. Lord Merrish said my accent was charming.”

  “Are you sure he wasn’t laughing at you?”

  “Oh no. He was far too nice for that.”

  “Is he handsome?”

  “Well yes, I suppose so. Not as handsome as Petter.”

  “Who?”

  “Petter, Lord Tirellan.”

  “He said to call him Petter?”

  “Yes. He was wonderful for the whole evening.” Celaine seemed entirely unaware of Edith’s increasing irritation with the subject. “And he wore such a lovely coat of silk with lace cuffs. He was quite the finest dressed man there.”

  “Did Papa enjoy the evening?” Edith decided to change the subject at this point.

  “Oh yes,” said Celaine. “He met someone who promised to get him an audience with the King.”

  “Really! When?”

  “Oh, today I think. He’s probably already gone. What’s the matter? You shouldn’t curse like that.”

  Celaine bent to retrieve the hairbrush Edith had dropped.

  “I thought we would all go. I wanted to see the palace, and the King and everything. It’s just not fair. Papa will get it all sorted out and then we’ll go back to Nandor and I won’t have seen or done anything.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Edith. But think; you’ll be able to come and visit me here all the time after I’m married.”

  ***

  Earl Baldwin strode into the sitting room of the Seven Stars and threw his wet cloak at a chair; it missed and fell on the floor.

  “How did it go?” asked Lady Alice, laying aside her embroidery to pick up the cloak. “Did you see the King?”

  “I saw him, and spoke with him at length. Do you know what he wanted at the end of it? Some piece of paper to prove Nandor’s claim to the land, as if my word was not enough!”

  “But I can see his point,” said Lady Alice calmly. “No doubt the Duke will swear equally as strongly that the land belongs to him. How is the King to choose?”

  “In favour of his friends no doubt.”

  “Well, if you believe that then there was never any point in coming here. What said His Majesty of Maldwyn’s ransom?”

  “Better news on that. His Majesty said he would speak most strongly to the Duke, and that he disapproved of the taking of hostages in time of peace.”

  “The land doesn’t matter provided we get Maldwyn back.”

  Baldwin opened his mouth to reply but then thought better of it.

  “Surely there’s a record of the grant of the Earldom?” continued Lady Alice. “There’s a chest full of documents at the back of your hanging cupboard at home. You have looked in there, haven’t you?” Lady Alice stared hard at her husband.

  “Father never mentioned the existence of any such warrant,” said Baldwin defensively.

  “You should have Tumas go through the contents of that chest and catalogue them properly. There could be any manner of thing in there.”

  “Yes dear,” said Baldwin. “Is there anything to drink up here?”

  “It’s barely midday,” said Alice with a frown. “How did His Majesty leave things?”

  “He gave me his word that he would enquire into it and speak to me again.”

  “The King gave you his word. What more could you reasonably want?”

  ***

  “Alright, my Lord. I think I’ve found just the place for yer.” Davo grinned, exposing the gaps in his teeth. “The prettiest young ladies can be yours for a mere twenty silver pieces.”

  “Twenty silvers?” exclaimed Maldwyn, he sat up from the bed where he had been lounging. “Do you know how many sheep you could buy for twenty silvers in Nandor?”

  “Well they are the prettiest girls in the city, but if yer’d prefer sheep, my Lord.” Davo displayed more gaps.

  “Oh no. I mean.” Maldwyn turned red, to Davo’s great amusement. “Twenty silvers it is then. Where is it?”

  “Half Moon Street in the Tailors’ district.”

  “We could go today.”

  “They don’t open until after sundown and we need to get a change of clothes.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a classy place and yer dun’t look like a nobleman. Yer looked in a mirror? That’s the same shirt yer’ve had on since yer left Sarazan.”

  “So? I’m the heir to the Earldom of Nandor.” Maldwyn straightened his shoulder and stuck his chest out.

  “So bollocks. They ain’t gonna let yer in. How’s yer going to prove yerra nobleman? Yer don’t sound like a nobleman and nobody’s even ‘eard of Nandor and we’re supposed to be keeping quiet about who yer is anyway. Or ‘ave you forgotten Sarazan’s still after yer?”

  “Alright so, I’ll get a new shirt. When can we go?”

  “When you look like sommun they’ll let in. We’ll go tonight if yer get some decent clothes.”

  “Why are you so fussy all of a sudden?”

  “They throw yer out an’ most like I’ll get a kicking too. The doorkeepers is famous there.”

  “So where am I to get clothes?”

  “Same as everone else, buy ‘em. We’ve got the money. Get Aron to take us out or send in a tailor. He can’t ‘ardly refuse, he needs ‘em as much as yer. Or ask Lionel, yerra a nobleman ain’t yer? Yer can’t be going round looking like a scarecrow.”

  ***

  “I think this is what we’ve been waiting for,” Ezrin said, smiling broadly as he faced Nicoras. “Lord Maldwyn is planning a visit to a cathouse in Half Moon Street in the Tailors’ district. He’s been thinking of little else all day.”

  “Where’s Half Moon Street?” Nicoras turned to the map that was pinned to the wall.

  “The Tailors’ district is here, Captain.” Theobald’s servant pointed on the map. “I know Half Moon Street, and I have heard of the brothel there. It has the reputation of being expensive.”

  “It’s a good way from here then,” said Nicoras. He thought in silence for a moment. “Is there an inn nearby where we can take a room?”

  “Several, Captain,” replied the servant.

  “That’s what we’ll do then. We’ll install you in an inn nearby, Master Ezrin. You can tell us when Lord Maldwyn’s coming, and Tancred can lead him straight into our arms.” Nicoras cracked his knuckles with a little smile of satisfaction. “I’ll take a dozen men and some crossbows to discourage any resistance. No livery though; we can’t show Sarazan colours on the street or we’ll have the King’s guard down on us. And we’ll need to make sure none of the men guarded Maldwyn when he was in Sarazan otherwise he might recognise them. Right, let’s get moving. These places don’t open until after sundown so there’s time enough to get set up tonight if we move smartly.”

  ***

  Maldwyn stood in the bare room displaying his new shirt and breeches; he had even managed to get a shine on his boots.

  “What a treat for a lucky girl. You could be the crown prince hisself. Let’s be gone then, we mustn’t keep the ladies waiting,” said Davo. “Shame Aron ain’t coming, but then he wouldn’t really enjoy hisself. He’s far too serious for a young fella.”

  “He’s got a lot on his mind,” said Maldwyn.

  “Do him good to have a night out on the town,” chuckled Davo. “Now do yer want to go for a drink or two and maybe a bite o’ summat before we head up to Half Moon Street, my Lord?”

  “No, I think we’ll go straight there. We might seek a tavern afterwards, perhaps. I’ll-um - see how I feel.”

  They made their way downstairs to the exit door. The doorman nodded to Davo and drew back the bolts. They stepped out into the street and heard the bolts rattle back into place behind them. They strolled in a leisurely fashion down to one of the main th
oroughfares. At this point of the day, just after sunset, but with the sky still light, there were many people abroad. None were bustling about business wearing their workaday clothes. This was the time when the city people took the air dressed in their finest, maybe stopping for a gossip with friends or to take a drink at a tavern. Strolling musicians played for the crowds and sweetmeat sellers cried their wares.

  “Celaine and Edith would just love this,” said Maldwyn. “All these colourful clothes and the people just parading around. When I’m Earl, I shall bring them here and take a house for a month every year.”

  Davo smiled as he thought about the time when Maldwyn would be Earl. A good friend of the Earl might prosper; someone who had shared danger with him and who knew his secrets might do very well. Maldwyn was like his father in that he would stick to his friends through thick and thin, and always make sure they were well looked after.

  By the time Maldwyn and Davo reached Half Moon Street the residents of the Tailors’ district were hanging out the night lanterns.

  “That’s the place,” said Davo, pointing to a discreet, but stout door in an otherwise blank wall. “Knock and ask for Mistress Lively. I’ll wait for you in that tavern.” Davo pointed to a hostelry a few yards further on. “Enjoy yerself, my Lord.”

  Maldwyn clutched the pouch of coins and marched up to the door with his shoulders held square. He rapped firmly on it and took a pace back to stand under the lantern so that the doorkeeper could get a good look at him through the peephole. After a moment the door swung open and Maldwyn stepped inside.

  ***

  “They’re moving, Captain,” said Ezrin. “They’re heading for Half Moon Street.”

  Nicoras took a look up and down the street. “Still busy, too many witnesses if Maldwyn makes a fight of it. We’ll lift him when he comes out. You can tell us when that is.”

  “The very minute, Captain.”

  “Excellent,” said Nicoras. “We’ll sit outside the door and then grab him.”

  Nicoras ordered a runner to go round alerting his squad.

  The runner returned after a while. “All in position, Captain.”