Michael Jecks - The Malice of Unnatural Death

‘Why is he here?’

‘I took pity upon him. Is that a surprise? He had his fingers cut off by that lunatic!’

‘You mean the king’s man? The man who was trying to catch the necromancer who was determined to kill your king?’

The sheriff nodded. ‘So you condone torturing the innocent? Interesting.’

Simon reached forward and placed a hand upon Baldwin’s shoulder. He could feel his friend’s muscles writhing with eagernessto strike the sheriff, but then they became rigid. After witnessing the destruction of his order, Baldwin had a deep hatredof any forms of torture or injustice.

‘How well do you know the Sheriff of Warwick?’ Baldwin asked.

‘This is all most interesting, Keeper, but I have matters of real importance to occupy me. I think our meeting is at an end.’

Baldwin stood. ‘Then I shall leave you, Sheriff. But be aware that I will investigate any fresh murders with vigour. Especiallyif I hear of any harm coming to Will Skinner or to … Robinet. I feel sure I have an interesting story to tell my Lord Despenser. And the king, of course.’

Exeter Castle

While they were talking, Alice walked out in the court. She had no friendly maid now, but she was content with her own thoughts. Apart from anything else, there was no confidante whom she could trust with news of her brother.

She had not seen him since Jen’s slaughter of poor Sarra. He had appeared as though from nowhere that day, but then he hadslipped away as she was taken up to Langatre’s house.

It was probably for the best. Sarra had been able to take him food and drink on occasion, and she said that he had been verygrateful, but since her death there was no one whom Alice could trust. Perhaps, though, it was better this way. She couldnot keep on following him, hoping against hope that she might see him in town. Better that they should keep apart, and preventany additional risk to her husband. She had done enough to worry him already, poor Matthew.

But she would like to see her brother once more. Just to talk. She missed him.

Outside, Baldwin was about to cross the court when he saw Lady Alice with a maidservant. He licked his lips, hesitated, andthen crossed to her. ‘Lady, I am sorry for my rudeness just now. There were matters which had to be discussed.’

She did not pretend that she liked him. ‘Sir Baldwin, you bullied me at Master Langatre’s house, and now you have insulted meagain. I have enough to worry about, after my maid tried to kill me, without worrying about you.’

‘You are quite right. I am deeply sorry, my lady, and only hope that next time we meet, we shall do so in happier circumstances.’

‘So do I.’

She watched him turn and walk from the place. All she felt, though, was an overwhelming relief that Baldwin and the bailiffhad not realised that her brother was in the city. He — and she — were safe for now. Only her husband knew of Maurice, andhe would not do anything to harm her brother while he remained in the city.

Sir Matthew had actually seemed quite relieved to hear that the strange person whom she was seeing was only a traitor andoutlaw, and not a lover.

Thursday, Vigil of the Feast of St Andrew 10

Polsloe Priory

Jen felt the shackles slip off her wrists and stood a moment rubbing her chafed skin. The sun was a thin, weakly reminderof summer, and in her thin tunic and worn cloak she was frozen.

‘You are the mad girl from Exeter?’

This was a large, cheery woman with a red face and perpetual smile. Under her nun’s wimple, her blue eyes twinkled merrily.

‘I am called Jen,’ she admitted.

‘Good! At least you know your name. Come here, child. The bishop has asked us to look after you and try to make your demons leaveyou.’ She spoke as she led Jen into the convent, under a great stone arch, and into a broad courtyard. ‘So that is what wemust do, isn’t it?’

Jen nodded. Since the day she had been exorcised in the cathedral by the bishop himself, she had felt weary, but a littlebetter. The only strange thing, to her, was that she could not understand why her love would allow her to leave Exeter. Surelyhe wouldn’t wish her to be away from him for very long?

She was led along a pathway to a little chamber. ‘This is your home now, child. You are to stay here with us until you arecured or God takes you to His own.’

That was all she knew. Matthew would soon have her out of here.

He loved her.

Wednesday, Vigil of the Feast of St Nicholas 11

The Bishop’s Palace

‘Sir Baldwin, I am glad you could visit me one last time.’

The bishop sat at his table, and rose as Baldwin entered, waving to the servant behind him. Soon they were alone.

‘You wished to see me?’

‘Sir Baldwin, the date of the next parliament has been set. It will be early in the New Year.’

‘And you still wish me to go?’

‘Of course. Who else would be so able to serve the interests of our country so well? Others may offer their strong right arms in battle, but some, like you and I, must use our brains.’

‘I do so already. I perform a useful function here, where I feel comfortable, and where I flatter myself I can do some good.’

‘Sir Baldwin, you know already that the country is in turmoil. There are enemies of the king who would have him destroyed. You know this.’

‘My Lord Bishop, I know well that I could be thrown into the turmoil. And I would die. I am a lowly rural knight, not somegreat baron. If I am hurled headlong into politics, it may cost me my life. What then would happen to my wife and children? Would you see them protected? Or would you watch another man take my little manor and deprive my family of their holdings?’

‘This need not happen. If you are honourable in your dealings …’

‘There are honourable men in parliament?’ Baldwin asked scathingly.

‘If there are too few, you could help! Become a member of the government, and do the good you crave!’

‘One man against the rest?’ Baldwin smiled. ‘How refreshing that one can be so influential.’

‘The king needs sensible, level-headed advisers. If you join his parliament you can do much good. Help him make the rightdecisions.’

‘By advising him to do whatever he wishes, you mean? His friends the Despensers would soon have my head if I recommended anyaction which they deemed against their interests.’

‘You must appreciate the danger which surrounds the realm, Sir Baldwin. We are a small nation. The world’s greatest army is only a few leagues over the sea. The king of France could attempt to invade us at any time, and can you imaginehow well our host would acquit itself against his men? Armoured knights in their thousands. Bowmen from Genoa and Lorraine,men-at-arms from all over France, Lombardy, you name it, all will flock to his banner to take a piece of the profits of stealingour king’s inheritance. Do you want to see that?’

‘He has the best ambassador he could wish, yet he holds her prisoner.’

‘The queen’s loyalty is not absolute. Her brother is king of France. Which man should she support?’

‘Her king — but he is the very man who has humiliated her recently. He must make amends.’

‘And it requires men of standing and character to make sure he realises that.’

Baldwin smiled thinly. ‘You think he would listen to a knight from his shires?’

‘If enough in parliament said the same, then yes. He might.’

‘What of you, Bishop? Would you support the queen?’

Stapledon looked away for a moment, but then said quietly, ‘Yes. I would help anyone who could ease our affairs abroad.’ Helooked across at Baldwin and smiled thinly. ‘Does that surprise you?’