Michael Jecks - A Friar's bloodfeud

‘A fair hypothesis.’ Baldwin nodded.

They were no nearer the truth, he thought, and walked to the door, his mind whirling with possibilities. But even as he began to see another possible explanation — only dimly, but there, like a path that was glimpsed through the fog only to be concealed again in a moment — his attention was caught by the shouting from outside the manor.

Sir Odo stood at the gate and stared at the body. ‘When was this?’ he demanded, all geniality flown.

‘Sir, I did all I could to protect him. It was impossible, though. He just went for them, and Sir Geoffrey cut him down.’

Sir Odo had seen the injuries which a sword could make often enough, and this was clearly a blow intended to kill. It had sliced through the skull. He looked about him, estimating. ‘How many men were there with him?’

‘Six and twenty that I saw.’

‘Where are the others, then? All my men are scattered about the place — I can’t hope to throw him off the land with so few. It would be impossible …’

Baldwin and Simon were in time to hear his last words as they joined Sir Odo in the yard, Edgar standing nearby and gazing down at the body with interest. It was a fierce blow from a heavy sword; that much was clear. ‘What happened here?’ Baldwin demanded.

‘This man was my sergeant over the river,’ Sir Odo said heavily. ‘This man, Walter, whom you wanted to meet, saw him cut down by Sir Geoffrey himself, and carried the body all the way back here.’

‘You saw him killed?’

‘We were there this morning, him just quietly pottering about the place trying to make it liveable after their last attack, me sitting and enjoying the sun, when we heard the horses.’

‘You had warning? Why didn’t the messenger come to me in time?’ Sir Odo growled.

‘They came up the river, and then charged up the main trackway from the ford, Sir Odo. I expect the lad was scared off and won’t be found for some time,’ Walter said. ‘I was taken unawares because I expected the bastards to come from the east. We’d started a palisade facing that way to protect us, but they just came pelting up the track and overwhelmed us. There were too many for the two of us to achieve anything.’

‘And what then?’ Baldwin enquired, still staring at the man on the ground.

‘A man went inside the house, and he killed Robert’s bitch and her pups. That made him mad, and he just ran at the man with his dagger. Sir Geoffrey was still on his horse, and as Robert passed him, he took a chop with his sword. Then he told me to take the carcass away and never return.’

‘You look about done in,’ Sir Odo said. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘I can hold a sword, sir.’

‘Good. Go and find a mount.’

‘Sir Odo, I protest.’ Baldwin stood and stared at the older knight with serious eyes. ‘Attacking Sir Geoffrey can benefit no one. Least of all Lord de Courtenay.’

‘Those murdering swines have killed my sergeant, Sir Baldwin! Look at him! Dead because of that arse-wipe from Monkleigh. All he seeks is the expansion of his lands at all times, nothing else. I will not have him taking over all the de Courtenay lands without a fight!’

‘Good. But I should recommend that you consolidate the position you presently have, and that you pull some men back from other areas.’

‘Why? So he can invade any stretch without a battle? That hardly makes sense …’

‘As it stands, you have too few men, and they are dotted about in small packets. Any of them can be easily overwhelmed, just as these two were,’ Baldwin said bluntly. ‘If you wish to waste your men’s lives, that is your responsibility, but I’d prefer to save as many as possible.’

‘So would I!’ Sir Odo protested angrily. ‘But if I don’t respond to this provocation, what will he try next? He’ll slip a dagger between me and my lands at Iddesleigh, and take them too, or …’

Baldwin irritably held up a hand. ‘You say that he would try to shave away your holdings?’

‘It has happened elsewhere. The barons are too scared to control the king or his adviser now that they see the bodies rotting on the gibbets up and down the land. What is the point of fighting to save your lands if it loses you your life?’

‘But you would do that?’

Sir Odo set his jaw and looked away.

‘You had a pact with him over that last stretch of land. You say he agreed for his personal profit, but what would have happened to him if his lord had learned of the deal? He would have been at risk of his life. Why would he agree to that for short-term treasure?’

‘To calm local fears,’ Sir Odo said. ‘With Lady Lucy so worried about her position, and my master Sir John Sully nervous of further encroachment on his territories, it was clearly a good policy to calm any anxiety. I persuaded Sir Geoffrey that it would be to his master’s advantage too, if he kept a sizeable portion separate.’

‘What made the situation change?’ Baldwin wondered. ‘Now he threatens war.’

‘All was well until Ailward died. His death seems to have precipitated action. Or maybe it was Lady Lucy — she was taken not long before.’

‘Why should they have made Sir Geoffrey discard what had been a beneficial arrangement?’

‘I don’t know. Unless he thought that I was responsible for Ailward’s murder … and I swear I was not! I know nothing at all about his death.’

Baldwin nodded. The man’s confusion was evident. ‘I still say that an attack now would be unproductive, Sir Odo.’

‘What else can I do, except leave the land to Sir Geoffrey and his men until a lawyer can fight my cause for me? That would take time and treasure, Sir Baldwin. Better to resolve the question now.’

‘You must do as you see fit. But better to hold your hand a little while. Let them grow complacent, believing you will do nothing, while you marshal your forces. And don’t use that man Walter.’

‘He’s the one with the most cause to desire revenge!’

‘He is also the man most likely to lose all reason. If you don’t want a feud on your hands, I should send him elsewhere.’

Hugh found the pain returning before they had travelled any distance. He walked with John and the reluctant Humphrey down to the river ford on the way to Iddesleigh, where Humphrey stood staring at the waters dejectedly.

Leaning on his staff, Hugh grunted, ‘You don’t have to come with us.’

John shot him a look, and Hugh returned it belligerently. ‘I don’t care what he did in some convent ages ago. I just want the man who killed Constance, and bringing Humphrey along won’t help me, will it?’

‘Shouldn’t he be handed over to the Church?’

‘Why? What good would that do us?’ Hugh demanded. ‘He’s just a wanderer. Let him go.’

‘What do you think?’ John asked Humphrey. ‘What does your heart tell you?’

‘You’re asking me?’ Humphrey asked. ‘I want to go away. I never meant to hurt anyone, and I didn’t want to leave my convent, but now? I just want to go and find peace. I was happy here, but I can’t stay, so I have to run.’

John pulled a face and looked from one to the other. ‘It’s my duty to report him, Hugh. If I don’t, I’ll be in trouble later. Yet I think he won’t err again. He’s a good enough fellow.’

‘Please!’ Humphrey said.

‘Go on! Just go, before I change my mind,’ John said. He clapped Humphrey on the shoulder. ‘Godspeed, Brother. May peace find you, and may you come to rest in a safe and happy home at last when your wanderings are done.’

‘I … Godspeed, Brother. I don’t know what to … Thank you.’

Hugh watched him from narrowed eyes. When Humphrey slapped him on the upper arm, he nodded, but said no more. His mind was bent on the man he knew he must speak to: Father Matthew, the man who had been in the lane outside his house a short while before the place was fired.