Edward Marston - The Devil's Apprentice

‘Come in, come in, Isaac,’ invited Orr.

‘Thank you, Reginald,’ said the other, breathless from the long ride.

‘Did you find anything out in London?’

‘Eventually.’

‘Then take a seat and tell me all.’

Isaac Upchard was grateful to slump into the high-backed wooden chair beside the fire. He was a swarthy young man in his early twenties whose ugly features were exaggerated by his habit of grimacing frequently and inappropriately as if in pain.

‘It was not a task I could enjoy,’ he admitted. ‘Like you, I never cross the threshold of an inn but necessity compelled me to lurk at the Queen’s Head for hours. It’s a foul establishment, Reginald, full of roaring men and lewd women who drank and sported in the most heathen way.’

‘Such places should be burnt to the ground,’ said Orr.

Upchard nodded in agreement. ‘What made it worse for me was that I had to discard the sober attire I wear with such pride and don the kind of clothing that would allow me to enter the inn freely. It was an effort to do so.’

‘But not without results, it seems.’

‘No. Actors are very talkative. I got close enough to listen.’

‘But not close enough to fall in with them, I hope.’

‘Oh, no!’

‘That would have been a gross error,’ warned Orr. ‘Apart from the corruption with which you’d have been threatened, there’s the question of safety. They mustn’t know that you spied on them, Isaac. We don’t want any of them recognising you and finding a link to me.’

‘I was very discreet,’ said Upchard, pulling a face as if suddenly impaled on a sharp spear. ‘Luckily, the actors were not. Their boasting filled the whole taproom.’

‘What you heard was the voice of the Devil incarnate.’

‘That came from the throats of women, Reginald. I’ve never met such brazen creatures. They made vile suggestions in my ear of a kind that no decent man should ever have to endure. It was an ordeal.’

‘I’m sorry that you had to go through with it, my friend, but the truth is that I could not. Had I been in the middle of such lecherous company, I would’ve risen up and condemned them in the sternest tones. You, fortunately,’ he said, sitting opposite his visitor as the latter produced an alarming series of grimaces, ‘were able to control yourself enough to mingle unseen by them. Now, Isaac. Tell me what you discovered.’

‘Everything you asked.’

‘Good fellow!’

‘Westfield’s Men will leave London early on Monday morning. They’ll be twelve in number with four apprentices besides.’ He clicked his tongue in disapproval. ‘Young boys, doomed to be dragged down into the mire by their elders.’

‘How will they travel?’

‘By the main road for most of the way. Then they strike off for Silvermere. Some will ride horses but others will travel with their costumes and scenery on a big cart.’

Orr raised an eyebrow. ‘A cart, you say? That may play into our hands.’

‘How?’

‘I’ll explain later. Go on with your tale.’

‘I come to the worst part of it, Reginald.’

‘In what way?’

‘They’re due to spend ten days as guests of Sir Michael Greenleaf.’

Orr was scandalised. ‘Ten!’

‘Excluding the day when they travel.’

‘This is intolerable! In ten days, they could infect the whole of Essex. I’ll not let them contaminate this beautiful county, Isaac.’ He waved an angry fist. ‘I’ll make them wish they’d never set foot in it.’

‘Someone has to do it or we will suffer the consequences.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Six plays are to be performed during their stay,’ explained Upchard, ‘the last being one that was expressly requested by Sir Michael. It’s very title will be enough to wound you to the quick. It’s called The Witch of Colchester.’

‘Horror of horrors!’ yelled Orr. ‘They mean to practice witchcraft?’

‘They bragged about nothing else, Reginald. The play contains spells, secret potions and a black boar that is the witch’s familiar. It’s unspeakable.’

‘Are demons represented on the stage?’

‘Satan himself is conjured up at one point.’

‘Never!’ exclaimed Orr, leaping from his seat. ‘This is evil of the worst kind and a threat to every Christian soul within miles. We’ll allow no hideous witches to fly over our houses to cast their wicked spells. Nor will we let Satan come to Silvermere. I praise you heartily for the work you’ve done on our behalf, Isaac,’ he said, putting a congratulatory hand on the other’s shoulder. ‘It was an odious task but a valuable one.’

‘Had I stayed any longer in their company, I’d have been polluted myself.’

‘Profanity and desecration! That’s all they bring in this cart of theirs. Well, we’ll be ready for them. Sir Michael Greenleaf may wish to give these heathen rogues licence to seduce and corrupt but I’ll teach him some moral responsibility. Let’s ride out together at first light tomorrow,’ he suggested. ‘We’ll get the lie of the land so that we can devise a fitting welcome for these devils in human guise called Westfield’s Men.’

Sunday morning found Anne Hendrik in her parlour, peering into the mirror while she adjusted her hat. Nicholas Bracewell, also dressed to go out, stood behind her.

‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am,’ he said.

‘Then don’t even try,’ she replied, turning to face him. ‘I’m glad to have Davy here. After all you’ve told me about him, I was interested to meet the boy. He certainly doesn’t look like the mischief-maker that Lawrence seems to think he is.’

‘Davy was on his best behaviour.’

‘Only because you frighten him more than Margery Firethorn.’

Nicholas laughed. ‘Nobody could spread more terror than her when she’s roused. Even her husband runs for cover when Margery starts breathing fire. No, I think that it was you who made the difference, Anne.’

‘Me?’

‘You were so kind and welcoming to the lad,’ he said. ‘You didn’t stand over him or issue any warnings. Davy didn’t feel threatened.’

‘I’ve employed apprentices of my own, remember, Nick. In my experience, the best way to deal with them is to talk to them on their own level. Waving a big stick only makes the weak ones cower and the strong ones rebellious.’ She glanced upwards. ‘How did Davy sleep?’

‘Extremely well. I heard him wheezing contentedly before I dropped off.’

‘No attempt to sneak out of the house?’

‘None, as far as I know,’ said Nicholas. ‘And no merry pranks with the other boys. That’s one reason he’s been so quiet, of course. He’s not fighting a constant battle here with John Tallis and his friends. I’m sorry I had to let him share my room with me,’ he said, stepping in close to plant an apologetic kiss on her cheek, ‘but I wanted to make sure that nothing untoward happened.’

‘Nothing untoward happened in my bedchamber, I fear,’ she teased.

‘The boy’s needs came first, Anne.’

‘Of course. I appreciate that. It would have been wrong for him to see how close we are when we’re not legally married. That’s why I went to some pains to treat you like a lodger in front of him.’

It was his turn to tease. ‘But that’s exactly what I am, isn’t it?’

‘From time to time.’

‘I’ll give him a shout. Davy!’ he called, moving to the bottom of the stairs. ‘Hurry up, lad. We’ll be late.’

‘One moment!’ replied a distant voice.

‘At least, he’s still in the house,’ said Anne.

‘Not necessarily,’ Nicholas pointed out. ‘He could be on the roof.’

Footsteps came tripping down the stairs and Davy Stratton entered the room. There was no sign of strain in him. Nicholas noted how relaxed and happy the boy seemed. After greetings were exchanged, Anne stepped in to straighten his collar for him and to brush aside a few stray hairs that peeped out from under his cap.