Edward Marston - The Foxes of Warwick

‘And this,’ said the bishop, clicking his tongue, ‘is the witness on whom you rely to clear the blacksmith’s name?’

‘Hopefully.’

‘Then your hopes are doomed.’

‘Why?’ asked Ralph. ‘Is the man not here?’

‘Oh, he is here right enough. Safe behind bars where he should be. The fellow is in league with the Devil. I have examined him myself and feel there is a strong case to put him on trial for witchcraft.’

‘But we need the man.’

‘His testimony would be unsound.’

‘Nevertheless we must hear it.’

‘Do not waste your time, my lord.’

‘We have not come all this way to leave empty-handed.’

‘Would you presume to take him from us by force?’

‘If necessary, yes!’

‘No, my lord bishop,’ said Gervase, raising a conciliatory palm.

‘We would do nothing without your permission. The lord Ralph spoke in jest. We are pleased to hear that the man is actually here though we could wish him at liberty. Does he have a name?’

‘Huna,’ said the bishop.

‘Where does the man hail from?’

‘The depths of hell — though he claims to have descended from the kingdom of heaven. A devil will always quote scripture.’

‘Was he aggressive under questioning?’

‘No,’ admitted the other. ‘Calm. Unnaturally calm.’

‘And he gave you ready answers?’

‘We could not stop him. The man has more ready answers than anyone I have ever encountered. He had the gall to preach at me.’

‘Let us speak with Huna,’ said Gervase.

‘That will not be possible.’

‘It must be!’ insisted Ralph.

‘With your consent, of course,’ said Gervase, nodding in deference to the bishop before shooting Ralph a warning glance.

‘It may be to your advantage, my lord bishop.’

‘Advantage?’ His interest was roused. ‘How?’

‘We will not only talk to him about his visit to the forge. We will also test his character. When he came before you, he was an accused man facing a judge. He had plausible answers for questions which he already predicted. It is not so with us,’ said Gervase. ‘He will be off his guard. Though we will discuss his meeting with the blacksmith, we will also sound him on your behalf. If witchcraft is involved, we will soon coax it out of him.

Trust us, my lord bishop. We are cunning interrogators. We will learn exactly what you wish to know.’

Robert de Limesey scrutinised him through narrowed lids then crooked a finger to beckon Reginald across. The monk was at his side in a flash and the two of them had a long mumbled conversation. Ralph tapped an impatient foot but Gervase kept his composure. At length the bishop flicked Reginald away again then rose from his seat.

‘What you are offering me is a form of bargain. Correct?’

‘Yes, my lord bishop,’ said Gervase.

‘Both of us stand to gain.’

‘That is so.’

‘I see,’ said Robert, eyes sparkling. ‘It is refreshing to find you so amenable. The notion of a bargain is appealing.’ He put his hands together in prayer. ‘Let us talk about the dispute in which I am engaged over property which I dearly covet.’

Adam Reynard was in the middle of his meal when the visitor called. The servant opened the front door to admit Grimketel, who was twitching with fright. Reynard was not pleased to have his favourite occupation interrupted. He chewed the last of the chicken, then sluiced it down his throat with a cup of wine. His wife and servant withdrew so that he could accost Grimketel alone.

‘Why do you disturb me at a time like this?’ he demanded.

‘I had no choice.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Boio has escaped.’

Reynard was stunned. ‘Escaped? From the castle? How?’

‘I do not know the details,’ said Grimketel. ‘I had it from one of the foresters. The lord Henry and his men are searching everywhere for the fugitive. Boio is on the run.’

‘A lumbering ox like that? They will soon catch him.’

‘They have had no luck so far. I am terrified.’

‘Why?’

‘Why do you think?’

‘He would not come in search of you, Grimketel.’

‘He might.’

‘No, never.’

‘You do not know the man as I do,’ said the other, shivering visibly. ‘He may seem quiet and peaceful but he nurses grudges.

And he has enough of those against me.’

‘One in particular.’

‘It is my testimony which got him arrested in the first place. I am afraid that he will come after me for revenge. That is why I ran to you for protection. Let me stay here.’

‘You are in no danger.’

‘I am,’ bleated Grimketel. ‘Until he is caught.’

‘Boio will be far too busy trying to dodge the posse to worry about you. What puzzles me is how he managed to get away in the first place. He has barely enough brains to get up in the morning yet he contrives to escape from the castle dungeon.

How?’

‘He must have had help.’

‘That is what I am thinking.’

‘Someone who got him out may also hide him.’

‘Only a fool would dare to do that,’ said Reynard. ‘The lord Henry is bound to find him soon and may already have done so.

Anyone else involved in the escape will swing on the gallows beside the blacksmith.’

‘I will not feel safe until he is taken.’

‘Then go to the village. Stay with friends.’

‘Can I not take refuge here?’

‘No, Grimketel.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because there is no need. Besides, I do not want you cringing in my house when you have one of your own less than a mile away. Go back and bar your doors if you are so fearful. I will send word when Boio is tracked down.’

Grimketel was wounded. ‘Is that all the thanks I get?’

‘For what?’

‘The many favours I have done for you.’

‘Duties are not favours,’ snapped the other. ‘And you are well paid for any services you do for me. They do not entitle you to come here when my wife and I are eating our food and demand to be taken in.’

‘I am not demanding — I am pleading with you.’

‘Be brave, man.’

‘Boio means to kill me, I know it.’

‘Nothing will be further from that muddled mind of his. In any case,’ added Reynard, ‘you are not the only witness who spoke up against him. There were those who overheard him arguing with Martin, my late kinsman. Will Boio pick you all off one by one?’

Grimketel shuddered. ‘I hope not!’

‘It will not even occur to him. What would be his motive?’

‘Blind hatred.’

‘You alarm yourself unnecessarily. Go home, Grimketel. Lock yourself in your house if need be, and have a weapon by your side.

It will not be needed, I promise you. Boio is probably miles away.’

‘At the moment. He may be laying low until nightfall.’ He took a step closer. ‘Let me stay here — please!’

‘No!’ said Reynard, pushing him away. ‘Stop trembling like that.

You have shown courage enough in the past — show some more now.’

Grimketel nodded and made an effort to control his fear.

‘You are right,’ he said with false bravado. ‘Why should I be afraid of him? Even if he did come, I would be a match for him if I was armed. Killing me would serve no purpose. I am not at risk.’

‘Neither of us is,’ said Reynard complacently.

‘You may be.’

‘Why?’

‘Not from Boio. Your unwelcome visitors are like to be the lord Henry and his men. They are working their way through the forest and will certainly come this way in time.’

‘So?’

‘Look to your own safety.’

‘Boio is not here. I will send the posse on its way.’

‘It may not be as simple as that,’ said Grimketel with a sly grin. ‘The forester told me that the lord Henry was in a foul mood.