D. Wilson - The Traitor’s Mark

We set off at first light on Tuesday and reached our destination by midday. Now that I could see Brooke’s manor clearly, I realised how small it was. The two-storey house stood on a slight rise at some distance from the tiny hamlet of Fletcham and had, I assumed, begun life as a hunting lodge. It was not the sort of residence where its owner would live for long periods of time but its isolated position suited it ideally for the performance of nefarious activities. I thought again of Adie and the boys shut up here far away from all human contact, hearing only the wind howling across the marsh and the occasional screeching of an owl, as they waited to die.

There was little cover in which to conceal my party. We drew back about a quarter of a mile to a small copse. I sent Cranmer’s three guards to reconnoitre on foot the small group of buildings. They were gone more than an hour. They returned with a very thorough report and rather pleased with themselves.

‘First of all,’ one of them said, ‘there’s very little cover. There’s about fifty yards of open ground all around the main house. The only way to get close is through the stable block. Otherwise we’ll have to wait till after dark.’

‘There aren’t many people about,’ another reported. ‘I watched from the back and only saw three men come and go.’

A third suggested, ‘That was partly because the top man – what’s his name?’

‘Brooke,’ I said.

‘Yes, him. Well, he was out hawking. We saw him coming back. He had three men with him and, going by your description, one of them must have been Black Harry. I got close enough to touch him.’

‘What?’ I gasped in alarm.

‘Don’t worry, Master Treviot, they didn’t see me. There’s a ruined cottage over to the east and I was using it for cover when Brooke and the others came past. Just then there was a heavy shower and they pulled in to take shelter. I was afraid they were going to dismount but they just stood in the lee of the building for a couple of minutes. I could hear them talking.’

‘Anything useful?’I asked.

‘I think they were talking about their prisoners. Black Harry said, “One more session and we’ll break the older one.” And Brooke came back at him sharply. “See you do,” he said. “I go to court tomorrow. Our people there expect results and quickly.”’

‘Then it seems we’ve arrived none too soon,’ I said. ‘Thank God the prisoners are still alive.’

I considered the information we now had and began to formulate a plan. I gathered everyone around and explained what I had in mind. ‘We’re not here for a fight. I want to come out of this without casualties. Our two objectives are to capture the leaders and rescue the prisoners. Our best chance of success lies in reducing the odds against us. I suspect that the prisoners are in the stable block. So we need someone to keep a watch on that. Dick, that will be your job. Take up a position from which you can watch all the comings and goings and report back whatever you discover.’

‘Then we go in and rescue those poor devils as soon as the coast is clear,’ someone suggested.

‘No, that will warn the gang too soon. I want to keep the advantage of surprise as long as possible. At the moment Brooke and his men think they’re completely secure. The shock of discovering that they’re wrong should confuse them. That will be our opportunity. If my idea works, I think we can stun them into coming out to us.’ I went over the stages of what was a very simple plan. Then we settled down to wait for the dwindling of the light.

After about an hour Dick reappeared and threw himself down on the grass beside me. ‘They’ve just come to collect the prisoners,’ he said.

‘From the stable barn?’

‘Yes. Poor lambs; they look half-dead already. They’re being taken for more torture.’

‘After, that they’ll be brought back,’ I said. ‘And we’ll be waiting for them. Dick, take Walt and Adam to the barn. When our friends come back with the prisoners, you’ll know what to do. But do it quietly. Take plenty of rope and cloth to bind and gag them. Report back when that’s done.’

The evening was far gone by the time they returned, laughing and very pleased with themselves.

‘That was sweet,’ Walt said. ‘There were two of them. They never knew what hit them.’

‘Have you left them well out of sight?’

‘Trussed up like pigs for slaughter and covered over with loose straw.’

‘What about their prisoners?’

‘We untied them and told them to stay well hidden till we got back. We couldn’t bring them here, they’re too weak. One of ’em collapsed with relief when he saw us. For a moment I feared he’d died on us.’

‘Right, we must get back before anyone in the house realises something’s wrong. Come along.’ I led the way towards the house.

We filed into the darkened stable yard and concealed ourselves between the buildings. By now there were lights showing in two of the ground-floor windows of the main house.

‘We know where to find them,’ I whispered.

After a few minutes the kitchen door opened. A man peered into the darkness. ‘Sam, Will, what’s keeping you?’ He stepped out into the yard. ‘Where are-’

There was a loud thud, followed by a quieter one as he fell.

‘Three down,’ I said. ‘Dick, tie him up and put him with the others. The rest of you come with me.’

We burst into the kitchen. The first person to see us was the cook tending a cauldron over the fire. She let out a piercing scream and dropped her ladle. The three men sitting round the table looked up in alarm and tried to stumble to their feet. They stood no chance. My club-wielding enthusiasts were upon them in an instant. I looked at their faces. Neither Black Harry nor Ferdinand Brooke was here.

‘This way!’ I called to Bart and ran towards the inner door. I rushed into the small hall. The two men I sought were supping alone, one each side of a long oak table. The noise from the kitchen had given them some warning and they were on their feet. Black Harry drew a long, thin stiletto. Brooke fumbled at his belt, trying to draw his rapier. Walt threw himself at him before he could do so. His grip fastened on Brooke’s sword wrist. I knew what that must feel like. Walt spent hours every week wielding heavy hammers to beat iron horseshoes into shape. Black Harry was sharper. His weapon was in his hand as I drew my poignard.

‘Come on,’ he snarled, bidding me to close in.

We circled each other and I was careful to keep a safe distance. On the other side of the table Walt’s strong arms had now encircled Brooke and the two men swayed back and forth like fairground wrestlers. However, I did not dare watch their contest. My eyes were fixed on the tip of Black Harry’s vicious stiletto. He waved the weapon to and fro, hissing with animal rage. I ducked beneath the flashing blade; tried to get in a jab with my shorter weapon. He kicked out at me, and I jumped back. As I did so, I saw Brooke break free from Walt’s grasp. The courtier leaped sideways, at the same time pushing Walt hard against the wall. There was a nasty noise as his head struck the stonework. Walt slithered to the floor on the far side of the table.

‘Help me!’ Black Harry cried out.

But Brooke was already running towards the outer door.

‘Come on, then,’ my assailant shouted. ‘Do you want to go the same way as your painter friend?’

Black Harry now had his legs pressed against the table. He glanced across the room as the door closed behind his retreating friend. My eyes followed the direction of his gaze. Stupid! He reached with his left hand for an ale jug and hurled it at my face. Then he lunged again with his dagger. Just in time, I jumped back out of reach. I overbalanced and fell sprawling among stale rushes. Black Harry turned towards the door and took a couple of steps.