A Reluctant Traitor (Will Revill Thrillers Book 2) by John Pilkington

Author:John Pilkington [Pilkington, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sharpe Books
Published: 2022-11-15T07:00:00+00:00

NINE

His name was Juan Carnicero, and he was no ordinary soldier of Spain: he was a carrier of official despatches who had ridden all the way from Flanders - and what he told Revill, over a jug of strong wine and a basket of pastries, stunned him. But the first thing he learned was even more of a shock: believing him to be Baildon, Carnicero was entrusting him with vital information - to be passed on urgently to the Duc de Mayenne’s forces.

In other words, Baildon was a traitor; and on a sudden Revill saw that he was truly alone, among enemies.

After that, he was hard pressed to maintain an air of calm. For just as alarming, as the two of them sat quietly at the table by candlelight, was the knowledge that at any moment Baildon could return – and what might happen then, he could not imagine. In the meantime, he allowed his guest to eat and drink heartily, eating only sparingly himself and drinking very little wine. Throughout the meal, between mouthfuls, Carnicero explained his mission - and the tidings he brought were little short of momentous.

Two thousand Spanish troops under the command of Philip, Count of Egmont, were at this moment on their way from Flanders to join the Duc de Mayenne’s forces, and so confront the King’s army to the west of Paris. A major battle was brewing - one which might even turn the tide in the war.

Nodding gravely, Revill refilled the other’s cup and encouraged him to say more.

‘The King’s successes – such as at Alençon and Falaise - are a blow to our leaders,’ Carnicero told him. ‘Mayenne is regrouping but needs reinforcements, which Egmont will provide. Yet, the matter is, we’re not certain if the last despatches have reached the Duc - or even exactly where he is encamped now. Perhaps you can tell me?’

Combing his memory for knowledge of the Count of Egmont, the renegade Dutchman who had thrown in his lot with Spain, Revill kept expression from his face. ‘Well, in truth I’m not certain of that myself,’ he said, after a pause. ‘I’ve been stuck here in Paris, with some tedious pieces of business. But of course, I could try to find out...’

‘I fear there’s no time for that,’ the other interrupted. ‘I have orders to go no further than Paris, only to deliver my despatches and then return to Brussels. You must go and find Mayenne yourself.’

‘Me?’ Revill blurted.

‘Yes, you,’ came the reply. ‘For who else is at hand?’ And when Revill made no answer: ‘You could find yourself treated like a hero, when the Duc receives the tidings. His men are discouraged, and many others are dead or wounded. With Egmont’s force they can stem the Protestant advance, perhaps even trample Henri of Navarre into the mud… helmet, snow-white plume and all! Would you not rejoice to see that?’

Forcing a smile, Revill took a sip from his cup. Warmed and fortified by food and wine, the Spaniard was growing expansive.

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