City of Fiends by Michael Jecks

Author:Michael Jecks
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi, epub
Tags: rt, Mystery, Medieval, Historical, West Country (England), Templars
ISBN: 9780857205216
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Rougemont Castle

The news that Sir Richard de Welles had arrived and would like a few words with him did not please Sir James de Cockington. ‘Where is Sir Baldwin? It was him I expected to see.’

Sir Richard was standing in the doorway, while Sir James remained seated. It was a calculated insult; and one that Sir Richard had no intention of allowing. He crossed the floor to the cupboard and, gently pushing the steward aside, poured himself a large goblet of wine before he responded, hitching his hip onto the cupboard’s top.

‘You have several problems, Sir Sheriff. The Bishop is dead, you have two murder victims in your city, and you have news that the King’s father, Sir Edward of Caernarfon, has escaped from Berkeley Castle. Also, a priest has run from the Cathedral. I can aid you with one of these. I will raise a posse to hunt down this Father Laurence and bring him back. The other matters are your affair.’

‘You try to tell me what you will and will not do?’ Sir James stood. ‘You will do as I command. I am the Sheriff of the city!’

‘And I am Coroner in Lifton,’ Sir Richard said, and drained his goblet before setting it down and idly walking towards the Sheriff.

Sheriff James was alarmed by the sight of the older warrior approaching, but dared not jump from his chair because that would display fear. ‘You should make yourself available to me!’

Sir Richard stood over him, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he purred, ‘Sheriff, are you going to threaten me?’

‘I could have you arrested if you try to injure me! I am the King’s man!’

‘So am I, Sheriff. So am I. And we have enough to trouble us already without falling out. Do you see to Exeter, and I will go to learn what I may about this fellow, Laurence. I’ve met him, so I will know him when I see him. And Sheriff,’ he added, ‘when you are older, you will realise that to gain a man’s respect, first you should respect him.’

Alley off Combe Street

‘What do you think, Simon?’ Baldwin muttered as the Coroner withdrew from Juliana’s body.

Simon swallowed hard. ‘I think I need to get away from here.’

Baldwin flashed a grin. ‘What of the man there – see?’

He was indicating Gregory Paffard, and Simon turned to the boy in relief; it was good to be able to look away from Juliana’s poor, ravaged features. The sight of the lipless face was deeply unnerving.

The fellow at whom Baldwin directed his attention looked as distressed as Simon felt. As Gregory looked up, Simon’s gaze reached him, and their eyes locked for an instant.

‘Baldwin, you’re right;’ Simon muttered. ‘That fellow is more distressed than Juliana’s sons. What on earth is going on?’

But Baldwin did not hear him – and when Simon saw Gregory turn and make his way out of the alley, he knew that he must follow him. Baldwin was busy listening to the Coroner while he spoke

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