Rebellion's Message by Michael Jecks

Author:Michael Jecks
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781780107783
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2016-05-09T04:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-ONE

Standing outside the place, I was struck by the contrast with Roscard’s.

This was one of those places that a peasant could stare at without feeling jealousy. It was not a house to which any man would aspire. Only a stone’s throw or two from the rich canons’ houses it may be, but it was as different as a pigsty from a palace.

It was not huge, but everything about it looked dilapidated, scruffy and ill-kempt. It had glass in all the windows, but not a pane was clean; the timber frame had once all been limewashed, and the daub between, and there were rich carvings on all the uprights, but the lime was worn and chipped as though it hadn’t been decorated for three years or more. Just under the roof, where the gable faced the road, there had been painted a coat of arms, but that was so faint now that it was unrecognizable. This place was not owned by a man who worried about proclaiming his position in the world. It was strange. It did not seem to suit the fellow who had died in the tavern’s yard that day. Was this really the home of David Raleigh?

I was soon confronted by a short, suspicious fellow, who looked me up and down with every sign of distaste. I could imagine him fondling the rosary at his belt in defence at any moment. ‘Yes?’

‘I would like to see the lady of the house.’

‘She’s not likely to want to see you. Piss off!’

He began to shut the door, but my boot moved faster. I smiled at him winningly, bringing the full power of my good looks to his attention. ‘I’ve heard about her husband. I want to pay my respects and mention something to her that could be of interest. It will be worth her while.’

This servant wasn’t in the service of the widow for no reason. I had a lot more persuading and cajoling to do before he finally agreed to speak with her, and then he closed the door and left me waiting on the doorstep while he went to consult the lady of the house. Meanwhile, I was subjected to a barrage of insults from the urchins who infested the lane. Wherever there is an inn, tavern or bawdy house, you get the little brutes. They stand about, hoping for a man on horseback to appear so that they can claim a fee for holding the reins while he goes to slake his thirst. As they wait, they are apt to amuse themselves by lobbing derogatory remarks to anyone who takes their fancy. This little band of degenerates was clearly out for amusement and would have taken any target. I happened to be convenient. Usually, I would have thrown myself into the fray with enthusiasm, but today I really craved peace. Nothing that attracted attention was welcome, so I resorted to ignoring them. That only gave them courage. One tow-haired brat was weighing a handful of horse dung

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.