Regnate by R. M Dorn

Author:R. M Dorn [Dorn, R. M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Venture
Published: 2018-05-09T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Messire Matthew issued a number of orders and left the Underground. In his usual secure place, he removed his disguise and changed back into his own fashionable clothes. He slipped out of the tunnels and strolled back to the White Horse mansion, his mind processing his extraordinary discovery.

Once in his private chambers, he sat down to consider the problem. He reckoned it would take a day before he had the information he needed and then he must act. Tom was the key to the whole thing. Until they accessed the details locked in his mind, further action against the Regnate couldn’t be taken.

The first step must be to bring the dog-man and the man-dog together. If that failed to trigger an exchange of minds, they were in deep trouble. Magic had been banned from Sutherland for centuries. Dealing with this kind of enchantment would require a witch or wizard of exceptional ability. If any existed, they were well hidden. But there was one name, more myth than reality, that was mentioned in hushed tones of genuine fear. Breakbones. A bogeyman whose name was used to frighten children. Did he exist? If he did, how could he be found and would he be prepared to help?

But first things first. He had to somehow bring Tom and Bull together without alerting the vizier’s spy network. That meant a visit to the Red Dog holding. He dispatched his squire to the Dog mansion, requesting that Master Adam attend him.

The private secretary arrived half an hour later and bowed with respect. “Messire Matthew, how may I assist you?”

Matthew languidly waved the man to a chair. “Pray dispense with formality. Master Adam, I have been mightily distressed to learn of Messire Thomas’ illness. Is there any change?”

“None, messire, when last I heard. He’s been taken to the Red Dog holding.”

“Dammy, that’s bad luck. What’s wrong with the chappie, eh?”

“We don’t know.” The secretary hesitated. “It appears to be an affliction of the mind, messire.”

“The mind, you say? You mean, the fellow’s gone potty?”

“He’s… not himself.”

“Demons! His family must be all of a stew.” Matthew paused as if considering. “Can’t do much but feel I ought to go and see ’em, don’t you know? Offer my condolences to Lady Mary and all that. Could you fix that for me like a good fellow? I could leave the day after tomorrow.”

*

Nobs had eaten well and so had Tom. He had his appetite back and was fighting down his excitement at having finally communicated his plight to someone in a position to help. He’d been astonished to find that Messire Matthew was one of the leaders of the malignants and a long way from the buffoon he usually seemed. If he was involved, then maybe other prominent mun were too. He remembered what Peter had said about his father. Maybe Lord Percival was one of the leaders? If so, the rebel network might be much larger and far better organised than anyone had realised. There could be a real chance of getting rid of the Regnate, however powerful a sorcerer he might be.

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