The Prophecy of Death by Michael Jecks

Author:Michael Jecks [Jecks, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: blt, Fiction, _MARKED, General
ISBN: 9781472219862
Google: _gYYAwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2014-02-27T16:43:33+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Beaulieu

The Bishop of Orange was sitting in the chamber given to him when the gentle knock came on the door. He felt quickly for the dagger which he always carried strapped to his calf before calling, ‘Entrez!’ A man who knocked so quietly was often a man who was set upon violence. A quiet knock meant no one else would hear.

‘What do you want?’ he asked as Peter walked in.

Peter smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Bishop. My son is in the corridor out there. He’ll let me know if anyone comes.’

‘What do you want, I said?’

‘Well, now. Only this: we were asked to come here to help guard you on the way, but now it looks like our work is more or less done, so we’d like to get back home again.’

‘You are to remain with me all the while I am in England.’

‘Yes, but there is little point. You’ve already got your old two back.’

‘Pons and André? Those two? I do not think that they are reliable men. No, I need you two, still.’

‘I don’t think so. We should return to our master.’

‘Your master? And what do you think he would say about you deserting me here before my long return journey? If any harm comes to me, he will be most displeased.’

Peter grinned. ‘Ah, well, I think I can take that risk.’

‘He is perhaps little more than a boy, but make no mistake, my friend. The Earl of Chester is yet the heir to a realm. He will be your king one day, if you live long enough to witness it.’

‘My master would want us back with him.’

‘Then go. But I will tell him you deserted me.’

‘Hardly deserted.’ Peter’s grin and expansive wave of his hand took in the whole abbey, indicating that there were many others nearby to protect the Bishop.

‘In any case, it would seem likely that we shall meet him shortly.’

‘How so?’

‘We shall move to London, nearer him, before long. The King wishes to discuss the treaty provisions with his barons. He is calling all his barons to Westminster. I am myself to go there to take any further instructions from your king.’

Peter nodded, still grinning, but there was little humour in his voice. ‘Very well. We’ll remain with you a little longer. But only a little. We owe our service to him, and no one else.’

Feast of the Apostles21

Lydford

Waiting for his daughter and her husband-to-be, Simon was fretful and on edge. He had already sent his wife off out, and his manservant, Hugh, away to speak to Sir Baldwin, so that he could speak with his prospective son-in-law in private, but he was not looking forward to the interview. The idea of losing his daughter was as painful as the idea of losing a limb. She was a part of him. But, as Meg would keep pointing out, Edith was over seventeen now. She was old enough to know her mind.

When he heard the horses arriving, he went slowly across the floor of his hall,

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