The Custodians by Richard Cowper

Author:Richard Cowper [Cowper, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci Fi Short Story Collection
Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 1976-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

It soon emerged that the book of the open road which Peter had recommended to Tom with such enthusiasm contained at least one chapter which he himself had never read. By the third week of December when they reached Boroughbridge the old man found that rumour, racing ahead like a fell fire, had brought scores of curious people riding into town from as far afield as Harrogate and Easingwold. And the rumours were extraordinary. Even Peter, whose life’s philosophy was based on seizing fortune by the forelock and never looking a gift horse in the mouth, was genuinely bewildered by them. They seemed to bear no relation whatsoever to the facts which were, as he saw them, that a pair of troupers were working the road down to York for the Christmastide fair. What in the name of the Giver of Gifts could that have to do with any White Bird of Kinship? Yet there was no escaping the fact that it was this which was bringing these credulous country folk flocking in.

Nor was that all. Getting a quarter out of a fell farmer was usually about as easy as pulling his teeth with your bare hands, yet here they were showering their silver into his hat as though it was chaff, and none of them thinking to dip a hand in after it either. Over a hundred royal they’d taken in three weeks, not to mention the new suit apiece that dimwitted tailor in Leyburn had insisted on making for them, refusing even a penny piece for his labour. Why, at this rate, in six months he’d have enough put by for that little pub in Kendal he’d always hankered after. Six months? A bare three at the pace things were going! Sure Tom couldn’t grudge him that. Meanwhile here was the landlord of The Bull fingering his greasy cow-lick and trusting they would favour him with their esteemed custom. No question of paying l It would be his privilege. And the inn yard with its gallery would surely be ideal for their performance. It could accommodate three hundred with ease - three fifty at a pinch. The venerable Tale-Spinner had only to give word and the news would be all round the town before the church clock had struck the hour.

‘All right, landlord,’ said Peter magnanimously. ‘But it’ll cost you two royal.’

The landlord blenched, made a rapid mental calculation, and agreed.

’Two a night,’ said Peter imperturbably. ’For the two nights.’

A slightly longer pause followed by a nod of grudging acquiescence.

‘And I’ll have half in advance.’

’There’s my hand on it,’ said the landlord, and suited the action to the word.

A wall-eyed serving wench showed them up to their room which overlooked the inn yard. ’There’s a spread of clean linen,’ she informed them shyly, ‘and coals to the fire. Would you like that I fetch you a bite to eat? ’

- ‘Aye, lass. A meat pasty. And a jug of hot punch to help it down.’

She bobbed a half-curtsy and ducked out.

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