To Kill a King (Master of War) by David Gilman

Author:David Gilman [Gilman, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

A heated argument took place in private between the Prince and Don Pedro. To dishonour any knight who had offered his protection to a captive was against the chivalric code. Reparation would normally be made to any knight whose prisoner was injured or killed in a malicious, unprovoked attack. But Don Pedro refused to make any reparation to Blackstone and there was no way to force the King to do so. Once Don Pedro had left the Prince’s pavilion Blackstone was summoned.

‘We will recompense you, Thomas,’ the Prince told Blackstone.

‘Highness, I did not capture Ferrandes for ransom, but to secure his safety and reunite him with his niece.’

The Prince nodded. He looked exhausted. He sat, cloak pulled closely around him. Blackstone wondered if it was the energy expended during the battle or the argument with the volatile Don Pedro that had drained him. Whatever ailed him was taking its toll.

‘Thomas, with God’s help our losses were few. The heralds have gone among the dead. All told, they say five thousand men lie out there. It is a terrible glory.’

‘But Trastámara is not among them, is he?’ said Blackstone. Had the bastard King been among the dead, the knowledge would have cheered the Prince.

‘He is not. He has run for France and the protection of the French King. And we know the French will accommodate him. They will find new men to fight at his side. Go after him, Thomas. If he can be caught then return him to his brother at Burgos.’

‘He’ll be butchered,’ said Blackstone. ‘Better I kill him.’

‘If you find him then his life is in your hands. There is another matter. The woman. Once Don Pedro reclaims the crown at Burgos he will send out men far and wide in search of her. We thought her safe from his anger but not now. He will kill her as he killed Don Fernando. Living witnesses to his murders are valuable to his enemies. What he did here was to show his strength to his followers.’

‘Then you will return to Bordeaux, lord?’

‘No, we stay at Burgos with the army until after he is crowned and we secure his payment for the cost of this war. We have nothing left in the Treasury. Our purse is empty, Thomas.’ The Prince smiled, the rueful tone in his voice needing no further explanation. ‘He gave his pledge.’

Blackstone was still bloodied from the fight. His own wound needed attention, as did those of his men. No one had escaped injury. ‘Then I’ll go back into Navarre and the convent at Estella. My men need their wounds attended to and from there we’ll go after Trastámara.’

‘We have sent a messenger to Gaston Phoebus, Count of Foix, seeking permission for you to cross his lands. He will accommodate us and yes, before you ask, Thomas, we are aware that he will also pay lip service to the French. It is the price we pay for his neutrality, but you will pass unhindered. Chandos will also take his men across the border but will travel through Aquitaine.

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