A Queen's Champion by Burnell Sam

Author:Burnell, Sam
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

London – December 19TH 1558

†

A man strode through the door. At his back three others, all armed and well-dressed, stood out against the poverty of the rest of those in the inn. Jack recognised him, but where he had seen him before he wasn’t sure.

“Sir, we’d not been expecting you,” the landlord blurted nervously, his hand reaching automatically for his cap, dragging it from his head.

“What’s going on?” The newcomer demanded, his eyes roaming over those inside the inn, his thumbs tucked into his belt.

“We’ve a prize for you ‘ere we can share?” It was Saster who spoke.

She didn’t receive a reply, instead he took two paces towards her, delivering a back handed blow across her face that sent her spinning to the floor, the knife she’d held to Lizbet’s ribs falling into the filth..

“Master Devereux doesn’t share,” The man said pronouncing each word singularly, and then spat in her direction.

Jack knew then exactly where he had seen the man before - Devereux’s offices, where Richard had seemed to know him and called him Matthew. He also noted that the men closest to the door, including Tommy, had made a hasty retreat and that only the landlord, Saster and three other men who were too far from the door to make an escape remained.

Matthew glared at Jack. “If I may say so, this is not the kind of place you should be frequenting,” he cast his eyes towards the floor and the knife that Jack had dropped, “You can pick that up if you like.”

Jack, watching the men behind Matthew carefully, slowly reached down and collected the blade from the floor.

“That’s silver and gold if I’m not mistaken, a man could lose his life in a place like this for something like that,” Matthew observed, his eyes never leaving Jack’s.

Jack pressed the poniard back into the scabbard. Matthew’s words were true, it was the knife he had traded with Richard in Venice for Dan’s. Without looking at her, Jack extended a hand towards Lizbet, saying, “Lass, come here.” Small fingers linked with his and he pulled her behind his back.

“We’d be pleased to see you and the lady safely from here and on your way,” Matthew continued, his eyes not leaving Jack’s, his tone at odds with the invitation.

Jack risked a glance towards Froggy, he’d moved closer to Jack and Lizbet was behind them both. “That would be appreciated. It’s a long time since I’ve been in London and it’s a city easy to get lost in.” Jack said, his voice calm and level.

“A lot has changed in the last few years,” Matthew said, then his eyes switching to the landlord, he said. “I’ll be back on Tuesday, don’t forget.”

They followed Matthew out of the inn, his men behind them, Lizbet between Jack and Froggy. She had automatically loosened her hold from his hand as they had made to leave, knowing the last thing he needed was her hindrance should the situation worsen. Once outside they Tommy had gone, as had the boy attending the brazier.

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