never saw how discreetly he slipped something into Amalâs sleeve as they passed on the steps or witnessed Amal start with surprise. Only when he was quite alone did Amal unroll the parchment and begin to decipher the crude code. If he had any doubts as to the letterâs authenticity, they vanished when he lifted it close to his face. Though it had come through many different hands, it still carried the scent of the Old Manâs oranges. Amal brought the candle very close as he worked and one name caused him to blink. He had not expected it. It seemed that Kamilâs punishment was to be part of a greater plot, the details of which the Old Man was divulging little by little. As Amal read on, he pulled his cloak more closely around the angles of his frame. He did not like what this task was turning into. But the smell of the oranges lingered, and through it Amal could see the Old Manâs currant eyes and hear his voice. He sighed as he went to the fire and watched the parchment smoulder and shrivel into nothing. When all this was over, he would insist on retiring. Vengeance was a young manâs game.
8
Toward the end of September, as the horsesâ coats began to thicken in preparation for winter, Will and Kamil clattered back across the Hartslove drawbridge. At once the camaraderie that grew so easily between them when they were away became a little stiffer. Both knew it but neither remarked on it. It was just how it was. Elric was up and about and in among his chatter it was easy for Ellie to hug her own secrets to herself, not wanting to reveal them just yet. She was grateful that Amal did not seek her out anymore once Will was back. When they met she did not slight him, but it was clear to both of them that their lessons were over.
And Amal had other fish to fry. While Will waited to hear from Queen Eleanor that he should set off with the ransom now coffered up and waiting at Whitby, Amal was exclusively intent on making himself indispensable to Kamil. He made it clear that he had little desire to return home for, as he told Kamil with apparent regret, there was nothing there to keep him. Deftly and unobtrusively, he took on the role of servant until not only would it have been rude of Kamil to rejecthim, but Kamil began to like him. Amal knew how to do things the Arab way. He took trouble to spice Kamilâs food and to keep his clothes scrupulously clean. Sometimes they discussed parts of the Koran, and Amal recited Islamic poetry to which Kamil listened with rapt attention. Through all this, Amal was careful to avoid Hosanna. He knew the horse mistrusted him, so he scurried about only with Sacramenta and paused, occasionally, to stroke Shihabâs nose. He grew almost invisible, so that Will and Kamil, without realizing it, often discussed the route the ransom was to take in front of him. Kamil sometimes wondered if this was wise, but Will did not think about it at all, for it never occurred to him that Amal might understand more than he let on.
When word came that the Hartslove contingent was to leave for Germany without further delay, Will asked everybody to come to the great hall and hand over his or her contribution to the kingâs ransom. He had put this off until last, but could put it off no longer. Everybody, he told them, had to give what they could, and he stood, stone-faced, as all the de Granville silver was placed in a chest. Nothing was left out, not the chalices and candlesticks from the chapel; not the silver washing bowls that his mother had brought with her for her dowry; not the jewel-studded sword hilts, tankards, domestic bells, ceremonial knives, and all the presents of any value that he had ever received. All were to be given to the German emperor in exchange for the king.
Fighting back tears, Old Nurse gave Will six silver thimbles that his father had given her the Christmas before leaving on crusade. Then Hal and Marie togethergently dropped in the rings they had
8
Toward the end of September, as the horsesâ coats began to thicken in preparation for winter, Will and Kamil clattered back across the Hartslove drawbridge. At once the camaraderie that grew so easily between them when they were away became a little stiffer. Both knew it but neither remarked on it. It was just how it was. Elric was up and about and in among his chatter it was easy for Ellie to hug her own secrets to herself, not wanting to reveal them just yet. She was grateful that Amal did not seek her out anymore once Will was back. When they met she did not slight him, but it was clear to both of them that their lessons were over.
And Amal had other fish to fry. While Will waited to hear from Queen Eleanor that he should set off with the ransom now coffered up and waiting at Whitby, Amal was exclusively intent on making himself indispensable to Kamil. He made it clear that he had little desire to return home for, as he told Kamil with apparent regret, there was nothing there to keep him. Deftly and unobtrusively, he took on the role of servant until not only would it have been rude of Kamil to rejecthim, but Kamil began to like him. Amal knew how to do things the Arab way. He took trouble to spice Kamilâs food and to keep his clothes scrupulously clean. Sometimes they discussed parts of the Koran, and Amal recited Islamic poetry to which Kamil listened with rapt attention. Through all this, Amal was careful to avoid Hosanna. He knew the horse mistrusted him, so he scurried about only with Sacramenta and paused, occasionally, to stroke Shihabâs nose. He grew almost invisible, so that Will and Kamil, without realizing it, often discussed the route the ransom was to take in front of him. Kamil sometimes wondered if this was wise, but Will did not think about it at all, for it never occurred to him that Amal might understand more than he let on.
When word came that the Hartslove contingent was to leave for Germany without further delay, Will asked everybody to come to the great hall and hand over his or her contribution to the kingâs ransom. He had put this off until last, but could put it off no longer. Everybody, he told them, had to give what they could, and he stood, stone-faced, as all the de Granville silver was placed in a chest. Nothing was left out, not the chalices and candlesticks from the chapel; not the silver washing bowls that his mother had brought with her for her dowry; not the jewel-studded sword hilts, tankards, domestic bells, ceremonial knives, and all the presents of any value that he had ever received. All were to be given to the German emperor in exchange for the king.
Fighting back tears, Old Nurse gave Will six silver thimbles that his father had given her the Christmas before leaving on crusade. Then Hal and Marie togethergently dropped in the rings they had
Similar Books
