Read Online No Law in the Land: (Knights Templar 27) by Michael Jecks - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael Jecks
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that I might escape the clutches of my enemies in France and return to advise you. I was forced
to take on the habit of a pilgrim, merely to protect my own life.’
‘Oh, you wish to
advise
me now? That is good. Very good. So, my lord bishop, why do you not? Tell me, what
exactly
would you advise me to do, now that you have lost me my queen, my heir, and … and …’
The bishop took a deep breath. ‘Your royal highness. We did all we might. I had private talks with her royal highness, but
she made no effort to conceal her hatred for me. I made the French court aware that she was disobeying you, her husband and
master, but none would support me and your reasonable request that she return to her home. All was in vain. However, there
was important intelligence that I felt sure I should bring to your attention.’
‘Speak!’ The king tutted to himself, then, ‘And stand, all of you. You look untidy on your knees like that. I feel I should
have the floors cleaned!’
Bishop Walter stood slowly, his knees aching from the unaccustomed position. When the others were also on their feet, the
bishop fixed his eyes on the king. ‘Your royal highness, the first news that came to me, and of which I must make you aware,
is that the foul traitor Roger Mortimer has returned to the French court. I feel quite sure that he is there in order that
he might negotiate with the French king, and possibly to discuss matters with your queen. I know this is sore news, but—’
The rest of his words were drowned by the king’s sudden roar of anger. He stood, fists clenched, teeth showing in a fierce
grimace of pure fury. ‘You mean that bastard son of a diseased whore is out there with my wife, and my son too? You left them
there so that the honey-tongued traitor could inveigle his way into their good natures? He will make use of their innocence
to make much trouble for us, you fools. Did none of you think to try to kill him? Or at least make it clear to the French
king that his presence there was an insult, a … a sore torment to me? Eh? Did you do nothing?’
‘We had no means with which to—’
‘What of the other guardians of the queen and my son, eh? I gave you a force so that you might protect Edward, my son, and
the same men could be used to deal with a man who is known as a traitor and arebel. You think the French would argue if you removed him? You should have killed the bastard, damn it, damn
him
… damn
you
!’
‘That brings me to the second piece of intelligence, my king. The men who were with me, the men whom you set to guard the
queen, and those who were told to protect your son, they have all become allies of hers. None would come back to England save
these here with me.’
‘You mean to tell me …’ The king gaped, and stared at the three men behind the bishop. ‘These are all?’
‘My lord Cromwell, Sir Henry … all have allied themselves with the queen. I am truly sorry, your royal highness. If I
could have, I swear, I would have enlisted the help of any of them to bring down Mortimer and destroy him.’
‘Be gone! Leave me, all of you! You bring me news like this and expect reward? Just go!’
Chapter Four
Abbeyford Woods, south of Jacobstowe
‘Well, fellow?’
The tone of the knight was invariably sharp, as though he had no regard for Bill or any of the others. Instead he stood about,
still, surveying the damage all around, tapping his foot as though he was waiting for a porter to open a gate for him.
He watched as Bill and the others gathered up the jury and made them stand in a rough semicircle. Then they set out a board
and stool ready for the clerk to scribble at, and checked who was and who wasn’t present.
‘All ready, Coroner.’
‘Very well. Clerk, have the jury swear,’ Sir Peregrine de Barnstaple said, and wandered to the nearest of the bodies.
While the jury was sworn in, he stood and surveyed the coppice again. Seeing Bill watching him, he
to take on the habit of a pilgrim, merely to protect my own life.’
‘Oh, you wish to
advise
me now? That is good. Very good. So, my lord bishop, why do you not? Tell me, what
exactly
would you advise me to do, now that you have lost me my queen, my heir, and … and …’
The bishop took a deep breath. ‘Your royal highness. We did all we might. I had private talks with her royal highness, but
she made no effort to conceal her hatred for me. I made the French court aware that she was disobeying you, her husband and
master, but none would support me and your reasonable request that she return to her home. All was in vain. However, there
was important intelligence that I felt sure I should bring to your attention.’
‘Speak!’ The king tutted to himself, then, ‘And stand, all of you. You look untidy on your knees like that. I feel I should
have the floors cleaned!’
Bishop Walter stood slowly, his knees aching from the unaccustomed position. When the others were also on their feet, the
bishop fixed his eyes on the king. ‘Your royal highness, the first news that came to me, and of which I must make you aware,
is that the foul traitor Roger Mortimer has returned to the French court. I feel quite sure that he is there in order that
he might negotiate with the French king, and possibly to discuss matters with your queen. I know this is sore news, but—’
The rest of his words were drowned by the king’s sudden roar of anger. He stood, fists clenched, teeth showing in a fierce
grimace of pure fury. ‘You mean that bastard son of a diseased whore is out there with my wife, and my son too? You left them
there so that the honey-tongued traitor could inveigle his way into their good natures? He will make use of their innocence
to make much trouble for us, you fools. Did none of you think to try to kill him? Or at least make it clear to the French
king that his presence there was an insult, a … a sore torment to me? Eh? Did you do nothing?’
‘We had no means with which to—’
‘What of the other guardians of the queen and my son, eh? I gave you a force so that you might protect Edward, my son, and
the same men could be used to deal with a man who is known as a traitor and arebel. You think the French would argue if you removed him? You should have killed the bastard, damn it, damn
him
… damn
you
!’
‘That brings me to the second piece of intelligence, my king. The men who were with me, the men whom you set to guard the
queen, and those who were told to protect your son, they have all become allies of hers. None would come back to England save
these here with me.’
‘You mean to tell me …’ The king gaped, and stared at the three men behind the bishop. ‘These are all?’
‘My lord Cromwell, Sir Henry … all have allied themselves with the queen. I am truly sorry, your royal highness. If I
could have, I swear, I would have enlisted the help of any of them to bring down Mortimer and destroy him.’
‘Be gone! Leave me, all of you! You bring me news like this and expect reward? Just go!’
Chapter Four
Abbeyford Woods, south of Jacobstowe
‘Well, fellow?’
The tone of the knight was invariably sharp, as though he had no regard for Bill or any of the others. Instead he stood about,
still, surveying the damage all around, tapping his foot as though he was waiting for a porter to open a gate for him.
He watched as Bill and the others gathered up the jury and made them stand in a rough semicircle. Then they set out a board
and stool ready for the clerk to scribble at, and checked who was and who wasn’t present.
‘All ready, Coroner.’
‘Very well. Clerk, have the jury swear,’ Sir Peregrine de Barnstaple said, and wandered to the nearest of the bodies.
While the jury was sworn in, he stood and surveyed the coppice again. Seeing Bill watching him, he
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