Read Online Tannhauser 02: The Twelve Children of Paris by Tim Willocks - Free Book Online Page A

for each other. Imagine further that the nest is festooned with webs spun from the purest lies, and that on those webs scuttle venomous spiders almost as big as the rats. Finally, imagine that this nest is located in a pit filled with vipers and poisonous toads.’
    ‘You have there the material for a painting that would cheer the King of Spain.’
    ‘I would not joke, because such a nest in such a web in such a pit is where we stand right now. Loyalties turn on a rumour. A sacred oath may be broken on a whim, an old friendship betrayed for a promise that will never be kept. Even an honest man, and they are few, may go to bed sworn to one faction and wake up supporting another because his master has changed allegiance while he slept. In short: leave as soon as you can.’
    ‘I plan to quit the city with the sunrise, if not before.’
    ‘Good.’ Arnauld bowed. ‘May God go with you.’
    ‘Be careful crossing the courtyard.’
    Arnauld smiled. He turned and headed for the gateway.
    Tannhauser indicated Christian Picart.
    ‘Grégoire, look at the man talking with the captain. He holds his arms like a monkey.’
    Grégoire nodded.
    ‘Have you ever seen him before?’
    Grégoire nodded again.
    ‘Where?’
    ‘Across the street from the Red Ox. By the college gate.’
    ‘Was it before or after we ate?’
    ‘Just after. When the girls took us to their shop.’
    ‘Well done. Go and stand by the gateway and watch for young Arnauld crossing the courtyard. If he chances on trouble, come and tell me.’
    Tannhauser walked over to Dominic.
    ‘I’ll be having a word with this fellow Petit Christian.’
    Dominic swallowed the discourtesy without comment.
    ‘As you wish.’ He left.
    Christian turned with a false smile, as if seeing Tannhauser for the first time.
    ‘Christian Picart, at your service, my lord.’
    ‘Mattias Tannhauser, Comte de La Penautier. I understand you can tell me where my wife, Lady Carla, is lodging.’
    ‘Lady Carla is the guest of Symonne D’Aubray.’
    ‘I’d appreciate directions.’
    ‘I can take you there myself, sire, if you can wait a short while.’
    ‘Who is Symonne D’Aubray?’
    ‘The widow of Roger D’Aubray,’ said Christian.
    ‘Both widow and husband are unknown to me.’
    ‘Roger was a merchant and a much admired rector among the Protestants of Paris.’
    Christian paused, as if waiting for Tannhauser’s reaction to the fact that his wife was lodged with a prominent Huguenot. Given the state of the city, the news was hardly welcome.
    Tannhauser said, ‘Go on.’
    ‘Roger was murdered last year in the Gastines riots, during the Third War. Symonne has continued his business. She imports gold braid from the Dutch, with considerable success.’
    ‘I am delighted for her. Why does she play hostess to my wife?’
    Christian flapped his hands.
    ‘They both are wonderful musicians, as are also the four D’Aubray children. Since the underlying theme of the royal wedding was religious conciliation, a joint performance at the Queen’s Ball – a musical allegory so to speak – was considered an excellent idea.’
    ‘By whom?’
    ‘Why, by all involved, including, we must assume, since she accepted the invitation, your good Lady Carla. Due to the recent unfortunate events, the ball, and so the allegory, were cancelled.’
    ‘Who conceived this allegory?’
    ‘I’m afraid I don’t know,’ said Christian. ‘As you will appreciate, over a thousand guests were invited. I was instructed to make the arrangements for Lady Carla, just as I was for many others who had roles in the celebrations.’
    ‘It was your decision to lodge her with Madame D’Aubray?’
    ‘No, no, sire,’ said Christian. ‘I’m far too humble a servant.’
    ‘Then who was responsible?’
    ‘I am given lists of names and instructions. Long lists. The means are complex and many by which a name appears on such a list. A friend, a favour, a bribe, a debt. I cannot account for the habits of the