Read Online The Boy-Bishop's Glovemaker by Michael Jecks - Free Book Online Page B

One man knelt at the side, stirring. He wore the innocent expression of the idiotic. His slack mouth dribbled and one corner twitched upwards into a smile, but without conviction. There was a nervousness in his features, as if he was used to being beaten and half-expected to be treated like a cur.
    Behind him stood Sir Thomas of Exmouth, a more dangerous man by far. His face was swarthy and narrow, his eyes glittering under a low forehead. He wore russets and greens, a thick woollen cloak and hose, a leather jack and a dangling hood – nothing to betray his true background as a knight: no gilt spurs, no mail, no insignia of chivalry. He had rejected his past and was now a mere outlaw. The only incongruous feature was the knightly riding sword which dangled from a richly enamelled belt at his side.
    ‘Come on over here, please. Take a seat. Wine?’ he said, and his visitor gave him a humourless grin as he approached the fire.
    ‘I received your message. There’s no need to pretend that we are on friendly terms.’
    ‘But at least we do not need to be enemies.’ The outlaw beckoned. A young woman appeared between the trees and poured out wine for them, and when she was done he continued, ‘I thank you for your prompt appearance. It is better, I always think, to get these things resolved as quickly as possible.’
    ‘I don’t know what you want from me.’
    ‘I think you do. First, I want information. My friend Hamond, is he . . .?’
    ‘Hamond was hanged yesterday morning. If you want his body, the hangman will cut it loose tomorrow. Send someone for it.’
    ‘That is a shame, a great shame.’ The outlaw held his gaze for a moment, then turned his bitter, shining eyes to the fire. He was silent a while and then drained his goblet and held it out to the girl. She refilled it silently and held the jug up for the other, who shook his head.
    ‘He was captured after ambushing a merchant,’ the newcomer said heavily. ‘Not only did he not run from his offence, he had the foolishness to go ahead of the merchant into the city and drink a pot of ale at the Nobles Inn when the merchant passed.’
    ‘He was a good friend. Headstrong, but good,’ Sir Thomas growled. ‘Still, he will be with God now. That’s that.’ He motioned to the girl. ‘Enough, Jen. Leave us.’
    As she walked back to the shade under the trees, he watched her go. Indeed, he was so intent upon her slender figure that he appeared to have forgotten his guest, who stirred and cleared his throat. Sir Thomas bowed apologetically. ‘Ah, yes. My apologies. I was forgetting. Now, Master, I think you can help me – and I may be able to help you as well.’
    ‘
You
help
me
?’
    The outlaw stood more straight and his left hand rested upon the hilt of his sword as he raised an eyebrow. ‘You may live a privileged life in the city but any man at need would be grateful of the assistance of a knight.’
    ‘You think so?’ came the sneering reply. ‘What sort of assistance could an outlaw knight like you provide?’
    ‘Your sarcasm does you a disservice.’
    ‘How can I not be sarcastic when you have only ever sought favours from me?’ came the sharp rejoinder.
    Sir Thomas looked away. After a moment, he said, ‘I agree that I have misused you, but perhaps I could offer money to . . .’
    ‘Money stolen from another church? Do you mean to insult me?’ the other snapped.
    ‘All I want is justice! Hamond has been hanged – but was he guilty of the crime?’
    The other said impatiently, ‘He was with your gang, wasn’t he?’
    ‘Listen to me, you fool! Hamond had nothing to do with it – he was with me in the city when the ambush was supposed to have happened. I sent him to the tavern myself to fetch some wine, and it was while he was there that he was pointed out and captured. So tell me
– how did he commit this ambush, how did he get recognised by a merchant as an outlaw who had robbed him, when all the time he was with me?
’
    To which his