Read Online The Tolls of Death: (Knights Templar 17) by Michael Jecks - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael Jecks
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tithing and the manor, and I cannot allow that.’ Warin’s voice was sharper this time.
Richer had rarely heard his tone so cool. The man was a squire, yes, and of course he had a legitimate interest in the workings of the manor and in the loyalties of the peasants because of his position with the castle, but Richer felt as though he had been deserted by his oldest companion. Their relationship had been one of mutual trust, rather that of friends or brothers than squire with his man-at-arms. To hear Warin speak so was enough to make Richer feel as he did when he prepared to ride into a battle: an awareness of danger to come.
‘This business of the tolls should interest the castle,’ he said. ‘I don’t understand why the steward does nothing about it.’
Warin frowned. ‘Don’t change the subject. We’re talking about
you
. This matter goes much deeper than the foolishness of a tollkeeper. It is an ancient feud.’
‘I never liked him,’ Richer answered simply. ‘And now, seeing how he’s treated my woman, I dislike him all the more.’
‘
Your
woman? You left her fifteen years ago, you tell me she has two brats from her dead husband, and still you call her yours?’
‘She may be mine again,’ Richer said seriously, but then he looked up at his squire and grinned. ‘Don’t worry about Serlo – he’s no real danger to us. Alex is the one with the brain. He’ll understand that all I want is to see Athelina safe, remaining in her house. They’ll work out for themselves that it’s better to do what I want, rather than have me making trouble for them. If they leave her alone, I’ll leave them alone.’
‘The two brothers together could be a risk. They are upsetting the folk about here with their depredations. They are like those other thieving devils, Despenser and his father,’ Warin growled. ‘If you keep up this affair of trying to settle an old score, Serlo might decide to harm you. Perhaps even waylay and kill you.’
‘Not while we are at the castle. Even they wouldn’t do anything while we live under Nicholas’s protection. He’s the representative of Sir Henry. No one would dare to gainsay him in the lord’s own manor.’
‘Perhaps.’ Warin’s eyes were a curious light hazel colour with green flecks. When those eyes were fired with rage, they glittered like gold shot through with emerald. Although he was large and strongly built, he was no dullard, like some of the blockheads who regularly fought in the lists, but an intelligent and educated man. Now he turned on Richer a look which seemed to shear through his words like a sword through butter.
Richer’s laugh was less certain under that scrutiny. ‘“Perhaps”– nothing! And while I’m here, I won’t have the pair of them robbing everyone including their master!’
‘Very well, but I don’t wish the area to be unsettled. This used to be a stable, secure place. I want it to remain so.’
‘Yes, Squire, and I shall see to it.’
‘Good,’ Warin said. ‘With Despenser running the land there are already too many problems in the realm without us seeking to create more here in the manor.’
‘The problems aren’t of my making,’ Richer protested. ‘I didn’t tell the miller to ask us for a gift.’
‘Yet you are happy enough to continue the argument, aren’t you? And you’d like to smack Serlo’s fat face, wouldn’t you, friend Richer?’
Those unsettling eyes were on him again, and Richer had to shrug in agreement.
He had always disliked Almeric’s family. Then, when he had suffered his own personal disaster and lost everyone belonging to him, it seemed cruel and unjust that they should have remained in Cardinham and prospered while he was absent. It served to make his dislike more intense.
Alexander and Serlo had been nasty pieces of work from as early as Richer could remember. Never the sort to leave the vill and make their own way in the world, they preferred to remain in the backwater where they
Richer had rarely heard his tone so cool. The man was a squire, yes, and of course he had a legitimate interest in the workings of the manor and in the loyalties of the peasants because of his position with the castle, but Richer felt as though he had been deserted by his oldest companion. Their relationship had been one of mutual trust, rather that of friends or brothers than squire with his man-at-arms. To hear Warin speak so was enough to make Richer feel as he did when he prepared to ride into a battle: an awareness of danger to come.
‘This business of the tolls should interest the castle,’ he said. ‘I don’t understand why the steward does nothing about it.’
Warin frowned. ‘Don’t change the subject. We’re talking about
you
. This matter goes much deeper than the foolishness of a tollkeeper. It is an ancient feud.’
‘I never liked him,’ Richer answered simply. ‘And now, seeing how he’s treated my woman, I dislike him all the more.’
‘
Your
woman? You left her fifteen years ago, you tell me she has two brats from her dead husband, and still you call her yours?’
‘She may be mine again,’ Richer said seriously, but then he looked up at his squire and grinned. ‘Don’t worry about Serlo – he’s no real danger to us. Alex is the one with the brain. He’ll understand that all I want is to see Athelina safe, remaining in her house. They’ll work out for themselves that it’s better to do what I want, rather than have me making trouble for them. If they leave her alone, I’ll leave them alone.’
‘The two brothers together could be a risk. They are upsetting the folk about here with their depredations. They are like those other thieving devils, Despenser and his father,’ Warin growled. ‘If you keep up this affair of trying to settle an old score, Serlo might decide to harm you. Perhaps even waylay and kill you.’
‘Not while we are at the castle. Even they wouldn’t do anything while we live under Nicholas’s protection. He’s the representative of Sir Henry. No one would dare to gainsay him in the lord’s own manor.’
‘Perhaps.’ Warin’s eyes were a curious light hazel colour with green flecks. When those eyes were fired with rage, they glittered like gold shot through with emerald. Although he was large and strongly built, he was no dullard, like some of the blockheads who regularly fought in the lists, but an intelligent and educated man. Now he turned on Richer a look which seemed to shear through his words like a sword through butter.
Richer’s laugh was less certain under that scrutiny. ‘“Perhaps”– nothing! And while I’m here, I won’t have the pair of them robbing everyone including their master!’
‘Very well, but I don’t wish the area to be unsettled. This used to be a stable, secure place. I want it to remain so.’
‘Yes, Squire, and I shall see to it.’
‘Good,’ Warin said. ‘With Despenser running the land there are already too many problems in the realm without us seeking to create more here in the manor.’
‘The problems aren’t of my making,’ Richer protested. ‘I didn’t tell the miller to ask us for a gift.’
‘Yet you are happy enough to continue the argument, aren’t you? And you’d like to smack Serlo’s fat face, wouldn’t you, friend Richer?’
Those unsettling eyes were on him again, and Richer had to shrug in agreement.
He had always disliked Almeric’s family. Then, when he had suffered his own personal disaster and lost everyone belonging to him, it seemed cruel and unjust that they should have remained in Cardinham and prospered while he was absent. It served to make his dislike more intense.
Alexander and Serlo had been nasty pieces of work from as early as Richer could remember. Never the sort to leave the vill and make their own way in the world, they preferred to remain in the backwater where they
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