Read Online Wolf Wood (Part Two): The Dangerous years by Mike Dixon - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mike Dixon
Tags: Romance, Historical, Magic, Witches, sorcery, middle ages, Knights, heresy, family feuds, war of the roses
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the others to go then began to talk about the future. Do you know what he said?'
Harald shook his head.'
'When the time comes to put down those traitors in Westminster, use the army. Don't let the common people get involved or it will work out like last time.'
Harald nodded. 'That sounds like him. He would have been referring to the Wat Tyler rebellion.'
'I think he was encouraging me to join the Duke of York in Dublin and bring pressure on Council. I think that was what he intended to do. What do you think?'
'It's the sort of way his mind worked.'
Harald guessed the commander was sounding out his views. Since the subject was the overthrow of the government, he felt cautious about expressing any firm opinion. He sensed the commanded felt the same way.
His next question was equally searching.
'Don't you think it would be better to increase the powers of parliament and give it more say in the running of the country, like in the Hansa cities? They are run by an elected mayor and corporation. It could perhaps be possible to run an entire country like that.'
'I've no problem with increasing the powers of parliament and making it more representative,' Harald replied guardedly. 'But England is not a Hansa city and cannot be run as if it were. I know people who believe that such a thing is possible. They think that power would devolve into the hands of merchants, masons, lawyers and other people of skill and education … and they are mistaken.'
'What do you think would happen?'
'Power would be seized by people like my brother Guy.'
'We think alike, Harald.'
Matthew Gough rose to his feet. Harald concluded that he had got the answer he expected and was merely checking to see that they were of the same mind. His next question came as a surprise.
'What does Robin Perry think?'
'His views are the same as mine. Indeed, I have been influenced by him. Robin was forced to serve with my brother and saw what the irregular bands can do. They are a law unto themselves when government brakes down. They carve out fiefdoms and set themselves up as lords. Cities that were once administered by a mayor and corporation are now ruled by illiterate cut-throats who can barely speak the language of the people.'
'Is this what Robin Perry says?'
'Aye. They could be his very words.'
'Very well.' Mathew Gough nodded thoughtfully. 'We have work for him. I sense mutiny in our ranks. We need someone to sniff it out.'
***
Robin sauntered into the hostelry and gave Guy an archers' salute. They had exchanged a few words in the guardhouse when William was released. To his surprise, Guy treated the whole incident as a joke, saying it would teach William a lesson. Robin guessed that Guy wanted to make friends with him ... if friend was the right word.
Guy didn't have friends . He had partners and companions-in-arms. The partners stayed partners so long as there was something in it for Guy. The companions were people who served under Guy and did as they were told. Robin decided that he would be a partner.
'What's your poison?'
Guy pointed to an array of flagons and wineskins. Robin chose beer. You could drink a lot without getting sloshed. Staying sober was important if you were to remember what was said and not say too much yourself.
'Take a seat.'
Guy indicated a place at a table. It was like Guy ... telling people what to do … establishing a pecking order. Robin did as he was told. Letting Guy think he was the dominant male was part of the act.
'You gave Will a bit of a scare,' Guy chuckled, 'thought he was going to be fed to the Frogs.'
The table dissolved in laughter.
'That'll learn him,' someone said. 'Teach him to show more respect for an officer.'
There was more laughter. Robin glanced to where William was standing and saw the expression of pure hatred on his scarred face.
'He wasn't scared. We had it all worked out,' Robin lied. 'We had to shut that gate so the Frogs would think there was still a chance to rescue the prisoners.
Harald shook his head.'
'When the time comes to put down those traitors in Westminster, use the army. Don't let the common people get involved or it will work out like last time.'
Harald nodded. 'That sounds like him. He would have been referring to the Wat Tyler rebellion.'
'I think he was encouraging me to join the Duke of York in Dublin and bring pressure on Council. I think that was what he intended to do. What do you think?'
'It's the sort of way his mind worked.'
Harald guessed the commander was sounding out his views. Since the subject was the overthrow of the government, he felt cautious about expressing any firm opinion. He sensed the commanded felt the same way.
His next question was equally searching.
'Don't you think it would be better to increase the powers of parliament and give it more say in the running of the country, like in the Hansa cities? They are run by an elected mayor and corporation. It could perhaps be possible to run an entire country like that.'
'I've no problem with increasing the powers of parliament and making it more representative,' Harald replied guardedly. 'But England is not a Hansa city and cannot be run as if it were. I know people who believe that such a thing is possible. They think that power would devolve into the hands of merchants, masons, lawyers and other people of skill and education … and they are mistaken.'
'What do you think would happen?'
'Power would be seized by people like my brother Guy.'
'We think alike, Harald.'
Matthew Gough rose to his feet. Harald concluded that he had got the answer he expected and was merely checking to see that they were of the same mind. His next question came as a surprise.
'What does Robin Perry think?'
'His views are the same as mine. Indeed, I have been influenced by him. Robin was forced to serve with my brother and saw what the irregular bands can do. They are a law unto themselves when government brakes down. They carve out fiefdoms and set themselves up as lords. Cities that were once administered by a mayor and corporation are now ruled by illiterate cut-throats who can barely speak the language of the people.'
'Is this what Robin Perry says?'
'Aye. They could be his very words.'
'Very well.' Mathew Gough nodded thoughtfully. 'We have work for him. I sense mutiny in our ranks. We need someone to sniff it out.'
***
Robin sauntered into the hostelry and gave Guy an archers' salute. They had exchanged a few words in the guardhouse when William was released. To his surprise, Guy treated the whole incident as a joke, saying it would teach William a lesson. Robin guessed that Guy wanted to make friends with him ... if friend was the right word.
Guy didn't have friends . He had partners and companions-in-arms. The partners stayed partners so long as there was something in it for Guy. The companions were people who served under Guy and did as they were told. Robin decided that he would be a partner.
'What's your poison?'
Guy pointed to an array of flagons and wineskins. Robin chose beer. You could drink a lot without getting sloshed. Staying sober was important if you were to remember what was said and not say too much yourself.
'Take a seat.'
Guy indicated a place at a table. It was like Guy ... telling people what to do … establishing a pecking order. Robin did as he was told. Letting Guy think he was the dominant male was part of the act.
'You gave Will a bit of a scare,' Guy chuckled, 'thought he was going to be fed to the Frogs.'
The table dissolved in laughter.
'That'll learn him,' someone said. 'Teach him to show more respect for an officer.'
There was more laughter. Robin glanced to where William was standing and saw the expression of pure hatred on his scarred face.
'He wasn't scared. We had it all worked out,' Robin lied. 'We had to shut that gate so the Frogs would think there was still a chance to rescue the prisoners.
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