Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 (21 page)

“I agree with Albin,” Guy said. “My liege, the king can order you held indefinitely.”

“He can do more than that.” Albin scowled at Fulke. “If Henry is in a foul mood, he could have you executed for sport.”

“Our liege saved his life,” Gervase said. “The king will not forget that.”

“You are wrong,” Albin argued. “Henry believes he has repaid his debt to Fulke by showing him mercy when other nobles were calling for his head. To Henry, they now have an even accounting.”

“Whatever Henry decides to do, he could very well do the same if you were all with me.” Fulke looked at each of his men. “We are not taking a vote on this. I shall take Gervase with me to the palace. Once there we shall part ways so that I may petition the king alone. The rest of you will remain at the inn.”

“What then?” Albin crossed his arms. “We twiddle our thumbs whilst you take all the risks? Why did we even come here?”

“It does appear to be a wasted trip if we are not to guard your back, my liege,” Guy said.

“You are here in the event you are needed,” Fulke said. “I intend to approach the subject with diplomacy first.”

“What if Henry commands you to give up Talan’s location?” Albin asked. “Will you do it?”

“Would you?” Fulke asked in return.

“Have no fear, Albin,” Gervase said. “I will have our liege’s back.”

Albin looked as if he was about to speak but thought better of it.

“Gervase, I do not have to reiterate that you are to use discretion,” Fulke said. “Whilst you are planting suspicion about the justice, find out the latest court gossip. There is bound to be some news about Stephen’s bid for the throne that might benefit us. Search me out with any news when it is safe to do so.”

“Aye, my liege,” Gervase said. “I will not fail you.”

“I know, lad.” Back in the saddle, Fulke raised a hand for attention. “I will ride in with Gervase. Euric and Leofrick pair up and secure enough chambers for us all at the inn. The innkeeper’s name is Thomas. He and his wife can be trusted. Guy and Albin are to arrive sometime after you.”

“I still do not like it,” Albin muttered after mounting his horse.

“Your dislike is duly noted.” Fulke dipped his head. “Have a care, my friend. God willing, we shall be home afore your lady’s time comes.”

“Wish me luck,” Gervase said to Guy.

“Since when have you ever needed luck?”

“Guy…”

“Good luck, Gervase,” Guy said in all seriousness. “Though I warrant you will not need it.”

“I will pass along your regards to Lady Adorlee.” Once again regaining his carefree attitude, Gervase grinned.

“Gervase,” Albin said, “Godspeed.”

“Thank you, Albin.” Gervase looked slightly taken aback by the concern shown by the elder knight. With a last wave, he followed Fulke’s lead by spurring his horse into a gallop.

On the outskirts of the city the smell of the open sewers assailed the two men. Running the length of the cobbled streets, the narrow channels had a stench that worsened in warm weather. Abutting each other, modest cob houses led to more expansive oak timbered buildings the closer they rode to the city center. Pedestrians shared the narrow lanes with riders, carts, and animals. Vendors peddling all kind of wares, including fish added to the stench. Contents of chamber pots tossed from second floor windows would occasionally find a hapless passerby eliciting a string of expletives from the unsuspecting target.

“I can tell from this distance there will be no breeze coming from Thorney Island this day.” Pinching his nostrils, Gervase blinked hard several times. “The awful reek is making my eyes tear.”

“We have grown accustomed to the fresh air of the country.”

Fulke’s gaze scanned the crowds for anyone he recognized. “The foulness tends to be worse during the yearly thaw.”

Guiding their horses around a slow moving cart laden with

turnips, Fulke gestured to a narrow alleyway. “The Silver Spur is located at the end of that lane. Once you feel certain you have done your duty make your way there and inform the others of your progress.”

“My liege,” Gervase hesitated. “If I were invited to…”

“I expect you at the inn to report on your progress, Gervase. Where you sleep at night is no concern of mine.”

“Aye, my liege.”

After a moment, Fulke said, “Keep in mind your lady’s feelings are not bound to have changed if she believes you have yet to reform your ways.”

“I shall do all I can to convince her that I am a changed man.” Gervase glanced over at Fulke with a sheepish grin. “You do not often speak to me in such an intimate fashion.”

“Would you rather I left such musings to Guy?”

“Not at all, I am rather pleased to hear of your concern for me.”

Fulke appeared surprised. “Have I ever given you reason to

believe I do not care for your wellbeing?”

“Not once in the years I have known you, my liege. Your risking so much for Talan speaks of how you feel about us.”

“Then why would you say such a thing?”

“Might I speak freely?”

“I grow weary of standing on the pedestal you have placed me on, Gervase. Say what you have to say.”

“To a man we know you care as much for us as we do for you. Only, you are not so good at always expressing it.” When Fulke remained silent, Gervase went on, “We know you understandably confide in Albin. Even though you are our liege and we are all beholden to you, I and a few of the others often hope you would also confide in us on occasion.”

“I confide in you on all manners of import,” Fulke said after a lengthy pause, “yet that is not what you mean, is it?”

“It is not,” Gervase said. “You are the only father figure some of us have ever known. Your opinion means much.”

“I suppose my reticence is due to our positions. I have always felt myself to be more of your protector than your friend. In the future, I shall attempt to guide you and the rest of the men in all matters.”

“Thank you, my liege.” 

It was not until they reached the palace’s courtyard that Fulke was recognized. A murmur ran through the assembled crowd like a brushfire. Closer to the palace an uncomfortable silence descended. With all eyes fixed on the newcomers, people slowly backed out of the way to clear a path to the palace’s steps.

Ignoring all else, Fulke and Gervase kept their passive gazes fixed on the palace towering majestically above them. Sunlight sparkled off the immense arched stained-glass window centered between a pair of tall ornate spires.   

Fulke dismounted to curtly pass the reins to a liveried stable boy. Straightening his formal surcoat, he ignored the nobles pressing forward to get a better look at him. His manner unapproachable, he entered the palace with Gervase following close on his heels.

The pair stood a full head and shoulders above the average citizen making them easily recognizable to the palace’s occupants. Conversations drew to a staggering halt as their booted feet echoed along the marble flooring. Vaulted ceilings reaching several stories high gave the palace an immense aura. Stained glass panels reflected patterns of light on the gathered nobility below.

Fulke searched through the crowd for anyone he recognized. Nobles from the courtyard began to trickle in to see for themselves what kind of reception he would receive. “Have a care, Gervase. I will send a page to find you if I am allotted quarters. If I am outright refused an audience, I will await you back at the inn.”

“Let us hope it is one of those choices,” Gervase whispered, “and that you are not arrested.”

“Aye, let us hope.” Fulke slanted his knight an irritated look.

“Good luck, my liege.” Spotting a group of male nobles heading in their direction, Gervase lost himself in the crowd.

“It is you!” A portly noble wearing a scarlet and gold embroidered bliaud and matching hose reached up to grip Fulke’s shoulder. “How good it is to see you again, Baron Erlegh.”

“Baron de Grey.” Fulke seemed genuinely pleased. “What brings you to the city?”

“I might ask the same of you.” Baron de Grey leaned in to whisper. “By now, even the king has been informed of your illustrious presence, or should I say infamous?”

“It appears both would apply to me,” Fulke said. “Trust me, if there were an easier way to gain an audience with our good king, I would have taken it.”

Gripping Fulke’s muscular bicep, Baron de Grey led him to a corner of the hall. “Henry has been in a benevolent mood of late, Fulke. Rumor has it the betrothal negotiations between his daughter and Count Geoffrey are progressing. Once the empress is wed and produces a male heir, Henry’s troubles will lessen considerably.”

“I knew our king was avidly working on an alliance, yet from what I witnessed, Matilda loathes the count.”

“The majority of nobles despise their spouses.” Baron de Grey lowered his voice. “Affection has no place in marriage.”

Fulke ignored the last comment. “What has Stephen to say about the rumors?”

“The king’s nephew is not at all pleased by the news of a probable alliance,” Baron de Grey confided. “From what I hear, he remains on his present course of action to claim the throne for himself. As you know there is little love lost between the two cousins. Henry still lives and the two are already furtively making noble pacts in their quest for the crown.”

“Certainly, such pacts do not involve the barons? At the behest of the king, we have already sworn allegiance to Matilda.”

“The barons feel they were coerced,” Baron de Grey said casting a look around. “When the time comes, many will cast their lot with Stephen.”

“It appears I have missed much since I have been away,” Fulke said.

“Is that why you have come, to petition your return to court?” Baron de Grey turned his back on a brazen eavesdropper.

“Indeed not.” Fulke chuckled. “I have no wish to return to court.”

“Then I consider myself perplexed at your being here.”

“Perhaps that is for the best since I am currently out of favor with the king,” Fulke said. “I would not want to do anything to affect your good standing.”

“Say no more, I can take a hint.” Baron de Grey held his hands up. “Your business here is your own.”

“Thank you for understanding.” Fulke relaxed. “Is Baron Reynold currently in residence?” 

“Have you not heard? Your sworn adversary disappeared shortly after your banishment. Some believe there to be more to it. The king was rather hasty in reclaiming his title and lands.”

Fulke’s longtime nemesis, Baron Reynold had managed to discover Reina’s unique ability to read lips. Unbeknownst to Reynold, she was posing as the king’s mistress to spy on visiting dignitaries. When Baron Reynold accused her and Fulke of treason in open court, King Henry was forced to protect his knowledge of Reina’s secret by ordering her arrest. When Fulke drew his sword to protest the ill treatment of his loyal wife, the king had no choice but to order Fulke’s arrest. While many of Fulke’s enemies called for his life to be forfeit, King Henry instead banished his former favorite from court.

“I see.” Fulke turned his back on a group of nobles eyeing their conversation “What of his wife, Arabella?”

“Oh yes, the lovely Arabella. I had quite forgotten you had a past with the lady,” Baron de Grey said. “Is that not the reason why Reynold took such a dislike to you?”  

“It was one reason among many,” Fulke said. “I only ask after the baroness since she was kind to me and my wife.”

“Do not concern yourself on her account.” Baron de Grey flicked his beringed fingers. “After the pope declared Reynold deceased, her ladyship remarried a lesser noble. By all accounts she is quite content living in the country.”

“I am pleased to hear it.” Halting an approaching quartet of nobles with an icy stare, Fulke resumed the conversation. “Would you happen to be acquainted with Justice de Glanville?”

“Tell me you did not cross de Glanville?” Baron de Grey took a step back. “Is that why you have come? You know he is King Henry’s oldest friend.”

“So I have been told,” Fulke said. “Have you heard his name mentioned of late?”

“The last I heard his last wife had up and left him, not that anyone was surprised. His taste for bedchamber debauchery is well known to all here.”

“I had almost forgotten there are no secrets within palace walls,” Fulke said. “You certainly seem to be well informed. Might I ask where it is you come by your gossip?”

“A few well-placed coins here and there work well to loosen tongues.” Baron de Grey winked. “Try it on one of the justice’s servants and you shall see for yourself.”

Making a mental note to pass on the information to Gervase, Fulke smiled. “I shall be sure to keep that in mind.”

“I doubt missing the latest court gossip has you risking Henry’s temper by coming here...”

“In that you would be correct,” Fulke assured him.

“Since you are not likely to take a hint and confide what it is that brings you back to court,” Baron de Grey said, “is there anything I can do to lend you assist in your furtive quest?”

“The only way you could help me is if you are on friendly terms with the king’s appointment steward.”