The Princess Who Rode on a Mule (3 page)

Only
Master Cope saw a change in her, for she did not seem to like him as well as
she had before, and always turned aside when he came near. At last he decided
that he must speak with her, and found an opportunity early one morn, when she
went for a walk in the garden.

“Princess,
I would serve thee,” he said, stepping in front of her to block her path.

“I know
not how.”

“There
is an Abbey,” said Robin slowly. ‘Tis known as Wilgefortis, and it lies but a
stone’s throw from the North border.”

“’Tis
far.”

“‘Twould
be a journey of seven nights, but I can arrange for thy conveyance thither. And
should the King’s men come nigh, thou couldst flee to Dunclyden, for Queen Mary
is called merciful, and methinks would grant thee refuge.”

“Nay,”
said Hadley.

“This
Baron is ambitious.”

“Aye.”

“He
cannot be trusted.”

“Aye.”

“Thou
wouldst stay, it seems, but I know not why.”

“Why
dost
thou
stay, Robin? Thy face is marked from Father’s blows.”

“Where
would I go?”

“A man
may go where he likes. Why seek thee not thy kinfolk?”

“I have
no kin,” said Master Cope, shaking his large head. “My sire and dam were taken
by the plague when I was a young lad.”

“I had
heard that thy father was killed in battle. But howe’er it was, surely thou
couldst claim the estate that is rightfully thine. Queen Mary is said to be
just.”

“I am
Glerny born, and my father a humble tradesman, though not unlettered.”

“’Tis
hard to credit,” Hadley said, her brown eyes wide with surprise.

“By my
troth, ‘tis so. I was reared not far from Wilgefortis Abbey. None has heard my
tale ere now, but thou shalt hear it, if thou wilt.”

“Aye,”
said Hadley.

“Upon
my father’s death,” said Robin, “I apprenticed to a mason. He was as hard and
cruel a man as I have ever known. One day I fled from him and followed a band
of soldiers into battle. By good chance, I was not slain, but managed to hide
until ‘twas nearly sunset and all had left the field. Then I crept out and
found a corpse, and stripped it. ‘Twas base thievery, but my clothes were all
in tatters and the soles of my boots worn through. I left the corpse his
doublet and his ring, that he might be known, and took shelter behind a
hillock, where I fell into slumber.

 “The
next morn, I awoke to find myself held captive by two of the King’s own
knights. My garb bespoke Dunclyden, and I did not give my name, lest I be
returned to my master. ‘Twould be better, I thought, to die at the hands of
good men, than to live and serve the devil. But I was not slain, and my good
Liege hath kept me at Court these many years.”

“There
are some who call my father wicked.”

“Aye,”
said Robin, pulling a bit of parchment from his doublet. “Many oppose his rule,
and belike they shall oppose the Baron also—”

“—That
paper! ‘Tis like the one I lost!”

“There
are many such. ‘Twas printed in vast quantities.”

“I would
see it.”

“‘Tis
seditious,” said Robin, unrolling the parchment. “Only hear. ‘
His Majesty
hath imposed hardship and suffering upon his people, through heavy taxation and
unjust laws.
’”

“What
more is said?”

“Much
more, but the marrow is thus: ‘
In the eyes of God, no man or woman is higher
than another. The King must abdicate!
’”

“How
then shall Glerny be governed?”

Robin
handed Hadley the parchment, and she began to read it to herself.

“It
says the people must choose their own ruler,” she said at last.

“’Twas
authored by a man known as Tom Browne. He hath long been sowing discontent
throughout this land.”

“I have
met him! He himself gave me the paper that I had!”

 “’Tis
a marvel that thou hast seen his face, for he is slippery as an eel. None can
lay hands upon him. Else would he have been slain or jailed ere now.”

“He
seemed a quick and able kind of man. And there is much sense in what is written
here.”

“Aye,”
said Robin, looking off into the distance. “His words are deft and sure, though
they be treasonous. Would that I myself knew how to act. Trouble is brewing,
and I know not from whence it may come. Lord Vardis desirest much the crown,
and many knights do serve him. If they should come to Court, it may go hard
with us.”

“Father
hath a strong and vigorous army.”

“The
Abbey walls are a better shield.”

“If I
fled from here, I know not what would become of my mother or my sisters.
Methinks Joan would be compelled to wed the Baron, and that would much grieve
her, for she hath pledged to marry James.”

“I see
that thou art resolved,” said Robin, retrieving the parchment. “I shall put
this in the fire….And if Tom Browne should cross thy path again, do not parlay
with him, lest he bid thee join his band of rebels.”

“Thou art an
obstinate maid,” he added under his breath, as he turned away.

~~~~

Three
days later, the Baron died. He was found at dawn, lying stiff and cold in his
bed. Mayhap he had contracted the catarrh suffered by many at Court, and it had
proven fatal to him. Or perchance he had perished of gout, a weakening of the
heart, or some other such malady, for he was far from young. However it was,
the King desired Princess Hadley’s presence, and she was soon summoned to the
Great Hall.

Pale
light streamed through the lozenge-shaped casements lining the outer wall of
the Hall, gilding the fair locks of Lord Vardis as he knelt before the King.
Two of his Lordship’s henchmen, dressed in scarlet tunics and black breeches,
stood behind their master and held up the hem of his dark velvet cloak so that
it did not touch the floor. The King bade Lord Vardis to rise, and gestured to
Hadley to come closer.

Hadley
scarcely heard her father’s proclamation. Nor did she see the distressed faces
of her mother and sisters. Nor did she seem to heed his Lordship’s touch, as he
raised her small hand to his lips.

She
stood as still as stone, her face showing naught of what she felt, nor even any
semblance of comprehension. “Were I to seek a bride through all Glerny,” Lord
Vardis thought. “I ne’er should find one stupider than she!”

“What
shall I do?” was all that she could think, for it seemed to her that every way
was barred.

Lord
Vardis’s gaze was fixed upon her face, and his mouth was formed into a smile.
He kept her hand in his, and spoke words of love in a resounding voice. She could
do naught but drop her eyes and watch the ray of sun that crossed his boots and
turned their tips blood red.

Then
came a sudden sound that jolted Hadley and stemmed the tide of his Lordship’s
eloquence. All eyes turned to Master Cope, who had entered the Great Hall with
unusual force and energy, grasping the arm of a small man in a sable doublet
and urging him toward the King.

“Prithee
speak!” exhorted Robin. “His Majesty shall hear all!”

The man
made a low bow. Hadley knew his face, but not his name.

“Who
stands before us, good Robin?” asked the King, with unexpected mildness.

“Comberlane’s
valet, Sire. He hath come to tell of the Baron’s last hours.”

“We
shall hear him,” said King Valentine, smiling.

“Your
gracious Majesty,” said the valet, bowing again. “My lord, the Baron, was a
hearty man, with a vigor that belied his years. Yestermorn, he awoke quite well
and remained so all the day. But soon after supper, he became afflicted with
such grievous pains and vertigo that he bade me assist him to his chamber. He
dropped onto his bed like one entranced, and fell into a slumber so profound
that he did not awaken e’en when I pulled off his boots, though ‘twas an
irksome business, for there was swelling in the feet. He ne’er did wake again.”

“Thou
hast served thy Master loyally, and here is a purse for thee,” said the King,
proffering a handful of silver.

“Your
Majesty!” cried Robin, as the valet accepted the coins with a grateful bow, and
stepped aside. “This tale has another import. The Baron was well until he
supped. Belike he was poisoned! Mayhap his Lordship did the foul deed, for they
were seated side by side at table!”

“Nay!”
said the King, lifting one hand to forestall Lord Vardis from speaking. “’Tis a
rank accusation, and we opine ‘tis false! We know not what thou canst mean by
it, Robin Cope.”

“Sire,
many of your knights and soldiers are abroad, sent forth at his Lordship’s
instigation—“

“—To
quench the sedition that springs forth in every quarter of our dominion—”

“—But
now we are ill-defended! Mayhap his Lordship means to seize the throne by
unlawful means!”

 The
King looked doubtfully at Lord Vardis, and a shadow of fear passed across his
face.

Lord
Vardis smiled and made a sweeping bow. “Thou hast my allegiance, your Majesty.
But yon great ox would have my bride and all the realm, it seems,” he said.
“Come hither, Ox, and speak no more lies against me. For I can prove thou art
both lecherous and full of treachery. Thou wouldst repay our Sovereign’s many
favors by debasing his daughter and consorting with a band of ruffians who mean
to thrust a sword into his noble heart.”

Robin
neither spoke nor moved, but kept his gaze fixed on Lord Vardis’s face. At a
sign from his Lordship, the two men in red quickly stepped forward and seized
the Steward, pinning his arms behind his back.

“What
shall be done with traitors, my Liege?” asked his Lordship, stepping toward
Robin.

Master
Cope did not see the dagger that Lord Vardis stealthily removed from the sheath
at his side, but mayhap he saw some alteration in his Lordship’s mien, for at
the instant that Lord Vardis raised his slim white hand to strike, Robin
wrested his own right arm free and dealt his Lordship such a powerful blow that
he dropped onto the stone floor and lay still. The dagger fell beside him with
a clatter.

Lord
Vardis’ men made haste to raise their halberds, but the King spoke up loudly
and bade them attend their master. He then commanded his own men to seize
Robin, and take him to the Tower, where he would be held for trial.

“What is the charge?”
gasped Hadley, but her father did not answer.

~~~~

An hour
later, Lord Vardis remained insensible, despite the surgeon’s best art. None
knew whether he would live or die.

“As for
Master Cope,” whispered the servants, “’Tis a surety that he shall be tried for
murder, treason, or both. Mayhap he shall be hanged!”

And
where was Princess Hadley? “Gone a’riding on her mule, no doubt to purge her
mind of melancholy. Two bridegrooms felled within a single day, poor lady.”

But
Hadley was thinking of neither the Baron nor Lord Vardis as her mule plodded
along the rough path to the Tower. “I shall ask to see Robin,” she thought.
“And if the guard says ‘Nay,’ I shall give him all the coins in my
purse…..Though there are not many. Mayhap he shall want more.”

When
she reached the Tower, however, she was surprised to find herself alone. The
massive iron door was locked fast, but left unguarded. And when she beat upon
it with her fists, there was no answer.

She
stepped back and looked up. The windows were barred. Would it be best if she
waited until the guard returned? Or should she go in search of him?

She stood for a few
moments in this state of uncertainty, until suddenly jolted from her reverie by
a raucous cry.

~~~~

As he
quaffed ale, Robin Cope bent a kindly eye on the men who had, upon the King’s
orders, taken him from Court. They had all been within a stone’s throw of the
Tower when they were set upon by the band of ruffians who now held them
captive. None of the courtiers had been harmed; nonetheless, they were full of
fear, and their tankards sat untouched upon the floor. The Tower guard, less
fortunate, lay on a pallet, with a grievous wound to his leg.

“And
yet he shall live,” thought Robin, “For these men take prodigious care of him.”

E’en
now, two rebels were washing and binding the very wound that they or their
friends had inflicted.

The
rebels themselves were marked by prior misadventures. One had lost part of an
ear, and the other had a cloth wrapped round one arm.

As for
Robin, he was not much injured, though he had been cuffed and jostled. But the
floor was hard and cold to sit upon, and he misliked the chains around his
ankles. Mayhap they would remove his fetters one day, or mayhap no. He had
slain a man, but he could not regret it. She, at least, was safe from that
blackhearted wretch….But what foul sound was that?

“Obstinate maid,”
he muttered. “I pray they deal gently with thee.” The rebels moved to the
window and gazed at the creature far below, which one vowed was a donkey, and
the other said was a mule.