The Silver Falcon (30 page)

William recognized the matron and her daughter. They even dared to show themselves dripping with jewelry—jewelry they had probably stolen in the looting. Disgusted, he sought a different place in the crowd of eager onlookers.

Considering how many people were gathered together, it was remarkably peaceful. The jesters and jugglers received only subdued applause, and the laughter was muted. Even the hucksters selling eel pies and other treats did not hawk their wares as loudly as usual. Did people feel guilty? Were they ashamed? Or did they consider the execution of the condemned men no more than a conciliatory sacrifice that had to be made, so that no more of them need be punished? William tried to read their faces, and he saw not only fear and shock but also satisfaction and defiance.

When Ranulf de Glanville read out the sentence, the people rejoiced but in a restrained manner. In the eyes of many of the onlookers, it was not the condemned men who deserved to die, but the Jews. Rotten eggs, putrid fruit, and stinking cabbages were still thrown at the scaffold and the condemned men, but it was
done with less vituperation and enthusiasm than usual. As the executioner put the nooses around the men’s necks, a few shouts of protest and an angry muttering could be heard. The city was not of one mind about the events. Executions were a popular diversion for the people, who normally made quite a party out of them, but on this day the onlookers dispersed more quickly than on other occasions.

As soon as the condemned men were dangling from the gibbet, FitzEldred and his attendants went home, too.

The scent of charred wood still hung in some alleys; it stung the eyes and nose and caught in the throat. The ruins were still smoldering here and there, though attempts had been made to put out the fires so that they would not spread to neighboring buildings and side streets. Those who lived in the affected alleyways still must have feared a resurgence of the anger and fire, even if they were not Jewish. With fright in their eyes, the few survivors were trying to tidy up their looted homes and salvage from the mud anything that was still usable.

Whereas FitzEldred was deeply distressed, Robena wandered through the alleyways as if nothing had happened. On several occasions she looked at William enticingly, and when her father could not see them at one point she even put her hand in his and left it there for a while.

William was confused and annoyed at the same time. Was she unaware of the seriousness of the situation, or did she not care that so many innocent people had lost their lives?

FitzEldred was very popular; he was influential and had many friends, and he therefore had to entertain guests frequently. Henry FitzAilwyn, who owned a large house on Candlewick Street, was in and out of FitzEldred’s house all the time. Shortly after King Richard’s coronation and the night of the fires, he was
elected as London’s first mayor. Garth had told William that Robena was promised to FitzAilwyn’s eldest son. The rumors about the size of the dowry seemed, to both William and the falconer, to be the product of fantasy. Even FitzEldred couldn’t have as much money as that!

Robena seemed completely indifferent. She was not particularly friendly to FitzAilwyn, and she didn’t give the impression that she was preparing herself for life as a married woman. She quarreled constantly with her father, who was much too indulgent with her because Robena’s mother, his great love, had died young.

One day, William was busy rubbing FitzEldred’s overheated horse dry when he suddenly found Robena standing beside him.

“Mistress,” William greeted her with a bow of the head and continued with his work.

Her expression often suggested a timid doe, for her eyes were large and questioning, but this was deceptive. Robena was not timid in the least, as William had found out on the day of the executions more than three weeks before. She was after him like the very devil, always ambushing him in the stables or lurking in the courtyard and making unwelcome advances.

“Such strong arms,” she purred, stroking his upper arm covetously.

“I have to rub the horse dry, so he doesn’t catch a chill,” William replied tersely, rubbing with even more vigor. He tried to be polite at all times, but he spoke to Robena only when necessary and avoided saying anything that she might take as encouragement to seek him out more. But the girl remained remarkably persistent.

“Sometimes I wish I was a horse,” she breathed in his ear, pressing herself against him, closing her eyes, and pursing her lips.

William ducked under the horse’s belly and fled to the other side of its body. It was not the first time she had tried to tempt him to a kiss. William’s heart pounded. She was lovely to look at and smelled wonderful, but the memory of Enid was still too fresh, and Robena was his master’s daughter. Besides, it was indecent the way she pestered him so shamelessly. And if her father ever found out, he was sure to blame William, not her, and would doubtless throw him out of the house. There was no reason to succumb.

But William knew he had to be careful. Robena would not allow herself to be rejected forever. If he continued to spurn her for much longer, he would just antagonize her. How easily she could go to her father and claim that William had become too intimate with her. FitzEldred would take his daughter’s word for it and throw William out of the house, or even bring him before a judge. William was well aware of how awkward his position had become and the likelihood that it would end badly. So what should he do?

Robena stroked the horse’s nose and looked at him crossly. “I almost think you don’t like me,” she said sulkily.

“I do, mistress,” William stammered.

She beamed at him and tried to press herself against him once more, but then they heard her father’s voice.

“Robena,” he shouted. “Robena, where are you?”

“I have to go,” she whispered, smiling at him flirtatiously again and blowing him a kiss.

He breathed again, escaping this time. But what did the future hold?

A few days later, when Robena murmured to him that she had to go and visit her aunt in the country and wasn’t happy about it, William was delighted and set off in high spirits to visit David. His way took him through one of the alleyways that had been in flames on the day of the coronation. Where the houses had borne the brunt of
the fire, there were now yawning gaps in the rows of buildings. The houses that had suffered less damage were being repaired; those that had been demolished were being rebuilt. Work was going on everywhere, and children played among the ruins. The sound of carpenters’ hammers rang in William’s ears, reviving terrible memories of that awful day when the mob had persecuted the Jews.

A cold shiver ran down William’s back. He began to run, turning into the next alley as fast as he could, trying to shake off these dark thoughts. He collided with a man, who swore at him. It was the merchant who had bought the dubious saker at the market. William recognized him immediately.

“Aren’t you the young man who claimed the falcon I bought at Smithfield would die within five days?” asked the man harshly, gripping him by the shoulders.

“I hope I was wrong and the bird is in good health,” William replied cautiously, looking questioningly at the merchant.

“No,” he replied, sounding slightly contemptuous. “She’s dead. She died four days after I acquired her. So you were right, unfortunately. But I was impressed. I’ve made some inquiries about you. I haven’t learned much, but no matter. I should like to take you into my service. After all, your advice could have saved me a fortune.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m already a falconer’s assistant,” William replied, making a tiny bow.

“Well, it goes without saying that I know that, and I was planning to see FitzEldred. He has but one falcon, whereas I have three: two lanners and a goshawk. My falconer is a drunken sot, and it’s high time I got a new one. It seems to me you’re capable of better than an assistant’s work. How would you like to be head falconer, with an assistant of your own?”

“I, er…I’m too young,” William stammered. The merchant didn’t even know him. How could he make such an offer?

“I’m surprised, William—that is your name, isn’t it? I wouldn’t have expected you to be afraid of work as an independent falconer.”

“No, I’m not afraid of it, but…”

“I know the good FitzEldred took you in, though he doesn’t need a second falconer. Garth is a good man with a spotless reputation. Incidentally, he has nothing but good things to say about you. That and your prediction about my falcon are quite enough recommendation for me.”

William did not feel right about the situation. The offer sounded like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but he hesitated. FitzEldred had welcomed him into his home so kindly that he felt obliged to him.

“Think it over. I haven’t dismissed my falconer yet. You can come to me whenever you want. By the way, my name is Brian FitzOwen. But don’t wait too long. I don’t think it will do my falcons any good to be neglected by that drunkard for much longer.” FitzOwen told William where he lived, then went on his way.

It took William a moment to collect himself before going to visit David. He spent the day with him, all the time trying hard not to think about FitzOwen’s offer.

He carried out his duties as usual for the next two days. On the morning of the third day—he was feeding the falcons and inwardly complimenting himself for his decision to stay with FitzEldred—Robena confronted him. William had not expected her back so soon and looked at her in surprise.

“I complained and said I wanted to go home. I couldn’t bear being so far away from you,” she whispered longingly, throwing her arms around his neck and drawing him to her. Before William could prepare himself, she pressed her lips to his.

“No,” he protested, frightened, disentangling himself from her. “Your father wouldn’t permit it. You’re promised to FitzAilwyn’s son.”

“No one will find out. Once I’m married, I’ll just ask my father to give you to me and my husband as our falconer. Then you won’t
have to listen to Garth anymore,” she reassured him, stroking his lips with her index finger. “Merchants travel a lot, you know. God willing, my husband will be away for months at a time. And then you can provide comfort for my lonely heart.”

William shuddered. He would not have thought the girl capable of such deviousness. He realized he would have to weigh his words even more carefully in the future, so as not to turn her against him. “What if your father notices?”

“He won’t.” She waved her hand airily.

“Still, it would be better if we weren’t alone together for too long, so he doesn’t get suspicious,” said William.

“You’re right, dearest.” Robena landed another kiss on his mouth and hurried away.

He had managed to get her away from him again this time, but if he stayed in the house any longer he would have to become her lover sooner or later or risk her wrath. Doubtless, either way, he would be thrown out by her father.

William now knew that he had to accept FitzOwen’s offer. It was the only way out, even if he felt extremely uncomfortable about it. FitzEldred would scarcely understand why he wanted to leave and would probably be disappointed, but the sooner William left the house, the better. He knew Robena would stop at nothing, and the last thing he wanted was to lead FitzEldred to believe he had abused his trust by trying to debauch his daughter. Determined to forestall any more of her scheming, he asked to see the merchant that very evening.

When FitzEldred asked him what was on his mind, William plucked up his courage and began to speak. “FitzOwen has offered me a position as head falconer. Three falcons and an assistant. It’s an opportunity I can’t afford to miss, but I feel bad about it. You’ve shown me so much goodness and friendship by taking me in that it pains me to let you down. That is why I beg your understanding and indulgence.”

“May both be granted, my boy,” FitzEldred replied gently. “I’ve been watching you, and I know the duties you have in my house are beneath your knowledge and talent. I already have one falconer, and I won’t need more than one or perhaps two falcons in the future. I can’t offer you any more than I already have, and I understand that a young man with your skills wants to advance. FitzOwen has high ambitions. He wants to go further than I do, and if he is successful in rallying good men around him, he will probably succeed. You are free, my boy, and you may go where you wish. Be sure that I bear you no ill will for it, even if I am sorry to lose you.”

William gulped, moved by his master’s kind words.

“Farewell, William. Seize the chance that fate has placed in your path. Have no regrets. You’ve earned it.” FitzEldred smiled at him wisely, patted William on the head, and released him.

William left with tears in his eyes. He felt like a traitor, like the time he had left David with the monks. He would almost have preferred it if the merchant had cursed and ranted, like Tanner, for then it would have been easier to leave.

Garth warmly shook William’s hand and wished him luck. “I’m sure we’ll meet again on a hunt. You’re a fine lad. You’ll do well.”

As a precaution, William chose to keep out of Robena’s way. He packed up his bundle and stole away without bidding her farewell.

FitzOwen greeted William with a triumphant grin and welcomed him into his house. The walls were lined with costly tapestries, and the room was appointed with heavy, decoratively carved oak furniture and chests with iron fittings. There was a slight smell of beeswax, which FitzOwen’s maidservant used to polish the valuable furniture. Intricately decorated silver tableware was set ostentatiously on the large, dark wood table, and there was a heap of coins in a small open chest. FitzOwen obviously enjoyed flaunting his wealth.

For a moment, William doubted whether his decision to leave FitzEldred had been wise.

“Follow me. I’ll show you the mews and my falcons,” FitzOwen commanded, leading him across the courtyard.

William was shocked when he saw how this part of FitzOwen’s property had been neglected. The birds were as magnificent as the merchant had claimed, but their accommodation was filthy. Several days’ worth of mutes, as well as food scraps and castings, were scattered across the sand-covered floor.