‘We must agree to differ. Concordia discors. ’
Ralph waved an arm in protest. ‘He’s at it again!’
‘Even I can translate that,’ said Bigot. ‘It means “harmony in discord”. Correct?’
Gervase nodded. ‘Yes, my lord sheriff.’
‘You provide the harmony and the lord Ralph supplies the discord.’
All three of them shared a laugh. The commissioners warmed to their host. He treated them as welcome guests rather than interlopers. It boded well for their stay.
Roger Bigot became serious. ‘Will you hear the cases in strict order?’
‘Yes,’ said Ralph. ‘Gervase has devised the plan. Minor cases will be dealt with first before we move on to more complicated disputes like the one involving that surly horseman, Richard de Fontenel.’
‘Couldn’t you deal with him and the lord Mauger first?’
‘For what reason?’
‘It would get him off our back while we investigate this robbery. My deputy will be able to work more effectively if the lord Richard is entombed in the shire hall with you for a few days.’
Ralph pondered. ‘We’ll consider that possibility,’ he said at length.
‘Thank you. Meanwhile, you might consider something else.’
‘What’s that?’
‘An invitation to the banquet we’re giving in your honour this evening.’
‘That’s very kind of you, my lord sheriff,’ said Gervase.
Ralph was circumspect. ‘I take it that the lord Richard will not be there?’
‘No, my lord.’
‘Then we accept with gratitude.’
When Golde called to see her in her chamber, Alys was just waking up from a short sleep. She rubbed her eyes with a white knuckle. Her visitor was contrite. ‘Did I wake you, Alys? I’m so sorry.’
‘I didn’t mean to doze off.’
‘The long ride tired us all. To be honest, I had a nap myself.’
‘Gervase left me alone in here so that I could rest,’ said Alys. ‘The bed was too tempting to resist. I only intended to lie on it for a while.’
‘It looks to me as if you needed the sleep,’ said Golde, studying her friend’s puckered features. ‘You’re pale and drawn, Alys. Do you feel unwell?’
‘No, no. I’m in good health.’
‘Perhaps you’d like a longer sleep?’
‘Not at all,’ said the other, detaining Golde with an outstretched hand when the latter moved to the door. ‘Don’t leave me. I’d value some company.’
‘You’ll have plenty of that this evening.’
‘Will I?’
‘Gervase hasn’t told you, obviously.’
‘Told me what?’
‘We’re bidden to a feast. The lord sheriff and his wife have prepared a banquet for us and invited a number of guests they wish us to meet. Ralph is delighted. We’ve not always had such warm hospitality on our travels.’
‘That’s what Gervase told me.’
‘You chose the right part of the country to visit.’
Alys forced a smile. ‘So it seems.’
‘Put the rigours of the journey behind you,’ advised Golde. ‘We’ll not have to take refreshment in open country any more. You’ll be going to a banquet on your husband’s arm this evening.’
‘I look forward to it.’
‘You don’t sound very excited at the prospect.’
‘Oh, I am, Golde,’ said the other, trying to inject more interest into her voice. ‘When I’ve woken up properly, I’ll be as excited as you clearly are. It’s a wonderful surprise. I’ve never feasted in such august company before.’
‘Nor had I until I met and married Ralph. The life I lead now is a far cry from working as a brewer in Hereford.’
‘Do you have any regrets?’
‘None at all, Alys.’
‘I’m sure that Ralph would say the same.’
‘What about you?’
‘I couldn’t be happier.’
‘Gervase is thrilled to have you at his side. He’s a changed man.’
‘I just hope that I don’t let him down.’
‘What a strange thought!’
‘This is all so new to me, Golde.’
‘You’ll have nothing to worry about, I promise you. Gervase will be even more proud of his lovely wife than he already is. Be yourself, Alys. That’s all you must do.’
‘I’ll try.’ Alys crossed to the window. The room was at the top of the keep, a timber structure that was perched on a huge mound of earth to make it easier to defend. Down below in the bailey, there was considerable activity. Soldiers were exercising, the guard was being changed and the armourer was busy in his forge, hammering on the blade of a new sword and producing a rhythmical noise that could be heard throughout the entire castle. Horses were being groomed. Servants ran to and fro. An elderly priest ambled towards the chapel. An unseen dog barked a slow lament. Alys was fascinated.
‘I’ve never stayed in a castle before,’ she confessed. ‘What is it like?’
‘Very draughty in the winter,’ said Golde, crossing to stand beside her. ‘These places are built for safety rather than comfort. We’re lucky to be here in the summer, Alys. We’ll be able to spend less time around a fire.’
‘What will we do all day?’
‘See something of Norwich, for a start.’
‘I’d like that.’
‘We may even do some shopping in the market.’
‘What will we buy?’
‘Things that we’re unlikely to see in Winchester,’ said Golde. ‘Norwich does a thriving trade with other countries. Goods are brought upriver from Yarmouth. We may well find silks and cloths that catch our eye, not to mention small items of jewellery.’
‘Gervase doesn’t like me to wear anything too gaudy.’
Golde gave a subversive smile. ‘Please yourself, not your husband.’
‘I’m not sure that I’d dare. Doesn’t Ralph tell you what to buy?’
‘Of course, but I usually ignore him.’
Alys laughed. ‘You’re so bold.’
‘I lived alone for some time after my first husband died. That taught me to stand on my own feet. And to follow my own instincts when I went to the market.’
‘Then I’ll do the same,’ said the other, conspiratorially.
‘There’s one way to ensure that Gervase doesn’t criticise what you buy.’
‘Is there?’
‘Yes, Alys. Get something for him as well.’
The younger woman laughed again and turned to face her companion. It was Golde’s presence on the expedition that had convinced her to join it. Eager as she was to be with her husband, Alys would never have left Winchester if she had been the only woman in the party, yet that hitherto had been Golde’s position. She marvelled afresh at her friend’s courage and independence. To be with her husband, Golde had ridden to places as far apart as Chester, York, Canterbury and Exeter. Bad weather and uncomfortable accommodation had been endured without complaint. It made Alys resolve to make light of any problems she encountered. The slight queasiness had passed off now. She would soon be able to respond to the notion of a banquet with real enthusiasm.
Golde sensed that something was troubling her and stepped in closer.
‘What ails you?’ she asked.
‘Nothing.’
‘The life seems to have drained out of you.’
‘It will come back.’
‘Are you not in a mood for celebration this evening?’
‘Yes, yes,’ Alys lied.
‘Something’s on your mind, Alys. What is it?’
Alys gave a shrug and moved back to the middle of the room to give herself a moment to collect her thoughts. She looked at Golde again. ‘It was that old man,’ she said. ‘The one we met on our way here.’
‘Poor wretch. I felt so sorry for him.’
‘How could anyone treat a human being like that? Ralph wouldn’t beat a dog the way that that old man was beaten. It was painful to look at him.’
‘I know. But his is not an isolated case, I fear.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Perhaps we should break off this conversation,’ suggested Golde tactfully. ‘I don’t want to say anything out of place.’
‘How could you possibly do that?’
‘I’m from Saxon stock and you’re not, Alys. You were born in Winchester, I know, but your father came from Normandy and fought at Hastings. That sets the two of us apart. I belong to the conquered and you to the conquerors.’