‘A soldier?’
‘With a warped sense of right and wrong.’
Ralph sighed. ‘There are plenty of those to choose from, Gervase. God knows, I’ve met enough of them in my time and so have you. Where do we begin?’
‘Let’s consult with the lord sheriff first. This is, after all, his investigation.’
‘But it has such a direct bearing on the work that brought us here.’
‘We still need his permission before we take independent action,’ said Gervase. ‘I can’t see any reason why he’ll object to my speaking with Olova once more and he can hardly stop you from paying a visit to the lord Richard.’
‘I’m looking forward to that encounter. I’ve a complaint to make.’
‘About what?’
‘The way he barged into the hall the other night when I was in the middle of eating. It gave me indigestion, Gervase. And it upset the ladies. Yes,’ he said with feeling. ‘A meeting between Ralph Delchard and Richard de Fontenel is long overdue.’
Judicael the Goldsmith was scrutinising a gold ring when the customer came into his shop. As soon as he saw who his visitor was, he jumped to his feet and gave an obedient smile, flapping his hands about and emitting a mirthless laugh.
‘Good day, my lord.’
‘Good day to you,’ grunted the other.
‘What can I do for you?’
‘First of all, you can tell me exactly what you told him.’
‘Who, my lord?’
‘The man who came asking after a pair of gold elephants.’
Judicael took a step backwards and ran his tongue slowly over dry lips. Richard de Fontenel was glowering at him with cold hostility and he needed to appease him at once. The man was pulsing with impatience.
‘His name is Ralph Delchard, my lord,’ he said, ‘and he’s a royal commissioner, lately arrived in Norwich in connection with the Great Survey that’s been set in motion.’
‘I know all about that,’ said the other irritably. ‘Just tell me what happened, man. And don’t you dare leave anything out, or you’ll soon regret it.’
Judicael cringed in fear. ‘Yes, my lord.’
In a quavering voice, he recounted all that had passed between himself and Ralph Delchard, hoping to mollify his companion but only succeeding in deepening the man’s frown. Richard de Fontenel did not like what he heard. When the goldsmith finished, his visitor leaned in close to him.
‘Nobody else must know what I’m about to say to you, Judicael.’
‘I understand, my lord.’
‘As far as you’re concerned, I never even came into your shop.’
‘No, my lord.’
‘If one word of this conversation ever gets out,’ said the other, darkly, ‘I’ll come looking for you in person. Do you hear? Ralph Delchard and the other commissioners are only in Norwich for a short while. When they leave, I’ll still be here.’
Mouth agape, Judicael nodded obligingly. ‘Yes, my lord.’
‘Who was the man who first told you of those elephants?’
‘His name is Heinfrid. He’s a goldsmith from Thetford.’
‘And he actually visited the abbey of St Benet?’
‘Yes, my lord. Heinfrid was invited to take on a commission by the abbot. He has a good reputation. Bishop William has employed him before now.’
‘So this Heinfrid was able to give you a good description of those elephants?’
‘As exact as only a craftsman could give.’
‘What was your reaction?’
‘Curiosity, my lord. Followed by a natural envy.’
‘Did you wish that you’d created such beautiful objects?’
‘Yes, I did. Very much so.’
‘Then you may have your opportunity,’ said de Fontenel. ‘How long would it take you to make something very similar to the elephants described by your friend?’
‘It’s not a question of time but of ability, my lord. I’d be unequal to the task.’
‘Nonsense!’
‘I would. I have great skills but they’re no match for a Venetian goldsmith. The only man who could even begin to design what you want is Heinfrid. After all, he’s seen and held the objects. Why not approach Heinfrid, my lord?’
‘Because I want you to have the commission.’
‘Heinfrid is the better man.’
‘He’s also worked for Bishop William and been employed by the abbey. I want nobody with those connections,’ said the other, firmly. ‘I need someone I can trust, Judicael. Someone who’ll work in secret and do exactly what I want.’ He gave him a conciliatory smile. ‘Set your price. It’ll be paid in advance.’
The goldsmith was tempted. Rubbing his hands together, he took a moment to examine the implications. Refusal of the commission would be dangerous, yet acceptance also brought hazards. He feared his customer’s reaction if the work were not exactly to his taste and specification. Greed, however, slowly got the better of apprehension.
‘I’d have to speak to Heinfrid first, my lord,’ he said.
‘As long as you don’t tell him what you’ve been asked to do.’
‘Oh, no. But he can help me. Perhaps even provide a drawing.’
‘Excellent!’
‘Only when I see that,’ the goldsmith explained, ‘can I tell you how long it will take and how much it will cost. When do you want the pieces, my lord?’
‘As soon as possible!’
‘And I’m to work on them in secret?’
‘Discretion is absolutely vital.’
Judicael gave a nervous laugh. ‘I think I know why,’ he said, grinning. ‘It’s the reason you don’t want Heinfrid of Thetford to have the commission, isn’t it? He might spoil the surprise.’
‘What are you burbling about, man?’
‘Those gold elephants, my lord. You want to present them to the abbey, don’t you?’
Richard de Fontenel’s expression made him back away.
Anxious to make up lost ground, Drogo went off to find his master as soon as he had something to report. Mauger Livarot was at the rear of the house, testing a new shield he had had made, engaging in mock combat with one of his men and fending off his adversary’s sword with deft use of the shield. The steward waited until the clang of iron ceased and the two men stepped apart. He wished that he had not come upon his master when the latter had a weapon in his hand. After dismissing his man-at-arms with a rod, Livarot put down the shield and turned to his steward.
‘I hope you’ve brought no more bad tidings,’ he said.
‘No, my lord.’
‘Next time one of your spies is caught, leave him to rot where he lies.’
‘Yes, my lord. I’m sorry that I brought Clamahoc back here.’
‘What have you done with the man?’
‘Sent him on his way with food and a little money.’
‘More fool you!’ sneered the other. ‘You’re too soft-hearted, Drogo.’
‘That’s not a complaint you’ll be called on to make again,’ promised the steward. ‘But I’ve other news. I spoke to the man who trailed the two commissioners. They tracked down Jocelyn Vavasour somewhere near the coast.’
‘Why?’
‘That I can’t say, my lord. It was impossible to get close enough to overhear them. But the visit had an unexpected result, it seems.’
‘Unexpected?’
‘Yes, my lord,’ said Drogo. ‘The lord Jocelyn left with them.’
‘But he vowed to live as an anchorite.’
‘Something they told him made him abandon his hermetic life for a while.’
‘We must find out what it was, Drogo.’
‘They’ll be dining at the castle this evening. I’ve a man there who might overhear what we need to know. He’s among those who’ll be serving the guests.’
‘Is the lord Jocelyn at the castle as well?’
‘Apparently not,’ said the other. ‘The commissioners returned without him. They parted company with the anchorite on the way.’
‘Where did he go?’
‘We don’t know as yet.’
‘What of the lord sheriff?’ asked Livarot, sheathing his sword.
‘He and his men haven’t ridden into the city yet. As soon as they do, I’ll have a report on where they went and what they found. Meanwhile,’ said Drogo, allowing himself a smirk of self-congratulation, ‘I’ve search parties of our own in action. They, too, should be bringing back news before long.’