‘When the lord Henry learns of this,’ he said, ‘Adam Reynard will be lucky to hold on to his life, let alone his land. These are glad tidings. But how did Boio manage to get as far as Coventry without being seen? Can you tell me that?’
‘No, my lord,’ said Gervase discreetly, careful to make no mention of Asmoth. ‘The fact is that he is at the abbey and, I hope, quite safe for the moment. What concerns me is his future.’
‘But he will surely be exonerated?’
‘Will he?’
‘You have this forester’s word. Grimketel gave false evidence.
Boio is innocent of this murder. The real killer must be caught and brought to judgement. Martin’s death must be answered.’
‘That may not be enough to assuage the lord Henry’s fury. Boio escaped from his castle and outwitted all his pursuers. That still rankles. Even if no murder charge can be proved against the blacksmith and even if the real killer is caught, the lord Henry may well want to wreak his revenge in some way.’
‘That is true,’ said Thorkell.
‘It is another reason why we came to you, my lord,’ said Gervase.
‘To crave a boon on Boio’s behalf. He needs your help.’
‘Tell me what I must do,’ volunteered the other.
‘Ride to the abbey. Your presence may deter the lord Henry from any precipitate action. You might even be admitted to speak with Boio himself. That would bring him immense comfort.’
‘To me as well. I’ll do it.’
‘There is a larger favour to ask, my lord.’
‘Well?’
‘We must prepare for contingencies.’
‘I am used to doing that,’ said Thorkell with a wistful smile.
‘That is why I still have my home and my estates.’ He turned to Golde. ‘Your father was not so fortunate. He was stripped of his land.’
‘We survived,’ she said quietly.
‘But not in the way you deserved, my lady. I had the sense to come to composition with the Normans.’
‘I have done that myself now. I have married one of them.’
‘Your husband is a fortunate man. And a courageous one if he is ready to brave the lord Henry’s rage in order to help Boio. But,’ he said, turning back to Gervase, ‘what is this larger favour you ask?’
‘It is just a vague notion at this point.’
‘Go on.’
‘Whatever happens,’ said Gervase, ‘it may not be wise for Boio to remain in Warwickshire. He must get away from here and start a new life somewhere else. A blacksmith’s skills are always in demand.’
‘Say no more,’ interrupted Thorkell. ‘I anticipate you. My answer is that I do have friends in distant counties who would give Boio a welcome if he bore a letter from me. And I would willingly write it.’‘Thank you, my lord.’
‘But how would we get Boio away?’
‘Golde’s husband has promised to look into that.’
‘Then this is what I will do,’ said Thorkell. ‘Write a letter then ride to Coventry to ensure that the lord Henry does not violate the rules of sanctuary. A spare horse will travel with us. If it is necessary to smuggle Boio away, horse and letter may guarantee him a future life.’
‘He could ask no more from you, my lord.’
‘Nor I from you, Master Bret. You have been a true friend.’
‘There is one last thing I must tell you in the name of friendship.’
‘What is it?’
‘Brace yourself,’ said Gervase, ‘for it may come as an unpleasant shock. Thanks to Golde, we have learned enough about your reeve to make certain deductions.’
‘Deductions?’
‘I fear Martin Reynard was betraying you.’
‘Never! He was diligent in my service.’
‘But even more diligent in the pay of the lord Henry.’
‘Martin was thrown out of the castle in disgrace.’
‘That was merely a ruse,’ explained Gervase. ‘It convinced you that he was available for hire at a time when your own reeve had died. Did not that seem an odd coincidence? Finding a new man so soon after losing his predecessor? Yes,’ said Gervase, seeing Thorkell’s disbelief, ‘I know that you will hate to accept that you were beguiled. But answer me this, my lord. When he worked for you did the reeve ever go back to the castle?’
‘Never! He swore that he loathed the place.’
‘Golde may tell you differently.’
‘I had it from the lips of the lady Adela herself,’ she confirmed.
‘Martin Reynard went back to the castle quite regularly. She saw your reeve with her husband long after he had been dismissed.’
Thorkell was stung by the news. The realisation that he might have been duped made him so angry that he stamped up and down the hall and cursed himself under his breath for his gullibility. He stopped in front of Gervase and spoke with an edge of despair in his voice.
‘Tell me that it is not true!’
‘We see no other explanation.’
‘Martin Reynard! But I trusted the man.’
‘That is why he was placed here,’ argued Gervase, ‘as a spy in your camp. He learned every detail about the administration of your lands and the extent of your wealth. I fear that we both know why the lord Henry was so eager to have such intelligence.’
Thorkell hung his head. ‘Your holdings are secure as long as you live, my lord. But who will inherit them when Thorkell of Warwick passes away?’
Thorkell looked up with gathering fury. His eyes kindled.
‘I wish that I had known Martin Reynard was a traitor,’ he said with bitterness. ‘I would have murdered the fellow myself!’
Still imprisoned in his cell, Huna was reflecting wryly on the vagaries of his occupation when he heard a scraping noise. He thought it might be a mouse in the straw or another rat nosing its way in through the drain hole until a low whistle took his gaze upward. A familiar face was framed in the barred window.
Huna got up at once and crossed the cell, wondering how anyone as small as the dwarf could reach such a high window. The explanation soon became clear when his friend started to bob and sway. The bearward was seated on the shoulders of his animal.
Their conversation was conducted in a series of whispers.
‘The guards would not let me in,’ said the dwarf, ‘so we sneaked around the back of the gaol. I have brought you food, Huna.’
‘God bless you!’ said the old man as bread was passed through to him. ‘But what has happened to my donkey?’
‘We have taken good care of him.’
‘Thank you.’
‘He is in the stable where all four of us spent the night.’
‘Fed and watered?’
‘Regularly. He is very happy but he misses his master.’
‘I may soon be let out to join him,’ said Huna hopefully. ‘They tell me that I am to appear before the bishop again but I do not believe he means to prosecute me. The boy whom I cured and his father will have spoken on my behalf. They will have assured him that no sorcery was involved.’
‘It was not. I was there myself.’
‘I think the bishop finds me too big a nuisance to keep here.
That is what usually happens when they arrest me. They push me around at first, then send me on my way with dire warnings.
But what is all that commotion I heard earlier? Did you have a lively audience?’
‘We did not,’ said the dwarf, ‘but your friend did.’
‘Friend?’
‘The one you told me about. Boio the Blacksmith.’
‘He has been given sanctuary at the abbey.’
‘Somebody wants him out, Huna. There are armed men all round it. They tell me that some of them had a violent argument with the bishop when he refused to let them in. What on earth did your friend do to stir up such an argument?’
‘He simply protested his innocence.’
‘Why does he need sanctuary if he committed no crime?’
‘Being innocent is a crime in this case,’ said Huna with a wry smile. ‘Boio made important people look like fools. They will not let him get away with that.’