As the company rode along the top ridge of streets to the castle walls, Owen stared down at the townspeople going about their business seemingly unaware of the steep incline, the growling sea below. Were they spiders that this dizzy slope bothered them so little? Or was it peculiarly disturbing to him, with his one-eyed balance? He did not ask the others, for to ask would be to admit his weakness. It was hard enough to know it himself. He just hoped that Hugh Calverley lived up in the castle precinct so he would not need to spend much time on the steep, narrow streets.
The way from the outer gatehouse of Scarborough Castle to the inner bailey climbed steeply heavenward. Sir William Percy had given orders that the company be shown directly to his parlour when they arrived. He had been expecting them since Lancaster’s messenger had arrived three days past. And this morning he’d had word of a small company putting on a show in an inn outside the city gates; one of that company had sounded like his son John.
Sir William studied Owen with interest. ‘You have been described as a one-eyed giant who held Tom Kemp off the ground while another of your company threw a dagger at John of Whitby, attaching him to a beam and frightening him so thoroughly he agreed to sleep out in the stables with his horse.’
Owen laughed and nodded towards Ned. ‘The two men wished to fight for the room. We merely desired to warm your son after a tumble in the bogs and to get a good night’s sleep. So Ned and I convinced those two to oblige us.’ He shrugged. ‘As you can see, I am no giant.’
Sir William was shorter than Owen, but looked no less a soldier, sturdy and battle-scarred. He nodded at Owen. ‘I’d not call you a giant, ’tis true. But I can tell you keep the strength of an archer.’ He gestured to the travellers with a large, beringed hand. ‘I am pleased to welcome you all, though I admit to being ignorant of your mission. My lord Duke did not enlighten me in his message. Obviously business of a delicate nature. But I shall help you as I may. My lord Duke is a good friend to my cousins Henry and Thomas. First, however, you must break your fast.’ He clapped the servants into action and at once they set up a small table. ‘And John must attend his mother who is most anxious to see how he fares.’
Ned slapped John on the back. ‘He’s a fine lad, Sir William. Led us straight and true and carried on even when soaked and bruised.’
When the company had eaten their full of brown bread, cheese, a hearty broth and cold venison, the servants cleared the table and left the room. A shorter, wirier version of Sir William entered the room.
Sir William motioned for the newcomer to sit. ‘My brother, Ralph.’
Ralph Percy nodded to the company without lifting his eyes to them.
Sir William leaned into the table. ‘Now. Tell us what the stewards of Scarborough can do for you.’
Louth cleared his throat and bowed slightly to the two Percies. ‘We hope to find three men, one of whom — Hugh Calverley of Leeds — is in your service.’
Sir William grunted, frowned over at his brother, shrugged back at Louth. ‘I can show you where we buried him.’
‘Hugh Calverley is dead?’
Sir William nodded.
‘How did he die?’ Louth’s disappointment rang in his voice.
‘Servant found him lying in a puddle of blood in front of his own fire. House had been searched, everything turned over, out of place. Someone looking for booty, no doubt.’ Sir William shook his head.
Louth looked to Owen.
‘When did this happen?’ Owen asked.
Sir William closed his eyes, screwed up his face. ‘I recall something in the service at his grave about St Ambrose.’ Early April.
‘Shortly after Will Longford disappeared,’ Louth muttered.
Ralph turned beady eyes on Louth. ‘Longford?’
‘Aye,’ Owen said. ‘The man Hugh tried to catch for you.’
Sir William nodded. ‘Was a time he came often to Scarborough, disappeared into the town with uncanny ease. We set Hugh to catch Longford in his game. Too slippery. Knew Hugh was up to something before the boy learned a thing.’ He downed some ale. ‘You think he came after Hugh? After so much time?’
Owen shrugged. ‘Perhaps.’
‘What else do you know about Longford?’ Sir William asked Owen.
‘Little more than that. We are here to discover what we can about him.’
Sir William sat back, arms folded, one of his pointy eyebrows cocked. ‘Perhaps you should just tell us all of your business.’
Owen nodded to Nicholas de Louth, who did not look pleased with the request. But he complied, giving a brief, clear account of the peculiar events of the past year.
Sir William shook his head over the tale of Joanna Calverley. He nodded enthusiastically at Lancaster’s connecting Captain Sebastian with the soldiers Joanna had seen. ‘I would fain know where she saw them. We had word of Sebastian and his company crossing the Channel to recruit men. We have looked for their gathering place. Hugh searched for it. How is it his sister knew of it and he did not tell us?’
‘How well did you know Hugh?’ Owen asked.
‘He was not a boon companion, if that is what you ask. I never looked into his heart. But he dug a few Frenchmen and Scots out from under the rocks hereabouts. Did well for me.’
Owen had not thought they would know Hugh well. He’d been a lackey, expendable. They were Percies, above everyone else in the town. ‘Your son had some trouble with him.’
Sir William frowned, displeased. ‘John whined about it?’
‘No. I had asked what he knew of Hugh Calverley. He told me of the incident.’
‘It was a lesson John needed to learn. Hugh was not openly connected with the castle.’
Owen nodded. ‘We have told you of Hugh’s sister. Did Joanna come looking for Hugh in late winter-early spring? A red-haired woman? Green eyes. Pretty.’
Sir William looked to his brother.
‘Hugh said nothing about a sister, but he was a quiet one.’ Ralph frowned, drew his brows together. He had no right earlobe and a scar on that side of his neck told the tale of a near fatal sword blow. ‘But Hugh was away round that time. Perhaps he met her somewhere else.’
‘Away?’
At last Ralph looked Owen in the eye. ‘He was gone for ten days or so not long before his murder. Said he was hunting down a man who might lead him to Captain Sebastian. He was always looking for folk he thought would lead him to the captain. Got a bit single-minded about Sebastian.’ Ralph shook his head. ‘Good luck to you in finding the man.’ Ralph Percy gave an ill-humoured grin, looked down at the floor. It was obvious he had done with them.
Sir William made a conciliatory gesture. ‘It is possible Hugh was murdered because he had got close to Sebastian — but he had not found him. Or if he had, he had not yet told us.’
‘Where had Hugh gone?’
Sir William shook his head. ‘He came and went all the time. I never felt the need to watch him.’
‘Who went with him?’
‘His two men.’
‘They are your men also?’
‘No.’
‘Unusual practice.’
Sir William took another drink.
‘I should like to speak with Hugh’s men.’
Sir William looked down at his boots. Ralph Percy was left to explain. ‘They did not return with him, as far as I know. He came back without his quarry and without his men.’
Owen sat with his back pressing against the wall, his long legs stretched out to the side of the table. Sir William and his brother Ralph were fighting men. He understood them. He could tell that at that moment Sir William was uncomfortable and angry with his brother. ‘Tell us about Hugh, if you would, Sir William. What was he like?’
Sir William raised puzzled eyes to Owen.
‘You’re wondering why I ask such a question about a soldier?’ Owen said.
‘Most folk do not wonder about a soldier’s character, just his strength, his skill with weapons, his courage, his trustworthiness.’
‘A good place to begin. I assume you would not have used Hugh had you not trusted him.’