Crown in Darkness

the 29th March.' 'Was not that rather hasty?' Corbett asked. MacAirth grimaced and drew shapes on the table with the spilled wine. 'No,' he replied. 'The King was not a pretty sight. The sea had soaked his corpse; even with the spices, it was hard to keep him presentable.' 'Did the Queen come to inspect the corpse?' 'No.' the reply was curt. 'She has never moved from Kinghorn. Why,' he asked, trying to focus his bleary eyes on Corbett, 'Why do you ask all these questions?' 'Curiosity,' Corbett replied soothingly. 'Simple curiosity, Master MacAirth. But tell me, Master Physician, for I see you are an astute man, what happened to the two squires, the valets of the chamber, who accompanied the King?' 'It's strange you mention that,' MacAirth muttered. 'Patrick Seton evidently rode too far ahead of the King and actually reached Kinghorn. When the King was found dead he returned here to the castle and closeted himself in his room.' MacAirth heaved a sigh. 'He was questioned and visited by everyone, including Master Benstede, the French envoy, Bruce, Comyn, Wishart, but he seemed witless. Even I could do nothing. He simply sat muttering to himself.' 'What?' Corbett asked. 'Nothing of importance, he just mumbled about shadows, shadows on the Kinghorn Ness. Can you make sense of that?' 'No,' Corbett replied. 'But the second squire? What of him?' MacAirth yawned and rose. 'I must retire,' he snapped. 'Your questions exhaust me. The second squire, Thomas Erceldoun, is still here. He, too, has been questioned but he is not the most intelligent of men, or the best of horse-riders. His mount threw him and he stayed on the beach, witnesses swear to that. I am afraid he's the laughing-stock of the court, despised by most and pitied by the few who listen to his constant pleas of innocence. I must away. I will send Erceldoun to you tomorrow. You are staying at the casde tonight?' Corbett nodded. 'Yes, here in the hall,' he replied. 'I do thank you for your courtesy, Master MacAirth.' The physician nodded and curtly bade Corbett farewell. The clerk rose, stretched and looked around the deserted hall now darkening as the torches spluttered out. He chose a place between two snoring servants and laid down to sleep, oblivious to the figure watching him from the shadows.
    The silent watcher stared through the darkness at the place where Corbett had settled down to sleep. He would have liked to have driven his dagger straight into the interfering clerk's throat but knew this was not the time nor the occasion. He bitterly regretted that the knife thrown during the banquet had not hit its target for he had recognised Corbett as a dangerous man. Quiet, unobtrusive, but always asking questions, gathering information, Corbett must have learnt something from that fool MacAirth. Under his breath the man quietly cursed the interfering clerk who could bring his master's grand design to nothing. Nevertheless, there would be other times, other places. Scotland was a desolate country with deserted roads and lonely heaths. One day he would find Corbett exposed and vulnerable and deal with him in his own sophisticated way.

SEVEN
    The next morning Corbett was shaken awake. He turned, stiff and cold, to see an anxious young man, blond cropped hair, worried eyes and pock-marked face. 'Master Corbett,' he urged. 'Master Corbett, wake up!' Corbett struggled to his feet and stared around the hall where the rest of the sleepers there were slowly rising to their feet, some nursing sore heads, others bawling for wine and food. He turned to the young man who had woken him. 'In God's teeth!' he snapped. 'Who are you?' 'Thomas Erceldoun,' the young man replied. 'Master MacAirth said that you wished to talk to me.' He gestured to the nearest table. 'I have brought you some ale and rye bread.' Corbett nodded his thanks, rubbed the back of his neck to ease the stiffness, and sat down. 'You were with the late King on the night he died?' Erceldoun swallowed nervously. 'Aye,' he replied. 'I was with the King. I've told my story many times.' The young man paused to gather his breath and Corbett, still only half awake, felt pity for this young man whose life and energy were now narrowed to justify his conduct on one night out of thousands. Corbett rubbed his eyes wearily, yawned and then saw the hurt in Erceldoun's eyes. 'I am sorry for disturbing you,' Erceldoun blurted out. 'But the physician who works in the royal household said that you wanted to see me immediately. I