Crown in Darkness

about the crossbow bolt which nearly shattered my head as I returned to the abbey the day after the banquet at the castle. It was too well-planned to be an outlaw attack. I had as yet not met the Lord Bruce, so the logical conclusion was that it was the French.' Corbett smiled at Benstede. 'Or rather that is what you hoped I would think after the attack failed. When I left the castle you had me followed and subsequently I was detained by de Craon. Of course, the meeting was not amicable and the French might have pursued me. They did not. I went back to that dingy tavern and questioned the owner. I was fortunate for he informed me that de Craon and his companions never left that tavern until hours later. By which time, the attack was over and I was in the abbey. Oh, you were very clever, Master Benstede. You pointed me, as if I were some stupid dog, in a variety of directions – de Craon, Bruce, anyone who came to mind. You carried out those assassination attempts on me, protecting yourself by saying that you too were the object of assault. I am telling the truth, am I not?' Benstede rose, white-faced with fury. 'You don't understand,' he said. 'What I did, I did for the community of the realm of England. This country needs order, it needs laws, it is a threat to the security and well-being of our Sovereign Lord. Can you imagine a French princess upon the Scottish throne? Edward constantly turning and twirling to see from what direction the attack would come. You have heard of the new French king ordering marriage alliances for his children all over Europe. He intends to create an empire which would dwarf that of Charlemagne. What room would that leave for Edward? You have been through this country. You have seen the violence and how exposed our northern counties would be to such violence. It would be ten, twenty, thirty times worse if there was an alliance between the hostile French and the hostile Scots. If our King was in the south, the attack would be in the north and when he marched north the French would attack the channel coast. I did what I had to for the highest possible motives. If individuals die to save the lives of thousands, where is the wrong?' Corbett shook his head. 'Like me, Master Benstede, you have studied philosophy; evil means do not achieve a good end. Yes, I have seen this land. I agree that a hostile Scottish king would pose a serious threat to England's security but I have also seen the wild expanse of the country; the bogs, marshes, mountains and glens which would swallow England's armies and destroy them. But even if you are correct, Benstede, does this justify your actions? You murdered a good king, the Lord's anointed. You then murdered two young squires and are directly responsible for the violent death of an innocent young man in my retinue. While, in killing Taggart the ferryman, you destroyed a family. You are a murderer, Master Benstede, an assassin, and if there is a God in heaven you should answer for your crimes by the due process of law!' Benstede gathered his cloak about him and rose. 'I will answer to the King, the King of England, who is the fount of all law!' Benstede vehemently answered. 'The King will decide what is good and what is acceptable and then, Master Corbett, you narrow-minded, jumped-up clerk, we shall find out what the due process of law decides,' and, glaring at Corbett, Benstede opened the door and swept out. Corbett let him go, hearing his footsteps echo down the passageway before slumping, head in hands, on to his bed.

EIGHTEEN
    Corbett felt drained, exhausted, but there was more to do. He took his cloak and walked slowly down the cloisters. 'Hugh?' a soft voice called. Corbett turned. The Prior anxiously searched the English clerk's white, drawn face. 'You have finished your task?' Corbett nodded. 'Is there anything I can do?' the monk asked. 'No, just tell Ranulf to join me in the stable courtyard.'
    The ride to the castle was slow, Corbett made sure Selkirk's men fanned out around them. Here, in the city of Edinburgh, Corbett mused, he had to use the same tactics his commander had when advancing up a hostile valley in South Wales. He did not think Benstede would launch any attack but he felt it would be foolish not to take precautions. They clattered across the drawbridge into the castle. A servant fetched Selkirk, who crossly announced that the Bishop was reading his Office in the castle chapel. 'You will have to wait, Master Clerk!' he jibed. 'I think