The Devil's Domain

He turned at the doorway.
    ’Maurice, you’ll join us? Or are you going back to see the Lady Angelica?’
    ’Sir Thomas Parr has invited me to supper, my lord.’
    ’Sir Thomas Parr is a most gracious man,’ Athelstan observed. ’Aye.’ Gaunt smirked. ’And pigs fly along Cheapside .’
    ’In which case, my lord,’ Athelstan quipped, ’you’ll find plenty of pork in the trees!’
    Gaunt let go of Gervase’s shoulder and walked back up the hall, striking his heavy leather gloves against his hand.
    ’And how are your parishioners, Brother?’
    Athelstan looked over Gaunt’s shoulder. Gervase glanced warningly and shook his head.
    Gaunt pushed his face closer. ’And those arrows?’
    ’Hidden, my lord, by rebels but discovered by loyal subjects and reported immediately to the Corporation.’
    ’So, they are all hale and hearty?’
    ’My lord, they are in remarkably good health. They work hard, eat little and constantly pray for the welfare of the King.’
    ’Then pray keep them that way.’
    ’I do, my lord. I pray every day that, if they be not in the King’s grace, they will speedily return to it and, if they are in the King’s grace, God will keep them in it.’
    ’And when the revolt comes?’ Gaunt asked , his face now drained of all good humour. ’Which side of the fence will you stand on, little friar?’
    ’Why, my lord, I’ll be in my church, celebrating Mass, preaching the Gospel and looking after those in my care. That is the purpose of a priest, a member of the Order of St Dominic.’
    ’So it is, so it is.’ Gaunt opened his purse and slipped some coins into his hand. He gave these to Athelstan, his blue eyes dancing with mischief. ’Well, buy a hogshead of ale, Brother. Let them drink my health and that of the King.’
    Gaunt sauntered out of the hall, slamming the door behind him. Sir Maurice stepped off the dais and clasped Sir John’s hand, then embraced Athelstan, squeezing him tightly.
    ’I cannot thank you enough, or you. Sir John.’
    ’Nothing to it, my boy.’ Cranston took out the miraculous wineskin. ’You’ll celebrate with me now?’
    Sir Maurice spread his hands. ’A few pots of ale and a pheasant pie, eh, Brother?’
    Athelstan put the coins Gaunt had given him into his wallet. He picked up his writing pouch.
    ’I have other duties,’ he said. He turned and clasped Gresnay’s hand. ’Do not worry, sir, the Regent will keep his word, you will be safe. Have nothing to fear from Sir Walter.’
    He, Sir John and Sir Maurice then left the hall. Already it was becoming less of a prison, no sentries on duty, doors and casement windows flung open. They walked out and, as they did so, glimpsed Gaunt and Gervase, surrounded by their retainers, gallop through the gatehouse back towards the city.
    ’I knew Gaunt’s father,’ Sir John mused. ’And his elder brother, Edward the Black Prince, God bless and rest him. Gaunt is a cunning one. I think he plays the game for the sheer enjoyment. Come on!’
    They walked down, through the gatehouse and on to the deserted heathland.
    ’Are you coming to the city, Brother?’
    Athelstan shook his head.
    ’We should have made our farewells to Sir Walter.’ The friar paused. ’Sir John, Sir Maurice, I am tired and not in the mood for rejoicing. You go into the city then, tomorrow, come to Southwark. We’ll celebrate your happiness in the Piebald, perhaps tomorrow evening when the excitement has died down?’
    He watched the coroner, arm in arm with the young knight, walk across the heathland towards the old city wall. Then he turned back and walked up to the gloomy entrance of the manor. He found a retainer and, after a short while, the servant brought Sir Walter down to where Athelstan stood just outside the doorway.
    ’Why, Brother?’ Sir Walter looked more composed, as if the deaths of the two Frenchmen had purged something from his soul.
    ’I simply came to say farewell, Sir Walter, and offer the thanks and good wishes of Sir John.’
    ’A good man, the coroner.’ Sir Walter beamed. ’And you. Brother.’ He shook his head. ’A spider’s game,’ he added. ’But I am cleared of any wrong-doing though it’s a pity that my daughter had to pay with her life.’
    ’She’s at peace,’ Athelstan replied. ’And so are you, aren’t you, Sir Walter?’
    ’I confess, Brother. I was in the musicians’ gallery. I enjoyed giving the order, watching those two traitorous murderers die.’
    ’But you knew,