‘Then you are condemning yourself to exhaustion, for I will not leave. Not until the Order has passed through the hour of its greatest peril or the Grand Master tells me to go.’
‘Which he may, if I can persuade him to see reason.’
‘La Valette sees well enough. The question is, does he see what you really are - a traitor to friends?’
Sir Oliver opened his mouth to reply, then clamped it shut as he struggled to contain his anger. At length he slumped back in his chair and swept his plate to one side dismissively.
‘Very well. You have set your mind to staying. I wish it were not so with all my heart. I shall watch you closely, Sir Thomas, and pray that you find reason to disappoint the Grand Master.’
‘It would be better to pray for salvation from the enemy.’
‘If God wills it, we will be saved.’
‘Then what is the point of prayer?’ asked Thomas. ‘And if I am to disappoint La Valette, then that is a matter for God to resolve, not you.’
For a moment the two knights stared at each other while Sir Martin quietly chewed on a morsel of meat, gazing fixedly at the surface of the table a short distance beyond his plate. Richard sat hunched forward, his jaw resting on his intertwined fingers. He was listening intently but did not dare to look up and risk catching anyone’s eye.
‘One day,’ said Sir Oliver, ‘you will finally reap what you have sown . . .’ He breathed deeply. ‘As I have not been able to persuade you to leave, I come to the purpose of my present visit to the auberge. It appears that Don Garcia offered the Grand Master some advice concerning the manner in which he conducts the defence of Malta.’
‘That’s right.’ Thomas paused and nodded towards Richard. ‘We were there.’
‘Then you will recall that the Grand Master was advised to set up a war council, limited to a handful of men. It seems that you are to be one of this august body,’ Sir Oliver concluded with thinly disguised scorn.
‘Me?’ Thomas raised his eyebrows. It was true that he had served five years in the Order, and several more as a mercenary fighting on the battlefields of Europe. He had also witnessed many sieges, in two of which he had been besieged. But there were bound to be many senior knights of the Order who would take offence at his preferment by the Grand Master. La Valette was taking a risk in offering the appointment. ‘This is something of a surprise.’
‘Quite. Naturally I advised against it. At present he has not told anyone else, in case you declined the offer.’ Sir Oliver leaned forward and stared intently at Thomas. ‘You do not have to accept. In fact, it would be far better if you didn’t. Better for all of us. Your appointment would be a divisive influence on the Order. This is your chance to go some way towards redemption, Thomas. You know that no good can come of it.’
‘I still don’t understand. Why does La Valette want me?’
‘Aside from your considerable martial experience there are two reasons, one of which he explained. It is the Grand Master’s view that the senior ranks of the Order are filled with ambitious men who might seek to use the present emergency to put their interests before the common good. They in turn are supported by factions within the Order. Such men cannot be permitted to indulge their political temptations. Whereas you have no constituency here. You are an outsider and therefore your opinions will not be guided by anything other than the need to defeat the Turks. In addition, as you will be serving alongside the more junior knights, you will be able to inform the Grand Master and the other members of the war council of the concerns and state of morale of the rank and file. That sums up the arguments he gave for choosing you.’
‘That makes sense,’ Thomas responded, then asked, ‘What of the other reason?’
‘It’s simple enough. You always were one of his favourites. A protege. When you were compelled to leave the Order, it greatly disappointed La Valette. It is my belief that he viewed you as a man views his son. And like any father, he was, and no doubt still is, blind to your most significant faults. In the years of your absence he frequently spoke of you with fondness,’ Sir Oliver said bitterly. ‘Now, at precisely the time when he needs sound judgement, he is giving rein to an old man’s sentimental attachment to a prodigal son. It is foolish self-indulgence that speaks to him.’
‘Yet the words he spoke to you are reasonable enough. I think you judge him on his age too severely.’
Sir Oliver pursed his lips. ‘Maybe. But we shall see. The coming conflict will try us all to the utmost. Do you think a man of his years will long endure the demands heaped on his shoulders? And when the burden is too great and he buckles, then perhaps we shall require a new leader.’
‘You perhaps?’
‘Possibly. And if it should be me, then you can be sure that your special status here will come to an end and you will be treated no better than a common soldier. There will be many in the Order who will seek to punish you for your preferment at the whim of the Grand Master.’ He smiled thinly. ‘So what am I to tell him? Do you accept or decline his offer?’
‘I accept.’ There was no doubt in Thomas’s mind about his answer. He was determined to serve his old mentor as well as possible and vindicate the faith La Valette had placed in him. Besides, the position might well help him and Richard locate the prize that Walsingham had sent them here to retrieve.
‘I feared you would say that,’ said Stokely. ‘As ever you are prepared to put personal desires above the needs of others, and above the requirements of duty and honour. So be it. I tried my best to dissuade you and my conscience is clear. I will inform the Grand Master of your decision. That concludes my business here tonight.’ Stokely stood up and bowed his head briefly to Sir Martin. ‘Take care that you do not associate yourself too closely with this man. You may regret it, as others have had cause to.’
He picked up the cape hanging over the back of his chair and strode to the door. He stepped out into the street and a moment later there was the dull thud and clatter of the latch as the door closed.
Sir Martin let out a deep sigh of relief. ‘Thought he was never going to go. The fellow was putting me off my food. Never have found him easy company, even on those few occasions when he has deigned to spend a night in the auberge.’ He looked at Thomas. ‘He doesn’t seem to have much love for you, Sir Thomas.’
‘It seems not.’ Thomas picked up a thick slice of cured sausage from his plate and chewed slowly. In truth, La Valette’s offer made him anxious. It was a great responsibility and he was determined not to betray the Grand Master’s trust. In all aspects but one. Thomas glanced down the table and saw that Richard was watching him with a triumphant gleam in his eye. No doubt he was already scheming to turn the situation to his advantage.
Sir Martin concluded his meal speedily and noisily and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand before stretching his neck and sighed contentedly. He drained the last of his wine and smacked his lips.
‘Ah, that’s a good feeling. A decent meal after a hard day’s labour. And now, sleep!’ He rose stiffly, rubbing the small of his back. ‘I bid you good night, gentlemen.’
Thomas nodded his response and Richard stood up and bowed his head in dutiful respect. At the sound of Sir Martin’s cell door closing behind him, Richard turned to Thomas with an intent expression.
‘I had begun to fear that we might never find a way to gain entry to St Angelo without arousing suspicion. Now you have access to the Grand Master’s lair you can get me into that dungeon. I have the description of De Launcey’s chest, and the prize is sure to be inside. If it’s done quickly we can quit this death trap before the Turks arrive.’
‘Quit?’ Thomas raised his eyebrows. ‘I have no intention of leaving. Not now. I am needed here. Every man is.’
Richard stared at him. ‘Are you mad? When the enemy lands on the island no one will be spared. They will pound all the forts into rubble and cut the throats of any survivors.’
‘That is one possibility.’ A smile passed fleetingly across Thomas’s face. ‘Or we make our stand and hold out until the Turks give up the attempt to reduce the island. That, or we are relieved by Don Garcia and the army he is gathering on Sicily.’
‘You might as well wish for the moon.’ Richard gave a hollow laugh. ‘Don Garcia’s force is only ever going to be a paper army. His king will not let him take any risks with what men he has, and I would wager my soul that less than half of the men and ships promised to him by the other powers will be forthcoming. There is no chance of the Turks turning tail. If Suleiman has ordered that Malta be reduced, then do you think for one instant that those to whom the command is given would dare risk his wrath if they failed?’ Richard paused to see if his words had struck home but Thomas kept his silence and the younger man hissed with exasperation before he continued.
‘Sir Thomas, I have been with you long enough to see that you are a good man. There is sure to be a place for you within Walsingham’s service when we return to England having carried out our mission successfully. Don’t
