‘You will not be here?’ asked Geoffrey.
‘I am dining with Gwgan in his home.’ Hywel waved his hand towards the nearby hamlet, its rooftops just visible through the trees. ‘There is much to discuss after his visit to Gloucester, but we have no peace here. We will work twice as quickly in his house, and then nothing will stop me riding out after these outlaws tomorrow.’
Geoffrey had two more letters to hand over before his delivery duties were complete, and he decided to be rid of them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, Sear had taken his Pembroc soldiers to hunt for the outlaws and was not expected back until evening. Robert the steward was at work in an office, though, and snatched the letter eagerly when it was presented.
‘It is all about Maurice’s new cathedral,’ he cried in disappointment. ‘I thought it would be something useful – something I could use to avert the trouble I sense is brewing.’
‘What trouble?’ asked Geoffrey.
‘The trouble that started the moment you and your companions rode into our town with tales of outlaws. It was peaceful when Sear and Richard were away, but the instant they return, we are thrown into turmoil.’
‘Bishop Maurice merely heard I was travelling west and used the opportunity to write to distant kin,’ said Geoffrey. ‘He knows nothing of-’
‘I do not like the fact that Richard has disappeared,’ interrupted Robert. ‘It bodes ill.’
‘You cannot blame him for not wanting to be in a place where he is in danger,’ said Geoffrey. ‘We were ambushed nine times between here and Brechene, and he might have been the target.’
‘Nevertheless,’ said Robert, ‘I sense evil in the air.’
‘Oh,’ said Geoffrey, unsure what to make of such a claim. ‘Perhaps you should see a priest.’
‘They cannot help,’ said Robert scornfully. ‘The kind of wickedness I sense is the earthly kind, which can only be defeated by stout men with swords. You look sceptical, but I have a talent for predicting this kind of misfortune. It runs in the family – just ask Maurice.’
‘He does claim an ability to sense evil,’ acknowledged Geoffrey, recalling Maurice’s unhappiness over Henry’s letters and the way he had rubbed them and blessed them.
‘Well, so do I,’ said Robert. ‘And I sense it now, with every fibre of my being.’
Geoffrey regarded him uncertainly. ‘Then tell Gwgan or Hywel.’
‘I have, but they will not listen. But I know Richard is up to something. There was a cant to his eyes when he reported the attack this morning, and he took all his men with him when he left Kermerdyn. Something is badly wrong, and you must stop it.’
‘Me?’ asked Geoffrey, startled. ‘How? I am a stranger to the area.’
‘That does not matter,’ cried Robert, agitated. ‘You must try.’
‘It might help if you were more specific-’
‘I cannot be more specific!’ snapped Robert. ‘I only know that you must be on your guard, and you must protect others who are not in a position to do so themselves.’
‘Do you mean my wife?’ asked Geoffrey in alarm, wondering whether he should ignore Hywel’s advice and try to find her.
‘I do not know what I mean!’ shouted Robert in frustration. ‘You will just have to use your imagination. Maurice writes that you are intelligent, so use the wits God gave you.’
It was hardly helpful advice, and Geoffrey left him in a troubled frame of mind.
The first thing Geoffrey wanted to do was to warn Roger to be on his guard. The next was to find Hilde. He collected his horse and was about to ride back to Kermerdyn when he saw Gwgan. The counsellor’s face was pale and worried.
‘We must catch these villains,’ he said, when Geoffrey reined in next to him. ‘They attacked Richard, as well as me, last night, and it is not to be countenanced. Not in Hywel’s domain.’
‘It is unwise to leave the castle so depleted of soldiers,’ said Geoffrey, knowing Gwgan would not object to him speaking his mind. ‘Robert is right: something untoward is afoot.’
Gwgan groaned. ‘Robert and his stupid premonitions! I did not expect you to be unsettled by his ravings, though – I had taken you for a steady man. Our steward is a silly old woman; I do not know why Hywel does not replace him.’
‘Perhaps so, but it is unwise to take Hywel away from the castle tonight,’ persisted Geoffrey. ‘He might be needed to defend it. And so might you.’
‘My house is not far,’ said Gwgan impatiently. ‘We can be back in moments, should the need arise – which it will not. But there is daylight left, and I intend to use it. My guards and I will scour the marshes until dusk. Will you come with us? Another pair of eyes would be useful.’
‘My first duty is to Hilde and Roger, but I will ride with you and Hywel tomorrow.’
‘The best way to protect your wife and friend is to help me today,’ said Gwgan. ‘Besides, you will never find Hilde if Isabella has taken her shopping.’
‘I will not rest easy until I try,’ said Geoffrey. ‘I will ride after you later.’
Gwgan nodded his thanks and climbed on to a Welsh pony. He raised his hand to indicate he was ready, then trotted out of the bailey with his men at his heels. Geoffrey followed and was almost at the gate when Edward entered, flopping about on his nag like a sack of grain.
‘Something nasty is happening in this town,’ he declared without preamble. ‘If I were you, I would leave. Take Hilde with you. She is too fine a person to be caught up in anything foul.’
‘She is shopping,’ said Geoffrey, alarmed. ‘And I am told she will not be found.’
‘Nonsense,’ said Edward. ‘They will be in Pedrog’s warehouse on the wharf. All women go there around noon, because that is when Pedrog exhibits his newest wares.’
‘Thank you,’ said Geoffrey gratefully. ‘What will you do?’
‘My men arrived this morning from Brechene – minus the six or so who died from the contagion. They made better time than us, probably because they were not hindered by women. I intend to take them and leave Kermerdyn.’
‘You will ride away when Hywel might need your assistance?’ asked Geoffrey, shocked.
‘He has plenty of good men, and this threat may extend to Kadweli. I am duty-bound to return there with all possible speed. I repeat: collect your wife and your loutish friend and leave while you can.’
Geoffrey nodded. It was sound advice, and he fully intended to spirit Roger and Hilde to safety. Then he would return to Kermerdyn and help Hywel, as he had promised. Sear’s letter could be delivered at the same time, and if Henry was piqued that his missive was not in his henchman’s hands soon enough, then that was too bad.
It was not difficult to locate Pedrog’s warehouse, because it was the building that had a steady stream of women walking in and out. Inside, Geoffrey was immediately aware of the musty scent of imported cloth, spices and other exotic goods. He found Hilde cooing over a stall filled with different kinds of raisins, Isabella standing smugly behind her.
‘We have to go,’ said Geoffrey, grabbing Hilde’s hand and pulling her towards the door.
‘No!’ exclaimed Isabella in dismay. ‘We have not explored the silks yet.’
Once again, Geoffrey gave thanks for his choice of wife when Hilde took one look at him and followed without demur, dragging her sister along.
‘What is wrong?’ she asked as they walked briskly towards the Trout. ‘Where are we going?’
‘Anywhere but here,’ said Geoffrey. ‘It is not safe.’
‘I have enough money with me to keep us for a week,’ said Hilde. ‘We can send for our belongings later. Should Isabella come with us?’
‘Yes,’ said Geoffrey. He felt something akin to love for Hilde at that moment – she did not regale him with questions, but rather turned her considerable intelligence to deciding how best to help him. Isabella, however, was far more vocal, and Geoffrey saw she was going to be a problem.
‘I am not going anywhere until you explain what is happening,’ she declared. ‘This is my home and… Oh, look! There is Sir Sear. That is odd! He told my husband he was going to hunt for outlaws.’
‘He is going into the Trout,’ said Hilde worriedly. ‘Roger was well on the way to being drunk there not long ago. I hope they do not fight.’
Geoffrey abandoned the women and his horse and ran towards the inn. He flung open the door and found the main room almost empty, its regulars driven away by Roger’s tales – enjoyable and even believable at first, but
