‘Why haven’t you asked to be released?’
Walter turned the cup in his hands. ‘The truth is, I find the life to my liking. I drink wine instead of sour ale, eat grapes and peaches in winter, wear silks and brocades. I earn a handsome commission from my dealings with the Byzantines. I’ve no burning desire to return to that cold castle in the north and spend the rest of my life skirmishing against savages. When I inherit on my father’s death will be soon enough.’
‘Have you been in touch with your family?’
‘I sent letters this spring. I haven’t received a reply yet. The only news I’ve heard from England is that my half-brother Drogo was killed campaigning in Scotland.’
Vallon put down his cup. ‘Your parents are much as you left them. Your half-brother Richard is dead. He joined us on the expedition and died of an arrow wound at the mouth of the Dnieper.’
‘Richard? Richard was in your company?’
‘A much-loved and much-mourned companion.’
‘I’m distressed to hear that. Poor Richard. I always suspected that he would never reach manhood. Whatever possessed you to take such a weakling with you?’
‘He volunteered. He was desperate to get away from your family.’ Vallon stood, ignoring Hero’s signals to remain.
Walter rose. ‘Leaving so soon?’
‘We’ll meet again tonight before the Emir.’
Walter stepped forward. ‘Wayland. Don’t you go.’
Everybody stopped.
Walter threw his arm around Wayland’s shoulder. ‘Remember the hunts we enjoyed together? They were nothing compared to the sport we’ll share in Anatolia. Bears, lions, leopards — creatures you’ve never even seen.’
Vallon noticed how strained Wayland looked. ‘Do you want to stay?’
Wayland shook his head.
Vallon took his elbow. ‘Come on then.’
Walter gripped Wayland’s other arm. ‘You don’t have any say in the matter.’ He was still smiling. ‘Wayland’s my personal property, affirmed by legal process. You probably heard how I found him starving in the forest and took him into my household.’
‘Norman law carries no weight in these parts. If Wayland wants to rejoin your service, I won’t stand in his way. He can answer in his own words.’
‘Is that a joke? The boy’s dumb.’
‘I’m not your slave,’ Wayland said. ‘I serve Vallon as a free man.’
‘That seems clear enough,’ said Vallon.
He led the way out. Walter caught up with them. ‘Not so fast, Vallon. How much did my mother raise on her estate?’
Vallon kept walking. ‘A hundred and twenty pounds.’
‘It must be worth at least twice that.’
‘It was all the moneylender was prepared to advance. I’ve got the papers.’
‘How much is left?’
‘Nothing. It’s all gone.’
‘You’ve spent more than a hundred pounds of my mother’s money and all you have to show for it is one gyrfalcon?’
‘The price was much higher than that.’
‘How much have you kept for yourself?’
Vallon halted. ‘Not a penny.’
Walter only just stopped himself from poking Vallon in the chest. ‘Coming from a mercenary, I find that hard to believe. I expect a full accounting.’
Vallon looked at Walter’s outstretched finger. ‘One thing I have to add. You were misinformed about your brother’s death. He’s here, lodged in the Emir’s camp.’
Walter’s face went blank. ‘You told me that Richard died on the Dnieper.’
‘I’m talking about Drogo.’
The blood drained from Walter’s cheeks. ‘Drogo was killed in Scotland.’
‘He travelled north, that much is true. But only in pursuit of us and with the aim of wrecking our attempt to win your freedom. I know it casts a bleak light on our enterprise, but when I explain the circumstances that led to-’
‘Say no more.’ Walter backed away, pointing. ‘You swagger into my quarters claiming that you’ve come to redeem me, and in the next breath you casually admit that you’ve brought Drogo.’
‘Sir Walter, let me explain.’
‘There’s only one explanation. The moment I looked into your cold eyes, I knew I faced an enemy.’
Hero forced himself in front of Vallon. ‘Let me speak. Sir Walter, the very fact that Drogo is here argues our good intentions. If we meant you harm, do you think we would have willingly brought along your worst enemy? Give me leave to explain how we were saddled with his company.’
But the old sibling rivalry had tapped into a part of Walter’s brain immune to reason. A strangled sound escaped from his throat. ‘I don’t know what plot you and Drogo have hatched, but I warn you not to trifle with me. The Emir holds me dear. When I tell him you came here with murder in your hearts, you’ll find his reaction cruelly disappointing.’
On the walk back to their lodgings, Vallon saw Hero darting glances of reproach.
‘You think I handled the encounter badly.’
‘Dismally. Why couldn’t you have been more diplomatic?’
‘It wouldn’t have made any difference.’ Vallon looked back, shaking his head. ‘The ingrate didn’t even thank us for our efforts.’ He stalked on through the camp. ‘God help me, I almost prefer Drogo.’
Hero hurried to keep pace. ‘We’ll never see the lost gospel now.’
‘We lost our chance when the ransom hawks died. One thing Walter said was true, and I didn’t need him to confirm it. I saw it at last night’s audience. The Emir isn’t a man who’ll soften his terms.’
They entered their quarters and Vallon fell onto his bed, covering his eyes with his forearm. Hero wandered about in a pall of misery.
The entrance flap parted and Drogo looked in, wearing a smile from the gallows. ‘Well, how did you find him?’
Vallon breathed deep. ‘Less charming than his reputation had me believe. To think that Richard and Raul sacrificed their lives for that vain wretch. And here’s what makes the pill even harder to swallow. It seems that Walter’s free to leave whenever he pleases. Or he was. Our arrival without the full ransom only complicates the situation and makes him resentful rather than grateful.’
Drogo laughed. ‘How did he react to the news of my presence?’
‘With fear, rage, blind hatred. He’s not without influence in the Emir’s court. If I were you, I wouldn’t walk alone at night and I’d employ someone to taste my food before eating it.’
Drogo looked down on Vallon with something close to pity. ‘You should have listened to me. You wouldn’t have grasped the challenge so eagerly if you’d known what kind of man my brother was.’
Vallon uncovered his eyes. ‘If we knew the outcome of our actions before we committed to them, we wouldn’t get up in the morning.’
Prayers mingled with smoke as the company made their way to the Emir’s pavilion. Stars streamed across the plateau in a misty arch and a splinter of moon hung between the icy cones to the south. The throne room was packed. The Emir must have decided to make the occasion a public demonstration of his judicial wisdom. He carried a ceremonial mace and sat aloof, picking his nose, while the infidels abased themselves. Faruq ordered them to stand.
‘Certain new facts have reached his Excellency. He’s asked me to examine them.’
Vallon could guess who’d brought them to the Emir’s attention. Walter stood to one side of Suleyman’s
