Scarlet

made public by the reading hereof in the presence of the same king and those persons summoned by the crown to attend him. Owing to the perfidious nature of certain noblemen known to the king, and because of dissensions and discords which have arisen between the king and the lord king's brother, Duke Robert of Normandie, and a company of rebellious barons of the kingdom concerning William's lawful right to occupy the throne and to rule unimpeded by the slanders and allegations of traitorous dissenters, this recognition has been made before the Chief Justiciar of England, and Henry, Earl of Warwick, and other great men of the kingdom, and has been signed and sealed in their presence.'

Here the cardinal paused to allow the crowd to unravel the mean ing of this address. We were by no means the only ones struggling to keep up; the Ffreinc in Count de Braose's camp were having their own difficulties with all that high-flown Latin and were being aided by Abbot Hugo, who was interpreting for the count and others.

When Cardinal Flambard decided that all had caught up with him, he continued, 'Accordingly, I,William, under authority of Heaven, do hereby set forth my disposition in the matters arising from the recent attempt by those rebellious subjects aforementioned to remove His Majesty from his throne and the rightful rule of his realm and subjects. Be it known that William de Braose, Baron of Bramber, for his part in the rebellion has forfeited his lands and title to the crown and is henceforth prohibited from returning to England under ban of condemnation for treason and the penalty thereof. Regarding his son, the Earl Philip de Braose, and his nephew the Count Falkes de Braose, being found to have no part in the wicked rebellion against their lawful king, but owing to their familial proximity to the traitors, it is deemed prudent to extend the ban to them and their households; therefore, they are to follow the baron into exile to whatever lands will receive them.'

The Ffreinc moaned and gnashed their teeth at this, while at the same time it was all we could do to keep from cheering. Oh, it was all we'd hoped for-Baron de Braose was banished, and his noxious nephew exiled with him. The throne of Elfael was freed from the Normans, and victory was sweet in our mouths.

But, as the Good Lord giveth with his right hand, and taketh with his left-so with kings.

'Further,' continued the cardinal, 'it pleases His Majesty to assume those lands now vacated to be placed under Forest Law as a Protectorate of Royal Privilege, to be administered for the crown by a regent chosen to serve the interests of the crown, namely Abbot Hugo de Rainault. As our regent and an officer of the crown, he will exercise all authority necessary to hold, maintain, and prosper those lands and estates, and with the aid of our sheriff, Richard de Glanville, to more firmly establish the realm in the fealty due its rightful monarch.'

Here the cardinal broke off to allow the translators to catch up. While we were struggling to work out what had just happened, Cardinal Flambard concluded, saying, 'All others professing grievance in this matter, having been rewarded according to their service, are herewith disposed. No further action in regard to this judgement shall be countenanced. Under the sign and seal of William, King of England.'

Owing to the slight murkiness of courtly Latin, it took us a while to get to grips with the outrage that had just been revealed in our hearing. Tuck and Jago held close council with Bran and Angharad. Count Falkes de Braose, astonished beyond words, stared at the king as if at the devil's own manservant; Abbot Hugo and Marshal Guy put their heads together, already preparing to seed more mischief. In both camps, Ffreinc and British, there were dire mutterings and grumblings. Along with many another, I pressed forward to hear what the clerics among us were saying, and caught part of the discussion. 'So, it comes to this,' Tuck said, 'Baron de Braose and all his kith and kin have been banished, never to return to English soil on pain of death-well and good…'

'But, see here,' pointed out Jago, 'Abbot Hugo is made regent and remains in possession of the lands granted to de Braose by the king.'

'But the bloody abbot keeps Elfael!' growled Tuck dangerously.

A dull, damp sickness descended over me. Some of those around me swore and called down curses on the head of the English king. 'What does it mean?' said Noin, pressing close beside me.

'It means we have been used and cast aside,' I spat. 'It means that red-haired rogue has gutted us like rabbits and thrown us to the dogs.'

'That cannot be,' said Bran, already starting forth. 'Heaven will not allow it!' He stepped forward three long paces and halted, calling upon the king to hear him. 'My lord king,' he said, with Jago's help, 'am I to understand that you have allowed Abbot Hugo to keep our lands in Elfael?'

'The king has decreed that the abbot will serve as his regent,' replied Cardinal Ranulf. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at Bran. 'I remember you right well,' he said, 'and I warn you against trying any such foolishness as you attempted last time we met.'

'Then pray remind the king that I was promised the return of our lands and the rule of our people,' Bran countered, speaking through Jago. 'This I was promised by the king himself in recognition of our part in exposing the traitors.'

The king heard this, of course, but glanced away, a pained expression on his face.

'I cannot answer for any promises which might or might not have been made in the past,' responded the cardinal, making it sound as if this had all taken place untold years ago and could have no part in the judgement now. 'After a suitable season of reflection, the king has determined that it does not serve the interests of the crown to return Elfael to Welsh rule at this time.'

'What is to become of us?' cried Bran, growing visibly angry. 'That is our land-our home! We were promised justice.'

'Justice,' replied the silk-robed cardinal coolly, 'you have received. Your king has decreed; his word is law.'

Bran, holding tight to the reins of his rage, argued his case. 'I would remind His Majesty that it was from within the abbot's own stronghold that we learned of the conspiracy against him! Your regent is as guilty of treason as those you have already condemned and punished.'

'So you say,' countered the cardinal smoothly. 'There has been no proof of this, and therefore the right practice of justice decrees no guilt shall be laid at the abbot's feet.'

'Call it what you will, my lord, but do not call it justice,' said Bran, his voice shaking with fury. Sweet Jesus, I had never seen him so angry. His face was white, his eyes flashing quick fire. 'This is an offence against heaven. The people of Elfael will not rest until we have gained the justice promised to us.'

'You and your people will conform yourself to the regent's rule,' Flambard declared. 'As regent, Abbot Hugo is charged with your care and protection. Henceforth, he will provide you with the comfort and solace of the king's law.'

'With all respect, Cardinal,' Bran called, fighting to keep his rage from devouring his reason, 'we cannot accept this judgement.'

'The king has spoken,' concluded Cardinal Bayeux. 'The continued prosecution of this dispute has no merit. The matter is herewith concluded.'

King William, impervious to our lord's anger, nodded once and turned away. He and his soldiers and confidants walked back to the house and went inside. The cardinal rolled up the parchment and turned to follow his monarch.

With that, our Day of Judgement was over.

As the door closed on the backs of the royal party, a wide double door opened at the far end of the yard, and soldiers who had been awaiting this moment streamed out to encircle us. Weapons ready, they formed a wall, shoulder-to-shoulder around the perimeter of the yard.

'We must leave here at once,' said Angharad. 'Bran!'

He was no longer listening. 'We will not be denied!' he shouted, starting forth. 'This is not the end. Do you hear?'

She pulled Bran's sleeve, restraining him. Shaking off her grasp, he started after the swiftly retreating cardinal. 'Iwan! Siarles!' she snapped, 'See to your lord!'

The two leapt forward and took hold of Bran, one on either side. 'Come away, my lord,' said Iwan. 'Don't make things worse. They only want half a reason to attack us.'

'You do well to drag him away,' called Marshal Guy, laughing. 'Drag the beaten dog away!'

Gysburne was the only one to find amusement in this disaster, mind-he and a few of the less astute-looking soldiers with him. The rest appeared suitably grim, realising that this was no good news for them, either. Count Falkes looked like a man who has had his bones removed, and it was all he could do to remain in the saddle. His pale countenance was more ghastly still, and his lips trembled, no doubt in contemplation of his ruin.

Iwan and Siarles were able to haul Bran back. Merian rushed to his side to help calm him. Meanwhile, Tuck