King's Gold

‘Simon, that fellow may not be guilty of this particular crime, but I’d lay odds that he is guilty of others. I doubt not he’s a thieving, murderous scrote who deserves the rope and will get it before too many years are past. So no, I am not happy that Sir Baldwin wants him freed to please Sir Edward. If I could, I’d probably have him hanged as Lord Berkeley wanted in the first place.’

‘ You’ve changed your tune!’

‘Eh?’

‘It was only a few days ago that you decided to save his life.’

‘I did no such thing, Simon. No, I simply stopped him from being hanged without the officer of the law being there to witness and ensure that all was done in accordance with the law.’

He sighed and looked at the near-empty courtyard. There were a few men loitering, three grooms having a morning wet after their efforts preparing the horses for their journey, and over towards the gate Simon saw the older Bardi with that stern-looking knight, Sir Jevan. Both were in heavy conversation, their eyes following the dust cloud that obscured Lord Berkeley’s men.

‘I just hope we don’t regret this,’ Sir Richard added in his quietest voice.

‘What do you mean?’ Simon saw Sir Jevan turn and meet his look with a cold indifference. The arrogance of the bastard, Simon thought to himself, and then he saw Sir Jevan’s face change. A scowl of recognition seemed to pass over his features, and when Simon shot a glance behind him, he saw the man-at-arms, John. What had that fellow done to upset him? he wondered.

‘Well? What do you think?’ Sir Richard said.

Simon had not heard his comment. ‘Eh?’

‘If this fellow gives his oath, d’you think we can rely on his word?’

‘Yes. For what good it’ll do.’

‘Does he understand making an oath on the Gospel?’

‘Of course he does. Do you think him a fool?’

Sir Richard nodded. He turned to John. ‘You! Go and fetch me the gaoler. I want a word with him.’

Dolwyn stumbled out into the sunshine with a baffled, anxious look about him. He was glad to be out of the gaol. Senchet and Harry joined him a moment or two later, brought from the chamber in the main keep where they had been held since their release from the gaol itself.

‘DO YOU ALL UNDERSTAND ME?’ Sir Richard roared. ‘I am releasing you on your own oaths. You can help about the castle as best you may, you can walk about the court here, and if you want, you can wander outside a little. But every night you will return to us here and take your beds in the keep. You will be locked in, and released in the morning. It is possible that one or two of you,’ he added, staring ferociously at Harry and Senchet, ‘may try to escape the castle and run. If you do, you will be called to court and, I swear, you will be declared outlaw for your bad faith. If you run, I will personally hunt you down, and I will have your heads as outlaws. You understand me?’

All three nodded dumbly. Dolwyn felt his ears ringing from the man’s bellowing voice, but he did not care. It was so good to be outside once more.

‘You have been found guilty of murder, Master Dolwyn,’ Sir Richard continued. ‘It was a legal court, and the Lord of the Manor has declared your offence. That means you are living under sentence of death now. If the coroner agrees with the sentence, you will hang. But there’s little need to keep you in the castle’s dungeon since it would only hasten your end. So you have some freedom for a little. Use your time wisely. You two – I hold you responsible for him,’ he barked at Hary and Senchet. ‘If he escapes, you will be taken and held in the gaol. You understand me? You are his gaolers now. So look after him!’

There was no need of further words. The three gazed about them, Dolwyn in particular bewildered by the sudden turn of events. He watched the knight and Simon for a moment with his mouth open. Then: ‘Where is everyone gone?’

‘They’ve been called to fight the Scottish,’ Simon explained. He felt less antipathy towards this fellow than Sir Richard did. To Simon’s mind, his tale of finding the cart was believable enough. If he had wanted, he could surely have invented a better story than merely finding the cart and no carter.

Dolwyn nodded and looked around again, searching for the Bardis, but the only person he saw whom he recognised was that woman, the carter’s wife, who glared at him balefully from near the gate. At her side was the priest, who watched him with more a look of sympathy in his eyes, rather than disgust or hatred. Dolwyn saw them both pick up packs, she with a stick to carry hers over her shoulder, while the priest had a length of cord bound through his to hook over his shoulder . . . and then the two turned away and walked out through the gates.

It was a relief. The poor woman had lost everything, but it was not Dolwyn’s concern. He was glad to be alive, and free again. If she was to suffer, that was sad for her, but he had other matters to attend to.

If he was spared, of course. Since the lord was gone, he had no idea whether his life was to be taken soon or not.