Sparrows

Part 7

Part 7

I thought to find sanctuary for Tom and me, instead we find ourselves in the lair of the beast.

Being pushed and pulled through the busy kitchens, I caught sight of Tom, he was eating snowy white bread with both hands. His eyes wide and dazed, two boys seemed to be arguing over him, but he just ate steadily before he is robbed of it.

The women chattered and snapped at me, pulled off my precious kirtle and ragged shift. All in the guise of benevolence they combed my hair, rubbed on perfumed ointments.

I am nothing to them.

And endlessly they chattered on.

I learned that the vicious fiend is Andreas le Pierre, one of the Flanders brigands the king pays to ravage his people. But they laughed, called him Sir Dries or 'le beau bête' the beautiful beast.

Beautiful! I do not see beauty! I but see a blackened soul awaiting only the Devil's call.

And the mother of this house is his sister.

His-sister!

Aye and more, if the tittering harlots that scoured my body are to be believed.

I am to be his entertainment for the night.

Well, I shall slit his vile throat, slash his chest, heave out his still beating heart.

We shall see how entertaining that is!

###

"The songstress will be a novelty for our more discerning visitors, and the boy is a pretty child. The mother says he is biddable, so I'll let him be seen about the place looking tempting. I dare say he will draw the attention of the pederasts." The Abbess selected a damson from the bowl, inspected it, and offered it to her brother over her shoulder. "All allowing they clean up well that is."

"Sister you are a wonder, from dross you conjure gold." He kissed her neck lovingly, took the offered morsel, tossed it in the air, catching it like a practised juggler. "The woman I want though," he said, sucked on the ripened fruit, and chucked her under the chin. "I have need of an earthy fuck. I'll break her in for you." Catching up his sister's hand, he kissed the slender finger tips like a lover. "I had the very Devil of a time chasing ghosts for Casals's paramour. This is not my calling. I am a soldier not her personal assassin. For the moment I need entertainment."

"You did not find the Bishop's man then?"

"Nay, the foolish cuckold has likely taken ship back to the Holy Land, the sanctimonious loon." He cuffed his mouth, wiping damson juice from his lips.

"The name again...of Bishop Henry's 'sanctimonious loon'?"

"de Renouf, he holds a small manor and a few sparse acres from de Warren, but they would suit me well. With him gone, my Lord is disposed to give me the titles."

"But my darling Dries," she patted his arm eagerly. "That was the name the friar gave the knight escorting their party!"

His interest caught, Le Pierre replied with impatience, "you are sure?"

"Oh brother, did you not listen? They were bound for  Castle Beckford I believe."

"Well, well," he mused. "I can only be in awe of the fates that brought us the sweet song bird, and the delightful Marceline's estranged husband." Ridding himself of the damson stone, slipping his arms about her waist, he added softly in her ear, "...and, as we know where he goes,  we can let him. Follow on the morrow, then rid the world of him in a simple tavern brawl. And we, sweet sister, will increase our fortune with land and manor."