The Shattered Rose Page 0,129

to the truth."

"Alas, sire," said Flambard. "I have had searches made and none of the witnesses still live."

Everyone's brows rose at that. When it came to witnesses to such documents, it was the more the merrier just to avoid this possibility.

Galeran almost sighed with relief. The document was a forgery with false witnesses chosen simply because they were dead. Now to prove it. "Who were these witnesses?"

Ralph Bassett read off names. The first were old Fulk and his sons, of course, all certainly dead. Next was Gregory the Seneschal, more recently dead.

"I knew that man," said Galeran. "He died only recently, and was witness to my own wedding. He would not have put his name to an illegal document."

Flambard interjected smoothly, "Even at the cost of losing his position, my lord?"

It was a pointless discussion, so Galeran listened to the other names. There were only eight.

"Sire," he said, allowing his astonishment to show, "my own betrothal document has over thirty names on it. Lord Fulk was a man of importance in the north and could have gathered as many or more to witness this document."

"An excellent point," said Warwick.

Flambard's eyes narrowed, but his smile stayed in place. "Perhaps, since Sir Raymond lacked family or connections, Lord Fulk thought it kinder not to overwhelm him. It was, after all, at the time an insignificant matter to do with a mere daughter."

"All the same," said Galeran, "there are notable omissions. Why, for example, were neither my father nor Hubert of Burstock at such a ceremony?"

The king nodded. "An excellent point. What a pity," he added with meaning, "that Lord William of Brome is not here today to speak to this matter."

Galeran wondered if his family's future was going to hinge on his father's allegiance after all.

The only thing to do was to take the step he both hated and thirsted for. He rose. "I am willing to put this matter to the test of the sword, sire. I challenge Raymond of Lowick to prove the right of his claim with his body."

Lowick rose immediately. "I accept!"

Chapter 20

The king frowned between them. "It would be to the death, sirs, with God as your judge." If there had been a planned end to this meeting, it was clear that they were now far from it and Henry was not pleased. He could not block a court battle, though. It was every man's right.

But at that moment a page came in to bow and murmur to the earl, who then leaned forward to speak to the king.

Henry's frown eased. "Sit, sirs, for the moment. It does not please me to lose good fighting men without need, and we might be able to cast light on this problem in other ways. William of Brome has arrived."

Even as Galeran turned to greet his father, he saw Flambard's face stiffen, and Lowick's sag with shock. Clearly neither of them had expected this.

What had they expected?

Probably that Galeran's death would be an accomplished fact before his father heard of any of this.

The door opened and Lord William entered in a statement of rich garments and jewels that could have been designed to counter Flambard's clerical magnificence. Three equally grand attendants paced behind him. Galeran was so accustomed to the hard-used cloth and leather his father wore at home that he almost laughed at this flamboyant display.

It served its purpose, though. It made his father's rank clear.

Lord William went directly but unhurriedly to kneel before the king, joined hands extended. A satisfied glint in his eye, Henry covered those hands with his own as he greeted him. It was a simplified version of the oath of fealty, but carried weight all the same.

"Lord William," said Henry, "we are delighted to see you in such good health."

"Aye, well," said Galeran's father as he rose, "I could perhaps have done with a day or two's more rest, sire, but I heard rumors that Raymond of Lowick was at Waltham asking about me and decided I'd better find out what he was up to." He glanced at Lowick and the bishop with a wicked twinkle in his eye. "Likely he got the impression I was sicker than I am. I think someone might have said I was at my last prayers, even."

"Indeed? We must not put your health and welfare at risk, my lord. Please sit." Henry ordered a chair brought forward, the only chair to be used other than the throne upon which he sat. It could just be concern for