Mérian gasped with joy, and Tuck, who caught most of what was said, chuckled and told the others standing round about.
“Oh, Bran,” breathed Mérian, giving Bran’s shoulder a squeeze. Tuck relayed the terms to the Grellon and all those looking on. “The king has decided to be generous.”
Baron Neufmarché and the king exchanged a brief word, and the baron said, “King William will accept the release of his sheriff now.” He summoned the knights forward, and de Glanville was marched to the table.
“As a token of the peace we have sworn between us, I release him to your authority,” said Bran. He motioned to his champion, standing behind Friar Tuck. “Iwan, cut him loose.”
The big warrior stepped forward and, grinning with good pleasure at the astonishing turn events had taken, drew the knife from his belt and began cutting through the bonds at the sheriff ’s wrists. The rawhide straps fell away, and with a sweep of his hand, Iwan indicated that the prisoner was free to go.
As Iwan replaced the knife and made to step back, de Glanville snatched the dagger from his belt and leaped forward. In the same swift movement, he drew back his hand and prepared to plunge the dagger into Bran’s unprotected neck. The naked blade flashed forward and down. Tuck saw the arcing glint hard in the bright sunlight and gave out a yelp of warning. Iwan, startled, put out his hand.
But it was too late.
The knife slashed down a killing stroke.
Then, even as the cruel blade descended to its mark, the sheriff ’s hand faltered and appeared to seize in its forward sweep. Halted, it hovered in midstroke. The knife point quivered, then fell to the ground.
It happened so fast that almost no one saw what had arrested the knife until Sheriff de Glanville let out a shriek of agony and crumpled to his knees. Only slowly, as if in a dream, did the stunned onlookers discover Will Scarlet standing over the sheriff, his own hand clamped tight over de Glanville’s. He gave the captured hand a squeeze, and there was a meaty crunch and pop as the sheriff ’s fingers gave way.
De Glanville gave out a roar of pain and anger and swung at Scarlet with his free hand. Tuck, snatching the crosier from Bishop Asaph’s hand, grasped it like a quarterstaff and swung it once around his head and brought it down with a solid thump on the top of the sheriff ’s head; de Glanville crumpled to the ground, where he lay on his side, whimpering and cradling his broken fingers.
“Stand him up!” commanded William with an airy wave of his hand. Turning to Bran he spoke with some sincerity. “His Majesty offers heartfelt apologies,” Neufmarché translated. “He asks what you would like him to do with the rogue.”
“I will leave that to Scarlet,” replied Bran, looking to Will for an answer.
“Broken fingers are a long and painful reminder of a man’s failure,” replied the forester. “As I should know. I am satisfied if he takes that away with him—so long as we never have to see him again.”
“That’s a far sight more mercy than he deserves,” said Bran. “And more than he ever showed you, Will.”
“And is my husband not the better man?” said Noín, taking Will’s arm.
Bran’s decision was delivered to King William, who merely grunted. “This man is no longer one of my sheriffs. Remove him from our sight.” Then, rising, he held out his hand to one of his knights. “Your sword,” he said.
The knight drew his blade and handed it to the king, who turned to Bran. He spoke and indicated a place on the ground before him.
“His Majesty is saying that he must leave now if he is to reach Normandie in time to collect his tribute,” Baron Neufmarché explained. “He says there is but one more thing he must do before he goes.”
“Sire?” said Bran.
Again the king spoke and indicated the place on the ground at his feet.
“He says you are to kneel and swear your fealty to him,” said Neufmarché.
Bran called Bishop Asaph to him. “Father, will you see that it is done properly?”
“Of course, Rhi Bran,” said the old man. “It will be an honour.” As the bishop took his place beside King William, Bran knelt and stretched out his hand to grasp the king’s foot. William, holding the sword upright in both hands, directed his newest vassal in the age-old ceremony which bound man