Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,102

succeed, he thought, fiercely, they must!

Simon turned to him, a frown of concentration on his face.

"Now", he said. "Who can we send with you whom can you trust, do you think?"

Fitzjohn stared back, the names of friends and acquaintances buzzing through his head.

This one he discarded because he was not strong enough; this one because he could not trust him utterly. Another no, he would not fight if needed. Then a smile came to his face.

"My lord," he said. "If the choice is mine, I would have none other than your son, Guy."

"But will Guy have you?" returned Simon, astonished at the young man s temerity. He dared to choose one of Simon s own sons, as though he was choosing a squire! Guy would laugh at the idea, surely.

"Yes, my lord, he will come with me," said Fitzjohn. "We are old friends, and I know his taste for adventure is as strong as mine, and he still feels the need to regain your good opinion."

"Well, well....," said Simon. "Old friends, are you? How is it that I have never been aware of the length and strength of your friendship before now?"

Fitzjohn s gaze never faltered.

"Why, sir, you have been about your own important business," he returned. "How should you be aware of such a trivial matter, by comparison, as your son s playmates?"

There was a pause, then Simon flung back his head and roared with laughter. He cuffed Fitzjohn round the head like a playful bear, nearly knocking him off his chair. They grinned at each other Fitzjohn with relief, and de Montfort with enjoyment at the young man s courageous cheek.

"You ll do!" said Earl Simon, still amused by the exchange. "Get yourself and Guy ready to travel as soon as possible. You can start immediately and see how quickly you can reach your destination and find out the answers to your questions. But, my lad," he was suddenly very serious, "God help you if Guy comes to any harm because of your actions."

"Yes, my lord," said John Fitzjohn. "God help me, indeed!"

BOSON BOOKS

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Belaset’s Daughter

CHAPTER TWENTY -TWO

The forest rang with the sound of laughter and men shouting cheerfully to each other.

Through the trees came a group of riders, dressed for the hunt. Henry and those of his Court whom he had invited to join him, were enjoying a day s sport. Behind them came their servants with the results of the hunt so far. Deer were slung across some of the saddles, in front of the riders. The animals feet were tied beneath the horses, but their heads hung grotesquely to one side, blood still dripping down the tongues that lolled from their mouths.

Most of the party made its way along the well-used track through a dense part of the forest. Some of the younger squires, taken with a spirit of adventure, explored other tracks, leading off the main one. This involved pushing aside branches and forcing their way through dense undergrowth in some cases, which added to the fun of the exploration.

Jervis FitzHugh, riding quietly just behind John de Warenne for once, was suddenly taken with an urge to explore a particularly inviting looking track himself.

Wheeling his horse to the right, he ducked under the low branch of the silver birch that lay across the track like a barrier, and set off down the winding grassy way in front of him. Very quickly, the sound of the hunting party faded into the distance, and he was riding along through dappled shade. The track here was little more than a dent in the leaves and grass of the forest floor. Little grassy tussocks made the going more difficult than it appeared. Twice his horse stumbled, or slid slightly, and he had to concentrate on keeping his seat. In the profound silence through which he moved, the slight rustle on his left made him look round nervously, but it was only a blackbird hopping about underneath a sapling.

Jervis smiled at his overactive imagination and pressed forward. Another rustle beside him brought no reaction. Eyes fixed ahead, occasionally bending over the saddle to avoid low branches, he made his way along the track, which wound its way through the forest like a stream meandering through the Weald. He had only the vaguest idea of the direction he was taking. He thought he was still heading in the same general direction as the rest of the party, but more than that he did not know nor did he care, particularly. It