Belaset's Daughter - By Feona J Hamilton Page 0,18

Joan. "I’ll send Trubodi as soon as I find him. He is masquerading as one of my lord de Warenne’s clerks, sent with a message to Sir Roger. No doubt he is one of the group I saw in the hall just now, swilling wine so that it ran down their clothes. I hope he’s only acting the rest are so drunk that they cannot stand without assistance."

She bustled out again, taking the bowl with her. Using the little side door again, she swept back through the kitchen, dumping the bowl on the table with a thud as she passed.

The cook, still silent, turned to look at her, and at the bowl she had left. Seeing it empty, she pursed her lips. Who had eaten the broth? And where was Joan going to now, so busily? She stood in front of the fire, stirring thoughtfully. If she could find out the secret, it might be a useful way of controlling Mistress Joan.

* * *

Joan, uncaring of the curiosity she had aroused in the cook, went on her way into the great hall. She searched for Trubodi, but was unable at first to see him. She asked one of the group he had been with, and the man gestured vaguely behind him. Walking over to the side of the hall, Joan found the man, wrapped in his cloak, apparently asleep on the floor. Leaning close to him, she hissed his real name in his ear.

A voice issued from the bundle on the floor, equally softly.

"I’m not asleep, Mistress Joan," said Trubodi. "It’s difficult to pretend drunkenness for a long time, so I decided to feign drowsiness instead."

"Well," said Joan. "Now you’re going to have to feign a sudden need for fresh air. I’ll let my disgust for your state be seen, and stalk out in a rage. Follow me when you feel the time is right."

She stood upright, then suddenly drew back her foot and kicked him.

"Another drunkard!" she announced in disgust, and the men near her laughed and raised a feeble cheer, as Trubodi roared and looked to see who had assaulted him. He followed this with a yawn, and a vigorous scratching of his head, then he stood up and swayed back and forth, clapped his hand over his mouth, and rushed out to the door. The cheers and catcalls of the other men followed him.

BOSON BOOKS

-39-

Belaset’s Daughter

Outside, in the yard, Joan was waiting. She beckoned to him, and went off in the direction of the stable where Guy was lying hidden. Just inside, she grasped Trubodi’s arm.

"Are you truly sober?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Guy de Montfort has a message which he would have you take to his father," she said.

She pointed to the stall where Guy lay.

"He’s waiting anxiously go to him. But keep your voices down. And remember he’s weak from his experiences of the last few days."

Trubodi simply nodded again, and went to Guy. As he bent over the young man, Joan turned and left them.

"I’m glad to see you safe, Master Guy," said Trubodi. "Your father has been very anxious about you."

"Then you must take my message to him without delay," said Guy. "But first, my thanks for your quick thinking. Joan tells me that you didn’t give even a flicker of recognition. I was too close to fainting to notice anyone, luckily. Had either of us given the slightest sign, our lives, and those of others would have been put in grave danger."

"It was lucky that Joan’s kind heart prompted her to speak to you," said Trubodi. "If anyone else had found you, you could well have been dead."

"I was left for dead," said Guy, sombrely. "You have to tell my father that his son’s still a green youth, who can be tricked far too easily for his own safety."

Trubodi raised his eyebrows in a silent question.

"Tell my father that I was drugged and left for dead, by a false priest. Tell him that I had the packet in my hands, but lost it again. Tell him that his son is unhurt, except for his pride. Finally, tell him that I shall return to my family when I have the packet in my hands again, but not before."

Trubodi was silent for a moment.

"Do you not think you should return, to hear your father’s wishes on this matter?" he ventured.

"I can’t face my father, till I can hold up my head again, Trubodi," said Guy. "He’ll understand, I’m sure. Just give him my message no harm