had been a signal, the howling began as first one starving dog threw back its head, then another and another until the whole valley was echoing with the raw, wretched grief of them. It was as if every poor beast in the world was screaming out against what they had witnessed that day.
Even now as he stood there on the steps of an English manor hundreds of miles from that place and thousands of hours from that night, Raffe realized for the first time that it was not the order which had been issued that he could not forgive, nor even what they had been forced to do, it was that single bellow of laughter. Raffe would never forgive Osborn for that.
Osborn's leather gloves flicked hard across Raffe's chest. 'Come now, Master Raffaele, must I start breaking in my new mule so soon? Don't keep us standing here with our tongues lolling to our knees, show me to the Great Hall, and bring us wine, and quickly, but the good wine, mind.'
Osborn already had his foot on the steps, when an anguished wail from old Walter, the gatekeeper, made him turn.
'Sir! Sir! Please, m'lord, I know this man ...'
All the horses had been led into the stables, except the one Osborn had ridden. A terrified-looking stable lad held the reins of the horse, trying to prevent the powerful beast from dragging the still-tethered body across the yard. Walter was kneeling on the ground, cradling the man's bloodied head. Walter had turned him over and the man was staring up into the pale pink sky, moaning and shivering uncontrollably.
Raffe strode over to him.
Walter lifted his head, his rheumy eyes moist with tears. 'It's one of the crofter's lads, from backend of Gastmere. He's hurt bad.'
Raffe spun round to face Osborn. This is no outlaw. You've seized the wrong man. Any one in these parts will swear to that.'
Osborn's eyes narrowed. You've known me long enough, Master Raffaele to know that I do not make mistakes. I caught this thief with a brace of rabbits from this manor's warren. He was poaching and he didn't even trouble to lie about it.'
The tall, whip-thin man Osborn had referred to as Raoul waved a languid hand in the direction of the injured lad. 'Amazing stamina, these country-born villeins. Ran behind the horse for far longer than I'd have wagered any man could before he fell and had to be dragged. I warrant Hugh would have swapped him for one of his own hunting hounds, if the knave's nose had been as keen as his speed.'
Raffe could contain his temper no longer. Ignoring Raoul, he thundered at Osborn, 'What gives you the right to punish a villein from this manor? If... if a man steals rabbits from a manor's warren, then that is no one's business but the lord of that manor's. And if he needs to be punished, then it is up to the lord of the manor or his steward to dispense justice.'
Osborn and his brother, Hugh, glanced at each other, exchanging satisfied smiles.
'Exactly so, Master Raffaele,' Osborn said quietly. 'But perhaps, in the pleasure of becoming reacquainted, I omitted to mention that King John has seen fit to give this manor into my care. I am the lord of this manor now. So I will be dispensing justice here from now on.'
Every muscle in Raffe's body seemed to have been paralysed. Even his lungs had forgotten how to breathe.
Triumph shone in Osborn's pale grey eyes. 'What, Master Raffaele, no obeisance for your new master? We will certainly have to work on those manners of yours.' He raised his voice loudly enough for the whole courtyard to hear. 'Cut that piece of dung loose, but let him lie in the yard all night as a warning to others. No one is to tend him.'
Hugh, frowning, laid a hand on his brother's sleeve. 'There will be a hard frost come dawn. The man will die if he's left out here. Not an auspicious beginning to your rule here, Osborn. Perhaps in order to win the loyalty of the servants —'
Osborn's eyes were as cold as the North Sea. 'I have no intention of winning the loyalty of servants, little brother, fear, that is what commands loyalty and obedience and that is why the man will be left exactly as I have commanded.' Osborn feigned a punch at his brother's chin. 'Stick with me, little brother, I'll show you how to rule men. Have I