heaven right well. How is that, if you don’t mind my asking? For I’ve never known a Saxon to bother himself overmuch with learning the Cymry tongue.”
“That is easily told,” answered Tuck, and explained that as a boy in Lincolnshire he had been captured in a raid and sold into slavery in the copper mines of Powys; when he grew old enough and bold enough, he had made good his escape and was received by the monks of Llandewi, where he lived until taking his vows and, some little time later, becoming a mendicant.
The young king nodded, the same amiable smile playing on his lips the while. “Well, I hope they have fed you in the kitchen, friend friar. You are welcome to stay as long as you like—Nefi, here, will give you a corner of the stable for a bed, and I am certain my people will make you feel at home.”
“Your generosity does you credit, Sire,” Tuck said, “but it is you I have come to see—on a matter of some urgency.”
The young man hesitated. He made a dismissive gesture. “Then I commend you to my seneschal. I am certain he will be best able to help.” Again, he turned to go, giving Tuck the impression that he was intruding on the busy life of this young monarch.
“If you please, my lord,” said Tuck, starting after him, “it is about a friend of yours and mine—and of your sister Mérian’s.”
At this last name, the young king halted and turned around again. “You know my sister?”
“I do, my lord, and that right well, do I not?”
“How do you know her?” The king’s tone became wary, suspicious.
“I have lately come from the place where she has been living.”
Garran tensed and drew himself up. “Then you must be one of those outlaws of the greenwood we have been hearing about.” Before Tuck could reply, he said, “You are no longer welcome here. I suggest you leave before I have you whipped and thrown out.”
“So that is the way of it,” concluded Tuck.
“I have nothing more to say to you.” Garran turned on his heel and started away.
“God love you, man,” said Tuck, stepping after him. “It can do no harm to talk—”
“Did you not hear me?” snarled Garran, turning on the little friar. “I can have you beaten and cast out like the filth you are. Get you from my sight, or heaven help me, I will whip you myself.”
“Then do so,” Tuck replied, squaring himself for a fight. “For I will not leave until I have said what I came here to say.”
Garran glared at him, but said, “Go on, then. If it will get your repulsive carcase out of my sight the sooner, speak.”
“You seem to think that we harmed Mérian in some way,” Tuck began. “We did no such thing. Indeed, Mérian was not held against her will. She stayed in the greenwood, lived with us in the greenwood, because she believes in the cause that we pursue—the same cause that brings me here to ask your aid.”
“What cause?”
“Justice, pure and simple. King William has erred and fomented a great injustice against the rightful lord and people of Elfael, who are most cruelly used and oppressed. A most grievous wrong has been committed, and we seek to put it right. To speak plainly, we mean to drive out the wicked usurpers and reclaim the throne of Elfael. Your sister, Mérian, has been helping us do just that. She has been a most ardent and enthusiastic member of our little band. Let us go ask her,”
Tuck suggested, “and you can hear this from her own lips.”
Garran was already shaking his head. “You’re not going anywhere near her,” he said. “Mérian is home now—back among her family where she belongs. You will no longer twist her to your treason.”
“Twist her?” wondered Tuck. “She has been more than willing. Mérian is a leader among the forest folk. She is—”
“Whatever she was to you,” sneered Garran, “she is no more. Be gone!”
“Please, you must—”
“Must? Know you, Baron Neufmarché is my liege lord, as William is his. We are loyal to the crown in this house. If you persist in speaking of this, I will report you for treason against the throne of England—as is my sworn duty.”
“I beg you, Sire, do not—”
“Daffyd! Awstin!” the king shouted, calling for his men, who appeared on the run from the stables. Thrusting a finger at the friar, he said, “Throw him out and bar the