A Murdered Peace

A low growl woke Kate. She was stiff and cold, but it was her own fault. She had chosen to remain dressed and ready, perched on a bench in her bedchamber between the door and the window that looked out over the landing and the back garden. Lille sat beside her. The hound had been hesitant to climb the steps, uneasy with this unaccustomed privilege. But it was no privilege – rather the hound was on guard, playing a crucial role in Kate’s plan.

It might have been more uncomfortable. Kate would have preferred to stand watch down in the snowy yard. But she did not want to be so obvious that she was waiting for the expected intruders. This way they could not be forewarned. A widow with children, she feared for her safety and took precautions. Effective precautions.

Pressing her back against the wall, Kate slid up until she could see out the open shutter. Lille rose to stand beside her, snout forward, sniffing the air, then pricked her ears and leaned her head out the window, looking in the direction of the steps. She gave another, much softer growl. With a touch on Lille’s head Kate signaled thank you and, motioning to the hound to stay, she stepped out onto the landing and went to the rail to look down into the yard and the entrance to the kitchen. Ghent, who was with Jennet in the kitchen, should have also sounded the alert. There. She could just make out the outline of the open kitchen door, the embers of the hearth fire giving a soft glow.

She need not worry about the girls. She’d sent Matt to Dame Eleanor giving her permission for Petra and Marie to stay the night at the Martha House after their lessons with Sister Brigida, a special treat. Her mother had been more than happy to have them, but, ever on the alert for trouble, Eleanor had made it clear to Matt that she would expect an explanation when she returned with them midday, after their lessons. Kate considered it a small price to pay for ensuring that the girls were not frightened in the night.

In the doorway behind Kate, Lille was restless. Down below, Ghent led Jennet out of the kitchen, stepping with caution toward the corner of the house.

It was time. Kate slipped the lead through Lille’s collar, then motioned for the hound to walk beside her. Slowly, silently they went to the stairway where Kate paused, listening. Lille, nearest the railing, gazed down, guiding Kate. In the soft light spilling from her neighbor’s shuttered window next door, Kate could see two figures moving with stealth, headed for the side entrance to her hall.

Careful. They will be armed, Geoff warned in her head.

Of course they are. But it’s good to have you with me, Geoff.

She and Lille crept down the steps. They were halfway down when the men reached the hall door. She was now close enough to smell the wine on their breath. The one who had spoken to her on the street glanced round as if sensing they were not alone, then shrugged and reached toward the latch. Sawyer was his name, according to one of Jennet’s young spies, having gotten close enough to listen to the two for a moment. The other was Parr.

Ghent and Jennet were several strides away from the intruders when Kate saw a glint in the hand of the one nearest her, Parr. Holding her breath, she drew the small axe from her skirt pocket, weighing it, anticipating the pleasure. But Jennet was quicker, coming up fast and yanking the man’s arm behind his back before either could respond.

“Bloody–” Parr cried out in pain as he dropped the knife.

The door opened, Matt standing back to avoid Sawyer’s wobble as the door pulled him forward. The man managed to grasp the doorframe and avoid falling on his face. The lantern behind Matt illuminated the scene.

“And why, might I ask, are you creeping up to my door past curfew?” Kate demanded from the steps as Jennet started moving Parr past Matt and into the room, Ghent and Lille crowding close to Sawyer. Kate bent down and retrieved the fallen knife. “I want an explanation. Go on. Follow Parr into the hall. Unless you want the night watchman to join us. And some of the neighbors?”

Sawyer glanced at the dogs and warily sidled past Matt.

“I think you can safely let go of his arm now,” Kate said to Jennet.

Matt closed the door as soon as Kate and the hounds had cleared it.

“Forgive us, we mistook this house for the one where we’re lodging,” said Sawyer, slurring his words unconvincingly. They had indeed been drinking, but not that much.

“Well, Sawyer, tell us where you are lodging and we will direct you.”

“He lies,” said Jennet, dangling a bloody piece of meat she had carried in a small bag. “They tossed this out behind the kitchen to divert the dogs. Poisoned meat.”

Lille growled.

“Poisoned meat?” Kate repeated in a quiet voice, working to control her anger. It would not do to kill the king’s men in her hall, but oh how she wished she might.

Parr seemed to realize their danger. “Not poisoned. Not so far as we know. The butcher said–”

“Shut up, you bloody fool,” Sawyer growled.

Parr bowed his head, but Kate caught his sideways glance at his partner, the subtle smirk. All an act.

“You have no understanding of a well-trained hound, I see,” said Kate, pretending to be amused at their bungling.

Pulling himself up to his full height as if thinking to threaten Kate, Sawyer said, “There’s nothing for it, then. We are here on King Henry’s business. Unaccustomed to the strong ale in the North.” Though they reeked of wine. He faked a fierce glower, but there was anger beneath it. “How do you know our names?” he demanded drunkenly.

“I asked.” She saw by their expressions that they had not shared their names with many. That was no act. Good. The dogs, her readiness, they were forewarned. “If you truly are here on the king’s business, he is not well served by you.” She called the hounds over to her, and motioned for them to stay at her side, but keep watch on the trespassers.

Neither man could tear his eyes away from them. Kate knew what they saw, wild beasts, untamable, ready to break their training and tear them apart. Never had her hounds disobeyed her. Never. But the men’s doubt was useful, rendering the dogs even more effective in protecting her. She took a deep breath. Jennet tucked the meat back in the bag.

“Explain yourselves,” Kate demanded.

“Call off your dogs,” Parr said with false bravado as he rubbed his shoulder.

“They are not attacking you, which is more than you deserve, creeping up to my home in the dark of the night with a blade drawn, hoping to poison them. I hardly consider it wise to call them off. And you have certainly done nothing to deserve my hospitality.”

Matt had busied himself arranging a bench for the two men and two chairs for himself and Jennet. He knew better than to think Kate would sit while the men were in the house.

Kate motioned to the bench placed behind Sawyer and Parr. “Sit.”

Sawyer shook his head.

“Perhaps you will permit my hounds to assist you.” Kate signaled Lille and Ghent to take a step toward the two men.