A Twisted Vengeance

Griffin was injured. That might be of use. “Where did you bite him?”

“His forearm. I think his right.”

“Can you tell us anything more? Why did he take you?”

“He told me he’d brought Robin there, and I was to nurse him back to health. But he was never there, was he?”

“No, Nan.” Kate stroked her hair, offered her another sip of the broth.

But Nan looked away. “He is dead?”

“Robin received the best of care at the priory, but he died of his wounds.”

“Dead,” Nan whispered, her breath catching.

“I am sorry to tell you when you have already suffered so much. His friends Bran and Carter were with him. They are worried about you. Can you answer a few more questions?”

“Anything to help you catch the bastard.”

“Why did he want you silent? What did you know?”

“I do not know! Maybe – I saw Griffin in the city when he said he was away in the country visiting an uncle. He was in High Petergate, coming from the house you lease to Sir Alan Bennet. In the early morning hours. Severen, the watchman, he said he often saw Griffin drinking with Sir Alan there.”

“How did you recognize him? Surely he hid his red hair?”

Nan looked away, and Kate thought she might be too weary to say more, but then she began to speak. “He wore a hat pulled low over his hair. But he is a man a woman notices.”

“Did Griffin see you?”

“I didn’t think so – And I told no one. Except Severen.”

Severen. Kate glanced back at Berend, who nodded. He had heard.

Nan began to cry and rub her forehead. “I trusted Severen. He said he cared for me.”

“Best to lie back now, rest,” Alice said, nodding to Hugo to ease Nan down. “Let us wash your wrists and ankles and bandage them.”

Kate rose to take Matt aside, commanding Lille and Ghent to sit quietly in the doorway. “Go back to the house, Matt. Let them all know that we have found Nan and she is safe, being cared for, but we’ve not found Griffin. Then go to the minster yard. Tell Phillip we’ve found Nan, and ask the stonemasons to keep a watch over him, quietly, so he does not suspect. Tell them where they might find Sir Elric’s men. Then go to Nan’s house – you know where Goodwife Hawise lives?” He nodded. “Tell her that her daughter is safe. Then return to the Martha House. I cannot predict what they might need.”

“If Griffin comes there?”

“You and Jennet will know what to do. I trust you, Matt.”

No charming smile now. He nodded, took leave of his aunt, who had Hugo supporting Nan to sit while she combed through her hair.

“She will be safe here,” said Alice. “Now go on with you.”

Kate thanked Alice and Hugo, then assured Nan once more that she would be cared for. The children hovered near Berend, who stood at the door, waiting, with Lille and Ghent. The dogs were quiet now, watching the children calmly. Kate promised that she would return later, with the promised treats.

“And them?” the youngest asked.

“Lille and Ghent as well.”

The three dark-haired sprites nodded solemnly.

As Berend handed Kate the bow and quiver, she noticed that he’d tucked the stained ropes that had bound Nan’s arms and legs in his belt. “For Griffin?” A nod. As she followed him out the door, she asked, “Search for Griffin? Or go straight to Micklegate to meet Elric?”

“To Micklegate,” said Berend. “Griffin told Nan he was leaving her. He has accomplished what he set out to do. He will follow Sir Alan and the dean.” His tone was flat. He would have made decisions like this in his former life.

Kate did not often ask about his assassin days. Nor did she know in any detail what event had caused him to leave it behind. If ever he wished to tell her, it would be his decision. All she knew was that there were times like this when he became quiet and drew a wall round himself. But she needed him now. “What do you think might be Griffin’s purpose? Nan called him a traitor to Mother and all of us.”

“The timing suggests that he, Sir Alan, and your uncle are all involved. A Clifford mission? Your mother hinted at that. Did she do something to call down their wrath?”

“Would that I knew,” said Kate. “I cannot think what would warrant the murders of Ulrich and two of his servants. Nor can I imagine for whom Sir Alan is working – my cousin John, the current Baron Clifford, is but ten, younger than Phillip. Neither Dean Richard nor his brother have the means to support a knight as a retainer.”

As they’d followed Matt to the house on the riverbank, Kate had told Berend of her mother’s cryptic comments.

“But Griffin was also Ulrich’s man,” she said now.

“For how long?” Berend wondered.

Good. He was engaged. “Let us say it was a Clifford plot. How would a powerful family like the Cliffords plot revenge?”

“You are thinking Griffin is an assassin.”

“I begin to think so, yes.”

Berend clenched his jaw, looked away. “They take their time, ensuring that it plays out as they wish it. I would guess the plan was to murder them all in Strasbourg, but your mother foiled them by taking flight. Griffin played along.”