It was almost too easy to assault him from behind when all eyes were on Gaultier. Bartholomew had him trussed and silenced in a heartbeat, then stole his helm and left him hidden in the back of the armory. He took the other man’s place and watched with satisfaction as the rope was fitted around Gaultier’s neck.
He had taken the man’s place not a moment too soon.
Royce appeared in the portal to the hall, sipping from his chalice as he crossed the bailey. A trio of men were loading a wagon with trunks that appeared to be heavy despite their small size. Royce paused to offer advice to the knights wearing his colors, who evidently were going to escort the wagon.
What was it?
Where was it going?
When all was evidently as he desired, Royce strolled to the middle of the bailey. He ensured that he had a fine view when Gaultier was dragged to the summit. That man cried out incoherently, but the baron simply waved a hand. It was a signal, for Gaultier was immediately shoved from the parapet. There was a thump as the Captain of the Guard’s body collided with the inside of the curtain wall, and he thrashed at the end of the rope for horrifying moments.
Then he went limp.
Bartholomew saw a trail of blood drip down the wall but could not regret the passing of that villain.
“Display his corpse!” Royce cried. “Be sure the renegades in the forest know that their leader is dead!” He spat into the bailey. “And there is the last of Nicholas’ seed.”
Royce returned to supervise the loading of the wagon. The body was hauled up again, then cast over the outside of the curtain wall beside the gate, still hanging from that rope. Bartholomew supposed the hanging had been on the inside of the bailey so Royce could witness it.
He was pondering his path when he heard a slight sound behind him. He was alert when someone tried to seize him from behind.
Bartholomew spun and had his blade at the assailant’s throat before he realized it was Father Ignatius. The priest had seized a knife in the armory, but he knew little of such fighting. Bartholomew flung the priest aside and out of harm’s way, then flipped up the visor of the helm. The priest had made to attack him again, but halted in sudden recognition.
“I thought I had come too late!” he said with pleasure.
Bartholomew had no chance to reply.
“What is amiss there?” Royce cried, having heard the scuffle.
“I must remain hidden,” Bartholomew murmured.
“Of course,” the priest agreed.
Bartholomew seized Father Ignatius and shoved him into the bailey. “The priest, my lord,” he said, trying to imitate Gaultier’s voice. He hoped the helm helped disguise the truth.
“How diligent you are, Gaultier,” Royce said. “I had thought you would be on the parapet this morn.”
“The armory was undefended, my lord,” he replied gruffly. He shoved Father Ignatius forward. “Doubtless he came to offer last rites.”
“But is too late for such a ritual.” The baron strolled closer, still sipping from his chalice, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. “I thought you had abandoned us, Father.”
“I have been ill, no more than that,” the priest said. “I would not have put the health of you or Lady Marie in peril.”
Royce pursed his lips, his skepticism clear. “Then you know naught of the attempted theft of the reliquary from the chapel?”
“I know that my keys are missing,” Father Ignatius said. He lifted the ring hanging now from his belt, and Bartholomew saw that it had only three keys. “I thought I had misplaced them but when I found them again, the keys to both chapel and chapel treasury were missing.”
Royce considered this for such a long moment that Bartholomew feared he would not accept the explanation.
What of the key to the portal in the wall?
He held his breath, fearing Father Ignatius would be caught in his lie, but Royce only frowned.
“Let him go, Gaultier,” he commanded, then addressed the priest. “My lady wife’s maid died yesterday and I am certain she would appreciate your solace. Perhaps you might say a prayer for Agnes.”
“It would be my pleasure, sir. If you could unlock the chapel, we might celebrate a mass for her.”
Royce nodded and indicated that Father Ignatius should precede him to the chapel. “Watch him,” he commanded Bartholomew. “I believe he lies, but it is unwise to be quick to kill a priest.”
