Dispensation of Death: (Knights Templar 23) by Michael Jecks Page A

him, or that you were negotiating with the French to take over the lands which were confiscated from the Crown, you could be arrested.And of course if you resisted arrest, you could be stabbed in the ensuing struggle. It would make for a simple resolution.’
    ‘The bastard! I shall double my guards immediately!’
    ‘Protect yourself, my Lord.’
    ‘Aye. And take a care yourself, Piers. But find out anything you can about any plots he may have.’
    ‘That I will, my Lord. And you shall be the first to learn everything,’ Piers promised.
    ‘What else for now?’
    ‘The same as before, my Lord. I should continue to demonstrate your ability as a politician. You are cleverer than almost any other at court.’
    ‘And what action should I take?’
    ‘You have to prove that you are more worthy of trust than Despenser. Well, you know that he wishes only to keep the King with him here in England. The best outcome for the King would be for a strong negotiator to go to France …’
    ‘You think
I
should recommend myself?’ the Earl snapped. ‘Do you realise I am being blamed for all the ills of the realm since I negotiated the truce last year? It was Despenser’s fault, but …’
    ‘My Lord, I know all that. However, if you were to propose someone who had diplomatic skills, who knew the French King, who was fluent in his language, even Sir Hugh le Despenser could hardly argue. And it would delay the need for the King to go so soon.’
    ‘How could that upset Sir Hugh? It is all that he could wish too.’
    ‘If you can persuade some of your peers, someBishops and others, so that Sir Hugh does not suggest it himself, perhaps it would lead to the Queen being selected on your advice. Then the success of her mission would redound to your credit.’
    ‘You are sure she would be successful?’
    Piers looked at him with that unblinking expression the Earl knew so well. ‘How could the sister of the French King fail?’
    His voice was calm, but there was a faintly accusing tone in it which implied that the Earl should not doubt her ability. ‘Very well. So my strength is to advise this before the Despenser?’
    ‘It is merely another proof of your statesmanship compared with his muddle.’
    Earl Edmund nodded. It was little enough, but in this context every little would help. He had a long journey to make up the distance he had lost over last year’s war.
    ‘Very well, Piers. I shall start on this. You keep on at your sources, though, and see what else I may use to the detriment of the Despenser.’
    Piers nodded, sidling deeper into the shadows as Earl Edmund marched off back into the light, his body casting a shadow that lengthened over the floor as he went.
    Sighing, Piers turned away. It was sad to betray the Earl, for he rather liked the man. But money was money, and knew no loyalty.

Hall of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Straunde
    Edmund Woodstock, Earl of Kent, was disgruntled to be made to stand here, kicking his heels until the Bishop deigned to appear. Apart from anything else, he was hungry. He’d come here as soon as he could, before even breakfast, to catch the Bishop first thing after his morning Mass.
    He was an Earl, half-brother to the King, an important man, and this petty cleric kept him hanging about like a berner awaiting his lord and master’s command to set the hounds loose. He had half a mind to leave this damned palace and make his way homewards to the inn he was renting, when he heard feet on the steps outside.
    If only he was home again. Although it was no warmer than here, he liked Gloucester, where he had his main castle and manors. Here in London and the area all about it, he was unsettled. He’d never liked it, not from the first. Give him open lands and his hounds and he’d be happy,but here in London he felt cooped like a hen. Especially now he had at least two men with him at all times.
    Piers had best be correct. The fellow was too damned uncertain. When they had met the other day,