The Straw Men by Paul Doherty

Why does Gaunt place such a value on her? For now that must wait. Oh, yes, it shall, as will why our spy in Thibault’s stronghold failed to inform us that an attack on the Roundhoop was being planned.’
    â€˜Perhaps he did not know.’
    â€˜Or perhaps he did not wish to expose himself further. But one day he will have to – perhaps sooner than he thinks.’ Grindcobbe stared up, watching the tendrils of mist curl round the spiked heads. ‘I wonder who our traitor is?’ Grindcobbe spoke as if to himself. ‘But come.’
    They moved from the gateway, making their way up East Cheap. The night was quiet. The Upright Men walked, hoods pulled forward, hands up the voluminous sleeves of their gowns. They were not afraid or wary; their henchmen, weapons at the ready, went before them. To the casual observer they appeared to be a group of friars, yet no beggar or footpad lurking in the slime-filled, dirt-coated doorways dared approach them. Only once did they stop, to allow a group of mounted men-at-arms to ride by. Ball the preacher simply lifted a hand and intoned a blessing which he immediately followed with a curse once they had passed. They turned off into Crooked Lane, flitting like dark shadows past St Michael’s Church and into the Babylon, a decayed tavern with as many entrances, doorways and windows as holes in a rabbit warren. They went up the staircase just within the doorway and along the gallery which reeked of urine, rotting vegetables and human sweat. Rats squeaked and scuttled in corners as a mangy alley cat padded like any soft-footed assassin across the creaking floorboards. A man hooded and masked stood by a doorway. He bowed to the Upright Men, opened the door and ushered them into what once was the tavern’s principal bedroom, now just a square dirty chamber, empty except for one long table with benches down one side and a stool on the other.
    The Upright Men sat on the benches, pulled back their hoods and donned their masks before re-covering their heads.
    â€˜The basilisk,’ Grindcobbe ordered.
    The guard left and a short while later pushed the basilisk, also cloaked and hooded, into the chamber, where he had to assist as the basilisk’s eyes were blindfolded. Once his guest, as Grindcobbe described their visitor, was seated on the stool, the guard withdrew.
    â€˜Announce yourself to my comrades. What is your name?’ Grindcobbe demanded.
    â€˜Basilisk!’ came the whispered reply.
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Because the basilisk is a creature which lies in ambush before it strikes.’
    â€˜You have taken the oath to live and die with us; you have helped us before, but now you are sworn.’
    â€˜I am.’
    â€˜You accept us as your liege lords?’
    â€˜I do.’
    â€˜You will wage war and kill on our behalf?’
    â€˜I will.’
    â€˜Treachery will be punished.’
    â€˜I know.’
    â€˜By the ban?’
    â€˜I know.’
    â€˜Which means what?’
    â€˜The total annihilation of me and mine.’
    â€˜And if you are captured and unmasked, Basilisk, clever and subtle though you may be, we can do little to assist you against Gaunt and his minions.’ Grindcobbe paused at a strident screech from the alleyway below as some night predator caught its prey. Grindcobbe’s tone lightened. ‘A warning indeed! Gaunt and his henchmen, Thibault in particular, will be ruthless, you understand that?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜And your task,’ Grindcobbe leaned across the table, ‘is to wage war by fire and sword against our enemies, to fight the good fight, to kill, to terrify. Do you understand?’
    â€˜I do.’
    â€˜Not only among Gaunt and his coven but the Straw Men.’
    â€˜I understand.’
    â€˜Once you enter the Tower, everything will be provided. You will not be alone – we have one friend there. He will reveal himself to you – do not be surprised. We have