‘Leave us alone, then,’ he said, and gestured for Jay to sit down.
‘The world seems to be an astonishingly small place these days,’ he began.
Jay’s face twitched in a sort of half-smile.
‘When I was told that they had captured some of the Lady’s scouts in the forest, I hardly thought it would be you, Master Jay. It is Jay, is it not?’
He nodded. ‘I’m not a scout. Nor was Callan. You shouldn’t have hurt him. He is a good man, and my friend.’
‘Callan, you say? The forester?’
‘Yes.’
He bowed his head. ‘Then I am truly sorry. I knew him once and liked him well. He is a good man. Had I been there it would not have happened. I will make my peace with him and, if necessary, with his family. He will get the best treatment and care we can offer. If he can be saved, he will be.’
‘Who are you?’
‘My name is Pamarchon, son of Isenwar, son of Isenwar.’
‘Isenwar?’
‘Yes. I trace my lineage back to the first level. Have you not heard of me?’
‘No. Why is your name not Isenwar as well?’
‘My brother bore that name, but he died. My children will bear it again, so it will continue.’
‘May your wishes be granted.’
He nodded. ‘Thank you.’
‘Why do you live here? A name like yours...’
‘You come from Willdon and you do not know of the evil Pamarchon and his foul deeds? I am surprised, although perhaps you would not. I am sure my name has been erased for its infamy.’
‘I know nothing,’ Jay said. ‘I do not even know why you want me as your prisoner. Or my servant.’
‘What servant?’
‘Well, maybe not mine. She works for my master but I am responsible for her. He’ll be very annoyed if any harm comes to her.’
‘Your master is...?’
‘Henary, son of Henary, scholar of the first rank.’
‘That remarkable young woman, Rosalind,’ Pamarchon said, changing the subject abruptly. ‘Who is she? I was her companion for more than an hour, and I knew little more of her when we parted than when we met.’
‘You are not the only one,’ Jay said. ‘I have no idea who — or what — she is. You may form your own opinion of her beauty and charm. Where she comes from I do not know.’
‘Henary does?’
‘Perhaps. If so, he did not share his knowledge with me.’
‘He did with Lady Catherine, no doubt.’
‘I am not privy to their conversations. Why do you speak of her in such a tone?’
‘The Lord and Lady both? In what tone do I speak?’
‘Hostility and dislike.’
‘I suppose you find her charming and gracious.’
‘Yes.’
‘Perhaps I know her better.’
Jay looked uncomprehending. ‘Surely...’
‘I do not wish to discuss this. I want to know your reasons for being in the forest. Looking for us? Spying?’
‘Look at me,’ Jay said. ‘Am I your idea of a spy?’
‘You are not telling me the truth.’
‘I am. I met Callan the day I was selected. I am preparing my disquisition, which concerns a passage on the relationship between man and the forest. Henary arranged for me to spend a few days with him.’
‘Which passage?’
‘Level 3, upper 60s.’
Pamarchon’s eyes narrowed. ‘Those are monster stories. An unusual choice, surely?’
‘I’m impressed by your knowledge.’
‘You went into the forest to meet monsters...’
‘And met you,’ Jay finished coldly.
Pamarchon stood up. ‘Do as you are told, don’t be foolish and you will come to no harm.’ He went to the tent entrance. ‘I’m sorry for Callan,’ he said. ‘I mean that. You may visit him as you will, and you may have your servant back. You will be responsible for her good behaviour as well as her safety. You will be free to move around, if you give your word that you will not escape. Otherwise I am afraid you will have to be placed somewhere you cannot escape. Do you agree to that?’
Jay was so pleased that he didn’t hesitate. ‘Of course.’
Kate was peeling potatoes when Jay found her again and, considering the circumstances, was doing quite well. Still, she was exhausted from the effort of caring for Callan, and was in shock at what had happened. Nor did she know much about peeling potatoes. Now she sat, frown on face, knife in hand, beside a huge pile of freshly dug, earth-covered potatoes large enough to feed everyone in the camp for days to come. She threw one into the pot beside her and stretched, rubbing her back to ease the pain that came from sitting too long in the same position.
‘You’ll be glad to know I have recovered my servant,’ Jay said as he approached and sat down next to her. ‘Your job once more is to look after my every need. And Callan, as much as you can and wish. No one suspects you.’
‘That’s good,’ she said.
‘So leave those and come with me.’
‘No. I’m going to finish.’
‘You don’t have to.’
‘I started, so I’ll finish. It is quite an art, you know. Why don’t you grab a knife and help? Then I will finish quicker and we can talk undisturbed. I find it calming after everything that has happened.’
It was a good idea in all respects except for the potatoes, but for the next hour they laboured together, earning the curious and not unappreciative glances of those who passed by.
Jay had pressed her for details of Callan’s state. Not well, she said. The injury was bad. As long as he didn’t develop a fever, though, he might survive.
‘Well? What is going on?’ she asked.
‘I could ask you the same question,’ he replied. ‘Our captor is called Pamarchon and he is the man I told you was at your Festivity. He talks as though he knows you well and doesn’t like you. I fear you would be in some difficulty if he learned who you are. Why does he hate you?’
Kate finished a potato, then tossed it in the pot. ‘Quite simple. He murdered my husband,’ she said. ‘I’m sure he would have killed me as well, given the chance. Did you not know this?’
‘I knew your husband had died. Henary didn’t tell me anything else at all.’
‘Unusually discreet of him. Pamarchon is — or rather was — my husband’s cousin. The second son of his eldest sister, actually, and his closest living relation. He was nominated as heir to Willdon and expected to inherit, until Thenald married me, with the prospect of producing an heir. Pamarchon acted first. Thenald was stabbed to death in the forest and Pamarchon proved his own guilt by fleeing. Willdon chose me quickly for fear he was planning to attack. I was the best available.’
‘So what is he doing here?’
‘What is he doing here? With a bitter heart, a tendency to violence and what seems like several hundred armed followers, scarcely a few days’ march from Willdon?’
Jay sucked in his breath. ‘Did you know about this?’
‘I knew there was movement. I didn’t know who or why, or that there were anything like as many people as this.’
‘Then you were very unwise to put yourself at risk.’
There was a brief flash of Lady Catherine in her face, but it passed quickly. ‘Perhaps you are right. But I am in no present danger, and I am better informed than I was. I need to get back to Willdon though, and soon. It seems I will have to prepare our defences.’
40
When Sam Wind was told that, while they had been talking in the study with Volkov, the police had brought a suspected Soviet spy to the house and that he had now vanished, he was both furious and in a high state of panic. Volkov was bundled out of the door into the van Sam had summoned and driven off at high speed. Sam himself stayed behind, his habitual mask of insouciance completely gone.