‘Maybe he didn’t know Hal was in there?’ Simon suggested.
‘Or was it a message?’ Baldwin said, musing on the thoughts he’d had earlier.
Coroner Roger gazed at him intently. ‘Message?’
‘A sign that he must stop doing something? A sign that he could have the same happen to him?’ Baldwin guessed.
Simon scuffed a boot in the dust. ‘This rumour that he was a spy for the Despensers… could someone have learned of this and killed Wymond to stop reports being sent to them?’
‘Anything is possible,’ Baldwin said heavily. ‘But surely then the murderer would have killed Hal as well.’
Roger was grim-faced. ‘Perhaps the killer intends doing that. He may have been interrupted last night, or was too tired after Wymond’s killing. What if he means to go back tonight?’
‘That is what I was thinking,’ Baldwin said. ‘I do not want to return tomorrow and discover that Hal has died.’
Simon beckoned a watchman. ‘Get a man to go to Hal Sachevyll’s tent and guard it. Understand? Hal could be in danger from the same murderer who killed Wymond.’
‘Spies!’ Simon muttered bitterly. ‘And murder, all during the first tournament that I am responsible for.’
‘I am sure you will find it is all resolved quickly,’ Baldwin said easily.
‘When we cannot even tell who might have been near Wymond’s tent last night?’ Simon said. He caught sight of a group of knights in their silks and gorgeous robes. ‘Hah! Look there. See that man? The one with the beautiful tall wife? He is Sir Walter Basset.’
‘Yes, I have met him before,’ Baldwin said. ‘Not a pleasant man. Rough and too willing to take any comment as an insult. He likes to draw his sword.’
‘He’s also the tattiest-looking son of a whore I have ever seen,’ Simon said. ‘I saw him earlier and he could have been a villein from the poorest demesne in the land.’
‘It is difficult when you see a man out of his usual – or rather his expected – garb.’
‘Yes. He looks well as a knight, but when I saw him with Roger, he had lost all status.’
Coroner Roger agreed, but before he could speak Sir Peregrine joined them. ‘So, Sir Baldwin, are you helping with another murder?’
‘You have heard about the poor fellow?’
‘I knew of him,’ Sir Peregrine smiled grimly. ‘Lord Hugh used him a few times for similar events.’
‘Were you aware that he was a spy?’ Simon shot out.
Sir Peregrine’s smile broadened. ‘Ah, you are speculating that I may have decided that a spy was too dangerous and arranged to have him killed. Is that your concern?’
The Coroner answered. ‘We are searching for a murderer, but I for one have no desire to mingle with politics.’
‘Then you can rest your mind, Coroner,’ Sir Peregrine chuckled. His face grew more grim as he faced Baldwin. ‘I assure you that neither I nor Lord Hugh wanted him dead. Yes, Wymond and others spy for the King… ’
‘Benjamin and Hal?’ Simon asked.
‘Yes. And therein lies my problem. Their deaths could persuade King Edward that my Lord Hugh is guilty of removing the King’s own men.’
Baldwin squinted at the ground. ‘And of course the King would wonder why you should want to do that. He would assume that Lord Hugh was guilty of some – um – impropriety, to justify killing his enemies. That could be dangerous at a time like this when the whole country is close to war again.’
‘I do not deny that,’ Sir Peregrine agreed sombrely, but then he flashed a grin. ‘More to the point, the King will send new spies to replace those who have died. At least when I knew who the spies were, I could ensure that only the relevant information was given to them. Now… ’ he became introspective. ‘Now I have to uncover more, which means endless secrecy and difficulties. Lord Hugh and I were the two men who had least desire to remove Benjamin and Wymond.’
‘Do you believe him?’ Simon asked Baldwin.
The knight was watching Sir Peregrine as he stalked away to rejoin Lord Hugh. ‘Yes,’ he said at last. ‘I think that was why he came here – to let us know that he was innocent.’
‘Do you believe him?’ Coroner Roger repeated.
‘Against my better judgement,’ Baldwin said slowly, ‘I rather think I do.’
There was a general move towards the hall for the feast, and as the three men joined the throng, Baldwin saw Odo and Andrew hurry in through the gate together. Seeing Baldwin, the herald joined them.
After introducing Coroner Roger, who had never met Odo, Baldwin asked, ‘Odo, were you at Exeter for the court?’
‘What court?’
Sir Roger smiled at Baldwin. ‘He wasn’t there. I’d have seen him.’
‘Why do you want to know?’ Odo asked.
‘First, where were you last night?’
‘Me? Here. As herald I am expected to sing and play for the guests. Then I went to my tent. My King Herald, Mark Tyler, wishes me to stay in the camp and ensure that there is no ribaldry. In truth, I think he wants me to learn how uncomfortable being a herald can be, in case I seek to take his job!’
‘What of you, Andrew?’ Baldwin asked.
‘I walked a little. I do not sleep well,’ Andrew said coldly.
‘You were alone?’
‘Of course. And now please excuse me. I have to serve my master.’
Baldwin watched him as he walked away. Then; ‘Odo, tell me, what do you know of Sir Edmund?’
‘Of Gloucester? A good, strong man, if unlucky in his loyalties and love. He had been going to marry Lady Helen, before she wed Sir Walter Basset of Cornwall. Then he lost all when Sir John captured him at a tourney. With nothing in his pocket, he fled over the sea and earned himself a new fortune.’
‘What of Sir John?’
‘Ah. He and his son are curious folk,’ Odo told him. ‘Sir John is no longer a wealthy man. He has lost much through murrain and the famine. He seeks to weld his estates to those of Lady Alice, from what she tells me. I fear that although she is his ward, she may seek to evade Squire William’s advances.’
Baldwin understood him. ‘So often a ward will not wish to wed the boy she knew as a brother,’ he said. ‘What of other knights?’
Odo murmured about the other men who were attending the tournament while they all found seats at tables. Then he had to leave them. ‘Please ask for me if you need anything more, sir, but I must go now. I have to prepare music to aid your palate.’
Sir Roger stared balefully after him as he walked away. ‘Is that man always so cocksure?’
‘Who cares? At least he has given us some information to work with,’ Baldwin said. ‘And now we must see if we can talk to this Alice, the woman who was with Geoffrey when he saw Wymond and another man.’ He looked along the table. ‘I suppose that is her, seated between Sir John and Squire William.’
Baldwin was able to speak to Lady Alice before too long. After the meal, Squire William walked over to join a group of other squires, and Sir John soon rose from his place to seek the privy.
When both were gone, Baldwin went to Alice’s side. ‘My Lady, could I speak with you for a moment?’
She was a pretty child, he thought, with large and lustrous eyes, a most appealing and kindly expression, and an aura of calmness that was more mature than seemed quite natural for her years.
‘Of course, sir.’
‘My name is Sir Baldwin.’
‘And you wish to ask me about the night that Wymond died. My husband told me you would want to talk to me.’
‘You have spoken to him?’
‘There’s no need to look so surprised, Sir Baldwin. He passes messages to me through the good herald Odo, and I reply.’
‘Then you know that I wish to find the murderer of Wymond. Geoffrey told me that you saw Wymond out near the lances.’