[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.‘Lady Bernice tells me you wish to know of the Castellan’s recent movements,’ Guy began.‘If you know anything about them, yes.’‘He had spent some time drinking with a knight whom I relieved of command.But mostly he has been surveying the walls at my suggestion, to find the strongest and weakest areas.’‘A purely academic pursuit,’ Hugues commented.‘The truce expires in a very few days; I would be more concerned about how we can arrange for the non-Parfaits here to escape before we surrender on the fourteenth.’ Guy gave him a pitying look at this remark.‘Never mind all that.How far had he got in his survey?’‘I believe he had just finished examining the wall by the small herb garden.’159‘That is a part of the apothecary’s enclosure,’ Hugues added helpfully.‘Interesting,’ the Doctor commented.‘In fact, more than interesting.’ He drew out the small leather-bound book he’d found in the Castellan’s room, and flicked through it with a look of fascination.‘I believe I might just have a cosy little chat with that apothecary.’‘Then I will come with you,’ Guy put in.‘He seems pleasant enough, but if –’‘I said chat, not accusation.’ Before he could say anything else, Jeanne came in with a happy expression.It froze slightly when she saw the body lying on one of the trestles.‘Yes, Parfait Jeanne?’ The Doctor gave her a disarming smile.‘Another.?’‘Another.Hit on the head then hanged.’‘This would not have happened if you had not bargained away our lives,’she told Hugues.‘None of the population will feel they have anything to lose by settling old debts.’‘Is that a personal feeling?’ Hugues asked mildly.‘It is a suspicion.’Hugues fixed her with a cold look.‘Is that why you burst in here?’‘No.’ At least, Benny thought, she had the good grace to look apologetic after her outburst, even if she didn’t sound it.Obviously not all the different Cathare branches and sects had identical views.‘It is the supply situation.There is perhaps one small meal left for everyone.After that.I do not suppose it makes any difference to us – it will not be the hunger that kills us when we open the gates to the Church – but we owe the other refugees here some provisions, especially if they are to escape across country once more.’‘You have something in mind?’‘Yes.’ Her smile returned.‘It was Hubert here,’ she indicated a figure standing in the doorway, ‘who told me of an aubaine storehouse near here.’ Benny recognized the man at the door as the former gamekeeper who had accompanied her and Guy to rescue the Doctor.‘Where exactly is this storehouse?’ Hugues asked.‘Perhaps nine leagues upriver,’ Hubert replied.‘The reeve there has always extracted the normal rate of aubaine from those of us who live off the land as well as from the travelling merchants.’‘Aubaine?’ Benny asked.‘A tribute, demanded for trading on a noble’s land,’ the Doctor told her.‘Ten per cent of whatever goods he is carrying on the trip.Assuming that merchants still travel the river in winter, there could be a considerable stock lying there.’160‘They do,’ Hubert confirmed.‘Fruits and grain grown from Alexandria to Constantinople are all traded here in the Langue d’Oc.With a suitable wagon, we could go and collect some of this aubaine as supplies for the Roc.’‘As you say, we will require little more,’ Hugues said slowly, ‘but I suppose I cannot allow the people here to die on empty stomachs.And those who are not of the true faith will require sustenance to flee once more.Do you have such a wagon?’‘Edouard does.’‘And will the reeve allow you to take any of these supplies?’‘I believe I can persuade him.’ Bernice could guess what that meant.‘Very well,’ Hugues announced.‘You know the countryside here, so you must go.Guy will drive the wagon, as he is the best able to protect it if need be [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]