A Holy Vengeance Read Online Free PDF Page B

into the keep and entered the hall. At the far end, the castellan was still seated at the table on the dais. In addition to Gianni, an elderly clerk named John Blund, who was Lady Nicolaa’s
secretarius
, was sitting with her. In his hand was a sheaf of parchment, which he was consulting as he spoke to his mistress.
    “These are all the details I have in the archives about the armourer Robert Ferroner, lady,” Blund was saying as Roget approached the raised platform. “Your memory was correct in that Ferroner has his armoury on a small portion of the strip of land along the Witham riverbank that is part of your demesne. It is situated on the eastward side of High Bridge. According to my file, he has been there many years, and inherited the armoury from his father, John, who taught his son the trade. The fee for his holding is five shillings per annum.”
    Blund laid his sheaf of paper down and added, “Except for a couple of blacksmiths who do not possess his superior skills, he is the only armourer in Lincoln of any repute. His business, therefore, is a prosperous one, and your husband, Sir Gerard, has often availed himself of Ferroner’s services. I have records of purchases going back over quite a number of years for suits of chain mail, and repairs to the same, as well as a supply of swords, helms, maces, spurs and the like for the castle armoury.”
    Roget noticed that the elderly clerk’s hand trembled a little while he was speaking, and his face was very pale. The captain had heard a report that Blund’s health was failing lately and it now seemed, sadly, that the rumour was true. Blund was making an effort to hold his thin shoulders erect, however, and remained attentive to the mistress he had served for so many years. Nicolaa, too, had noticed the strain in her loyal servant and reached over and patted his hand.
    “Thank you for your assistance, John. Your records are, as ever, impeccable. But I fear you have risen from your sickbed too soon to return to work. You may go and rest now—Gianni can make any further notes that are necessary.”
    “By your leave, lady, I will stay here if you will allow it,” Blund replied. “This is a heinous crime; not only has a young woman been brutally killed, but a shrine has been desecrated, and in case I may be of more assistance to your enquiry into the death, I would rather remain.”
    “You are a stubborn man, John,” Nicolaa responded with a smile, “but out of gratefulness for your long service, I will concede to your wishes.”
    As the elderly
secretarius
, gratified, leaned back in his chair and took an abstemious sip from the wine cup in front of him, the castellan turned her attention to Roget.
    “Has Ernulf apprised you of the crime that took place this morning?” she asked.
    “He has, lady,” Roget replied. “And as Master Blund has said, it is a crime
très terrible
.”
    “I wish you to go and inform the victim’s family of what has happened,” Nicolaa said to him. “You know where the armoury is located?” Roget nodded a confirmation and she continued. “The bare facts of the matter are that Ferroner’s daughter, Emma, was visiting the shrine in the company of a friend when she was struck down by an unknown assailant. Her body is now in the castle precincts but as soon as I have confirmation from her father or husband as to which church they attend, I will arrange for her remains to be taken there and prepared for interment. Give them my condolences and inform them that I shall do everything in my power to bring the killer to justice. Also ask them if they know of any person who may have borne enmity towards the dead woman, or anyone else in their family.”
    “Yes, lady,” Roget said and, thinking he was dismissed, turned to go, but Nicolaa forestalled him.
    “I have one more task for you to perform after that, Captain,” she said. “There was a witness to the crime, a perfumer named Constance Turner, who, according to the evidence