Tamburlaine Must Die Read Online Free PDF Page B

night-time
encounter with my patron, even best friends should not be trusted
with news that might hang you. Blaize shook his head in disbelief at
the outrages in my tale. But when I reached the end and the gaoler's
advice to flee to Scotland, his mood lifted and he laughed saying,

    `Better
the gallows than that sorry country.'

    I
snapped, `It may come to that.'

    And
he apologised, though he still smiled as he shook his head. He tagged
his apology with an explanation.

    `I
remained in London the whole of your absence. The Plague put everyone
in fear of their lives until Death became a joke to some of us. I
joined an alehouse crew who toasted Death each night. And though I
never met Him, He graced some of my companions with a visit. I
learned to laugh at Death and have not yet shaken the habit.'

    I
could see Blaize wanted to launch into Plague tales, but- I had no
time for a litany of deaths and near avoidance. That war was fallow
while my danger lurked near at hand. I interrupted him.

    `We
can reminisce later. I need intelligence of my situation now. Have
you any thoughts on the origin of this libel?

    Blaize
turned his brown eyes on me and sighed. He rested his elbows on his
thin knees then leaned forward, cupping his head in his hand, staring
at the floor. His dark hair draped his face, hiding his features as
he began to tell me what he knew.

    `There
were mutterings about you as soon as the libel went up on the door of
the Dutch church. To most you were a hero. You know how it goes when
Plague is about. Your libel followed rumours that the pestilence does
not creep like marsh gas from the ground or float like spores on the
air, but is sprinkled through the streets by some foreign hand. Your
name was whispered in every tavern and street corner.'

    I
felt my chest tighten. The Queen's spies are everywhere and street
talk can soon lead to a dungeon.

    `Did
you never think to send for me? Blaize shook his head.

    `I
wanted to relay the rumours to you, but it wasn't so easy. I had no
money, no horse and those around me were the same.'

    `You
could have borrowed money. Stolen a horse. I would for you.'

    He
raised his head and stared me out.

    `You
left me in a town stalked by Plague, never knowing when Death might
call, while you rested safe and comfortable.' His voice wavered.

    `Did
it never occur to you that you might return to find me slung into
some unmarked pit? Each morning I woke to the clang of the charnel
wagons' bells as they lurched through the streets, piled high with
the bodies of the dead. You should have seen their load. Men and
women tumbled together, old embracing young in poses that would have
ruined them in life. Respectable ladies who'd guarded their modesty
as rich men guard gold, splayed half naked, their flesh exposed for
all the world to see. And children, who only the day before had been
their parents' delight, tossed carelessly amongst the rest. The men
who drove the carts were drunk and so was I, from morning to night.'

    His
words stung, but I shook myself free of them.

    `I
couldn't save you from these trials. Walsingham regards me as a
superior servant. He doesn't grant me leave to bring an entourage.)

    'Aye,
company might spoil his fun.'

    I
wondered what Blaize knew. We sat in silence for a while, then he
continued.

    Anyway,
it wasn't so simple. Rumours move like fire. A small blaze begins.
You rush to quench it, then when you think you have succeeded and all
danger is extinguished, you turn and find its sparks have kindled
fresh flames behind you. Before you know it whole buildings are
ablaze, then streets.' He shook his head at the inferno he had
conjured. Anyway, people thought you guilty of slandering the
immigrants, but they praised your guilt.'

    I
could imagine Blaize at the centre of some ale-house debauch,
relishing the attention that association with my notoriety brought.

    I
hissed, `Blaize, these are times when we must all tread careful.'

    He
straightened in his seat and turned