The Archer's War: Exciting good read - adventure fiction about fighting and combat during medieval times in feudal England with archers, longbows, knights, ... (The Company of English Archers Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

room – and holds out his hand for coins as he sneers and orders me to “wait here.”
           It is all I can do to smile and give him a few coppers from my purse; I had to fight the urge to spit in his hand or stick it with the knife strapped to my wrist.  His disdain and arrogance so bother me that I have to pee – so I piss on the wall after he walks out.  And I obviously wasn’t the only one to do so; Blunt must be having a busy day.
           Blunt’s greeting is effusive and friendly when he finally shows up.  He doesn’t seem at all embarrassed because he gulled me into paying so much for the honour of William’s earldom last year without mentioning that Longchamp was similarly selling the title to FitzCount at the same time.  I’m not even sure he knows we killed FitzCount to avenge Lord Edmund’s family and protect William’s title.
           I tell Blunt the truth, well part of it at least – that I’m looking for the Papal Nuncio because we want the Pope to charter a new order of priests who will serve only when they are on ships and, of course, collect tithes from the passengers they carry in exchange for the Pope’s prayers for their safety. It’s part of our plan for George and my schoolboys when they grow up and join us.
           “It would be a new source of revenue for His Holiness,” I explain.  “And more people might become pilgrims and take risk of sea voyages if they know they’ll be traveling with his prayers.” 
           I can see Blunt’s mind feverishly working; it’s a church matter so he knows that a lot of coins are going to change hands along the way before anything gets resolved.  He’s trying to think of some way he can insert himself into the process and get a slice of the pie. 
           “That’s an imaginative idea and it will be expensive of course,” Blunt finally answers. “Perhaps Prince John and I can assist in some way.”
           “Yes, I’m sure you both could be of great assistance if the Nuncio approves of the idea – that’s why I’m here.  I want to enlist your assistance and support for the idea and, of course, help cover your expenses.  And, of course, it’s complex and there will be a lot of expenses that will have to be covered.  That’s why I’ve been ordered to speak directly to the Nuncio, to ask him to submit the idea to the Pope.  Do you know where I might find Nuncio?” 
           Do you notice, as Blunt surely does, that I am telling him that I have been ordered to speak directly to the Nuncio; not asked, ordered, so that no intermediary such as himself can do it for me? 
            I say all that as I put a small purse on the table and watch Blunt’s eyes light up as he reaches for it. 
           I’m not just buying Blunt’s help with the Nuncio; I’m keeping him sweet for the future.  John might win mightn’t he? I doubt it myself but one never knows, does one?
            “He’s at Windsor last I heard.  Prince John is there too.  Richard and Prince John seem to have reconciled, or so John hopes.  I’m staying here to hold the castle, so to speak, while he is there paying homage to Richard.  None of Richard’s women have birthed a son so it appears John is to be his heir until they do.  There will be peace between them if that is announced, and that’s a very good thing for everyone if it is.  Wars are expensive, you know.”
           “Oh, how interesting, Nuncio.  I didn’t know any of that, of course.  Cornwall is so poor and distant that we never get the news.  Just tin mines and poor fishermen, you know.  The realm owns the tin so there are no revenues for the Earl, of course; that’s why William has to look to the sea and ships, isn’t it?” But he does his best with what little God has granted his lands.”  
           Might as well put a plug in for low taxes while I have a chance, particularly if John is to be the