The Lion of Justice Read Online Free PDF Page A

to question this and that. They could never let well alone; and now master Anselm was trying to prove that the Church was more important than the State, a belief which Rufus would never accept.
    He had a power, though, Rufus would admit that. These religious fanatics often had. He had preached to Rufus so eloquently of the dire punishment that befell sinners in hell that even he had become a little shaken and had released numerous prisoners, cut taxes and forgiven people their debts to the crown. But now he was well again and he had repudiated all that he had been persuaded into promisingwhen the gates of Hell had appeared uncomfortably close and warm.
    â€˜Death has receded,’ Anselm had told him. ‘But do not imagine it will not return.’
    â€˜Time enough to repent when I see it in the distance,’ Rufus had commented with a laugh.
    â€˜You are asking to be struck dead without warning.’
    â€˜Must I give up all then for the sake of my future life?’
    â€˜That is the Christian way.’
    Rufus grimaced. ‘My good Anselm, my sins are so many that I doubt they’d all be forgiven however many good works I performed. So I will do as I wish down here to make sure that I get what I want at least in one place.’
    Anselm was horrified. Let him be. Rufus was not sure that he believed all these pious men told him. He liked better the religion of his ancestors – feasting in Valhalla after death, a paradise to be reached through valour rather than pious deeds. He could have his place there with the utmost ease, for he had inherited his father’s courage and was well skilled in the arts of war.
    He might bait Anselm but all the same he knew that there would be trouble in that quarter.
    The immediate anxiety, though, was the presence of Edgar Atheling in the country. Many of his advisers had said that the Atheling claim to the throne must never be forgotten.
    It was true, but Edgar was no fighter. He did not believe Edgar would come against him. Such a pleasant boy, though more Robert’s friend than his. He was too rough for the Atheling, but Robert with his charm and his extravagances and his love of poetry had been as a brother to Edgar.
    One of his knights asked for audience and he received him in his bedroom. He must have important news to come to him in the morning when his temper might not be too good.
    â€˜What bad news bring you?’ he growled. He liked to see the alarm in faces. Why, he could order the fellow to a dungeon and have his eyes put out if he offended him. Not that he would do this. That was a punishment he reserved for real offenders. But it gave a pleasant sense of power to set men trembling.
    â€˜One of your knights has been slain in combat, my lord.’
    â€˜And what concern of mine should this be that I must be awakened at an early hour of the morning to learn of it?’
    The hour was not early but the fellow dared not contradict.
    â€˜I believe you would wish to know, my lord, that he was slain by a friend of Edgar Atheling because he said that he was raising up a family who would try to take the crown.’
    Rufus nodded slowly.
    â€˜So this man was slain by a friend of the Atheling. He has good friends, has he not? And indeed so have I, for they bring me news when they think I should know it.’
    The man smiled slowly and Rufus broke into loud laughter.
    â€˜Brave man,’ he said.
    â€˜To take up the cause of the Atheling, my lord, ’tis so.’
    â€˜Nay!’ roared Rufus. ‘You are a brave man to disturb me from my rest. You know my temper. ’Tis not of its best at this hour, man.’
    But his humour was good. He was pleased with the fellow.
    He wanted to think about this Atheling and his family. A young boy deprived of his crown by a usurping bastard; and the family taking refuge in England. Edgar was brave to come here where many would say he had more right to the throne than William Rufus.
    Edgar was