The Falcon and the Flower Part 19

Wil closed his eyes. "Sweet Mary and Jesus." Then he added, "I'm going to tel my father what he's done. I can remain silent no longer. I'l never be back, Estel e."

She nodded her head. "Wil iam Marshal is the only man who would dare cal him to task. When a child's life has been frittered away the heart cries out for justice, justice."

John spent an unquiet night. He wished he'd brought along Orion to cast him a new horoscope. Surely his Fate was not taking a turn for the worse? By morning, however, he had a firm grip on himself and the incident was forgotten, at least by John, as more urgent matters plagued him.

Al the way north he had sent recruiters ahead of the party to gather support for his armies. The men had fanned out reaching into every northern county and s.h.i.+re held by his barons. None had escaped the king's request, be they vast landholders or owners of a single castle. He needed the support of his northern barons if he ever hoped to regain what had been lost across the sea. He needed it to keep peace in Scotland and Wales, and when he thought of the savages in Ireland who knew only tribal patriotism, he ground his teeth that anarchy ruled.

Although the barons' service was supposed to be a.s.sured to the king, one by one the answers were coming back not The northern barons were not wil ing to have their knights and men-at-arms sacrificed by an ineffectual leader who could have nothing but losses against a king as strong as Philip of France. They could not help but compare John to his great father and to his brother Richard, and he came up sadly lacking in al things. One baron put it rather aptly when he described the king as al c.o.c.k and no bal s.

When they reached their destination, Falcon de Burgh was glad to be quit of John. He looked at his friend Salisbury, amazed that the two men were actual brothers. He did not for one minute doubt that the Earl of Salisbury was Henry IPs son, but doubt began to creep in about John. Had Eleanor of Aquitaine palmed off a b.a.s.t.a.r.d on an unsuspecting Henry?

Poor Henry must be writhing in his grave to think that his favorite youngest son was squandering everything he had strived for in his lifetime.

The host, Eustace de Vesci, who had gone on crusades with Richard, did not quite know what to make of this king. John openly coveted his wife Margaret and did not even try to keep his hands from her. At first Eustace pretended to laugh it off and treat it as a joke, but when John made it plain that he expected Margaret would be his bed partner, Eustace stopped laughing.

Margaret had retreated to the women's quarters of the castle, but she knew ful wel that when a king commands, a subject obeys. Eustace came to her there in a high temper, venting it on any hapless female within earshot. Dame Winwood, seeing Margaret burst into helpless tears, offered the couple a little advice. "These parts are famous for a very strong liquor they brew, are they not?"

"Aye, 'tis a liquor distil ed from grain and malt, but I don't believe ye'd care for it, dame, 'tis not exactly a lady's drink.

One swal ow steals yer brains, two swal ows steal yer legs, and a whole cup knocks ye on yer a.r.s.e!" Eustace exclaimed.

"King John likes his drink," she said smoothly. "If you plied him with enough, you could easily put a subst.i.tute for Margaret in his bed and him be none the wiser."

Eustace hurried off to find a large keg, while Margaret took herself off to the knights' sleeping quarters in search of a wh.o.r.e.

Dawn's light brought a courier with a message that knocked al prurient thought from John for days. Old Hubert Walter, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was dead and the canons in England who had seen the teeth drawn from canon law wanted more power. Without consulting the king, they chose from among their own ranks Stephen Langton and sent him to Rome posthaste to be consecrated by Pope Innocent. John became so angry he fel to the rushes and had a seizure.

Estel e was sorely tempted to dose him with a substance that would worsen his condition. She had an almost uncontrol able urge to see him suffer, but common sense prevailed. Al knew she medicated John, and if anything befel him, the finger would point to her. Throughout history since the Garden of Eden men had put the blame for misfortune upon women.

No, if she ever gave John a potion she would make sure it was a lethal one, for his revenge was terrible.

John ordered Falkes de Breaute to Canterbury to seize the estates of the archbishopric and the land of al the other bishops of the province of Canterbury.

He ordered Salisbury to go to Rome to "straighten out the Pope."'Wil iam was horrified at the prospect. "John, I'm no churchman. To me the Church is al bel s and smel s and popery! I'm a plain soldier. This delicate business cal s for a diplomat such as Wil iam Marshal. I'l go immediately to Chepstow and brief the marshal. You may trust him to do the right thing."

"Let's get this d.a.m.ned treaty signed so I can return south. I "Let's get this d.a.m.ned treaty signed so I can return south. I don't trust anyone with a northern accent,"

urged John.

"I'l leave Eustace de Vesci up here to see that the peace is kept, and don't forget you are taking the two little princesses of Scotland to ensure their brother Alexander keeps his word,"

Salisbury said.

"Ha! They don't cal Alexander the Red Fox of Scotland for nothing! How far can I trust him?" asked John.

Salisbury grinned. "About a tal man's p.i.s.sing distance!"

John said, "I'l have his sisters hostages. I'l take them to Nottingham."

A warning bel went off in Salisbury's head. Estel e had told him straightforwardly why John was not to be trusted with little girls. Wil iam cleared his throat and said firmly, "These are such important hostages, John, I think they should be entrusted to Hubert de Burgh, who does such a fine job with al your other political prisoners. I'l send young Falcon de Burgh with them for safekeeping until he puts them into his uncle's custody. He'l need only a few of his men for that; the rest can give you safe escort again to Nottingham."

"And by the bones of Christ I'l need it in this unfriendly northern clime. So far every northern baron has refused me service, so instead I'l command every last one of them to pledge me a son as hostage for their good behavior."

Salisbury thought this a bit drastic and tried to lighten John's heavy hand. "In faith, you'l have to give Hubert de Burgh more castles to house them al ," he said, laughing.

"He has Corfe, Sherborne, and Wal mgford as wel as Dover and the Cinque Ports. I gave him the Roumer lands and Causton in Norfolk before I was ever king," John pointed out.

"I was jesting," said Wil iam. "Don't be so serious. Go to Nottingham and relax."

"I'l not stay in Nottingham, 'tis too d.a.m.ned far north for my liking. I won't rest easy until I'm on my own broad acres in Gloucester."

Wil iam kept a wise silence, but inside he chuckled to himself.

"You'l be looking over your shoulder, terrified, every step of the way."

Chapter 21.

Queen Isabel a had developed an amuse-me-or-else att.i.tude.

As a result, Jasmine and Orion were hard-pressed to trot out every skil they possessed in connection with the occult.

Today Orion was describing the personalities of those born under various signs of the zodiac. Isabel a natural y insisted he begin with Leo since it was her sign, and Jasmine had to hide a smile behind her hand when she heard him try to be diplomatic and not give offense. It was a tricky business trying to please a vain, childish girl who had the power of a queen.

What he said was "You are the center of your universe and attract many people to you. You have considerable ability and power to influence others and have them carry out your ideas.

You have very little fear in your nature and you can present a forceful, dynamic, and commanding att.i.tude when necessary.

You have a great amount of pride. You must guard against your temper, but you have good wil power and an independent nature when it comes to doing your own thinking and working out your own ideas. You have quick perception, which al ows you to grasp facts quite rapidly."

What Orion did not say about Leo was "You wil achieve personal success no matter whom you have to step on. You are too egotistical and self-important, you can be rash, sharp- tongued, and unpleasant. You indulge yourself in al things. You are stubborn, obstinate, and headstrong. You are prejudiced in your views, narrow and intolerant."

Isabel a was pleased with what Orion said and did not say.

"Now tel me the character of one born under the sign of Scorpio," she bade.

Orion, no fool, knew she had King John in mind. Again he chose his words careful y, sticking to the truth but eliminating al that was negative. "Scorpians can be attractive, magnetic, and dynamic, but they are sometimes difficult people to understand. This is because they have a tendency toward being secretive. They are capable of influencing others to a great degree. They are consumed by desire for the luxuries of this world and must guard against overindulgence. If the Scorpios exercise proper control, they wil attain great success in life. At times they can be generous, loyal, and wil receive many appeals from people for understanding when they must face situations and personal problems. Their powers of observation are keen and they wil not take another's advice.

They have a most powerful wil and determination."

What Orion left unsaid was "There is no fury like a Scorpio temper. They not only get angry, but are extremely obstinate and headstrong with it. They speak bitterly and cuttingly. No consideration is given to others. They are cynical, self-wil ed, and selfish. They wil be the cause of their own downfal in life.

They are temperamental and highly nervous. They have intense emotions, which can cause them to lose al self- control."

Isabel a had stopped listening. Her whole attention was now taken by a monkey on a chain who was trained to do little tricks such as beg with its little hat in hand and play dead.

On impulse Jasmine asked Orion to tel her the personality of one born under Aries. The moment the words were out of her mouth, she wondered why she had asked such a thing. Just mouth, she wondered why she had asked such a thing. Just because she knew Falcon de Burgh's birth date did not mean that she had any personal interest in the man. But perhaps she would learn something to help her with him should Fate frown upon her and make him her husband. "Orion, do not leave out the bad traits; I would know al ," she said.

Orion rubbed his nose hard, and Jasmine thought perhaps that was why it almost turned a corner. He said, "Aries is the first sign. They are the leaders of the world because of their active and dynamic personalities. They are very fond of being looked up to by others. They are courageous to the point of daring. By nature they are restless and fond of al sorts of activity. They should guard against engaging in risky and hazardous adventures. They can be affectionate, courteous, and generous, but they are also quick-tempered, and if crossed they can hold a grudge until they are able to take their revenge. They are aggressive and determined and have the person- ality and temperament that wil make or break their own destiny. They are very impatient and in a hurry about everything. They live for and love action and fol ow their own judgment. Their mental capacity gives them the ability to grasp a situation before others have even thought about it.

They have excel ent coordination between mind and body, and they usual y enjoy a lifetime of action and accomplishment.

However, those about them often wish they would not try to impose their strong wil quite so often."

He has described Falcon exactly, thought Jasmine.

Impulsively she asked Orion, "What mate is best for an Aries?

"There is only one true mate for an Aries, and that is a Sagittarius. Their life together wil not be smooth, rather it wil be an invigorating tiger ride, a clash of bril iant personalities; sometimes dangerous and frightening, but always exhilarating. Both wil strive for the upper hand so that sometimes you are the driver and sometimes you are driven.

But in the end Sagittarius wil submit to the stronger Aries."

Surprise etched Jasmine's lovely features for she was a Sagittarius. Quickly she chided herself for being a fool. This astrology stuff was al nonsense, or was it? "Thank you, Orion.

Tel me, which of the twelve signs produces the most perfect personality?"

"Ah, child, that is an easy one. If you need a friend choose one born under Cancer. Cancers exert a very fine soothing influence upon others. They are never egotistical or vain. They are very deep thinkers with a true depth of feeling. They are sensitive and easily hurt, but they hide this wel from others.

They have the ability to make other people happy. They are straightforward, generous, upright, and very loyal to friends or causes that interest them. They can be trusted with important secrets and you can total y rely on them for any duty, commission, or work. They dislike any smal or petty act. They view the people around them with a maternal or parental att.i.tude as though they were children, and in their n.o.ble yet silent way they guide them. They are sympathetic, understanding, and very practical. They have keen powers of observation and enjoy reviewing facts, ideas, and theories in their reflective minds.

They are meditative with unusual powers of concentration, and there is very little that escapes their attention. They are cautious and prudent and a.n.a.lyze thoughts and impulses.

Their faculty of imagination is very active and they enjoy musing about the past. They have the ability to improve everything they touch."

Jasmine smiled at him. "You yourself were born under Cancer?"

He pretended astonishment at her perception. "However did you guess?" he replied, twinkling.

The next day it was Jasmine's turn to use her talent to amuse.

She decided she would do a little palm reading. Her audience numbered so many overeager ladies who sat with their hands spread out before her awaiting her revelations that it took her hours to explain the meaning of the myriad lines and signs on their palms.

When she had finished Jasmine drew a deep breath and turned to see if Isabel a was pleased or displeased. However the queen, like everyone else in the hal , was peering into her hand with a puzzled look of concentration upon her countenance.

Suddenly a male hand was thrust before her eyes and a persuasive voice said, "Princess Jasmine, what do you make of this appendage?"

She turned to see Chester towering at her side. "My lord earl, I have no such t.i.tle," she protested, unsure of his motive.

"You are Henry I 's granddaughter, are you not?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, milord," she said softly.

"Then you are a princess. Would you like me to tel you of your grandfather?" he offered.

"Why, that would be most kind of you, milord. Did you know him very wel ?"

"Come, let us walk while I tel you of him," he said, formal y extending his arm so that she could place her hand upon it.

"Henry considered me one of his bright young men. He was like that he took a keen interest in those who served him. He trained me himself in his ways and in his conception of law administration. Henry was a generous man to those who served him wel . He gave me Brittany to govern; he rewarded me wel for my loyalty. I am the last survivor of the aristocracy of the conquest. Bloodlines are very important to me, Princess Jasmine." "Oh, please cal me Jasmine." "If you wil cal me Ranulf?" he asked. "Ah, milord, I could not," she protested.

"You wil in time," he said gently, happy that she was in great awe of him.

"The rewards from your grandfather have made me the wealthiest n.o.ble in the realm," he said with pride, "and yet I am a plain, blunt man. I do not parade my wealth upon my back like some of the flashy peac.o.c.ks at court. I have no claim to beauty, and yet I appreciate beautiful things more than any man I know."

Jasmine wondered why he was tel ing her these things.

"Everyone speaks so wel of my grandfather, and yet because I am a woman I find it incomprehensible that he would imprison his wife."

"Ah, it was her vast power as queen that he had to contain.

She bred him four sons and then used those sons like young wolves to pul down an old lion, so that hers was the power and the glory! Eleanor was very strong and wil ful and grew ever more so with age. That is the reason he turned to your grandmother, the beauteous and gentle Rosamund Clifford. Now, there was a love match."

Jasmine deliberately insulted him. "Ah, I had no idea you were so old, milord earl, you must be senior to my father." She looked at him with pretended innocence and saw that his eyes were remote and malignant, and she s.h.i.+vered as if a goose had walked over her grave.

"I am not yet forty years old, mistress," he said bluntly. "Your grandfather insisted I marry into his family. He always intended I should have a wife with royal blood," he added pointedly.

Jasmine could not quite bring herself to insult him about the royal bride who had divorced him as soon as she was able.

Ranulf de Blundevil e's eyes dropped to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and he said thickly, "I once spoke to your father Wil iam about needing a young wife."

Jasmine knew they were on dangerous ground indeed, so she again deliberately misinterpreted his words. "Perhaps one day we shal be related through marriage then, for I have two sisters who are not yet betrothed. Excuse me, sir, I have duties that cry out for attention."

"We wil be related through marriage al right," he said under his breath, relis.h.i.+ng the thought of having the exquisite, delicate body at the disposal of his own body's demands.

Chapter 22.

As the days stretched out, Jasmine found that Isabel a was throwing her and Ranulf de Blundevil e together on the flimsiest of excuses. Jasmine began to miss Estel e's support and wise words of advice and longed for the older woman's return. Of course this also meant King John's return, but it would almost be worth it to have the security of her grandmother's presence.

King John's foul reputation preceded him, once Mathilda FitzWalter's stil body was returned. The gossip and rumors spread like wildfire and were on every tongue until a pal hung over al Nottingham. Whispered plots of revenge were overheard and hushed up, and the ranks began to thin out. It became dangerous to venture anywhere near the forest lest a terrible accident befal those connected to the royal court.

Wives urged their husbands to put a distance between them and the king and return to their own safer castles.