Heart's Ransom (Heart and Soul) (25 page)

Talon focused on his wine cup, knowing there was little he could do.  But rage burned within him.  Montfort’s justice was nothing but a sham.  If Talon had not witnessed it himself, he never would have believed it.  He suddenly felt he had made a terrible error in supporting Montfort.

But, he reminded himself, it was the Provisions of Oxford he truly supported.  It was the law and justice that was his cause, not a man.  He studied the craftsmanship of his fine cup, thinking furiously.

Montfort glared at the other lords who had accompanied Talon.  “Who else wishes to bring notice to our court?”

The lords, witnesses to the travesty, refused to meet Montfort’s gaze.

“A misunderstanding, my liege,” one muttered.  “Nothing of import.”

“Aye, my lord, I fear I did not investigate my sister’s claim closely.”

“The matter is trifling,” another said.

Montfort returned to his chair, a smile of victory playing on his lips.  “Now that we can understand, gentlemen.  Perhaps it would be wise for all of you to return to your homes and learn the truth before bringing cause to this court again.”

With that dismissal, the remaining men bid a hasty retreat from the pavilion.

Montfort returned his attention to Essex who continued to stare at Talon, desperate, broken, and terrified.

“Because we showed his brother mercy, we shall show the same to Essex.  He will be confined to the stockade for six months then released.  We will send writs to his family to vacate their homes immediately.”

Essex’s face turned so gray Talon feared he might retch on the expensive rugs.  “My...my liege, mercy I beg of thee.  My family...my daughters are not yet of the age to marry.  Where will they go?  What will become of them?”

Talon winced.

“You should have considered them before embarking on this foul plot against your king and country.”

Damnation, he was going to get himself mired up to his neck.  “My sovereign,” Talon said softly, even though he knew better.

Montfort scowled at him, a gaze that chilled Talon to the core.  “What say you, Montgomery?”

“I must admit a terribly soft heart for innocents, for women and children who would pay the price of treachery they do not deserve.”

Montfort blinked at him, his demeanor changing instantly to one of bemused humor.  “The Earl of Montgomery has a soft heart under all that steely armor and ruthless designs?”

Talon flashed him a bright grin, hoping to capitalize on the sudden change of mood.  “I pray do not allow word to escape of this little known fact.”

Montfort laughed heartily.  “Well, well, we learn something new every day.  Do not worry, my friend, your secret is safe with us.  You do honor by yourself and your chivalrous oath regarding those weaker than ourselves.”

Weaker my arse,
Talon thought, Gwen and her sharp intellect coming to mind.  But he nodded ruefully, playing to Montfort - the man was rumored to have a small part that could be honest and generous.  But it was only rumor.

“It grieves me that Essex’s daughters could pay so terrible a price for something they had no control over.”

Montfort scowled.  “We cannot be sure of that.  What if they knew of this plot?”

“What if they did, my sovereign?” Talon asked, lifting his hands helplessly.  “What could they have done?  They are only children...Essex has admitted they are not of marrying age, they are so young, sire.  Could they have demanded a horse and men to guard them while they brought word to you?  Could they have sent you a message without endangering their own lives?”

Montfort stroked his beard thoughtfully.  “I see your point, Montgomery.  What do you suggest?  This man has plotted treachery against us.”

“And he should be punished,” Talon said vehemently but inwardly he cringed.  Essex was no more guilty than Talon was a saint, but he had to do this for the man’s family.  “I offer a proposal only because of the man’s daughters.”

“We will hear this proposal.”

“I have the fine at hand in the earldom’s coffers.  I will promise payment forthwith of one thousand gold plus another five hundred as gratitude for your patience in receiving the money.  Jail Essex if you must, but do not evict his daughters.  Take them as wards of the throne, leave them a dowry so they may marry properly when they come of age.  Their allegiance will be with you and that of their husbands.”  Talon paused and leaned forward, seemingly enjoying this idea.  “And you, my liege, will have the choice of the men they marry.”

Montfort inclined his head slightly, considering Talon’s words.  “And when Essex is released?”

“Allow him to return home and continue to manage the lands under your scrutiny.  Despite this foul plot, his lands have been prosperous.  Knowing he is under your eye, he will continue to tread lightly until the time his daughters marry.”

“But we had such plans for those lands,” Montfort murmured.

Talon stiffened, forcing himself to contain his fury.  Plans indeed!  “I appeal to your benevolent mercy, my sovereign,” he purred controlling his voice with the iron will he had honed to a perfect edge.  “Were it not for his helpless daughters I would not offer this solution.”

Montfort slowly nodded.  “We do not wish to appear so harsh in judgment that innocents pay an undue price.”

“Father--” his son objected.

Montfort waved him off.  “We have decided that this solution is most prudent to our personage and how others perceive this court.  Earl Montgomery’s council has proven its wisdom in the past and we will heed it now.  It is agreed upon, Montgomery.”  He turned to a scribe who sat in the corner.  “So let it be written, so let it be done.”

Talon sucked a deep breath into his lungs and only then allowed him to look at Essex as the guards hauled him up, their bound captive.  He expected to see hatred but Essex only gazed at him with profound gratitude.

Thank you,
he mouthed.

If only I could have done more,
Talon thought. 
I am sorry, my friend.

Talon again faced Montfort as Essex was taken from the pavilion.

Montfort sat back in his chair, rubbing his eyes wearily.  “’Tis enough for tonight.  Montgomery, we trust you will be staying with us for a time?”

“For a time.  Allow me to send a messenger to my keep.  I shall order the gold sent forthwith.”  He scowled.  “Considering your rapid movement, my sovereign, would it not be best if I have the gold delivered to one of your holdings?”

“That is indeed wise.  We thank you, Montgomery, for your counsel this eve and bid you goodnight.  Our camp will break come the dawn.”

Talon rose and bowed.  “I thank you for your wisdom, my sovereign, goodnight.”

Prince Edward also rose.  “Goodnight, my lord,” he snapped to Montfort.

“And to you, Prince Edward,” Montfort said.  “We pray you have been pleased with all we have done for your kingdom today.”  He turned his back on the prince.

Talon left the pavilion, Edward falling in step beside him and his guards right behind. 

“An impressive display,” Edward muttered to Talon.

Clenching his fists, Talon continued to walk until they were well away from Montfort’s pavilion.  He slid to a stop and glared at the guards.  “I will see to the prince.”

The two men fidgeted.  “Earl, I pray understand our orders--”

Edward spun, bringing the full intimidation of his greater height over the two men to bear.  “Simon allows me certain freedoms, I will obey them and you have the earl to guarantee that.”

The guards hastily stepped back, moving out of earshot, but maintaining their vigilance.

“I am no longer a hostage,” Edward growled.  “But I am still a prisoner.”

Talon’s fists clenched even tighter and he forced himself to loosen them.  “In truth, that is why I am here and it is not by choice.”

For a brief instant, Talon saw confusion flit across Edward’s expression.  And Talon knew the prince had no idea of why he was forced.

Edward’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Talon.  “You manipulated the situation well in there, but you relied too heavily on Montfort’s faith in you.  It worked for you this time, but next time it could be a grave error.”

“Aye,” Talon said nodding.  “Had I considered the situation more carefully, I would have changed my approach.  I might not have been forced to barter for Lord Essex at all.  But Montfort has changed...he is no longer the man I once knew.”

“And you are no longer the man I once knew,” Edward snarled.  “You have betrayed your oath of fealty to my father and to me.  You took arms against us.”

“You and your father betrayed the community of the realm,” Talon snapped.  “You agreed to abide by the Provisions then denied them.  The law bows to no one, peasant or king.”

“The king is the law!”

“The king is nothing without the law!”

“Damn you, Montgomery, I should have you flayed alive for this treason.”

Talon stepped forward, eye to eye with Longshanks.  “And what about your treason against your people?” he asked, his voice soft with icy control.  “What is the greater crime here?  Betrayal of the law or one’s apathy toward it?”

“Your words are serpent smooth.”

“As are yours, Prince Edward.  Why is it so hard for you to accept a solid set of rules governing all in equal fashion?  Why do you dread the thought of a parliament?  Is it because your royal ire is pricked against those who would oppose you?  Are not your debating skills enough to sway men who might question you?  What about those who are innocent, like those children I just lobbied for?  Don’t you realize the Provisions are meant for them...those who are helpless in the face of power?  What protection do they have if they do not have the law?”

“Protection?” Edward asked sarcastically.  “Why do they deserve protection?”

“Does the word innocence have any meaning to you?”

“No one is innocent unless judged so by the king.”

“All are innocent; you bloody fool, unless proven otherwise!” Talon roared.  “Dear God, you are in their place yet cannot see their plight.”

Edward blinked at him in stunned shock.  “What mean you?”

“Look at you, held against your will.  You have committed no crime except denial of the Provisions but you are still a prisoner.”

“Because of Montfort, who you support.”

“Aye,” Talon snapped.  “And I am quickly beginning to rue the day I did.  I supported the Provisions, Edward.  I supported Montfort because of the Provisions.  But after what I have witnessed, I question that now.”

Edward’s expression immediately changed.  “And they call me the leopard that can
change its spots.”

“My stance has not changed, Edward.  I support the Provisions, not the man who betrays us because of greed.  You seek to change the point but I return the question.  What is a king without the law?”

Edward scowled, falling into a silent thoughtfulness.  “He is king...his word is law.”

“And if that law...that word...hurts the people on whose backs he stands?”

“What mean you?  ‘Tis the way it is, the way it has always been.”

“I would not build my house on so shaky a foundation.”

Edward blinked at him.  “Shaky?”

“Have you not learned the lessons of you grandfather, of your father?  The monarchy is nothing without the support of the people you rule.  Who fills your armies?  Who supplies your treasury?  Who harvests the wheat to bring food to your table?  Who do you depend on, my prince?”

“My earls and barons, of which you do not seem to be a part of.”

Talon rolled his eyes.  “Stop being so petty, it is beneath you.  Yes, you depend on your earls and barons but what gives them power?”

“My mandates, my generosity.”

“Oh good glory,” Talon muttered.  “Their power comes from money.  How do they earn that money?”

“The managing of their lands.”

“And what is it of their lands that give them money?”

“The harvest, the sale of stock, managing dowers and....” Edward hesitated, gazing at Talon.  “...and the work of those who pledge fealty to them.”

Talon nodded and folded his arms over his chest.  “Without the lowest serf, we would all be rendered impotent, my prince.  Why are people, no matter their station, rendered less in the face of the king’s
judgment when they are the greatest reason for our power?  The nobleman’s power which you would bring to book is fleeting indeed, reliable only on those who create it.  Deny them, and you deny yourself. Acknowledge them with justice, fairness, and law, and your raise yourself higher.”

Edward thought for a long moment.  “I must admit an understanding with Montfort’s fascination with you.  Your counsel is indeed wise.  But I am uncertain if it is a wisdom I wish or need to hear.”

“The facts of life pertain to even the crown, my prince, whether we want to hear them or not.  Reality is not ordered away, no matter how much a king would wish it so.  And like the law, reality is the harshest of judges.”

“I will think on your words, Montgomery, for there is truly wisdom within them.  But I ask again, where do your loyalties lie?”