Heartstone

Leacon gestured at the papers in front of him. 'My suppliers' accounts, for the men's food. They are supposed to be settled in every town, and I have money to pay for them. But with this evil new coinage the local merchants charge more.' He pushed the papers aside with an impatient gesture.

'How many men are going to Portsmouth?' Barak asked. 'The roads are full.'

'Six thousand are there or on the way, with many more local militia all along the south coast ready to be called out if the French invade.'

'Jesu.'

'And most of the King's ships of war are there, fifty or sixty of them, so there are several thousand sailors too. I have to get my men to Portsmouth in four days. March on the Sabbath if need be.'

'And the King himself is coming to inspect them all.'

Leacon looked at us seriously. 'Word is the French fleet is thrice the size of ours, loaded with thirty thousand soldiers. There could be a hot time coming. My company may be going to the ships, to do battle if the fleets grapple together.' He shook his head. 'I sailed on a warship last year, but many of my men have never seen a body of water larger than the village pond. But we must do all we can to beat off the invasion, we have no choice.' Something weary and almost despairing had entered Leacon's voice. He looked as though he were about to say something more, then changed the subject. 'Is it just the two of you travelling down?'

'Wish it were,' Barak answered.

'No, we travel with another lawyer and his clerk. Not easy companions.' I turned to look at Dyrick, but he had gone. 'My fellow lawyer was keen to make the journey in four or five days but it does not seem we will do that. Today we have been forever held up behind carts.'

Leacon looked at me. 'Perhaps I can help there.'

'How so?'

'I have orders to get my men to Portsmouth by the fifth. It is hard marching. I have the right to order carts aside, command the roads. If you and your companions wish to ride in front of our baggage train, that would speed your journey.'

'We should be very grateful,' I said.

'We start at five tomorrow, I warn you.'

I exchanged a glance with Barak. He nodded eagerly. The sooner we got to Hoyland, the sooner we would return home. 'We will be there,' I answered. 'Thank you.'

'I am pleased to do something to return the favour you did my family.' Leacon looked reluctantly at his documents. 'But now, if you will forgive me, I need to make some sense of these figures, then get over to camp.'

'You're not staying at the inn?'

'No. I sleep with the men.'

'Then we will leave you.'

We headed for the door. One of the carters had a girl on the floor now, the others cheering him on.

'I will call at Dyrick's room and tell him the news,' I said.

'Maybe the arsehole will show a bit of gratitude.'

'I doubt that.' I turned to him. 'Jack, what has happened to George Leacon?'

He shook his head. 'I don't know. Trouble, I can tell you that.'

I glanced back. The soldier's blond head was bent over the papers again as he ran his finger down a column of figures. His other hand, which rested on the table, trembled slightly.

Chapter Thirteen

MY BACK AND LEGS were an agony of stiffness when I reached my room. I had called on Dyrick on the way; he had been sitting on his bed, papers from the case strewn over it and on his lap. He glared at me, but when I told him of Leacon's offer he was quick to accept. 'Well, your former client has come in useful,' he said, which I took to be his nearest approach to thanks.

It was long before I slept, the continued carousing downstairs and my aching limbs keeping me awake. Even after all was quiet I tossed and turned. When at length I drifted off I had a fearful dream: I was drowning, deep under water, hands at my throat keeping me under. I grasped at them but they were like steel. I looked at who was holding me and saw the hard face and cold eyes of Sir William Paulet, framed by a steel helmet.

I woke with a start, my heart still thumping with terror. I often had such dreams; two years before I had nearly drowned in a filthy sewer with a murderer for company, and once before that I had myself drowned a man who was trying to kill me. I crossed to the window and threw open the shutters. Sunshine streamed in; from the long shadows I guessed it was near five.

Outside the tents were being loaded onto carts with other equipment under the supervision of the red-faced officer, whose barking at the men I could hear from my room. The big horses were already between the shafts, munching piles of hay. A little way off a couple of dozen men were practising their skills with the warbow, shooting at a doublet nailed to an oak tree at the far end of the field. Arrows arced through the air, the men shouting when someone hit the target—as most did, for they were all good shots. Leacon stood beside them, watching. I dressed hastily and hurried down to the parlour, deserted now save for Barak, breakfasting alone. I hurried across. 'Thank goodness you are still here.'