Lords of the White Castle Read Free Page B

his uncle then back to Fulke. 'This lad's nose is never going to sit as prettily on his face as it did this morn.'
    De Glanville stooped to lift the wooden chessboard from the floor. He studied the crack running through the middle. 'Where is everyone else?' His light blue eyes were glacial.
    'The Prince dismissed them, sir.' Fulke faced the Justiciar, feeling like an erring soul before the throne of God on judgement day. 'I would have gone too, but he wanted more wine… and then he wanted me to play chess with him.'
    John groaned and opened his eyes. They focused precariously on Fulke who was still leaning over him. 'You misbegotten son of a misbegotten whore!' he gasped, then rolled over and vomited the results of an afternoon's drinking into the rushes. 'I'll have your hide for this!'
    'You are in no fit state to have anything but a split skull, Lord John,' de Glanville said coldly. He jerked his head at Theobald. 'Take FitzWarin out of here and clean him up. While you're about it, see if you can find His Highness's other attendants. We'll sort this out later.' Twenty years older than Theobald, he chose not to kneel at John's side but sat instead upon one of the padded benches and stared balefully down at the prone youth like an owl in a tree.
    Theobald rose, drawing Fulke with him. 'Come,' he said in a brusque but not unkind voice.
    'I want to see my father!' John was demanding with vicious petulance as Theobald ushered Fulke from the room.
    Fulke shuddered as Theobald led him down the great hall attached to John's chamber. Pain beat in hot rhythm between his eyes and he had to breathe through his mouth, a metallic essence of blood cloying his palate. 'Will he really go to the King?'
    Lord Theobald had no comfort for him. 'Knowing Prince John, I do not doubt it.'
    Fulke pressed the back of his hand beneath his nose and gazed at the resulting red smudge. 'I suppose I will be dismissed from Prince John's household,' he said gloomily.
    'Quite likely.' Theobald gave him a sidelong glance. 'But would you want to stay after this?'
    'My father says that being educated at King Henry's court is an opportunity without price, and a great honour for our family' As the words left his mouth, Fulke realised that John's earlier taunt had substance. He was always quoting his father.
    'He's right,' Theobald said grimly, 'except about the price.'
    'My lord?'
    'Nothing.' Theobald suddenly stopped and with a grunt of mingled satisfaction and annoyance, turned sharply to the left.
    Within one of the bays formed by the pillars supporting the hall, Fulke saw that the dice game was still in progress. Girard de Malfee was winning again and some noblewoman's attiring maid was watching him with admiring doe eyes.
    'That's enough.' Theobald strode among them, his hands fisted around his swordbelt. 'Go and attend your master.'
    'But he sent us out, my lord,' Girard objected, his voice overloud with drink.
    'Well, I'm sending you back in, and my lord Glanville awaits you there. Go on, all of you, or I'll have you polishing helmets for a sennight. And you can leave that flagon out here. There's been enough damage caused already. You, girl, about your duties.'
    The maid gave him a half-frightened, half-resentful look and departed in a swish of green skirts. With bad grace, Girard began pouching his winnings. At one point he looked up to argue with Theobald and caught sight of Fulke standing behind the Baron.
    'Holy Christ, Bumpkin.' His jaw dropped with shock. 'What's happened to you?'
    All the squires stared.
    'I tripped,' Fulke said.
    Theobald jerked his thumb. 'Now,' he snapped.
    The boys departed in a tipsy clutter and Theobald shook his head like a goaded bull. 'God preserve me in my dotage that I should ever have to rely on wastrels such as them,' he growled.
    Attacked by a wave of dizziness, Fulke swayed. Theobald grabbed him. 'Steady, lad. Come on, buck yourself up. You're not a wench to faint on me.'
    Fulke's eyes darkened at the jibe. He braced