The Pardoner's Crime Read Free

‘What do you want, master bowman?’ he cried. ‘And by what authority do you hold up honest and harmless travellers?’
    There was a high-pitched whistle, which was followed moments later by another arrow striking the same tree, but from a different direction. This was immediately followed by another whistle and yet another arrow from another direction .
    â€˜By the authority of the power of might,’ came the mocking reply. ‘Now you can see that there are several of us. Throw down your weapons or fall with them.’
    Hubert cursed, but Richard smiled. ‘Do as he says, Hubert.’ And by example he cast his sword down.
    â€˜But Sir Richard?’
    â€˜There is a brain behind these men,’ Richard explained softly. ‘Had they merely wished to kill us they could do so easily.’
    With a surly oath Hubert acquiesced.
    â€˜Now dismount and walk away from the swords,’ came the commanding voice.
    When they had done so there was a rustling of leaves and a hooded bowman stepped out from the dense undergrowth. He was of about the same age as Sir Richard, with several days’ growth of beard on his tanned and grimy face. He was dressed in a short hooded cloak with a leather doublet underneath , with arms bared from the elbow. His forearms were muscular above leather wrist strappings. From a low slung belt hung a heavy sword and dagger, and upon his back he had a full quiver of arrows.
    â€˜Why have you assaulted us like this, fellow?’ Richard demanded. ‘And why have your comrades not revealed themselves ?’
    â€˜I ask the questions,’ returned the other. ‘There is no need for my men to show their faces. And in case you had not noticed,’ he said with an amused smile, ‘I am the one with a bow and an arrow trained at your chest. So my first question to you is a simple request for your names. My second is to know your purpose for travelling through our woods.’
    â€˜I am Sir Richard Lee, Sergeant-at-Law and Circuit Judge of the King’s Northern Realm. This is my man, Hubert of Loxley.’ He raised a quizzical eyebrow. ‘And what mean you by saying this is your wood? All woods in England belong to the King.’
    â€˜He may think they belong to him, but we say they do no longer. Any man passing through here must pay a toll. This wood now belongs to the brothers of the Greenwood.’
    â€˜A fine name for thieves and robbers!’ growled Hubert.
    The bow was instantly turned on Hubert, the stance and steadiness of the holder leaving them in no doubt but that if he wished, the bowman could dispatch instant death.
    â€˜I am a patient man,’ said the archer calmly, ‘but that much cannot be said for my comrades. Do not risk your life more than you are already doing.’
    â€˜You are not a King’s man, I take it?’ Richard asked.
    The other sneered. ‘King’s man, earl’s man, what do these matters mean to slaves, serfs, villains and even freemen likemyself? Ordinary people are told to follow armies, they cannot choose.’
    â€˜You are outside the law, then? I take it you fought at Boroughbridge. On the side of the Earl of Lancaster? Which mayhap makes you a contrariant?’
    Again the bowman laughed. ‘Aye. Being on the losing side puts one outside the law. And contrariant makes you both outlaw and traitor!’ Very deliberately he turned his head sideways and spat. ‘Whatever property or things that one might call one’s own are confiscated and you are declared outlaw, common wolfshead that may be killed by any that choose to do so. Just another piece of sport for the rich and powerful.’
    He flicked his wrists, pointing the arrow to the nearby shrubbery where the carcass of a doe deer lay with a grey-goose feathered arrow still protruding from its heart. ‘Just like that.’
    Richard’s eyes narrowed slightly. ‘That is a hanging offence, to kill the