Voice Of The Demon (Book 2) Read Free Page A

hatred for Robert Douglas. But this was something different entirely and Vaughn had no trouble speaking it aloud.
    ‘We will be facing evil in its darkest form, but we are not unprepared. We will find a way to identify those sorcerers amongst us and how to fight them. When the time comes, we will make our stand once more – and this time we will triumph completely!’
    Applause burst across the Hall. Vaughn smiled, nodded, and sank back into his seat. He steepled his fingers together and glanced to his left and right, collecting the gazes of his board of Governors. Only Osbert was missing. Osbert – and Nash. Samdon Nash, Alderman and favourite of the King. Perhaps already the most influential man in the country.
    Yes, Vaughn nodded as the applause died down. It was definitely time to do something about that.
    *
    Godfrey felt quite naked without his clerical robes. The old shirt and worn tunic felt ridiculous and uncomfortable – and one of his boots had a stone in it. How had he ever worn secular clothes happily? Had so many years as a priest spoiled him this much?
    He felt like such a thief, sneaking into the old tavern deep in the bowels of Marsay like this, a hood pulled up around his face. It was more to hide his tonsure, but still he cringed beneath the smelly hessian. It was no act, shrinking down inside it. It made his flesh crawl.
    But at least Payne was there, waiting for him, dressed casually in nondescript clothes. Payne was a good man, like Duke Donal McGlashen: Lusaran born and true. Between them they were the only two such left on Selar’s council. His face might be known, but nobody would expect a high ranking Earl – a member of the King’s council at that – to frequent a place like this. A place where no questions were asked, where even the innkeeper didn’t look up when the door opened.
    ‘I thought you’d changed your mind,’ Payne murmured as Godfrey sat down. Their booth was well back from the pathetic fire and, despite the warmth of the summer evening, Godfrey shivered.
    ‘I was detained.’ A jug of ale landed on the table, making Godfrey jump.
    ‘Relax; you’ll make yourself noticed with all this twitching and shaking. Try to look as if you were born in those clothes.’
    ‘One would hope by now that I had done something to get out of them.’ To hide his discomfort, Godfrey pulled the jug closer and peered over the lip. Even in the dim rushlight he could see grease marks and breadcrumbs floating on the surface. With a sneer of distaste, he began to push the thing away.
    ‘Take a drink,’ Payne grunted. ‘You’re supposed to be used to this.’
    ‘Well, I’m not,’ Godfrey hissed, but took a mouthful anyway.
    ‘If we’re going to meet like this again you’ll have to learn to be more flexible about small details like a clean cup. You should remember that most of the people in this country live like this all the time – many more now than ever before. You’d be surprised how quickly the finer things in life disappear under such circumstances.’
    Godfrey forgot his ale and gazed steadily at the handsome young man. It was amazing how, even in these blighted surroundings, Everard Payne still managed to look at ease. Had he done this kind of thing before?
    ‘Tell me,’ Godfrey left his hands around the jug of ale, ‘when you took my letter to Robert last year, did you see any possibility then that he might decide to do something?’
    ‘About what?’
    Godfrey dropped his voice. ‘McCauly.’
    ‘Would you have him storm the dungeons and wrest the man from Selar’s hands?’ Payne leaned closer. ‘Why this sudden interest in Robert? Is it because of the rumours?’
    ‘No, my interest is in McCauly.’ Godfrey frowned. ‘I fear I may have a problem developing and I just don’t know what to do about it.’
    Payne sat back again, once more relaxed. ‘Hilderic?’
    ‘What have you heard?’
    ‘Oh, this and that. He’s becoming noted for his outspoken opinions – none