red eve-第24章

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〃Sir　Edmund　Acour's；　lord　de　Noyon；　Sire；　only；　alack！　another　man　was
within　the　armour。〃

〃Your　meaning？〃　said　the　King　briefly；　and　in　few　words　Hugh　told　the
tale。

〃A　strange　story；　Sir　Hugh。　It　would　seem　that　God　fought　against　you
in　this　matter。　Also　I　am　wroth；　my　orders　were　that　none　of　my　men
should　sally　out；　though　I　fear　me　that　you　are　not　the　only　one　who
has　broken　them；　and　for　your　great　deeds　I　forgive　you。〃

〃Sire；〃　said　Hugh；　dropping　to　his　knee　again；　〃a　boon。　This　de　Noyon；
your　enemy　and　mine；　has　cheated　and　mocked　me。　Grant　to　me　and　my
servant；　Richard　the　archer；　permission　to　follow　after　him　and　be
avenged　upon　him。〃

〃What　is　this　you　ask；　Sir　Hugh？　That　you　and　your　brave　henchman
should　wander　off　into　the　depths　of　France；　there　to　perish　in　a
dungeon　or　be　hanged　like　felons？　Nay；　nay；　we　need　good　men　and　have
none　to　spare　for　private　quarrels。　As　for　this　traitor；　de　Noyon；　and
his　plot；　that　egg　is　broken　ere　it　was　hatched；　and　we　fear　him　no
more。　You　follow　me；　Sir　Hugh；　and　your　servant　with　you；　whom　we　make
a　captain　of　our　archers。　Until　Calais　is　taken；　leave　not　our　person
for　any　cause；　and　ask　no　more　such　boons　lest　you　lose　our　favour。
Nay；　we　have　no　more　words　for　you　since　many　others　seek　them。　Stand
back；　Sir　Hugh！　What　say　you；　my　lord　of　Warwick？　Ay；　it　is　a　gruesome
task；　but　let　the　Welshmen　out；　those　wounded　will　be　well　rid　of
their　pain；　and　Christ　have　mercy　on　their　souls。　Forget　not　when　it
is　finished　to　gather　all　men　that　they　may　give　thanks　to　God　for　His
great　mercies。〃



Well　nigh　a　year　had　gone；　for　once　again　the　sun　shone　in　the　brazen
August　heavens。　Calais　had　fallen　at　last。　Only　that　day　six　of　her
noblest　citizens　had　come　forth；　bearing　the　keys　of　the　fortress；
clad　in　white　shirts；　with　ropes　about　their　necks；　and　been　rescued
from　instant　death　at　the　hands　of　the　headsman　by　the　prayer　of　Queen
Philippa。

In　his　tent　sat　Hugh　de　Cressi；　who；　after　so　much　war　and　hardship；
looked　older　than　his　years；　perhaps　because　of　a　red　scar　across　the
forehead；　which　he　had　come　by　during　the　siege。　With　him　was　his
father；　Master　de　Cressi；　who　had　sailed　across　from　Dunwich　with　a
cargo　of　provisions；　whereof；　if　the　truth　were　known；　he　had　made　no
small　profit。　For　they　were　sold；　every　pound　of　them；　before　they
left　the　ship's　hold；　though　it　is　true　the　money　remained　to　be
collected。

〃You　say　that　Eve　is　well；　my　father？〃

〃Aye；　well　enough；　son。　Never　saw　I　woman　better　or　more　beautiful；
though　she　wears　but　a　sad　face。　I　asked　her　if　she　would　not　sail
with　me　and　visit　you。　But　she　answered：　'Nay；　how　can　I　who　am
another　man's　wife？　Sir　Hugh；　your　son；　should　have　killed　the　wolf
and　let　the　poor　swan　go。　When　the　wolf　is　dead；　then；　perchance；　I
will　visit　him。　But；　meanwhile；　say　to　him　that　Red　Eve's　heart　is
where　it　always　was；　and　that；　like　all　Dunwich；　she　joys　greatly　in
his　fame　and　is　honoured　in　his　honour。'　Moreover；　to　Grey　Dick　here；
she　sends　many　messages；　and　a　present　of　wines　and　spiced　foods　for
his　stomach　and　of　six　score　arrows　made　after　his　own　pattern　for　his
quiver。〃

〃But　for　me　no　gift；　father？〃　said　Hugh。

〃Nothing；　son；　save　her　love；　which　she　said　was　enough。　Also；　in　all
this　press　of　business　and　in　my　joy　at　finding　you　safe　I　had　almost
forgotten　it；　there　is　a　letter　from　the　holy　Father；　Sir　Andrew。　I
have　it　somewhere　in　my　pouch　amid　the　bills　of　exchange；〃　and　he
began　to　hunt　through　the　parchments　which　he　carried　in　a　bag　within
his　robe。

At　length　the　letter　was　found。　It　ran　thus：

　　To　Sir　Hugh　de　Cressi；　knight；　my　beloved　godson：

　　With　what　rejoicings　I　and　another　have　heard　of　your　knightly
　　deeds　through　the　letters　that　you　have　sent　to　us　and　from　the
　　mouths　of　wounded　soldiers　returned　from　the　war；　your　honoured
　　father　will　tell　you。　I　thank　God　for　them；　and　pray　Him　that　this
　　may　find　you　unhurt　and　growing　ever　in　glory。

　　My　son；　I　have　no　good　news　for　you。　The　Pope　at　Avignon；　having
　　studied　the　matter；　（if　indeed　it　ever　reached　his　own　ears）
　　writes　by　one　of　his　secretaries　to　say　that　he　will　not　dissolve
　　the　alleged　marriage　between　the　Count　of　Noyon　and　the　lady　Eve
　　of　Clavering　until　the　parties　have　appeared　before　him　and　set
　　out　their　cause　to　his　face。　Therefore　Eve　cannot　come　to　you；　nor
　　must　you　come　to　her　while　de　Noyon　lives；　unless　the　mind　of　his
　　Holiness　can　be　changed。　Should　France　become　more　quiet；　so　that
　　English　folk　can　travel　there　in　safety；　perchance　Eve　and　I　will
　　journey　to　Avignon　to　lay　her　plaint　before　the　Holy　Father。　But
　　as　yet　this　seems　scarcely　possible。　Moreover；　I　trust　that　the
　　traitor；　Acour；　may　meet　his　end　in　this　way　or　in　that；　and　so
　　save　us　the　necessity。　For；　as　you　know；　such　cases　take　long　to
　　try；　and　the　cost　of　them　is　great。　Moreover；　at　the　Court　of
　　Avignon　the　cause　of　one　of　our　country　must　indeed　be　good　just
　　now　when　the　other　party　to　it　is　of　the　blood　of　France。

　　Soon　I　hope　to　write　to　you　again；　who　at　present　have　no　more　to
　　say；　save　that　notwithstanding　my　years　I　am　well　and　strong；　and
　　would　that　I　sat　with　you　before　the　walls　of　Calais。　God's
　　blessing　and　mine　be　on　you；　and　to　Richard　the　archer；　greetings。
　　Dunwich　has　heard　how　he　shot　the　foul…tongued　Frenchman　before
　　the　great　battle　closed；　and　the　townsfolk　lit　a　bonfire　on　the
　　walls　and　feasted　all　the　archers　in　his　honour。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Andrew　Arnold。

〃I　have　found　another　letter；〃　said　Master　de　Cressi；　when　Hugh　had
finished　reading；　〃which　I　remember　Sir　Andrew　charged　me　to　give　to
you　also；〃　and　he　handed　him　a　paper　addressed　in　a　large；　childish
hand。

Hugh　broke　its　silk　eagerly；　for　he　knew　that　writing。

　〃Hugh；〃　it　began　simply；　〃Clement　the　Pope　will　not　void　my　false
　　marriage　unless　I　appear　before　him；　and　this　as　yet　I　cannot　do
　　because　of　the　French　wars。　Moreover；　he　sets　the　curse　of　the
　　Church　upon　me　and　any　man　with　whom　I　shall　dare　to　re…marry
　　until　this　be　done。　For　myself　I　would　defy　the　Church；　but　not
　　for　you　or　for　children　that　might　come　to　us。　Moreover；　the　holy
　　father；　Sir　Andrew；　forbids　it；　saying　that　God　will　right　all　in
　　His　season　and　that　we　must　not　make　Him　wroth。　Therefore；　Hugh；
　　lover　you　are；　but　husband　you　may　not　be　while　de　Noyon　lives　or
　　until　the　Pope　gives　his　dispensation　of　divorce；　which　latter　may
　　be　long　in　winning；　for　the　knave　de　Noyon　has　been　whispering　in
　　his　ear。　Hugh；　this　is　my　counsel：　Get　you　to　the　King　again　and
　　crave　his　leave　to　follow　de　Noyon；　for　if　once　you　twain　can　come
　　face　to　face　I　know　well　how　the　fray　will　end。　Then；　when　he　is
　　dead；　return　to　one　who　waits　for　you　through　this　world　and　the
　　next。

　〃Hugh；　I　am　proud　of　your　great　deeds。　No　longer　can　they　mock　you
　　as　'the　merchant's　son；'　Sir　Hugh。　God　be　with　you；　as　are　my
　　prayers　and　love。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　〃Eve　Clavering。〃

　〃I　forgot　to　tell　you　that　Sir　Andrew　is　disturbed　in　heart。　He
　　looks　into　a　crystal　which　he　says　he　brought　with　him　from　the
　　East；　and　swears　he　sees　strange　sights　there；　pictures　of　woe
　　such　as　have　not　been　since　the　beginning　of　the　world。　Of　this
　　woe　he　preaches　to　the　folk　of　Dunwich；　warning　them　of　judgment
　　to　come；　and　they　listen　affrighted　because　they　know　him　to　be　a
　　holy　man　who　has　a　gift　from　God。　Yet　he　says　that　you　and　I；　Eve；
　　need　fear　nothing。　May　it　be　so；　Hugh。E。〃

Now　when　he　had　thought　awhile　and　hidden　up　Eve's　letter；　Hugh　turned
to　his　father　and　asked　him　what　were　these　sermons　that　Sir　Andrew
preached。

〃I　heard　but　one　of　them；　son；〃　answered　Master　de　Cressi；　〃though
there　have　been　three。　By　the　Holy　Mother！　it　frightened　me　so　much
that　I　needed　no　more　of　that　medicine。　Nor；　to　tell　truth；　when　I　got
home　again　could　I　remember　all　he　said；　save　that　it　was　of　some
frightful　ill　which　comes　upon　the　world　from　the　East　and　will　leave
it　desolate。〃

〃And　what　think　folk　of　such　talk；　father？〃

〃Indeed；　son；　they　know　not　what　to　think。　Most　say　that　he　is　mad；
others　say　that　he　is　inspired　of　God。　Yet　others　declare　that　he　is　a
wizard　and　that　his　familiar　brings　him　tidings　from　Cathay；　where
once　he　dwelt；　or　perchance；　from　hell　itself。　These　went　to　the
bishop；　who　summoned　Sir　Andrew　and　was　closeted　with　him　for　three
hours。　Afterward　he　called　in　the　complainers　and　bade　them　cease
their　scandal　of　wizardry；　since　he　was　sure　that　what　the　holy　Father
said　came　from　above　and　not　from　below。　He　added　that　they　would　do
well　to　mend　their　lives　and　prepare　to　render　their　account；　as　for
his　part　he　should　also；　since　the　air　was　thick　with　doom。　Then　he
gave　his　benediction　to　the　old　knight　and　turned　away　weeping；　and
since　that　hour　none　talk　of　wizardry　but　all　of　judgment。　Men　in
Dunwich　who　have　quarrelled　from　boyhood；　forgive　each　other　and　sing
psalms　instead　of　swearing　oaths；　and　I　have　been　paid　debts　that　have
been　owing　to　me　for　years；　all　because　of　these　sermons。〃

〃An　awesome　tale；　truly；〃　said　Hugh。　〃Yet　like　this　bishop　I　believe
that　what　Sir　Andrew　says　will　come　to　pass；　for　I　know　well　that　he
is　not　as　other　men　are。〃

That　night；　by　special　leave；　Hugh　waited　on　the　King；　and　with　him
Grey　Dick；　who　was　ever　his　shadow。

〃What　is　it　now；　Sir　Hugh　de　Cressi？〃　asked　Edward。

〃Sire；　after　the　great　battle；　nigh　upon　a　year　ago；　you　told　me　that
I　must　serve　you　till　Calais　fell。　I　have　served　as　best　I　could　and
Calais　has　fallen。　Now　I　ask　your　leave　to　go　seek　my　enemyand　yours
Sir　Edmund　Acour；　Count　de　Noyon。〃

〃Then　you　must　go　far；　Sir　Hugh；　for　I　have　tidings　that　this　rogue
who　was　not　ashamed　to　wear　another　man's　armour；　and　so　save　himself
from　your　sword；　is　away　to　Italy　this　six　months　gone；　where；　as　the
Seigneur　de　Cattrina；　he　has　estates　near　Venice。　But　tell　me　how
things　stand。　Doubtless　that　Red　Eve　of　yoursstrangely　enough　I
thought　of　her　at　Crecy　when　the　sky　grew　so　wondrous　at　nightfallis
at　the　bottom　of　them。〃

〃That　is　so；　Sire；〃　and　he　told　him　all　the　tale。

〃A　strange　case　truly；　Sir　Hugh；〃　said　the　King　when　he　had　heard　it
out。　〃I'll　write　to　Clement　for　you　both；　but　I　doubt　me　whether　you
and　your　Eve　will　get　justice　from　him；　being　English。　England　and
Englishmen　find　little　favour　at　Avignon　just　now；　and　mayhap　Philip
has　already　written　on　behalf　of　de　Noyon。　At　the　best　His　Holiness
will　shear　you　close　and　keep　you　waiting　while　he　weighs　the　wool。
No；　Red　Eve　is　right：　this　is　a　knot　soonest　severed　by　the　sword。　If
you　should　find　him；　de　Noyon　could　scarce　refuse　to　meet　you；　for　you
shall　fight　him　as　the　champion　of　our　cause　as　well　as　of　your　own。
He's　at　Venice；　for　our　Envoy　there　reported　it　to　me；　trying　to　raise
a　fresh　force　of　archers　for　the　French。

〃You　have　leave　to　go；　Sir　Hugh；　who　deserve　much　more；　having　served
us　well；〃　went　on　the　King。　〃We'll　give　you　letters　to　Sir　Geoffrey
Carleon；　who　represents　us　there；　and　through　him　to　the　Doge。
Farewell　to　you；　Sir　Hugh　de　Cress