Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [316]
After a while, Nicholas left the top of the bridge and came to work with his trowel near to where Wodman was mixing mortar. He made a joke, and then said, ‘I’ll suggest a splash in the shallow water at the next rest. We’ll lose the chance if it rains.’
True. He hadn’t thought of it. It was one of their simpler schemes. Few men could swim at all, never mind underwater the way Nicholas could, taught by an African. And he wasn’t so bad himself.
Dinnertime came, and they were indeed permitted to rollick about in the water, which was knee-high. Cuddie manufactured a ball, and made up the rules, and they had shrieked themselves hoarse by the time Hector good-naturedly summoned them back. There had been no chance whatever to escape, and there wasn’t to be one from that source. When the air cooled and the rain-clouds moved hazily in, Hector looked up at the sky and decreed a return with the wains to the village. If they were to go on, they’d need to build shelters.
Cuddie the Hod was struck by a helpful idea. ‘If you’ll give us the timbers, Fletcher and me’ll put up a shelter, master,’ he said.
Chapter 41
And for his kyndnes thocht he erar to de
Than tyne his fallow and he liffand be.
IT WAS THE noise of the water-sport, with its echoing voices, that drew the attention of Simon de St Pol as he lay with his son and two soldiers in the ruins of a hamlet on the English side of the Tweed.
They had floated across in the night, spinning and drifting on a raft strewn with weed, delicately steered by a paddle. Above them, the sky had been deep blue and full of inimical stars, and they had lain side by side, soaked in danger; silent as if about to hook a solitary fish, or kill a listening stag. When, safely arrived, Simon sank down to recline in this haven, he wanted to fling his head back and yelp aloud with relief and delight. Then he turned to his son, and met the twin of his glee in Henry’s face. Moved by euphoria, Simon swung a punch and Henry answered it, their two arms aloft, jarring in comradeship, blue eyes ablaze into blue. Then they dropped, and Simon said, smiling, ‘I suppose we should get some sleep.’
Just before dawn, they moved quietly to quarter the territory; locate the watchers; and explore the river-bank and the way to the castle. They were in hiding again by the time they heard the rumble of laden wains, and men’s voices, and the work began on the bridge. They were strengthening it. Henry said, ‘They’re going to bring reinforcements from Norham. Artillery, even. We ought to let Borthwick know.’
‘We shall,’ Simon said. ‘As soon as we’ve dealt with our traitor.’
It was a word he used often, as if Henry might be in danger of forgetting. De Fleury was a spy and a traitor. He had secretly visited the King’s rebel brother, and was helping to plan an invasion. And Fate had chosen them to stop him.
Very soon after that, there came the noise, as if children were playing, and Simon sent Henry to look.
Splashing about in the gorge, and laughing like children, was a group of half-naked men playing ball. The man with the ball, clowning, was Nicholas de Fleury. And Andro Wodman was with him.
Henry lay for quite a long time, until the play finished and he saw that the two men belonged to the party of workmen. It was obvious that the builders didn’t know who they were. He heard someone use the name Cuddie. It was a northern English version of Cuthbert. De Fleury was wearing a hat, and had let his beard grow, and seemed to have dyed his hair yellow. He was clever.
His father, when he got back, was both eager and captious. ‘You