Race of Scorpions - Dorothy Dunnett [94]
Nicholas preserved his appearance of patience. ‘How unwise,’ he said, ‘if you expect them to fight for Carlotta.’ It was all he said. He didn’t ask where they were. Tristão was still looking at her. The Grand Commander was coming back, without haste. With equal repose, Nicholas stood and watched his allotted servant load chests on a barrow. Brutally large and black as lamp oil, the man swung them up as if they were empty. The boy Diniz spoke to Nicholas. ‘You didn’t tell us.’
Nicholas removed his gaze. ‘No. It was awkward. Your uncle Simon and I crossed swords a few times, in trade and for personal reasons. I thought the quarrel was over. Otherwise I should hardly be here.’
‘And my wife?’ said Tristão Vasquez. ‘Does this feud extend to her?’
‘Of course not,’ said Nicholas. ‘She has probably never heard of me. I don’t intend any harm to you or your son, as perhaps I have proved. Or even, believe it or not, to my lord Simon. I should simply like to collect my men and get out.’
Louis de Magnac had arrived. He said, ‘And that is all we wish for you also, Messer Niccolò. I am sure your loyalty to the Queen is unquestioned. So soon as the Queen herself is convinced, you may join them.’
‘The Queen is here?’ Nicholas said.
‘Yes,’ said the Grand Commander of Cyprus. ‘And awaiting you now, at the Palace.’
‘I see,’ Nicholas said. ‘I am honoured. I shall, of course, attend her presently. But you will forgive me none the less if I keep to my original plan. I should like first to establish the lady, our servants and our luggage in some suitable tavern. We are not dressed for court.’
Louis de Magnac could never be hearty, but his manner came close to it. ‘Will the Queen complain?’ he said. ‘Far from it. But you are right. A tavern it shall be. We shall send your servants there, and your luggage and the lady’s. If you need them, they will be sent for. But now, we must not keep the Queen waiting. Will you walk? Or does the lady wish to be carried?’
Nicholas said, ‘The Queen is too amiable. As the future leader of the Queen’s auxiliary army, I would not demean her by appearing less than honourably. I shall accept, with pleasure, an escort to the tavern. Your men may wait to lead us to the palace. And it might be appropriate, and quicker, to supply the lady and myself with horses of reasonable quality. As you see, I have none of my own.’
Never had Katelina van Borselen heard Claes speak to a man of birth as an equal before, far less present an ultimatum. Overrule me, and you will have to arrest me, and lose the chance of my army. She saw the Grand Commander decide to concede. The inn could be guarded; communication with others prevented. ‘But of course,’ said Louis de Magnac. ‘Provided you do not try her grace’s patience too far. She is a woman. She does not like to be kept overlong waiting.’
‘It seems a pity, in that case,’ Nicholas said, ‘that you committed me before first consulting me. Now, where do we go?’
They were taken to a large inn which was not in the Chora of the Castello, the lower part of the walled city in which the merchants, the Jews, the Latins had their trading centre, and the Knights whatever private dwellings they could afford. Uphill from the Chora was the fortified town of the Knights, in which they consulted and ate in the Gothic residences of their Langues, the clubhouses of their national groupings. There also were their church and hospital of St John, and the fortress of the Grand Master. There too were the palaces built or lent for the use of the diplomats, the envoys, the guests of the Knights. The hospice to which Nicholas and Primaflora were taken was one of these. And a long and safe distance from it, as Primaflora was able to tell him, was the palace of Carlotta and Luis of Cyprus, where he was later expected.
It was the only communication he and Primaflora were allowed on the short journey through the thick turreted gates and