CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

A Spot of Light Hunting

I have not been at court for six weeks. That the King is so amenable to my taking such a sabbatical can only be thanks to the warm summer weather that has allowed him to ride and hunt - and forget about the Government of the Realm for the season. Cromwell, Wriothesley and Whorwood have, between them, covered for my absence so efficiently that I wonder if I am truly needed at all.

In the six months that have passed since the Infanta Maria set sail for her new home in Portugal, it is as though the dark world we knew never existed - and all that we endured in our quest to destroy Lamashtu was nothing but a dream. Nothing infernal has visited the Court in all that time, and Cromwell has sensed not so much as a waft of ichor. Had he done so, I would most certainly not have remained behind when the Court removed.

My reason for staying in London was partly to catalogue a large consignment of papers sent from the House, but mostly to oversee the progress of Molly, whose prowess is such that, on my recommendation, the High has agreed that she should serve as a Second. She, and her ever loving husband, departed on this morning's tide for Padua, where she is to be intensively trained in the Spanish and Portuguese languages, and learn the complicated Courtly manners of a great Lady in the train of the Infanta Maria. I am sad to see her go, for her assistance was so invaluable that I am quite convinced I could not have managed when times were at their darkest; but I am also pleased, for her talent is enormous, and she shall certainly prove to be a highly capable Second to the Silver Sword to whom she is to be assigned. As the former Lady Mary is well aware of the existence of the Order, she shall, doubtless, expect to be as fully apprised of Molly's activities as Queen Jane has been with mine.

The sun is high as Adrian plods up to the gate of the inn at which I intend to dine. I am not surprised to see Clement tied to a railing in the shade of a nearby shed, his tail swishing back and forth to keep the flies at bay. Cromwell knew that I was returning to Court today, so he has - naturally - ridden out to meet me halfway. And there he is - seated at a quiet table well away from any other patrons. Not that any would know who he was, for he has chosen to dress quite roughly for a man of his station.

"Are the Garlants on their way?" He asks, as I seat myself opposite, washing my hands in a dish held for me by one of the servants.

"They are. Molly and Goodwife Dawson both shed copious amounts of tears - but she is excited as much as she is apprehensive, I think."

"She is very talented," He observes, "I have no doubt that she and the Princess Maria shall make a truly formidable team. I rather pity the Silver Sword who must deal with them."

I laugh, then look about, "Is Tom not with you?"

Cromwell shakes his head, "Tom is no longer at Court - since he was granted his Knighthood, he has entered diplomatic service. To remain as he was would have been an utter waste of his talents - and I am glad that he is being put to good use. He is currently in Paris, I believe."

We cannot discuss matters pertaining to our more secretive work as we dine, for there are too many other patrons around us. Instead, I catch up on what little Court gossip Cromwell is able to access, since we have lost Tom's keen observational eye. Now that Dickon has left, he is in the process of finding a new Manservant, which is proving difficult, for who could possibly reach the heights achieved by William? Even Dickon struggled at times, and he knew all about us.

Once we are on horseback again, the horses taking a slow and easy pace, matters return to those which we could not discuss in public, "How is the Queen?" I ask.

"She is most well, and her efforts to grant Ned and Hal - as she calls them - a childhood free from care continue to bear fruit." Cromwell answers, "Young Edward has begun some lessons, which he merely considers to be an extension of his play, and the household he shall eventually lead is being appointed. I believe Lady Bryan is to manage his affairs once he assumes a home of his own, though that shall not happen for at least another year."

"And Princess Elizabeth?"

"I believe she has now received at least seven proposals for her hand from various European courts." Cromwell's voice is rather dry, "She has, however, so far shown no keenness to consider any - she is a most serious young woman, and her studious nature is something to behold. Were she not a Princess, I cannot help but wonder if she might make as capable a Second as Molly is likely to become."

I am not sure if he is serious, until I see he is smiling somewhat, and I know that he jests. With a temper like hers, to be a Second would be all but impossible.

"And what of the King?" I venture, somewhat nervously - for all know that his health is not what it was.

"All things considered, Richie, he is in surprisingly good condition. His leg is as poor as ever, and his temper fluctuates with its state. He is still able to ride, however, despite his gout, and thus enjoys at least some of the pleasures of his youth. I do not, however," despite our being alone, his voice drops, "think it likely that there shall be a third child for her Majesty."

That is no real surprise - if I am to be truly honest with myself, I suspect that little Prince Henry was something of a fortunate fluke.

"He is as attentive to her as he has ever been," Cromwell continues, "and she is well able to navigate his moods, as well as turn a blind eye to his occasional philandering, for he still has mistresses now and again. Her patience is, at times, truly legendary - though that is something that all of us have been obliged to learn where we hold high office."

"Have you been obliged to hunt at all?" I venture, uncertain whether I hope that he has, or he has not.

"I have undertaken periodic searches of the Palace." He admits, "Always they are fruitless, which is a good thing. I am, however, relieved that you have returned, for I am concerned that my lack of swordplay shall impact upon my speed. I hope you are not averse to spending some time sparring."

He laughs at my nervous expression.

The Court is quiet as we arrive in the Mews, and I hand Adrian over to one of the Grooms. John has been here since the the move, so Cromwell escorts me to my new quarters - as they are far finer than my previous rooms, and I do not yet know where they are.

I am tired, hot and stiff from my long ride, so I cannot contemplate supper until I have bathed and changed into clean clothes. Evening is drawing in as I rejoin Cromwell, as he has decided that we should eat in the Hall tonight. I am, however, quite famished, so I do not care in the slightest where we eat. Though I am still rather unused to the deference that I receive as the Lord Privy Seal, and find it most odd. Not that it seems to have done anything for my popularity - unless people want something, of course.

"I have ensured that there is nothing of great import awaiting you, Richie," Cromwell advises, sagely, as we eat, "I intend upon an excursion tomorrow, for I am curious."

"About what?"

"I wish to see what has happened to the Priory now that a certain lady of our former acquaintance is no longer with us."

"Why? She is gone - it is in all certainty abandoned." I must admit that I am not keen, for I remember those ghastly heads she had on her walls. Human heads set as trophies - which would have included ours had she been able to secure them. I imagine those blasted things are still there, and I would not wish to see them again, for I remember how much they unnerved me.

Cromwell chews at a mouthful of mutton, then swallows it, "I am not comfortable with the knowledge that it remains. To me, it would seem to be an infernal refuge, and I wish to be certain that nothing else has taken up residence there."

"You wish to have it pulled down?"

"Perhaps; if it is possible. Just to make all sure."

And so, the following morning, we depart from Hampton Court, our swords carefully set on our saddles, and make the journey across the river for the first time since that day that came so close to ending our lives. I am not sure what to expect, for the last time we visited the Priory all about it seemed dead and cold - apparently thanks to the presence of something as evil as Lamashtu.

As we ride through the parkland that belongs to the King - since we are Courtiers and therefore permitted to do so - the sun is high, and warm. I have already opened my doublet at the throat, and I suspect that I shall have removed it entirely by midday, since we are not in the presence of anyone important. Around us, the grass is high and alive with crickets and grasshoppers that spring away in all directions. Now and again, we put up a pheasant or two, and their alarm calls send the distant deer fleeing for cover.

When we come upon the Priory, we are rather surprised, for it seems so unexpected. The grass is as high here as it was behind us, and the birds serenade the summer air with warbling voices that were entirely absent when last we approached. The sun is not hidden, and no mist wreaths about the trees that sprout leaves where once they seemed to be nothing more than gnarled fists.

The outer buildings and the old Priory Church are as ruinous as they were when first we saw them, but the real surprise lies before us as we enter what had previously served as Lamashtu's residence.

"What has happened to it?" I ask, astonished that the buildings that once stood here are now as ruinous as the rest of the complex - and seem always to have been so. It is as though nothing has been here since the place was destroyed when Lamashtu first arrived here.

"When she was destroyed," Cromwell muses, as he guides Clement in through what was a standing gateway when we last explored the site, "I can only imagine the place where she lived was destroyed, too. Perhaps she maintained it through whatever infernal powers she possessed."

Even as I dismount, my eyes search the now exposed walls. When I ventured inside, those walls had been decorated with panelling, the grotesque heads mounted upon plaques like those of hunted beasts and hung all about. Now, however, there is no sign that any decoration was ever present. No furniture, no panelling and - thank God - no severed heads.

"I do not imagine anything would take up residence here, Thomas." I say, turning to him as he also dismounts and crosses to join me, "It is all gone."

"Good." He approves.

With nothing to keep us, Cromwell cups his hands to boost me back into my saddle, before mounting Clement with the ease of a long-practised rider, and we commence a leisurely plod back to the Palace. The last time, we had been fleeing for our lives, so it is quite pleasant to move at such a sedate pace.

"So, Thomas." I look across to him, "Is it safe to say that the Mission is complete?"

He nods, "I think so - well, this Mission is complete. I do not doubt that others shall attempt to succeed where Lamashtu failed."

"Others? God, are you serious?"

"Absolutely. There is quite an aristocracy of demons, Richie, and now that Lamashtu is gone, there is nothing to stand in their way other than a Silver Sword and his Second. That said, none are like Lamashtu - for she was more than a mere demoness. She had been here for longer than any could guess - any creature that wishes to shatter our hard won peace shall have to start from the beginning, and that grants us an inevitable advantage, for we are prepared, but they are not."

"We are?" I am immediately nervous.

"Why - have you learned nothing from your experiences, then?" Cromwell raises an eyebrow, sardonically.

"Well - yes, I have, but…"

"There is no 'but', Richie. I once trusted Wolsey absolutely with my life, and now, equally, I trust you. There was once a youth by the name of Joachim who I regarded as close to me as a brother. Now, there is you. Not only do you have the skills to be my Second, but you can fight at my side, and there is not a soul alive whom I trust more."

"In that case, perhaps we are indeed prepared." I admit, deliberately grudging, and he laughs, "Until that night, when I encountered you in the offices, I knew better than to trust anyone, or to be trusted. It was Tom who told me that I was hiding behind that to protect myself. I think I still do not fully trust any other at court but you and Tom, for none have shown me that they are safe to be granted such faith, with perhaps the exception of her Majesty and Lady Rochford. But I know that there is one constant in my life now, and that is your trust, and your friendship. I think, without that, I should be a truly sad soul indeed - and almost certainly not the Lord Privy Seal." I add, rather facetiously.

"If we continue to serve the Kingdom to such a degree, then I fear that his Majesty shall run out of rewards to grant us." Cromwell says, cheerfully, "Perhaps we should restore the secrecy of our clandestine professions."

"Her Majesty would never forgive us." I remind him.

"That she would not."

The day is rolling into dusk as we cross the river again and return to Hampton Court Palace - where it all began. Nearly four years have passed since that strange moment when I discovered that the stranger I had seen in the Offices was Thomas Cromwell, and that my services were required to defeat a ghastly evil that could have plunged the entirety of England into a slavery so grotesque that all who lived would have envied those who had died. I am not that man now - I am stronger, braver and perhaps a little more wise, though probably not. In a single instant, the course of my life changed forever - and I shall never be the same again.

As we leave the horses with the grooms and retrieve our swords, I notice Cromwell stop dead. For a moment, he sniffs slightly, then turns to me. It is I who speaks, "Ichor."

We have our swords with us, and - while we are not in black - we are not dressed too finely. It seems the ideal time to go in search of that which has captured the Raven's attention. The Mission may have been achieved, but the War goes on. Exchanging a glance, we strap on our swords, and set out to hunt.

And so we are done! Thank you for reading - I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!