[Roger the Chapman 02] - The Plymouth Cloak by Kate Sedley Read Free Book Online Page B

floor beside my cudgel. My senses were swimming and I, too, turned on my side, disposing my long limbs as best I could and nestling my shoulder into the mattress. I was almost across the borderline of sleep when my eyes, flicking open for a brief moment, informed me that there was another door at the opposite end of the Infirmary from which we had entered. There was quite likely a trestle there also, with a rush-light and tinder-box on it, and I knew I should get up and investigate, barring that door as well, if possible. But my body refused to respond when I willed it to rise. My arms and legs were still aching in every sinew and craved rest. If I were to mount that rouncey, now fed and watered and asleep in the Abbot's stables, tomorrow morning, with anything approaching cheerfulness, I had to sleep. My eyes shut obediently, and once again I headed towards the brink of unconsciousness. Philip Underdown was already snoring...
    I have no idea what woke me, but suddenly my eyes were wide open. It was impossible to tell how long I had been asleep; long enough, fortunately, to turn on to my other side, facing in Philip Underdown's direction. Someone, a man, was standing over his sleeping form, the right arm raised, the hand holding a knife. Even in the darkness, I could see the pallid gleam of the blade.
    I was out of bed before I was even conscious of what I was doing, my right arm locked about the assailant's throat, my left knee in the small of his back. He gave a kind of choking cry and dropped his knife with a clatter on to the stone floor, waking Philip, who immediately sat up, reaching for his dagger. Before he could come to my assistance, however, the man I was holding gave a sudden kick backwards with his right foot, catching me, more by luck than judgement, full in the genitals and causing me to loosen my grip. While I was doubled up in pain, he wrenched free, eluded Philip Underdown's lunging arm and fled for the open doorway at the far end of the Infirmary. A moment later the heavy door slammed to behind him and we were alone.

CHAPTER 5  

    Philip Underdown would have given chase, but I restrained him. It was still dark outside and there could be little hope of finding anyone with such a head start. All it would achieve would be to disturb the monks and rouse the other sleepers, drawing attention to ourselves and what had happened. He agreed reluctantly, relit the rush-light, placed it on the floor between our beds and sat down on the edge of his own cot, facing me. After a moment, he stooped and picked up the fallen knife, turning it over and over in his hands. Not once did he ask how I was, although he must have realized the pain I was suffering.
    'Who was it?' he asked. 'That creeping plague-spot, Silas Bywater?'
    I eased myself full-length on to the mattress, propping myself up on my elbows. 'I didn't get a proper look at him, but somehow I don't think so. He was too tall and too slender. More the build of that man who was watching us at supper yesterday evening. I think perhaps the Duke was right and you're in danger from.., from people anxious to prevent this letter you're carrying reaching Duke Francis, in Brittany.' I hesitated, then added: 'And there maybe others, for different reasons, who.., who wish to see you dead.' He shrugged with every appearance of indifference, but conceded gruffly: 'It seems the King's tame pet of a brother was right to appoint you my guardian, after all.' He stretched and yawned. 'I'm tired. I'll see if I can bar the other door and then we'll be able to sleep soundly until morning.' It was the nearest a man like him would ever come to thanking me for saving his life.
    There was indeed another trestle at the opposite end of the room and Philip Underdown dragged it across the doorway.
    Both entrances to the Infirmary were now barred, and we slept, if a trifle fitfully on my part, until the first pale shreds of daylight filtered through the slits of the window. Wearily I forced my