Sovereign by C. J. Sansom Read Free Book Online Page B

chains from Clifford’s Tower?’
    ‘That is Aske then? Yes.’
    ‘My chain is just long enough to allow me to stand at the window. I look out, and remember. When Robert was convicted of treason, the King promised he should be spared the pains of
disembowelling at his execution, that he would hang till he was dead. He did not realize the King meant he was to be dangled alive in chains till he died from thirst and hunger.’ He coughed.
‘Poor Robert that trusted Henry the Cruel.’
    ‘Have a care, Sir Edward.’
    He turned and looked at me. ‘Robert Aske was my best friend.’
    A key grated in the lock and Radwinter returned, bearing a pitcher of weak beer. He handed it to Broderick, who sat up and took a deep draught. I motioned Radwinter into the corner.
    ‘Has he spoken?’ the gaoler snapped.
    ‘Only to tell me he knew Robert Aske. But I have seen the burns on his body; I do not like the look of them. One is inflamed, he should have a physician.’
    ‘Very well.’ Radwinter nodded. ‘A man dead of fever will be no use to the Archbishop, after all.’
    ‘Please arrange it. I will call tomorrow to see how he does. And he should have fresh rushes.’
    ‘Scented perhaps, with sweet herbs?’ Radwinter still smiled, but there was cold anger in his voice. ‘Well, Broderick,’ he continued. ‘You have been telling Master
Shardlake about Aske. I am told that in the first winter after he died, when all his flesh had been eaten by the ravens and little bones began falling to the ground, they had to set a guard, for
people were taking away the bones. Bones from his hands and feet are hidden by papists all over York. Usually in the dunghills, for that is the safest place to keep relics safe from a search. It is
also where Aske’s bones belong—’
    Broderick jumped up, with a sound between a groan and a snarl. There was a rattle of chains as he sprang at Radwinter. The gaoler had been watching for the move. He stepped quickly back and the
chains holding Broderick’s arms tautened, jerking him back on the bed. He slumped with a groan.
    Radwinter laughed softly. ‘Watch him, Master Shardlake. You see, he is not as weakly as he looks. Well, Broderick, I shall ignore your violence, and comfort myself with the knowledge of
what awaits you in London. As ’tis well said, there is truth in pain.’ He stepped past me and opened the door. I followed, with a last glance back at the prisoner. Broderick was staring
at me again.
    ‘You are a lawyer?’ he asked quietly.
    ‘I said so.’
    He laughed bitterly. ‘So was Robert Aske. When you see him again, think on what even lawyers may come to.’
    ‘Words, Sir Edward, words,’ Radwinter said as I went out past him. The gaoler locked the door and I followed him back downstairs. In his room the gaoler stood and faced me, his eyes
cold and his expression serious.
    ‘I wanted you to see that he is dangerous, for all he may look helpless.’
    ‘Then why provoke him?’
    ‘To show you. But I will have the physician fetched.’
    ‘Please do. Whatever he has done, that man is to be treated as well as safety allows. And you should call him Sir Edward – he is still entitled to the courtesy.’
    ‘Safety means he should be kept in no doubt who is master. You do not know what he is capable of.’
    ‘Very little, chained to a wall.’
    Radwinter’s mouth set in a line as hard as a knife-blade. He stepped forward so his face was close to mine. His eyes seemed to bore into me.
    ‘I saw your sympathy for him,’ he said. ‘The softness in your face. That worries me, with a man as dangerous as that.’
    I took a deep breath, for it was true that there was something about people being kept in cells that revolted me.
    ‘I have struck a nerve, I see.’ Radwinter smiled softly. ‘Then let me strike another. I distrust that sympathy in you, sir. Perhaps those who seem outcasts resonate in your
soul. Perhaps because of the condition of your back.’
    My mouth tightened at