The Book of Fires by Paul Doherty Read Free Book Online Page B

Gaunt’s chancery clerks to copy it for our noble Regent. We all know why Gaunt would want such information.’
    ‘As would others?’
    ‘Yes, Brother, so we come to Lady Isolda’s defence. She maintained she knew nothing about Vanner buying new cups. She could not understand why a goblet was found in the privy and believed it was placed there. She maintained that if her husband was poisoned it could have been administered by Vanner earlier in the day without her knowledge. More significantly, she maintained that her brother-in-law, Sir Henry, or Buckholt, or both, allegedly stole “The Book of Fires”, as they were secret adherents of the Great Community of the Realm and its leaders the Upright Men. She depicted Buckholt as a fervent adherent of the rebels, and Sir Henry as a rich merchant eager to appease them.’
    ‘A shrewd move.’ Athelstan nodded. ‘Gaunt and his henchman, Thibault, Master of Secrets, would be horrified at that.’
    ‘Sutler, however, openly ridiculed such an idea, as well as Lady Isolda’s attempt to argue that others, even Vanner, with whom she denied any tryst, could have been involved in her husband’s death. He dismissed her allegation that the story of the goblets was merely a pretence to entrap her.’
    ‘She actually argued that?’
    ‘Yes, as she did, time and time again, that Vanner might be the guilty party.’
    ‘Was any explanation offered about Vanner’s disappearance or flight? Sir John, Vanner has gone into hiding. That is proof of guilt. But of course,’ Athelstan scratched the side of his face, ‘Vanner might be guilty but that doesn’t prove that Lady Isolda was innocent and, I suppose, Sutler argued the same?’ He sipped from his cup. ‘Yes, I can see why Sutler’s prosecution held firm. He could prove everything: the goblet being handed over; Isolda making her husband drink; the goblets being exchanged; Vanner buying new ones. Did Sutler touch on the relationship between Sir Walter and his lovely young wife?’
    ‘Oh, there were hints but nothing serious. Questions were raised about Sir Walter’s stomach ailments. Of course, that’s a dangerous path to go down, isn’t it, Brother? Sutler could not prove Sir Walter’s belly sickness was caused by poison, whilst the intimate relationship between husband and wife is very difficult to judge. Sutler was very careful as Falke argued how there was great tenderness, friendship and cordiality between Sir Walter and his wife. Sutler replied there was no real proof for that. He let the facts speak for themselves. Lady Isolda had a great deal to gain by becoming a very rich widow, whilst the balance of proof that she murdered her husband indicates a deep malevolence, at least on her part, towards Sir Walter. If Vanner was seized and questioned, perhaps he could have helped Isolda’s case. But let’s say he has fled, Brother, and is deep in hiding; surely a trained clerk such as he would have done something to help his former lover – a letter to the justices or the sheriff?’
    ‘And “The Book of Fires”, Sir John?’
    ‘Cannot be found, and Gaunt wants us to find it. I can understand why. Greek fire is highly dangerous – even when thrown on water it will still ignite. Dominus Matthew at Westminster cites authorities such as Leo the Isaurian on its power. Now the classic use of Greek fire is to hurl small pots against an enemy followed by a flame. Swift and sudden destruction ensues. Sometimes Greek fire can be shot from long tubes like a stone from a cannon. Water only makes it worse. They recommend the use of sand, vinegar or human urine to extinguish it. Now,’ Cranston sipped from his goblet, ‘Isolda Beaumont died in the flames at Smithfield. About three weeks later, on the Feast of Saints Perpetua and Felicitas, Richard Sutler was making his way down to his chambers at Westminster. Halfway along an alleyway, according to not the best of witnesses, he was attacked. A pot of liquid was thrown over him,