The King's Dogge by Nigel Green Read Free Book Online Page A

to Montague and Warwick and I respect that, but they are dead now.’ He looked round at the rolling countryside, resplendent in its variety of colours. ‘I love this place, Francis. I was brought up here, and when I die I will be buried in York. Before I die I have a dream, which I wish to fulfil; I want to build the North up into a rich, prosperous land where men can live safely, move about without fear of harm and their families dwell in peace and security. A land where men can freely obtain justice and where there are great monasteries to care for the sick and well-run churches to prepare men to meet their maker.’
    He gestured for me to sit. After a while he looked at me.
    â€˜To do all of this, Francis, I need men. If I asked for your loyalty, would you give it to me?’
    I stared back at him. From all that I had heard of Gloucester and what he had told me, I had no doubt that he would be an excellent ruler in the North. Despite my instinctive reluctance, I found myself liking him for his openness and directness. Additionally, he was correct – Warwick and Montague were dead and I had no other loyalties. To pledge loyalty to him would undoubtedly lead to an offer of a military role. In time, I came to a decision.
    â€˜No, my lord.’
    His head snapped up.
    â€˜No!’ he said in a surprised voice. ‘And why, may I ask, is that?’
    I hoped my ineloquence would not make me seem blunter that I wished to appear.
    â€˜Because I do not know you, my lord,’ I said. ‘I was with the Earl of Warwick and Marquis Montague for four years and in that time their kindness and care made me want to give them my loyalty. It did not happen immediately but grew over time, and it was, I believe, reciprocal. At Barnet, Montague made sure that my life was spared.’
    Conscious of the fact that I was damning my future I blundered on.
    â€˜If I agreed to give you my loyalty today, my lord, it would only be because I wished you to send me to fight on the borders, and that would not be the honest way to agree to give you loyalty.’
    He looked at me silently for a while and I knew that I had probably offended him very deeply. I sighed. I had quickly come to respect Gloucester and felt the potential of growing to like him immensely.
    Then he smiled; his small, even teeth gleaming white in that strong face.
    â€˜I did not say, Francis, but I probably admire honesty more than loyalty as a quality. I wish I had more such as you; it would make my task here easier.’
    He rose to his feet and we walked back slowly towards the squat castle of Middleham in the distance.
    â€˜If you refuse me loyalty,’ he said after a while, ‘would you give me something else?’
    â€˜Of course, my lord,’ I said.
    â€˜Without even asking what it is?’
    His eyebrows rose. I stared down at him.
    â€˜No, tell me what you want and I will give it.’
    â€˜You won’t give me your loyalty, and yet you will give me something else. It could be the lands you stand to inherit or your wealth or something else you would not want to give up. Why is that then?’ he teased.
    I paused.
    â€˜I suppose I respect you, my lord. I admired the way you fought at Barnet and, from what I hear, at Tewkesbury. I respect the loyalty you showed to your brother, and I admire your vision of how you will make the North peaceful and prosperous.’
    I paused, a little embarrassed.
    â€˜I like the way you have spoken today,’ I added. ‘You had no cause to be so honest.’
    It was a pity that it had all been in vain, but I would give him what he wanted and depart.
    â€˜So what is it that you want from me, my lord?’
    He smiled.
    â€˜Your friendship, Francis?’
    It was the last thing I expected.
    â€˜Why?’ I said without thinking.
    Gloucester laughed at my astonishment.
    â€˜I have hundreds of followers and, until today, no one has ever said no to me. Men protest their