Crowner's Justice - Two

[ismenin]

Piccie by my Richie. Awww, bless.

Hello my dears! Yes, here we be, again. I thought I'd better tell you a few facts about this new story. It's a Whodunnit. There are several murders, and a rape, and a few other nasty bits, too. You will be glad to hear the murders and the rape are not described. It's the solving of the crimes that is of interest to me. And Lighe is very good at it - Bless - and so are the others who get dragged into the story. I'm on part 19, now - so that shows ya - I'm on a roll!

The title was arrived at via a suggestion by anjelmati and me - so I'm happy, now. Thank you so much to those who helped in the process. Hugs you for caring.

Hope you all enjoy.



Thank you, as always, to ladysunrope for beta. :D



Part - 2


Elijah stalked out of the keep as fast as his leg would allow him. Even Andrew had trouble keeping up with him. He was extremely angry, that was obvious.

"Are we going home, master?" Andrew asked, coming abreast with Elijah, which would not be permitted in many servants, expected to follow behind.

Elijah slowed down, and grinned wryly at his man. "No, I think not. Let's look about the town, and see what sort of place it is we have come, where the Sheriff is coarser than any country bumpkin, and his clerk is more mannerly."

They walked at a more reasonable pace round the streets. There were several inns and ale-houses, one much cleaner than the others, which Andrew marked down as a place where a decent barrel of ale might be purchased for the servants. They passed a pie shop, where a fat, red-faced woman in a scrupulously clean pinafore and cover-chief was placing mutton pies in a basket. They smelt delicious.

Elijah nodded at Andrew, and they continued down the street munching pies like two veritable urchins, and noting, on their way, various establishments, which in future, might obtain their custom.

Elijah spotted a well-dressed man, who looked to be a person of some wealth and status, and, thinking he might help find the best purveyors and services, hailed him with a smile and a bow,

"Elijah de Woode, Messire, newly come to town."

The fat man smiled, and bowed back, hitching his belt up over his enormous belly as he straightened. Obviously it was a nuisance he had often to contend with during the day, and the corners of Elijah's mouth twitched in appreciation.

"Welcome, welcome to town! My name is Archerus Flagsheet, and I'm the head of the guild of drapers. I think I saw you last night, sir, as I was coming out of the Guild Hall - it lies next to your house, you know."

The fat man beamed at Elijah with friendly interest. "What brings you to town, sir?"

Andrew moved into the road as a baker's man, carrying a basket on his head tried to get past.

"I have been appointed by the king as coroner to this city." Elijah saw the puzzlement on the man's face. Then it cleared.

"Ah! You have come to replace poor Ranulf de Hautfleur, I expect. Silly idiot got himself caught between a bull and a wall, chasing a thief. Needed a coroner of his own, he did, after that. He said he was expecting the king to appoint a colleague to help him. You must be he."

As Elijah had never heard of Ranulf de Hautfleur, he was puzzled, for a moment, as to what to answer, but there was no need. Flagsheet was into his next comment. "It would please me - and my dear wife - if you would dine with us this evening, sir. My house is on the other side of the Hall, so it is not far to walk," he said, having noticed the stick. "I will send a man for you."

Elijah agreed with pleasure. It would be useful to get to know the leading townsfolk. After all, he needed their co-operation to fulfil his duties.

"My lord..." Andrew said, as soon as there was a pause in the conversation.

"A lord, is it?" Flagsheet interrupted, pleased. "Well, my goodwife will be delighted to welcome a lord to her table."

Elijah smiled, but turned to Andrew. He was never dismissive of his servants, as were some. "What is it, Andy?"

Andrew coughed. "It may be that Master Flagsheet can recommend a good apothecary, my lord. I know Will must have found one for you, but one recommended by a knowledgeable person is always best."

Flagsheet beamed at Andrew. "A right knowing lad you have there, my lord! Well, yes, I can recommend one, as it happens. John Barebone, of Conduit Street. Been my apothecary for twenty years, and he hasn't killed me yet!"

Flagsheet gave Andrew directions, and bowed himself off, grinning with delight at having attracted a real lord to his house.


They walked slowly down the narrow road, the space between the houses crowded and dark, but the front of Barebone's shop was swept clear of dirt, and it looked bright and clean.

There was a woman inside, dressed in a ragged, much-patched but clean, dress, who had a weeping sore on her face. A tall, spare man, dressed in a rusty black gown, much like a priest's robe, his friendly face framed by a halo of white curly hair, came out of the back area, carrying a small pot.

"Three times a day, Mistress Cobbler. Do not forget, or it will fester. If it has not lessened considerably in two weeks, come back to see me."

The woman curtseyed, and pulled her ragged shawl about her thin shoulders. She held out a hand, offering him two pennies, but he only took one, and gave her a half-penny back. "That is quite sufficient, my dear. You know my charges. One half-penny for widows."

She smiled up at him. "Thank you, Master Barebone. May God bless you!" she said, as she left.

"He already has!" he answered, as he turned to Elijah with an appraising look. "I would have come to your house had you sent for me, sir," he said, noting Elijah's fine clothing and well-dressed servant.

Elijah nodded. "I will remember that, Master Barebone, should I have need of you."

Barebone saw the stick, and offered Elijah a stool, which he took gratefully. It had been a long ride, yesterday, and he was still feeling the effects of it.

"I was wounded by a Saracen arrow," he said to the apothecary, not embroidering his tale in the least, for which the healer was grateful. Too many patients wanted to tell the whole story of their illness, or injury, and it was often too long before John could see what it was he could do for them.

"The arrow proved poisoned, and it was many weeks before the wound healed enough for me to return home. It was only the skill of a Saracen-trained physician that kept me alive. When I came back, I was attended by the king's own physicians, but it was even slower to heal. I have some salve they gave me, but it burns me. I wonder if you could offer me something less...harsh."

Barebone folded his arms, and pursed his lips. "I will have to examine both the ointment, and the leg. May I call tonight, after I close the shop?" he asked, stopping for a moment to instruct his apprentice in the boiling down of a decoction.

Elijah shook his head. "Not tonight, I am afraid, unless it be late. I am dining out."

"I could come in the morning, before I open up," Barebone offered. "I do not open until the rest of the shops in the street are full, and there are men I can call on for aid. There are those who would rob me of my preparations, for their own use, or for a sick relative. I would give them the medicines, if they have no money, but they do not seem to understand that, although it is well-known in the town. Twice I have been hit over the head with a weapon, and my young apprentice had his arm broken by a man desperate for aid."

Elijah stood, ready to leave. He liked this man; perhaps he would be able to help him. A workman entered just as he was about to speak, scattering sawdust and dripping blood from a nasty gash in his hand. Barebone paused just long enough to find out where Elijah lived, before leading the man into the back room, to tend his wound.

"And you had not even told him he could come, my lord!" Andrew said, as they passed down the narrow street out into the bright sunlight.

"I think he knew I would not refuse," Elijah commented as they made their way back to the house. "After all, I would not have told him anything, had I not thought he might be able to treat this bloody leg."

There was a letter waiting for his lordship when he got in. "Where is the messenger?" Elijah asked Will, as he recognised the handwriting.

"In the back room eating a decent meal. He says the food on the road was all rotten."

Elijah sighed. "That is because my cousin is too mean to give his servants money for a good lodging. I wonder what he wants?"

Will frowned. If he knew Sir Gerard- and he did - it was only borrowing money that interested him, not the welfare of his relation.

The letter was short, and to the point. "He needs money, Will. Ask Astin to give the man ten marks out of the chest, will you? No, wait - I'd better do it myself. Fetch Astin, if you would, but tell him to bring the money, plus six pence for the poor messenger. At least he can eat on the way back, and sleep in a dry bed."

Will was angry. His lordship's relatives were always at him for money. They seemed to think he was a bottomless pit. As he had not told any of them of his gifts to the king, they all thought he was swimming in coin. Well, he would be, again, when the rents came in, and the ships returned from France and Spain and the Levant, loaded with bolts of silk cloth and spices.

He consoled himself with the fact that his master would not go short, whomever else did. Will had hidden another three hundred pounds in gold, in a chest in his master's room, against a lean time. He had taken this when Elijah had opened his coffers for Richard, and Elijah had no idea it was there, packed tightly into a spare pair of his shoes, seldom worn, except at court. Will was as loyal to the king as Elijah was, but the king had one thought in his head - subduing the Saracen. And the household had to eat, after all.

Elijah had no secrets from Will or Andrew, and very few from Astin. But there was one secret Astin did not know. The truth be told, Astin had no idea that sometimes his master invited a man into his bed. Will was sure the steward would be horrified, for he regarded his master as some holy creature hovering in importance somewhere between the Archangel Michael, and Thor, pagan god of thunder - in that he was above human feelings.

Will and Andrew, both married to the two head cooks in Elijah's kitchen, cared deeply for their master, but did not elevate him in their minds.

"It would not matter to me, brother, if he bedded with a goat," Andrew had confided, the morning after they had first been asked, by a blushing Elijah, to make sure no-one entered his chamber, on that first night, until he sent word.

As it had been Will who had let the man in, at midnight, stealthily, through the back door, carefully avoiding the rooms of his lordship's fussing female relatives, he understood well what was going on.
And Andrew had been with his master at Outremer - when Richard often spent the night in Elijah's tent. No more needed to be said.


The messenger from Elijah's cousin went away, later that afternoon, with a happy grin on his face, six pence - and a large lump of cheese and a loaf of the best pandemain bread safe in his satchel.

*****

Elijah had expected to enjoy his meal at Flagsheet's house, and so he did. Casting off grim thoughts of the uncouth Sheriff, earlier in the day, and his importunate cousin's demands on his purse, he set himself to please his company, which came easily to him.

His host, eager to show his lordship off, had invited three of his friends, together with their wives, to the meal, and Mistress Flagsheet's cup ran over to know that her closest gossips had seen a real lord grace her board, and that he was, unlike the one other lord the city boasted, a douce and pleasant guest.

None present at the meal knew that Elijah's leg throbbed like fire, and that he was in considerable pain. Little of it showed on his face, except in a slight tightening of his jaw - and they were all too poorly-acquainted with him, as yet, to recognise this sign of his discomfort.

He sank into bed that night, relieved beyond measure, as lying down took the weight off his feet, and the pressure from his leg. He placed one of the warm stones under his knee, and fell asleep almost immediately, thinking that, in the morning, he hoped, Apothecary Barebone might have something that could help him.

*****

He was woken by Andrew, who told him the apothecary was waiting outside the chamber door. Elijah was surprised - he had not expected the man to visit so early, for it could not be much past dawn. Leaping from the bed as quickly as he was able, he dashed into the garderobe, and hurried out again, limping, rinsed his hands quickly in a pewter bowl, and threw the towel onto the floor. Andrew picked it up, and let Master Barebone in.

"I am sorry to have woken your lordship," the man said, casting an experienced eye over Elijah's leg, revealed under the short nightrobe he wore. "But I thought it best to come before you had walked about on it, and the muscles had tensed up."

He gestured for Elijah to lie on the bed, and pulled the robe up over his patient's hips. Elijah glanced at him, askance, but the apothecary shook his head. "I need to see how your hip bones are aligned, my lord," he said as he prodded.

Elijah winced as the probing fingers hit a particularly tender spot. Barebone frowned. "A bad wound, my lord. Very bad. You were fortunate to survive it." He stood back and using his eyes, examined both legs. The injured one was slightly thinner than the other, and the wound that ran from hip to knee was still red and swollen.

Barebone asked Elijah to stand, and nodded his head, thoughtfully. "It is as I suspected. The hurt leg is slightly shorter than the other. That means you favour it when you walk. Have you a spare pair of shoes - ones with plenty of room, not new ones - that I can take away with me?"

Elijah had several pairs of shoes, and instructed Andrew to allow the apothecary his pick of them. The servant put several pairs out on a chest, and Barebone chose a pair of soft, dark green leather.

"I will take these, and put some lining in that will allow your legs to become one length, again. When your master has new shoes made," he said, turning to Andrew, "take the spare liner I shall make, with you, and ask the cobbler to make them with that lining," he told the servant, who grinned at him, and said he would do so.

He next turned his attention to the pot of ointment. He sniffed it and recoiled. "God's boots! It is no wonder the skin of the wound is still so raw. This would take the bristles of a hogskin - throw it away, man!" he said, angrily, thrusting it into Andrew's hand.

He reached into a scrip he had brought, and undid a small pot from the scrap of cloth covering it. He quickly rubbed some into his hands and smoothed it onto Elijah's skin, kneading it gently into the wound. It smelt fresh not putrid, and Elijah sighed and relaxed under the apothecary's skillful hands.

There was a knock on the door, and Andrew went to see who it was - he had told Will not to admit anyone until Barebone had left. He came back, frowning mightily. "It is the Sheriff, my lord."

*****

The Sheriff had not had a pleasant morning. He had been in his office since before dawn, and there were many reports still to be written. Moreover, the parchments Ben was writing upon had been scraped so much to remove previous writings that the ink ran, blotting the text, and although Ben's writing was neat, Dominic had trouble reading it, especially as they could not afford candles, and rush light was insufficient.

"Damn it all, Ben! We must get some more parchment. Will the priests at the cathedral not supply us with a little more?" Dom asked, looking crossly at his clerk.

Ben shook his head. "You know what they said last time, Sheriff. The bishop complained of it. It is an expensive commodity. You must buy your own!"

Dom huffed. "With what, may I enquire, when my fees, and the pay for the whole keep has been stolen by mercenaries on the road, three months running? Soon we shall have no money for food to eat, and I will be reduced to selling my spare clothing so that we do not starve. Our last drop of the good wine given us by Master Godbold, is gone. God alone knows what we will do next week."

Ben looked at his master with a kindly eye. Neither of them had had any breakfast. They were saving the bread and cheese they had for the noon-day meal.

Dominic, he knew, was more concerned with the wives and children of the soldiers at the keep than he was for himself. He knew that Dom, in common with the soldiers billeted there, had little to live on, except his allowance from the crown. This was unusual, because sheriffs and coroners were chosen from the wealthier classes, so that they would not be tempted to steal monies meant for the king. He wondered how Dom had come by his appointment, in that case, for he had hardly a penny to his name.

"I wonder if the new lord would advance us some money from his coffers?" Ben hesitated to suggest it, but he knew few in the city would do so, as the Sheriff did not hold a popular office.

Dom stared at him. "I would rather starve in a ditch than ask him for a penny! Put that thought out of your mind, Ben," he spat, with more vehemence than Ben had ever heard him use.

He heard a thumping on the stairs, and soon the constable, Wuffa Catchpole, came huffing in, his pleasant, beefy face red with exertion, his large body sweating. He had to sit for a moment to catch his breath, before informing Dom what had dragged him up the stairs.

Dom sighed. He would be seeing the new Crowner today, whether he wished to, or not.

*****

Elijah pressed his lips firmly together. "Tell the Sheriff I will come down to him when I have finished consulting the apothecary..." he began, but the door was pushed open and Dominic of Mortain strode into the room.

"No need to rush, my lord. I came up to save you the stairs."

Elijah was white with fury, and quickly pulled the robe down to cover his nakedness. "Will you be good enough to leave my room, and wait for me downstairs? I am much engaged at present."

Dom grinned at Barebone, whom he knew very well. The apothecary smiled back, but warily. He could see how angry his patient was.

Dom bowed. "Er...so I see, my lord. But it is crowner's work, so I advise you to dress quickly, for it will not keep." He turned abruptly and left the room, and Elijah stared after him, his face now bright red with indignation and embarrassment.

The man had seen him naked. What business had he coming, unannounced into a nobleman's chamber? The boor! The absolute boor!

Elijah kept him waiting. Barebone had long gone - giving Dom a censoring look, and a reproving word - before Elijah deigned to come downstairs. He found Dominic of Mortain sitting in his chair, drinking his wine and talking to his servant, and Ben, not daring to sit in one of a lord's chairs without permission, standing at his master's side, glancing longingly at the well-loaded breakfast table.

Will, more familiar with his lordship's moods than most, offered Elijah some small beer, his favoured morning drink.

Elijah sat at the table, and good manners impelled him to invite his visitors to the table. He did not, for one moment, think that they would accept.

Dom would not have, except he saw Ben's eyes staring at the roasted ham, and the cheeses, meats and fine, white bread. He gave in.

"It is very kind of you, my lord, for it is true we left the keep this morning without eating." Dom sat down at the opposite end of the table, as Will pulled out a chair for him. Ben did not wait to be shown to a seat, before grabbing a small, white loaf and cramming it into his mouth.

Dom gave an embarrassed laugh. "Young men! They are always hungry!" he said, trying to signal discreetly to Ben not to make a pig of himself. But it was three weeks since Ben had eaten a decent meal, and never had he seen one as sumptuous as this, so he piled the plate Will put in front of him with meats and cheese, and ate as if there was a race to see who could finish first.

Dom took a slice or two of ham, and a morsel of cheese. He was as hungry as was Ben - hungrier, truth be told - for he stinted himself to give the keep children more, but he was damned, he thought, angrily, if he would show it. He began to eat, and the taste of the ham, roasted in honey, and pitted with cloves, exploded on his tongue as if it had been kissed by a thousand angels.

He thought, as a reward for so excellent a meal, he had better make amends for his previous rudeness towards the mild-mannered crowner.

"You have a very fine cook, here, my lord," Dom ventured, biting into the creamy goat's cheese.

"Thank you," Elijah answered coldly, helping himself to a slice of beef.

Dom tried, again. "This ham is roasted to perfection,"

"You are too kind," replied Elijah, not taking his eyes from his plate. "Do try a morsel more."

Ben, his first hunger satisfied, took a wing of fowl, and bit into it, happily.

"My clerk is making a good meal, in any case," Dom remarked, faint, but pursuing.

"So I see," Elijah commented, eyes still firmly fixed on his plate.

There was no point. He had angered the man beyond repairing. Dom gave up.

After a short while spent in silence, Elijah raised his eyes. "What brought you blundering into my chamber this morning, whilst I was being attended by my apothecary, Sheriff?" His voice was as cold as ice in a bowl, at Christ-mas.

Dom swallowed the last mouthful of meat on his plate, and leaned back in his chair. He regarded Elijah with eyes as cool as those directed at him.

"The body of the Guild-Master, Archerus Flagsheet, was found drowned in the river, this morning. There was a mill-stone tied about his neck. I understand, from his widow, that you were one of the last people to see him alive, my lord. Is that true?"


Glossary

Apothecary:
Man (or woman) licenced to sell and dispense drugs and medicines.

Levant:
The countries bordering on the eastern Mediterranean Sea, from Turkey to Egypt.

Comments

[bellewood.livejournal.com]

A whodunnit... hee! I like it already!!!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I've just finished it! I'm amazed, myself, that it worked itself out. Hope you enjoy the rest of it! ;D xxx

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

This is my world and I feel at home in it Ru! And 'whodunnits' are just up my street. :-)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love! Mine, too. I do like medieval stuff - both reading AND writing it! ;D xxx

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

You do it so well too. You have a wonderful writing talent.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my dear. That is so kind of you to say so. ;D xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, good, a mystery. I'm already intrigued. But so sorry that Mr. Flagsheet's been killed. I liked him right away. Very glad Elijah's found someone who may be able to help his poor leg. But I do feel sorry for Dom. He can't seem to make a right move when it comes to the new coroner.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

No one was more surprised that me that Archerus snuffed it in part two. I was looking for a long run with him. Isn't writing off-the-cuff odd?

Dom and Lighe Do get to like each other, but not quite yet! :D xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

oh the tension between this Dom and Elijah is so intrigueing. It is based on some kind of supposition on dom's part it seems because he is just plain rude and obnoxious to Elijah. The descriptions and details in this story you are weaving are tremendous. It is a slow read because you have to take in the details but it is so rich in those details I can feel and taste it. Lovely that Elijah has wonderful men who are behind him and helping Elijah with his discrete lusty appetite (oh Richard!). Then there is poor Dom who is really decent and starving. Hopefully Elijah will be given the truth of his situation soon. Wonderful apothocary (and peakage for Dom heehee).
Brilliant and different and fun to see unfold.. hugs you close!!! I love my Sundays!! xoxoxoxo v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, I expect you like to understand what's going on in a story, as I do, but I hope you appreciate that the background stuff is important. They were different laws and customs nearly a thousand years ago - and I find it all fascinating. There is quite a long glossary for difficult terms, that I'll post when the relevant term is needed. Hugses. :D xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

A rattling good read, this! Thanks so much, I'm really into the story and enjoying it already :-)

I hope the apothecary's ministrations help Elijah's poor leg - he is having such a lot of trouble with it.

Sad to hear that the first victim is the worthy fellow Archerus Flagsheet, I liked his personality as much as his name. Wondering if he's the first in a series of murders by a serial killer...

Dom has certainly not given a favourable first impression to the Crowner which is a pity because he's a good-hearted man. How long before Elijah discovers this? Not any time soon, I wager! ;-D

Thanks again, dear Issi. Glad to hear it's going so well. Have you solved any of the crimes, yet?
XXX

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I have solved ALL the crimes and finished writing it an' all, Janie! I wos on a roll. I hope you'll enjoy them discovering each other, as I did. ;D xxx

PS, got the other dvd, thank Chris very much. It works fine on the tv.

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Wow, you have done well! Glad to know the crimes are all solved and sorted and the Boyz have discovered each other... I look forward to following the journey of discovery in every sense ;-D

Thanks for letting us know about the DVD. Glad to hear it works okay on the TV. Chris is pleased :-)

XXX

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Yay! We haven't had a good whodunit since Lijedefer and Adom played Holmes and Watson. :) This is wonderful!

I'm sorry that Flagstreet was the victim, though. He seemed like a friendly and helpful sort. And Dom has put his foot in it again, hasn't he? It's going to take several chapters just to get Lij thinking on him fondly, let alone romantically. ;)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, I liked Archerus, too, and as I said to someone above, no-one was more surprised than me when he died. Bless. Dom definitely cannot say a word in the right place. And that's just how I like it! Makes the surprise of their attraction sweeter, for me. ;D xxx

[poplij.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful story and written with such great care for details !
Dom is such a warm and good hearted man. Oooh, he's so sweet, I love him so. Now I can't wait to read how he wins over Elijah's heart... not too soon I hope ;D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Not too soon at all. They sort of sidle into it, which suits me just fine. I'm happy you like it! :D xxx

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

It was worth waiting a whole week to read the first two parts straight through. I loved both parts :D I feel sorry for Dom, he seems a lovely man. Already a murder? Great stuff! I hope the pair get on together soon (but not too soon) to solve the murder.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I've just finished the whole thing, sis! Well, End of Book One part 20! More must be in the pipeline then! ;D xxx

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

I read this two nights ago, and keep forgetting to comment. : (

Poor Dom, he can't seem to do anything right! He was trying to help by going up to Elijah's bedroom, but what an awkward result he got. Plus, here's he's trying to be noble and not eat Elijah's food when he's starving. I'm glad the clerk got a good meal from it.

So sad that Archerus Flagsheet was found dead. We know Elijah couldn't have don it, so we shall see who did dunnit! And Archerus had been so helpful, too. *weeps*

Looking forward to more, as always. *hugs*

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my dear! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did enjoy writing it, so I hope it shows. Poor Archerus. I liked him, too - but the story goes where it will. Hugses. :D xxx

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

Am I right in getting the impression that there are subconscious reasons for Dom's social awkwardness with Elijah? Reasons Dom himself probably doesn't realize yet? ;)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

You certainly are - both of them, really, are a bit slow on the uptake, here - but come Part 14, they know! Hope you can wait that long! :D xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/tweedle_/]

Dom is quite determined not to put a foot right. :) I am glad to see that all is not as it seemed with him initally. Flagsheet! Dead! O.o The plot thickens. :) XXOO