Crowner's Justice - Eight

[ismenin]

Look at this lovely pic that the wondrous primula_baggins did for me. Ain't it delish! Thank you, Prims! :D

Good morning! Well, our summer (which was yesterday, according to weather experts) has gone, and has been replaced with a dingy, damp dirty day. And, would ya know? - it's my grandson's birthday today! Still, I know he'll have a wonderful day, bless him.

So, on to today's part. I'm not sure there are any terms in here that need the Glossary, so I'll post it - give it the once-over - and add it if needful. Sound ok?

I hope y'all enjoy it!




Thanks, as always, to ladysunrope for beta.


Part - 8


Barebone had not been happy that the coroner intended to walk as far as the keep on his first day out, and persuaded him to ride. "It'll be better for you, and indeed, give the leg nearly as much exercise as walking, for you'll have to grip with it. But don't overdo things, my lord," he cautioned, as Elijah grinned at him.

"Very well...Master John...I shall do as you say."

The apothecary was pleased that the very correct little man had unbent so far as to call him John, as Barebone had asked him. But he knew better than to call Elijah anything but my lord - at least, at the moment.

Red had arrived early, and was permitted to ride behind Elijah, holding his master's walking stick, and hanging on to his master for grim death. Riding was a new experience for him, but he was enjoying every moment of it, seeing as he was the one riding and Will was walking beside them, with his scrip over his shoulder.

They passed the pie-shop - with a deep regret on the boy's part - and Elijah, divining the feelings of the lad behind him as the rich aroma reached his nostrils, too, promised that they should stop on the way back.

As Elijah dismounted in the bailey, he discovered that the Sheriff had gone with the body of Egfrid to its last resting place. Any deaths amongst the soldiers in the keep were the Sheriff's responsibility, not Elijah's. Only those civilians working within the walls or anyone caught in a crime were Elijah's province.

"Egfrid is being buried at St Cuthred's, my lord, so the Sheriff shouldn't be long. He's left Captain Rolf in charge, if you wish to see him," the constable said, handing the Sheriff's horse over to one of the ostlers.

"In a moment," Elijah said, looking about him. "First, I would like to see where the stones fell, if you please."

The constable led him over to the spot, where a few cracks and holes were to be seen in the cobbles. "They must have been big stones, Constable," Elijah remarked, looking up at those either side of the gap now left in the battlements.

"They were, my lord, and that's a fact. Poor Egfrid, pity it was him - well, pity it was anyone, I mean - but he had told his wife he had something to tell you about Ben's case, my lord. Now we shan't know what it was."

Elijah turned to him, with some interest, just as Captain Rolf approached, but he let the comment he was about to make pass, and greeted the Captain instead. The constable looked up to the battlements once more and continued,

"The funny thing is, my lord, that I would have sworn those stones leaned in, not out, wouldn't you agree Rolf? How they came to fall outwards is a mystery."

Elijah kept his thoughts to himself, and looked at Rolf. "Do you agree, captain? Were they leaning out?"

Rolf looked up as if the answer lay on the roof, but shook his head. "I can't say I noticed it, in particular, my lord. They aren't a thing that grab your attention, much," he commented, and excused himself to go about his duties.

"Shall I write all this down?" Will asked.

Elijah assented, and added "I do not know whether I should wait for the Sheriff.”

He was eyeing the staircase to the Sheriff's office, and wondering if his legs would allow him to go up there, and sit for a while, when the Sheriff came through the gateway.

"Ah!" Dom said, when he saw Elijah standing there, leaning heavily on his stick. "So John allowed you out, then, my lord!" he said, rather unnecessarily.

Elijah was about to make a sharp reply to the man when he stopped himself. They had to work together! "Do you think we could speak privately, Sheriff? I have some interesting news to impart to you," he said, thinking it would lighten the man's worn expression. There had been things happening at the keep, of late, that would concern any right-thinking person.

"Do you think...?" Dom said, gesturing to the stairs. "Or shall I find us another place to talk?"

"What about Ben's old rooms?" Elijah said, softly, so that no-one could overhear. "Red!" he called, reclaiming the lad's attention, for he was gossiping with a young ostler. "Do you go and see Ben. I will send for you, when I need you. Here, take my cloak, if you please, it is warmer than I thought."


The door was thick, and the walls were stone - no-one would overhear them there. Elijah sat on Ben's old bed, and Dom drew the chair forward. Will put the scrip on the table, and asked, "Do I need to record this conversation, my lord?" before taking out the page of parchment that he knew the crowner would want the Sheriff to read.

"No, I think not. The Sheriff is not involved in this crime, except by virtue of being Ben's friend," Elijah smiled at Dom, who looked tired.

"I have found your rapist, Sheriff..." Elijah began, but stopped Dom as he leapt to his feet with excitement..."but we must tread softly, if we wish to catch him. Agreed?"

Dom subsided, and retook his seat. "Will you tell me who it is, and how you discovered it?" Dom asked, rubbing his face, as if it would help him to think.

He sat there, astonished, as Elijah revealed what he knew. "God save the mark! You are a clever man - I would never have thought of such a thing."

He glanced at Will, gratitude in his eyes. "And you helped, too. I thank you. I shall make sure the reward is got for you, before you go. I will send to the deacons for it."

He turned his gaze towards Elijah with a new respect for the man dawning in his eyes. "And, but for that one thing, we would never have known."

"Indeed!" Elijah grinned, as he saw some of the lines on Dom's face thin out. "But now we have to catch him, and I must tell you, Mortain, I think, too that he murdered Captain Egfrid. But how to prove it..."

Dom raised his hands, and let them fall in amazement. "Why do you think so, sir?"

"Because the constable told us the damaged portion of the wall leaned inwards. If it were to fall of its own accord, it would have fallen on the roof, not into the bailey."

"I am astonished! You have a remarkable mind, my lord crowner," he managed, grinning. Then the smile vanished. "But why would he murder poor Egfrid?"

"Because the constable told me that Egfrid had something new to tell me concerning Ben's case. We will have to find out what it was. His wife might know. It will be a pity to disturb her, so new to her grief as she is, but she must be questioned as soon as may be."

"We shall do it, now. Our rapist has been selected to go to the cathedral to form part of the guard for Flagsheet's funeral. He will see nothing untoward happening here."

The bailey was quiet as they emerged from Ben's room. Dom had shown Elijah the trapdoor and the exit, and was pleased to be congratulated on his find by a man with such a sharp mind as had the coroner. He had been interested to see, also, that both flagstones raised easily from underneath - almost as if they were oiled, Elijah said - and Will had run his finger along the edge, and found that they were wet with grease.

They went quietly into the captain's quarters, where Egfrid's widow sat in a chair in their room, looking pale but composed, her eyes red from weeping. A young man Ben's age stood behind her chair and a little girl played with a wooden moppet at her feet.

Dom spoke to the two other women present, and asked them to take the child outside, then he asked the lad if he wished to stay.

"But if you do, I must warn you both most straitly not to say a word of what we speak to anyone outside this room. Anyone. Do you agree? Or your husband's murderer will escape us."

The boy nodded, and went to a stool at his mother's side and held her hand.

"He was a good man, Mistress, and deserves to be avenged."

The woman looked up at Elijah, as he spoke, her red-rimmed eyes sharp and intelligent.

"Do you think he was murdered because of what he was going to tell you?" she breathed, looking at the closed door as if someone had their ear fast to it.

"I do, Mistress," Elijah answered. "Do you know what it was?"

She shook her head. "I do not, sir, for he would not tell me. He only said that he had spoken to a few of the men about Ben's assault, an' he said he was worried at what they had said concerning it. That's all. He was going to see the Sheriff this morning, and ask him if he could see you..."

She began to weep, quietly, and Elijah handed her a square of stitched lawn he habitually kept about his person. For a moment, she wondered what it was for, then wiped her eyes and blew her nose in it.

"Keep it, Mistress," Elijah said, kindly, as she offered it back to him.

The woman was shocked, for she knew the cost of such trifles.

Dom looked at Elijah. "I think we might have our answer, my lord." Then he turned to the woman again. "Did Egfrid say who any of these men were that he spoke to concerning this?"

They were not surprised when she gave the names of three men, one of them being the rapist.

"When we take this murderer, and it will not be long, I assure you, mistress, I shall amerce his goods and chattels, and give to you and your children the whole sum of their worth, after they are sold. It will not lessen your grief, but it will be of help."

They went out into the bright sunshine, and Elijah asked, as an afterthought - "is he married?"

Dom shook his head. "A good thing it is, too, considering what would come to his family," he commented, wryly. "No home, no goods, and not even a pot to piss in."

"But his lordship didn't mean he was really going to sell..." Will began, but Elijah stopped him by nudging his arm, hard. "Quiet, man!"

Will had the grace to blush, but Elijah brushed over the moment. "Now we must set a trap to catch our villain. I must go home, Mortain, my leg pains me. Would you be good enough to call on me later - or maybe tomorrow? We have plans to make."

Dom suddenly grasped Elijah's forearm below the elbow, in the gesture of friendship, and Elijah stared at him, surprised at the action. Why not? It would harm none to be friends with this man He returned the grip.

Dom seemed pleased with the response. "I will come later, after I have had a discreet word with the others named, before our man returns from the cathedral."

"Come in time to eat. There is a green goose, I understand from Will's Annie, and some very nice pudding. You are welcome to share it!"

Dom flushed with pleasure, for he had no doubt, this time, that the man meant it.

"Tell Ben I am sorry I cannot make the stairs..." Elijah paused for a moment's thought, then continued..." but I shall try to see him as soon as may be. Will, go and call Red down, and then fetch the horse."

The Sheriff followed Will up the stairs and gave him the reward money he had sent for, as he had promised.

Will bought pies out of one of the coins he had been given, and Red ate three of them. Elijah warned him not to dribble gravy over the back of his new clothing, delivered from the tailor that very morning." For I will not be seen abroad in the city with gravy stains on my back, not for Saint Michael, himself, and all his angels!" he laughed.

He was very pleased to discover that once he had sat down, and had his leg resting on the stool, the discomfort he had been experiencing eased very quickly.

Andrew had seen his face as he had entered, and brought down some of Barebone's elixir, but Elijah refused it.

"Not yet awhile, Andy. Later, I think. It is not like the other pain. It doesn't drill into the bone. I have every hope that when the flesh and muscles have completely healed, that it will not hurt at all."

He asked Red how Ben had been, and was glad to hear he was feeling much better, and had every reason to hope to be able to sit in the chair, on the morrow.

"I asked him why he couldn't do it today, but he only muttered and said something about Master Barebone." The lad sniffed. "He said he was a trifle bored. He wished he had something better to read than his old reports. He had been trying to save up for a prayer book, but they cost so much, even for the plainest, he said, and all the money had had to be spent on food, when their money was stolen. I'm sure he would be less bored if he had something to read."


He grinned at Elijah, who was looking over his head, at Will. "I'm never bored. You lead such an interesting life, my lord, I know that even when I can read, there will always be something more interesting to do!"

Will and Elijah burst out laughing, and Will hauled the boy off to the table, to continue his lessons, whilst Elijah enjoyed a mazer of mead, in comfort, and thought what he would say when the Sheriff arrived.

*****

Dom had heard the bell toll, and knew that the funeral service was ending. He hurried to find the two men, trying to catch them separately, and to make it look like a chance encounter.

He found the first, in the stable, grooming his horse, and Dom pretended that he had gone there to see his own mount. The man made Dom's task easier, for it was he who made the first reference to Ben. It was simple, then, to lead the man into the path he wished to go, and he left, a bare quarter of an hour later, smiling grimly.

He had warned the man to say nothing concerning Ben - not even their conversation - to anyone. "No-one, and I mean it! Not to your wife, your best friend, or the whores at Agnes's stewes," Dom grinned, attempting to make light of the situation.

The man grinned back, for he knew that Dom had seen him there when his wife, whom he loved dearly, had been big with child. A man needed relief, after all. He had promised the Sheriff he would not speak of it, and he would keep his word, for he knew Dom had a good reason for asking, even if he did not know what it was.

The other man had been out on patrol, and had not returned before Red came to summon Dom to dinner. But Dom did not think he needed now to speak to him. He had heard everything he wanted in the stables.

Red had a small package wrapped in linen, in the basket of food he carried over his arm. "The crowner gave me this, for Ben, and some more tart and a few nice things from Mary. His lordship said to tell you that the benefactor had left the book with him for Ben. It was strange that the benefactor should do so, just then, for only an hour before, I had mentioned to my lord that Ben needed a book."

Enlightenment suddenly flared in Dom's mind, as Red drew out the beautiful missal from its wrappings. It was a book fit for a king, and Dom held it almost reverently, as he took it - not because he was of a religious mind, but because he was looking at a supreme work of art.

He opened it, marvelling at the immaculately written script, and the exotic and wonderful embellishments, and illustrations in gold and silver, and the glorious coloured ink drawings that adorned every page.

He closed the book, and examined its cover, all finest cream calf-skin, studded with precious gems, and hinged and clasped in silver and gold, then he opened it again and glanced at the inside cover. There was an inscription, on it, in Latin. Fit for a king, indeed.

Ut meus puteus carus quod plurimus fidelis vernulae. Donatus in diligo quod gratia. Uber Rex R

"To my well-beloved and most faithful servant. Given in love and gratitude, R, King"

A gift from the king - given freely to a boy - a mere secondary, a lad only hoping for the priesthood, not even certain of it.

"Take it to him, Red. He will commit the sin of pride over it, I'll be bound. Tell him I will come to see him before he retires to sleep."

Dom walked all the way to the coroner's house, grinning like a Barbary ape.

*****

They were sitting at meat, talking idly, when Dom, sly as a fox, brought up the subject of the prayer-book. "When did Richard give you the missal?" he asked, all innocent enquiry.

Elijah was cutting a slice of apple and raisin tart, and answered without looking up, "It was in Acre..." and he stopped, and blushed as Dom grinned at him.

"I did not believe a word of "it was sent by the benefactor", until I realised who the benefactor was. It was you who did it all, was it not?

Elijah had been found out - there was no point in lying. Besides, faced with a direct challenge, he was not very good at dissimulation.

"It was, but I beg you will not consider it. I happened to have some little money by me, that I could well spare, that is all."

Dom had stopped grinning, had run his hand over his face, as if to hide his emotion, and Elijah saw, to his surprise, that Dom was very near to weeping.

"There are many wealthy men in this city, the bishop amongst them, but none has cared of our plight that knew of it, except you." His voice broke, and he took a moment to collect himself, before continuing.

"I do not know how Ben would have fared, had you not been so very kind, my lord. He has been well fed, since the food came, and we have every hope that our money will arrive safely, this month. Then we can stock up against another shortage," he said, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears, "for I never would see the children go hungry again."

"Nor will they, as long as I live. I will make provision for a soup dispensary to be set up in an unremarked place in the city, where none will complain of it, and the poor shall be fed. It costs very little, for I have done it, before..." here Elijah blushed, again, and Dom felt his heart warm to the man,

"...and I know that it is a worthwhile enterprise. I beg you, can you think of a place where I may build it?"

Dom laughed, but it was a humourless sound. "Set it up outside the cathedral; the bishop will not hesitate to take the credit for it," Dom's voice was heavy with suppressed emotion.

"But, better still," he continued, his eyes still bright, "set it up outside the keep wall, where I can post men to ward it, and watch for those who would abuse your charity."

Elijah nodded. "I will inform Astin...no, indeed I cannot. It had better be Will, until..."

Dom looked at Elijah who seemed embarrassed, and the crowner, seeing a query in Dom's eye, raised his shoulders, and shrugged.

"Astin has gone back to my country estates, Mortain. He was...distressed... by what happened to him, and asked to go earlier than we intended. He is sending the under-steward here to care for us. I must own, I do find Astin's attention to details, and his long-windedness somewhat tiring, on occasion. However, he is an excellent and honest steward of my holdings, and very loyal, and my family look to him to order their homes and lives.”

They had ended their meal on a very fine pupton of spiced winter pears and apricocks, and they moved to the fire where they sat, in perfect amity, to discuss the day's doings.

"I am glad you suggested waiting until after we had eaten, my lord, before discussing our business. It would have soured a most excellent meal, to be talking of such things over meat."

Elijah cocked his head to one side, and regarded Dom with a tolerant look. "Do you think that you could forget that I am a lord, if I forget you are the Sheriff? It would make our conversation easier."

Elijah meant that Dom should call him de Woode, but was surprised almost speechless, when Dom, blushing slightly, asked Elijah to call him Dom.

He cleared his throat to rid it of the frog that had taken up residence there, but an innate sense of caution forbade him to offer himself as Elijah, which is a thing he never did, except to friends of equal rank, after many years of acquaintance.

"If you would call me de Woode, I shall be very pleased. Or sir, if you feel uncomfortable with so close a familiarity,"

"Thank you, sir," Dom replied, truly honoured, and Elijah, slightly relieved, realised that Dom thought the social divide between them too deep to be breached so early. But sir was infinitely preferable to being my lorded in every sentence, and Elijah decided that "Mortain" would be more appropriate for Dom.

"What did you discover from the two men? Did you speak with them?" Elijah asked, looking hopefully at Dom, as he sat at ease in the chair opposite.

Elijah had given in to the pain, as he spoke, and had pulled the stool forward to rest his leg upon it, and Dom had quickly knelt and put it in a more comfortable position before he answered.

"I spoke to one, and he told us exactly what we expected, sir. I did not think I would draw attention to my interest in the subject by interviewing the other. The rapist had said to him what you had deduced, and I am glad the man I spoke to had not noticed anything odd about his comments. That means he will not treat the guilty man any differently, or draw attention, hopefully, to the fact that I asked the questions I did. I told him to speak to no-one of it. I am certain he will do as I say."

Elijah agreed that Dom had been correct in his behaviour, and then called for Will, and asked for Andrew to bring him some drops. Obviously he was in pain.

"I will not detain you long, sir, just let us speak of the plan you hinted of, then I shall go." Dom saw the pain in his companion's eyes, and realised he had overstretched himself that day, by riding to the keep.

Elijah drank the drops, and quickly outlined the plan he had formulated earlier. Dom agreed that it was a splendid idea.

"It must be that he will rise to the bait - he cannot afford to do otherwise."

Dom rose to leave. "At least Ben will be perfectly safe here, during all this. I am grateful to you, sir. I shall inform Captain Rolf and the Constable of our supposed plans, tomorrow. I hope that means the knowledge will get around the keep faster than a mouse after cheese. Then we shall see what happens."

Dom looked in a kindly manner upon his host. "I thank you for your hospitality, my lord," he said, forgetting the sir. "And for your generosity toward the keep, to Ben, and to the people of this city. I promise I shall not reveal it to a living soul, as you asked. I give you good night," and Dom walked out into the evening as happy a man as ever lived.

He had found a new friend - and the friend had found him. He looked forward to their further adventures together. They should prove ...interesting.

Comments

[aprilkat.livejournal.com]

I still don't know who they are going after, but I love the way you are building the mystery. Also the way you are building their friendship here.

[aprilkat.livejournal.com]

Also, prim made you a wonderful icon!

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

I'm thoroughly enjoying this mediaeval treat Ru. It has everything I love in a murder mystery! And a green goose to boot and not a stubble goose! Can't wait for the plot to unfold...................

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

I'm still not able to figure out who the rapist is, but I'm enjoying observing the way the two men are going about their preparations for trapping him. And I love the way their friendship is developing. Prim did a wonderful job on that manip.

[tristanpaulus.livejournal.com]

Hehe, I think their further adventures together might prove more interesting than Dom is expecting ;)

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

"Take it to him, Red. He will commit the sin of pride over it, I'll be bound. Tell him I will come to see him before he retires to sleep."

Hehe. He would have a sin of pride over it, no doubt. Who wouldn't be gobsmacked over such an magnificent gift? I love what the King wrote, too.

I love how Dom tricked de Woode into admitting that he was the benefactor. It's nice to see them getting more friendly, now.

One of these days, Dom will call him 'Elijah', and Elijah will call Dom 'Dom', I have no doubt about that. ;-)

Of course, I am still curious as to what the plan is, and who the culprit was!

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

I am loving all the manips you are doing for this - it is really enhancing a wonderful fic!! Thanks, Prim!!

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie. To tell the truth, I get so much enjoyment out of doing these manips, and Issi is always a sweetheart about posting them. I have another one that I just did that Issi doesn't know about yet!

*squishes you both*

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

Interesting indeed! It has been so nice to have a whole afternoon to catch up. Am very glad they are getting on now. I love your treatment of Sean, bless him! :D And I can't wait to see who dunnit. XXOO

[pattilovesviggo.livejournal.com]

I`m so happy the boys are getting on so well :D I`d love a book like that too, and be very proud of it, although I love my LOTR beautiful copy more.
It was lovely to see you today, I hope you feel better soon my love...
The children & their Dad were amazing in their energy.

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry I haven't been able to leave any fb until now - got a chance to catch up with this wonderful story today and am experiencing MAJOR squeeage!!

I love a good mystery - even though I never seem smart enough to figure out who the culprit is. I'm so glad that Dom and Elijah are becoming friendlier and that Dom now knows that Elijah is the benefactor. Wonder how long you are going to make us wait before this budding friendship blossoms into something hot and steamy?? However long it takes it is well worth the wait because I'm enjoying this so much - and can't wait to find out who the rapist/murderer is so I can smack myself on the forehead and go "Of Course"!!

Prim's manips are enhancing my enjoyment of this story so much - and I can't thank you enough for posting 2 chapters a week!!

[verangel.livejournal.com]

OH this was my favorite chapter yet. Of course it is because they FINALLY and so beautifully are coming together as friends. From the point of that gorgeous missal on, and the fact Dom could read what it translated too and knew exactly who was the benifactor and so wonderfully trapped him into softly admitting. It was perfection. I can't get enough of the incredible dialoge and way of using words and how they take me somewhere so far away. I'm thrilled with the progress with Dom and Elijah...even the silly bit of Sir and De Wood vs using Elijah. The formality but the babysteps leading. I can't wait for more. I can't wait to see what brings them together.
Hugs you Ru...its gorgeous xoxoxo v

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Aha! Finally the friendship emerges. Who knows what may spring from that? ;) I'm so proud of Dom for being sneaky and getting Elijah to admit that he is the benefactor. They have both had their eyes opened to their "adversary's" true self.

I am sorry that Egfrid was murdered, since I liked him, but Dom and Elijah will capture his killer. Of that I have no doubt. Lovely chapter, yet again. *hugs*

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

HiIssi,

I'llkeepthisshortbecausethekeyboard'srefusingtodospacesagain...

Greatchapter,I'mlovingthiswho-dunnitofyours!Likethewaythefriendship'sdevelopingbetweenTheBois:-)

Lookingforwardtothenextinstallment.Greaticon,btw!

Thanksverymuchasalways
XXXX

[poplij.livejournal.com]

I've read chapter 7 and 8 in one go, I love the way you make them warm up to each other, lovely and so enjoyable to read :)