A Conspiracy of Wolves

‘Bold bastards, to strike in daylight,’ Geoffrey said, rushing to catch up as Lucie and Owen hurried toward the gate through the back gardens to the tavern and apothecary.

‘How many?’ Owen asked.

‘Two men – that I saw, and the hound. A great, slavering–’

‘Did you recognize the men?’ Owen asked.

‘A rush of violence, no time to pause for introductions. My concern was to warn Alisoun. She was aiming at one of the men and did not notice the hound coming for her.’

‘Alisoun was armed?’ asked Lucie.

‘Bow and arrow,’ said Geoffrey. ‘She came prepared for trouble.’

‘How?’ asked Owen. ‘How did she know?’

‘I know nothing of that.’

‘Did she fell the one at whom she aimed?’

Geoffrey crossed himself. ‘Shot him through the neck. He is dead.’

‘Mon dieu,’ said Lucie.

‘And the other?’ Owen asked.

‘Fled with the beast. Out the back garden.’

‘No one ran after them?’ As Geoffrey began to defend himself, Owen said, ‘I merely want to know all that you know. No judgment. Anything else?’

Coming to a halt in the Fenton garden, Geoffrey closed his eyes as if to gather his thoughts, then realized he’d lost his companions. Hastening out the gate into the tavern yard, he caught up, describing in detail all that he’d seen – Euphemia pinned against the wall, Dun and one attacker struggling, the other attacker’s dagger, Alisoun aiming the bow, then being knocked aside by the hound. ‘What manner of man attacks an elderly blind woman in such wise?’ he fumed.

‘Did anyone come to your aid?’ asked Lucie.

‘Dun, as I said. The man had tried to fend them off with a pitchfork. Most fortunate fool, to have survived that gambit. The Tirwhit’s maidservant watched from afar. I found her at the end of the alley and asked her to help the Pooles’ maidservant, Eva, who’d hid from the hound. But I’ve no faith the maid will do as I asked.’

‘Who is with Alisoun now?’

‘Dun. Cradling her head, trying to keep her awake.’

‘Well done,’ said Lucie. ‘Go, search,’ she said to Owen as they reached the gate to their garden. ‘Geoffrey will help me collect what I might need from the apothecary and escort me to the Poole home.’

‘Tell Jasper to keep the children safe,’ Owen said. The shop was closed in honor of the funerals. Jasper was likely working in the garden.

‘Hurry.’ Lucie took Geoffrey’s arm and waved Owen on.

Lucie plucked jars and bandages from the shelves in the workroom behind the shop as Geoffrey stood with eyes closed searching his memory for details about the nature of the injuries. He described Alisoun’s head wound, realized he’d no idea of Dame Euphemia’s injuries, believed Dun might have a sprained or broken ankle, and sundry wounds or bruises. So, Lucie thought, possible broken bones, sprains, bruises, open wounds, and, of course, the terror of the attack. Betony, boneset, comfrey, hawthorn in case the elderly Euphemia’s heart sounded weak, moneywort, red nettle for bleeding, sanicle, walwort, wintergreen, most in mixtures Lucie found efficacious for speeding the healing of wounds, bruises, and broken bones, as well as valerian and poppy to calm. She added a potion Brother Wulfstan had devised to stimulate healing by drawing up the blood, but not in a way that would cause Alisoun’s wound to open. At least Lucie prayed that was so. She was urging Geoffrey to come along when Jasper stepped through the door.

‘Ma! Master Geoffrey! She said you were here, but I didn’t understand–’ Jasper looked at the basket of medicines and bandages. ‘Another attack?’

‘At the Poole home,’ said Lucie. ‘We are fortunate that Geoffrey witnessed it. He fetched us from the feast. Your father is searching for those who fled.’ She paused, belatedly puzzled. ‘Who told you we were here?’

‘Dame Magda. She has been sitting with us, calming Kate, now she’s holding Emma, you know how Emma reaches out to her, always begging for Magda to pick her up.’

‘You said calming Kate – about her sister? Is Tildy–’

‘She will be well, but she lost the babies.’

‘Both?’ Lucie crossed herself at his nod. Tildy might have survived in body, but her spirit … To lose both babies carried all these months …

‘Who’s that for?’ Jasper pointed to the basket.

‘Three were injured,’ said Geoffrey. ‘Dame Euphemia, a manservant, and Alisoun.’

‘Alisoun?’ Jasper frowned at Lucie. ‘You did not say.’

‘You gave me no chance.’ She silently cursed Geoffrey for not thinking to prepare Jasper.

‘I will come with you.’

Lucie put a hand on Jasper’s arm. ‘I need you here with the children. Alisoun will have Magda and me, the best care, but the children have only you.’

‘But–’

‘Only you, son.’

A reluctant nod. ‘Will you bring her here?’

‘We will do what is best for her.’ Lucie touched his cheek. ‘I love her, too. As does Magda. Does Magda know of all that’s happened? The murders? The dogs?’

‘We spoke of it.’

‘Could she see a pattern in the attacks?’

‘If she did, she did not say.’

Which might mean anything.