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let out a terrifyingly final-sounding exhalation of breath. De Saye roared and stepped forward, grabbed my cowl and lifted me bodily onto my toes practically choking me in the process while the Justiciar pulled a dagger from somewhere beneath his robes and waved it unnervingly close to my nose. Just in time to prevent me from being perforated or garrotted the King snorted in his sleep, rolled over in the bed and let out a loud and satisfying fart the aroma of which confirmed as nothing else could that my diagnosis had been the right one and it was indeed the lampreys that were the cause of his problems.
    ‘Ah, merveilleux! ’ squealed the French doctor sniffing the air delightedly as though it were some exotic French perfume.
    ‘The King,’ I choked as de Saye dropped me back onto my feet, ‘should sleep for a day or two now. Then, God willing, he will have a goodly motion and expel the offending blockage. In the meantime I think rest and quiet is the best , erm, prescription ,’ I said, deliberately using the Earl Marshal’s word and praying he agreed. He immediately went into a huddle with the other two courtiers and Abbot Samson. All I could hear was the thumping of my heart which I was sure everyone else in the room must hear as loudly as I did. They then called the French doctor over and all five had an animated conversation conducted at the level of a whisper. Finally, they emerged from their deliberations.
    ‘We agree with Master Walter’s conclusion,’ said William Marshal with his patrician voice again. ‘The King will be allowed to rest and recover. But none of this must get out. If it becomes known that the King is incapacitated it may persuade some to try their luck. I therefore direct that all who witnessed the events in this room today are on forfeit of their life not to reveal what they have seen here.’ He turned to Hubert Walter. ‘My lord Archbishop, will you administer the oath?’
    The Archbishop nodded and asked everyone in the room to kneel. One by one each of us solemnly swore ourselves to silence and then a prayer of supplication was said for the King’s speedy return to health and for peace in the world. We recited the Paternoster and the Ave Maria and finally the Archbishop gave his blessing to seal the oath.
    ‘Father Abbot,’ said the Earl rising to his feet again, ‘you will ensure that all servants who wait upon the King are known by you personally.’ Samson bowed and nodded.  ‘The story to be given out is that the King is tired after the events of recent weeks and will remain in the abbey a few days to recuperate. I will return to London with the Archbishop to secure the capital. You, my lord,’ he said to the Justiciar, ‘should remain here with the King.’
    Earl Geoffrey opened his mouth to protest but shut it again and reluctantly bowed his assent. Earl William then turned back to Samson. ‘Father Abbot, please have a proclamation drawn up to the effect I have directed and posted on the abbey gate.’
    Abbot Samson bowed his agreement, too. Then upon a gesture , the servants were let back into the room to adjust the King’s bed for his comfort and the assembly quickly broke up. As I scurried, thankful at last to be able to get away, I felt a restraining hand grip my shoulder. It was de Saye again.
    ‘If the King does not recover, bone-breaker,’ he whispered in my ear, ‘and you turn out to be a very clever assassin, I will personally pull out your entrails and make you eat them.’
    ‘Have I done something to offend your lordship?’ I asked in all innocence, but seeing Samson approaching de Saye merely let go of me and walked swiftly away bowing to Samson as he passed.
    ‘What did he want?’ Samson asked watching de Saye walk over to speak to the guard who had manhandled Alric.
    ‘In truth, father, I do not know.’
    Samson frowned and tutted. ‘Be careful of that one. Geoffrey de Saye is the King’s new bullyboy, keen to demonstrate his loyalty to the new