CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Meulon led Blackstone into the Jewish Quarter. There was little difference from the other streets of Pamplona. The size and strength of the two men meant the shoppers and street hawkers quickly parted.

‘In here,’ said Meulon, opening an inconspicuous door in the house’s sun-bleached wall, as pockmarked and crumbling as those around it. Blackstone stepped into a cool, dim corridor. Meulon’s frame blocked out the light at the far end. They reached a small courtyard where a lemon tree grew in the centre of the tiled floor. There was a wicker chair with a brightly striped cushion beneath its shade-giving branches. Meulon did not stop but entered another passage that soon broadened into a large room with honey-coloured bricks arching across the entrance. A single high window beamed a shaft of dust-speckled sunlight into the gloomy interior. It was only when Blackstone stepped further into the room and turned that he saw light flooding walls as tall as any town’s church.

‘I have never seen such a place before now,’ said Meulon.

The unexpected volume of what appeared to be a hidden building within the city was as much a surprise to Blackstone’s stonemason’s eye as it was to Meulon. Below the vaulted wooden ceiling, colonnettes supported arches around the wall with intricate patterns of leaves, flowers and tendrils, above which were letters that Blackstone did not recognize. ‘What writing is that?’ Blackstone said aloud to himself, not expecting to be answered.

‘They are quotes in Hebrew from my faith and also from the Bible and Qur’an,’ said Halif ben Josef.

Blackstone turned to where rows of cushions and mats lined the end wall on which hung large silk tapestries. The Jewish physician sat with two other men. By the look of their fine clothing Blackstone guessed they were merchants. Ben Josef beckoned him.

‘Sir Thomas, come and meet two friends of mine who have important news that you need to hear.’

‘I’ll guard the entrance,’ said Meulon and turned back towards the courtyard.

The three men stood when Blackstone reached them. Halif ben Josef introduced his companions. ‘Sir Thomas, these are good and trusted friends, Elias Navarette and Salamon Bonisac. I have told them how you rescued me.’

Blackstone nodded to the two distinguished-looking men. ‘Master ben Josef saved my friend’s life. It pleased me and my men that he chose to ride with us.’

Ben Josef gestured for the men to sit so Blackstone could face them. ‘Elias is a silversmith, Salamon a weaver. They travel far and wide, including in Italy, France and the Holy Roman Empire, to secure the materials they need. Both have returned these past few days. Elias across the eastern borders, Salamon further south.’ He nodded to the older of the two men. ‘Salamon, tell Sir Thomas what you told me.’