Killbere lowered his voice. ‘And if Don Pedro seeks the Prince’s help then he cannot afford to have a witness speak out. If the killer is identified and confesses that the Queen’s death was ordered by this King, then the Prince would no longer support him. Rumours are one thing, the truth another. The boy stands between him and the treaty being fulfilled should the French invade.’

‘We should have left the boy in Bordeaux or Pamplona where he could be a servant unnoticed by anyone,’ said Beyard.

‘A Navarrese boy in the wrong place,’ said Blackstone. ‘How easy would it be to unearth the truth under threat or investigation? There was no choice. Beyard, you cannot have eyes everywhere. Always keep at least two men with you and the boy at all times. When we ride keep him in the midst of your men.’

‘And when do we leave this place?’ said Killbere.

‘Two days, no more. Calveley and others will be at our heels. I’ll speak to the captains later.’

Beyard returned to Lázaro.

‘Thomas, let’s look around,’ said Killbere. ‘I like to know whose company I keep when I’m sleeping with my horse in a stable surrounded by walls guarded by men. If the cruel bastard decides he doesn’t need us after all we could be caught like rats in a trap.’

Blackstone nodded. Don Pedro was not a king to be trusted. ‘Have Ashford and Renfred go one way, you and Meulon the other. I’ll take Will with me.’

*

A mile away from the city the bell of the monastery Santa María la Real de las Huegas clanged dully across the hills. Peasants in the field would halt their day’s labour and make their way home, merchants and burghers in the city would cross themselves, put aside the counting of the day’s profit and attend vespers as the murderous King knelt piously in his private chapel.

The castle’s servants, denied the comfort of evening prayer, criss-crossed the yard diligently attending to their labours. Will Longdon had left his war bow in Halfpenny’s care. He carried his archer’s knife and sword. Blackstone took his time. ‘Will, we need to see who is where and whether we need concern ourselves about being trapped in these yards if trouble flares.’

‘Be damned rare if it didn’t. We draw violence to us like a moth to a flame.’ Will nodded towards the upper colonnades that skirted the main rooms of the castle. ‘Palace guards.’