‘And we slipped a coin to the servant who questioned Lázaro. It was the witch who instructed him,’ said Killbere.

It was evidence enough for everyone to believe it implicated her in the King’s killing his wife.

‘Maybe de Hayle was involved from the start?’ said Killbere.

‘If she was the one who met him that night at Burgos then what was she planning? Or was she sent by the King?’ said John Jacob.

‘If the King uses her to contact a killer like de Hayle, then he keeps his hands clean,’ said Blackstone. ‘What we cannot know is whether Don Pedro used de Hayle to kill his wife.’

‘The King, the witch and the bastard,’ said Will Longdon, chewing a strand of dry grass.

‘But Lázaro did not say de Hayle was in the room when the Queen was murdered,’ said Blackstone.

‘It makes no sense to me why de Hayle is still around. He ambushed us and now he’s where? He can’t strike at us now that we have joined the Spanish and the Moors.’

‘Will’s right for once,’ said Killbere. ‘The bastard has no business with us now. He tried and failed to kill us. He searched for the boy and didn’t find him. There’s no reason for him to be here.’

‘He might not even be close to us any more,’ said Renfred.

Blackstone couldn’t find a reason either. He scuffed the dirt with the toe of his boot. ‘If he still thinks we have the witness to the Queen’s murder then that’s the only explanation. But she’s involved, I’m sure of it.’

‘Not in the Queen’s killing, though. Lázaro didn’t identify her being anywhere near her murder.’

‘She’s a go-between,’ said Meulon. ‘The King and de Hayle.’

A murmured agreement among them: they could find no other solution to Blackstone’s suspicions.

‘We make no changes to Lázaro’s duties. His false story stands. But we keep watch. Ranulph de Hayle will not dare risk entering Seville. They would see him for what he is, a routier in the wrong place.’

Will Longdon spat out the grass. ‘Aye, well, we’re all likely to be in the wrong place if a few thousand skinners catch up with us.’

*