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Back Shadow of the Hawk
Chapters (96)
  1. Cover
  2. By David Gilman
  3. SHADOW OF THE HAWK
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Contents
  7. CHARACTER LIST
  8. Map
  9. Epigraph
  10. PROLOGUE
  11. PART ONE
  12. CHAPTER ONE
  13. CHAPTER TWO
  14. CHAPTER THREE
  15. CHAPTER FOUR
  16. CHAPTER FIVE
  17. CHAPTER SIX
  18. CHAPTER SEVEN
  19. CHAPTER EIGHT
  20. CHAPTER NINE
  21. CHAPTER TEN
  22. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  23. CHAPTER TWELVE
  24. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  25. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  26. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  27. PART TWO
  28. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  29. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  30. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  31. CHAPTER NINETEEN
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  34. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  35. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
  36. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
  37. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
  38. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
  39. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
  40. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
  41. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
  42. PART THREE
  43. CHAPTER THIRTY
  44. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
  45. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
  46. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
  47. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
  48. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
  49. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
  50. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
  51. CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
  52. CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
  53. CHAPTER FORTY
  54. CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
  55. PART FOUR
  56. CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
  57. CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
  58. CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
  59. CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
  60. CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
  61. CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
  62. CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
  63. CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
  64. CHAPTER FIFTY
  65. CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
  66. CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
  67. CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
  68. CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
  69. CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
  70. PART FIVE
  71. CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
  72. CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
  73. CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
  74. CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
  75. CHAPTER SIXTY
  76. CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
  77. CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
  78. CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
  79. CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
  80. CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
  81. CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
  82. CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
  83. CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT
  84. CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE
  85. CHAPTER SEVENTY
  86. CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
  87. CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO
  88. CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
  89. CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
  90. CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
  91. CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX
  92. CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN
  93. CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT
  94. Author’s Notes
  95. About the Author
  96. An Invitation from the Publisher

‘And see through it for what it is.’

Don Pedro’s confidence grew. ‘Sir Thomas, your fighting skills are beyond question, but politics is more than a blade with courage behind it. Galicia is the last province loyal to me. I must ride into its capital and receive the blessing and sacrament from the Archbishop and the acceptance of its people. It is better for me to meet your Prince knowing I have a province that will support and honour me because if we are to return in force and reclaim my throne then it might be through Galicia.’

Blackstone knew it was an argument to be considered. If the Prince of Wales put a rightful king back on his throne, no matter how unlikeable the man, he would have to bring an army either through the Pyrenees and the Kingdom of Navarre, which by now would have sided with the French and Henry of Trastámara, or land at a northern port in Galicia.

‘King Edward’s Master of War and the Prince’s choice to save the Kingdom of Castile and León might hold sway with the Archbishop,’ said Don Pedro.

The King had manoeuvred Blackstone into a corner. ‘And if he still won’t agree?’

‘Then you have tried and I will ride to Corunna.’ He paused for a moment, turning to warm himself at the fire. ‘And by the time we return to Spain there might be another archbishop more willing to offer his support and blessings.’

CHAPTER SEVENTY

While Blackstone’s men established camp their captains arranged food, clean cooking water and wine from the villagers. Once his men knew that he was to make an appeal to the Archbishop many wanted to ride with him. The cathedral gave them all a chance to be blessed and shriven in one of the most venerated places in Europe. Blackstone denied them their sudden desire for religion. Allowing war-weary, battle-hardened men into a city the size of Santiago de Compostela with its inns and prostitutes, merchants and money changers was a risk too far now that Blackstone was an emissary of the King.

Blackstone bathed as John Jacob attempted to clean his gambeson, cloak and hose.

‘John and I will come with you, Thomas,’ said Killbere. ‘Religion has a strange way of slipping like sweat off a pilgrim’s back when they see a knight who looks as though he carries a full purse.’

‘Gilbert, this is no time for whoring and drink. What I told the men goes the same for you. We are there to seek an understanding.’