Chapter 4

After Richard had left the Crusade and was travelling by ship towards England, Walderman Fitzurse advised the conspiring council:

"We should set the French against him, your Highness. A war isn't desired, but is necessary."

An approving murmur went through the gathering. De Bracy, outwardly calm, reposted:

"And with which money shall we wage this war? Perhaps yours, sir Walderman?"

No one answered. Walderman Fitzurse turned red. An hour later, a letter was send to Leopold V, the Duke of Austria, through Philip de Malvoisin, with the indication given to the massager: "Don't stay too much, don't say too many. Humiliate and encourage him... Do not fail!" De Bracy did not agree.

"What if I go?"

"You don't!" said sharply the prince."I need you here, Maurice."

De Bracy inclined and ceased. The conspirators were contradicting each other in a laud voice.

"Silence!" shouted Prince John."Now, gentlemen, think at the best proposal and I shall return to discuss it."

He sat up and went towards a secret door.

"Come with me, De Bracy. I have a mission for you."

Albert de Malvoisin whispered in his brother's ear:

"You are lucky, Philip; if you'll succeed in this mission you can compete with De Bracy."

Phillip smiled sourly. De Bracy followed the prince until they entered the regent's bedroom. There he closed the door and waited.

"Sit down, Maurice", said Prince John seating himself into an armchair.

He waited until De Bracy made himself comfortable and started:

"Maurice, you surely remind the girl you brought me some days ago, don't you?"

"Yes, your Highness", answered Maurice trying to understand where the prince was getting at. "You asked me a servant to taste your food. Your Highness never told me why it should be... a woman, a young beautiful woman..."

"What do you mean?" asked the regent lifting up his voice."How dare you put questions to your prince?"

"Forgive me, your Highness", said De Bracy standing. "I'm waiting for your orders."

"Good!" said Prince John."Now sit down and answer my questions!"

Reserved, De Bracy took a seat.

"Is it true that the girl you brought me, that Charlotte, had been the maid-servant of the lord of Canterbury many years before engaged her?"

"Yes, it is."

"Good! Now, is it true that she was devoted to death to that infernal Archbishop, so that she would have done anything he had asked her to do?"

"Yes."

"Is it true", asked the prince in a loud voice, "that she died after I put her taste for the second time the cup of wine she brought me from the lord of Canterbury?"

"Your Highness, I don't think..."

"Is it true or false?" said the regent almost shouting.

"True", answered sombre Maurice.

"Then", yelled the prince at De Bracy, "is it true that, making himself guilty of murdering attempt towards his lord and master, the lord of Canterbury deserves to die as a traitor?"

Fully aware of the importance of his answer, De Bracy said firmly:

"Yes, your Highness. For his crime, he must be brought into trial at once."

Confused by the docility of his accomplice and the perspective of publicly condemn an innocent minister, Prince John remained speechless for a few moments.

"I admire your wisdom in choosing what is right, but this time you are wrong", he said in a muffed voice.

Maurice felt himself blanching.

"Your Highness", he tried to oppose, "we don't have any prove for his lame attempt. Besides, our English Low makes differences among a murdering and a vain attempt. There are many death sentences, but even more death ways, so..."

"I've decided!" blustered the regent. "I've decided. Will you contest my authority, Lord Chancellor?"

Maurice saw that he had no other choice left.

"No one can dispute your authority, my prince. To say nothing of your humble servant", he answered with a bow.

"Go, De Bracy", said the prince giving himself airs, "I hope you understood what I expect from you."

"You won't be disappointed, milord."

De Bracy turned round to the door.

"Oh, and one more thing!"

Maurice returned.

"I'll need another servant for tasting my food and wine...A woman, if it's possible...A young beautiful woman..."

De Bracy changed colour, but did not answer. He inclined once more and left as black as thunder. The prince returned to the council, and after an hour, the letter was ready. It was ending with these words:"...We are positive your Highness will welcome King Richard with all the consideration that he deserves.-The English Council" The duke was an elegant middle-aged man with a glamour wisdom, a rarely courage and a disputable honour. He quickly understood what means the English Council and the welcome that the king deserves. The letter had also a P.S.:"Making allowance for the prepares necessary for the welcome of our noble king, we have sent a modest account of money which could support some of the spending." Indeed, the massager brought the duke a large sum of money from Prince John, together with these words:"Verba vollans, scripta manent." Leopold caught the hint and burnt the letter.