The King of Thieves: by Michael Jecks

power in his eyes as he leaned towards Despenser, his head jutting. ‘You think to tell me,
     a man of God, where my duties lie, Sir Hugh? For shame! Keep your mouth closed if you can speak nothing but ill of others.
     My Lord King, you have decided not to go to France. If that is the case, and you remain here in England, you will lose Guyenne,
     the Agenais, and more than half your annual income.’
    ‘Parliament will have to increase the money sent to me in taxes.’
    ‘Parliament will not. It cannot. Once you have fleeced your sheep, my Lord, if you continue cutting, all you achieve is butchery.
     If you try to extort more money from your people than they can afford, you will find that they will rise up. I do not speak
     sedition, only the truth. You need the French territories.’
    ‘I cannot go. I have decided.’
    ‘Then you must consider another alternative,’ Stapledon said, and turned to look at the Earl of Chester, who stood listening
     intently.
    ‘I will not have him go! I wish my son to remain here,’ the King declared.
    ‘Either you go or he does. If not, you lose all, your Highness. This is the single most important decision of your reign,
     my Lord.’
    ‘And he
has
decided,’ Despenser said quickly, but he felt the cold sweat breaking out on his back as the King wavered. Sweet Mother of
     God, yes, he was reconsidering. After all that effort, Stapledon had hit on the one ruse that could work: mention money to
     the King, and he’d listen all right. He would ignore comments about other men’s welfare, about the King’sPeace being broken with impunity on all sides, about the suffering of the masses … but suggest that he might lose a single
     farthing, and you would have his complete attention in an instant.
    ‘Hold!’ the King said. ‘I will not have matters bandied about like this. I have no doubt that you all seek to assist me, but
     what am I to do? I cannot remain here and also be in France. If I leave here, there would be consequences. I am needed in
     my realm to protect my people, but you say I should also be in Paris to pay homage to the French King. What should I do?’
    The Earl of Chester strode forward. ‘It’s clear enough, Father – your Royal Highness – you will
have
to go to France. The date is set. It would be wrong for you not to honour your own word given to the French King. You must
     go.’
    King Edward stared at his son. He was about to respond with vigour, when his answer was pre-empted.
    ‘The young Earl does speak a deal of sense, with a maturity beyond his years,’ said Despenser. ‘But there are some aspects
     of the situation of which he may be unaware. Your Royal Highness, perhaps we could discuss this with him later?’
    ‘Sir Hugh, I fear it is a little late already to be discussing this,’ Stapledon stated. He stepped forward. ‘You may believe
     that the Earl is of tender years, but I feel he has demonstrated a most sensitive and sensible attitude. For the Crown to
     retain the French territories, it is clear that homage will have to be paid to the French King, as he is the liege-lord for
     those lands. And it would be unthinkable for the English Crown to knowingly or willingly give up the estates won so hard over
     so many years. The Earl of Chester is quite right.’
    The King shook his head violently. ‘I am the King, and I have spoken.’
    ‘Your Royal Highness, with respect,’ Hethe said, ‘we areyour council. It would be wrong for us to allow you to act without our declaring our disagreement, if we felt this decision
     would adversely affect you. Your Majesty, please hear our views. You know I love you more than my own life. I have served
     you faithfully and loyally all these years, will you not listen to my own plea?’
    Gatehouse, Louvre, Paris
    Arnaud watched her walking away on those long legs of hers with a feeling of real misery. She’d been so bright and enthusiastic
     in his room, it was as though a ray of the sun had dropped in