The Prince of Darkness (28 page)

Hubert felt that if he got to know his captive he might be able to warn him in some way; he might be able to discover something of his nature. He would sit with him and talk and he
often found himself staring at those fine blue eyes and imagining what that face would look like without them.

Between Arthur and Hubert there began to grow a friendship which Arthur had not felt for the Braoses. Matilda had been too managing, Sir William too aloof. It was not so with Hubert. There was a sadness about him which matched Arthur’s own and Hubert’s voice was often very gentle, though sometimes it would be harsh as though he were angry with Arthur simply because he existed; then he would seem to repent and be almost womanish in his attitude. Arthur found this intriguing and for the first time since his captivity he forgot his misfortune.

Hubert noticed that he was laughing more readily; that often for hours he would forget he was a captive. Once he said: ‘How glad I am you came, Hubert.’

‘Why so?’ said Hubert, suddenly in one of his gruff moods. ‘Was not Sir William de Braose a good castellan?’

‘You are more than a good castellan, Hubert. You are a friend. Do you know, Hubert, that’s what I haven’t had before. A friend. It is hard for someone in my position to have a true friend. One can never be sure that they might not want something. But what can you want from me? Here I am your prisoner … and since you came, Hubert, there have been times when I have been glad to be here.’

Oh God, help me, prayed Hubert. I can never do it.

‘Why, there are tears in your eyes, Hubert. I would never have thought that of you.’

‘’Tis a kind of rheum which affects me.’

Arthur laughed aloud and seized him suddenly in a great hug.

‘You lie, Hubert de Burgh. You are a man of emotion, and
you are glad … yes, you are glad … that you and I have had this chance to become friends. Confess it.’

‘Well, perhaps I am, but …’

Arthur laughed. ‘Say no more. Come, I’ll beat you at the chess board. I have to have my revenge, you know, for the last time.’

Together they bent over the chess board.

How clear his eyes are, thought Hubert, and he remembered horribly mutilated men who had offended their kings or their overlords in some way.

It is necessary for the peace of the country, he said to himself.

‘No, no,’ he said aloud. ‘I will never do it.’

‘You are right,’ cried Arthur. ‘The next move I have you.’

He had lifted clear limpid eyes to Hubert.

When he looks at me like that I know I never will, thought Hubert de Burgh.

They talked together. Arthur told him of his childhood, how he had been scurried from one place to another.

‘I soon became aware that I was important and I seemed to be in perpetual danger. I used to think it would have been better not to be so important.’

‘It is always better not to be too important,’ agreed Hubert.

‘There are always people trying to take what is yours. What do you think of my uncle John?’

‘Only that he is the King.’

‘Which many say he should not be. But you are his man, Hubert, I know that, so I would not attempt to trick you into treachery against him. What do you think of him as a man?’

‘I know him only as a king.’

‘They say he has a wicked temper. I must confess when I was with him he frightened me a little. I wouldn’t admit that to anyone but you. I have heard terrible stories of him, Hubert.’

‘In his temper he can act impulsively,’ said Hubert, ‘even against himself.’

‘Perhaps one day he will do himself an injury,’ said Arthur hopefully. ‘I hope he never comes here. Do you think he will?’

‘I know not.’

‘I wish I could see my sister. I wonder what he has done with her. Do you think she is a prisoner as I am?’

‘I have heard that she is in Bristol Castle in England and that she is being treated very well there.’

‘I am glad of that. Of course he would not fear her unless I were dead. Oh, Hubert, that has just occurred to me. If I died then by right she would be the next heir to the throne. What would that mean?’

‘You are young, my lord, to speak of death.’

‘Yet I am in such a position that it could occur to me at any time.’

‘Not with me here to guard you.’

‘That’s a comforting thought, Hubert. I tell myself that sometimes. I lie awake and in the night with the darkness all around me, fears come. Sometimes I think, What if men come creeping into my prison to kill me on King John’s commands? That could be, for he does not like me to be alive. I am a threat to him. So many people would rather see me in his place. Then I think: It’s all right. Hubert is here and he will protect me.’

Hubert nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I will protect you.’

‘So then I go to sleep and in the morning I just laugh at my night fears. It’s in the night that I like to remember that you are
not far off. But I do think a great deal of Eleanor. She is older than I am, you know, and when we were little she used to look after me. I liked being with her then. I wish they had put us together. It would have been pleasant if we could have both been here in Falaise with you, Hubert. You would like Eleanor. She is serene – more so than I, I think, but that is doubtless because she is older. She was never jealous because more was made of me … being a boy. My mother was always stressing how important
I
was. But it does bother me a little that she is the second in the line of succession. If it was fair, of course, she would really come before John.’

‘The direct succession is not considered so important,’ Hubert pointed out. ‘Although the people like a king’s son to follow him, if that son is not worthy then they would rather have the next in line. And as your sister is a girl I don’t think there would be any thoughts of putting her on the throne.’

‘No, I suppose not. I am the true heir and my sons will be next. I’d love to have sons. I wonder what my sons will be like?’

Hubert closed his eyes. I shall never do it, he thought. Each day it becomes more difficult.

‘What ails you, Hubert? Are you tired today?’

‘Nay, I am not tired.’

‘You are in one of your sad moods. Cheer up. I like to see you gay, Hubert.’

And so it went on; and each day they seemed to grow a little closer to each other.

It was hardly likely that the Bretons would remain passive while their Duke was a prisoner. It was soon known that he
was in the castle of Falaise and reports came to the castle that parties of Bretons were riding into Normandy the object of each being to have the honour of rescuing their Duke.

Arthur was excited, for Hubert could not resist telling him the news. They stood at a window together looking out on the road.

Arthur said: ‘Why, Hubert, I think you are hoping they will come and take the castle.’

‘How can you say such a thing?’

‘I know you well. I know your moods. I can almost
feel
your excitement. What would happen if they came here?’

‘There would be a siege.’

‘And you would be on one side, I on the other – you holding them out, I longing for them to break in. Oh, Hubert, what a pity! You and I should be together … on the same side. I hope we shall be one day. When I gain what is mine by right, you will be my chief adviser perhaps. We shall always be together. You will be my best friend and I shall always remember these days because, Hubert, since you came everything is different.’

Hubert did not trust himself to speak. He pretended to be scanning the horizon.

But no Bretons reached the castle. This was one occasion when John really did arouse himself and he went into action to make sure that they were turned out of Normandy.

He sent a message to the castle, and when Hubert heard that the King’s emissary had come and would speak with him alone his heart sank because he guessed what the orders would be.

He received him in his bedchamber and shut the door so that none could hear.

‘What news?’ he asked.

‘The King’s orders are for your ears alone. The Duke of Brittany is to be fettered.’

‘Fettered! He is safe enough here. I have guards. I watch over him myself.’

‘The King’s orders. There is another. The King says that you are to do your duty as commanded by him. He expects news without delay.’

Hubert bowed his head.

As he feared, the time had come.

‘Must I wear these fetters, Hubert?’

‘It is the King’s orders that you should.’

‘But I didn’t before.’

‘No, but since then, as you know, your supporters have been trying to reach you.’

‘So the King is afraid of them?’

‘It would seem so.’

‘To be fettered so! It is humiliating for a prince.’

‘For all men,’ replied Hubert. ‘They have their feelings just like princes.’

‘But the higher a man is in rank the deeper the humiliation.’

‘I’ll tell you what,’ said Hubert. ‘When you and I are together we will undo the fetters.’

‘You don’t like to see me chained any more than I like it myself, Hubert.’

‘Of course I don’t.’

‘Because at heart, Hubert, you care for my welfare, do you not? I believe you hoped my friends would come and take me away.’

There was a lump in Hubert’s throat.

‘You did. You did,’ cried Arthur. ‘Confess it.’

‘For your sake, yes.’

‘Oh dear, dear Hubert. And let me tell you this. I thought: If they take me, what of Hubert? John will be so angry. What will he do to Hubert? For he will blame him. I couldn’t bear that, Hubert. He is such a wicked man. He does terrible things to those who anger him. I would take you with me, Hubert. Yes, I would. I had thought it all out. I was going to tell them: Bind Hubert de Burgh. Make him my prisoner. That was what I was going to do. I would have changed our positions … and then we could have stayed friends.’

‘But it did not come to pass,’ said Hubert.

And to himself he said: Oh God, I wish it had.

There was another messenger at Falaise. He too came from the King. He wished to know if Hubert de Burgh had a message for the King.

‘The time has not yet come,’ said Hubert.

‘I was told to say that the King expects to have news soon. He grows impatient with delay.’

‘He shall have news soon,’ said Hubert, and he stood at a turret window watching the messenger ride away.