‘You have captured Beowulf?’ asked Bull incredulously, ‘How did you achieve this?’
‘Well done!’ said Louie-Louie, ‘That is an impressive achievement.’
Both were too full of enthusiasm for Heinrich’s victory to notice the looks of surprise and concern on the faces of the British party and Marshall Gney. They had put their faith in Beowulf and he had failed! The Marshall thought that a tactical withdrawal might be necessary; there was no telling what Beowulf might say about who had hired him to infiltrate the monastery. The British delegation were all having similar thoughts, however there was no easy way to leave the party, particularly not just at the moment that something really noteworthy had occurred. They would just have to sit it out.
Heinrich did not really want to confess that Beowulf had turned up at the front door, knocked and announced himself and so he was quite prepared to exaggerate, a little, regarding the circumstances of the capture.
‘He was trying to infiltrate the hall when I spotted him. I quickly called for the guards to aid me in pursuit, in order to apprehend the felon. He tried to make a break for it when he saw us coming, but having planned for this eventuality, I initiated a subtle pincer movement, while leaving sufficient guards to protect the Royal person. We were able to trap and apprehend him before he was able to assault the King or make good his escape. We have him now, sir!’
‘Good job, Captain!’ exclaimed Louie-Louie, ‘Bring him in. Let’s have a look at him.’
‘Do you think that is wise?’ asked Cardinal Bull, who was well aware of many stories of Beowulf tricking his adversaries.
‘Why not?’ asked Louie-Louie, ‘What harm can he possibly do? Heinrich and his highly professional guards have him defeated and outnumbered. Let us take a look at this terrible adversary, shall we?’
Heinrich, who was still glowing with pride, was more than happy to bring his prisoner in. He went off to fetch him, leaving the others to discuss this surprising turn of events.
‘This is a most unexpected development,’ said Marshall Gney, as straightforwardly as he could manage, ‘what could Beowulf be doing in this part of the world? The last I knew he was in King Lars’ land, far to the north.’
‘Yes, it is interesting, isn’t it?’ replied Bull, ‘Although I believe his presence here is not entirely unexpected.’
He smiled wolfishly at Marshall Gney and continued,
‘There has been intelligence that Beowulf would come to France. We believe that he is acting on the orders of either a traitor in our own camp or else in the employ of a foreign power. We are hoping that he is able to supply us with the names of his paymasters. Our information is that he is attempting to assassinate or kidnap our beloved King Louis on the eve of his wedding. Thankfully this seems to have been prevented; when we have the names of his accomplices and employer we will be able to seek them out for in order to ensure that appropriate retribution takes place.’
The Marshall, Dorf and Boo Dikka all lost a bit of colour at this announcement. Caractacus however had continued his poker discussion, apparently unmoved by the excitement of the news.
‘There are no clergy cards, either; although there is a Bishop in the game of chess. Do any of you play chess?’
‘I think this great news calls for a drink!’ declared Cardinal Mascarpone, refilling his glass from a bottle. Dorf, Boo Dikka and Gney all seconded this sentiment and helped themselves.
Louie-Louie anxiously eyed the doorway; after all, it was him that the famous Beowulf was coming to kill or kidnap. He was beginning to regret having him brought in; however he felt it would be un-Kingly to change his mind just because he was afraid.
‘We thank you, Cardinal, for your diligence in anticipating threats to our Royal Person. It is reassuring to know that we are well prepared and protected. Do you think that it is traitors or foreigners who are behind the plot?’
‘Traitors!’ asserted Boo Dikka and Dorf.
‘Foreigners!’ said the Marshall.
Both parties regarded each other uneasily and wondered how much each knew about the others’ plans. At this point Heinrich returned.
‘I am bringing the prisoner now,’ he said, ‘he has some wounds that were caused in the struggle to apprehend him.’
‘Well done!’ said Bull, ‘I’m so glad you were able to take him alive.
Four heavily armoured guards dragged Beowulf in. This was unnecessary, as Beowulf was offering no resistance. The guards had tied his hands and feet together and this made it hard for him to obey commands such as ‘come with us.’
‘Evening!’ said Beowulf cheerfully, when the guards had eventually pulled him in and pushed him to the floor.
Louie-Louie was shocked at how small Beowulf was. He was almost tiny, a round little, bald man with a bruised face and a cut on his head, was what he thought. How could he be so dangerous?
Bull stood up and walked over to Beowulf who had nearly pulled himself up to a kneeling position.
‘Cardinal Bull!’ he grinned. The Cardinal launched a huge kick at the small man’s ribs, and, as Beowulf made no move to block or evade the blow it sent him floundering backwards. Louie-Louie was sure that he heard a cracking sound. He was sure it was a rib cracking.
‘Beowulf!’ spat the Cardinal, ‘We know why you are here. We know you came to harm our beloved King Louis. Your evil plans are thwarted; death and torture await you. We look forward to finding out the names of those who instigated your foul plot. Confess and we could offer you the mercy of a speedy death. We have skilled torturers ready to wring your secrets from you.’
Louie-Louie was not used to violence and was shocked by Bull’s aggression. He was also shocked by the huge size difference between the massive scarlet clad Cardinal and the small man on the floor.
‘Yes, Beowulf,’ he added, ‘it would be best for you to tell us all.’
Beowulf appeared to consider this, while slowly working himself up into a kneeling position again. He looked very weak and ill. He seemed to sway slightly and to having difficulty holding himself upright.
‘Might I speak?’ he croaked and then he fell backwards.
‘Get him up,’ said Louie-Louie. The guards picked him up and sat him on a chair. He seemed to be going in and out of consciousness.
‘Give him a drink.’
One of the guards splashed some drink on Beowulf’s face.
‘Mm…thanks,’ he said and then appeared to be more alert.
‘Tell us why you are here,’ commanded Louie-Louie. He stared at Beowulf, who returned his stare with his dark, almost black eyes.
‘Of course,’ said Beowulf, ‘I came here tonight to see you.’
‘We know this!’ shouted Bull, who had not resumed his seat and was stood just behind Beowulf, ‘We know you came to kill the King!’
‘Boo!’ shouted Mascarpone, who had been seriously celebrating the capture of Beowulf.
Beowulf continued,
‘I came here to see your Majesty in order to warn His Royal Person about plots against Him. It is true that I have been contacted by parties that mean you harm; some of whom are here in this room, but it was never my intention to harm your Highness. I have taken the instructions and taken their money and come here tonight to reveal those plots to you.’
‘Liar!’ thundered Cardinal Bull, ‘We know what you are doing, we know for whom you work. Spare us your godless lies, you vile murderer!’
Everyone else had gone very quiet. When Beowulf had said ‘some of whom are here in this room,’ there had been notable intakes of breath from several of the guests.
Beowulf turned his stare on the Cardinal,
‘I do not lie. I will not be silenced; not while the life of a King hangs in the balance. I will tell the King what he needs to know and he will decide.’
All eyes turned to Louie-Louie,
‘I think that we had better hear what he has to say.’