Free Wolf Wood (Part One): The Gathering Storm by Mike Dixon

the stables with the horses. Master Baret had found them a
hospice used by the servants of priests and people like that. It
wasn't a bit like the place where he stayed when he was in
Salisbury with his father. They went to the Red Boar, which was the
inn the archers used.
    His Welsh
friends had gone there. They were having problems with a gamekeeper
and some bailiffs who were trying to arrest them. Bailiffs weren't
welcome at the Red Boar. They either stayed outside or went in
accompanied by soldiers. Gareth figured that by the time they'd
organised a military escort, the venison would have been eaten and
all evidence destroyed. He made his way towards the inn, sheltering
from the rain beneath the overhanging floors of the timber
houses.
    The Red Boar
occupied a narrow gap between two streets. David and the two
archers were in the front parlour, surrounded by a band of
admirers. They were handing out roast meat and wine like lords at a
banquet. Gareth knew where the meat came from. He guessed the wine
had been bought with the money Master Baret paid to get rid of
them.
    Harry and
Edward were the names they used. They were much older than Gareth
and spoke good English. The other members of their group were
dressed in the uniforms of the Earl of Huntingdon, whose powerbase
was in Devon. Gareth recognised the men's distinctive West Country
accents and heard an occasional word in the Cornish tongue. Harry
proposed a toast.
    'To Good Duke
Humphrey.'
    Gareth
recalled that Humphrey was the young king's uncle and a fierce
supporter of the war in France.
    'Duke
Humphrey!'
    They bellowed
his name and emptied their mugs. The wineskin was passed round and
the mugs recharged. Someone proposed a toast to John Holland.
    'To John
Holland ... Earl of Huntingdon!'
    John Holland
was a leading commander of the English forces in France. Gareth
wasn't interested in him. He was out to sample the fleshpots of
Salisbury. It was the first time he'd been out of his father's
clutches and he was determined to make the most of it. The serving
wenches at the Red Boar were known to trade favours for money. Some
did it for nothing if they fancied you.
    Gareth wanted
one who fancied him but was prepared to pay if he had to. The coins
from Master Baret were burning a hole in his purse. Tonight was the
night. All the boys he knew (except David) had done it. He was
determined not to be left out.
    A girl
approached his table. He'd seen her before. She had olive skin and
dark eyes. He reckoned he fancied her. She brushed against him as
she cleared away the platters.'
    'Where's your
old man then?'
    'You mean my
dad?'
    'The one who
won't let you out of his sight.'
    'He's a long
way away.'
    'So he can't
stop you having a bit of fun?'
    She tweaked
his ear and Gareth felt his blood rise.
    'I can do what
I like tonight. There's no one to stop me.'
    She bent down.
'What you got here then?'
    He felt her
hands on the money pouch ... then further down.'
    'Ooh. You are
a lusty lad.'
    Gareth felt as
if he would explode.
    'You can have
it if you like.'
    Her hand
switched from his groin to his pouch.
    'I'll see you
later, Big Boy.'
    Harry waited
for the girl to leave.
    'How much you
going to pay her, boyo?'
    'I don't
know,' Gareth blushed. 'Perhaps she'll do it for nothing.'
    'Don't be
daft. They don't get paid for working here. They use the rooms
upstairs. That's how they get their money.'
    'What do you
think I should pay?'
    'For one like
that …' Harry considered the point. 'Not more than a penny ... a
penny farthing at the very most.'
    'I've got
more.'
    'If you've got
more, give it to David for safekeeping or you'll lose it. While
you're on the job another girl will come in and go through your
clothes.'
    'I could keep
them on.'
    'If you do
that, she'll go through 'em while you're screwing her.'
    Gareth sorted
through the money in his pouch. Master Baret was paying him four
pence a day and had given him an advance of sixpence.'
    'How long will
I get for a penny?'
    'As long as