The fireplace in the Governor of Calais chamber gives out a warm, welcome glow this spring morning. The governor’s corpulent figure stands before it, warming his hands, a wry smile on his heavy, chubby face. He turns in anticipation to the knock on his door, cheerfully calls out in welcome as Jean enters. ‘Jean, good day to you.’
After shaking Jean’s hand, he leads him across to a side table where he picks up a carafe of wine and pours the contents into two bell-shaped goblets, one for himself and one for Jean which he hands over. ‘Well done, Jean. Another murderer successfully dispatched.’
‘Waste no tears on him, excellency.’ Jean remarks in a deep voice. ‘It was my pleasure to rid the world of that blaspheming villain. He’ll not murder for gain no more.’
The governor gives him a satisfied smile. ‘He has only his own sins to blame for the place he is in now.’ He takes a drink and continues. ‘Keep your sword sharp, your next assignment has come in.’
Jean raises the goblet up to his nose, eager to smell the bouquet as he takes a sip of the wine. ‘Mmm, you can taste the berries.’
‘Last year’s harvest,’ the governor informs him. He leans forward to whisper. ‘A special assignment which is to be kept most secret!’
He puts down his goblet and hands Jean a rolled-up document from the table. Jean notices the Seal of King Henry VIII. Curious, he spreads the document open and reads, then, eyes wide, reads again and looks up at the governor in surprise.
The governor nods knowingly. ‘A private commission yes, but the command is sovereign. I must repeat, this remains secret until you reach London.’
‘The Queen?’
‘Anne Boleyn herself!’ The governor admits. ‘Although no longer queen. She has been stripped of her titles and their marriage has been dissolved. The execution is set for the eighteenth, so you have just over five days to get yourself there. It shouldn’t be a problem.’
Jean thinks back to years before when he had business at the court of Queen Claude of France, training some of her guard. Anne had spent some nine years at the court, the most fashionable court in Europe. He would not have taken Anne to be English at first, as she appeared rather sophisticated, high spirited and flirtatious, more in the French manner. Then later she returned to the English court to serve Catherine of Aragon as a lady-in-waiting. Her gaiety must have been like a breath of fresh air to the more sombre royal household.
The governor nods. ‘She stayed here at The Exchequer a month with the King just before they married. About four years ago.’ He sniggers, ‘It is rumoured that is the first time Henry bedded her.’
‘I heard. I was away on an assignment at the time. Do you really think she bewitched the King as some claim?’ He glances through the document again. ‘I saw her a few times when she was studying at Queen Claude’s Court. She was quite an eye catcher then.’
‘An eye catcher worth one hundred crowns to behead. And you to do it Jean! Quality is worth paying for. This, you can take, as being a great compliment to your skill and in gaining a reputation as the finest executioner in Europe.’
Jean lets out a deep breath, stunned. ‘It’s an absolute fortune.’
The governor smiles broadly. ‘You can retire very wealthy on that. Although no doubt the fortune will be spent toward establishing your sword of fence school.’
‘Well yes. You know it’s been my life-long ambition. I’ve spent my whole life in the study and use of arms. One hundred crowns would make it the best equipped in the kingdom.’
‘You will thank your King for that.’ He licks his lips, taking another drink. ‘Now, if you will undertake this assignment, there is more. Something a little more gentle. I have been requested to arrange safe conduct for the daughter of a noble family who has been here at finishing school. As you are going to London, I would like you to escort their daughter home. A girl of beauty and education I hear.’
‘I have no problem with that,’ Jean grins before he continues, ‘but I can’t speak for that young gamecock Raoul!’
They both laugh jovially. As the meeting is just about over and Jean has his travel arrangements to make, they drink up.
The governor holds up a hand. ‘Before you go, Jean. Would you do one more service for me? I have one more request, a favour for a good friend of mine, a Cherbourg banker.’