The Scar-Crow Men (57 page)

‘And the defences were not yet repaired, you say? How much work had he done?’ Will asked.

Cecil fixed a gimlet eye on the spy. ‘Enough to stop the Queen being stolen from under our noses, I would wager. But we will see more incursions from the Enemy. More Englishmen tormented, murdered in their homes, corrupted. This must not stand!’

Launceston stroked a long finger down his chin, staring into the middle distance. ‘But what enemy could get into Nonsuch and take the alchemist from his very chamber? Have we no guards ’pon the gates?’

Without another word, Will walked out of the door, and once he was out of sight of the other men he ran to his own room, a slow anger burning in his chest. On the trestle, by the open window, lay a scroll tied with a red ribbon. With feverish hands, he tore it open and read what had been written in a florid script.

My sweet,

By the time you read this, there will be miles between us. It pains me to leave you so, without at least a kiss, but I fear you would demand more of me than I can give before you would let me depart!

This is a fine and valuable prize indeed. The hinges need oil for it creaks and groans, but I am certain it will serve its purpose and keep all manner of things. I imagine you must miss it dearly. Why, if I did not know better, I would be looking over my shoulder night and day.

Until we meet again, think kindly of me.

Your Meg

Will laid the parchment on the trestle and tapped it with the tip of his index finger in thought. A smile sprang to his lips, despite himself. The letter’s intention was clear to him: part taunt, part tease, a kiss blown before the candle was snuffed out, but most importantly an encouragement to follow.

And that was undoubtedly what Cecil would want too. Will could almost hear the spymaster’s barked orders to bring Dee home and lay waste to any who stood in the way. There was so much at stake – England’s defences, the safety of the nation’s men and women.

But what of the spy’s own plans?

Red Meg had played her final hand well. She had gained the prize she sought so dearly to protect her countrymen, and she had left Will with a dilemma. Knowing full well he was determined to sail in search of Jenny, she had laid her trail to entice him into her own arms.

Will tapped the parchment once, twice, a third time, and on the final beat he had decided his course of action.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My editor Simon Taylor for first-rate guidance; Carole Ambrose for codes and ciphers; my good friend David Devereux, gourmet, author and exorcist, for allowing me to steal his family name.

Note

The version of
The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus
by Christopher Marlowe used in this book is the quarto of 1616.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A two-time winner of the British Fantasy Award,
Mark Chadbourn
was raised in the mining communities of South Derbyshire and studied Economic History at Leeds before
becoming a journalist. Now a screenwriter for BBC television drama, he has also run an independent record company, managed rock bands, and worked on a production line and as an engineer’s ‘mate’. He is the author of the celebrated
The Dark Age
,
The Age of Misrule
and
Kingdom of the Serpent
trilogies.
The Swords of Albion
novels, featuring Will Swyfte, were inspired in part by a mysterious portrait discovered at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, which may be the only surviving depiction of the playwright and alleged spy, Christopher Marlowe. It is inscribed with the motto
Quod me nutrit me destruit
– ‘That which nourishes me destroys me’.

Mark Chadbourn lives in a forest in the Midlands. To find out more about him and his writing, visit
www.jackofravens.com

Also by Mark Chadbourn

THE DARK AGE:

THE DEVIL IN GREEN

THE QUEEN OF SINISTER

THE HOUNDS OF AVALON

THE AGE OF MISRULE:

WORLD’S END

DARKEST HOUR

ALWAYS FOREVER

KINGDOM OF THE SERPENT:

JACK OF RAVENS

THE BURNING MAN

DESTROYER OF WORLDS

LORD OF SILENCE

THE SWORDS OF ALBION:

THE SWORD OF ALBION

For more information on Mark Chadbourn and his books, see his website at
www.jackofravens.com

TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS
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First published in Great Britain
in 2011 by Bantam Press
an imprint of Transworld Publishers

Copyright © Mark Chadbourn 2011

Mark Chadbourn has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Version 1.0 Epub ISBN 9781446465493
ISBN 9780593062517

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