Chapter 90: Burn
February, 1458
The ground was hard underfoot. Thomas was relieved about that. He had feared ice or snow, given what the weather was like. God had seen fit to make it a clear if somewhat chilly day today though, for which he was grateful. He stopped before a tent, as the guard opened the flap and announced him. Thomas waited and then when the guard reappeared and nodded, he entered, his men trailing behind him.
“Thomas.” John Butler, Earl of Ormond said, the man remained seated, which annoyed Thomas somewhat.
“John.” Thomas greeted, sitting down in the chair opposite the man.
“Thank you for coming.” Ormond said.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet.” Thomas said.
There was a brief pause, Ormond grinned at him, Thomas prevented a snarl appearing on his face, then Ormond spoke. “I think we can cut through the other bullshit and talk about why we’re here.”
“I agree.” Thomas said.
“My wedding to your daughter was supposed to happen last year. It did not. You had an excuse and I bought it, but now? Now I am coming to collect the debt.” Ormond said.
Thomas took a breath; he had been preparing for this on the journey over and for the past two months. He’d convinced his daughter to feign an illness and bribed the doctor to say she was terribly ill, he’d even considered getting a priest to come for the last rites, but that hadn’t been necessary as Ormond had as he’d just said bought it and the wedding had been put off. Thomas knew that putting off the wedding further would not work. So, he bluntly said. “The marriage cannot go ahead.”
Ormond laughed. “And why might that be?”
Thomas exhaled. “The reasoning behind it has changed.”
“Oh?” Ormond asked, raising an eyebrow. “Do enlighten me.”
“When the marriage was agreed, the balance of power was different. It was about preventing further conflict in Ireland. But now, now things have changed and as such I do not think the marriage is needed.” Thomas said.
Ormond shifted in his chair, which creaked with the movement, he then said. “Because I rule Ireland in the King’s name?”
“Yes.” Thomas said, he saw no point in lying.
Ormond burst out laughing then, not the casual laugh of before, but a more manic one. Indeed, Thomas got somewhat disconcerted by how the man’s tone changed as his laughter continued. When he stopped, he had to wipe away a bit of spittle from his mouth. “No.”
“No?” Thomas asked.
“No, I do not consent to having this marriage revoked.” Ormond replied, his face hardening. “I will marry your daughter.”
“You cannot marry her without my consent and I have revoked it.” Thomas said.
Ormond laughed again, in that same manic manner, which forced Thomas to place a hand on the dagger he had under his cloak. “I am the Deputy for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. My authority comes from the King. I can do what I want.”
Thomas shifted slightly, his hand tightening on the dagger. “No, you cannot. Not unless you go directly to the King.”
“I have.” Ormond said.
Thomas felt his eyes widen, his heart quicken, was it possible? Could Ormond have done something like that? Possibly, after all, Thomas didn’t have the right contacts at court anymore, and he’d struggled to find an in with the current circle around the King. Tentatively, he asked. “And do you have proof?”
“Proof?” Ormond replied, laughing. “I don’t need to provide you with proof.”
“You do.” Thomas replied, he got the feeling something else was at play here.
Ormond stood up then and spat at Thomas. “Here’s your proof.”
Thomas blinked, he’d not been expecting that. But the fact that the man had done that seemed to imply that Ormond was lying. “So, you’re lying, are you?”
“I do not lie.” Ormond said. “Unlike you.”
“What?” Thomas asked, he wanted to stand up, but knew doing so would give away what he was planning on doing now.
“I know you killed my brother.” Ormond said.
Thomas said nothing, he merely looked at Ormond. The man’s eyes were starting to bulge; it was as if he were suffering from something. “See, you do not even deny it.” Ormond snapped.
Thomas laughed. “I am not going to answer a question from you.”
“Why, because you know what the result would be?” Ormond demanded.
Thomas looked at the man and said. “Because I don’t respond to children.”
Ormond spat at him again, this time a bit of the spit landed on Thomas’ cloak. “You are a pathetic little worm, and I look forward to being able to fuck your daughter.”
Thomas knew the man was trying to provoke him, but by saying that, the man had provided him with the opening he needed. Thomas stood up and without saying a word leaned forward, drew the dagger out and stuck it into Ormond’s neck. He pulled the dagger out and then plunged it back in. He did this twice more before stopping. When he was done, Ormond was staring at him, his eyes wide, his mouth flapping open.
“You aren’t going to do anything.” Thomas replied, he turned around and saw the men he’d entered with staring at him. Thomas nodded to them and then walked passed them and out of the tent. He said nothing to the man who had stood guard. He said nothing until he’d cleared a considerable distance. Then he looked over his shoulder and said to his men.
“Get everyone together. We’re going.”
“Yes, my lord.” one of them replied.
He looked down and realised that his hand was covered in blood, but that the knife wasn’t there. He stopped and looked at one of the men. “My knife?” He asked.
“Don’t worry, my lord. It’s been dealt with.” The man replied.
Thomas nodded and continued walking. He didn’t stop until he found his horse and got on it. He took a breath then guided it out of the campsite and back toward Kildare.