Candace ROBB - A Conspiracy of Wolves

Owen Archers and Lucie Wiltons household

Owen Archer (Captain Archer) former captain of guard and spy for the Archbishop of York

Lucie Wilton master apothecary; Owens spouse

Gwenllian, Hugh, and Emma Owen and Lucies natural children

Jasper de Melton Owen and Lucies adopted son and Lucies apprentice

Dame Philippa Lucies aunt, recently deceased

Kate Lucies housemaid

Lena the childrens nurse

Alfred and Stephen former members of archbishops guard, Owens lieutenants

Tildy Kates sister, formerly Lucies housemaid, now wed to the steward of Freythorpe Hadden

The Riverwomans household

Magda Digby (aka the Riverwoman) midwife and healer

Alisoun Ffulford apprentice to Magda Digby

Rose and Rob temporary caretakers; Kates twin siblings

The Swann household

Bartolf patriarch, coroner of Galtres

Hoban merchant, Bartolfs son

Muriel Hobans spouse

Olyf Bartolfs daughter, Adam Tirwhits spouse

Joss servant

Cilla servant

The Braithwaite household

John and Janet Braithwaite

Paul son, married to Elaine

Muriel daughter, Hoban Swanns spouse

Galbot Paul Braithwaites dog trainer

Alan servant

Ned bailiffs man, temporary servant

The Tirwhit household

Adam Tirwhit merchant, brother-in-law of Hoban, son-in-law of Bartolf

Olyf spouse, daughter of Bartolf Swann

Wren housemaid

The Poole household

Crispin merchant, former soldier

Euphemia widow, Crispins mother

Eva servant

Dun servant

Residents of Galtres

Gerta daughter of charcoal-burners

Warin poacher, and his children

Churchmen

Jehannes Archdeacon of York; Owens good friend

Brother Michaelo former personal secretary to Thoresby

*John Thoresby former Archbishop of York (deceased)

*Alexander Neville newly appointed Archbishop of York

Dom Leufrid secretary to Archbishop Neville

*Abbot William abbot, St Marys Abbey

Brother Oswald hospitaller, St Marys Abbey

York residents

Bess & Tom Merchet owners of the York Tavern

Old Bede regular at the York Tavern

Winifrith Bedes daughter

George Hempe city bailiff and merchant, wife Lotta

*Gerard Burnby coroner for York

Honoria de Staines owner of a brothel near the Bedern

*John Gisburne merchant, MP

Royal household

*Geoffrey Chaucer in York on a mission for Prince Edward; Owens friend

Antony of Egypt member of Prince Edwards household

* real historical figures

York, Autumn 1374

The river mist curled round Magda Digbys rock in the Ouse, dimming the reds and golds of sunset, distorting sound, creating shifting shapes that danced at the edge of Alisoun Ffulfords vision, chilling her fingers until they were too stiff for the close work. She gathered up the feathers, arrow shafts, and knife with which she had been fletching and returned them to her work basket, then paused, her hand on the door latch, listening to dogs baying. Upriver, she thought, in the Forest of Galtres. May they be safe, she whispered. Like St Francis of Assisi, she felt a bond with animals, so much so that Magda handed over to her all animals brought to the house on the rock for healing. Alisoun preferred these patients to the human ones. Their needs were clear, they did not try to mask their illnesses, and, once healed, gladly departed without complaint or blame. She strained to hear the sounds beneath the dogs baying. A mans angry shout. Another. The same voice? She could not be certain. The dogs continued as before, which she took to mean they were unharmed. Good.

She lifted her gaze to the blank eyes of the upside-down sea serpent on the bow of the ship that served as the roof of Magda Digbys house. A cunning choice of building material, the part of the ship with the figurehead. The sea serpent was widely believed to have magical powers. Not that Magda ever confirmed or denied it, but as folk had the same suspicion about her, their unease about the sea serpent and the Riverwoman gave them pause about crossing either one. Nodding to the enigmatic carving, Alisoun whispered, Whoever disturbs the night upriver will not dare trespass here. A subtle draft and a warmth on the back of her neck, as if the figurehead responded in a gesture of reassurance, felt rather than seen. There had been a time when such feelings had frightened her, but that had passed as she learned to trust to the mystery of Magda Digbys healing gifts. Now, she took it as a blessing.

Stepping inside, she traded the damp chill and rich, earthy scent of the tidal Ouse for an aromatic warmth, the brightly burning fire teasing out the scents of the dried plants and roots hanging in the rafters to dry. Earlier, she had escaped from its warmth to the cool, fresh air without; now, chilled by the mist, she was grateful for the heat, and the homely familiarity. But she was not at ease the dogs baying in that eerie mist

She steadied herself by calling to mind the remedies for dog bite and checking her supplies. Although Magda said folk knew to give guard dogs a wide berth, there was always a first time. Betony for the bite of a mad dog, pound in the mortar and lay on the wound. Or plantain. Vervain and yarrow to be mixed with wheat. Burdock and black horehound need salt. Calendula powder in warm water to drink. She had plenty of betony and calendula powder. Though unlikely to need it, she arranged them on the work table, preferring to be prepared.

Now to her evening meal. The fragrance of the stew pleased her. She had learned to use herbs to season her cooking, making almost anything palatable, even a coney that some would have rejected as too old and gristly for the stew pot. With Magda away, Alisoun felt obliged to stay close to the small rock island in the tidal river, so that she might not miss those who came to the Riverwomans house for healing. She dared not range too far afield in hunting for food, making do with fish and small prey like the aged coney that had appeared on the riverbank nearby.