On the appointed day a messenger from Walter appeared at Afoncaer bearing a letter. “Well?” Guy asked impatiently as Reynaud scanned the parchment. “Is Thomas ill, or injured perhaps? Reynaud, for God’s sake, tell me why he has not come with the messenger.” “Let Reynaud read, Guy, then he can tell you what has happened,” Brian urged. A moment later he forgot his own advice and burst out, “Come on, man, you read faster than that. I’ve seen you. What is it? What’s amiss? You are paler than the parchment.” “My lord, you will not like this,” Reynaud said, looking anxiously at Guy. “Never mind whether I’ll like it or no, just tell me if Thomas is well or ill,” Guy demanded. “The letter says he is as yet unharmed.” “As yet? What the devil does that mean?” “Sir Walter writes that he is holding Thomas as hostage,” Reynaud reported, rereading the letter as if he was not sure he had understood it the first time. “Sir Walter requires you to hand over Afoncaer at once or your nephew Thomas dies.
