He rode out towards Fulk, who was waiting at the head of his knights and gentlemen. Wat made his black horse prance and cut capers, to show these lords that he was something of a horseman. His eyes were fixed insolently on Fulk, as though to cow his courage.
“King, seest thou all these men? They have sworn to do whatsoever I shall tell them.”
Fulk kept his eyes on Wat’s.
“My friend, do not boast of it—too soon.”
“What of the charters, King?”
“They will be ready by noon.”
Wat stared at him meaningly.
“All clerks and lawyers are liars, and they serve the King.”
Cavendish and Walworth had ridden up close to Fulk, and Wat saw in Cavendish an old enemy who had once given him a thrashing.
“God’s eyes, here is the cur Cavendish! Give me thy dagger, Cavendish; I shall have need of it.”