When a prominent citizen is murdered, former Captain of the Guard Owen Archer is persuaded out of retirement to investigate in this gripping medieval mystery. 1374. When a member of one of York’s most prominent families is found dead in the woods, his throat torn out, rumours spread like wildfire that wolves are running loose throughout the city. Persuaded to investigate by the victim’s father, Owen Archer is convinced that a human killer is responsible. But before he can gather sufficient evidence to prove his case, a second body is discovered, stabbed to death. Is there a connection? What secrets are contained within the victim’s household? And what does apprentice healer Alisoun know that she’s not telling? Teaming up with Geoffrey Chaucer, who is in York on a secret mission on behalf of Prince Edward, Owen’s enquiries will draw him headlong into a deadly conspiracy. 'Atmospheric... Alisoun raises the novel's energy whenever she appears. ― Publishers Weekly 'Recommended for fans of other historical writers such as C.J. Sansom, Ellis Peters, and Sharon Kay Penman.' ― Library Journal 'A multitude of new and old supporting characters... round out the delightful cast and contribute to the twists and turns of the compelling plot.' ― Booklist 'History and mystery combine in a fine, complex tale of love and hate.' ― Kirkus Reviews Candace Robb has read and researched medieval history for many years, having studied for a Ph.D. in Medieval & Anglo-Saxon Literature. She divides her time between Seattle and the UK, frequently visiting York to research the series. She is the author of ten previous Owen Archer mysteries and three Kate Clifford medieval mysteries. A Conspiracy of Wolves By Candace Robb Severn House Publishers Limited Copyright © 2019 Candace Robb All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-78029-607-4 Contents Cover, Previous titles by Candace Robb, Title Page, Copyright, Dedication, Maps, Dramatis Personae, Epigraph, Chapter One: The Dogs in the Night, Chapter Two: A Clearing in the Wood, Chapter Three: Salves, Barbers, Secrets, Chapter Four: A Rumor of Wolves, Chapter Five: Between the Wolf and the Dog, Chapter Six: A Matter of Conscience, Chapter Seven: Ripples in Time, Chapter Eight: Old Soldiers and Intrepid Maids, Chapter Nine: A Dog in the Night, Chapter Ten: Lying Dead in the Garden, Chapter Eleven: An Old Enemy, Chapter Twelve: Gerta, Chapter Thirteen: Bitter Words, Chapter Fourteen: Into the Flames, Chapter Fifteen: A Conspiracy of Wolves, Chapter Sixteen: Diplomacy, Chapter Seventeen: A New Beginning, Author's Note, Acknowledgments, Footnotes, CHAPTER 1 The Dogs in the Night York, Autumn 1374 The river mist curled round Magda Digby's rock in the Ouse, dimming the reds and golds of sunset, distorting sound, creating shifting shapes that danced at the edge of Alisoun Ffulford's 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 man's 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 Digby's 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 Digby's 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