Baron of the North (19 page)

The young officer pointed to a smaller wagon with a team of two horses.  "That is the wagon for your use. The Emperor has filled it with other rewards for your heroism. Farewell."

We wasted no time.  We put our chests in the wagon along with our spare clothes, weapons and the banner. "Leofric, you sit on the wagon with the driver.  You can watch our treasure.  Tie your horse to the rear. Come.  Let us return home.  We have many leagues to travel."

I had Dick and my archers ahead of us as we headed south.  Wulfric and Roger brought up the rear leaving John and I to lead our wagons back to the city. We moved steadily although not swiftly for the oxen were not capable of speed.  For that reason we travelled so long as there was light.  The drivers were unhappy for they wanted us to spend the night in the mansio. A few clouts from Wulfric changed their mind. Our charges were happy at the progress. 

That first night, as we ate around the camp fire, we spoke with some of the Varangians.  They were keen to know how Athelstan and the others had adjusted to a life of peace. As the most senior of them, Erre the Saxon told us, "Our service to the Emperor is over.  We have been wounded and to serve in the Guard you have to be fully fit. Some of us will become bodyguards for fat merchants and others will become mercenaries. What your father and his oathsworn did is unique."

And so, each night, I told them of our journey home.  Wulfric and the others then added their tales of the lives they lived in England. We also learned much about them.  All had travelled down the rivers from the land of the Rus.  Their backgrounds were all different.  Some had been those fleeing a Norman world, as my father had done.  There were few, now, of them.  Others had come from the land of the Rus and the Norse for a better life. Despite their present predicament none regretted their choice. Over the next ten days we got to know them well.

We examined the wagon for the other gifts mentioned by the Emperor.  There were fine swords and spears, some helmets and two suits of mail armour. He showed his gratitude more generously than King Henry, that was certain.

As we neared the massive Theodosian walls Erre the Saxon waved me over. "Baron, me and some of the men would like to ask a boon of you."

"If it is in my power then I will do so."

"Some of us wish to travel to England.  If we worked our passage could we beg a berth on your ship."

"You need not work.  I would be honoured to take you back but we do not travel as soon as we get to Miklagård.  I have a few days of business to conduct."

"That suits us, Baron, for we have loose ends to tie up too."

I knew that many of them had liaisons in the city and some even had offspring.  I suspected that the ones who wished to return to England would be the ones without children. "Then we will meet any who wish to return with us at my ship in the Langa Harbour three days from now."

The smiles and relief on their faces was as welcome as the Emperor's gold. The wagons stopped at the palace.  We unloaded the wagons but kept our treasure cart. The ones who did not seek a passage insisted upon clasping our arms. We had been bonded in battle and it was a sad farewell.

We headed for the harbour.  The gifts from the Emperor would be safer on board our ship and Dai could arrange them to make the ship sail more efficiently. The chests we would take to the Forum and exchange them for coins. They would be easier to transport.  I noticed it was riding a little lower in the water.  Dai had been busy. He had loaded the aft hold. He had a frown when he greeted us.  "I am glad you have returned Baron; I have serious news.  The Normans are stopping Imperial ships between Sicily and Africa. The trade from the west has almost dried up. It is said it is part of the Duke's plans to become king. Our journey back looks likely to be more dangerous than the one here." He pointed to his ship.  "I paid some of the local boys to dive beneath my ship and scrape the hull.  We will travel a little faster home."

"I see that you have loaded a cargo." There were half cut logs laid above what look like amphorae.

"Aye, I bought amphora of oil and spices as well as some cedar wood logs.  They will all fetch a high price in England and Normandy. One man's misfortune can make a fortune for another.  If the trade has dried up then the prices will rise."

"We have more men to take home and these chests." I pointed to the cart.  First we will exchange them for gold coins and then bring them back.  I told my new men to meet us here in three days.  Can you be ready to sail by then?"

"That suits.  I will have my cargo shifted to the stern to allow more room for your men.  The extra numbers gives me comfort.  Will you be staying aboard?"

"No, I have business in the city. How about you and the rest of the men, Wulfric?"

"If it is all the same to you, Baron, we would like to explore this fabled city and spend some of our gold."

"That is fine.  John and Leofric do you wish to stay with Wulfric or accompany me?"

John looked at Wulfric and grinned.  "I think I will stay with Wulfric, Baron, if it does not offend."

"It does not.  Leofric?"

"I will stay with you."

"Good.  We will go to the Forum of Theodosius with the cart.  There are those there who will buy our treasure from us.  Gold and silver coins will be easier to transport."

I left my leather hauberk, gambeson and shield on the ship.  I would not need those.  When we reached the market I think that our appearance intimidated the traders for they gave us an incredibly good price for our treasure and we all left with much gold and silver.

"I will take the cart back to the palace and then seek the house of my friend." I pointed to the forums.  "If you wish to buy goods to sell at home then the markets are there but do not pay the first price.  Haggle.  They will expect it." They nodded, "And Wulfric…"

"Yes Baron?"

"Look after the men."

He grinned, "I will be as their mother!"

John mumbled, "Just so long as you do not kiss me goodnight!"

After we had left the cart and horses at the palace we made our way towards the gate of Eugenius.  Basil's family had a huge house which overlooked the Bosporus. Basil's father had been a successful general who had started a business importing and exporting spices.  He used his military contacts and was soon the richest man in Constantinople. He had died from eating bad oysters but his business, according to his son, was still successful.  His mother, Sophia, had a sound business mind herself.  She was descended from one of Constantine's daughter and was as close to royalty as one could get.  She was a fine lady.

I did not have the opportunity to knock on the huge and impressive door for it was opened by a butler. "I am a friend of Turmachai Basil here to visit with his mother."

He frowned both at my appearance and my smell. The baths in Serdica were a long time ago. I think he was about to turn us away as beggars when Basil's mother appeared, "Is that Alfraedus son of Ridley? It is! Come in! Cassius go and prepare two guest rooms." She threw her arms around me and hugged me.  "Basil is not here."

"I know I went with him to Serdica." Her face fell for despatch riders had brought news of the battle to the city already. "Do not worry, domina, he is safe. A few cuts and bruises but nothing worse than we suffered playing as children."

She saw Leofric, "And who is this? Your son?"

"This is Leofric, my squire.  I am a Baron now and serve King Henry of England.  Leofric does not speak Greek."

She smiled at him and I nodded to him.  He stuttered, "I am pleased to meet you." The Greek was awful but she threw her arms around him and hugged him too.

"First you must bathe. When Basil's father returned from wars he always smelled of horses and blood." Cassius had returned, "Take our guests to the bath house." She beamed at me.  "This is a joyful reunion Alfraedus.  How long can you stay?"

"I must sail for England in three days."

"Then I have three days of pleasure ahead of me."

The slaves were experts and we were bathed, shaved and cleaned as well as I could ever remember.  When we were being dried Cassius came in with expensive tunics.  "Domina asked you to wear these.  She will have your old clothes cleaned." His tone of voice suggested that he would have had them destroyed rather than cleaned.

Leofric's eyes lit up when he felt the fine fabric.  "Baron, this is too good for me to wear."

I smiled, "You will offend the lady of the house if you do not.  When you speak to her use the title domina."

He nodded, "I am sorry that my language is so poor."

"You do more than well enough. Do not be embarrassed.  This is a fine lady and I know she likes you."

The meal was a delight although there were more courses than I had had since I had left this fabulous city.  The food was brought in a steady stream and we were never over faced.  I spent the first part telling of my adventures and my father's death. She asked about Leofric for she was fascinated by his colouring and complexion. Finally she asked me about the campaign in the north. I was as circumspect as possible but eventually she said, "Do not try to spare my feelings, Alfraedus.  I was the wife of a soldier for many years. Tell me honestly how my son did."

"He is brave and he is a good leader but he is too reckless.  I think he may have learned his lesson for many of his men died in one of his charges."

"His father was ever the same but you, I think you are like your father. You are a thinker and yet you do not lack courage do you?" I shrugged. "False modesty does not become you.  Your King Henry would not have entrusted this mission of yours to a fool."

"You may be right but it takes me away from my family."

"People like us have a responsibility to others.  We cannot think of ourselves. Tell me of your family."

That was easier ground and I spoke of Adela and my children.  I could see, in her eyes, that she ached for grandchildren. That would depend upon the gods of war.

"It is late and I know you will be tired.  What are your plans?"

"I need to buy some presents for my wife but first I have to visit my father's old house."

"Ah yes.  He gave it to his freedman, Atticus did he not?"

"He did but one of my father's men told me that he had hidden something there and I feel honour bound to collect it."

"Good.  Then do that in the morning and in the afternoon we shall find some fine things for your family." She stood and came and hugged me.  "I thank God that you have come Alfraedus son of Ridley, for you have made me feel young again and made a lonely old woman feel needed once more."

The next morning I rose early, for having put this task off for a long time I was keen to finish this quest. We hurried north through the city towards the fort of Petrion which was close to my father's home.  Although smaller than Sophia's it was still substantial and the gift of the house to a freedman was a generous act. I felt a lump come into my throat as we approached for this was where I had grown up and was where mother was buried. It still appeared to be well looked after and cared for.  I hoped that Atticus had not sold it.  If he had done so then it would make my task harder.

When the door opened I saw Atticus and he had aged.  He looked ancient but his blue eyes still sparkled. "Master Alfraedus! You have returned!" To my embarrassment and consternation he burst into tears.

I hurried us in.  "It is good to see you, Atticus."

"Come, Master Alfraedus and your servant.  Come to the garden.  I will get some iced lemon."

He led me to the enclosed garden and we sat on the cedar seat my father had had made for him to sit on.  Atticus went away to get the drinks and I stared at the lemon tree. I could not see any sign that the ground was disturbed.  Perhaps Athelstan had been mistaken. He was old after all. Atticus returned.  He was ever the servant but he had been a loyal steward for my father and deserved the reward of the house

As we drank the sweetened iced lemon drink I told him of our adventures and my father's death.  He welled up at that point and then asked about the others.  I told him all. Even as I told him I knew it sounded as though the deaths had made me leave England.

"Have you come then, Master Alfraedus, to claim your home?"

I laughed, "Of course not! My father gave you this and besides I live many leagues in the cold north.  This is a fleeting visit only." I stood and walked over to the tree. "I was told that, beneath that tree, my father's favourite, was buried an urn."

I surprised Atticus I could see that. "He never told me."

"I think he told no one.  He only confided in Athelstan when he was dying.  Could we dig and see if there is an urn?"

"Of course." He went and fetched a spade. 

He was about to start digging when I stopped him.  "Young Leofric has a strong back and he can dig.  Sit with me and we will watch."

I gave the spade to Leofric who set to with a will.  He had cleared quite a space and I felt sure that there was nothing when there was a clunk as the spade struck something. I could watch no longer and I joined Leofric and we cleared the spoil from around the urn, which was soon visible, with our hands.

"That is a surprise Master Alfraedus. I have lived here all these years and I never knew." He suddenly stood. "I will return soon." He hurried indoors.