Outlaw (Aelfraed) (10 page)

I did not fear a meeting with the arrogant Norman, in fact I relished it but Aethelward took me to one side and warned me of the dangers of such a confrontation.  “At the moment Duke William,” he still could not name him king, “is far from here but an incident between one of the most notorious Saxon lords and one of his knights might make him decide to pay a visit and, until Morcar has spoken with Edwin, we need the Norman’s interest to be elsewhere. It would be better if we remained in the hall tonight and travel back tomorrow in daylight.  It would avoid a regrettable incident.”

“I am not afraid of this Guy of Evreux but, as always, uncle, I listen to and take your advice.”

We remained in the hall and I envied my men staying in one of the lively taverns in the city. I preferred the company of Branton and his archers to that of other lords, for many of the ones in the hall had not stood in the shield wall at Stamford and had cowered behind the walls.  That still made me angry.

As soon as we left the hall, the next day, and met with Branton I knew that there was trouble.
  My sergeant of archers normally had a smiling and open disposition but his face was dark and angry when he met us at the stables.  “What is amiss Branton?”

“It is Edward, my lord.” Edward was one of my young archers, a cheerful young man and a good archer.
  “He has been killed.”

Aethelward took us both to one side. “Tell us quickly and quietly Branton.”

“Last night we were at The Saddle enjoying a beaker of ale and some Norman lords came in.  They were looking for trouble but I warned the men to bite their tongues and take their insults.  After they had knocked over a few beakers they left.  Later Edward went to take a piss and did not return.  We went to look for him and found him run through,” he paused, “with a sword.”

A sword meant a knight or a Housecarl. “Where is the body?”

“We have wrapped him in a cloak and placed him on his horse.  His mother will wish to bury him.”

His poor mother! He was an only child, the others having died young and her husband had fallen in the fyrd at Fulford.
  My hand, involuntarily, went to my sword. Aethelward restrained me. “You go with your men and I will tell Earl Morcar.  We need the law to deal with this.”

I did not care what my uncle said; I would have revenge on this Norman for I knew who it was.
  A short conversation with Branton confirmed it. “Did I do right, my lord?”

“You did, Branton, and this is my fault for I should have stayed with you and this might not have happened. The man who committed this crime has no nobility and if the other Normans are like him then England is in dire straits.”

When Aethelward joined us he seemed satisfied.  “Morcar has issued a warrant for the arrest of the Normans.  He will ask them to explain themselves.”

“That will not bring Edward back.”

“Nothing will bring Edward back. You are no longer a boy.  You are a man and more than that, a Thegn with responsibilities.”

“Yes to my men.”

“Your men serve you and would give their lives for you.  Is that not true Branton?”

Branton was just behind us and within earshot.
  “Yes my lord, it goes without saying.”

I was angry and, for once, would not accept my uncle’s advice without thought.
  “Uncle I respect you and admire you but know this, the next time I see that arrogant Norman, he dies.”

We rode in silence and I knew that Aethelward was angry.
  He seemed to struggle to regain control of himself and when he spoke his voice was cold and commanding. “Your father would have been proud of all you have done up to this point in your life Aelfraed but this he would not understand. You would throw away England’s only chance of freedom from a tyrant to avenge one archer?”

I had no answer and we rode along in an uncomfortable atmosphere until Branton said, in a quiet voice, “Edward loved you my lord and he loved England.
  Standing with you at Stamford was the proudest moment in his life and when he knew that you were Harold’s son he felt even prouder.  He would not wish you to throw away a chance of a free England to avenge him.” He nudged his horse forward and lowered his voice so that only Aethelward and I could hear.  “And unless I am wrong we will have a chance to revenge Edward on the field of battle.”

As his horse slipped back my uncle turned
to me.  “Branton is showing wisdom Aelfraed and he is right.  Wait until this Norman faces you with a lance and then Edward will have his revenge and England will have a leader that they can be proud of.”

As we entered the yard at Maiden Bower I decided to do as Aethelward asked but it was because of Branton’s words not my uncle’s and I would train and prepare even harder for the day when I would face Guy of Evreux on the field of battle.

It was a month or so later, not long before Easter when we received word that the Normans, who had been in Jorvik, had left after questioning by Morcar.  We heard this from Ridley who had visited Jorvik to deposit monies with Reuben.  He rode into the castle with his men at arms one April morning. He embraced me as though he had not seen me for years when it was only months that had elapsed.

“It is good to see you my... Aelfraed.
  How is Harold? Gytha?”

“They are both well.
  And have you not taken a wife yet?”

He blushed. “Not yet, but there is still time.
  I am still a young man and I have not met the right woman as you have.”

“So you have been in Jorvik?”

“Aye and the city was a buzz with the murder of your archer.  Morcar showed himself to be cleverer and wiser than we thought for he interviewed the landlord of The Saddle and other drinkers.  They confirmed the behaviour of the knights.  When he interviewed the knights they were belligerent until the Earl produced the evidence. Apparently William of Perci knew nothing of this.  The next day Guy of Evreux and five other knights were sent to London, apparently on a mission for their lord but really they left in disgrace.”

I think that Ridley expected me to be pleased but I was not.
  I cared not for his disgrace, I wanted his blood but there was little point in showing such poor grace before my old friend.  “Thank you for that and the Earl did he say aught about his brother?”

“He said that he had sent a letter to Edwin but that was all.
  Why?”

I knew that I could trust Ridley and I beckoned him closer. “We have spoken with the Earl and warned him of possible treachery.” I explained about Sweyn and Edgar.”Perhaps Edwin will join with us in resisting these Normans.”

He looked at me long and hard; the thing about Ridley was that you could see the thought processes at work.  Suddenly his face broke into a half smile.  “With you as the leader?”

“Perhaps but I would only be standing in for Harold’s sons, Ulf and Harold.
  I have no desire to be king. I am not even sure I wish to be a lord.”

Ridley shook his head.
  “You do not know yourself.  Men would follow you to hell and beyond if you asked them.  You are the best leader I know for you are trustworthy.  You would be a fine king.”

“Thank you for that thought and I will allow Aethelward, Edwin and Morcar use me as such but I want all to know I would be a regent rather than a ruler.”

Although he did not look convinced he nodded.  “How does Edwin feel about this?”

“I know not and I suppose we will have to wait until he travels north to discover that.”

Edwin did not visit Jorvik until after midsummer.  Aethelward had picked up a little over the summer and looked healthier than he had in the winter but he now had an urgent air about him as though he wanted things to happen quickly.  It was so unlike the calculating strategos we had known. Osbert too wanted action.  His men were well trained and prepared and now they wanted more than just practice swords and tourneys. I was happy that nothing had happened swiftly as I wanted as many warriors and men available as I could get. Ralph had worked wonders and we had a fine store of weapons; when my fyrd went to war they would be as well equipped as any man at arms.  Their Sunday training was the highlight of Osbert’s week as he saw them gradually change into a reliable force.

Edwin did not ask us to go to Jorvik; instead he and Morcar visited us at Maiden Bower.
  He and the Thegns with him were dressed for hunting.  He and Morcar dismounted while his lords stayed with the horses.  Aethelward had seen them coming and had joined me.  “Shall we go to my hall, my lord?”

I led the way and noticed that Edwin, like his brother, had the comfortable aspect of someone who dines well.
  He had no lean and hungry look.  When I had seen them both at Fulford it had struck me then that they preferred to watch rather than fight.  I was never a watcher.

Edwin came directly to the point. “It seems my sister has information and knowledge which I have not. She believes that Edgar is enlisting the aid of Sweyn, the Dane.”

“We have heard that as well.  Have you spoken with the Aetheling?”

Edwin looked troubled.
  “He is abroad, apparently.”

Aethelward nodded, “I would hazard a guess that he is with Sweyn.
  Is his mother with him?”

Edwin’s eyes narrowed. “She is but how did you know?”

“I didn’t.  It was a guess but if she is then it means she is the one who is working to make him king.  Did you know that she tried to kill the Queen?”

“Aye, Morcar told me. What concerns me more is this news from Ealdgyth that William has promised my bride to be to another.”

We both shook our heads.  “We had not heard that my lord,” I added, “but Malcolm Canmore appears to have spies everywhere and if the knowledge came from him then there is a chance it may be true.”

I saw Edwin biting his lip. He was worried, that was obvious.
  “What we need is a spy in William’s court.” He looked at me.

“I am the last person who could be a spy.
  The Normans know me and do not like me.  Ask your brother.”

He glanced at Morcar.
  “It is true.  There are a number of Normans who would like his head on top of their lance.”

“Then who is there?”

“Surely there must be one of your lords who could do the job.” I had to bite back the end of the sentence for, as Edwin and Morcar’s men had not fought the Normans they would be perfect choices.

“They are not suitable.”

“You do not trust them.” Aethelward did not care for reputations any more and he did not care who he offended.

“Of course I…”

“No, with respect my lord, you do not otherwise you would have planted one at court already.”

His shoulders sagged in a silent acceptance of the truth. “So, there is no-one.”

“I will go.” All of us stared at the oldest man we now knew who was volunteering for a dangerous and risky enterprise with no certainty of success. “But there are conditions.”

“Conditions?” Edwin began chewing his lip again but I could see relief on Morcar’s face.

“Aye. If I discover that the Queen’s intelligence is true then you and your brother will join with us and rebel against the Normans.”

“And?”

“And we will use Aelfraed here as the figurehead.  But we do this for the Queen and Harold’s children.”

Edwin sneered.
  “Make this Housecarl a king?”

“You were not listening Earl Edwin.
  He would be the figurehead and a council would rule until the boys were of an age.”

Edwin turned to stare at me. “And you Aelfraed.
  What do you say?”

“I am a reluctant figurehead my lord but if it means we rid this land of the Normans then so be it.”

“I think it is a good idea.” Edwin shot a look of pure disdain at his brother.

“Well, my lord,
  do you want me as a spy or not?”

“Would William not be suspicious of you? You are related to Aelfraed.”

“I would use my friendship with the Queen as a lure.  I would go as her envoy. I believe that she would agree to that but Aelfraed can go to visit her to get confirmation.”

“That would delay your departure.”

“Only by a day or two.  If Aelfraed left now then he could send a rider south with the news and they could be back here four days from now.” Aethelward was, of course, being highly optimistic.  I would have to ride hard to make Fife in two days.  Fortunately the days were longer than the last time we had travelled and the roads would be better. I nodded my acceptance.

I could see Edwin mentally persuading himself that this was the best solution.
  He had deniability.  If William found out he could say he knew nothing about it and he would be back in Mercia by the time Aethelward left.

“Under those conditions, then I accept.”

“You swear a binding oath?”

Edwin reddened, “If it is necessary then I do.”

Bluntly Aethelward said, “It is!”

“I swear.” The words were almost spat out.

Aethelward looked at Morcar who quickly said, “I swear.”