The Fallen Crown (11 page)

He nodded, "I know, lord.  I sought your service for I am Rolf's nephew.  He often spoke of you and in our village we all respect King Henry's Champion."

"And I am glad to have someone who knows how to wield the two handed sword.  You are welcome."

I slept easy that night for it was as though we were a family. So long as my men surrounded me then I was safe.

As we neared Doncaster, in the late afternoon, we could see the forest stretching out to the south and west of us. If we had trouble at Lincoln we could flee there. Dick and many of his archers knew the forest as well as they knew my castle. I sent Walter of Crewe and Richard of Middleham ahead of us.  They went in disguise. If there was danger then they would return to us.

It was getting on for dusk as we saw the walls of the city in the distance.  This had been one of Rome's first fortresses and that Empire's mark was still on both the city and the landscape. My two archers rode out to meet us. I think we can stay there, lord.  The Earl is not in the city.  He is in Derby but his wife is in the castle."

I looked at Dick.  He smiled.  Lady Maud was the daughter of Robert of Gloucester and she was a friend.  If I could not trust the Earl of Chester I could trust the Countess with my life. The castle lay at the western edge of the city and was north of the river. "Sir John, take command of the conroi.  Camp by the river and stay out of sight of the castle. Take care of my standard.  Dick, bring two archers.  Edgar, come with me.  We will come to you on the morrow."

"And if there is a problem, lord?"

I shrugged, "Then we fight our way out."

I was not worried.  We had managed to gain entrance to the castle when it had been held for Stephen.  I was confident that Lady Maud would, once more, come to our aid. As we approached the gate my surcoat was recognised. I heard a shout go up inside, "The Earl of Cleveland! The Wolf is here!"

The sergeant at arms approached me apprehensively, "My lord?"

"I am here to see the Countess of Chester." I smiled, "We are old friends." I saw him hesitate and I nudged Lion forward. "Come, you cannot fear seven men.  I swear we will not take the castle."

I almost burst out laughing when I saw the relief on his face, "Your word is good enough for me lord.  Enter." As we did so I saw him peering out to see where the rest of my men were.

We clattered into the inner bailey of the castle. "Richard stay here with the horses.  Gilles and Dick come with me.  We will see how the land lies."

I left my helmet and cloak with my horse and strode towards the Great Hall. The Countess came to greet me as I entered the keep.  She threw her arms around me.  She never bothered much with ceremony.  She was a clever woman who had a mind of her own. She exuded power. "Alfraed! What brings you here?"  As she took my arm to lead me into the Hall she said quietly.  "You love taking risks do you not? Or did you know that my husband was absent?"

I smiled, "I knew but I also knew that you would bid me welcome." I stopped and pointed behind me. "Four more of my men wait with our horses."

Without turning she said, "Ailred go and see to the Earl's men.  Have their horses stabled and find chambers for them.  We will have a feast tonight.  It is good to have some real warriors in the building once more!"

She was an excellent hostess and wine, bread, ham and cheese were fetched to offset our appetite until the main meal was ready. We spoke of neutral events such as the deaths of the Bishop of Durham and the Archbishop of York. She did not know of the involvement of the Scots in the death of the Bishop but she was not surprised.

Ailred approached, "My lady the rooms are ready for our guests."

I nodded to Dick and Gilles, "Go and see to our rooms.  Clean up and prepare for the feast."

"Aye lord."

After they had gone she said, "You have true warriors about you.  These two seem as though they would be ill at ease at court."

I laughed, "That would be true of all but a handful of my men.  Sir Tristan and Sir Hugh apart they are all warriors first and courtiers second."

Nodding she said, "And now that they are gone we can speak can we not?  You can tell me the real reason you are here.  Do you wish my husband to change sides again?"

"I believe that you would like nothing better yourself would you not?"

"And you have not answered my question.  Come, my lord, you can be honest with me.  You know that."

"No one has asked me to do so.  I called here, if you want the real reason, because I am heading to Gloucester and this seemed a good opportunity to test the water so to speak before I meet with your aunt."

"And my father." She saw me look away.  "You need not be coy around me, Alfred.  Like you I know my father's faults.  I see his attributes too but I would that he was more like grandfather."

"We could have had the war won but we lacked unity.  If I am to be truthful that began with your husband's defection.  When we took this castle I thought that the war was won and then it was handed to Stephen."

"His half brother has a desire for power.  He is now Earl of Lincoln.  It pleases his wife who is also greedy for power.  They seek fine thrones on which to sit." I liked Maud.  She spoke plainer than any woman barring my deceased wife. If she had been a man then the war would be over.  She would have prosecuted it until the end.

"Is there any likelihood of his changing sides?"

For the first time she appeared nervous. "I fear he may."

"Why should you fear that which you wish?"

"Because the change may not be my husband's decisions.  The people of Lincoln like not having an Earl.  Lincoln was a royal manor until my grandfather died.  They would wish it so again. The taxes were not as high as they are now.  My spies tell me that they are making representations to King Stephen to have the status of my husband and his half brother revoked."

"In which case he would be likely to turn to your father once more."

She leaned forward and touched my hand, "But that would mean we would lose this castle. This castle may be the key to the Kingdom.  London is full of fickle folk.  They are a law unto themselves and the King allows it. There is little point in taking London but Lincoln controls the road to the north.  If my father held this then York would soon fall for you are a real threat in the north."

I sipped my wine.  "And you would like me to tell your father this."

She laughed. It was as though the room was lit up. "I had not thought of it until you came but now it seems a good idea for of all the knights in this land I know I can trust you, the English knight, the Warlord of the North, the Wolf who terrifies my aunt's enemies." She looked around, although there was no one else in the hall.  "I held this once, for my husband and you.  I could do so again. If my husband falls foul of King Stephen then tell my father that I will wait here for him. I can hold it."

"I believe you can. I will tell him and I will go further. How would it be if I left four of my men at arms and six of my archers here?  Could you disguise their presence? I guarantee that they would be of great help to you."

She nodded, "I think so. I have been asking for a bodyguard for some time.  The people in the streets are most unpleasant sometimes.  I have tunics for them.  Yes that would work."

"I will send for them now." I ran to the stairs and found the steward.  "Take me to my chambers."

"Aye lord."

Once in my room I quickly explained to Dick what I wanted. Gilles fetched Edgar.  Between us we selected the men and Dick went for them. It was dark by the time they entered the castle and Ailred brought them in through a side door so that no one saw them. I gathered them around me. "I am asking you to stay here at Lincoln and serve Countess Maud.  A time will come when she may have to hold the castle against our enemies.  I know you are my oathsworn but I will not order any of you to do this.  It is your choice."

Aelric laughed, "It will be a pleasure lord.  We dine well out of the stories of our adventures.  This will just be another.  We will guard the Countess as though it was the Lady Adela."

"Then I can ask no more!"

I had to smile when I saw them in the livery of the Earl of Chester. They looked markedly different from the others.  Maud assured me that they would not be noticed and would soon blend in.  I think she was looking forward to the deceit.

I left as soon as the gates were opened and rejoined my men.  I now had positive news to take to the Empress and, for the first time, felt that something was going our way. We had an even harder ride ahead of us for I was heading for Sir Brian Fitz Count and his fortress at Wallingford.  It was over a hundred and thirty miles but we would be safe there and could rest up for a couple of days. We had left some archers and men at arms at Lincoln but we were still a powerful force. As we headed south we saw hunting parties and groups of knights but none approached close enough to us for there to be any danger.  The danger lay in their anticipating where we were going. My archers scouted ahead of us so that we did not ride into unforeseen dangers. I kept up a hard pace. If any were to get ahead of us then they would need the wings of a Pegasus to do so.

When we were ten miles away from the mighty castle of Wallingford, I sent four archers to warn Fitz Count of our arrival. He rode out and greeted us three miles from his gates.

He gave us an effusive and warm welcome. "Good! Your arrival means that this damned war will actually start again! I am heartily fed up of sitting on my arse behind my walls! The war is always more interesting when the Wolf of the North leaves his lair and comes south! I will give thanks to God tonight in my chapel!"

I laughed, "And it is good to be in your company again, Sir Brian!"

It was good to be in the company of such a plain speaking knight.  He held the forces of Stephen at bay with a garrison less than I had at Stockton.  His one advantage was that the Earl of Gloucester and the Empress were less than forty miles away.  If a large force threatened then they could relieve the siege as we had done earlier in the war. I did not mention the Countess' plan.  It was not that I did not trust him but the message was intended for her father and the Empress.  If they chose to spread it then that was their decision.  Instead we spoke of the Bishop of Ely's attempt to rebel in the east and Fitz Count asked me about my battles in the north.

"I envy you.  You get to fight as a knight should, from the back of a horse using lance and shield."

"We are normally outnumbered."

"Aye but when you win you get all of those ransoms.  When we win all we are left with are the bodies of the bastards who fall inside our walls!"

"It will change.  I hear that the Count of Anjou is mopping up the last of the Norman rebels."

He nodded, "That is not all. The King of France is threatening Theobald. Stephen does not have as much support as from his brother as he once did have and the peace conference held by his other brother Henry was a disaster for him.  I am not certain that they are on speaking terms."

I shook my head, "All the more reason to strike now.  When the Bishop of Ely rebelled was the time."

"To be fair to the Earl he regained all of the land lost when Stephen attacked last year."

"So we are back to where we were?"

He laughed, "Do not be so despondent.  Now that you are back the Empress will smile once more and the ordinary knights will be uplifted.  They will be fighting alongside the Empress' Knight and King Henry's Champion.  I can tell you now that they all relish the opportunity.  You have a well deserved reputation."

I told him about Sir Hugh Manningham and his face darkened. " I will have prayers said for their souls. Those Scots are barbarians! They are one short step away from being savages with painted faces fighting naked!" Despite being a great warrior there was something of the priest about Sir Brian.  I often wondered why he did not become a Templar or a Hospitaller.

I found myself laughing at his description.  The Galwegians were, indeed, quite close to that description.  "And they can fight whilst studded with arrows! They are almost not men!"

When I left, two days later with rested men and horses, I felt better.  Both Fitz Count and his men were just like my own and it gave me hope that there were enough men of a similar mind to make a difference to our cause. The weather turned, as we headed north and west.  The first rains of September hurtled in from the seas to the west. We rode into a gale and arrived at Gloucester cold, wet and miserable.  The weather had undone all the good work of Fitz Count. We were despondent. As we dismounted Sir Geoffrey Talbot greeted me and told me that the Earl was away hunting but his army was with the Empress.  That was a little better than it had been.  Geoffrey apologised for the Earl.  "I am certain that had he known you would be here he would have stayed, my lord."

"Do not apologise.  I came because the Empress summoned me.  It is why I brought only my household men at arms and knights."

"Many hoped that you would bring all of your knights and their men."

"And leave the north unguarded?" I shook my head.  "I am like the guard dog who sleeps behind the sheep pen guarding the animals.  If I left then the wolves would fall upon them.  They only survive because we are vigilant.  I am afraid that this small conroi will have to do."

"And it is more than enough, my lord!" Those eight words were enough to tell me that my beloved Matilda was behind me.  I turned and dropped to my knee. She put her hand under my chin and raised me up. "You kneel to no one, my lord, least of all me.  Without you I would be as nothing."

Behind her I saw Henry, our son.  He had grown.  He was dressed in a small hauberk and he had a dagger strapped to his baldric.  "And is this fine warrior Prince Henry? If so he has grown since last I cast eyes on him."

He grinned, "It is my lord! Have you been battling mother's enemies again?"

"Always and I look forward to the time when you can fight alongside me as your grandfather did."

"Have you beaten the Scots again?" I nodded. "I met their King.  He is my mother's uncle you know.  I did not like him He smelled funny!"

I laughed, "I am not over fond of him myself." I turned to Gilles.  He handed me the sheepskin. "Here, you are almost a warrior.  My smith has made this for you. It is slightly longer than your dagger and no one makes a better sword than Alf of Stockton."

He unwrapped it and his eyes widened as he drew the shining blade from the richly decorated scabbard, "It is beautiful, my lord! Look mother! Is it not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?"

Her eyes were on me as she said, "It is.  Now go and show it to your brother.  I daresay he will be jealous!"

He ran off and  I turned to my squires.  "See to the horses.  Sir Richard, arrange quarters for our men." 

Geoffrey Talbot said, "If you will follow me we have a hall for you.  The owner had a disagreement with the Earl and fled.  You can use that while you are here.  There are stables." Dick nodded and followed.

Matilda said, "Your arm, my lord.  You can walk me back to the hall.  I would have conference with you."

Her two ladies, Judith and Margaret, were waiting for us in her antechamber.  They both had huge smiles on their faces. Margaret said, "You get more handsome each time I see you, my lord!"

Matilda said, "Margaret!"

"Well he does and God likes us to speak the truth; it shames the devil!"

"Leave us!" I could tell that she was smiling beneath her words.

When they had left us she threw her arms around me and kissed me.  I kissed her back and then held her. I said, quietly, "You must like the smell of horse!"

"I just want my arms around you for however brief a moment.  This will be our only time together, my love.  My brother is ever suspicious and once he knows you have returned he will cease hunting."

I did not want to let her go.  I nuzzled her hair.  It smelled of rosemary and thyme. For something to say, more than anything, I said, "Our son grows."

"And each day looks more like you."

I stepped back, "He does?" She nodded, "Then I shall grow a beard.  We cannot have any suspicions."

She kissed me one more time.  "Now you should go to your chambers and change.  Tonight we shall talk of the campaign."

Before we do I have news for you from the Earl's daughter. Your niece.  I have been to Lincoln and spoken with the Countess of Chester.  I was going to speak of it in the presence of you both but he is not here and I am anxious to unburden myself.  She believes that her husband will split with Stephen soon and that means he will return to our side.  I know he is untrustworthy and I would disregard his defection save that Maud says if he does she will hold Lincoln until her father can get there."

"Truly?"

"She is a strong woman.  She reminds me of her aunt."

She smiled and suddenly looked much younger. "Has she the men that she can trust?"

I nodded.  "I left her some of mine to augment those that she could trust but it is important that we are ready to act as soon as Stephen breaks with the Earl and he will.  He is going to take back Lincoln.  We both know that the Earl likes his manors and his power."

"Then that is good news and you are wise to speak of it privately. When my brother returns we will talk more. Thank you, my lord."

"It was Maud and not me."

"I know that you make these things happen.  You are too modest!"

I was about to leave and I hesitated, "My lady, Mandeville.  It did not sit well with me surrendering him.  He is a bad man. I did not mind losing the gold but he is not a noble man and there is little about him which is knightly."

"Sometimes my lord we must choose strange bedfellows. The Earl of Essex is contemplating defecting to our side.  He controls London.  We could take that city without a fight if he were on our side.  It seemed worth the gamble."

I nodded, "I can see now why you did so but London is not England, my lady. It has always looked after itself. I think it is because there is no lord to whom they owe allegiance.  Be wary of London."

"Thank you Alfraed.  As ever your words are both wise and welcome. I am glad that you are by my side again.  I believe our cause will be furthered now that you have joined our ranks once more."

Gilles had laid my clothes out for me and had managed to get a bath for me.  I suspected that Margaret and Judith had thought of that.  It was such a pleasant experience that I confess I fell asleep and Gilles had to wake me. I saw him take out the knife he used to shave me.  "I think I shall grow a beard, Gilles."

"A beard lord!"

"I have whimsy to grow one.  When I was younger I could never manage one. I think I shall try."

"Very well lord."

"But you can cut my hair. That is getting too long."

"You always wear it long, lord.  You said Wulfstan wore his long."

"Aye but he wore his in pigtails.  It is not the fashion now.  I will try it shorter." I shrugged.  "I can always grow it long again."

"As you wish, lord." I could see that I had mystified my squire.

The Empress nodded approvingly as she saw me enter her Great Hall. It was filled with knights.  It was lucky that there were just the seven of us.  We would have struggled to find a seat had it been all of my knights. Sir Pain and Sir Miles fitz Walter sought me out as soon as I entered.  We had fought together at Worcester.  They were both reliable knights. Sir Pain was a huge man.  He reminded me of Wulfric in many ways.  "It is good to see you Earl.  While we have sat over the summer you have been fighting I hear."

"There is always fighting in the North.  If it is not the Scots then it is Stephen's men and if not them then robber barons who seek a throne for themselves."

Sir Miles said, "We should have gone to the aid of the Bishop of Ely."  He pointed to the prelate who sat by the Empress' right hand.  "He is a good man.  He has not complained that he was abandoned but I have spoken with him and it would not have taken much to go to his aid.  Now the east is lost and many good men too."

The feast went well.  Everyone seemed in good humour.  The Empress glanced over to me many times during the feast and smiled. They were small gestures but I read much into them.

After the food had finished the Empress stood and silence descended upon the room.  "My lords, your Grace, today we have been joined by our Champion." There was a cheer and goblets were banged upon the table.  Matilda waited until the room was quiet once more, "He has come fresh from more victories against those who would harm us and he brings tidings for my brother and me.  I give you a toast, the Earl of Cleveland, the Champion of England!"

The room roared, "Champion of England!"

Sir Miles said, as the room subsided and more wine was fetched, "She thinks highly of you, lord." I nodded. "There are just two left now of the knights of the Empress."

"Two?  What of Sir Guy?"

"Did you not hear, he was killed when French forces attacked his lands and those of his brothers.  France is flexing its muscles.  I fear that Count Geoffrey may need aid there soon. He may be winning the war in Normandy but this new French king is anxious to make a name for himself."

Sir Pain said, "Aye but the young wolf, Sir William of Ouistreham is now as powerful in Normandy as his father is here.  You have a son in whom you can be proud, my lord."

"I am proud." As I drank I reflected that it was sad I had to hear that from someone other than my son. He had never been a great writer and I suspected that he was busy.  I yearned for news of him and my grandson.  Yet I knew I could not leave England. Our paths seemed fated to diverge.

I listened more than I spoke as Sir Miles and Sir Pain told me of events beyond my valley.  I had had little news over the last year.  That was understandable.  The Archbishop had not been well and letters could be intercepted. The result was that I had much to think about as I headed back to my chambers. I discovered that I had a good manor in Liedeberge although it was, occasionally, subject to Welsh raids. Both Sir Miles fitz Walter and Sir Pain knew it well. I decided that when I had spoken with the Earl I would visit it.  I would also have to speak with the Bishop of Hereford for he was also my liege lord.

The Earl did not arrive for two days. I suspected the delay was deliberate.  It would be seen as an insult. It did not upset me for it gave our animals time to recover and I was able to spend time with young Henry. It afforded me even more opportunities to be close to the Empress without any suspicion falling upon us. Henry Fitz Empress was a clever boy and I saw quickness in his thinking.  He understood things beyond his years. When we spoke of my new manor he asked if I would subjugate the Welsh.

"These are not my lands, lord.  They belong to your uncle.  It is for him to take that on."

"But if he will not do you not have a duty as my mother's Champion to do so?  England's destiny is to rule the Welsh.  My grandfather began that rule." I nodded, amazed at his understanding of such matters.  "When I am king I shall conquer it and you will lead my armies."