Warlord of the North (12 page)

He stopped, "Truly?"

"Truly.  Thankfully few since I was appointed but enough for me to be angry."

"And I did not thank you for what you did.  You were right to chastise me.  We owe the peace to you.  Can we not be friends?"

I smiled, "Aye, relinquish the crown and support the claim of Maud and Henry as you swore along with me in Westminster Abbey and we shall be the best of friends!"

He shook his head, "I cannot do that. What I do I do for England. I have her best interests at heart."

"I do not doubt that but I took an oath."

"I would not fight you."

"Good for you would lose."

He laughed, "You have a fine castle but you have few men."

"My few men have defeated over a thousand Scotsmen and traitors in the last few weeks and we have suffered a handful of deaths. This is our land and we know it well.  And I would not fight Englishmen.  I would rather kill the enemies of England but I will not bow the knee to you and that is as honest as I can be."

He nodded, "But you will fight the Scots?"

"Always and it was a mistake to let them keep Carlisle. That is a dagger in our back."

"Of course if you do not serve me then you cannot break the peace can you?"

I smiled, "No for I am warlord."

"Warlord; I have not heard that word for some time.  It suits you. Then we have a truce."

"We have a truce but as soon as your cousin chooses to come to England then I will support her and fight for her."

"I understand, you are a man of honour. I will speak plainly.  I wish you to keep this border safe."

"I promised King Henry I would do that.  He may be dead but I obey my king." We headed back to his ship, "As we are being honest with one another I have to tell you that I will kill Balliol the first chance I get.  He is evil and he is dangerous."

"I agree. He comes with me."

"A hostage?"

He smiled and I saw his ruthless streak, "A guest."

We reached his ship.  Ethelred stood there.  Stephen took his purse and threw it at Ethelred, "There are your port fees.  "Let us board gentlemen. The tide awaits us and we have business with the Welsh." He turned to Barnard de Balliol.  "Balliol send your men home.  You need to come with me!" The gangplank was down and the knights and squires led their horses on board.  Barnard de Balliol ran so quickly that he slipped and fell flat on his face.  My men laughed loudly.

I moved backwards towards the two clerics.  I said, without turning, "Cumin you have moments to board this ship and sail away from my land.  When I turn I order my archers to end your miserable life and if I ever see you again then that will be your last on this earth!"

I heard his feet as they scrambled up the gangplank and smiled.  Wulfric said, "Not worth spit!" As we watched the gangplank raised and the ship begin to turn.

I turned and saw that the Bishop of Durham looked less than happy. "I take exception to your comments Cleveland.  My men did as much as you did."

"And they were led by me while you counted your gold in Durham and shook each time you heard the Scots were about."

"Manningham has sworn an oath to the King."

I smiled, "I am happy that Sir Hugh has made his own decision. At least there is one lord north of here who will fight the Scots." I looked at the sky.  It was heading towards afternoon.  "If I were you Bishop I would hurry home, you don't want to be caught out after dark.  Scurry back to your cloisters!"

He wheeled his horse around and  men at arms followed him.  It left the Archbishop and his half a dozen guards.

"You will stay the night, your grace?"

"That depends... will I be insulted too?"

"I would not invite you if I was to insult you.  Do you scorn a man who speaks the truth?"

"There is truth and there is cruelty."

"I was never cruel to any who stood shoulder to shoulder with me against my enemies."

As we went back to my castle Wulfric said, "And that list is growing steadily my lord! We will have a short life, interesting but short!"

When the gates slammed shut behind us it felt as though it was a final statement.  We had nailed our colours to our walls.  There would be no turning back now.  Sir Richard had not had to choose between Stephen and me but he had made his choice clear.  I was slightly disappointed in Sir Hugh Manningham's decision but I understood it.  He was no earl.  I knew, however that both he and Sir Richard would continue to fight the Scots.  For the time being they were the enemy.  I would have to fight Stephen but not yet.  I was grateful that he had decided on a truce.  I would have fought him but it would have cost me dear.

No one had mentioned the manors of Hartness or Normanby.  I intended to appoint my own lords of the manor.  If I had to I would use my own men at arms. Even as I escorted the Archbishop to his quarters I had decided to return with him to York. I trusted him but I needed my treasure in my castle.  If he died I would lose it.  If he lost power I would lose it. I would hire my own captain and then I would travel back to La Flèche.  I had much to do.  I needed an army and I need it as soon as possible. Stephen had done me one favour.  He had given me implicit permission to raid the Scots.  I would do so.  Barnard de Balliol would be my first target and then I would range north of Carlisle and make its position that much weaker.

After I had escorted Archbishop Thurstan to his quarters I sought out Alice and John. "Alice, make tonight a feast to remember."

John said, "My lord, the money!"

"And tomorrow, John, you and I will escort the Archbishop back to York where we will access more money that you or your father ever saw!"

He brightened, "Of course, my lord."

Considering the events of the day the meal was lively.  Sir Hugh and my other knights seemed to realise that I had burned their boats for them.  They had one master now and that was me. I saw the worry on the face of the Archbishop. When the feast had finished I took him to my ramparts.  It was a chill night but the stars were bright and my land looked magical.

"Archbishop I know you worry about me and what I will do."

"Your words this afternoon shocked me."

"For that I am sorry but my words were intended for the Scots and for Stephen of Blois. The air is clear between us.  He has given me permission to pursue my war against the Scots."

"He has?"

"When we were apart we were honest. He may not like my stance but he knows I am the new Roman Wall. I sent a message to King David.  Balliol's men will scurry back like rats to their nest and tell the King of the danger I represent. He will wait and he will worry.  Soon I will have an army which is large enough to take Carlisle and recover what we have lost." I raised my goblet, "But I do this for the Empress and not Stephen.  He knows this.  The civil war will begin here when the Empress comes.  Does that satisfy you and put your mind to rest?"

"It does but I worry about you. I like you Alfraed but I fear that you are too honourable.  You must bend! The times change and you must change with them."

"No, I will not and if you think I will then you know me not."

When we left, the next day, I took Gilles, Wulfric and Dick as well as ten men at arms and archers.  We took sumpters to bring back all that we would buy. Our new ship, under construction, would mean we would trade with La Flèche and this would be the last time that I would risk a visit to York.

I had another reason for my journey. I was scouting the land.  I might have to fight battles to the south as well as to the north.  I wished to be prepared. We travelled at the speed of clerics and we stopped at Northallerton. It had a castle and a lord who was loyal to both Stephen and the Archbishop but I liked the lord and I enjoyed his company. The men at arms and priests who accompanied the Archbishop kept their distance from me. I had challenged a king. It seemed to frighten them. It meant I could ride with the Archbishop and speak with him. We would not be overheard.

"I know that he is a king but King David does not strike me as honest."

"How so your grace?"

"He gave his word to King Stephen that there would be peace but he did not swear on either a relic or the bible. Also his son, Prince Henry, now has a large estate in the heart of England.  You are right about Balliol and that cost us dear.  Prince Henry's lands in Huntingdon will pose same threat.  It is a dagger at the breast of England."

"I can do nothing about that and, to be honest, your grace, it is in my interests if Prince Henry causes trouble for Stephen of Blois.  I will watch the land to the west. Sir Hugh Manningham might well have gone over to King Stephen but he will watch the border like a hawk.  I can now look to the west. Carlisle and Barnard Castle will be kept under close scrutiny." I had plans for Barnard Castle but the Archbishop was an honest man.  I would not compromise him.

When we reached York the Archbishop gave us beds in his warrior hall.  It would not be appropriate for us to stay with him at his palace. It suited us anyway. John had a long list of our requirements and he went with two men at arms to procure them.  I went with Wulfric, Gilles and Dick and we collected the treasure I had sent from Normandy when we had fought the French and defeated Guy de Senonche. I had sent half to La Flèche and the other half here to York.  Even John would be impressed by it. We took it to the hall where Wulfric assigned two men to guard it. Oswald and Cedric were huge men.  Their size alone would have deterred would be thieves.

Thanks to those who had come south with the Archbishop word of my stance had spread so that we were an object of curiosity. I was a rebel who walked free. It helped us in that we did not need to offer explanations for our requests and needs.  Wulfric and Dick sat in the inn they called
'The Saddle'
.  It had long been frequented by old soldiers and those seeking work. By drinking there Wulfric and Dick would be able to find the men we needed.  They would not need to seek them out; they would come to us.

Armed with names supplied by the Archbishop I headed for the river. There were a number of merchant vessels in port. I knew that I would not be able to tempt a captain from his vessel but I hoped there might be a first mate who sought advancement. The equivalent for sailors was the inn they called
'The Blind Beggar'
.  I went there with Gilles.

We sat and we waited. "Will we not have to tell them what we seek, my lord?"

"We have time enough and my name is known.  We let the curious come to us.  The curious are normally the most garrulous and it is their gossip which will draw the right candidate to my table."

Gilles was curious himself and, as we sat and waited he asked me about my stance. "Lord, we have a Duke at home but you argued with a king! Were you not afraid?"

"Of Stephen?" I shook my head, "He is a man.  I have fought alongside him and I respect him as a warrior but he is not king. There is not enough oil in the world nor enough priests to make him a king in my eyes for King Henry wished the next king to come from his loins."

"You have strong beliefs, lord."

"And you are wise for one so young Gilles. Aye I do have strong beliefs.  At the end that is all a man has to take with him to the otherworld."

A merchant walked over to us.  I could tell his trade for he was well dressed and had soft hands. He bowed, "Lord, you are the Earl of Cleveland?"

"Aye I am."

"I am Isaac of Lincoln.  I understand you are seeking to buy cloth and other items.  I can procure them for you at a reasonable price."

"My Steward deals with that see him. I am here seeking seamen."

He looked surprised, "You have a ship?"

I smiled, "Why else would I seek seamen? Are you a seaman?"

He laughed, "No lord.  If I were I would sail back to my homeland in the east.  I like not the sea." He bowed, "May God be with you."

I smiled, "Now it begins.  He will go and sell his information.  He will know who is seeking employment."

"But you just said seamen."

"I know.  It means we have a larger group of candidates from which to choose. I will know the man when I see him."

They came in dribs and drabs at first.  Their numbers grew as word spread and then they thinned out as I made it clear what I sought. In the end I chose three. William of Kingston had been first mate on a ship but had a falling out with the Captain.  Others had told me this before I met him.  His name had come up as a young sailor but a skilled one. The argument had arisen over the sea captain's daughter.  She and William had eyes only for each other but the captain disapproved. When I finally offered him the position he had been honest with me.

"Lord I will take the position but I needs must take Alice with me.  Her father may go to the Archbishop."

"You may bring the girl with us but you shall be wed in Stockton.  Is that clear?"

He had smiled, "It is our most fervent wish."

"We leave on the morrow.  Make your arrangements and meet us at the cathedral."

Henri the Breton was different. He was on a ship where the others did not like his accent nor his origins.  It happened.  He too had been an officer, albeit junior, on a merchantman.  His skill lay in the knowledge of the waters around the islands and coast of the land of the Bretons. He was happy to be sailing a ship which would take him close to his home.

Harold Three Fingers was unlike the other two in many ways.  He was not an officer.  He was far older than the rest.  He had lost two fingers as a young man when he had been caught poaching.  As a result he had turned to the sea. He wanted to serve me for he had grown up in Norton before my father had been given the manor. He had something you could not buy.  He had experience. Henri and William were young and obviously capable.  Harold had seen it all. He would not sail with us for long.  He was a greybeard but my promise to him was a home after he left the sea.

He had been my last appointment and he had nodded as he shook my hand, "And I take you at your word, lord, for all know that your word is made of steel.  It is never broken."

The father of Alice came to see me that night as I made my way back to meet the Archbishop. "My lord, you cannot do this! I do not want my daughter to wed that man."

I nodded, "He is a poor sailor?"

"No, he is the best.  I cannot fault his seamanship."

"He is cruel and abuses your daughter?"

"No, lord, he is most gentle with her."

"It is against your daughter's will?"

"No lord, she is besotted by him."

I spread my arms, "Then why in God's name do you oppose this union?  You are a fool for you have lost, by your own admission, a good sailor and your daughter. Why?"

"There is a merchant in the town and he will pay a handsome dowry."

I was almost stumped for words, "You would sell your daughter to a man she does not love? What kind of man are you?"

"A man with three daughters and no sons.  Alice is the prettiest and will fetch the best dowry."

I was tempted to run the man through there and then.  Instead I reached into my purse and pulled out a gold coin.  "Here is your dowry.  Take it and be gone." He grasped it eagerly and I saw cunning in his eyes. "And this is the last.  Do not think to go to the Archbishop and claim she was taken against her will.  Firstly the Archbishop is a friend of mine and secondly I am Warlord now.  The law in my land is my law; I answer to no king. Now go!"

The Archbishop invited me to dine with him. "I know you think less of me, Alfraed, for having sided with King Stephen but I am a man of God.  However I am also a practical man.  King Stephen will bring stability to the helm of the ship.  England has enemies, not least those close to Normandy. France and the Empire still cast covetous looks at us.  England is a prize to be picked. Stephen will stop that.  Even now he is travelling to Wales to drive those enemies back.   What does the Empress and her husband do?  They raid and plunder Normandy like robber barons. Yet you support her still."

"I know you speak from the heart.  However I cannot be in two places at once.  I will sail to Anjou and I will try to steer the Empress in the right direction.  I seem to have some influence there but I have to wait until my lands are secure and I can leave them."

"Good.  Then I will build up my forces so that, should the Scots attempt to attack again, I will support your forces."

I heard each word, "Support?"

"Even King Stephen acknowledges you the best general we have.  My men will fight under your banner... against the Scots.  We will not fight our King."

"Then I will lead.  And Durham?"

"Geoffrey Rufus knows your worth as do his lords.  He will follow your banner against the Scots."

"He still has a Scottish viper close to his breast."

"We are aware of that but he is powerless at the moment."

"Save as a spy where he can pass all of his information back to his master."

"He knows little of what goes on and nothing of my plans.  It will have to suffice. So long as he is the papal appointment he is not to be harmed."

I smiled, "I do not need to worry about such things."

The Archbishop shook his head, "You would be excommunicated, Alfraed.  And that is a step I believe you will not risk."