King Henry's Champion (15 page)

“I agree, my lord. The treaty only suits us not them.” Wulfric coughed.  It was a sure sign that he had some news. “Yes, Wulfric, you have some news which might help the Earl and I understand the Scots’ position?”

“Aye, my lord.  When we were waiting Erre and I were talking with one of their men at arms.  Sir Edward and I served with him when we were young warriors.”

“Go on.”

“It seems that the son of King Alexander is still at large. Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair, I think that was his name, is in Argyll and he has support.  From what Harald said the King of Moray, Óengus, supported Máel Coluim.  The men of Moray were defeated last year and Moray became part of Scotland. But now another army has been raised and they are along the Clyde causing trouble.”

The Earl nodded, “Well done Wulfric you serve your lord and King well.” He handed him a coin.

“Thank you my lord.”

“Leave us.” The deck was cleared so that we could be alone. “That explains much.  I wondered why the Earl of Strathclyde was present.  His lands are far to the west.  He was obviously here enlisting the support of King David.”

Geoffrey had been quiet but he was a thinker. “That was why they feared you, Alfraed, in the borderlands.  Edinburgh is not far north of Berwick.  Had you pursued the rebels you might have reached the gates of the King’s stronghold. He could not risk his castle.  He holds on to power by a thread. He has expanded north and west. Most of his warriors are there.  When this King Óengus was killed it must have encouraged King David to allow the rebels and the men of Lothian to try to take Norham.”

“Then the border should be safe.” The Earl turned to me. “I know I ask much but before the winter snows arrive I would have you make your presence felt on the border.  It matters not where.  It could be in the west close to Carlisle or along the Tweed.  If they think you are a threat they will behave themselves.”

“Aye, my lord.” I did not relish the prospect of a month riding the border but I was the guardian of the north. “Then I will ride up the Tees valley and head for Carlisle. It is a closer border and if Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair is along the Clyde then I will be closer to him. It will make my threat more credible.”

“As you wish but whatever you do stay on our side of the border.  I want no provocation. His lords are not happy; it will not take much to provoke them.”

“Perhaps they will rise in rebellion, my lord.  That would end the threat.”

“True Geoffrey but you know the old saying, ‘
better the enemy you know’
. We have the measure of King David but Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair?  I am not certain. I know him not.”

The document did not arrive until noon.  This time it was two priests escorted by knights of the King’s household who came.  They had two copies.  The leader of the priests had a head like a skull but he smiled all the time. It was alarming. We descended and entered the hall which the lord of Leith used. The priests placed the two parchments on the table.  The smiling priest said, “King David thought it advisable to have two copies made so that he could retain one.  If you would read them and then sign them both, my lord, we can return one to the King. The cattle are being gathered and will be in Norham by the end of the month.”

His face impassive the Earl said, “Very well. “ He read it and nodded.  Taking the quill he signed them both.  The second priest melted some wax next to the Earl’s name and the Earl used his seal.

Smiling still, the skull like priest handed the parchment to the Earl and made the sign of the cross. “Go with God.”

As we headed along the Forth I looked back towards Edinburgh. Perhaps it was my imagination but I thought I saw two knights with white surcoats riding towards Leith. Wulfric was next to me. I turned to him, “Wulfric, can you see the crusaders leaving the castle?”

I turned back and could no longer see them.

“No my lord, but it is strange that you say that for I was certain that, yesterday, when we reached the castle I saw a white surcoat disappear into the keep.  Until you spoke I thought I was dreaming it.”

“It seems my enemy stalks me still.”

The Earl of Gloucester joined us, “You have left something behind, Alfraed?”

“An enemy perhaps.”

He laughed, “The whole of Scotland hates you Alfraed.  You have to be more specific.”

I told him of the red griffin on the white surcoat. His face became serious and he nodded, “I remember you spoke of him before.  And he was there?”

“We are not certain but we think so.”

“I will try to discover his identity for you.” We both stared at the receding coastline for a while and then he said, “Will you visit with the Count of Anjou as you promised?”

“I gave my word.”

“And you are never foresworn; I know. However do not leave if there is the slightest threat from the north.  Your main task is to guard the border.  Training the Count to become a better knight is not important; at least not to England.”

“And yet his son will be the King of England.”

“True but the child is barely half a year old. Many die before their first year.”

The thought went like a knife to my heart.  I could not lose another child. I did not know for certain that Henry was the fruit of my loins but I believed him to be and that was enough to cause me pain at the thought of his death.

The captain did not wish to stay too long in Stockton.  The tide was on the turn and the light was fading when we reached my jetty.  He wanted to be out to sea before dark. Our farewells were perfunctory.  For my part I had much to do. The Earl was keen to get to his own home.

We watched the ship turn and depart. “Wulfric go and prepare the men.  Tell Dick I need ten archers to go with us.”

“Aye my lord.”

As we walked through my gates I said to Leofric, “Find Aiden.  We will take him with us this time.  John, take your horse and ride to Hartburn, tell Sir Harold that I need his conroi for a month.  William ride to Elton and tell Sir Tristan the same.”

Eager to please they hurried off.  Erre was supervising the unloading of our weapons, “Erre when that is done take the ferry to Thornaby.  You were at the meeting.  Tell Sir Edward what we do.”

“Aye my lord.” He grinned, “I thought it was going to be interesting there for a while. They do hate you, don’t they, my lord?”

“I should take that as a compliment I suppose.”

“Aye but you need to watch yourself, my lord.  I saw some of the young knights in King David’s court.  If they want to make a reputation for themselves then they would try to kill you.  If one of them got lucky…”

“I know, Erre.” I put my hand to the wolf I wore with my medallion from the Empress. “That is why I thank those that bore me for making me lucky.”

“Long may that continue, my lord.”

Poor John and Alice were unhappy at the shortness of my stay. “But my lord there is much to do in the manor.”

“And look at you sir, you are like a wraith.  You need feeding up not living from the land.”

“Thank you for your concern, Alice, but I serve the King as you serve me. It will be for but a month at the most.  As soon as the weather makes the road impassable I will return home.  I will hold a session and you can feed me up.” They nodded, “And this year I wish to celebrate Christmas well. John, ensure that Alice has all that she needs to provide a good feast.  We have much to thank God for and much to celebrate.  I would not stint on such celebrations.”

That pleased Alice more than the parsimonious John. After they had left me I went into Stockton.  Alf had finished for the day but I went to his home which was a fine house close to his smithy.  Not as grand as Ethelred’s it was comfortable and accommodated his burgeoning family. His wife almost touched the floor with her curtsy, “My lord you should have warned us! My home is a mess!” She began to sweep the dust with her apron.

I raised her up, “Mistress Anne, your home is perfect and I am intruding.  I need but a word with Alf.”

A smiling Alf manoeuvred his wife towards the cooking fire. “Go and see to supper.” She curtsied and left.  “Wives my lord.”

“I know Alf, Lady Adela would have been the same. I am sorry for the intrusion but I need to go to the west on the morrow.” He nodded.  “My son is growing. I think it is Alice’s food but he will need new armour. I would have some made.”

“My lord he is growing so quickly that he will soon outgrow the new armour I make.”

“I know but he needs good armour.”

“Then why not reuse John’s old hauberk? He and William are the same build.”

“You still have his old hauberk?”

“It was too good to destroy and there was little damage.  I repaired it.  I was going to sell it but sentiment got the better of me. That was one of the first hauberk’s I made for your squires.”

“Good, then put plates on the shoulders as I wear on mine.”

“I will do so.”

I was about to leave and then I turned, “I have a mind to make Christmas special this year.  Last year I was too much in a black humour. I would have you and your family join me in the castle for our feast this year.”

“I would be honoured, my lord.”

We left as soon as Sir Harold and Sir Tristan arrived. I did not take Star with me.  The hilly country around the border did not suit him.  Scout would make just as big a statement to the Scots. It also meant we could travel without servants.  I intended to stay with Sir Hugh before travelling across to Barnard and thence to the wall.  I would send a rider to Baron Hugh of Hexham to ask him to join me. The two movements would make the Scots believe that we were active along the border. In truth I would just have three knights and twenty men at arms in one column and one knight and ten men at arms in the other.

Sir Hugh of Gainford was pleased and surprised to see me. I saw that his wife, Anne, was with child.  I was pleased. Tristan was even more excited: he would be an uncle!

Sir Hugh looked a little worried.  It was his first child and he would not wish to leave his wife alone; I had been the same. “My lord, am I to join you on this campaign?”

“No, Sir Hugh.  I need you here to guard the back door to my manor. I have enough warriors with me. With twenty archers and my men at arms it will be a show of force. The Scots will heed it.” I lowered my voice.  “And have you seen aught of Sir Barnard?”

He nodded, “He has visited a couple of times and I have seen him.”

“How did he seem to you?”

“He seemed quite concerned about our safety.  He had scoured the forests and hanged many outlaws. “

“Good and have you seen any strangers?”

“Strangers?”

“Knights you did not recognise; more particularly Crusaders.”

“No, my lord, but I will keep a close watch.” I was pleased that the mysterious knight had not been seen. I would hate for anything untoward to happen to my young knight and his bride.

Sir Harold and Sir Tristan now had experienced men at arms.  They had campaigned and fought for a number of years.  No longer did I need to worry about their youth.  Soon Leofric and John might be ready to become knights. That was how we became stronger. We left Sir Hugh’s at dawn.  My visit to Barnard Castle would be brief.

I was distracted as I headed north west; I was thinking of a red griffin.  I heard William and Leofric regaling my two knights with stories of the tourney. They would learn, soon enough, that it was a dangerous entertainment. One of the Norman knights who had fought Lothar of Passau had had his arm amputated after the tourney.  There had been nothing malicious intended but fighting from horseback brought all sorts of dangers; the knight’s fall from his war horse had meant his arm had to be taken.

I saw the standard flying and knew that Sir Barnard was at home.  We had travelled so quickly back from Edinburgh that I doubted he would have heard of the treaty. I would have to judge my moment to tell him the news. He did not come to greet us.  I took only my knights to his hall.

“An unexpected pleasure, Earl.”

“I am just making a patrol of the borders to make sure they are safe.  There were many outlaws before the summer.”

“I have scoured the forests of them.  You will have a wasted journey.”

I smiled, “It will not be a wasted journey for my young knights here.  They are eager to hunt men. You are not in your estates in Scotland?”

“There is trouble there, my lord; the usurper is causing trouble along the Clyde.” He poured us a goblet of wine each.  “Did I hear that rebels attacked Norham?”

“You heard correctly.  We sent them hence.”

“I hope that does not mean the Scots will retaliate.  I would hate for our northern lands to be ravaged.” Although he had a sympathetic look on his face his eyes betrayed the glee he felt.

“Oh no, Baron, I can guarantee that the Scots will not attack.”

He smiled, “I do not know how you can be so sure, my lord.”

“I can assure you it has nothing to do with force of arms.  The Earl of Gloucester and I visited with the King of Scotland and obtained a treaty. He promises not to harbour rebels and not to attack along the border.  He gave his seal and swore before priests.  I think we are safe.“

I stared at him and watched the conflict in his eyes. He was a rebel and a traitor.  He had been clever and disguised his actions but this was a blow to him. He nodded, “That is excellent news, my lord.”

As we mounted our horses I leaned down and said, “You will need to keep a close watch on your borders.  If the King of Scotland scours his land of English rebels then they may come through your land. You will, of course, capture and detain any you find.  We now have a new Bishop of Durham, Geoffrey Rufus. He, too, will need to kept informed.” I smiled, “Things have changed, Baron Balliol, and for the better.”

He said, without any enthusiasm, “Praise be to God.”

Aiden had not been needed to scout but once we left the castle at Barnard and headed towards the border we would need his eyes and ears.  As he trotted off, my archers and those of Sir Harold and Sir Tristan spread out in a loose screen. This was dangerous and hostile country.

There were no manors in this part of the country.  The land would barely support rye and barley.  It was good for cattle and sheep only and they were too easy to steal.  The odd farmers we saw eked out a living nothing more. We would see no one before the wall. The culmination of our march would be to meet Sir Hugh Manningham at the deserted Roman fort close to the high cliffs. The cliffs meant that our flank was always safe there.

Aiden met us there, “Sir Hugh is a mile or so to the east. He is coming steadily west. I will head north of the wall.” He pointed to the forests which began to spread towards Scotland. “I will rejoin you on the road, my lord.”

He slipped away so silently that he was like a gust of wind. We dismounted and my horses were fed grain. There was a well there and we drew water.

Sir Hugh galloped up as my men and squires tightened girths. I had not seen him since our trip north and when he dismounted I told him of our journey. He laughed, “I would have liked to have seen the looks on their faces! The Nemesis of the Scots in their capital and dictating terms! I wish the Earl of Strathclyde had risked his arm with you, Earl. That would have put them in their place. I heard about the tourney from the Bishop of Durham. We should hold one here. It makes for better knights!”

I was about to tell him of my plans to train the knights of Anjou when Aiden galloped towards us. “My lord, there are Scottish men in the forests yonder.”

Sir Hugh frowned, “Would the Scottish King risk breaking the treaty so soon?”

“What were they doing?”

“They are hunting a band of warriors who are just a mile from their position.”

“Did you recognise this second group?”

“No, my lord. I do not think they were the men from Carlisle.  I did not recognise their livery.”

I had a dilemma.  There were two bands of warriors.  One was definitely an enemy but I knew not the other one. I remembered my father telling me that if you followed orders and they were just and honourable orders then you could not go far wrong. I had been charged with keeping the border clear of the Scots.  The forest was in England.

“Mount up! We hunt Scots.  Dick, have the archers ahead of us. Aiden, go with them.  When you spy the Scots dismount and await our arrival.”

“Aye my lord.”

“John, unfurl my banner let them know who comes for them.”

The old Roman fort had a gate which led north and we passed through it and descended the steep path which led north.  Aiden and my archers were already many paces in front of us. My men had spears but I chose my sword. I slid it in and out of my scabbard.  It moved easily.  My shield now had more padding and it nestled well against my arm.  Today would be a test of the Greek doctor’s ointment.

The land began to rise towards the forest.  Already I could hear the clash of metal on wood in the distance.  Men were fighting. When I saw the archers’ horses being held I reined in.  Griff of Gwent ran up.  “My lord, Captain Dick says the men are the men of Strathclyde.  He recognised their banner.  They are ahead and attacking the other warriors.  Dick does not recognise their standard.  The ones they fight are losing.”

This was like the mêlée except this time it was real and men were dying.  I took the decision. It might bring me trouble but I was doing as ordered; I was keeping the border safe. “Tell Dick to attack the Scots. “ I drew my sword.  “Harold, take the right flank and sweep around.  Tristan, take the left flank.  Sir Hugh, bring your men behind my conroi.  We shall be the hammer. Wulfric have the men form a line on me.”

This part of the forest had fewer trees than some others.  We could see, sometimes, twenty or thirty paces ahead of us. I saw the first dead warrior soon after we entered. He had an arrow in his back. Dick and his men had been at work.  I saw others who had been slain by the Scots. Some looked Scottish others looked like Vikings.  Who were they?

I saw Dick and his archers sheltering behind some trees and bushes.  The ground ahead was lightening. We burst into the thin autumn light. Twenty of the Scots had gathered behind a shield wall at the edge of the small clearing.  They had their backs to the trees. Their banner was a blue background with a white cross and a yellow star. I vaguely recognised it as being a knight I had seen at Norham.  He had escaped the slaughter.

I leaned forward with my sword. “Forward! For King Henry of England!”

None of those in the shield wall had spears but some had long axes. Wulfric’s mount forced its head ahead of Leofric.  My sergeant at arms preferred to put himself in harm’s way.  His axe was held easily behind him. The shield wall was holding for they had trees at their back.  I wheeled Scout to the left so that we could ride across their line.  A sword darted out and caught my knee.  The mail held but it was a well struck blow.  I would feel the hurt the next day.  I whipped my right hand and sword above the line of shields. I felt it strike the side of a helmet.

I pulled my arm back and swept a second time. We were nearing the end of the shield wall and I pulled Scout’s reins to the right.  I saw that Wulfric’s axe had carved a hole in the wall.  Two men were down. One was clutching his face and I guessed what had hit him.  I carried on with the turn.  Wulfric and I burst through the hole that we had made. The shield wall was broken. I fended off the axe to my right and brought my sword over. I plunged it into the face of the axe man.

And then we were back in the forest; although thinner there were more places for the Scots to shelter.  I slowed Scout down.  I was lucky.  The Scot who hid behind the huge pine tree emerged with his two handed sword too early.  I jinked Scout to the left and brought my sword across the man’s sword.  It fell to the ground. John’s standard smacked into the side of the man’s head. It sounded like an axe hitting a tree.

The ground was falling away as we headed into a valley bottom. We could now move barely faster than the men we were pursing.  More importantly I was not certain where the border was. I dared not go across the border for that would be a violation of the treaty.  When I reached the small and shallow river I raised my sword to halt the line. Wulfric’s voice behind me boomed out, “Reform!”

The rest of my men at arms reined in and I saw Sir Tristan appear. His horse had been wounded and he and his squire leapt from the backs of their mounts to tend to the injury. I saw John and turned, looking for William and Leofric. I was relieved when I saw them rein in.

I shouted, “Aiden!”

My scout rode up, “Yes my lord?”

“Where is Scotland?”

He pointed across the river. “There my lord.  This, I think, is the end of England.”

He could not read and he had never seen a map but Aiden knew the borderlands as well as any and if he said this was the border then that was good enough for me.  I nudged Scout into the middle of the river. I raised my sword and shouted so that all might hear me. “King David has signed a treaty forbidding Scots from attacking England! To those who hear my voice I warn you that if I find you I will hang you!”

Silence reigned.  I turned Scout and headed back.  Dick rode up. “We have surrounded the men they were fighting my lord.  They are downstream.”

“On this side of the river?”

“Aye my lord.”

“Then let us see who they are.”

We formed up in two lines and rode along the banks of the river. Half a mile downstream I saw them in a clearing.  They had taken cover behind some boulders and rocks. There looked to be forty of them. I saw at least ten who wore the armour and helmets of Vikings.

I halted and took off my helmet.  It was the sign for peace. I did not want to kill these just yet.  They were the enemies of the Scots but who were they?

“I am Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland and the King’s appointed protector of these lands.  You have violated our sovereignty.  Before I have you slain who speaks for you?”

Suddenly a throwing axe was hurled at me and a Norse voice shouted, “This speaks for me, Norman!”

I easily deflected the axe and the thrower fell with three arrows sticking from his head and chest. I heard swords being unsheathed, “Hold!” There was silence.  “Was that your spokesman or a fool?”

A warrior took off his helmet and stepped forward, “It was a fool; a brave fool but a fool nonetheless.  I am Máel Coluim mac Alaxadair the rightful King of Scotland and I thank you for your intervention.”