Baron of the North (24 page)

I smiled, "We were fortunate." I took the sealed leather containers with the precious parchments and documents.  "Here is the treaty and letters from the Emperor."

"He acceded to my request?"

I nodded, "If I am to be frank, my liege, he could not see what you had to gain from an alliance which could never be more than symbolic."

The King smiled, "Let us just say that it suits me. Now sit and drink some wine whilst I read."

I sat with the Earl and a servant poured us wine. I nodded to my squire, "And some for my squire too."

The servant looked to the Earl who nodded. He then turned to me and said, quietly, "You do treat your inferiors well, Baron."

I resented the tone but I smiled, "Those inferiors watch my back in battle.  Of course I treat them well.  Only a fool would do other." I sipped the wine.  It was not as good as that which I had shared with Duke William but I nodded appreciatively as I drank. I had offended the Earl and the King before.  The lesson had been learned; do not express opinions.

The King read.  Every now and then he would look up and stare at me then he would resume his reading. Finally he laid down the documents. He waved to the servant, "Leave us. And if your squire would wait outside too."

Leofric was not offended and, after bowing, he left.

The King tapped the documents.  "This is better than I had hoped.  The Emperor thinks highly of you." He looked at his son.  "The Emperor offered him a position in Constantinople; did he tell you that?"

The Earl looked at me, "No he did not.  And you refused?"

"I have a home on the Tees and a family besides my father took the decision to return home and I think of Stockton as my home now."

"Our young knight here saved the life of the Emperor, without mail!"

The Earl laughed, "Now that does not surprise me in the least."

"I sent the prying ears from the room for you deserve to know why I have made this alliance.  The Pope is being wooed by Louis of France. The new Emperor of the German Empire is an implacable foe.  I may have secured my southern borders but we are still vulnerable.  That is why I had to appease the Scots. King David has his spies here and when I announce, tomorrow, that you have returned from Jerusalem and are forgiven then he will believe that I have punished you.  The Emperor in Constantinople is beyond the power of the Pope.  I can stay within the Church and yet not bow the knee to the Pope if I have an alliance there.  Now do you see?"

I nodded, "But you should know, your majesty, that the Emperor is pressed on all sides by enemies."

He smiled, "Aye but Count Fulk and others are now carving out kingdoms in Outremer.  Soon they will be a wall to protect the eastern side of the Empire." The King tapped the document, "I believe that will allow the Emperor to reconquer some of the lands to the west; who knows, perhaps even Italy."

"You have heard of the blockade?"

"I have."

The Earl said, "And the young Baron here has sunk a Sicilian ship and fought off two others with just one small cog."

"Indeed. Then you have done well." He stood, "Now I wish you to go hunting with me tomorrow.  The other knights who are here will participate too."

"I had hoped to return home, my liege. And my family is still in London.  They will be anxious to see me."

He waved his hand airily, "Another day or two will not hurt and, besides, I insist." He smiled, "Your family is safe; believe me."

"I came with just these clothes, sire."

"I think we can furnish you and your squires with some clothes.  You shall stay here with me."

I nodded.  I knew when I was beaten.  The King had plans for me.  I could not see why he wished me to stay but I could not afford to antagonise him. "Then I will be happy to do so."

With the horses stabled and my squires jammed into a tiny room next to mine we were supplied with clean clothes. I used the fact that we were in the King's castle to have hot water and a bath fetched so that we could, at least, appear clean. Leofric had become quite adept at shaving and grooming me so that by the time we were ready for the feast I looked presentable.

Before we left for the meal I said, "You two will be expected to wait upon me this night and then eat with the other squires.  Keep your ears and eyes open and your mouths shut. Not all those who are present are allies.  Some are enemies. You can drink to your heart's content when we return to Stockton. I will be drinking little. And tomorrow we hunt boar and you know how dangerous they are."

They both nodded, seriously, "We will my lord."

Having bathed I was one of the last to arrive. The King and Earl had still to make an appearance.  The ones who had arrived early were busy drinking and I saw, across the Great Hall, Stephen of Blois. He was surrounded by his usual coterie of knights. Then, to my delight, I saw a friendly face. It was Rolf, another of the knights of the Empress.  I saw that he had saved a seat next to him and all thoughts of Stephen of Blois were driven from my mind as I headed for him.

He grabbed me in a bear like embrace, "The Earl told me you were here! It is good to see a friendly face in this sea of courtiers!"

"And it is good to see you."

"Sit and tell me of your adventures! The Earl said you had been to the east?" He handed me a goblet of wine.

I lowered my voice.  I could trust Rolf.  "The tale you must spread is that I went to Jerusalem when, in fact, I visited the Emperor."

He grinned, "I knew the rumour of begging forgiveness could not be true.  Tell me all."

Before I could begin my saga we all stood as the King and the Earl entered. They marched to the head of the table and we were waved to our seats. The King spoke, "You are all here for you have all done me some service in the recent wars.  This is to celebrate and now Baron Stockton has returned from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem so that all his sins have been forgiven.  Tonight we feast and tomorrow we hunt!"

I felt the eyes of Stephen of Blois boring in on me. I ignored the attention.

"So, my young friend, there is intrigue." Rolf's voice was low.

"There is indeed.  It is almost Byzantine!" I told him of my journey, John of Palermo, the battle with the Magyar, the rhomphaia, the voyage home and the sea battles.  Finally I confided in him about Aquitaine.

He nodded sagely.  "You do right not to tell the King of Aquitaine. It is as well to have some secrets.  The high and the mighty keep enough from us. You have done well.  Will he reward you?"

"He said he would but who knows. Besides it would only be a title.  I have as much power now as I can handle.  In terms of riches…" I took out my two treasures and showed them to him beneath the table.

"They are fine indeed.  And yet you know not their origin?"

"No.  Perhaps Osric may know.  He is the last of my father's oathsworn.  I will ask him when I return home." I surreptitiously returned the treasures and said, "And that is enough of me. What brings you here and how fares the Empress?"

"Ah, that is not such happy news. I will be returning in the morning to Anjou. I brought a letter from the Empress to her father. Things are not good between the Count and the Empress.  He is a boy.  He is petulant and he is arrogant.  I would have fetched him a clout many a time had the Empress not held my hand. She is desperately unhappy. They sleep in separate rooms and he spends all his time fornicating and drinking.  It is not a marriage, it is an alliance."

"I feared as much.  And with Count Fulk in Outremer young Geoffrey has free rein."

"He does.  I came here because our mistress wishes to leave her husband and return to England."

"And what did the King say?"

"He forbade it. He commanded his daughter to be a good wife and stay there."

"He is my liege lord but there is little to like about King Henry. He uses people as though they were toys."

"He is like his father." He smiled, "And now tell me of your home and my friends, Edward and the others."

The mood was lightened as I told him all. It made me feel better too for the news from home was all good.  Wulfstan's death had been in the past and the hurt was now gone.  Rolf, like me, knew that Wulfstan died a warrior's death.  His family was another matter but Wulfstan had died the way he wanted to, surrounded by his dead enemies. As we parted Rolf clasped my arm, "I will be gone before dawn but I will write to you with any developments. I will use a code for you are a clever man.  The Empress will be my sister in the letters."

I nodded, "And tell her that Edward and I are ready to come to her aid should she ever need it."

"She knows and," he hesitated, "she thinks fondly of you."

I slept happy that night with that thought in my head.

Rolf had, indeed, left by the time we rose. Most of the knights had been well in their cups the night before and were the worse for wear. After watered beer, bread, cheese and ham we gathered in the armoury to collect our weapons for the hunt.  John and Leofric would be on foot and they chose hunting bows.  Most of the other squires and attendants chose crossbows. They would be on foot.  I took a boar spear to go with my sword.

I saw that Stephen of Blois was there too and he had four surly looking men with him.  They looked like men at arms rather than squires. The Earl and the King arrived and they were also attended by two men.  In addition there were the King's foresters with a pack of hounds. They would bring the prey to us.  In my own land I preferred hunting by stalking.  I believed it made you a better warrior.  The King, obviously, preferred quicker results.

"Come, my friends, let us see who can claim first blood this day!" We all knew it would be him.  He was at the front and his foresters would drive the beasts towards the man who paid them.

John and Leofric jogged easily behind me as we followed the King and the Earl.  They were at the fore, as was their right, and the odds were that they would make the first kill. It took us some time to get into the heart of the forest.  It was coming on to winter and the wild boar would not be foraging far and wide.  It was a good time to hunt as the young pigs would have left the sow and would still be succulent. The honour went to the one who killed a large, older boar but the younger ones had the better meat.

We heard the horn and the hounds barking.  We all knew that mean they had the scent of the boar in their nostrils.  Without being told my two squires strung their bows and held two arrows next to it.  We had learned it meant they could release faster and with a wild boar hurtling towards you then speed was of the essence. The horse I rode was still the palfrey we had been loaned in Caen.  He was not a good horse.  He was neither swift nor responsive. I suspect he was getting towards the end of his life.

The sound of the hounds grew closer and I readied my spear in the overhand position. I would not be the first to strike for the King and the Earl were forty paces ahead of me. I saw the King stand in his stirrups and shout something. I could not make out the words.  Then he and the Earl hurtled forward.  I spurred my weary beast after them.  I arrived in time to see them both plunge their spears into an old sow. They leapt from their horses, which their retainers grabbed and went, with their swords, to finish off the dying beast.

Now that my horse was up to speed he was hard to slow down.  Suddenly the mate of the sow charged towards the King and the Earl from the undergrowth close by.  As luck or fate would have it my path took me closest to the beast.  As the King and the Earl turned to face the fierce tusks of the angry boar I stood in my saddle and threw my boar spear at the neck of the animal.  It was a reaction throw and it was not well aimed. It was not a killing strike and it just buried itself deep in the animal's shoulder. A wild animal always reacts to the nearest threat and that was me and my horse. He whipped his wicked head around and ripped his tusks into the belly of my horse.  My palfrey reared and screamed in pain as he was eviscerated. I had the presence of mind to kick my feet free from the stirrups so that I rolled away.

As I lay winded I saw the tusker turn, having torn his head free from my horse's guts, to charge towards me.  Two arrows from my squires hit his flank and that allowed me to regain my feet and draw my sword.  As two more arrows struck the animal I prepared myself.  I would have one strike and one strike only. I waited until the last minute and then stepped aside, swinging my sword at the back of the boar's neck.  He was wounded but he was wily and he turned too.  I felt the edge of my blade sinking into his neck. I has used two hands and the blow was mortal but the boar, even in its dying throes still tried to turn and gore me.  Its tusk caught my leg and the weight of its falling body made me fall.  It saved my life.  Even as I fell first one and then a second crossbow bolt zipped over my head to thud into a tree behind me.

Leofric and John whipped their heads around to see the assassin. There were many to choose.  At least eight retainers had their crossbows in their hands.  As I rose, slowly, to my feet I saw that two of Stephen of Blois' men were hurriedly reloading.  I knew who the assassins were.  It would be hard to prove but I knew.

The King and the Earl ran over. "Baron! We owe you our lives."

"Are you hurt?" The Earl pointed to my leg which had been scored by the tusk of the boar.

"It is nothing. My horse saved me from worse." I went to my horse which was dying. I took my sword and slit his throat.  He did not deserve more pain.

The King came and embraced me.  "We have even more reason to honour you, Baron." He turned to his retainers. "We have enough now.  Take these beasts back to the castle and find a horse for the Baron."

"It is fine your majesty.  It is not far to walk."

"Are you certain?"

"I am.  I will have my squires for company and the walk will stop the wound from stiffening.  This is not my first wound."

The animals were quickly trussed and taken leaving us alone in the woods.  I went to the tree and took the bolts from the trunk.  It took some effort to withdraw them.  I put them in my tunic. "Did you see who loosed the bolts?"

Leofric said, "I thought it was the men of Stephen of Blois but I could not be certain."

"You are right and they will now try to finish their work." They both looked around.  "They will lay an ambush for me which is why I spurned the offer of a horse.  I would rather end this threat today.  Stephen of Blois will not have time to hire more assassins before we leave for home. I do not want an ambush on the road to Caen. Your skills as falconers are now needed.  I want you to the left and right of me; about forty paces before me.  Move silently and I will pretend I know not how to move through the forest.  I will make enough noise to flush them out."

"That is a risk, my lord."

"It would be Leofric if I had any but you two.  When you see them then strike true! I need no prisoners!"

I let them hurry on and then I blundered and limped through the forest. I had been trained by Wulfstan to be silent and it took an effort to make noise.  I limped although I was not in pain. The cut had stopped bleeding and caused me no discomfort. I wanted the killers to think I was wounded worse than I actually was.

I now knew how the animals we hunted felt.  I was the prey and I knew that I was being stalked.  I was relying on two young squires and my life was in their hands. I could have taken up the King on his offer of a horse but I had known that would have allowed Stephen to ambush us on the road to Caen. This way I would decide where the ambush would be; here in the forest.

I became aware that the birds ahead had stopped singing.  Suddenly two huge wood pigeons took flight. I dropped to one knee and a crossbow bolt thudded into the tree next to me. I drew my sword and ran towards the crossbow man.  I could not see him but I had seen the flight of the bolt. He would be rapidly reloading his weapon. To my right I heard a scream.  I put it from my mind.  I also ignored the noises I could hear from my left.  My squires were there and this enemy I faced was ahead of me.

I saw him. He was dressed in green which made him harder to see and he dropped his crossbow as he saw my approach. He began to draw his sword. I held mine in two hands and just behind my body.  As I ran up to him I began to swing.  His sword was slow to release from its scabbard and he barely made it.  My blade clanged into his so hard that sparks flew and his one hand was not as strong as my two.  The edge of my sword scored his leg. I did not give him the chance to escape.  I whirled around and brought my sword into his right side, beneath his sword. Such was the force that my blade, striking his side, was only stopped by his spine.  His lifeless body crumpled at my feet. I went back to the tree and took out the bolt. It had the same markings as the other two.

Leofric and John materialized at my side.  "I am sorry Baron.  I saw one warrior and went after him."

"As did I.  We were over confident lord and took too long to kill them.  You nearly died."

"But I did not Leofric and all is well.  Go and search the bodies and I will search this one."

I found the man's purse.  In it were four large silver coins and a golden one.  It bore the mark of Blois. Around his neck he had his good luck charm.  It was a crudely made hawk.  It had not done him much good and I took it.  I had a purpose for that. His weapons were poor and I left them.

My two squires returned and showed me the coins they had collected. They too bore the mark of Blois.  I gave them my coins.  "Here, a reward from the dead. Now let us get back before we are missed."

It took longer to get back than I had anticipated.  My wound began to ache and I could not move as fast as I would have liked.  As we approached the castle I saw a party heading out to meet us.  It was Robert of Gloucester with some of the foresters.

He reined in, "We were worried when you did not return."

"My leg slowed me a little."

"Did you see any others while you were returning?  My Lord Blois is missing two men."

"We did not see
two
men, my lord." I hated lying and I did not have to.  For some reason Stephen of Blois had told the Earl his own lie.

Something in my voice must have alerted the Earl for he said to the foresters.  "You may return to the castle.  I will walk with the Baron." When they had gone he asked, "Where are they?"

"The three of them lie dead in the forest.  They tried to ambush us."

"Are you certain?" I nodded, "There were three of them?"

I took out the bolts I had collected.  Two of these were aimed at me when I killed the boar.  The other when we returned. Had my squires not been such good archers then my body would lie there instead of the assassins."

"Did you know them?"

"My lord you and I both know that it was Stephen of Blois who put them up to this.  He has tried before."

He nodded, "Yet my father will hear nothing of this.  He needs the brothers to be a buffer against France and he trusts them. You can not mention this to him. It will cause trouble."

"He may trust them but I know that Stephen of Blois wishes to be king and to do so he has to stop the Empress from attaining the throne.  I am her protector.  We both know that.  So long as I live the Empress is safe."

"Then I pray you live longer. Will you say anything?"

"No but I will let your cousin know that he has failed. I would return tomorrow to Caen and thence home.  Will you help me persuade your father to allow me to travel?"

"Of course.  It is the least I can do."

I made a visit to the priests and healers.  My leg was bound and they took the opportunity of examining my side.  The honey had worked but they cleaned it up for me.  I gave them a coin for the poor for their trouble. I visited the King before the feast.  The Earl of Gloucester was there already.  The King greeted me warmly.  "Here he is the mighty slayer of boars! You have another skill. Is there no end to your talents?"

"I was in the right place at the right time, my liege."

"You are too modest.  I look forward to hearing your tales from the east."

"Sire, I would return tomorrow to Caen and thence to home."

"My son told me you would make such a request. Is our company so abhorrent that you wish to flee?"

"No, my liege but I have been away from my home more than I have been there lately. My men on the Tees are good warriors but you appointed me Baron of the North for a purpose did you not?"

"You are right.  I am being selfish.  I enjoy your company." He held his hand out and the Earl handed him a ring. "I had this made for you while you were away.  It is a seal to go with your new title.  You are now the Earl of Cleveland."

I bowed and stuttered my thanks, "I am honoured, my liege." Then, as I opened my hand I saw that the seal was a rampant wolf.  How could this be?

The King saw my look and smiled, "I know that it is not your sign but you have all the attributes of a wolf. We are the lions but you are the wolf. You keep the other wolves from our doors." He handed me a document.  "Here is the letter for the Castellan at the Tower. Your family have enjoyed my hospitality long enough."

"Thank you."

As I left the Earl came with me. "I knew of this before but I dared not mention it for my father enjoys his surprises. However I can give you a warning. Cleveland is the land south of the river. That is subject to the see of York however your lands, Stockton, are subject to the Palatinate of Durham."

"As I know."

"However what you may not know is that, as a result of your treaty, my father can ignore the Pope. It was the Pope who appointed Bishop Ranulf. The next Bishop will be appointed by my father."

"I understand." The King was being generous but I now had three masters: the King, an Archbishop and a Bishop. My life would become more interesting.

My new title was confirmed at the feast and, generally I was applauded for my title. The last one to congratulate me was Stephen of Blois. The smile was not in his eyes and his hand, as I took it, was like a cold and lifeless fish.