Housecarl (7 page)

“Well we have had them
travelling through here for the past month.” She leaned over to
speak confidentially to Aethelward, “They do not like to pay
either.  I was glad to see the back of them.  At least
when the new king came through here he paid.”

“He was not with his army
then?”

“He travelled with his guards a
week before them.”

“Then it was a mighty host?”

“He must have emptied the lands
of Gwynedd.”

“Mighty indeed and timely
advice.  You are a gracious hostess and I will tell other
travellers of your hospitality.”

She reached over to pat the back
of his hand with a lascivious look in her eye and I suspected that
had I not been there then Aethelward would have had the company of
the widow’s bed that night.

When we met Ulf and Ridley I
wondered if we would be heading to Earl Harold but my uncle showed
that he knew me better than I knew myself and he explained why we
would not be following that particular course of action.

“There is little point in
returning to our lord with such scant information. What kind of
troops does he have? Who are their leaders?  What is their
state?”

“But uncle how do we find that
out?”

“Simple.  We visit their
camp and see them.”

I could not think of an answer
but it seemed most hazardous to me that we would risk all by
visiting the camp of our enemy. I did not see the wry smile Ulf
gave my uncle for, once again, my uncle was several moves ahead of
me on this particular chess board.

We eventually found the Welsh
army just across the Severn from Hereford. It was a mighty host
although I had not seen more than fifty men together before then
and perhaps my judgement was coloured. The army filled a number of
fields and seemed to be mainly archers but the warriors who were
armed with spear and shield looked formidable enough.  My
uncle led the two of us into the heart of the camp. I was
terrified.  I expected to be slaughtered at every juncture
although no-one showed us the slightest interest.  We were
just two would be warriors riding through the camp. 
Aethelward had donned his mail armour and carried his shield at his
side.  He told me to hang my axe from my pommel, wear my
helmet and sport my shield across my back. I suppose it all added
to the illusion that we were volunteers although I knew the moment
I opened my mouth they would know that I was English. What
terrified me the most was that he headed directly for the tent
which sported the flag of the Welsh dragon; he was taking us to
their king Gruffyd Ap Llewellyn.  I wondered if he had become
mad during our journey through Wales.

When we reached the tent we were
confronted by two axe men.  Both wore shining armour and had
high helmets topped with white feathers.  The swords and axes
at their side left me in no doubt that these were two of the King’s
bodyguard. Aethelward nodded for me to dismount which I did with
some difficulty for my knees were shaking uncontrollably. My uncle
seemed totally at ease and said to the guard, “Tell the king that
Aethelward the Saxon is here.”

This was it, I thought.  I
would end my life killed in the camp of the Welsh army. I had
killed a bandit but that would be the extent of my feats for these
two guards before us could destroy me in an instant. Aethelward
smiled down at me as though to reassure me but I still thought him
mad. If I could have done so I would have fled from the camp but I
knew that my body would have been plucked from my saddle by many
arrows.

The guard returned and nodded to
my uncle who waited. The flap of the tent opened and there stood
the king.  I assumed he was the king because he wore a small
crown but he could have been anyone.  His armour was scale
armour and shone like burnished gold. He looked sternly at me and
then at Aethelward and then, suddenly his face burst into a grin
and he embraced my uncle. I was astounded. “Aethelward! What in
God’s name brings you here?”

He gave a small bow and said,”
Your majesty, my nephew and I were at the shrine of Saint Asaph and
we heard you were in the south of the country. My nephew said he
had never met a king.  As you are the only king I know I
thought we could journey here on our way south.”

It was then that I knew how
clever my uncle was.  He had used the little truth we had in
our story and used it to provide a plausible excuse for our
presence. I followed and bowed my head.

“And your nephew’s name?”

“Aelfraed.”

“Well Aelfraed.  Welcome to
my kingdom. Come, the two of you, join me in some wine and then I
can catch up with your life.” He noticed the limp and nodded. 
“I can see that it has been eventful, come.”

I was too stunned to even think
about speaking and I sat there as the two men reminisced. It turned
out that my uncle had fought as a mercenary against Earl Leofric of
Mercia for Gruffyd and earned the respect of the king. The men were
of an age and it explained why my uncle had been chosen for this
task.

Later as the evening drew darker
and the alcohol flowed freer the King began to ask questions of
Aethelward that would have worried me had I been the one being
questioned.

“So old friend, what do you do
now?”

“Now? I escort my nephew back
home.”

“Ah and is home the court of
King Edward?”

I suddenly realised that this
was warrior speaking to warrior and Aethelward could not in all
honour lie. “Our home is now in Northumbria at Medelai.”

“Ah.  Not the court of Earl
Harold, your friend.”

“I have many friends your
majesty.  That is what comes of fighting for so long but as
you can see,” he tapped his leg, “I fight no more.”

The King seemed relieved. He
turned to me, “And Aelfraed, I see that you have trained; would you
be a warrior and stand in the shield wall as your uncle did?”

“I would your majesty.”

“Would you stand in my shield
wall?”

This was a trick question and
had I had more alcohol I might have answered with a lie but I saw
the quick flick of my uncle’s eyes and deflected the
question.  “Your majesty would not want an untried youth in
his ranks.  When I have trained as a warrior then you can ask
me again.”

“I will, young Saxon, for you
have a look about you which reminds me of your uncle when he was
about your age.  He is a famous warrior, the Varangian Guard
who fought against the Mercians and helped this Prince of Wales
gain his kingdom.”

As we drank into the night I
noticed a sulky looking warrior in the corner. As my uncle was
busily pumping the king for information I wandered around the tent
trying to find out who he was.  Eventually I discovered that
he was Cynan ap Ap Iago; the son of a king whom Gruffyd had killed
to attain his kingdom. As Iago had been but four when the tragedy
occurred he had been brought up by the king as a young noble of the
court.  There was something about him which disturbed me for
he seemed to be staring at my uncle.  I took him to be a
little older than I was but he had not filled out his body and
looked, to my eyes, a little weak.  Perhaps I had been used to
facing Ridley and that coloured my judgement but I found myself now
weighing up warriors as potential opponents.  My one victory
had been so slender that I was determined not to lose the next time
I fought. I managed to position myself in the shadows behind Cynan
and his small coterie. They were speaking Welsh but some words did
make senses to me especially when I heard Iago almost spit out my
uncle’s name. When they all left I returned to my uncle’s side
wondering what this Cynan had against my uncle.

The next morning it seemed that
everyone except me was suffering from the celebration the previous
night.  My uncle’s tales had amused everyone except for the
sulky Cynan it seemed and the king was reluctant to let us leave.
“Stay Aethelward and be my adviser.  You were the cleverest
warrior I ever knew and you could aid us.”

Aethelward then showed me his
true nobility for he faced the king and clasped his hands. “I could
not do so majesty for you will be fighting my people, the
English.  I know that you are now allied to Aedgar of Mercia
and, having fought his father, I could not be an ally to his
son.”

The king nodded, “Many men would
not accept that answer but I know that you are honourable and I
would not wish you to fight against your own people.” His face
became colder and his voice harsher as he added,” Leave my kingdom
in safety but, Aethelward the Saxon, if you return, I will view you
and your nephew as enemies. Last night was for remembrance; the
future begins today and I will embrace you as a comrade and say
goodbye.”

The two men embraced and I
sensed a sadness felt by both men for the times they had shared and
the deeds they had done. “Aelfraed, I believe you will be a fine
warrior and I hope never to face you in war but if I do then all of
the last day will be forgotten.”

“I understand your majesty and I
thank you and your people for their hospitality.”

With that we rode east towards
England. We kept to the rough road which headed east.  I knew
that Ulf and Ridley were waiting for us in the woods above the
track way and was surprised when we did not ride up to them. I was
even more surprised when we stopped and Aethelward dismounted to
examine his mount’s hooves. I had been following and seen nothing
untoward but I had learned to trust my uncle and his decisions. As
he knelt down he spoke to me. “I cannot see them but I believe we
are being followed.”

“That is why you did not head up
to Ulf.”

“Aye.  We will continue
along here but keep your ears open.”

As we trotted eastwards I felt I
ought to tell him about the young man and his friends. “There was a
group of men who did not sound like they liked you last night.”

Aethelward laughed.  “That
is not surprising as I am English and the Welsh have no love for
us.”

“No this one was a young man and
he seemed to glare at you all night.  I heard some of their
words but they were in Welsh.”

“Do you have a name?”

“I think the young man was
something Ap Iago.”

“Ah that makes sense then, I
fought against his father and helped take his kingdom for
Gruffyd.”

I somehow felt relieved that I
had not been imagining the event but then I became worried. 
If this Ap Iago did wish harm to come to my uncle then it would not
be as bandits for his companions were well armed warriors. I
suddenly realised the danger we were in for the king had made it
obvious that, once we left his court then we would be fair game. I
kept glancing over my shoulder until Aethelward snorted, “ You will
only give yourself a stiff neck doing that.  Listen for the
sound of hooves.  This is why we are on the road and not in
the woods.  It will be easier for us to hear them this
way.”

I was quite surprised when I
heard the bush talking to my uncle until I discovered that it was
the voice of Ulf. My uncle did not stop, he merely slowed a
little.

“You are being followed.”

“I know.  How many?”

“Ten of them.”

“That makes it difficult. Is
there anywhere ahead which we can use?”

“Aye there is a turn and the
road drops a little it will be slow going for horses.”

“Good then we turn and face them
there.  Let them pass us and then take them in the rear. Use
Ridley and his bow it will disguise our numbers.”

Ulf spat out, “Will you be
teaching your grandmother to suck eggs yet?”

Then there was silence.  I
had not even seen the huge man and wondered at how he had hidden
himself.  I had little time to speculate for Aethelward placed
his helmet on his head and said to me, “Arm up nephew for today you
will have to face warriors. Use your sword for we have had no time
to teach you to use the axe and these warriors will be
skilful.”

“Could we not out run them?”

“We could but we would have to
face them again.  At least this way we know where they
are.”

“But they outnumber us.”

“You will find nephew that
numbers are not always the deciding factor.  We have surprise
on our side for they know not of Ulf and Ridley. That may yet turn
the tide.  But whatever happens we must get our news through
to the king.”

“What did we discover? I thought
he was subduing his own people.”

“That is the illusion but he
intends to attack with the Mercians now his allies and his left
flank well protected.  He will pour into the heartland of
Wessex when his men are all gathered.”

The turn and the drop seemed to
come remarkable quickly.  With surprising speed my uncle
dismounted and led his horse to a tree where he was tethered. 
I did the same and then took my shield and stood to stand side by
side with Aethelward. I suddenly regretted the lack of symbol or
sign on my shield.  How would they know who they were
fighting?  I resolved to paint something on it should we
survive the day although with odds of greater than two to one I was
not confident that we would emerge unscathed.

The silence seemed unbearable.
“Why did we not remain mounted?”

“We fight better on foot. 
We are not the Normans who are well trained on the backs of
horses.  We need space to swing and the firm earth beneath our
feet. If they try to attack on their horses then go for the
mounts.” I looked in horror at my uncle and thought of my own
mount. “If the horse is hurt then so will the warrior be.” I
noticed then that he had his spear poised to strike and felt
unprepared with my sword alone.  At least I had a sharp edge
upon it.  The battle with the bandits had shown me the need
for that.

The rumble of hooves warned us
that they were approaching and the first three men crested the
road.  They seemed surprised to see us.  I did not know
if we would parley but the first three men decided the action
themselves and they charged at us. Aethelward hissed, “Stand firm
and the horses will miss us.”