Outlaw (Aelfraed) (3 page)

The blue eyes were a little rheumy but they lit up at the mention of my name. “Aelfraed of Topcliffe! I am honoured to meet and serve you
  for all in Jorvik know that it was you and your bravery which saved our people at Fulford. How may I be of service?”

Aethelward nodded at me and I began to speak. “Sir, you know that we live in parlous times and when the Normans get around to visiting us in the north then who knows what will become of us.”

“True, true.  Wise for one so young.”

“I would have what little monies I have accrued to be safe and my uncle assures me that you have always looked after his money wisely and securely.
  I would you do the same for me.”

“Even if you were not the nephew of Lord Aethelward I would agree to serve you
  for I know from your deeds that you are honourable and I am touched that you would honour me so.” He looked at me shrewdly.  “Perhaps you would like this money to be available to you in places other than in England?” I smiled.  He was a clever man.  “I would not need to know where you were thinking of but you would need to inform me before you depart so that I could furnish you with the script which would unlock your money abroad.”

“As soon as I know, Reuben, then so shall you. I will return on the morrow with my money.”

He bowed slightly.  “I am pleased to be of service.” He beckoned to Aethelward to close with him. “I would not like to speak disparagingly of the Earls but I have heard rumours from my brethren in London that they are about to submit to Duke William.” He spread his arms and shrugged.  “Just a rumour, you understand.”

“Thank you Reuben for trusting us so.
  I will not forget this and should you or your family require my help then just ask.”

We made our way back to the Queen’s quarters where we were told that she had left for her brother’s home in Coventry. Aethelward feigned annoyance that he had missed her and we headed north out of the city.
  Once we had left the walls behind us we headed north west and when we reached the river we swam our horses across.  Although we were wet we knew that we had shaken off any followers and we could make better time to follow the Queen and her retinue as they headed up the Roman Road to my home. We spotted them ahead and Aethelward reined in his mount. “Now we trail slowly.  Remember our task is to make sure that no-one follows her.” We went at what I considered a snail’s pace but as my uncle told me, the Queen and her baggage would move very slowly. Suddenly we heard hooves behind us and Aethelward slipped from his mount quickly and began to examine the bottom of the horse’s shoe.

Four armed warriors rode up with a clergyman at the fore.
  I recognised him as one of the priests from the cathedral and the warriors, from their livery, were in the pay of the Archbishop.  I remembered how close the church had been with Tostig and did not trust them. When they rode up Aethelward made sure they could not pass his horse.

“Hello father.
  What brings you to this empty place?”

I could see that the churchman was not happy about meeting us nor was he happy with the questioning. “We have business at Ripon.”

“Ah, well as our paths will be the same for a while we will ride with you.” As he mounted he leaned in conspiratorially, “There are many Norse deserters and bandits on this road.  I am glad for your warriors.” I almost fell from my horse laughing.  The two of us could easily have disposed of these finely dressed but patently inexperienced men. I had to admire Aethelward.  He had made the churchman believe that they were helping us while slowing them down so that the Queen could reach Topcliffe unseen. Aethelward was normally a silent man but he chattered away like a village gossip as we headed north.  Although many of his questions and comments seemed inane I later found out that he was finding out about the Archbishop and the two Earls.  When we came to the fork in the road I cold see that they wished to carry on the Roman road north but they had said Ripon and that was to the west.  As Topcliffe was but a couple of miles up the road then I knew that the Queen’s destination would remain a mystery, at least for a short time.

We continued to ride slowly as we watched them disappear west.
  Uncle laughed, “I would bet your axe against a dagger that they will turn around as soon as they can and head back to Jorvik.”

“But why did they come north?”

“The Archbishop needs to know where the Queen  is.  She and the two princes are now a bargaining chip.  He can offer them to the Duke in return for retaining his power.  I daresay he sent men east, south and west to find her.  He will be perplexed when he discovers that she has disappeared without a trace.”

We waited at the road junction until it began to go dark and then headed for home.
  My back was aching although not as badly as a week ago.  I was on the mend. The hall looked as though someone had emptied a box of newly born chicks on to the floor for all the female servants and poor Thomas, flew around the yard trying to organise things.  Amidst it all, seated calmly by the fire was Ealdgyth. Sarah and Gytha both threw a pair of dirty looks at me as I smiled my way through them to the Queen.  “I appear to have caused something of a stir Aelfraed.”

“Do not worry majesty. I normally manage to upset those two.” She gestured for me to join her. “You were followed.”

“So. Did you see who it was?”

“Better.
  We spoke with them.  It was a priest and four guards sent by the Archbishop.”

Her eyes became angry.
  “I knew that reptile was up to something.  It seems that I have come to the right place but I hope that I am not inconveniencing you too much.”

“Do not worry for soon I will have to begin training my new men for war will come.”

She looked sad and nodded as my uncle joined us. “I know.”

“I am sorry to have to be the one to bring it up but what are your plans?”

She looked suddenly like a lost child and her eyes filled with tears. “I know not.  I must protect my children.  What if I submit to William? Do you think he would let us live?”

“You would still be a threat and besides there is always Edith and as long as Edgar has a chance at the throne then she will do all in her power to rid the world of your children and Aelfraed and Aelfraed’s unborn child. But Aelfraed is right. We need to build an army to resist any who try to harm you. I will leave in the morning to visit the local Thegns and gather support.
  I will not say that you are here but that we are raising local forces and then Aelfraed, I think that we need to visit north of the border and speak with Malcolm.”

“Can we trust him?”

“Not to take advantage of the state of England?  Of course not but if the question is can we trust him to protect the Queen and her children then the answer is yes.”

The Queen looked intrigued.
  “Why should he do that?”

“Because it will make you indebted to him and more importantly give him something to bargain with if he helped you regain your throne. The Scots always wish for the land south of the Tweed to be theirs.
  He would bargain for that.”

I was not certain about Malcolm but I trusted Aethelward and so did the Queen.
  My problem was I was too used to warriors and the warrior code.  Kings and politicians were not bound by such codes and looked after their own interests first. But I was learning. I went outside to speak with Aethelward. There were still worries about leaving my manor at this dangerous time. “Uncle, do I need to go?”

He looked at me strangely. “You do not wish to accompany me?”

“It is not that.  Of course I wish to accompany you but I worry about leaving the Queen and my wife alone when their lives are in danger.”

“Aah.
  I see. Firstly I believe that Osbert and Ridley could easily defend the Queen and your wife as effectively as you or I.  Secondly we will be gone but eight days at the most for the King is in the south of his land, close to Berwick but lastly and most importantly.” He suddenly looked old and sad.  “I am no longer a young man. I am approaching the age Nanna was when she died. I am the last of the Thingmen and the last of the warriors who fought for England as young men.  Only Sweyn was older and he, like Ulf, my oath brother, is dead.  I still have much to teach you and, just as necessary, I need to introduce you to others who can help you when I am gone.  Malcolm, I know.  He will remember me, but you he does not yet know.  I wish to show you to him for the dark days are coming and a storm is brewing.  We need somewhere safe for your chicks and that place is Scotland.”

I was shocked.
  Aethelward had always been there since I was a small child.  I had hoped he would be there for my son but, as I looked at him, I could see that his hair now had more white than black and that he was thinner and gaunter than he had been.  I had been so used to him that I had not seen him grow old. “Of course I will come with you and you are right Ridley and Osbert will be the guardians of my Manor.”

Grasping my shoulders he embraced me and, after mounting his horse, he rode to visit the other lords. “Branton!”

My faithful archer came over. “Yes my lord?”

“Send your brother to me and then ride to Lord Ridley and ask him to visit.”

I was now resolved to head north but I knew that Gytha would not be happy at my departure. I was not a common soldier I was a lord, she would have been better off had I been a lowly Housecarl and I wondered at the wisdom of marrying her.  As soon as the thought came I laughed it out- wisdom has naught to do with the heart.

Osbert strode over he was, like my old friend Ridley, a rock upon which I could always depend. He had never let me down and had saved me on more than one occasion. I wondered why he did not seek service elsewhere for he could have named his price with a much more powerful lord than me.
  I was just grateful that he remained.  “Osbert, Lord Aethelward and I are leaving in the morning for Scotland.” He looked surprised. “Keep that news to yourself.  We are asking Lord Ridley to bring his men here to help you and the Queen’s guards to protect the two ladies.” I lowered my voice.  “Their lives are in danger for someone tried to poison the Queen in Jorvik.” A mixture of shock and anger filled his face. “I know that you wonder why we have to go to Scotland but I cannot tell you.  Believe me, it is necessary or I would not go.  I will just take Branton and four of his archers with me. You will need to keep scouts out to watch the roads.  No-one must know that the Queen is here.”

The good thing about Osbert was that once you had explained something to him you did not need to elaborate or
answer stupid questions.  Any questions he did ask were pertinent. “And the Normans my lord?”

“An excellent question.
  At the moment they are still in the south but there will come a time when they head north.  That is certain.  I will be back before then.  I cannot see him travelling over Yuletide. But when he does come we will have to fight.  Get as many men as you can but they must be trustworthy and they must be good.  We will spend any money we have to guarantee that.”

Ridley rode in and while Osbert went to deploy his scouts I asked Ridley to watch over my manor. “I know it is asking much of you old friend but I fear for the Queen’s life.”

“I am honoured that you trust me with such precious jewels.  I will return to Coxold and bring my men back.”

“Good for I have business in Jorvik and I may be able to gather intelligence.”

“Be careful Aelfraed.  There are daggers in men’s eyes now.”

“I will take Branton with me. I trust only those people who will be here in Topcliffe and Coxold.
  As for the rest….”

When I went to take my leave of Gytha she and the Queen were busy with the twins.
  I decided to leave before they had noticed I was not there. My money and valuables were in two saddlebags on my horse.  Strangely I was not afraid of bandits or robbers.  As the two of us rode quickly south I knew why.  When you have faced fearsome opponents in a shield wall then all else becomes mundane and almost harmless. “We will be leaving on the morrow for Scotland, Branton.  Pick four of your archers to accompany us.”

“Scotland, my lord? I have not been there since our old lord was killed.
  Is there peace between us now?”

“Lord Aethelward believes so but we shall see.
  We will only be travelling to Berwick and we will need to be swift for I do not want to leave the Lady Gytha alone too long.”

Jorvik, again, seemed sinister and threatening.
  There appeared to be few friendly faces and people had that hunted look I had seen before. When we reached Reuben’s home I left Branton on guard with the horses whilst I entered with the bags.

Rueben carefully counted all the money and valuables and wrote the quantities and values on a sheet of parchment. That in
itself was unusual for parchment was expensive.  He saw my expression and spreading his hands shrugged.  “The parchment is worth the expense for it prevents arguments at a later date.  Not that I think you would quibble my lord but it is my practice.”

“Do not apologise Reuben.
  I am just grateful for your security.”

When it had been tallied he asked almost apologetically, “Would you care to check my figures?”