The Fallen Crown (22 page)

Günter shouted, " Stand back!" He took a run and hurled himself bodily at the door.  He was a squat, solid man and the door burst open.  His speed took him inside the tower.  I followed for I knew he would not be able to use his long sword within the confined space. He was lying on the floor, somewhat stunned.  I saw Angus of Fife raise his sword to end his life.  As he did so I rammed the short sword under his raised arm.  It came out the other side and was torn from my grip. Looking like Christ on the cross he fell to the ground and I drew my sword.

I used my shield to barge others out of the way and I ran to the stairs. As I did I held my sword before me. I was lucky, there was no one on them.  I ran down.  As I turned a corner I saw that Gilles was with me. When we reached the bottom there were five surprised men guarding the mechanism which lowered the bridge over the ditch. Their surprise worked in our favour.  Gilles bravely ran to my right to protect that side.  I brought my sword in a long sweep, backhand across my body.  An axe and a sword cracked into my already weakened shield.  I saw splinters fly. My sword smashed into the coif of a man at arms.  I must have broken something for he fell.  I punched with my shield at the two men who had attacked me.  One fell, stunned but the shield broke in to pieces.  I took the mace from my belt and used that to block the blow from the sword.  Before he could recover I had pinned him to the wall with my sword.

Wulfric and Leopold had joined me.  "Gilles, get the gate open."

As he did so I slashed one of the ropes which held the bridge.  Günter, looking a little unsteady joined us and his sword took the other.  There was a crash as the bridge slammed down and then Gilles had the gate open.  Sir Philip and my archers hurled themselves across the bridge.  With swords in hand they raced into the outer bailey. We had not yet won but it was a matter of time only.

By dawn the last of the garrison was either dead or had run through the east gate and fled.  We had the New Castle. We had lost men.  Sir William had lost his right hand.  He would never wield a sword again.  Father Thomas saved his life but it was a high price to pay for the victory.  We had lost many men at arms and all of my knights had a wound to remember the battle by. We spent the next day seeing to the wounded and collecting weapons, mail and treasure.

We ate a frugal meal in the hall.  Tristan had to feed his father.  He smiled as he did so. "Time was, father, you would have fed me as I do with my young son.  I never thought to be feeding you!"

"Do not get used to it.  I shall have my smith make me a hook.  I shall feed myself before too long."

My men were resilient. I spoke to them all at the end of the meal.  "Tomorrow I will leave for Stockton.  It is a week until the coronation.   Wulfric, I leave you in command of this castle. Keep a good garrison.  The rest can return home.  Sir Edward and Sir Harold, you will accompany me to London for the coronation.  I will take Edgar and Wilfred along with my squires. That should be enough.  Sir John you will return and hold Stockton for me until I return. The rest of you must be vigilant. Prince Henry may return to try to retake his castle. Sir Wulfric do not try to hold the castle against odds which are too great.  It is not worth it.  After the coronation we will bring an army north and conquer what was once ours."

We travelled light, when we left before dawn. We headed across the bridge and south down the little used greenway. It had been a busy thoroughfare until the Scots had taken Durham.  Now there was no need for it.  There was no trade. I was lost in my thoughts as we headed towards my river. We had done well; we had done better than I could have possibly have hoped. Prince Henry had been dealt a body blow; Sir Hugh had been avenged and we now had a toe hold north of the Tyne.  Once peace came again to the south then we could do as I had promised and retake England. I had no doubt that Stephen's wife and her mercenary, William of Ypres, would fight a little while longer but so long as we held the figurehead in Bristol Castle she could do little to change events. The key had been the battle of Lincoln. In one stroke we had captured the King and ended the war.

As we approached my castle I saw the masts of my ship in the river.  William of Kingston had done as I had asked. Before I had left we had packed chests with our fine clothes.  Normally such things would not be a consideration but I was going to see my Empress crowned.  It deserved the best of my clothes. As I changed out of my bloodied surcoat and into better one Gilles asked, "Do you want me to fetch your spare shield, my lord?"

"No Gilles.  We will not be fighting.  We will comb our hair and beards and we will smell of flowers for the women.  We go to a church and we go to see a sovereign anointed."

We hurried down to the quay for I was anxious to catch the evening tide.  Moments were now precious. Alice looked like a proud mother as Richard and Gilles, dressed in newly tailored surcoats, boarded
'Adela'
.  The two of them were as close to her own children as she would ever get. As the sun glinted from the west it seemed to bathe my castle in a golden glow.  Its towers made it look like a crown and I saw the reflection in the river.  It was a sign.  The crown would soon be on the head of the Empress.

William of Kingston was a good sailor and we made good time.  In his hold he had a cargo for Anjou. None of it was perishable but trade went on and helped us to prosper. "When I have offloaded on the Maine, lord, shall I return to London for you?"

"No, William.  I have brought gold.  We will buy horses.  I have a mind to visit my new manor at
Liedeberge.  I would see how Sir William fares. Besides I may be needed by the Earl if Queen Matilda does not accept that the Empress has replaced her. You return to Stockton.  I am certain that John will be eager to receive the goods you bring."

I was surprised, as we approached the Tower, that there was not more evidence of the coronation.  We had made London with two days to spare and yet I saw no fields filled with tents nor markets taking advantage of the crowds who would attend it. We tied up at the quay next to the William's White Tower.  The tide was on the turn and as soon as he had offloaded my captain set sail and headed towards the sea.

I noticed that the Empress' standard flew from the Tower along with that of De Mandeville. "Edgar and Wilfred, stay here with the squires. Watch our chests and we will see where we are to stay."

I did not recognise the guards at the gate to the inner ward but they recognised me. "My lord, we expected you days ago.  The Empress was most concerned."

"Where is she?"

"She has gone with her ladies and her guards to the Abbey to discuss arrangements for the impending coronation with the Archbishop.  The constable is within."

As we entered  I saw that the guards were on high alert. Had my livery not been so well known  I am not certain we would have been admitted. I had not met the Earl of Essex before but knew that he must be a powerful man if he was given the Tower to guard. The last time I had been here was in the reign of King Henry.  He had appointed his most loyal knight to the post. I was admitted, along with my knights, into his chambers.

He gave me a thin smile.  He might be an ally of the Empress but that did not mean that he liked me.  I had captured his cousin and been an enemy for many years.  "The Empress has been fretting about your arrival, lord.  She will be pleased you are here."

I nodded, "I had expected more excitement in the city.  Where are the merchants who would make money from such events?"

"Queen Matilda and William of Ypres are just south of the city.  London is nervous. They have never looked favourably on the Empress.  Stephen ensured their loyalty."

I nodded, "He did not tax them as heavily as he might."

"Quite.  Still now that you are here we have the greatest champion in the land.  It may sway the people."

"They should not need swaying.  The Empress has the right."

"The ordinary folk do not see it that way." He waved over a servant.  "Have the Earl's chests brought here." He pointed to a narrow corridor which I knew led to stairs.  "The Empress has the floor above.  There are rooms for you and your people there."

"Have you horses?"

"Of course."

"Then with your permission we will saddle them and ride to the Empress.  She should have an escort worthy of her position."

"As you wish.  The stables are in the outer ward."

My  men and chests arrived and after putting them in our rooms they followed me. As we made our way to the stables, I regretted not bringing my helmet.  I had thought this would be a peaceful task.   It seemed not. As we headed to the stables Sir Harold asked, "What is amiss, lord?"

"If this was war I would know.  It is a feeling that there are enemies waiting in ambush but this is peace and we have a coronation to attend.  I know not what the feeling is but it is always better to do something rather than sit and wait.  Besides a ride through the streets of the city will give us the mood of the people."

The horses were palfreys but would suit our purpose. Mailed knights and squires were not a common sight in London and, as we headed west, we were stared at.  My livery was recognised.  Most people just gave us a wary stare but as we headed through the narrow and to my mind, rather smelly streets I was accosted by a one armed man.  I could see that he was an old soldier. "My lord, it is me, Ralph of Selby!" In case I had forgotten him had added, "I fought alongside you in the wars against the Welsh with Earl Robert!"

I halted and dismounted.  I did remember him. He had been a fine man at arms and had been unlucky to have his horse fall upon him.  His arm had to be removed to save his life. "Of course I remember you." I saw immediately that his clothes were thin and threadbare. A pile of rags showed that this might be his bed too.  I was ever honest, even with my men.  "You have fallen on hard times."

"There is little work for a one armed man."

"Why did you not return to the north? Had you come to my castle we would have found work for you.  We have one armed swineherds and shepherds.  There are many things you could do."

"I would have, lord, but each report we had was that you were beset by the Scots. Life is hard enough here in London but in the north I did not think I would survive."

I took out ten silver coins.  "Here.  Take care of these for I am sure that there are thieves around.  I implore you to take the journey north.  Life is not as bad as you might think there."

He took the money gratefully, "And a word of warning, my lord. Watch yourself.  I have seen men in the streets who are supporters of the King.  You were ever the Empress' man.  Beware."

I was not certain I would ever see him again but I was glad that I had met him.  The coins had been well spent. I spent the next part of the journey looking out for signs of danger. Before we left through the Ludgate I had seen many groups of roughly armed men.  Most had the look of soldiers who were not wearing mail. More than anything it was the looks they gave us as we passed which raised my suspicions.  Ralph was right. There were enemies within London's walls. I turned to Sir Edward.  "I like not these men we have seen.  It is as though there is an army hiding in plain view."

"You are right, lord.  I recognised some of them or at least they were familiar from years gone by.  They are men at arms."

Sir Harold said, "If I had not known better, lord, I would have said they were outlaws. They have the leather jerkins and the long dagger that can be used to skin."

"Or cut a throat," added Edgar. My men were worldly wise.

We headed down the river towards the Abbey.  I spied the Empress, Judith, Margaret and the four men at arms with her heading east. It was too small an escort.

"I want a ring of us around the ladies and keep your hands close to your swords."

"Surely they would not risk anything here, my lord!"

"I know not, Gilles.  Let us treat it as though we are at war and look for enemies."

The Empress' face lit up when she saw me.  She turned to Margaret, "Now the sky will be blue and the world a better place.  My champion is here."

I reined in next to her.  There were few people about but I wanted my words to be private. "I fear for your safety, my lady.  There are too many armed men in London City."

She nodded, "When I rode through I felt the danger. Surely I am safe now?"

"I hope so." I turned to the four men at arms. "My men will watch the front and the sides.  You four watch our rear.  There may be danger!"

"Aye, my lord." The four looked handy enough; time would tell.

The four of them looked to be well equipped and mounted but I had not fought with them.  You did not know a man's worth until you had seen him in battle. I took the Empress' reins and pulled her horse next to me.  Sir Edward and Sir Harold did the same with Judith and Margaret. With Edgar on one side and Wilfred on the other the four squires led us back towards the Ludgate.

Although we were admitted back into the city there was not the warm welcome I would have expected.  This was not what I had foreseen on my journey south..  I could see that I had frightened the Empress.  She needed to be calm. "We have recaptured the New Castle, my lady, and lost few men.  When the time allows we can take back the rest of your father's kingdom."

"Thank you, Alfraed." She reached over to pat my hand which held her reins still."I had hoped my brother might come but he is busy in the west."

That worried me but I said nothing.  If the Earl had brought his army closer to London then Queen Matilda could not threaten the Empress.  Was it an accident or something more sinister? As we approached the Billings' Gate I saw that the mob of soldiers, who had lounged there, had grown.  There were about twenty of them.  They crowded the narrow street and my squires were forced to move closer together. I did not like it and my hand went to my mace. Suddenly three of them stepped forward and one held the bridle of the Empress' horse.

"Have you got some coins for soldiers who are out of work now, lady?"

I caught Edgar and Wilfred's eyes and nodded as I said, "Take your hand from the lady's horse or lose it."

"My lord, you haven't got your army with you now.  This is my town.  We rule these streets.  You may be lord in the north but here, in civilisation, some of us are better than lords.  So I say again..."

He got no further for I had brought my mace across the side of his head.  It was not a killing blow but it rendered him unconscious.  He fell to the ground. Before his two companions could react Edgar and Wilfred had their swords at their throats.

"Now for what your friend said I could have him executed." I shrugged, "I still might.  All that you two have done is stand close to this piece of vermin and the rest have just watched. So you two need to think about your next actions carefully else my men will run you through and then I," I drew my sword and held it aloft, "will become angry and let my men loose on the rabble who bar our way." I smiled, "What say you?"

They looked at each other and one said, "We will withdraw, lord." They bent down to pick up their friend.

"Leave him where he lies we had been delayed long enough." I pointed my sword at the crowd of men.  "Move!" My squires and knights all drew their swords and the mob ran. When the street was clear I said, "Lead on Gilles." We rode over the unconscious body of the thug.  The horses were not dainty.  He would be black and blue when he woke.