Warlord of the North (18 page)

The next time that my captain, William, sailed for Anjou I would have him bring the ship to La Flèche.  The journey to Angers was too long. I was impatient to get home and as I headed down the road I wondered what problems lay in my land and what mischief the Scots had in mind. The
'Adela'
was heavily laden. When I reached Angers I could see that William was eager to leave.

"The horses have been a little restless lord.  They like not the ship."

"Fear not William, Gilles can speak to horses and as these are Norman he knows their own particular language."

I allowed him to concentrate as we negotiated our way through the busy river and headed downstream to the sea. Once we left the crowded river and struck the sea he was able to hand over the helm to Henri the Breton.  He knew the waters as well as any and I could hear, from their banter, that they worked well together.

"How is the ship, William of Kingston?  Does it match your expectations?"

"She sails well enough but when time allows I will balance her ballast a little better.  I can sail her closer to the wind."

I did not understand what he meant but it sounded good.  "And the crew?"

"Ah, they are a different matter. I cannot fault them.  They work well together and are good seaman. We have begun to train with war bows as you suggested."

"Good. And the Tees is it still in our hands?"

"Aye, lord.  It is quiet enough. There appears to be peace and your castle prospers. The wine you sent last time was much appreciated and the spices sold for a high price.  I bought some more on my own account." He gave me an apprehensive look, "You said that I might."

"Of course. And I shall want you to return immediately we dock.  Leofric will have more goods and, perhaps, men when next you dock.  I would have you try to sail up the Loir to La Flèche. The salt barges manage it and it will save you having to negotiate the Loire."

He tapped Henri on the shoulder, "Henri, the Loir, can the
'Adela'
navigate it?"

"Oh aye captain.  There is a good channel.  You mean La Flèche?" I nodded, "We can reach there.  I used to work the barges. It is easier to dock there too."

"Then I can do as you wish, Lord."

We were lucky with the weather.  August could sometimes bring brutal squalls from the south west.  The winds still blew from that direction but they were gentle.  We beat through the Channel and towards our home.  It was not a swift voyage.  We were heavily laden and the winds were not strong enough but it was a safe journey.  I put my mail on when we passed the mouth of the Humber. King Stephen might have declared a truce but I had made enough enemies over the years for one of his knights to, perhaps, decide to make a name for himself and capture the Earl of Stockton.

I viewed my river differently from my other journeys home.  Now I was sailing through land controlled by those who sought to defeat me. There were no castles and defences until you reached Stockton and I wondered how long it would be before someone decided to try to build on  the salt marches and sandy shores. Even As soon as the thought came into my head I dismissed it. Stockton was the only place upon which one could build a castle. So long as I held the castle then the river was mine. Had King Henry deduced that too?  Was that why he had made me Earl of such a strategic valley?

The fluttering wolf on my keep was a welcoming sight.  I had fought for others and now I would fight for myself. I now knew that it would be years before Normandy was conquered and the Empress able to think about England. Until then I was the only hope. I knew what I had to do.

The smiles and cheers when I stepped ashore were heart warming. This was not Normandy, this was England and I could never be attached to Normandy.  England was in my blood.  And so long as that blood coursed through my veins then I would fight for her.

I almost felt suffocated when I landed. I was pressed on all sides.  John my steward had a smile as wide as the River Tees and a bundle of documents in his hand.  Alice curtsied and smiled and asked how long I would be at home.  John, my castellan, was keen to know how Leofric was and Wulfric and Dick had the looks of men with much to say. I held up my hands, "Thank you for your welcome. John and Alice, there are spices and other goods on my ship which require carriage to my castle. There are horses whose unloading Gilles will supervise.  They need stables.  When that is done then I pray you come to my hall so that I may speak with you." They bowed, curtsied and hurried off. "You three come with me I know you have much to say."

"Aye lord, " John sounded almost worried.

Wulfric nudged Dick, "And that is why the Earl is such a good general, he knows how to avoid an ambush and beat a hasty retreat without losing face."

"You have never been married, Wulfric, it is a skill every married man learns!"

Once in the hall I sat on my chair. My legs were still a little unsteady after so many days at sea. John poured me some wine.  I drank deeply.  My Angevin manor produced good wine. "Now, pour yourselves some wine and then speak. Tell me the news which is bursting from you."

They both deferred to John. "My lord, the usurper has lost more of Wales.  One or two castles hold out but it is largely lost." I nodded, I had heard that.  "Balliol and De Brus are now in London.  They are reconciled with Stephen the Usurper and he gives them honours and titles.  It is said he is angry that you gave Barnard Castle to Sir Hugh."

"I shall not lose much sleep worrying about upsetting a usurper. However I do not like the fact that those two have benefitted from Stephen's favour. The next time they are in my sword length they shall die. And the Scots themselves?"

Dick shook his head, "I have had my men spying upon them. They see an opportunity to defeat you whilst not upsetting Stephen or breaking the peace."

That was more serious and a threat I would have to deal with. "Have they made any moves yet?"

"No, Earl. I have had patrols watching for the places they might cross into the valley. Sir Hugh has done the same. Sir Hugh Manningham also sent a man, Oswald, to tell you that he has heard of plans being made north of the border.  They are rumours which are like a will o' the wisp.  They are hard to put flesh upon."

Wulfric downed the last of his wine, "My fear, lord, is Durham.  The Bishop is a weak man.  I would not like them to come through our back door.  We have made the west a solid wall but the north..."

"Then we plan for an attack from there. Any more news?"

Wulfric stroked his beard, "I think there are spies operating close to the castle or the town.  If I am honest I think the town."

"What makes you say that?"

"We have found camps which we did not expect. There are fires which our people did not make. If we have spies close to Scotland then it stands to reason they have the same. We just cannot find them."

Dick nodded, "It was my hunters who spied them.  The problem is that there are many people who come to Stockton to trade and for work.  Some of the camps may well be honest travellers but..."

"But you do not think so?"

"No lord.  Travellers leave more signs and clues as to who they are.  All that we find are the burnt out remains of fires and footprints which are hard to read.  These are people who know how to hide their tracks.  That sounds like spies to Wulfric and me."

"And what have you done to find them?"

"It is difficult, lord, for we know not if we seek a man, a woman, a youth, a couple... it is not like Lavinia who sought work in the castle.  None have done that.  We can spot spies who are soldiers but...these may well be ordinary folk.  I am sorry lord, we should have done better."

I waved a hand, "I should have been here and now I will put my mind to that. Do you think that they have much to report?"

"Numbers of men, defences, that sort of thing. Where our archers patrol. They will be looking for a pattern and, perhaps, weakness."

"Then, Wulfric, let us change the numbers and the routes our men patrol. We are now on a war footing." They nodded. "On a more optimistic note I have brought treasure, horses and weapons from Normandy." I smiled, "We were successful."

"And how is William?"

"He has his own manor now and a conroi of his own.  He fought well.  He is a man now and reflects well the training he received from you Wulfric and you John."

"He was easy to train, lord.  He had natural ability like his father." I nodded my thanks.  From many men it would be empty flattery but Wulfric was always honest.  "And Rolf?"

"He is with his brothers in the otherworld."

"He died well, lord?"

"He won the battle for us and his oathsworn died protecting his body."

Wulfric nodded his approval, "As they should. I hope that I shall go the same way."

"Do not rush, will you, Wulfric?  I fear I shall need you by my side for many years."

"Aye I will, lord."

"And I have asked Leofric to find more men at arms for us.  With the cessation of hostilities in Normandy there should be men looking for a banner to follow.  Perhaps they will choose mine.  Brian will ensure that they are of the right standard." John refilled the goblets, "How goes the training of the archers?"

Dick shook his head, "Slowly, lord.  It is the strength we need to build up. Until they have muscle and can pull back the war bow it matters not how accurate they are.  It is a matter of strength but we progress, we have another ten archers.  Perhaps by Spring we may have another ten."

"I pray we have until Spring."

"Amen to that Lord."

"And my other knights how do they fare?"

"Sir Tristan and Sir Harold have improved their castles immeasurably."

I laughed, "In Harold's case that would not be hard! He only had a hall!"

"He now has a stone tower and a ditch. He has diverted the two streams to form a moat.  I think his new wife has made him worry a little more."

"Norton?"

"The people there are happy enough, lord and we visit each day. I have two riders go out each day to visit Norton, Hartburn and Elton. It is good training for them and they combine the ride with hunting.  We eat well."

"Let us not hunt too many of our own animals. Next week let us hunt in the woods close by Guisborough.  If De Brus is with Stephen of Blois then he will not need his own animals."

They left when Alice and John my steward arrived.  Both were more than happy with the coin and the supplies I had brought.  "And your ship, John, the one you and Ethelred are building; how goes it?"

"Not as fast as we had hoped lord but it will be ready by Spring."

"Until then I intend to send
'Adela'
to La Flèche every month.  William of Kingston is happy about that.  He will bring back wine, spices and men.  There will be plenty of room for your goods on board."

"Thank you my lord!"

I smiled, "And of course William will not charge you excessively!"

He shook his head ruefully, "You are learning from me, my lord."

"Alice I need women of the town to make surcoats for the men I have yet to hire.  I will pay them.  Could you organise that for me?"

"Of course, my lord."

"And now that Gilles is my squire he will need to have chambers in the hall.  John you must teach him to read and to write."

John did not look happy and Alice said, "Lord, I can read and write.  I would enjoy the task."

I think John was surprised by her offer.  I was not.  She had not been able to have children and the opportunity to be as a mother to Gilles was appealing.  "Thank you Alice, I would appreciate it."

I rode, the next day, to tell my knights of the news from Normandy.  I knew that it would bring them hope.  It brought the day that the Empress would come to England that much closer. I also told them of Rolf.  They all knew him and it saddened each of them. Edward was affected the most.  We had fought together and now there were just three knights of the Empress left. Edward was feeling his mortality.

When I went to visit I took Gilles and Aiden with me.  I had plans for Aiden. As we returned from visiting Norton I said, "Aiden I wish you to travel to Sir Hugh Manningham. But you must use the back roads and the secret roads.  I want none to know that you go on an errand for me."

"I will do that lord.  Is that why you brought me here with just you and Gilles?"

"It is. There are spies operating in my valley. Dick has found their camps.  You must have seen them too." He nodded. "Sir Hugh is still a friend and he may now know who conspires against me.  Is it Gospatric or is there another?  If I know the name of my enemy then I can do something about it."

Aiden nodded, "There is another way, lord.  Let me hunt them."

"When you return from your mission we will do that but it is the head which must be removed. While you are away I intend to sweep and scour my lands."

Gilled asked, "Why Sir Hugh in Hexham, lord?  Surely the west of your land is where the Scots are the most dangerous."

"They are but both Wulfric and Dick fear danger from the north and I am inclined to agree with them. The Roman Wall is the easiest place for an enemy to slip through.  Sir Hugh Manningham has fewer men now for he must watch the Tweed too.  If Baron Hexham has heard nothing I will send to Sir Hugh of Gainford."

"I will leave before dawn, lord.  It will take me some days to take the greenways and the backways."

"Just be safe."

I organised the hunt for the spies as soon as I got back. While Aiden was heading north I had every archer and every man at arms not on sentry duty riding through my woods and forests seeking out those who might be spies. When we returned at the end of the day I discovered that there was no sign of recent camps. John had fretted about the camps for he felt that he should have done something about them in my absence.

"If I had been more vigilant in your absence, lord, this would not have happened."

"When we look back, John, our eyes can see much further! It is in the past and it is gone. Let it go."

"But what do we do now, lord?"

"It has made our task easier."

All three looked at me in surprise. "Easier, lord?"

"Yes John.  If the spies is not in the woods then there is but one place left for them. Stockton. The camps were needed while they established themselves."

"Spies?  More than one?"

"The camps we found were occupied by more than one person. They will be in Stockton."

"But we have had many new incomers of late."

"These spies have to get their information back to their lord and master.  We look for someone who comes and goes.  They will be one of the spies. A spy who stays in Stockton is useless to his master."

It was a place to start but, before I ate I visited Alf. Taking him to one side I explained the news we had discovered. "Are you certain, lord?  All of those who have joined us seem to be the kind of people we would welcome."

"If you were a spy in a Scottish camp you would say good things about King David and you would insult me would you not? That is what makes them a spy. These people will appear to think as we do. Remember Lavinia."

"Aye lord." He rubbed his chin. "If you are right then there are but four people whom it could be. Ethelred has a new man who travels to Barnard Castle for him.  Ethelred has a number of women in Barnard town who spin wool for him.  The wool of the upland sheep is good. This is but a recent turn of events.  It has only begun since Sir Hugh of Gainford became lord of Barnard. Stephen of Coxhoe is his name. He appears to be a diligent worker and Ethelred is pleased with his honesty."

"He sounds likely. He could easily pass a message to another spy in Barnard.  We may not be the only place they have spawned. And the others?"

"Father Henry has a new servant. He travels once a week to York. The priests of Durham still send messages to York. Since we hold the ferry they only come south as far as Stockton."

"And his name?"

"Alan Squint Eye."

"He too is likely.  This may prove harder than I thought. The third?"

"Edgar son of Tom. He gathers wood for Harold the Fletcher. He travels far afield to seek the best shafts. Sometimes he is away for two or three days at a time.  He always brings back good wood but he could meet someone on our borders.  You could travel many miles in two or three days."

"And the fourth?"

"Robert of Whitby.  He is a fisherman. He plies his trade at the mouth of the river and beyond.  He is a popular man for he always catches bigger fish than the river fishermen."

"Surely he comes back with his catch each day?"

"Normally he does but sometimes he has to travel further out to where the fish congregate. He says the mouth of the Tees, whilst dangerous, is rich with fish. I have know him to be away for two or three days at a time but he always returns with a good catch."