by Chris Bishop
Relieved, I started to thank him.
‘Mind, I would have deducted it from what I owe you,’ he added.
I was not sure how to take that but then realised he was joking.
‘Matthew, what I owe you cannot be measured in silver or land. You above all others, save perhaps your dear brother and Lord Ethelnorth here, served me well in a time of great need. I promised to give you land in return for the treasure you donated to our cause and that will be honoured in full. Also, you shall inherit your family’s lands and, if the Witan so agrees, you shall become an Ealdorman and one of my most trusted counsellors, just as we discussed.’
I thanked him and promised to serve him well, but I could see that he was waiting for me to raise the question we both knew needed to be asked.
‘How are things with Emelda?’ I inquired as easily as I could. During my travels there had been times when I doubted my love and commitment to her, but I longed to at least see her again in the hope that my feelings would then become clear.
For a moment Alfred looked awkward. ‘She’s as well as might be expected,’ he managed. ‘But there are things you should know.’
‘Such as?’ I asked.
Alfred glanced at Lord Ethelnorth before he answered. ‘Matthew, she is with child,’ he said.
My heart soared when I heard that, but I could tell Alfred had yet more to say on the matter.
‘Fearing you lost, I sent her to a nunnery where she could be cared for. This was simply a way to spare her the questions and ill rumours I feared would follow once her condition became known. I knew that the wives of the men who were with us at Athelney would not take kindly to the thought that their husbands might have fathered a child with a woman they think of as a whore.’
‘But surely I’m as likely to be the child’s father as any?’
‘Perhaps,’ said Alfred. ‘But if you count back the months it’s quite possible that she conceived it before the time that you first lay with her. Therefore the child might be anyone’s.’
The news hit me hard. ‘That can’t be so,’ I said. ‘Besides, if I claim it as my own who will know any different?’
Alfred calmly acknowledged the point. ‘That’s true and you are free to raise another man’s bastard if you wish. But Matthew, think on this. You are now a wealthy and very important man in this realm. You carry the name of your forebears whom you’ve honoured by your service to me and by all the sacrifices you’ve made. Is all that to pass to what might turn out to be the son or daughter of a lesser man?’
‘It might even be the spawn of that treacherous bastard Cedric,’ added Ethelnorth. ‘He took her often enough.’
I could see what he was saying and called to mind how disappointed Werhard was to have adopted a son of whom he could be neither proud nor sure of. I knew also that if I told Alfred about all that had passed between Ingar and myself, it would count against me, but decided I had to mention it. ‘There is another issue here,’ I said choosing my words carefully. ‘It’s possible that I’ve sired another child with Ingar, the pagan healer who saved me. It was not of my own volition, you understand. She drugged me then took advantage of me to sire a daughter who she claims will become a great healer, having a father who has cheated death and a mother already known for her skills and knowledge of the old ways.’
Alfred looked shocked at first.
‘As I say, it was not of my own inclination,’ I insisted.
It was left to Lord Ethelnorth to lighten the mood. ‘I’ve lain with one or two pagan wenches myself,’ he said laughing. ‘Though I can’t say they made me do it – or even that they were all that willing at the time!’
Alfred ignored the quip, though I recalled that it was rumoured that in his younger days he’d also bedded wenches with an almost legendary zeal, something which was often blamed for the problems he suffered with his stomach, an illness said to have been inflicted as punishment for his misspent youth. ‘And are you to provide for this child?’ he asked.
I shook my head. ‘I offered but she would have none of it. She worships the Earth Mother who she claims will provide all she needs.’
Again Lord Ethelnorth laughed. ‘That’s until she learns who you are and where you stand within the realm. Or what you’re worth!’
‘She knows that already, for I told her,’ I admitted.
Alfred got up and moved across to stand by a small window. Meanwhile food was brought and placed on the table in front of me. I washed myself then, having said grace and waited for Alfred’s consent, began to eat hungrily.
‘This is a matter of some weight,’ said Alfred at last. ‘Two bastard children may one day dispute your estate and cause a rift that only blood will heal,’ he warned.
‘I’m still minded to wed Emelda,’ I said as if that should make a difference.
‘I fear that’s not now an option,’ said Alfred. ‘Besides, you must think of her and the child.’
‘But I am! I—’
Alfred shook his head. ‘No, you’re thinking of your duty and whatever pledge you’ve made to her. But consider this. She believes you killed so will not be surprised if she never hears from you again. She’s shed her tears and come to accept her fate and yours. I’ll make provision for the child on the basis that the father was one of those who stood with me at Athelney. She and the child will thus be well provided for.’
I thought for a moment then shook my head. ‘I can’t forsake her,’ I said. ‘I made no promise of marriage as we agreed but it was understood between us.’
‘Then you must honour whatever commitment you feel you’ve given. But why not just take her as your woman? Treat her as if she is your wife if you will, but don’t acknowledge the child as your own.’
What he suggested went against my creed though I was beginning to see that it did make sense.
‘Be strong enough to do this for the child’s sake, if nothing else,’ he continued. ‘If you acknowledge it, he or she will one day inherit your estate. Others may then step forward to claim the child as their own, demanding a share of its inheritance. Worse still, the child of this pagan witch may demand her rightful share as well. Either way your heritage will be one of envy, distrust and, as I’ve said, most likely blood.’
If I looked uncertain at that point it was because I knew that all Alfred had said was true. ‘Where is Emelda?’ I asked.
‘As I said I’ve sent her to a nunnery and, for your own sake and hers, I’ll not tell you where. But know she’s safe and well cared for. All there believe her to be a woman whose husband died fighting for his Lord, not a whore bearing the bastard child of a man she cannot name. It’s better for her that it remains thus, for that way she has honour and respect. If you would see her, wait until the child is born. Even then you must resolve to pretend you are a friend of her dead husband if only to preserve her reputation.’
‘This is wise counsel,’ suggested Ethelnorth. ‘Surely you owe her that?’
‘Aye,’ continued Alfred. ‘And I believe that when you see the child you’ll know in your heart whether or not it is of your blood.’
Reluctantly I agreed. ‘And what do I do until then?’ I asked.
‘Ah, now that’s a much easier thing for me to answer. Rest for a few days then come with me and Lord Ethelnorth to meet with Guthrum. After that there is much to be done and I’ll need men like you I can trust. Do you recall that when we spoke as we waited for Guthrum to surrender I mentioned forming an army that will fight for peace?’
‘Most certainly,’ I said. ‘And I would be part of that if you’ll have me.’
‘Of necessity, my plans have changed somewhat but the objectives remain the same. I now intend to fortify key settlements to protect us from attacks, just as I’m doing here at Winchester. From all that you’ve told me that is now of paramount importance, particularly in places close to the borders or the sea. What I have in mind is charging the Ealdormen to take full responsibility not only for training the fyrd but also for ensuring that the m
en within their Shire are properly armed. The fyrd will comprise men levied from all the settlements which desire its protection, all serving in rotation so that a force stands armed and ready at all times. Those on the coast will also have ships at their disposal to intercept the Vikings whilst still at sea, attacking them whilst the raiders are still weary from their journey and thus ill prepared to fight.’
‘I met with some ships which put to sea in pursuit of Torstein,’ I said. ‘It did them little good for both were turned back. One of them was actually set afire and sunk with all on board then either drowned or lost.’
Alfred smiled. ‘Thus far we’ve used just fishing and trading boats, or captured longships, but I’ve commissioned designs for specially built vessels, each manned by as many as sixty oars so they can strike hard and fast regardless of the wind.’
I acknowledged that it was a sound proposal. ‘But training is important,’ I stressed. ‘You must have men able to handle such craft. Likewise with the fyrd. The men need to know how to remain steadfast in the shield wall and how to fight. You recall how readily we trained all those who stood with us at Combwich?’
‘I’m sure most men know well enough how to handle themselves,’ said Alfred.
‘Perhaps Sire, but I saw one Ealdorman, Lord Sigbert, who left it to one of his thanes to fight his battles for him. The man he appointed was a fool who lacked any military skill and thereby led his men to almost certain defeat. Jarl Torstein beat him soundly even though hopelessly outnumbered.’
Ethelnorth nodded. ‘I fear there are others like that as well. What’s more, the raids are becoming commonplace again.’
‘So how will you pay for all that you now propose?’ I asked changing the subject slightly. ‘Surely the people have been taxed enough?’
Alfred grinned. ‘I won’t have to trouble them further on that account. Lord Guthrum has provided the means.’
‘But how?’
‘You’ll recall that when we retook Chippenham I demanded that all booty was to be returned to me?’
‘Yes. He seemed reluctant but had little choice at the time.’
Ethelnorth seemed to find that amusing. ‘It’s surprising how men seem not to worry so much about the value of what you take when you hold a sword to their throat!’
‘True,’ said Alfred. ‘And when it came to it we found the Vill was stacked full of loot and plunder. All taken from Saxon homes and Abbeys, but it would now be impossible to return it to its rightful owners, therefore I shall spend it on making my realm secure.’
‘Was there really so much plunder there?’ I asked incredulous.
It was Ethelnorth who answered. ‘More than you could count!’ he said. ‘There were chests brimming with jewels, silver and fine stones together with chalices and crosses of pure gold and goodness knows what else. Certainly enough to pay for a few extra helmets and spears.’
‘Like I said, I intend to provide much more than that,’ corrected Alfred. ‘But having bled our realm dry, Guthrum has acted more like a collector of taxes than an invader and in so doing, will help us to secure it. What it actually means is that I can proceed with my plans at once and without taking coin from the already empty purses of my people.’
Chapter Eighteen
The following day Alfred summoned both Ethelnorth and me to see him again. We waited patiently in the Great Hall whilst he dealt with various matters of state and where the noisy throng of those demanding his attention seemed to have grown even larger.
‘As you can see, much has changed whilst you’ve been away,’ mused Ethelnorth.
‘Indeed,’ I said. ‘I gather the realm is alive with new projects and proposals which is all to the good.’
‘Aye, but ships and fortifications take time to build so progress may be slower than Alfred would like.’
‘Then what of all these people?’ I asked, pointing towards the crowds of men who were clamouring for their King’s attention.
Ethelnorth managed a smile. ‘They are all greedy merchants and traders vying to sell him what they think he’ll need. For that they must speak with him in person because whilst Lord Alfred still consults the Witan, he’s no longer bound to have it endorse his every move. His reputation is such that he has a free hand in almost every way.’
‘Surely such power is a heavy burden for any man to carry alone?’
‘And for anyone but Lord Alfred, one which would be wide open to abuse,’ agreed Ethelnorth. ‘He always takes a fair hand in everything, but you wonder how much of the strain of it all he can manage and for how long. Like a tree laden with fruit, the bough is wont to bend and break if the wind against it blows too strong.’
‘So who will be there to pick up the pieces if he falls?’
‘Don’t worry, he’s all too well aware of how fragile all this becomes when left to him alone and is making provision for others who can oversee some matters – trusted Reeves to act as administrators and governors who will report to him direct. And of course there’s us.’
‘Are we so important?’
‘Of course! We’ve earned his trust and with so much in hand he needs men like us more than ever now. Not just to carry out his orders but to speak frankly when he goes too far or to point out any flaws in all the plans he’s been forced to construe so quickly.’
It was then that I heard a commotion at the entrance to the Great Hall where it seemed a man had foolishly tried to push his way past the guards. He had been detained readily enough and forced back against a wall at spear point.
‘Let him pass,’ I shouted when I recognised my old friend, Aelred.
Osric, who remained as chief of Alfred’s personal guard, intervened and escorted Aelred to where I waited.
‘Matthew, do you vouch for this wretch?’ asked Osric. ‘He claims he has urgent news for the King but is unknown to us and—’ He stopped at that, perhaps not wishing to imply that Aelred didn’t look to be the sort of man who would normally be admitted to the Great Hall and thereby into the Alfred’s presence.
‘This rogue is indeed known to me,’ I said, laughing as I embraced Aelred warmly then stood back and looked him over as if to check it was really him and not his ghost. ‘So tell me, how the hell did you survive the river?’ I asked.
‘I eventually made it to the Saxon shore though some distance from the settlement. It has taken me all this time to get here,’ he explained.
‘Well, I’m truly pleased to see you,’ I said, then introduced him to Lord Ethelnorth. Aelred was suitably respectful, bowing slightly and not attempting to shake Ethelnorth’s hand. I then explained all we’d been through together and the fact that Aelred had saved my life.
‘And you came all this way just to tell Lord Alfred what you thought had become of Matthew?’ asked Ethelnorth.
‘I did my Lord. I would presume to call Matthew my friend and have taken it upon myself to look out for him.’
‘Such loyalty is to be commended,’ acknowledged Ethelnorth, clearly impressed. ‘But I think you need hardly concern yourself with young Matthew’s safety; he seems to have a way of getting himself out of trouble.’
Aelred grinned. ‘Aye my Lord, so he does. But he then gets himself into even more of it straight afterwards! Out of the pot and into the fire is how I see it.’
I could see that Ethelnorth liked Aelred at once, particularly his way of speaking plainly even if that meant sometimes overstepping the mark. ‘Well, then he may have need of you again,’ he said. ‘For I somehow doubt that Matthew’s adventures are yet complete.’
* * * * *
Aelred waited outside whilst Alfred had Ethelnorth and me shown into the small chamber to one side of the Great Hall once more, then joined us there. Such offices were not normally part of a Saxon Hall, but Alfred had foreseen that he might need somewhere private to talk without first clearing the main Hall itself.
‘I’m sorry for keeping you so long and for calling you back so soon,’ he said. ‘There seems so much to be done and so little time
.’
I noticed that as he took his seat his hand clutched his stomach and that he grimaced, clearly still suffering from the inflammation in his gut. He made no mention of it as he sat back and looked at us. ‘Despite all I’ve said, I find I’m yet uneasy about all that transpires in London,’ he said. ‘And I know Ethelnorth that you have grave doubts about Hakon’s intent. So Matthew, tell me more of what you actually saw there.’
I thought carefully before I answered. ‘Sire, what surprised me most was that the Saxon settlement which is just across the river seemed to accept the presence of the Vikings so readily. It was as though they had reached an uneasy peace between them.’
Alfred nodded wisely. ‘That may be to the good,’ he said simply.
‘Yes Sire, but what worries me is that the Vikings were there in such numbers. As you said, they are not yet an army but close to it. If they moved from there to attack us—’
Alfred raised his hand. ‘I’m certain Hakon will not move against us, at least not yet. Whatever his intentions, he’s not building all those longships for nothing so won’t make his move until they’re ready.’
‘But can we truly be sure of that, Sire?’
‘I believe we can. And as I said, my plan is for Guthrum to move north where he already has many supporters. Once there, the position will change as Hakon fears him as much as he fears us and knows that if he were to move on either one of us he could be crushed between us and slaughtered. In the meantime, he’s helping us by drawing bands of robbers and troublemakers from across our realm to join him, just as a dog gathers fleas.’
‘Which may well aid our cause,’ observed Ethelnorth who, having slept on it, seemed more at ease with the position – or perhaps he was satisfied that Alfred was at last heeding his concerns.
‘How so?’ I asked.
‘Well,’ said Ethelnorth. ‘You can either immerse the dog in the river so that all the fleas run to its head for fear of drowning where they’re easier to deal with or…’ he hesitated for a moment. ‘Or you can drown the dog and all its parasites with it,’ he managed at last.