by Griff Hosker
Rodrigo nodded, “Were you aware of this before we travelled to Oviedo, King Sancho?”
Any other man would have been embarrassed but King Sancho, Sancho the Great, thought too much of himself to be embarrassed even before the man to whom he owed so much already. “Of course I was, but it did not change your task. This way we have the opportunity to strike early at Navarre and Aragon and give my brother even more reason to ally with us!”
Rodrigo held the King’s gaze, “Your brother believes that when you have defeated Garcia then you will turn your attention to him and his Kingdom.”
“Then my brother is not as stupid as I thought.”
I knew that Rodrigo was not happy with the words he had just heard but he had amazing self-control and he said nothing.
“We do not wait for campaigning weather, El Campeador, we strike before Easter.” He looked at me, “We attack Bureba!”
I spoke for the first time and the fact that I did so made them all look at me in surprise, “But that is barely six miles from my hall and the lord there is a friend! He is a fat old knight who has few defences and never goes to war.”
The King laughed, “When my father’s steward sold the estate to you for such a paltry amount were you not suspicious? The land and the manor should be ruled by a knight but your martial skills made you a perfect choice for with the manor you become the chamberlain for Burgos and the back door to Navarre. My father was a clever man!”
I actually felt physically sick. Looking back, I now saw how obvious it all was, but I had just been named the hero of Salamanca and when I had been given the chance to buy the estate, I thought it was just good fortune. Now I knew different and I had taken Maria and placed her and those I regarded as my family in great danger.
Rodrigo saw the signs that I was losing my temper and he gripped my arm, “King Sancho, we are all tired after our journey. Perhaps on the morrow you could give us the details we need for this campaign in Navarre and Aragon.”
“Of course, and I have arranged for Don Diego and his daughter to attend the feast this night. That should please you.”
I saw Rodrigo blush and Álvar chuckled. It was like a joke was being played and I was not part of it. I served masters who just used me, and I was angry. Had I gone home instead of attending then I would have had one more night of peace. I could not speak when we left the hall for Don Iago of Astorga was waiting to take us to our chamber and he was full of questions. I heard none of them for I was seething. If a war was to be fought just six miles from my hall then I knew the dangers. Bureba and its lord, Fernando, were not a threat. I had called him a fat old knight but that was from affection for he was a jolly old man who had neither wife nor child. He enjoyed eating and drinking. I got on well with the old man but Bureba was the gateway to Navarre and King Sancho Ramirez and his Aragonese namesake would fight to keep the war as close to Castile and my home as they could.
I heard laughter and looked up with fists bunched for I thought they were laughing at me. They were not. Álvar and Don Iago were laughing at a blushing Rodrigo. “Cousin, you can face any number of enemies without flinching and you can negotiate with kings, but one mention of Jimena and you crumble like a pillar of salt!” He nudged me in the ribs. It was one of Álvar’s more annoying habits, “I am sorry, Will, for you do not see the jest in this. My cousin here is smitten with the young and beautiful daughter of Don Diego, Jimena. He has not the courage to ask for her hand when all the world knows that she would wed him in a heartbeat.”
“Peace! You chatter like a magpie! Poor Will has enough to think about without this nonsense. I promised Don Diego that I would not consider marriage until we have Oviedo back under his control and Jimena understands! Now back to your duties, Don Iago. We have to prepare for a feast even though none of us is in any mood for it!”
Once in the chamber, he stood with his back to the door in case I might flee. “I knew nothing about this, Will! You have to believe me.”
“And I do. I never thought for one moment that either you or Álvar would have been a party to it. I am disappointed in King Ferdinand, may he rest in peace, for I thought better of him. It just pains me that I fight for a royal family which does not deserve my loyalty.”
Álvar shook his head, “Keep your voice down, Will, for that sounds like treason and you could lose your head.”
I unbuckled my sword and shook my head, “Can neither of you see? We took Maria and the others from your home in Vivar where there was safety and we put them in the greatest of danger.”
“My father had sent her hence.”
“But she could have continued working in the inn and what of the others? They came because we asked them to.” I emphasised the words again, “We asked them to come, Rodrigo! They came because they trusted us, and we have let them down!”
He took his own sword off and sat upon the bed, “No, Will, the ones who let us down are those who rule us, and I have learned a valuable lesson. Let us look forward for we can help Maria and the others by defeating the Aragonese and Navarrese.”
I nodded, “Aye, and that strikes me as part of King Sancho’s plan. Do not worry, I have been bought and paid for. I am now a mercenary, but I know where lies my loyalty: to my family and to you two. There it ends.” My Norse ancestors understood oaths, and, in my head, I had just made one and I would not be forsworn.
We dressed for the feast, but it was in silence which contrasted with the usual chatter which normally occurred when we prepared. We all had much to think about. I had no doubts that Rodrigo spoke the truth as it was not in his nature to lie. He had known nothing about it. We were amongst the last to descend to the feasting hall. That there were women present in the feasting hall was unusual, but King Sancho had a court now rather than a home for warriors and he needed to have powerful men on his side. There were merchants from Burgos and their wives. I recognised some of them.
The three of us stood in the doorway looking for faces that we knew. I had just waved to one of the knights I had trained, Don Sebastian, when my eyes lit upon such a beauty that my heart simply stopped. As soon as I looked upon her, I was hers and I knew that she would be the only woman I would ever love. I did not even know that I had spoken aloud until Álvar laughed, “Who is that vision of loveliness I see standing before me?”
Álvar laughed and clapped me on the back, “Now that is better, Will. You are funny and you do make me laugh. This is better than the sad warrior; mock Rodrigo! How did you know that was Jimena, the woman who holds Rodrigo’s heart in her hand?”
I could not speak for I had gone from the heights of ecstasy to a pit of despair. I could never have her for she was Rodrigo’s. Rodrigo looked at me and I saw understanding in his eyes, “Cousin, you are a fool, Will here did not know. He thinks she is beautiful is all and he is right and she is the love of my life.”
Jimena came over to us and we all bowed. I suddenly felt ungainly, awkward and out of place and I knew that my bow did not look as natural as the others. When she spoke, her voice was like a mountain brook trickling in spring. As Rodrigo kissed her outstretched hand she said, “I am guessing that this mighty warrior who towers over us is the famous William Redbeard, the protector of my love.”
“It is, Jimena, and a truer friend and warrior a man never had.” Was there a hidden message in Rodrigo’s words for he knew me better than any and while others might occasionally see into my heart, Rodrigo could always.
I looked up into her eyes which were like deep pools of blue and I felt guilty for my thoughts were not the ones of a friend. I wanted Jimena and I knew I could never have her. I wanted to flee the hall and return to my home. I wanted to lock myself away like the cave bear I was. Instead, I took her hand and kissed its back. I had never touched anything so soft in my life. It made velvet seem rough. As my lips touched the back of her hand, I was aware of how rough my own hands were and that my lips were unworthy to soil hers. I had a whiff of roses and rosemary as I stood, and I felt intoxicated.
“I am pleased to meet you.” My words sounded stilted and awkward. When Álvar and Rodrigo spoke, it was as though the words were right and meant to be uttered. I was not meant for the company of ladies. I was a rough warrior and I had no place here.
Jimena linked the two knights and I was left to follow them to the table. They chatted but I did not hear the words. I had entered the King’s palace one man and I would leave another. I knew that I would now never know the happiness of a wife and family and that the home I thought was safe was now going to be a place of war. The feast might have had fine food and wine but I tasted none of it. I said but a handful of words all evening. When we returned to our chamber Rodrigo and I had to help Álvar to the room for he had drunk too well. We laid him on the bed and began to undress.
Rodrigo knew me as well as any man and he was concerned as we prepared for sleep, “You were quiet tonight, Will. You are letting the worry of your home get to you. Trust me the Navarrese will never threaten Briviesca. Had the King not decided to begin the war then there might have been some slight danger, but our army will be north of Briviesca and we will take the war to them. You cannot doubt but that we shall defeat them!”
I took off my buskins, “And when the war is over and we have won, what then? When we go to fight King Garcia what of my home? What if the Navarrese and Aragonese decide to take advantage of the King’s absence? My home will lie in their path!”
“That will not happen!”
I used his formal title for I felt further from him in that moment than I ever had before, “Don Rodrigo, you are a great leader and warrior, but can you look into the future? I think not. I will serve for I have given my word, but I will also ensure that my home is well protected. I will leave in the morning and await the arrival of King Sancho and his army. I will not be at the muster for I need to make my home as strong as I can make it!”
There was sadness in his eyes as he nodded. That one day changed the course of my life and I think that, as I lay down to try to claim some elusive sleep, I knew it.
Chapter 9
I rose well before dawn because I had not been able to sleep soundly and, when I had drifted off, my dreams had been haunted by the loveliness that was Jimena. I say haunted for she seemed to laugh and mock me. I roused my men and we left the palace. I was well known by the guards or else I would have been unable to do so. Instead of heading home I headed into Burgos and its markets. The palace might still be abed for dawn was just breaking but the markets and the town were awake. I went to the hiring market. Here there were neither traders nor stalls. Instead, it was filled with those who sought to be employed. They sat around the edges staring vacantly into space, until a likely employer entered. They would then stand and shout out their skills. I had found servants there before. It was in one such place that I had found Abu and Geoffrey.
I ignored the words they shouted to make me look at them and used instead my eyes for I knew what I was looking for. I wanted old soldiers. King Sancho would be able to offer greater financial inducement for young warriors. He needed fresh blood for his wars but I only wanted men who had fought and made their lives those of warriors. Besides, I did not need mobile men I needed wise old heads who knew how to fight and could defend my walls. The ones I wanted were the ones who hung back because they thought that their lives were over. The ones without hope would be the best choice for I could give them a future. I found eight. Six of them had been wounded although none seriously. One had lost the fingers of his left hand; another had been lamed. Two had each lost an eye. None of that mattered for when I spoke with them and told them what I wanted I saw fire come back once more into their faces. They were each a poorer version of Roger of Bordeaux. They were grateful not only for the beds I would offer in winter but the chance of redemption. They would have a purpose in life once more having been discarded by others. That done, I had Abu hire a wagon and we went to the other markets where I spent my money on the materials we would need to make Briviesca a fortress. It was the middle of the afternoon by the time we arrived back at my hall. I bought more bedding for with my new men, not to mention Philip and Paulo, I did not wish to upset Maria who would have to make new bedding. It was an expense but, in the scheme of things, a minor one.
As we left the main road to ride the trail up to Briviesca I looked at my hall and my village from the point of view of an advancing army. This was the only way in and that was both a blessing and a curse. It meant there was just one point of attack, but it also closed off every other avenue of retreat. If attacked, we would be trapped here. I spied places where we could put obstacles in the way of any raiders. I saw the farms and houses which would be threatened first. I would need to speak with the farmers and give them instructions in case of an attack.
We passed through the village and I waved and spoke absent-mindedly to those who called me lord, as I continued to look at my walls with critical eyes. The tower was not imposing enough, and it was not on the eastern wall. It faced west for I liked the sun. Nor was it tall enough. I needed it to be so tall that ladders could not easily assail it. The gatehouse was also totally inadequate. An enemy could build a ram and it would break asunder quickly. I thought back to Salamanca and Magerit and I knew how we could improve it. I would build two small towers and an inner gateway. I would make it self-contained so that it became a fort within a fortress. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I almost failed to answer Maria’s welcome.
I hugged her tightly, so tight in fact that when she pulled away, she asked, “What is wrong, my son?” Rodrigo knew me the best but Maria was not far behind and she had female intuition!
I smiled to put her at her ease although I knew that I had not fooled her, “I will tell you all after we have eaten. We need to have all my warriors at the table. We have food enough?” She nodded. “These are new men I have taken on. I must house them for they have all had a hard life. I have brought bedding and bolts of cloth.” She nodded and, for once, did not complain about the work. She knew that something was amiss in the heart of her foster son.
One thing I had noticed about all of the men was that they had not eaten well, and they were dressed in rags. I suspect that some would not have survived the winter had I not employed them. I took them to the quarters used by the single men. As I entered, I could see that it was not big enough, that was quite clear but we could enlarge it easily enough. In making it bigger we would also make it harder for an enemy to take what would become my castle for we would butt the extended part against the north wall of the defences. My mind had become a little more like Rodrigo’s and the aesthetics of the hall would have to take second place behind the functionality of defence. I needed to make layers of defence. A wall around the village, a ditch around my hall’s walls and a long, solid line of buildings within linking my hall and the warrior halls to the tower!
Iago, Juan and Pedro came over to me, “A good visit, Will?” Iago knew me as well as any man save Rodrigo and his words were full of concern for he saw my face and knew that it betokened some dire news.
“I will tell all when we have eaten. I know that you normally eat with your family these days, Iago, but I would have you and Geoffrey attend for what I have to say is full of moment!”
They were warriors and the three of them accepted hardship, but Iago had a family and I saw the worry on his face. There was nothing I could say that would assuage that worry.
I turned to Abu and Jorge, “I would have you and my young warriors dine with us this night for the words I have concern you too.” They had been with me on the trip to Oviedo and Burgos but we had been discreet and they knew nothing about the words which had changed my life.
They nodded and their faces showed that my words had made them worried.
My feasting hall was little more than a large room with a huge table in the centre. We had built the table in
the room and it could accommodate twenty or so people. That night it was full. The warriors and the women who had come with Maria sat around its sides. Maria and I employed some girls from the village to act as servants and so we were all seated. The conversation flowed but I said little. Those who had ridden with me told the others what we had seen but, of course, only I knew of the words spoken by the high and the mighty. I picked at my food, but I ate enough to avoid the wrath of Maria. It was not just the impending war which filled my head with the wild screeching birds of doom, it was also the beautiful Jimena. She was Rodrigo’s intended even though there had been no formal announcement, it was clear from their looks and fond touches that the couple were in love. I was sworn to protect Rodrigo and that meant I would be seeing the beauty I could never have every day of my life. I was sentenced to the slowest death imaginable. Each day in her presence would be like another knife to my heart.
When the food was finished, I stood and raised my goblet of almost untouched wine, “Here is to Briviesca and all those who reside within its walls. Know that each of you is dearer to me than any other!”
They raised their goblets and cheered. I saw that my words made them smile, especially the younger warriors.
“I have asked you here for an important announcement. War is coming and it will be fought close to here.” I could not tell them of King Sancho’s plans for that would be treason. I would let my warriors know but for the rest, I told a version of the truth. “The Navarrese and Aragonese intend to attack Castile.” Some of the women gasped. The men did not! “Bureba was a friend but now may be an enemy. I have hired more men to man these walls and they will be as a garrison to defend my home when I fight alongside El Campeador. The new warriors will help us make this stronger. I saw my new men sit a little straighter and their eyes burned brighter for they could now see a purpose in their lives. “We will build a stronger gatehouse and we will make our tower bigger. We will lay in supplies of food so that if an enemy comes my people, the people of Briviesca, will not starve.” I smiled, “Iago and my warriors know that if you make a place hard to take then, oft times, an enemy will find somewhere easier to pillage. We are not on the main road and if we are strong and resolute then an enemy may well decide to head to Burgos instead.”