by Griff Hosker
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?”
I smiled, most lords could not read, my dead brothers could not but my grandmother had taught me when I was a child. “Yes I can read it Reuben.” I scanned the lists and nodded.
He melted some wax, impressed his ring upon it and then wrote his name next to it. I was grateful that I had had a ring made by Ralph my smith. It was a little crudely fashioned but I liked the horse symbol upon it as that had been Harold’s sign. When Reuben had melted the wax I made my mark and then wrote my name next to it. Reuben beamed when that was completed and he poured us a drink. That was the first time I had drunk from a glass vessel and it made the drink taste like nectar. Nor had I ever drunk such a fine drink.”This is delightful. What do you call it?”
He shrugged it is a wine fortified with spirits. One of my kin brings it from the County of Portugal in Leon. It is only since the Moors were expelled that we have been able to import it. It is fine is it not?”
I smacked my lips, it had a heady aroma and warmed me as it slipped down. “It is indeed. So your people are all over the world then?”
“We are a people who lost our homeland many years ago and were doomed to travel but we still keep contact with each other. Wherever you wish to go, Byzantium, Normandy, Italy anywhere, you can access your money.”
I was more intrigued than anything, “How does that work?”
“I will give you a piece of paper which you can exchange with any of my brethren and they will give you that amount in the coin of the land.” I must have looked dubious for he smiled. “Ask your uncle for he brought just such a document from Constantinople and I gave him the money myself.”
“How do I know who to ask?”
“My people live in small areas, we call them ghettoes. You say you are a client of Reuben of Jorvik and they will direct you.” It seemed such a simple system and yet I still worried. However if Aethelward vouched for him I would continue to trust him. After I had said goodbye I left with Branton. “Is there aught we require from the city Branton? I am not sure when we will return.”
He laughed, “Before I came to Topcliffe I would have said ale but Goody Sarah makes the best ale I have ever drunk so there is naught. As long as Ralph had the metal for my new arrows I will be happy.”
The ride home was pleasant as Branton animatedly described his new arrows. Ralph had made him six to practise with and the results had been excellent. They were still refining and improving the design but, Branton was certain that when the Normans did arrive they would have a shock coming in the form of a slim but deadly missile.
Gytha took the news of my departure remarkably well. The baby was becoming larger and she was preoccupied with herself and the Queen. The Queen, for her part, enjoyed mothering my wife and Sarah, of course, delighted in waiting on them both. We left before dawn just in case anyone was watching the manor. Ridley and his men had augmented the garrison and Osbert would set them to work improving my defences. It seemed a long time since I had ridden with my uncle but old memories flooded back as well as the knowledge that this might be our last trip together. All of that put my injured back into perspective and I was able to ignore the pain as I talked with Aethelward and Branton about warriors, armour and what the future held. My competent sergeant of archers had two of his men half a mile ahead of us to warn of danger whilst the other two were half a mile behind. It made for a most enjoyable ride.
We halted the first night at Dunelm, which had accommodation and protection, for the Cathedral there attracted many pilgrims who wished to visit the shrine of Saint Cuthbert. “This would make a fine castle nephew.”
I had to admit that he was right for the steep hill was surrounded, almost completely by a river. I idly wondered why no-one had done so before but then the Scots had always raided down this valley and I wondered if that was the reason. Certainly this would be our last night in England for on the morrow we would be in the borderlands and we would need our wits about us.
We met our first Scotsman the next day when we were close to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne where Bede had lived and written. The Scot was a herder and, with his son, was driving a small herd of shaggy beasts with wicked looking horns to Dunelm. He looked at us suspiciously, especially as we wore helmets and carried swords. Had we been rustlers we could easily have killed the two of them and taken their cattle but Aethelward smiled and put them at their ease.
“Good day to you. Heading south are you?”
We could understand his words as they sounded a little similar but we had to work at it. “Aye sir. Down to Dunelm.” He tapped his nose. “Get a wee bit more for them there. The pilgrims and the churchmen ye nah.”
We laughed. “Wise man. We are seeking Berwick. Can we get there today or should we stay at the Holy island?”
He looked at the sky and then our horses. “Aye ye could, mind ye’ll have to get a move on.”
“Thank you for that.”
We were about to go when he suddenly said, “I’d gan canny, bonnie lads for the King is there and his men may tek exception to yon swords and helms.”
Aethelward smiled. “Thanks for the warning but I know the King and I think he will make us welcome.”
As we kicked on I thought about Aethelward. He had been a friend of the King of England. He had served the only King of Wales and now he knew the King of Scotland. I asked him about
this Malcolm Canmore.
“When I was a Thingman he was at Edward’s court for he was driven from his land after his father’s death.”
“Some say that he betrayed the loyalty he owed England when he invaded the north and supported Tostig.”
Aethelward nodded. “Yes there were some who said that but remember a king is not as ordinary men. He lived in a difficult time with Macbeth claiming his land and Macbeth was a good king, at least for a while. I do not blame Malcolm for claiming the land north of Berwick; he owed his people that security and I do not blame him for trying to capture the land to the Tees. It is what I would do if I were king.”
“But Harold did not try to take Wales when we defeated Gryffydd did he?”
He smiled, “No for he was not yet king. But believe me, if the Normans had not come and he was secure then Wales would have been added to England.” He shrugged.”It is power, it breeds the need for more power and in the language of kings that means more land.”
“Edward did not seek more land.”
“No and that is why, although he was a kindly king he was not a good king. You need a king who can be ruthless and single-minded. I fancy Duke William to be such a man.”
I gave him what I thought of as my shrewd look. “Don’t tell me you knew him too?”
He laughed and he was the easy going uncle who had first taken me in hand. “No but I met him.”
“What is he like?”
“He looks more like a brawler than a warrior. He is not tall but he is broad and he follows no rules of honour. He is, however, a strategos which is how he beat Harold at Senlac for he saw the weakness, the fyrd, and exploited it.” He suddenly stiffened. “We are being watched.”
Branton whistled and the four archers rejoined us. “Where my lord?” Even though Branton could not see the watchers he had served with Aethelward enough to respect his senses.
Aethelward looked to the hillside to our left where there was a stand of trees. “There on the hillside.”
I stared as did Branton and at first could see nothing and then I saw a flash of flesh which indicated a hand. “I see them uncle.”
“Keep your hands from your weapons. Had they wished it they could have taken us any time. For the moment keep an eye on them but do not do anything. This means that we are close to the Scottish camp.
I suddenly realised that we must have crossed the border and we were in Scotland. I hoped that my uncle was right and Malcolm would remember us or my money would have to be spent on my ransom! It was a nerve wracking ride as we headed north and the sun set slowly to our left. The short winter days mean that it would soon be icy cold and I wondered how we would fare when we reached their camp. We came around a sharp corner in the rough road and there was a party of warriors with spears levelled. Aethelward spread his arms in a sign of peace and we all did the same. Although the spears remained pointed at us they were lowered.
A huge warrior, dressed like a Housecarl came towards us. “I am Ross, what is your business Englishman in this land of Scotland.”
“I come from Ealdgyth, the Queen of England, with a message for King Malcolm.”
With a nod Ross ordered his men to lower their weapons and led us down the track to the walled enclosure that was some way off. “You were lucky you did not arrive after dark for then my men would have attacked first and asked questions later.”
“Aye, I know but our mission is urgent and we have had to take risks. These are parlous times.”
“Aye they are that.” He looked up at my uncle. “You are Aethelward are you not? The Varangian?”
“I was a Varangian Guard but now I serve the Queen. And this is Aelfraed. Lord of Topcliffe.”
He looked at me with a new respect. “The hero of Fulford I hear and the man who killed the Welsh champion.” I nodded, “Tell me my lord why you were not at Senlac with the other Housecarls?”
I forced myself to keep calm for I knew my temper could explode too easily when my honour was impugned and I suspected that Ross meant no insult but I was insulted. “I received a bad wound at Stamford and I could not move or else I would have died with my oath brothers.”
“I meant no offence and I did not know of your wound. We just heard that you and your army slew the Vikings.”
“We did.”
“And for that we thank you for they are a curse.”
We had reached the camp of King Malcolm of Scotland. We were watched and guarded as we entered his fortified town and the gates slammed ominously shut behind us. I noticed that Branton and the archers looked quite nervous and, perversely, that made me feel better for Aethelward looked like calmness personified.
We dismounted. Ross pointed to a rough building some way off. “Your men can stable their horses and sleep there.”
Branton looked at me and I nodded, I hoped they would be fed but Branton was resourceful enough and charming enough to be able to get food for him and his men. I could see a devious mind at work here for my uncle and myself were separated from our men. Should they wish harm to befall us we would not represent too much of a problem. I had learned that the laws of hospitality did not always apply to kings. And Macbeth had murdered Malcolm’s father when he feted him at Glamis castle; it paid to be careful if you lay down with wolves. As we were led to the main hall I suddenly remembered the two Scottish killers who had tried to kill King Edward. How much of that did King Malcolm know? We laid our weapons on a table at the entrance to the hall. I had only brought a sword leaving Boar Splitter and Death Bringer at my hall; I could not see me standing in a shield wall up here in Scotland.
The King was seated upon a modest throne on a raised dais. He had four burly bodyguards, armed with axes around him and he watched us warily. He had eyes which seemed to bore into you. He was far more silent than either of the other kings I had met and he seemed to be weighing us up and assessing us. We both bowed and Aethelward began, “Your majesty I come bearing messages from the widow of the King of England, Queen Ealdgyth.”
“Rise Lord Aethelward for I remember you and your kindness when we were at Winchester.” He suddenly turned to me. “And this is Harold’s bastard is it, Aelfraed? And would you be king?”
I was shocked at the abrupt nature of the comment. It had never occurred to me that I might become king. I raised my head and met his stare. “My only wish, your majesty, is to serve my Queen and defend my land from invaders.”
He laughed and it took me by surprise. “I can see Aethelward that you have raised your nephew to be like you. He has a quick mind and an even quicker tongue. For tonight we will eat and feast and you can talk of your embassy on the morrow. Come Aethelward sit on my right and Aelfraed on my left.”
He led us to the table and I felt the stares of the warriors around me but even more acutely I could feel Aethelward’s stare for we had not had time to talk about this situation. We had assumed that we would make our plea and have an answer. This Malcolm was clever and devious and I resolved to drink little. The King sat and we followed. He leaned over to me. “Excuse the stares of my men Aelfraed but your reputation precedes you. They see in you a little of my predecessor, Macbeth, who, like you, was a formidable warrior. I think some of them would like to try your skills.”
“I came unprepared for combat your majesty for this is a peaceful embassy but I am sure that it your majesty invites me back and I am not fighting Normans then I could oblige them.”
He slapped my back. It felt as though someone had used a hammer. “Excellent. If we have time we shall do so at Midsummer.”
I saw my uncle’s eyes pleading with me to be silent and listen and I nodded. He immediately engaged the King in conversation and I resolved to listen more than I would speak. The young man opposite kept staring at me, even more than the others. It began to put me off my food for he ate little and kept staring. Did he wish to fight with me? I could see now that a warrior’s reputation could be something to regret rather than celebrate if every warrior thought he could defeat you. Event
ually I put down my knife and stared back at him.
He must have realised that he had been staring for he suddenly grinned and said, “I am sorry my lord for staring. It was rude of me.”
I relaxed a little, his smile had disarmed me. “I was beginning to worry that I had grown horns.”
“No my lord it is just that I owe you a debt.”
I was puzzled. I had never seen this young man before. “Me? But I have never met you before.”
“I am sorry my lord, I am being rude and ill mannered tonight. I am Calum, Thegn of Fife and you are right we have never met but you killed my father’s murderers.” I must have shown the confusion in my face for he went on, “The two men who tried to kill your king had murdered my father and were outlaws. It is why they were hired for, had they been in Scotland, we would have killed them but you did what we could not and for that I am in your debt and if there is anything I can ever do for you, then just ask.”
“I killed them because they were trying to kill my king but I am pleased for the information you have given me for it puts my mind at rest.” I could see that he did not know to what I was referring but I now knew then that Malcolm had had nothing to do with the attempt and I began to relax more. “Why did they kill your father?”
“They had been his warriors and when he punished them for raping some women on the estate they killed him and fled.”
I was silent. That said much for the young man’s father for you had to know your men well if you were to fight with them in a shield wall. He had obviously made bad choices. “Tell me, my lord, do you fight and train with your men?”
He looked puzzled. “Why would I do that?”
“When you lead your men into battle you need to know that they will protect your back and the only way to do that is to train with them and fight with them so that you know their strength and weaknesses.”
“I had not thought of that but here we have had no major wars and battles since Macbeth was deposed.” He looked a little embarrassed. “I am experienced at border raids.”