Kingmaker (The Anarchy Book 12)

by Griff Hosker

  "Help me to my feet." When I stood the blood rushed down my leg and I thought I was going to pass out. I gritted my teeth. I examined the bow and the quiver. I handed an arrow to Richard. "These are English arrows and this is an English bow."

  I knelt again, relieved not to be standing on my wounded leg. I took out my dagger and held it close to the eye of the archer.

  "Pour water on his face and wake him. Make sure he does not move. I do not want him to lose his eye until I am ready to take it."

  Richard went to his dead horse and removed the water skin. He splashed water on the man's face. He moaned and then his eyes opened. He saw my face and he saw the dagger. I was using guesswork but the evidence I had led me to just one conclusion. "What did Eustace of Boulogne pay you to do?" His mouth opened and closed. "I will happily take your eye, skewer it and feed it to you. Was it just me you were to kill or my squire also?"

  "Both of you! You are damned lucky! The devil must have spawned you!" he spoke in English!

  "Perhaps, although as you will be seeing him soon you may well be able to ask him!"

  "I will tell you nothing!"

  "You are going to die. The question is how much pain you will have to suffer before that happens." He said nothing. "Richard, pull down his breeks and geld him!"

  A look of absolute terror filled his face as heard the determination in my voice and as Richard tugged at his breeks. He knew that I would do it. "No! No! I will tell you and then end my life quickly!” I nodded to Richard who stopped. “He is in Bury St. Edmunds. He sent us to Bruges and the Count's man sent the four of us here to kill you. That is all I swear!"

  "I believe you! Go with God."

  I ripped the blade across his throat. The blood splattered the two of us. I cleaned it on his kyrtle. "So one remains at large and I think I know who he is."

  "Who, lord?"

  "The man in the stable who gave me this horse."

  I heard hooves and looked up to see the Duke and the hunters, "Alfraed! What happened?"

  "I will tell you all when we reach your castle lord. This is not over. There are two more dead archers in the woods. They have coins about them."

  We had spare horses for the game we would have caught. Richard rode one of them and we put the three bodies on the others.

  The Duke looked at me; consternation was upon his face. "You are wounded, Earl."

  "I will see a healer when we return to the castle."

  "Are they Norman rebels?"

  "No, lord, they are English."

  Chapter 9

  My words in the woods had stunned the Duke. We rode back in silence. As we entered the castle I headed straight for the stable. The man who had given me the horse saw his three companions on the backs of horses and made a break for freedom.

  "Richard!"

  Richard galloped across the bailey. He held his sword by the blade and swung the pommel into the back of the man's head. The man fell to the ground as though pole axed.

  I turned to the Duke. “He is the last of the four assassins paid for by Eustace and sent here by the Count of Flanders. There is treachery in Rouen, Duke Geoffrey."

  The Duke looked at me, "How do you know?"

  "This man and three others were sent here. Someone hired them. Eustace of Boulogne instigated the attack but the Count of Flanders was able to carry it off by hiring these three assassins."

  "Then we will interrogate this man. Now take yourself and your squire to my healer." He held my arm, "I apologise that this happened. It should not. You were in danger while you were my guest."

  I shrugged, "If I had not gone hunting then they would have found another way to get at me. It is one reason that I travel so little. I feel safer in my own land where I know where my enemies are. Here it is hard to differentiate."

  "That is a harsh comment."

  "But it is true. King Henry was not murdered in England but here. Think on that Duke."

  Geoffrey, Duke of Normandy, had good healers. They cleaned out my wound. I did not feel the pain for they gave me a draught of something. I slept while they did it. When I awoke there was a clean smell and my leg was bandaged. The doctor held up a sliver of wood. "Your squire did a good job but if we had not found this and removed it you might have lost your leg or died. It is clean now. You need to rest for a few days. You are no longer a young man."

  "And my squire?"

  "A bruised knee is all he suffered. The head wound looked worse than it was. We have given him a draught of feverfew and applied a poultice. He is young and within a day or so will not even remember that he was hurt."

  It was dark when I emerged. Richard met me. I saw that he limped and had a bandage around his head. He pointed to the gates. There were two heads upon it. One was the stable hand and the other was the steward. "The Duke was furious. He has sent his men to interrogate all those who work in the castle. It turned out that the steward was also in the pay of the Count of Flanders."

  "With the Empress and her son here he cannot afford to have killers walking his castle."

  "Dick and Edgar went into town."

  I was surprised. It seemed out of character for them. "Did they say why?"

  He nodded, "They said that if there were four killers inside the walls, then how many might be outside? They went to listen for gossip. I offered to go but they said that they were going in low taverns."

  "Dick was an outlaw and Edgar a sword for hire. They can go into places where there is more talking done with fists than with words. Come, let us heed our physicians and take some rest. Besides I have an appetite. Bloodletting always makes me hungry."

  Henry and his mother were appalled at the attempt on my life. "I am sorry, Alfraed. If I had not asked you to escort me home this would never have happened."

  "I am alive and they are dead. However I shall be more vigilant from now on."

  As we were eating I saw Dick enter the hall. He nodded and sat at the lower end of the table with the other knights. I was anxious to know his news but it would have to wait.

  I noticed that Geoffrey had placed more guards close to his wife and son. "The Duke appears worried about you two."

  The Empress nodded, "He has suggested that I move to the priory of Notre Dame du Pré. He felt I would safer there."

  "But you have only just got here!"

  She smiled, "I understand my husband, Alfraed." Her eyes told me that she knew of his infidelity. She was moving out so that he could carry on as before. Henry's downcast look told me that he too knew of it. It was an open secret. I pushed away my platter. I had suddenly lost my appetite.

  I rose to go to my chamber and Richard followed. We were half way down the corridor when Dick appeared. "You discovered something?"

  He nodded and I saw that his knuckles were grazed. "Eventually aye, lord. We met some men at arms newly arrived from England. They had fought for Stephen but the death of the Earl of Gloucester meant that there was less work for them. They were on their way to the Holy Land to seek employment there. They told us that Eustace was hiring men in England. He wished men who were willing to kill the Earl of Cleveland." He smiled, "These thought that travelling half way around the world and fighting infidels was safer than trying to kill the Warlord of the North!"

  I nodded.

  Then Dick added, "There will be desperate men lord who are willing to risk death for the rewards which Eustace offers. He has also hired men to kill Henry FitzEmpress. He wishes to be king when his father dies."

  "Thank you for that news. It is always well to know there is danger."

  "Edgar is detailing the men. While you are abroad then two of them will watch your back."

  "And I am here too, lord."

  Dick looked at my squire, "You are a good squire, Richard, but this is work for men who will strike first and worry about the justification later." He was right there. Dick and my archers were the deadliest of killers and the most implacable of enemies. Richard was the lamb and they were the wolves.

  I did
not sleep well that night. The pain in my leg was there all night but my mind was filled with worries about my son. How could he be protected? The departure of the Empress was also ever present. I might never see her again. I rose before dawn and slipped from the room without disturbing Richard. It was chilly in the castle and I wrapped my cloak about me as I headed for the Great Hall. The quarters for the Duke and the Empress were above the hall. I went to the fire which had been fed, in the night, by servants. I took the poker and brought it to life. The flames danced as they flamed. I heard footsteps behind me and I saw Margaret, the Empress' lady in waiting.

  "My lord, what are you doing up?"

  "My leg ached and you?"

  "My lady is awake too. She has sent me for some porridge."

  "She is alone?"

  "She is alone every night lord." She hesitated, "I would take you to her but..."

  I nodded, "It would not do. Tell her...I... tell her."

  Margaret came and put her hand on mine, "She understands, lord." She shook her head, "Why is it that men need everything explaining to them? There are things that do not need words. Judith and I know what you would say. Leave it there, lord, for if you voiced those words they might be overheard. Young Henry is the priority of the Empress. Use him to show her your feelings."

  "I would anyway."

  She smiled and it was a sad smile, "The Empress knows." She released my hand. "The Priory is a pleasant place. We have visited and the Empress has a mind to have a home built close by. But when I tire of it I may travel and visit England. If I came would I be welcome in your castle, lord?"

  "Of course! You need not ask."

  She had a smile like a cat which has managed to lick the cream which had spilled, "And I can bring gifts. They have fine butter and they make distilled liquor which warms." She half turned, "Oh and I can bring news and... letters."

  I nodded, "And you would be doubly welcome. I am sorry for being such a dull man. Perhaps I am losing my wits."

  "Oh no lord, but you have much on your mind. None of us would change one hair on your head. To me you are the perfect knight."

  Then she was gone leaving me at the fire. I stared into the flickering flames. It was as though that was my world. It was disappearing in an inferno. My work would now be the making of a king. When my son returned I would make my peace with him and then set about Henry's training. I would keep him safe by keeping him as close to me as possible. His two bodyguards had been paid off. I would need to speak with Geoffrey and arrange for others to take their place.

  Geoffrey rose late. The hall was already filled with knights and ladies partaking of the cold meats left over from the feast when Geoffrey appeared. I spent the time talking with Henry and his mother. The words I wished to say to the Empress I delivered with my eyes. Nor could I tell Henry of the danger, not until I had spoken alone with his father. Besides I did not wish to worry his mother overmuch. Even so I enjoyed the precious hour I spent with them.

  He came over to speak with me after he had quaffed some wine and picked up a fowl's leg. He greeted his wife and son first, "How is the leg, Alfraed?"

  "It will heal. I am a warrior. Such things happen but I needs must speak alone with you, lord."

  Henry looked surprised but his mother nodded, "Come Henry. You and I can choose the horses I will be taking with me to the Priory. You are a good judge of horseflesh and I am sure the Earl will tell you if this news concerns you."

  "But I am a man! I should be consulted."

  I looked him in the eyes. "Your father is Duke, Henry. I promise that I will speak with you but your father must know this first. I will speak with you later. I will meet you in the stables when I have done."

  Mollified he nodded and left with his mother. The Duke said, "This sounds ominous. I thought we had ended the threat but your words suggest not. What did your men discover?"

  "Eustace is not only hiring men to kill me but your son too."

  "Now I see why you wanted to speak to me first. I shall have to hire bodyguards again."

  I shook my head, "With respect, my lord, how do we know whom you can trust? The only ones we can both trust are our households. Let me have two of my men watch over him. I guarantee they will keep him safe."

  He tore meat from the bone and chewed. I waited for I could see that he was thinking. "When your son returns, you could use his men. They are of this land and are trustworthy."

  "True but he is not here besides Henry's future lies n England does it not?"

  "Aye and who better to watch over England's future than the English knight? Very well but I will impose checks on all warriors entering my land."

  I remembered the poisoners who had managed to inveigle their way into my castle and had come within a hair's breadth of killing me. "I would watch for all assassins, lord. If I might suggest, do not hire more servants until the threat is gone or use only those that you have known for years."

  He threw the bone on to the fire, "I thought when I became Duke and ended the rebellion that all of this would end."

  "King Henry spent every moment looking over his shoulder and an assassin reached him in the end. I fear it comes with the title lord."

  Matilda was waiting with her son in the stables. I smiled, "You had no need to wait, my lady. I can tell Henry now."

  "And you can tell me too. This concerns my son and concerns me too. Speak."

  Her eyes commanded me too and I nodded. She was a strong woman and would be able to deal with the news.

  "Eustace is hiring assassins to kill Henry. The Duke has allowed me to use my men to protect him. The killers we caught yesterday were not unique. Others have been paid to end my life." I smiled at Henry, "We must be doing something right if the enemy resort to this!"

  The Empress nodded, "Then I am content. If you cannot watch over the future King of England then there is no hope." She hugged her son, "You wear mail beneath your surcoat from now on!" He nodded. "And I will give you twenty of my men to guard you. I shall not need above half a dozen, perhaps less, in the priory. They have all served me for years and can be trusted."

  He smiled, "A generous gift." He looked at me, "So, lord, I can now begin to learn to lead my own men."

  "It is a start, use it well."

  We went to see my men and Edgar chose four who would now be Henry's bodyguards. "Does this mean you stay with me?"

  "I had planned on staying the winter anyway and if I do leave then these four or four others will remain with you."

  It was just after noon and we were heading to the hall for food when the gates opened to admit my son and his men. When he saw me he stopped, dismounted and took off his helmet. He came over to me and dropped to one knee, "My lord forgive me! My sins have not gone unpunished."

  I knew the sins of which he spoke but I knew not what he meant. I raised him up. "Speak my son for I see dread in your eyes."

  "My wife and my children, your grandchildren, are dead. A coughing sickness struck my home. My children died first. When I reached them my wife was dying. I spent a week trying to save her but..." He broke down and, for the first time since his own mother had died, he threw himself in my arms and cried. My men stood in a protective circle so that none other could see.

  I had had a premonition of some evil but I never imagined that it was this. I held him tightly as I had when he was a bairn in swaddling clothes. If I could have taken his hurt and his pain then I would.

  "They are with God now, my son."

  He stood back. He spoke quietly so that only I could hear his words. "But we both know that I have sinned and they have paid the price! You were right father and I am sorry, I am so sorry. I have to make amends. I have to do penance."

  I nodded.

  "I am taking ship. I go with my men to join the crusade to the Holy Land. My life here is over. When I have done my penance I will return to England and we will get Henry's throne back for him."

  "You need to think about this, my son!"

  "I have thought of
nothing else in the five days since I buried my wife and my children. I sat all night in my church and I had a vision of the cross. It was covered in blood. I will atone by serving those pilgrims who travel to the Holy Land." He gave me a sad smile. "I know you warned me of my actions and I would that I had heeded them. God has punished me for my sins. Do not try to dissuade me. When my guilt is gone I will return to you in England. I must go now and speak with the Duke."

  I was stunned. Henry, Dick, Edgar and Richard joined me. They had heard only part of it. I told them all.

  "But lord, what was his sin? How was it so great that he must leave this land?"

  I looked at Henry. I could not tell him what I knew. "William, alone, knows what sins he has committed. He has had a vision during his vigil. When that happens it means God has chosen you. We must help him all that we can. He has had a terrible loss."

  Dick came and put his arm around my shoulder, "My lord, you have too; your grandchildren taken from you." His face was filled with despair. I suddenly found words stuck in my throat. I could say nothing and had I tried to speak then I would have broken down. He was right. I had barely known my grandchildren and now I never would. This was not my fault and yet I felt guilty. Was God punishing me for my sins?

  I turned and left. I went to the stables and had Edward saddled. Richard and Henry followed me. "What do you do, lord?"

  "I need to be alone and to ride." I dragged my injured leg over the cantle and spurred Edward out of the gate. I headed for open country.

  I knew I was being followed but a glance over my shoulder told me that it was Richard, Henry, Edgar and eight of my men at arms. They would not allow my grief to put me in danger. I rode hard until my leg began to ache and Edward showed signs of fatigue. I reined in and saw that I was close to a roadside shrine. There were many of them in Normandy. I dismounted and knelt next to it.

  "If my sins have caused this to happen, Lord, then I beg you to punish me and not my son. I cannot lose him too."

  I kept my eyes closed as I waited for a sign or a word but all that filled my ears was the sound of Edward munching the last of the grass which sprouted around the base of the shrine. I rose and mounted Edward. The sun was dipping towards the west and, as I turned to ride back to Rouen I saw Henry and the others approaching. Henry was leading and the sun suddenly flared, making a corona around his head. He looked as though he had a crown upon it. It was the sign I sought. Henry was my son too. I would make him king. That would be my task.