Knight of the Empress

by Griff Hosker

  As with many things I had yet to think things through. I would not have much of an army without the De Brus knights. "I will have to visit with the De Brus clan but I would rather see the other four lords first. I hope they have knights."

  Edward stood to pour some more wine while Wulfstan placed another log on the fire. "We only have three my lord. I know that our men at arms and archers are the best for we have seen them fight but if a large force comes south to raid we cannot sit behind our walls. We must go and meet them. King Henry wants the valley protecting from the ravages of raiders; not just Stockton and Norton. "

  "I know." Neither was telling me anything I did not know. Doubts assailed me from each direction. My chain of office felt like a leaden weight. We drank in silence for a while listening to the logs crackling on the fire. I changed the subject. "Your son has grown Wulfstan."

  My old mentor smiled, "Aye, Edward, he is a proper little boy. Perhaps God will grant us a daughter next."

  I was surprised. I had thought that he would have wished for another son. "A daughter Wulfstan? I would have thought you would have wished for another son to follow you."

  He shook his head. "I have changed, Alfraed, as you have. You still have a journey to take but you are getting there. While you were away I saw Adela grow from a frightened young girl into the lovely creature you have ignored since you came back. I would have a daughter so that she could become like Adela."

  "Ignored?"

  "When you went away you looked at her with soft eyes and she with you. She gave you a token to protect you while you campaigned and you have come back indifferent to her. She is hurt you know. Faren has told me she has heard her crying in the night."

  "But I gave her no promises."

  "Not with your words but you did with your eyes." I knew he was right and I could not meet his gaze. I stared at the fire. Wulfstan was as close to me as my father had been and I did not like to be criticised by him. What made it worse was that he was right. I had neglected her and there had been an expectation. He was right; I had changed.

  Edward's quiet voice broke the uncomfortable silence which filled the room. "It is the Empress is it not?"

  I looked up and stared at Edward. Did he know of my feelings? Wulfstan asked, "The Empress?"

  "Aye, I think our young lord became infatuated by her when we journeyed to Worms."

  Wulfstan shook his head, "She is an Empress. Put those thoughts from your mind. I saw men broken on the wheel in Miklagård for even looking askance at the Empress of Byzantium."

  "Aye and the Emperor was none too pleased either. He took against the baron."

  "It was nothing and we are here now far from any entanglements."

  Wulfstan leaned over and tapped my chest. "You still have them there. Rid your body and your mind of them. No good can come of them."

  "I will do so but that will not make my feelings towards Adela, return."

  "Alfraed, your father charged me with making you a warrior, a knight, someone he could be proud of. There is more to being a knight than just fighting and riding a horse. It is in the way you behave and the way you treat people. Generally I think you have become such a knight save in one regard; women. There you fail to meet the standards. Your father would not be happy with your treatment of a vulnerable young girl. Think on that!"

  I found it hard to look at Adela over the next few days for I knew, in my heart, that Wulfstan was right. During a break in the weather I took the opportunity to visit Norton. I took Edward and our squires. I was also feeling guilty about neglecting what had been my father's home. I visited his grave in the church before I did anything else and I silently said a prayer for his soul.

  Father Peter found me kneeling still. "We say prayers for him and the others who died defending us each day. Your father was loved, Sir Alfraed."

  "I know and he had his wish. He died here in England. He is at peace now and this grave in his church is somewhere I feel I can be close to him. And how are you Father Peter?"

  "The church in Durham is still unhappy that they did not appoint me. The Dean himself came to chastise me." He shrugged, "I have been ordained and I know that I do a good job here. What care I for the politics of the church?"

  "So long as I approve then do not fear. The King has appointed me defender of the valley. I will visit the Dean and speak with him. How are the people? Do they prosper?"

  "They do. Osric and Athelstan are good men and they care for the people here." He hesitated. "You should speak with them, lord, for they have received disturbing news of late."

  I hurried to the hall where I found my father's oathsworn laughing with Edward. They rose and each gave a slight bow. "Edward here was telling us how you captured a castle without losing a man. Would that I had seen that. It was the sort of thing your father would have loved."

  "It was luck."

  Edward shook his head, "I keep telling him that we make our own luck."

  "As the new defender of the valley I will be visiting all of the manors along the river. I need an accurate number of men who might be available. How many are there in Norton?"

  "We have ten spears and four bows."

  "Good. Are any of the bows young men who might join my conroi?"

  "Young Alan, son of Garth, is someone who might suit. He needs work for he is still growing but he should be ready for war by summer."

  "Good."

  "Father Peter said that you had heard disturbing news of late."

  "Aye, Alfraed; there is no lord at Hartness yet but it prospers and armed men have passed along the road north to Hartness. If we had had the men and the authority then we would have visited."

  "Thank you. I will take my men and pay them a visit in my new position as defender of the valley. Hartness guards the estuary."

  My final visit was to see Aiden and my hawks. They were both beautiful birds. Aiden told me how their mother had deserted them when they were chicks and he had hand reared them. "When will they be ready to hunt?"

  "By the summer my lord."

  "Good." I looked at the young man who had been bought as a slave but whom I had freed. He was growing quickly. The outdoor life had made him both strong and athletic. "Tell me Aiden. How would you feel about coming to war with me the next time I go? You would be a great asset as a scout."

  "I would be honoured, my lord, but I could not leave my animals without care."

  I nodded, "I can understand that. Then find someone you can train up." We had slaves in both Norton and Stockton. When buying slaves I had tried to buy families for I hated the thought of splitting up a mother from her children. There would be many boys who were similar to Aiden. He would be the best one to judge who they were.

  "If I might suggest two, my lord."

  I smiled, "You have two in mind already eh?"

  "Yes my lord. At the moment Osric has them as swineherds. It is a waste for they both know animals and understand them. Swine are clever. They care for themselves."

  "I will see Osric."

  We came back through Wulfestun and the Hart Burn. I was particularly keen to see how my fletchers Tom and Old Tom were getting on. I was impressed with the small hall they had built. There were many large trees along the becks which criss crossed that part of my land. They had chosen stout timbers for the roof and walls from the many trees there. They had built it so that the door was reached by some steps. It made it more difficult to attack. I knew, without looking, that the bottom level of the house would be the place they kept their animals in winter. I also saw that Young Tom had a wife who was with child. "An impressive home, Old Tom. I see you are beginning to fill it already."

  "Yes Baron. I hope to raise fine archers. I know you lost some in Normandy."

  "We did and we missed your strong backs and arms there too. We have taken on four new ones and we shall be needing arrows for the spring."

  "We have a good stock of wood laid in and the geese have been busy too."

  I laughed. The goose feathers were es
sential for good arrows. "This is a good place here. You are happy?"

  "Yes my lord but we are vigilant. If the Scots come again we will be ready."

  "And I will be vigilant too. As soon as the snow goes I shall take my men and inform the other lords of their duties then we shall hunt for the raiders and not wait for them to come to us."

  William, my mason, had still to finish my castle. Yet as we approached, from the west, I thought how solid it looked. Having been in Caen and Worms, I knew it was not the largest of keeps but it would be hard to take and would deter raiders. I wondered what other work I could put his way for I was loath to lose such a good workman. As we rode home I asked Edward and the others for their views. Harold came up with an answer. "The church in Norton, my lord, it was barely finished when he began work on the castle."

  "Besides, baron, the castle still has work which needs completion. The curtain wall and the gatehouse could be much improved. It is your coin."

  "You are both right. While the weather is inclement I will send him back to Norton and then we will use the gold to make an impressive gatehouse and a sturdy wall."

  William was happy when I told him, "I have to confess, Baron, that I was feeling guilty being inactive. But my family are happy here. This has been the longest time they have spent in one place and they are settled and happy."

  "I would keep you here as long as you wish, William. I want a castle which stands as a rock against whoever tries to take it from us."

  Despite my visits and the progress being made all over my manor I could not shake the feeling of guilt. Edward and Athelstan were both correct; Matilda was unobtainable and yet I did not love Adela. At least not in the way I loved the Empress. I knew then that I should have spoken with my father at his grave. After he had died his voice had come into my head. Perhaps it could come again. I decided to make the effort and be as I had been. I no longer avoided Adela and I began to speak to her each day. At first it was uncomfortable but, gradually, it became easier.

  My days were filled with practise. My new men at arms needed to be welded into one and Dick needed to show the new archers how to fight with men at arms. They were coming on well.

  "We need helms my lord."

  "For the men at arms, Edward?"

  "Aye and the archers too."

  I went to visit with Alf. I took the new gloves we had purchased in London. He bowed as I entered his forge. I noticed that it was busier than it had been when first we had arrived and he had four men working within it. "It is good to have you back my lord. Was it a good campaign?"

  I laughed, "You mean did we make enough gold to help you pay for your new workers."

  He had the good grace to nod, "I would be lying my lord if I didn't say that your patronage is appreciated."

  "Well you are right. I have coins. We need helmets for my archers and my men at arms."

  "Helmets for archers, my lord?"

  "They are as valuable as my destrier in war. I want one without a nasal for that would impair their archery."

  He nodded, "That makes them easier to manufacture and cheaper too. But you wish nasals for the men at arms?"

  "Yes and a protection for the back to the neck."

  "That can be arranged."

  I handed him the gloves. "I bought these in London. How easy would it be to make them?"

  "Not easy at all. This is fine work." He nodded to a young boy who was working the bellows for one of the smiths. "I could train Ralph to make them. Will you need mail for the men at arms?"

  "No, Alf; they have their own but it would not hurt to prepare a shirt or two in case we have damage."

  "That will incur a cost for me, my lord."

  "And I will pay." I smiled wolfishly at him, "And I hope you keep good accounts for the tax man when he comes. I will certainly be keeping a record of my costs."

  His face fell, "Yes my lord. When will you require these?"

  "You have a month. I shall send the men over so that you may get an idea of sizes."

  That evening Wulfstan and Edward joined me to watch a particularly fine sunset. Its red rays spilled over the Tees making it look as though it was bathed in blood. "I hope this is not an omen."

  Edward shrugged, "If it is my lord then it is the same omen for everyone."

  "Tomorrow we will begin our journey around the key manors. We will begin in the east at Normanby. Wulfstan, what do you know of Sir Mark?"

  "Nothing. I have never met him or heard of him. However there appears to be little danger to him being south of the river. It may be he thinks he is safe."

  "Then my orders from the King will come as a shock to him. We will visit Yarm and then return here."

  "You can do them both in one day?"

  "It is but ten or twelve miles to each and we can travel swiftly."

  "Whom will you take?"

  I smiled at Wulfstan's question. Faren was coming close to her time and he was fretful. "You may stay here my old friend. I will take Edward, Wulfric and eight men at arms. We do not go to war."

  As I was leaving Adela came to me, "May good fortune attend you today, my lord and may God watch over you."

  "Thank you for your concern Adela. It does you great credit."

  She hesitated, "Do you still have the lucky charm I gave to you? The jet deer?"

  My hand went involuntarily to me neck. "I do. Do you wish it returned?"

  She shook her head vehemently, "No, my lord. I was just making sure you had not discarded it."

  Perhaps I was being overly sensitive but her words sounded to me as though it was she who had been discarded. I knew I would need to find some answers to my questions soon or go insane.

  We crossed on the ferry. Ethelred was even more prosperous than when we had left. It was reflected by the fact that he no longer charged me. He realised that it was due to me that he had a business and he could not afford to lose my patronage.

  The road east was more of a track which followed a low ridge which wound around the marshy swamps which lay to the south of the river. We made good time. I saw the farms which dotted the fertile soil but the people who lived within remained hidden. I had never travelled in these parts and, I suspect, I was an unknown quantity. News rarely reached this remote border.

  I saw the motte and bailey castle which was on a knoll in the foothills of the moors. It was a good site and overlooked the Tees. I frowned. On a clear day I expected that you would be able to see all the way to Hartness in the north.

  The gates were shut as we approached. I was not surprised. I had never visited with Sir mark of Normanby. As far as he was concerned then I could be a raider although our shields were on our backs and we carried our helmets on our cantles. A number of faces appeared at the gate tower. Crossbows were pointed at us.

  "I come at the orders of King Henry. Who commands here?"

  The knight who was in the middle of the crossbowmen took off his helmet. There was something familiar about him. "I am Sir Mark de Brus, Baron of Normanby."

  That explained much. I now knew why he looked familiar. This was the cousin of the traitor. "I am Baron Alfraed of Norton and I am charged with the protection of the Tees valley." I took the parchment from Harold. "This is my authority from the King. May we enter or are we to shout at each other?"

  His scowling face told me that he would prefer to stand and shout but he also wanted to check my credentials. He shouted down and the gate was opened. Edward said, "This is a good start my lord. I thought we would have to fight our way in."

  "Who knows Edward, we may have to fight our way out. Keep your eyes and ears open."

  There were no longer crossbows pointed at us but they had been replaced by surly looks. I dismounted and strode up the steps to the hall. Sir Mark awaited me. I turned to my men, "You may stay here, Sir Edward."

  Once inside I unrolled the parchment and allowed Sir Mark to read it. Not every knight could read but I saw that he was actually reading. When he had read it he rolled it up and handed it back to me.
"I do not think that this applies to me. The river is to the north of this castle."

  "You can see the river and you live in the Tees Valley. The King wants it protecting from Scottish raiders. That applies to you too."

  "They never bother us here. Nor my cousin in Guisborough."

  "And what of your cousin who is named traitor by the King?"

  He flashed me an angry look, "He is no traitor!"

  "And I say differently. I will happily to put this to a trial by combat if you wish for I am already tired of you and your whining."

  I could see, in that instant, that he was a coward and liked to intimidate people. He backed down immediately. He said, flatly, "What do you require of me?"

  "How many knights do you command?"

  "None. There is just me."

  "Crossbows?"

  "Ten."

  "Men at arms?"

  "Six."

  "And the local fyrd?"

  "We can muster twenty yeomen."

  "You have no archers?"

  "They are hard to train."

  "Then train some! When I send my instruction to you then you will muster your men at Stockton, by the ferry. I will expect you to set off as soon as the instruction is sent."

  I took a candle and dripped it on to the table. I pushed my signet ring into it. "This is my mark! Heed it well. I am not a patient man."

  As we headed west I shook my head, "The De Brus family seems fated to haunt me!"

  "They will be of no use to us, my lord. Wulfric tried to speak with them. They never practise and none has mail. Their helms are made of leather! We would not be able to rely on them."

  "You may be right and we have yet to see the others. If this is typical of the men we are to use then it does not bode well for me. I may well have merely my own men to command."

  "You could worse."

  "I know Edward but why should my men die to protect others who cannot be bothered?"