As soon as my knights saw the King they leapt from their horses and bowed. Henry smiled, “Rise Wulfric. I may wear a crown and sit upon a throne but I am still the young warrior who suffered the sharp edge of your tongue and the flat of your hand.”
Wulfric shifted uneasily, “I am sorry, your majesty. I…”
The king waved his hand, “Tell us the tale swiftly unless your words are not for all to hear.” King Henry had grown. Eleanor had been good for him. She had shown him how to be more sensitive. If my son was dead then the King would have us hear that privately.
He shook his head, “No, your majesty. All are safe. We encountered the Scots and defeated them. We recaptured the animals and captives. All would have returned but,” he lowered his voice, “when we reached Cuneceastra Sir William discovered that the messenger he had sent to tell his father of his return had been taken by the Scots to their castle at Warkworth.”
King Henry frowned, “We have no castle at Warkworth.”
Wulfric said, bluntly, “They have built one. We saw evidence that they are improving their defences all along the border.”
“And the Bishop of Durham, de Puiset?”
Wulfric was nothing if not blunt, “He squats, like a toad, behind his walls and does nothing, your majesty.”
“I will have words with the Bishop. Carry on with your tale.”
“Sir William said that he was honour bound to rescue his friend for he was a Varangian.” He looked at me, “He knew your father, lord. Dick went with him. He would not take more of us for he said that the valley needed protection and it was his quest alone.” He smiled, “Dick was forceful!”
Henry nodded, “You have a noble son. He takes after you Alfraed. I can see that I was meant to come here. What will you do?”
“I will ask my knights to fetch their men at arms. I will send to Piercebridge and Normanby for their men. It would take William some days to reach Warkworth and it is now deep into the land the Scots have stolen. Tomorrow I will send Aiden and his men north to the New Castle and beyond. I would have them find either the Scots or my son.” I turned to King Henry and said, quietly, “I know that we have an uneasy peace with Scotland, your majesty, but if they have hurt my son then I will have vengeance.”
He held up his hand, “You have no argument from me. However, I will ride tomorrow to Durham. I will take my knights and leave the Queen here. It is time that I reminded Hugh de Puiset of his duties. I only ask that you await my return. It will take some days to gather your men in any case. You must not leave your castle unguarded. The Queen’s ladies are here.”
“That I will not. Thank you, your majesty.”
“I owe my crown and throne to you. William served my father well and was a valiant warrior. He deserves our support no matter how foolish his quest.” He clasped my arm as his grandfather had once done, “And when I return here your knights can swear their allegiance to me.” He held up his hand, “I know that they do not need to for they are as loyal as any but I asked those who attended the coronation to do so and I must be seen to be fair.”
I shook my head, “Your brother Geoffrey swore. It seems an oath means little to some men. Do not fear, majesty, my knights and their squires will be more than happy to take an oath.”
My knights had little time to rest. I sent them home to return with men and archers. I despatched riders to ask Sir Phillip and Sir Gilles of Normanby to bring their men too. It was only then that I thought of Rebekah. I hurried to her quarters. I saw that she had been weeping. She had heard the news. Samuel looked confused and Ruth clung to her mother.
“He will be safe. He has my archers with him and they are the finest in England.”
“But he is not in England is he, lord? He is deep inside Scotland. I know why he goes. Ralph of Bowness was of great help to him but my husband has too much honour. He has children now and a wife.”
I sat on the bed and put my arm around her. “And he will return. I feel it in my bones but I will not sit idly by and just wait. I have summoned my men and we will ride to find him. I cannot go blindly for there are many ways he could return but I will not rest until my son is back here in the bosom of his family. You must trust me in this, Rebekah. I have only recently met you and yet I see steel beneath that fragile frame of yours.”
She turned and, burying her head in my chest, wept. I said nothing for there was nothing to say. She had to let out those tears. She would be stronger for it and be able to face her children.
Her tears did not last long, “Thank you, lord. Your son is right. Your enemies may fear you but I can see why your friends love you. My father and brothers would have enjoyed meeting you. You are unlike the Normans we saw in our land.”
“Perhaps that is because I grew up in the east or, more likely, because I was raised by men who came from this land before the Normans came. Ralph of Bowness sounds like such a man and it is why my son risks all.”
We heard squeals from the corridor as Samuel and Ruth raced along pursued by Alice who was playing a game. For my housekeeper, the arrival of the two children had been the greatest gift she could be given. Denied children herself, she was as protective of them as a she-wolf.
Rebekah smiled, “One cannot be sad for long with those two around.”
“They have brought light to this castle and joy to an old man’s heart. Come let us go to them.”
As I passed the window I saw the flakes of snow falling. The fine weather was ending. What did this portend? Would it aid or hurt my son?
Chapter 10
The snow fell all night and lay like a white blanket over the valley. It added urgency to my plans for my travels. There was a great deal to be done before we could leave. I sent Aiden and his two scouts to find my son and they left before dawn. This time they took spare horses. “I promise, my lord, that I will find these Scots and, hopefully, your son.”
“But you are less confident about William.”
He smiled, “That is because I know how good he is at hiding. The Scots? A man deaf, dumb and blind could find them, but William? He is clever. Fear not. I would bet money on his survival.” He pointed to the snow laden skies. “This snow is lying deep. It will slow down the Scots.”
Then we had to prepare our weapons and animals. I chose the oldest men to stay behind at the castle. I did not need a large garrison. The King and his household knights would remain. There was no need for him to risk himself. My steward was an expert in preparing supplies. I did not think we would be away for long, perhaps two or three days at the most, but we needed tents and servants. The snow had dictated that. By the end of the day we were ready and the first of my knights had arrived.
The ones who came earliest were the ones who lived closest: Hartburn, Elton, Norton and Thornaby. Normanby and Piercebridge took more time. Richard and James were kept busy. They had to make sure that all of my knights had accommodation and that I would have all that I needed. Richard had been knighted but he had yet to take a squire and he helped James. They had both been my squires and were close. Only Wulfric and Dick, of my knights, had not been my squires. James would carry my banner. It had been some time since we had ridden against the Scots. The battle for England had taken precedence. Now they would feel my wrath. They knew the wolf standard and they feared it.
It was disappointing when neither the King nor my scouts returned during daylight. The gates were closed and a watch was kept but I knew that they would not return after dark. The King was obviously impressing himself upon the Bishop and my scouts must have had to ride further than they thought to find the Scots.
The next morning passed and there was still no sign of either the King or my scouts. Sir Philip and Sir Gilles arrived with their men. We would have eight knights along with over a hundred men at arms and a hundred archers. With such a force, I could take the New Castle!
King Henry arrived after noon. He looked contented. Eleanor excused herself to go to her room, “I had forgotten that the north could have snow! I hope the
re is a fire in my room. I will need it to drive the chills from my bones.”
Alice appeared, “Fear not majesty, I have hot drinks to warm you.”
King Henry smiled as my housekeeper led his wife away. “Is there somewhere we can talk in private?”
“My solar.”
When we were alone he said, “You were right about the Bishop. He was fence sitting. I think de Puiset was waiting to see if I wanted the north back! Once he realised that I did then his attitude changed. He told me that his men had found Scottish scouts on the borders of the Palatinate. When I asked him why he had not taken action he spoke of the agreement I had made with the King of Scotland!” He shook his head, “Churchmen! I told him that the agreement had only been reached to buy me time to defeat Stephen. He did tell me that one of his men at Cuneceastra had met with your son but he had heard nothing since. There were, however, rumours of battles and skirmishes to the north of his lands. I think William is still alive.”
“Thank you, majesty. Now I wait for my scouts.”
“And I will gather your knights and take their oath.” We descended to my hall where my knights were gathered already.
It was a solemn occasion and my knights and squires all took it seriously. They had sworn oaths to me before but this was different. They were swearing an oath to a king. Only Wulfric and Harold had done that before when the king’s grandfather had ruled.
Perhaps it was the swearing of the oaths that changed events; I know not but, no sooner had we left the hall when Edgar galloped in, “Lord, your majesty! We have found the Scots!”
I ran over to him. There was no need for a dignified walk. If he had found the Scots then I would soon find my son.
Edgar pointed to the north. “There are two columns of them. Aiden and my brother are watching them. One came from the north. They are heading for Auckland. The other was waiting north of Fissebourne,” he paused. “They have your son trapped between them. He is outnumbered.”
I nodded, “Mount! We ride. Edgar, lead us.” As I mounted Badger, I saw Rebekah standing at the doorway to my hall. She looked so small and vulnerable. She held her children tightly. I nodded and, as I slid my sword from its scabbard and raised it shouted, “Death to the Scots! Long live King Henry!”
My men echoed my cry and the sentries banged their shields. It was a cacophony of noise but it was also a message. The Warlord of the North was going to war and his enemies should fear him. I spurred Badger, he was getting old but there were still battles in him. Scout may have died but his spirit lived on in my other horses. With my banner fluttering behind me we rode from the north gate. The townsfolk stood and cheered as we galloped by.
We headed west. We would go through Redmarshall and Aycliffe. It was a good road, my men kept it well maintained. We would be at my son’s side within a few hours. No one had ridden down the road. It was virgin snow. That made it easier for us although I suspected that those at the rear would be riding through slush and mud when all the hooves had passed over it. The passage would not be so easy for them. The skies had cleared and visibility was good. It meant that we would see the Scots, and hopefully, my son when we were some distance away. I prayed that would give him hope. Often in a battle it is the thought of defeat which defeats you. So long as you have hope then anything is possible. I took comfort from the fact that he had Dick and his archers with him. It was not just their arrows which were deadly. They were the masters of the short sword and buckler. Woe betide a knight or man at arms who thought he had an easy prey. We kept up a steady pace but we were not thrashing our horses. We would have a battle to fight at the end of our journey. Outnumbered, my son would have found himself a good defensive position. With a handful of mounted men, he would dismount and use his archers to thin out the enemy. This was my land and I had ridden over every part of it. Edgar’s description had told me where William would be. It was as we climbed a gradient and Badger’s hooves slipped that I knew where my son would be. He would be on the slope which led to the Bishop’s estates. I almost shouted for joy. My son had a chance.
My hopes were almost dashed as we neared the battle. The clear air had carried the sounds of cries and the clash of steel on steel towards us. We heard the battle before we saw it. When we drew near I saw that my son had, indeed, chosen the best position. I knew, from Edgar’s report, that my son was surrounded. There was a mass of men before him. It seemed impossible that they could survive. There were, however, open fields to the left and right of us. I shouted, “Form a long double line. Knights in the centre, squires behind. Sir Philip take your men ahead and try to thin them out.”
“Aye lord.”
Sir Philip’s men at arms joined my men while he led his twenty-four archers to gallop ahead of us. It would be little that they could do but even if they just distracted the Scots then it might buy me the time I needed. Many of my knights carried spears. Wulfric and I did not. I carried my sword and Wulfric a double handed axe which he wielded with one hand. He was to my right and Sir Harold to my left.
We were four hundred paces from them and I could see a banner I did not recognise, it was a gryphon. That had to be my son! I spied the Scottish banner of the Keith family. My son’s men were being pressed hard. I spurred Badger and he opened his legs. While we were on the flat we had the chance to build up speed. When we reached the slope, it would be a different matter. I saw Sir Philip’s men. They had dismounted and were releasing arrow after arrow at the enemy. As men began to fall to the deadly missiles the Scots, at the rear, turned around. They spied my double line of horsemen and my banner. I saw them physically recoil. The Warlord was back!
Numbers were impossible to estimate. It was a whirling mass of men who were hacking and slashing at each other. Wulfric and I were slightly ahead of the rest and we were the ones to strike first. The men at the rear had neither mail nor spears. They had pot helmets, curved swords and small round shields a little bigger than a buckler. We tore into them. I had my sword by Badger’s rump and I swung it in an arc from behind me. It ripped up the middle of a Scottish warrior as Wulfric’s axe split the skull and chest of a second. We were at the slope but going so fast that we were through their first men before we slowed up.
My sword was raised and I brought it down to hit the next Scot between his shoulder and his neck. My sword hacked deep into his body and it slid, dead, from my bloodied blade. I now saw my son and a giant of a warrior wearing mail and besmirched in blood. Next to them was a wild man with a black patch over his eye who appeared to be dressed in red. He was hacking and swinging with his sword as though he was invincible. I saw arrows flying from the woods. Dick still had archers. I took a second look as I saw a priest laying about him with a sword. I had never seen the like. It made me even more determined to reach them.
As I had slowed I used that to my advantage. As the rest of my knights and men at arms caught up with me I stood in my stirrups and pulled back on my reins. Badger responded magnificently. He reared. His great hooves clattered down and flattened two Scots. As I landed I lunged forward at the knight who had charged at me with a spear held before him. The spear was aimed at my right shoulder and, as I lunged I lay flat along my saddle. The spear scraped along my surcoat, tearing it and rasping off the mail. His impetus cost him his life. My sword slid along his cantle, through his mail and into his guts. Lord Alexander Keith died with a surprised look on his face. He had thought that he had killed Scotland’s greatest enemy. He must have believed that such an act would bring victory and he would be hailed a hero. He fell, unceremoniously, from his saddle and his body was mashed to a pulp by the horses of my men.
The battle was not over but the moment had swung it in our favour. All of my men at arms and knights were engaged. Our two lines had become one. We were hitting men on foot. Our horses were a deadly weapon. Our numbers were doubled by our well-trained horses. Sir Dick and Sir Philip had their men raining arrows down on the enemy. We had turned the enemy’s ambush into a trap of our own. It was a slaught
er.
The Scots had courage. They fought beyond all reason for they were the ones now surrounded. I saw that, as they turned to face us, my son led his men back into the woods to fight the enemy there. We had to destroy the will of the men before us and go to my son’s aid. If he fell now it would be a tragedy with which I could not live.
“On, for England! King Henry and the Warlord! On my heroes!”
It worked for my men fought with renewed vigour. Badger was now tiring and so I used him judiciously. I wheeled him around to allow me to use my height and long sword to slash and strike at unprotected necks and chests. The Scottish spears lay shattered for they had broken them in the first charge. Their curved swords were wickedly sharp but they were shorter than ours. Soon I had a wall of bodies around me. I saw that Wulfric’s horse had been injured and he had dismounted. With his shield strapped to his back he and his dismounted squire hacked and slashed their way through the Scots. Swinging his double handed axe, none could stand in his way. With their leader dead, it was inevitable that they would all be slaughtered. I did not mind that, they were the interlopers but as I saw two of Wulfric’s men at arms slain I decided I could not live with more of my men dying.
Standing in my stirrups I shouted, “Surrender or die! If you lay down your weapons I swear that you shall live!”
Amazingly all fighting stopped. To be fair men were weary and any excuse to have a rest was welcome.
A single Scottish voice shouted, “And be slaves?”
I shook my head, “No! We will keep you and let your king bargain for you. I cannot offer any better terms than that. You will live!”
A blood besmirched Wulfric spat out a tooth and said, “Let’s just kill the bastards!”
He said it loudly enough to be heard and it was the final act which decided the Scots. A grey beard knight threw down his sword and said, “We surrender but I hold you to your word.”
The Welsh Marches (The Anarchy 1120-1180 Book 15) Page 12