They clomped their way through town until finally coming to the Black Boar Inn. It was a very large place, four stories high, by far the tallest wooden building Ellyn had ever seen, and the two women exited the carriage gratefully, with Trudy rubbing her sore bum. They paused at the entrance to the inn for a moment, each looking up at the heights and then they followed Law inside.
The lower floor was completely devoted to a tavern, where many of the more well-to-do of the town came for both food and drink. The place was crowded, cozy and very warm. And though the tavern was clean and catered to the upper class, there were still a number of unsavory patrons in the crowd. As they made their way farther into the establishment, the Lady Ellyn’s guards tightened up around her as Law went off to make arrangements for rooms for the night. Lady Ellyn was breathless with excitement and wondered briefly if Shaftesbury could be so exciting and loud, what must Winchester be like? She gawked all around, carefully avoiding the darker corners of the room. She did not want to risk attracting any unwanted attention. But other than turning invisible, there was little she could do on that count. Long before Law returned, a pair of well dressed, handsome men approached and bowed low before her.
“Lady Ellyn of Bridgwater?” The taller of the two asked with a low bow and Ellyn nodded, very surprised. As far as she knew she did not have any acquaintances in Shaftesbury.
“Hallo, I be Sir Gospatrick of Wilton, personal guard to the Lady Ealhswith. She has sent me and me men to escort yor party to Winchester. We were on our way to yor home to do just that, but happily ye’ve saved us some riding,” the dark, handsome Captain of the guard said to Ellyn as his eyes wandering about her face and upper body. He was surprisingly tall and lean, though not nearly as tall as Matt. His hair was dark like Matt’s, though it was long and a bit wild. But his beard was trimmed and he looked well enough, attractive, despite his confident manner, but it was his eyes that stood out, they were a startling green and contrasted greatly against his dark features.
“Tis me hope that yor journey up to now has been a pleasant one?” The Captain asked motioning for them to sit, and both Ellyn and Trudy did so as Law returned for their bags. The remainder of Ellyn’s party withdrew to the background, but did not eat or relax their vigilance.
“Twas a bit over long, but otherwise pleasant enough,” Ellyn answered wondering just why this Captain was present. Twas odd indeed that the queen would send someone so far west to escort her to Winchester, after all they’d never met.
Trudy giggled and took her seat as a barmaid immediately set a fresh bottle of wine on the table. She added a pair of clay cups for the women, but Sir Gospatrick and his companion, an older gentleman, were already drinking.
“All pardons,” Sir Gospatrick said with a simple introduction. “Tis me friend and companion, Ædwin Mucel of Chippenham.”
Ellyn sucked in a quick breath, and Trudy nearly dropped her cup at the mention of the infamous swordsman’s name. Ædwin of Chippenham was well known all over Angland, and carried with him the reputation of being the finest man in the land with sword or knife. He was much shorter than his companion, with sandy blonde hair, gray eyes and moved about on the balls of his feet as if he were preparing to dance.
Twas rumored that he, this very man, had killed the late Cuthred, the Bishop of Winchester after he betrayed Alfred to Guthrum, though what truly happened was not known in the outer reaches of the Kingdom.
“I have heard of ye,” Ellyn said, trying desperately to cover her shock. Her eyes darted up to the older man and then away again, as if she thought he may actually harm her.
Ædwin, for his part, sighed deeply at her reaction. He was use to fear, nervousness, and caution in his presence and it wore on him, especially when such emotions came from lovely young women.
“M’lady...I be yors to command as ye will while we travel to Winchester,” he said with a smile, hoping the young lady would take him at his word. She raised her eyes and even met his briefly. For a moment she studied him closer, making him smile all the more. ‘She’s a brave one,’ he thought, finding her very attractive despite the dust she carried in her hair from her travels.
“Pray now. Please tell me why such an honor is being bestowed on me and me small company. Surely the Lady Ealhswith does not escort all the young maids of court just so.”
“Na,” Sir Gospatrick said with a chuckle. “She does na, but the Earl of Mercia and the Ealdorman of Somerset have sent word of an army invading the Lizard. The King…and the Queen be verily interested in just wot news there is from that land.”
“They have na invaded!” Ellyn protested.
“Twas wot the letters have said...but then some say they be friends, even allies against the Danes, while others caution the King to stay away at all costs. The Lady Ealhswith is deeply concerned, especially with her husband preparing to move against Ivarr the Boneless up in East Angles.”
A fat maid huffed over with their food, a thick meat pudding served with hot, soft bread, along with more wine. Ellyn said nothing while they were being served. Her caution was duly noted by both men at the table and their estimation of her rose. Trudy was absolutely terrified to be in the presence of the infamous swordsman and remained very quiet, carefully keeping her eyes on her meal, despite the man’s good looks. The handmaiden silently prayed that her mistress would be careful and wondered why they’d left the safe confines of Bridgwater.
All talking stopped for several long minutes as they ate until finally Ellyn gathered her nerve. “The Lady is wise na to believe all the lies ‘nd gossip, but she has nothing to fear from the Ammericaans. They be of honorable and gentle blood.”
“Ammericaans?” Ædwin asked.
“Tis wot they called themselves...and yah, they be friends.”
“And mayhap lovers?” Gospatrick asked with a playful smile, which faded as the Lady’s face turned bright red and she slammed her cup down on the table spilling its contents over all of them.
“Word travels fast,” Ellyn spat, “but mayhap na fast enough, for if I be a lover, tis a lover scorned. Indeed I’ve fled from a broken heart and still I tell ye that they be decent and honorable men.” She stood as she defended the Americans, the blush still on her cheeks, her embarrassment made only worse by the smug look on Sir Gospatrick’s face. Trudy’s eyes went wide; nervous about how Ædwin would react to the outburst, but the swordsman just stared up at Ellyn, his eyebrows slightly raised in surprise.
“Come Trudy I be over tired,” she added and Trudy rose though she was not nearly finished with her meal and still hungry from the road. “If ye will excuse us’n,” she said as both men stood and bowed low.
“Of course,” Sir Gospatrick replied, a smirk still on his face. “We be off by sunrise in the morn. Tis me hope that it will na be overly early for yor delicate constitutions.”
Ellyn seethed for a moment but said nothing and just stared at the man smiling down at her. Her mouth moved about nervously as if she were about to say something, but in the end she remained silent and with a nod of the head moved toward the stairs and her rooms. Her guard from Bridgwater followed behind, careful not to show their disapproval to the infamous swordsmen.
“It never ceases to amaze me that with a sword ye can learn every subtle trick I teach thee, but with the Ladies ye still be the bumbling fool,” Ædwin scolded his young friend.
“Na…she be quite taken with me,” Gospatrick answered as he watched the Lady Ellyn exit the room.
Ædwin laughed and Gospatrick turned to look at his older friend.
“Five farthings says I bed her a’fore the next moon,” he challenged.
“Done...and ye should pay me now. She may kill thee a’fore I get me money.”
“Pah! She was smitten, surely ye saw it, and I hear her father tis a noble knight who runs his lands well. She would fetch quite a dowry.”
“Yor to marry now eh?” Ædwin asked and laughed again. “I’d say twas na the Lady that was so taken.”
Sir Gospatrick frowned but
then laughed with his friend. “Rightly said, and if’n she’s a scorned lover, mayhap tis up to me to sooth her wounded heart.”
“With a kiss to her bosom na doubt.”
“Aye...ye saw her bosom too,” he said with a sigh, while Ædwin rolled his eyes at his young friend.
§
“We could take a Bot up and get her,” Giles suggested but Colonel Lemay shook his head.
“No, the people of northern Mercia aren’t even aware of our existence. You saw how the Ealdorman’s people first reacted to us. Do you really want to fly up there and announce that their Earl is dead, and you’d like to take the Countess away to his funeral in a flying dragon boat?”
Giles smiled then fell silent for a moment, thinking.
“But it wouldn’t be like that at all,” Matt protested. “Leoforic has already sent word to his mother, the Lady Merwinna has as well…plus we could take Leoforic with us. He’s a smart boy. It was his idea that the funeral be delayed until his mother could attend. If we explain to him exactly what we are trying to do and what we will be up against, he’ll understand and help us. Besides, if it looks a little dicey we can always turn back for home.”
Now it was Lemay’s turn to think and consider. He didn’t like the idea of putting both of his planes, plus two pilots in harm’s way, especially when it was not truly necessary. While going to fetch some Earl’s wife in her time of grief might be a good public relations move, it was definitely not vital to their ultimate objectives.
Finally he shook his head negatively. “It’s too risky. I don’t want to risk both Bots…or you two for this. She’ll get here in her own good time.”
“This Countess,” Matt said still pushing his point, “is the mother of Æthelstan, Leoforic’s older brother and current Earl of Mercia and she’s the daughter of King Alfred. This gesture may go a long way in the near future. And as far as pilots go...send Gardner with Giles if it will make you feel better.” Giles sent Matt a knowing look, and a slight smile. Matt was very persuasive, and Giles felt sure he could sway even the obstinate Colonel with time.
“Plus,” Giles added, “now that the new tower is assembled we should be able to stay in constant communication. If there’s something you don’t like turn us around.”
Lemay noticed both the look and the smile, but said nothing. He was weighing the odds against the rewards and thinking very hard.
“Very well, Gardner goes,” he said patently ignoring their look of triumph. “But listen well Captain Giles. I don’t want either of you to put yourselves or your planes in any danger whatsoever. Land well clear of any threat and let Leoforic walk in and explain. It’s his family, his people. If she agrees, she’ll come, if not, have Leoforic and Leoforic alone approach and inform you. You see anyone else, take off and head home. Got it?”
“Yes Sir,” Giles said, saluting and smiling at the same time, but before they could leave Lemay grabbed Matt by the arm.
“This is a risk Major Thane...let’s make it a good one. Giles, you and Gardner go in hot, so we can monitor the progress through the GBF,” Lemay said staring Thane directly in the eye, and though he had not always agreed with Matt or his actions since their arrival, he still had the utmost confidence in the man’s intelligence. He was a good soldier, and a very smart one.
“Yes Sir.”
“One more thing,” Lemay said. “I want you to circle the General and his group over Kingston. The town’s about forty miles to the east our position, and from what the Ealdorman tells me it’s quite large, so you should have no trouble finding it. Make sure both the boy and his mother are aware of the deviation. I don’t want her getting excited over a misunderstanding.”
Both Matt and Murphy nodded, each thankful that the Colonel was on their side. He was a solid number two man and never missed a beat, large or small. They saluted and headed off to inform Gardner of the trip, and to prepare the Bots. Tamworth was just over a hundred miles away, well within the effective range of the small plane. The Bot was very easy on gas. Nevertheless, they were indeed taking a great risk for the Lady of Mercia.
They explained carefully to Leoforic what they needed of him and took off twenty minutes later. The boy rode with Captain Gardner and was clearly excited. He was smiling and happy for the first time since his father’s death, which had hit him very hard. It didn’t help that his knew friend Doctor Rice was also absent. But in the air he was back to his old enthusiastic self, and pointed out as many towns and landmarks as he could name. The flight took just over an hour and before the boy knew it they were circling over Tamworth. Leoforic shouted in his excitement and leaned out the window to wave and yell down to the terrified citizens.
“Easy now,” Matt said surveying the scene with Lemay, through Giles helmet. “Find a cultivated field well out and away from the town,” he said knowing that at least a cultivated field would be relatively free of rocks. The people of Tamworth would just have to forgive them for the transgression. Down below, the people were running and pointing to the planes as they flew over the Earl’s walled fortress. It was impressive, by far the most impressive fortification they had seen thus far, dwarfing even the stronghold at Countisbury Hill.
“Now that’s almost a castle,” Giles said into the headset, and both Matt and the Colonel were forced to agree. The town wall had no less than eight wooden towers; the largest four were placed at each corner. Two smaller towers sat in the middle of the long walls that ran north and south of the main gate, which at the moment was thrown open. The thick wooden walls looked to be about twelve to fourteen feet high and came complete with ramparts where a number of guards stood nervously looking up at the planes as they flew overhead. The entire town was ringed by a deep, dry ditch that could only be crossed at the bridge at the main gates. From the air they could see numerous narrow cobblestoned streets that zigzagged their way through the town.
The place was crowded with people all gazing upward in terror. It was by far the largest town they’d come across up to now, though both Leoforic and the Lady Merwinna insisted Winchester was larger still. They circled back and found a field about a half a mile north of the walled town. They scanned the area carefully to make completely sure that no one was about, but the surroundings appeared to be bereft of people... the Bots had a way of doing that to the locals. They landed without incident and taxied across the field so that they were once again facing into the wind. From their vantage point they had a good view of the surrounding countryside and of the main gates which were now closed against the perceived threat. All was clear so they let Leoforic out. Both pilots cut their engines, but remained alert and strapped in, as the boy waved and took off toward home at a run. They waited nearly three quarters of an hour before the town’s gates were once again swung open. At first no one emerged but then a carriage escorted by no less than twenty knights on horseback rode out and headed directly toward the planes.
“Start them up,” Matt ordered from the command tent, viewing the scene from Murphy’s camera. The new tower was really boosting the signal and the picture was strong and clear, much to everyone’s satisfaction. “What do you think?” he asked the two pilots. Lemay tensed but said nothing.
“The carriage is a good sign,” Giles replied from his position in the cockpit, “unless it’s an attack carriage. You didn’t really expect the Countess to walk all that way did you?”
Lemay sighed at the Captain’s cavalier attitude. “Your call,” he said.
“Don’t take any chances…gun the engines if you have too, it should keep the horses away,” Matt advised and as predicted the carriage and knights stopped well away from the noise of the running planes. Even so several horses skittered around nervously and one knight even had to retreat half way back to the gates before his horse finally settled down. The remaining knights stared down at the noisy flying beasts with undisguised hostility and suspicion.
Leoforic was first out of the carriage. He smiled and waved to his friends and then he reached up and helped a b
eautiful woman out of the carriage. She studied the planes from a distance, clearly nervous about them.
“Magnify twenty,” Giles said and they got their first real look at the Æthelflæd, the Lady of Mercia. She was short, only about five foot tall, and she had thick jet black hair. She gazed fearfully at the strange contraptions that waited for her in the field below. Her face was pale, with clean elfin features, and her large brown eyes were wide with excitement. She wore an attractive red taffeta gown with a matching head piece. She was truly the most beautiful woman any of them had seen in many, many years. Moments later Leoforic helped another young woman from the carriage. The second girl was nearly the twin of the first, same black hair, same dark eyes and smooth pale skin. She stood next to the first, both eyeing the planes nervously.
“My god,” Lemay exclaimed and Matt looked up at him curiously. As far as the Major knew the Colonel had no interest at all in women. “There are a couple of beauties for you.”
Matt could only nod in agreement. “Twins you think?”
Lemay shrugged. “Sisters perhaps…how many daughters did Alfred have?”
It took a moment for Matt to call up the information on his computer. “Three I think…the names are confusing.”
“Yeah, but I’m more confused as to how the hell I’m going to squeeze that dress into the cockpit,” Giles quipped as he set the brake and climbed from the plane. Leoforic was moving forward but the two women remained frozen in place despite his coaxing.
“I believe I’ll have to go and calm the ladies down,” Giles added, wanting very much to get a close look at them both.
“Careful,” Lemay said but sensed no real danger from the group.
“Computer switch to Captain Gardner,” Matt said as Giles removed his helmet and slowly approached Leoforic and the two nervous women.
Leoforic was smiling widely as Giles approached but the two women were not reassured by his appearance. They stood very close to one another for support, though to the Captain’s relief at least they were not clutching at each other in terror. “Captain Giles,” Leoforic said when he was near enough. “May I present me mother, Lady Æthelflæd, the Countess of Mercia and me aunt the Lady Æthelgifu, soon to be the Abbess at Shaftesbury.”
The Temporal Knights Page 33