by Shel Pais
“Lady Catherine. Sir Walter. I am Donald, leading Baron Henry’s daughter to the king.”
“I remember you,” Lady Catherine said. “Come in, all of you, and warm yourself by our fires. Walter, please take care of the men-at-arms.”
“My lady, Walter,” Michael said, bowing to Catherine as well.
“Michael. Nice to see you. Come, and bring your men. We have warm quarters for all of you, with hot food and ale,” Sir Walter said.
The men gave a slight cheer as they followed Walter and Michael into the castle.
“Donald, you and Alycia, come with me. Cyrus, prepare chambers for our guests.”
David smiled. A chamber for me? The two of them followed Catherine as Cyrus ran on ahead with Bryce following him. “So, Alycia, how are your father and mother?”
“They are well, Lady Catherine.”
“I understand you were to be wed to Sir Edgar.”
“Yes, but he’s a brute, and thanks to Donald for saving me and getting wounded in the process, I will never marry him.”
Catherine noticed Alycia could not keep her eyes off Donald. “Alycia, this is your chamber. Donald, continue down the corridor, go up the stairs, and you will find Cyrus at yours.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
Catherine and Alycia entered Alycia’s room. There was a large bed covered with a canopy, and a table with a washbasin and a mirror. A fire recently started began to heat the room.
“Alycia, come sit down. May I ask you a question?” Alycia nodded.
“Am I correct you have feelings for Donald?”
“Are they that noticeable?”
“A woman senses these things. You know I don’t have any children. Geoffrey and I have tried without success. While I have not had the experience of raising a daughter, you may speak freely to me. I imagine that might be difficult for you to do with your own mother.”
Tears appeared in Alycia’s eyes. “You’re very wise. I tried to talk to my mother about Donald, but from her and my father I get the same answer. He’s not a knight, not nobility, and I cannot marry below my station. Now I’m on my way to London, where my father asked the king to help find me a husband, and I’m to be a lady-in-waiting.”
Catherine put her arm around Alycia. “I understand completely. You know, before Geoffrey was awarded his title, we were just commoners as well.”
“I had forgotten that. Are you trying to say that perhaps I will have a chance with Donald?”
“Do you love him?”
“I do, Lady Catherine. I do.”
“Does he love you?”
Alycia hesitated. “I think so, but every time I try to talk to him about us he says the same thing—that he’s not allowed to, and it can never be. I think he says that not to hurt my father. He treats Donald like the son he never had, but I don’t treat him like a brother.”
“I see,” Catherine said. “I can only give you this advice. Donald, from what I understand, is a fine warrior who probably will be a knight. If you want him, I suggest you bide your time until he obtains his rank and title. There is no other way. Even if you would renounce your birthright, he will never disgrace your father. You must be patient. However, at court your heart may take a different course, and you may find that Donald is not your true love.”
“Is that possible, Lady Catherine? How do you ever know if any man is the right one?”
“Alycia, you are so young and beautiful. These are both blessings and curses. They can complicate a woman’s reasoning about a man. I don’t know how to answer your questions. They say when you meet him, you know. I’m not so sure. It is true the older we get, the wiser we become. I hope you never lose your beauty like I have.”
Alycia looked at Catherine with disbelief. “You have not lost your beauty, my lady. I think you are very beautiful.”
“You are very kind, Alycia. Age does change one, physically and mentally. You will find that things that seemed to be so important when you were younger are not so as you get older.”
Alycia laughed. “My mother told me the same things. Somehow, they’re more believable when you say them. I will take your advice and try to be patient. I will wait for Donald to be knighted and will not pursue another. I know what I want, and I will try everything to get it.”
Catherine kissed Alycia on the cheek. “I hope you do get what you want. And if I can help you do that, I most certainly will.”
“Thank you, Lady Catherine.”
Bishop Basil was fuming. “You failed me, Hubert. Failed me terribly. I told you to get me the largest loan from the Jews you could. Instead, you tell me all you got were fifty pounds. Are you telling me the truth?”
Hubert tried to stay still but could not. He was sweating profusely, even though the fireplace was cold, and there was a distinct chill in the room.
“Your Grace, I was working with the best moneylender in Northampton. He’s very difficult to deal with. We even gave him detailed plans to increase our revenue, but he rejected all of them.”
“Why didn’t you use someone else?”
“There is no one else. Baruch is the only one in Northampton who has the resources. Besides, they all speak to each other.”
Basil stood and glared at Hubert. “You’re a liar. I know about the one thousand pounds.”
Hubert was stunned. “Your Grace, let me explain.”
Basil sat. “Very well. Explain.”
“I admit I obtained a thousand pound loan from Baruch. I kept it a secret from Alwyn, but it was properly recorded in the archa. I was holding the funds until I could obtain more before delivering them all to you. I don’t trust Alwyn. I was afraid he would steal the money for himself.”
Basil seemed unconvinced. “Nonsense. Why would he do that?”
“Alwyn and I are cousins, as you know. He grew up very poor, and his parents are quite ill. I believe he would have used the money for them. Also, I have to report he has been communicating with the Jews against your and my orders.”
Again, Basil looked unconvinced. “I do not believe you. Alwyn has been under my orders, and I seriously doubt he would go against them.”
Hubert was not prepared for the bishop’s ranting. That traitor Alwyn, he thought. He found out about the thousand pounds and told Basil.
“Your Grace,” Hubert said humbly, “I’m sure we can settle our differences to your satisfaction.”
“How?”
“Baruch has gone to York, but I’m sure he will return soon. I promise you I will obtain more from him and turn all of it over to you.”
Basil looked sternly at Hubert. “Very well. I’ll give you three months. I’ve heard the king will be issuing a new edict soon with more restrictions against the Jews, but I don’t know what they are. If moneylending is halted, you will not be able to please me.”
Hubert was not aware of any new restrictions and became worried that, depending on what the king had in mind, everything could change. He would have to work fast.
“I will please you, Your Grace.”
Hubert left the bishop, and as he walked down the street, he did not stifle his anger at Alwyn as well as Baruch. I cannot trust anyone, he whispered to himself. I still have Baruch because of what I know about his nephew, and that alone will be the difference. Baruch cannot avoid me forever, and he will not sacrifice David for money. I will sacrifice him if I do not get my way. Three months. Not a long time, but it will have to do.
The rain started again, and with no end in sight, David and Sir Michael decided to stay at the castle until the skies cleared. The spring was already one of the wettest anyone could remember. David enjoyed sleeping in his chamber and had the best night’s sleep he had had since he slept in his own bed at home. He wondered if he could get away for a while to see his family, but decided it was too risky.
The weather made it too difficult to train, so David spent much of the day with Michael and the men-at-arms playing dice. As evening approached, the rain slowed, and Walter took Michael and David
into Northampton to a tavern he frequented, the Swords Point. They ate mutton, drank ale, and talked of battles and fighting skills. When the subject of women came up, which was quite frequently, David did his best to ignore it as best as he could. As he looked around the tavern, he noticed two shabbily dressed men sitting near them. They were drinking heavily, and talking loud enough that David could hear.
“Remember when we attacked the Jews with de Montfort?” one of the men said.
“Aye, it was five years ago, but I remember it well. We killed a number of them. Some fled to the castle, but we had our fun.”
David tried to hear more of their conversation, but with other men talking, it was difficult. After a while, Walter and Michael said they were tired, and were going back to the castle. David told them he wanted to stay a bit and would return soon. After a few minutes, he approached the two men.
“Evening, gentlemen. May I buy you a round of ale?”
The two men looked at each other, and then at David. “That you may, my friend. Join us.”
David sat and called the barmaid, who brought a pitcher.
“What’s your name?” one of the men asked.
David decided not to give his assumed name. “Robert. Who are you?”
“I’m Ralph,” the first man said, “and this is Tom.”
“I overheard you talking about the attacks on the Jews. Can you tell me more? I was too young to have participated.”
“You missed a good time. Simon de Montfort ordered us to ransack their homes, taking whatever we wanted, killing as many as we could find,” Tom said.
Ralph smiled. “It was so easy. Nobody fought back. They had no weapons, no training. They’re all cowards.”
“Not all,” Tom said. “Remember that one woman? She fought me with a knife and cut me before I hit her hard and killed her. This is the scar it left.” The man pointed to a long scar on his right cheek.
They kept drinking, and David kept the ale coming. “A woman, you say. Do you know who she was?”
Ralph answered David’s question, slurring his words a bit, as the ale was taking effect on both of them. “She was the apothecary’s wife, I believe. No one else was in the house. We never knew what happened to her husband and any children.”
David ordered one more pitcher, and the two men gulped it down.
“It’s getting late,” Tom said, obviously drunk. “I’d better get on home.”
“Me…too,” Ralph said slowly, and they both got up and staggered to the door.
“Thanks for the ale,” Ralph said.
“My pleasure,” David said. “Let me help you men home. In your condition, the streets can be dangerous.”
“You’re a good man, Robert,” Tom said.
David led them out of the tavern and down the street into an alley.
“Where are we going?” Ralph said, trying to keep his eyes open.
“I know a shortcut. Trust me,” David said.
He led them down the alley where it ended at what appeared to be an abandoned building. He then pushed both of them down to the ground and drew his sword. The two drunken, startled men became frightened.
“What are you doing?” Tom said.
“Keep quiet, both of you. Such brave men. Killing innocent Jews. Killing innocent women.”
“Innocent Jews?” Ralph said. “Why should you care about Jews or a Jewish woman?”
David knelt and put his face in front of both of them. “Before you die, know that my name is David. I am a Jew, and the woman you killed was named Sarah. She was my mother.”
Both immediately looked shocked and terrified. Even in their condition, they knew what was coming. David took their purses, threw them away so it would appear robbers had killed them, and wiped the blood from his sword. “You are avenged, my dear mother.”
When David returned to the castle, Sir Michael was standing in the courtyard.
“It’s about time you came back. I was getting worried about you.”
David smiled. “No need, Michael. I took a walk around town for a bit since the weather had improved.”
“Yes, it has. We should leave in the morning.”
“Fine with me. I’m getting tired of being here with no action and not much to do.”
DAVID GAZED IN AWE AT the king. Henry stood over six feet tall with a full beard, his long, gray hair falling under his crown and onto his shoulders. He had an imposing look and was known for his piety. However, David knew this king was no friend to his people. He built the Domus Conversorum to house Jews who had converted to Christianity and had imprisoned and heavily fined many leaders of the Jewish community. What would he think if he knew Donald’s true identity?
Alycia and David were led into a room with two high-backed chairs. The king sat in one, but the other, for Queen Eleanor, was empty. The room was cold and dark, with few windows, and many of the candles had burned down and not been replaced with new ones. The wooden floor was old, and the entire room was musty. There also was a table with ten chairs around it. A faded tapestry hung on one wall.
Alycia wore a new dress with embroidered flowers made by her mother’s seamstress. It was a subtle yellow David thought complemented her hair. He could not help noticing it was low-cut and exposed more of Alycia’s bosom than he thought was proper.
Henry motioned for them to approach. After bowing, the king signaled for both to rise.
“You are Baron Henry de Percy’s daughter?”
“Yes, Sire. Alycia.”
The king looked at David. “And you?”
“I am Donald of Coby Hollow.”
“Ah, yes. I remember. You are the lad who saved Baron Henry’s life, and I believe defeated Baron Geoffrey’s champion archer.”
“Yes, Sire. Baron Henry has been very generous to me.”
The king looked at Alycia. “Your father asked me to help you find a husband.” Alycia frowned. “You are not happy with his request?”
Alycia looked up, her gleaming blue eyes at maximum sweetness. “Your Majesty, my parents mean well, but they don’t know my heart. I wish to find my own true love.” She glanced at David.
Henry laughed. “Such innocence. You are a baron’s daughter and cannot marry just anyone. Can you imagine what would happen if we allowed those of rank to do that? I would never permit it. I do admire your courage, though, to express your desire. Alycia, I promised your father to make you a lady-in-waiting and introduce you to potential suitors. Your father was a loyal supporter of me during the Baron’s War, and I’ve never forgotten it. I expect you to honor his wishes.”
Again, Alycia could not hide her disappointment. “Sire, I will try.”
“I am sure you shall. Now go with Rose. She will inform you of your duties.”
Alycia bowed and left with the servant girl, looking back at David, as he did to her as well. Henry then turned to David.
“You are the one Baron Henry wanted me to grant knighthood.”
“I am honored the baron would be so bold as to ask your permission, Sire.”
“Do you think you deserve to be knighted?”
“That is not for me to judge, Your Majesty. I am proud of my accomplishments, and I only wish to serve you and Baron Henry to the best of my ability. Yes, I wish to be a knight, but only when I have earned the right.”
Henry stared at this young warrior for what to David felt like an hour. “I am impressed with you, Donald. Most men would not be so humble and would request immediate knighthood.” The king looked to his left and, to David’s surprise, said, “Edward, please come here.”
David had not noticed the figure sitting in a darkened corner.
“Edward, this is Donald, a young warrior who saved Baron Henry de Percy’s life. Perhaps you should take him on crusade with you?”
Shocked he would be introduced to the future King of England, David bowed to Prince Edward. He was extremely tall, like his father, with long, black, curly hair. He wore a magnificent black tunic, with polished leather boots. �
�Your Grace. I am honored.”
Edward looked David over without any enthusiasm. “If he wishes it. It’s of no importance to me, Father.”
David definitely did not want to go on crusade. He knew traveling crusaders often would put entire towns of Jews to the sword. He also wanted to stay in England to be able to defend his people when the time came.
“Sire, Prince Edward, I thank you for your consideration, but I must return to Baron Henry to complete my training. I hope you’ll understand.”
The king nodded. “Very well. Edward is not leaving until next year. Perhaps you will be ready then. You may go. Give Baron Henry my best.”
Relieved, David bowed to the king and the prince, and quickly left. A Jewish crusader. How ironic that would be. No, I could not. Too many of my people have been massacred by crusaders. I cannot be a part of that and do not know how as one man I could stop it. He returned to the barracks, where Sir Michael was waiting for him.
“Is it Sir Donald now?” he said with a hearty laugh. “Did the king make you his new champion?”
“Very funny, Michael. I did meet him and Prince Edward. When will we return to York?”
“Are you in such a hurry? Baron Henry said we could stay in London for a few days.”
David did not like that idea. Even though he had never been to London, he was eager to get back to York. He did not know why, but believed the longer he was away, the more dangerous it would be for him.
The elders had called for a meeting after evening prayers. Feeling honored to be included, Mordecai waited for the meeting to start. Rabbi Ezra silenced everyone.
“Gentlemen. I called you here because we have been informed the king continues to issue more edicts against us. These new ones forbid us to own land, and do not allow our families their due inheritances. Some of you are landowners, and you must now sell your holdings for a mere pittance, taking a severe loss. For most of us, not being able to provide for our families after we are gone is by far more serious.”
Rabbi Tanchum, Moshe ben Jacob, and Joshua ben Isaac all nodded. “I think we should consider leaving England,” said Rabbi Tanchum.