by Shel Pais
“This is terrible,” Michael said. “I cannot imagine any good can come of it.”
“What do you suggest?” David asked.
“I think we should turn around and take her right back to London,” Sir Walter said.
“No! I won’t go. If you take me back, I’ll run away again,” Alycia yelled.
“Donald, you’re our leader. It should be your decision as to what we should do,” Michael said.
David walked away, thinking about what should be done.
“This is what I order. Two of the men-at-arms will return to London and inform the king what Alycia did, and that she is safe. The rest of us will stop at Northampton and confer with Baron Geoffrey, who should have returned from France. We may send for Baron Henry instead of bringing her back to York, asking for his counsel.”
Walter and Michael looked at each other and nodded.
“Very wise,” Michael said. “If we return her to London, she probably will just do it again. Her father must be informed and decide what to do. I agree. What do you think, Walter?”
“I also agree. It makes sense and is the best way to handle this.”
David looked at Alycia. “You heard my decision. Will you promise not to run away, or do I need to tie you up?”
“Tie me up? All right, I promise I won’t run away, as long as you guard me.”
Michael and Walter smiled at each other. “Very well,” David said. “You will stay with me until we get to Northampton.”
David selected two of the men to return to London with the message. Then the rest of them left the farmhouse and continued on to Northampton.
Alwyn and Brother Andrew arrived at York late in the afternoon. Alwyn knew where the Jewish Quarter was and asked someone where Aaron the moneylender lived. He was directed to a large, two-story stone house with a stable in the rear. He found it and a young girl answered.
“Is Aaron at home?” Alwyn asked.
“My grandfather is with someone. Who’s calling?”
“Tell him I have a message for Baruch.”
The girl closed the door. A few minutes later, an older man appeared.
“I am Aaron. Who are you?”
“I am Father Alwyn from Hedgestone Priory in Northampton. I was told Baruch of Northampton was staying here, and I have a message for him.”
“I’m sorry, but I know no Baruch. You must be mistaken.” Aaron started to close the door, but Alwyn held out his arm with the parchment and stopped him.
“I am not mistaken. I know Baruch, and I know he’s here. This is an important message about his brother and his brother’s children he must be given.”
Alwyn saw Baruch at the door. “Father Alwyn. What about my brother and his family?”
Alwyn handed Baruch the parchment. He opened it and read it.
“Is this true, or did Hubert put you up to this?”
Alwyn hesitated. “I was told it is true.”
“If so, why are you delivering the news to me and not one of my people?”
Hubert had devised a cover story in case Baruch was skeptical. “Rabbi Ezra came to Prior Bartholomew for help, but he’s too old, so Abbot Hubert offered to help. Since I’m from York, I said I would go.”
“Do you know why they were all arrested?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t.”
“What do you think, Baruch?” Aaron asked.
“I’m not sure. Hubert is cunning, and this may be his way of getting me back to Northampton. If Mordecai and his family are in trouble, I must be there to help them. I can’t take the risk this is true and I’m not there to help.”
Baruch turned to Alwyn. “Tell Hubert that if he is responsible for lying to me, he will regret it. And you will too if I find out you were an accomplice.”
“I’ll tell him,” Alwyn said, as he quickly placed another parchment, this one quite small, in Baruch’s hand, hiding it from Andrew.
As they left, Andrew looked at Alwyn. “Is it true, Father Alwyn?”
“Who knows what the truth is anymore, Andrew? Who knows?”
Alycia embraced Lady Catherine with tears in her eyes.
“Am I a bad person? I know I disobeyed my father, but I couldn’t help it.”
Catherine lightly stroked Alycia’s hair to help soothe her.
“My dear child, I believe you are too young to be placed in such a position. Our society requires us to be directed by men. We are not free to follow our hearts. Nobility can be a blessing and a curse at the same time.”
Alycia rubbed her eyes. “Lady Catherine, what am I to do?”
“Frankly, I don’t know. My husband should be returning any day now. Donald wants his counsel about this matter. I suspect Geoffrey will send for your father, who will be quite angry with you for leaving the king without a by-your-leave.”
Alycia regained her composure.
“I don’t care. I will do what I want, not what anyone else wants. It’s time to change these archaic customs.”
Catherine smiled at this vivacious, strong-willed girl.
“You may be right, Alycia. It may be time to change. Though it will not be easy and will not take place overnight.”
Baron Geoffrey did return three days later. He met with David, Michael, and Walter in the great hall.
“Well, she certainly has caused a problem. You were right to bring her here. I will send for Baron Henry. I believe he must deal with her directly, and it would be better here than in York.”
“Thank you, Baron Geoffrey,” David said. “I must admit I don’t have any experience in these matters. My wish is to serve Baron Henry, and I don’t want to fail him.”
Geoffrey gave David a reassuring look.
“Trust me, Donald, Henry knows his daughter well. I doubt if he’ll be surprised to hear what she’s done, and I’m sure he will not blame you.”
“I hope you are correct. He trusted me to lead her escort to London, which I did. I never expected this to happen.”
“And you couldn’t have. Honestly, I would not have as well.”
Alycia sat in her chamber, contemplating what seemed to be a bleak future. She knew her father would take her back to London himself, and then arrange it with the king to ensure she could not run away again. Would she be imprisoned? Guarded at all times? What will her life be? No, she said to herself. I will never live like that. Never. I would rather die. If I cannot have Donald, I will never be happy. Why cannot anyone other than Lady Catherine understand what I am feeling? I should be grateful for the life I was given but I would trade it in an instant if I could have Donald. She decided she had to try one more time. She went down to the courtyard, where she found David sharpening his sword. He smiled when he saw her. She had bathed, was wearing a bright green dress Catherine had given her and had scented her body with one of Catherine’s perfumes.
“Hello, Donald.”
“Alycia. You look much improved from the trip here.”
Alycia blushed. “I never wanted you to see me like that, but I had no choice.” Then she paused for a moment. “Donald, I need to talk to you about something serious.”
“All right. Let us move away from anyone who may be listening.”
They walked to a hidden alcove in a corner of the courtyard. There was a bench there, as it was a place for reflection. He was certain his feelings for her would be so apparent that trying to hide them would prove futile. He guessed what she wanted to talk to him about, knowing that he again could only answer her one way, but admitting to himself it was getting harder and harder to refuse her advances. He worried he might break down at any time. What man in his right mind could refuse such a woman? Her beauty was undeniable, and the more time he spent with her, he learned she seemed not to be what most perceived women like her to be like. She had a down-to-earth quality that made it even harder to push her away. Reality set in again, though. I am a Jew and will always be one. Then a seemingly impossible thought came over him—does she love me enough to renounce her religion and convert?
No, it would be heresy, and no doubt Father Zacharias would have her sent to the stake. It cannot be. Then, David had another thought. I always was told I could never be a warrior, and look, I am closer than ever. Has God placed me in this position to change Alycia? Could this help to reconcile my people and hers? No, he concluded. That was too much to hope for.
“Donald. You don’t take me seriously, do you?”
“Alycia, how many times must we talk about this? A baron’s daughter cannot marry whomever she wants. A baron’s daughter cannot marry me, and no matter what my desires are, I can never marry a baron’s daughter.”
Alycia tried to maintain her composure. “Donald, don’t you believe that true love is more important than anything else? I believe that.”
David raised his voice slightly. “What I believe doesn’t matter. What matters is what your father and the king believe and dictate.”
Alycia took David’s right hand. “Donald, I love you enough to renounce my birthright and spend my life with you. That’s the only thing that matters to me.”
Even though David had heard her express her love before, this was the first time she had taken it this far. This, and her manner and inflections, affected him deeper this time. His voice warbled, and he became nervous.
“Alycia, Alycia. You cannot renounce your birthright. Why do you persist and make it so difficult for me?”
“Because I know we love each other. I know that no matter what you say, your feelings override them. You want me, you love me, and if we leave before my father gets here, we can run away and be together.”
As their eyes locked, he could not resist. Their lips met, the passion between them greater than even he could understand. He held her tightly as their tongues almost became one. David could feel his excitement growing quickly. Alycia reached down and felt the result of her advances. David came to his senses and pushed her away.
“No, stop. Please. I can’t do this to your father.”
“My father? You would deny yourself my love and my body because of my father? He doesn’t have to know. It can be our secret.”
David began to get angry. “No. I will not dishonor him.”
“You want me, I know you do. Now is your chance.”
David walked a few steps away and turned around.
“Of course, I want you. I want you more than you could know. But my honor and future as a knight is at stake, and I can’t jeopardize that.”
“Even for me?”
“Alycia. Please don’t make this harder than it is. Go back to London. Get married and raise your sons and daughters and forget about me.”
Alycia looked at David, and she suddenly sensed there was something he was not telling her.
“Donald, you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
Taken by surprise, he became defensive. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do. You keep using my father as your excuse, but I think there’s more to it.”
“No, Alycia, there isn’t. You know becoming a knight must be my first priority, and I can’t let anything or anyone get in my way. Unfortunately, that means you as well. Don’t wait for me, as I have no idea how long it will take, or even if it will happen.”
“No, Donald. My father will make sure you are knighted. The king himself may do so himself in a year. I can wait. I will wait. We will be together. You cannot deny me.”
Alycia turned and started to run back to her chamber, almost crashing into Sir Michael, who noticed she was upset and holding back tears.
“Lady Alycia. Are you all right? Have you been talking to Donald again?”
She nodded.
“Alycia, I’m sorry, but I must tell you something. Donald is pledged to a girl in Coby Hollow where he is from.”
Alycia’s face betrayed her shock.
“What? How do you know this?”
“Donald told me in confidence. He always had an excuse not to go with us to the brothels, so he told me the reason why. I would never want to see you hurt, but you needed to know that.”
The devastated look on her face frightened the seasoned warrior. “But he just told me he wanted me. Why didn’t he tell me that when I admitted my feelings for him again and again? Why? Why?”
She did not wait for Sir Michael to answer. She sped back to her chamber, locked the door, and collapsed on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.
“My life is over,” she whispered to herself. “I don’t want to live anymore.”
“SO, ALWYN, WHAT DID BARUCH say when he read the parchment?”
“He asked me if it was true, or if it was your way of getting him to return.”
Hubert laughed. “He is smart, that Jew, but not smart enough. When will he arrive in Northampton?”
“I imagine any day now. He told me to tell you if he discovered this was a lie of your doing, you and I would regret it.”
Hubert laughed again. “Oh, he threatened me, did he?” Alwyn frowned when Hubert said me and not us.
“There’s nothing he can do to me. Nothing at all. Alwyn, I want you to send one of the brothers to watch for his return, let me know immediately when he’s back, and make sure he’s discreet.”
This time I will demand even more, Hubert thought, and he will give it to me.
John de Oxenden hurried to the castle. His wife had overheard in the marketplace Sir Walter had returned to Northampton with Lady Alycia, who had run away from London. The sheriff wanted to question Walter and the young warrior who he had been told was with him the night Ralph and Tom were found dead.
The guards at the castle gate knew the sheriff, and waved him in. He went searching for Walter, who was resting in the barracks.
“Walter, I need to talk to you,” John said sternly.
Walter sat up. “What about?”
“Do you know what happened the night before you left for London?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Two men who had been at the Swords Point were murdered, apparently right after they left. I was told by a barmaid they left with a young man-at-arms who had been sitting with you. Who is he?”
“Do you think he killed them?”
“I don’t know, but right now he’s the prime suspect.”
“John, this man saved Baron Henry de Percy’s life and his daughter’s as well. He’s under Baron Henry’s protection. You’d better be certain before accusing him. Who were the men?”
“They were nobodies, former followers of de Montfort, I understand.”
“Perhaps they had done something to deserve it or were set upon by robbers. It does happen, you know.”
The sheriff grew irritated with Walter’s apparent lack of cooperation and nonchalance.
“Walter, as sheriff it’s my responsibility to try to find the killer. Now, who is this man?”
“His name is Donald, and he’s here in Northampton waiting for the arrival of Baron Henry. Come with me, and I’ll take you to him.”
John followed Walter out of the barracks, and found David sitting alone with a mug of ale. He looked up to see Walter with another man.
“Donald, this is John de Oxenden, Sheriff of Northampton. He wants to talk to you.”
“Sheriff, what can I do for you?”
“I understand you were at the Swords Point tavern a few weeks ago with Sir Walter here.”
“Yes, with him and Sir Michael.”
“Did you leave with them?”
David knew what the sheriff was trying to get out of him and assumed someone, probably a barmaid, told the sheriff he was present. “No, I stayed and drank some more with two men who were talking about their experiences. I was interested to hear what they had to say. We left together, but I went back to the barracks since we were leaving for London the next day. Why do you want to know?”
John looked suspiciously at David. “They were murdered near there that night.”
David’s eyebrows elevated, his mouth agape. “I had no idea. I suppose you think I killed them?”
/>
“Did you?” the sheriff asked.
David felt slightly nervous but managed to keep calm. “Sheriff, why in Our Lady’s name would I kill them? Baron Henry had entrusted me with the safety of his daughter. I’m trying to become a knight. Do you think I would kill two men I had just met for no reason, possibly ruining everything I am working toward?’
“No, I don’t suppose you would, unless you had a reason.”
“Did you find their purses on them?”
“No.”
“Then they must have been ambushed by robbers. They were quite drunk, so they would have been easy prey.”
“John, I can vouch for Donald. If he said he didn’t kill them, then I’m sure he didn’t.”
The sheriff turned to David again. “Do you, as a good Christian, swear on Our Lord Jesus’ name you did not kill those men?”
David stood and faced John. “As a good Christian, I swear on Jesus’ name I did not.”
“Satisfied?” Walter asked John.
“I suppose so. I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
“No bother, Sheriff. You’re only doing your job. I hope you find the one or ones who did it.”
“Thank you. I intend to.”
Upon arriving at West End, Baruch immediately went to Mordecai’s house and banged on the door. Rachel answered.
“Uncle Baruch. Is everything all right?”
“Rachel, you aren’t arrested. Where’s everyone else?”
“Arrested? No one has been arrested. Father is out, and Benjamin is at cheder.”
“I knew it,” Baruch said. “That swine Hubert tricked me into returning. Well, it won’t work. I won’t give him a penny, no matter what he threatens.”
“Hubert?” Rachel asked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Baruch hugged his niece. “I’m sorry, Rachel. I hope I didn’t upset you. I was told the family had been arrested, but apparently it was someone’s idea of a bad joke. All is well. Tell your father I’ll see him later.”
Baruch went home. He noticed his housekeeper had maintained it well in his absence. There must be a way to thwart Hubert’s plan, he thought. There must be. He pulled out the second parchment Alwyn had slipped into his hand and reread it. And suddenly it came to him. The question was would Alwyn help him? Baruch would risk he would.