Henry II (The Anarchy Book 13)

by Griff Hosker

  “I will try not to let you down.”

  “Do not worry, you will not.” I hesitated, “Swords are not permitted but put a dagger in each of your boots. We may not need them but better to be prepared.” I already had my weapons there. I rarely went anywhere unarmed.

  As Queen and the highest ranked, Eleanor sat in the centre of the table. The Count sat to her right and Henry to her left. I sat to the left of Henry. We were on the high table. The Bishop sat next to the Count and the Count of Nantes next to him. The others sat on three tables which abutted ours. It meant we were on show. All eyes would be on us. As my squire, Ralph was seated close to my left hand at the top of that table. He was seated next to Siegfried of Trier and his household knights. I felt sorry for Ralph. He would be ignored and isolated. James was seated at the other end of the table, close to the Count of Nantes.

  The food was excellent and served in great quantities. The Count of Anjou knew that he would be judged on the quality and variety of the fare. The wine was also excellent. He had sent for not only wine from Anjou but from Aquitaine and Gascony. The Queen looked to approve. She and Henry had their heads together and were animated for the whole meal. It was though the rest of us did not exist. I wondered if they were being too bold. There was nothing improper about their conduct save that they were lively. They did not touch hands but they laughed like children. I saw Charles of Champagne frowning. The message would get back to Louis.

  I stopped drinking after the toasts had been given. There were many of them. I was pleased to see that Henry did not drink a great deal, Ralph obeyed orders and the two of us were able to see who were allies. The Count of Anjou retired first and then other guests disappeared. I noticed that Charles of Champagne and Siegfried of Trier disappeared at the same time. They were confederates and I stored that information. Geoffrey, Count of Nantes, followed them. I did not like that.

  I waited until the Queen retired before I approached Henry. “Ralph and I will accompany you and James to your chambers, lord.”

  “I am in my own castle! I am safe.”

  “Nevertheless, we will accompany you, lord, for we are ready to retire too.” It was a signal and an implied command.

  “Very well.” His face broke into a smile. “Eleanor spoke very highly of you, Warlord. Why did you not tell me that you knew her?”

  “She was but a child when I met her but I confess she did make an impression on me. She has grown into a remarkable woman.” Something in his voice worried me, “She is the wife of the King of France.”

  “And the marriage is unhappy! He does not like her.”

  “He could hate her it would matter naught. She is married Henry. You can do nothing about it no matter how attractive you find her. Hunt elsewhere.”

  “Of course! Of course!” His eyes belied his words. I would be ignored and I wondered what it might cost our cause.

  My men were in the corridor when we arrived. Leopold of Durstein said, “The Queen has just retired lord. She is a very gracious lady.”

  “She is.”

  Henry said, “You have men guarding the corridor?”

  I gave him an innocent smile, “They have little else to do lord and they do not mind.”

  I was relieved when the door closed. James would be on duty too. He would lie behind the door. Anyone who tried to enter would have to push him out of the way. The next day would see Henry crowned Duke and part of my work would be done. It was one of the titles his grandfather had meant him to have.

  The room in which we slept was simply furnished. There was a chest for our clothes, my bed and a table on which was a candle, a jug of wine and two goblets. After I had undressed I prayed and then Ralph blew out the candle. He had a mattress by the arrow slit in the wall. He was an outdoor man and preferred to be cooler at night. I lay on my bed with the fur just covering the lower half of my body. I could not sleep for I had too much to think on. Thoughts and images raced through my mind and sleep evaded me.

  There was a conspiracy; I already knew that but I saw now that it was more complicated. The Empire and Champagne were involved. If that was not enough Henry was obviously infatuated by Eleanor. Even worse it appeared to be reciprocated. Nothing could come of it save unhappiness. I knew that better than most people. The ramifications were too huge to even contemplate. The Church and the courts of Christendom would not allow such a liaison to blossom.

  I heard Ralph snore. My men could sleep standing up! I tossed and I turned. Eventually I rose to pour myself some wine. I had not drunk enough. I needed a little more to make me sleep and now was a safe time to drink for Henry was safely in his chamber.

  Had I been asleep then I would have been dead for, as I began to pour the wine, the door opened. Asleep I would not have felt the slight draught but I was awake and I felt the air move. Ralph was behind me. I backheeled him as I picked up the dagger I had laid upon the table. The three men flung open the door and the first of them brought down his sword into the middle of the bed. It would have split me in two. My eyes were accustomed to the dark and we were hidden. They were lit by the light from the sconces in the corridor. I threw the jug of wine and my right hand darted forward with my sharp tipped dagger pointed at the assassin. He ducked to avoid the jug. My dagger struck the swordsman under the chin and I drove it into his skull. He rolled from my blade dead in an instant.

  The second man sensed me and lunged at me. I pirouetted out of the way and brought my dagger around in an arc. I stabbed him in the upper arm. Ralph was awake now and as he stood he drove his dagger up between the legs of the man who was above him to eviscerate his bowels and groin. The would be killer screamed. It was the first shout which had been made and it brought others running down the corridor. I heard their cries and shouts of alarm. The man I had stabbed in the arm fled. He burst through the door and headed right. I ran after him. He did not go down the corridor which led to the chamber of Henry and the Queen. Instead he turned at the stairs and ran up to the tower. He still clutched his sword in his left hand. I heard a shout and then a pair of cries. As I reached the battlements I saw one dying sentry and a second who had been laid out. I heard a splash and, as I reached the wall, saw the white ripples. The man had thrown himself into the moat. The moat led to the river. He was either drowned or he would escape. He would disappear into the houses and streets of Rouen. I had no doubt that he had accomplices who would aid his flight. This had been well planned. Three killers had gained access to the castle. Who had sent them?

  Other guards raced to the battlements where they saw to the wounded sentry. “Are you hurt, lord?”

  I looked down and saw that my kyrtle was spotted with blood. “No, I think that was my enemy’s.” I pointed to the moat. “One threw himself there. He has a wounded arm.”

  One of them leaned over. “I can see nothing. He will be dead.”

  I was not so certain. I descended the stairs. There was a crowd gathered outside my chamber. Henry was there as well as my men and Eleanor. He stood protectively close to her with sword drawn but he had concern for me on his face. “What happened, Warlord?”

  “Three assassins came for Ralph and I. Luckily I could not sleep. If not then I would be sleeping the eternal sleep.” I looked at Ralph, “Are you hurt?”

  He laughed, “Just a bruise lord where someone kicked me.” He shook his head, “I should have done as Master James did and placed my mattress behind the door. They would not have gained entry then.”

  “When you look back, Ralph, then you always have perfect vision. We were lucky. Let us leave it at that.”

  Henry asked, “But who are they?”

  “It was dark and I could not see. Let us drag their bodies into the corridor where there is better light from the sconces.”

  Leopold of Durstein and Stephen the Grim helped Ralph to drag the body bodies into the corridor. I saw that the Queen was still there. “Your majesty should not see this. It is not pretty.”

  She looked at me. “I would see their faces. I ma
y recognise them.” She had a tight lipped look on her face. “Let us be honest, my lord, my husband might send such assassins. If they were part of our escort, then I am just as guilty as the killers. I would know.”

  My men rolled them over. The Queen gave a slight shudder. They had not died well. The man whom Ralph had killed had an expression of extreme pain etched on his dead features. She shook her head. “I do not recognise them.”

  I turned to Henry and James. “Escort the Queen back to her chamber. My men will return to guard her.”

  When they had gone I asked, “Do any of you see any clue as to where they come from?”

  Leopold said, “From their clothes these are men at arms. Look at their hands. They have fought with and without weapons. There are scars on their faces. These are hired daggers. As for whence they came?” he shrugged. We would need to hear them speak lord and that we cannot.”

  My men were not squeamish about touching the dead. They began to search them. The captain of the guard descended from the battlements with the wounded sentry. “I am sorry about this lord. I will place a man on this corridor too. The Count will not be pleased about this.”

  As my men searched the bodies I said, “How did they gain entry, Captain?”

  “I was on guard at the gate, lord. No one came in after the watch was set. These must have been in the castle already.”

  “They all have swords.”

  “There are many strangers within these walls. We did not search all of the chests when they came in. There are swords in the armoury. I am sorry lord. I will be happier when the Duke is crowned and the visitors leave. There has been unpleasantness.”

  “How so?”

  “Some of the men of Champagne had a brawl with some of the men who are in the service of Geoffrey, Count of Nantes.”

  “Keep me informed of such things, Captain.”

  “I will lord.”

  “My lord?”

  “Yes Leopold?”

  “They all have a purse and each purse has golden coins. They are the coins of Flanders.” I nodded. “This one,” he pointed to the man who had struck the bed and had been the first to die, “has a dagger favoured by the men of Swabia. I remember that Sir Rolf and his Swabians each had such a weapon.”

  He handed me the dagger. I recognised the design. He was right. The other Knights of the Empress had been Swabians and they had had such weapons. “So, we need to watch for warriors from the Empire who may have been hired by Eustace of Boulogne.”

  The Captain of the Guard said, “But there are no men of Flanders here, lord. How did these three gain entry?”

  I stood, “That is obvious. They entered with some other who wish me harm. Have the bodies taken away. Put their heads atop the gates. Let us see if anyone claims them.”

  “Surely, they will not, lord. That will give them away.”

  “Men may not speak but their eyes and bodies may give them away. Have men you can trust watching those who pass beneath the gates. If any show undue agitation or anger at the sight of the bodies, then let me know.” He nodded. “And Captain, until we know who is behind this I would have you report to me, the Duke or the Count only. You understand?”

  “I do lord. The Count told us to obey your every command.” He turned to his men. “Take them away and then clean the floor. There is a coronation in the morning.”

  “Let us try to get some rest. Here is your relief, Leopold.” John of Norton and Peter Strong Arm approached. “Tell them what has occurred and then, when you return to the others, ask Günter of Swabia about the daggers and ask him to view the heads.”

  “Aye lord.” He hesitated, “Should I have a guard on your door, lord?”

  “No, Leopold. Henry is still your prime concern.”

  I closed the door behind us. Ralph began to drag his straw stuffed mattress to the door. “No, Ralph, that will not be necessary. I will not sleep. I could not. You sleep. I will sit and think. I hope you can sleep in a lighted room.”

  “Aye lord, I can sleep anywhere.”

  And so while my erstwhile squire slept, I tried to piece together the strands of this conspiracy and the attempt on my life.

  Chapter 5

  As I had not slept I was the first who was up and about the next morning. The castle’s servants were all busily preparing for what would be a busy day. The coronation would not be until noon. I wore a workday surcoat. My finery would be for the coronation. The servants brought me warmed wine, freshly baked bread, new cheese and honey. As the chief steward was about to leave a thought struck me.

  “The bakers; they work all night?”

  “Aye lord. They are like moles and owls. The night is their day. They will retire later.”

  “You heard of the attempt on my life?”

  He looked guilty as though he had gossiped and should not, “Aye lord.”

  “Ask the bakers if they saw three men with swords after everyone else had retired.”

  “But why, lord? They are dead now.”

  “I would know from whence they came.”

  The Count and his personal servants came down. He looked better than he had for some time. His sleep had not been disturbed. “You are up early, Alfred. Are you excited too?”

  I shook my head and told him the events of the previous night. He did not look surprised. As his servants prepared his food he considered my words. “I am not surprised. You are the key to my son’s successful acquisition of the English throne. Eustace of Boulogne fears you. My spies have told me as much. What concerns and angers me is the ease with which they gained access to the castle.”

  “It is in the nature of the guests who have come. There are few friends who have come from beyond your borders.” What I really meant was that he should not have invited potential enemies but Geoffrey was the ruler and he made those decisions.

  “Then, tomorrow, when the tourney is over they can depart and our land will be secure once more. I am sorry for putting you in harm’s way again, my old friend.”

  “I am used to it now, lord. Do not worry. We will keep a good watch this night and tomorrow.” He nodded. I wiped the wine from my mouth and swept the crumbs from my beard. “The Queen of France appears to be an ally.”

  “She does! I would that she was not married already for she would make a fine consort for my son. She is well read. She kept my son and I entertained last night. She is a strong woman like his mother and she has the same sharp mind.”

  “You are right, lord. I can see much of his mother in her.”

  That thought made us both silent. She was now gone from both of our lives and hid in a priory. She had not arrived yet and I wondered if she would be at the coronation. The Priory was just outside Rouen but the Empress seemed to have cut herself off from the rest of the world. It was not like her. I had wished to visit her but that would have been both inappropriate and dangerous- for both of us!

  Henry, when he joined us, did not seem put out by the nocturnal excitement. I put it down to the expectation of his new title and all that went with it but, when he did come down to the hall, it was in the company of Eleanor and I spied a double cause for joy. The sooner the Queen of France was back in Paris the better as far as I was concerned. She was a dear lady but she was a dangerous distraction for the young and impressionable Henry.

  The rest of the morning was a flurry of activity. I found enough time to go to the gate and see the heads of the murderers. The Captain of the Guard was not there but his sergeant was. “Have any shown undue interest yet in the trophies?”

  “Not yet, lord, although it is early and few have been abroad.”

  “Watch their faces eh?”

  “I will lord.” I was about to return to the hall when I noticed riders approaching. It was the Empress and her two ladies. There were neither guards nor servants yet she still looked every bit the Empress. She always had done.

  They reined in just inside the gate and I helped Maud from her horse. She kissed my cheek chastely. Even though it was a br
ief contact I felt my heart race. She was still the love of my life. She looked over her shoulder, “And who were these miscreants?”

  “They were assassins who entered the castle last night.”

  Her hand went to her mouth, “Henry?”

  “No, your majesty, they were after me. Eustace of Boulogne hired them but they entered the castle with others. We know not who they are.”

  Judith and Margaret, her ladies, had dismounted and joined us. “It is good to see you ladies.” These two were the only ones who shared the Empress’ secret.

  Margaret threw convention to the wind and hugged me. I hugged her back. She whispered in my ear, “It is good to see you, Earl. She has missed you.”

  “Come, Henry will be pleased to see you.”

  “And I him.” She stopped, “You were not hurt?”

  “No, my lady. Thank you for your concern.” As we headed to the hall I spoke quietly to the Empress, “Perhaps you can use your influence with him. He seems quite taken with Eleanor, the Queen of France and I fear it is reciprocated. This cannot end well.”

  Surprisingly she smiled, “If it is love, my lord, who are we, of all people, to stand in its way? But I will advise him. What is she like?”

  “I met her when she was younger and unlike many young women she has exceeded my expectations of her. She is a shrewd woman with a mind of her own.” I smiled, “She reminds me of you.”

  Maud laughed freely and was the young Empress I had first met almost thirty years earlier, “You still know the right words to say, you are still my Champion. And now I must comport myself and become the mother of the new Duke.”

  And that was the end of any intimacy we might have had. We entered the hall and it was a public world full of eyes, ears and gossip. I let her enter first and Margaret and Judith held my arms as we followed. I think the two women regarded me as their champion too.