by Peter Kenson
“My name is Fran, my lord, and I speak for all of us here. We have no particular allegiance to Duke Henry and we disapproved most strongly of what happened back in the village but, as soldiers, we had to follow orders.”
David nodded his head in acknowledgement. “Go on.”
“We would all be willing to join you, my lord, and give you the oath you demand. But I have a wife and small daughter back in Paelis and I am afraid of what would happen to them if I did so. Two of the men also have families in Paelis and are fearful for their safety.”
“And the other five?”
“Have no family attachments, my lord. They are willing to give you their oaths if you will accept them.”
“Do you vouch for them, Fran?”
“They are all good men, my lord. They will serve you well.”
“Then I will accept their oaths. Who are the other two family men?”
Two of the men stepped forward and stood behind Fran.
“I will require a different oath from you three,” David said. “If I let you go free, it is only to secure the safety of your families in Paelis. I would advise you to take great care while you are there, in case you are recognised and to move your families somewhere safer as soon as you can. And I give you fair warning. If I ever face you again across a battlefield, whether or not you are in Duke Henry’s colours, I will not take you prisoner a second time. Is that understood?”
“Perfectly, my lord,” Fran replied. “And we thank you.”
“Then you may ride with us today, back to the camp. Tomorrow, your weapons will be returned and you may head out across country towards Paelis.”
David felt slightly dissatisfied with the outcome and said so to Feynor as they rode back. “That young man, Fran, would have been an asset to the company but I can’t argue against his reason for leaving. Still five new recruits against two casualties is at least a net gain.”
“Are you going to let them take three horses tomorrow, milord?”
“No I don’t think so. We have enough horses for the new recruits but I don’t have any spare. Ah… unless I can persuade Lord Jeren and his friend to sell some of their prizes.”
“But why would you use company funds to buy horses, only to give them straight away?”
“Let’s just say I have a feeling it could be a good investment for the future.”
When they finally reached the camp, it was a very welcoming sight. David had sent riders on ahead and Marta and the other women had built three large camp fires and over each one there was a large pot of stew bubbling merrily. Some of the youngest children were asleep by the time they arrived but the women gathered them up and made such a fuss of them that David was afraid they would not want to go home in the morning.
There was a wonderful atmosphere in the camp that night; a touch of magic. After the meal was cleared away, some the men produced musical instruments from the wagons and there was singing and dancing until the children were dropping on their feet. Eventually, Marta and the women hushed the music and started to settle the children down around the remains of the camp fires. David gathered the officers together in his tent and sent Jaks to find Jeren and Evan, the clerk.
“Right, Evan,” he said when they were all together. “I want you to think carefully and tell us exactly what happened when Lord Gaelan rode into the caravan yesterday.”
“Well he wanted to buy the boy, milord. Offered us quite a sum of money, he did.”
“You mean he offered to buy all the boys?”
“Oh no, milord. Only the one. His own lad he said it was.”
There was a gasp of surprise from Jeren at this.
“And what exactly did he offer?”
“Like I said, milord, there was this bag of coin. Didn’t bother to count it at the time but the weight was quite healthy. And then his manservant had this big sack of silverware. Had a quick peek inside. There was silver plates, spoons, candlesticks. Would have fetched a tidy sum but the captain weren’t interested. Said the Duke had enough of that sort of stuff anyway.”
“So what happened next?”
“His servant had a word in his ear and then this Lord Gaelan said that he could tell the captain where he could get three more boys in exchange for his one.”
“What?” Jeren said puzzled.
“And the captain accepted this offer?” David prompted.
“Yes milord.”
“And that’s when he sent those four riders down the trail to attack Aron’s wagon and capture the children?”
“Didn’t hear no name, milord but he did send riders out.”
“Thank you, Evan.”
David turned to Jeren. “I’m sorry, my lord, but you had to know before we reached the village.”
“Lord Gaelan is a traitor. He betrayed his own people to get the release of that worthless wretch, Raslo.”
“I’m afraid there’s more, my lord. Feynor do we still have those two thugs under guard?”
“We do, milord. Marta’s got them secure. Doing some chores for her, I believe.”
David smiled. “Well, perhaps you could ask Marta if she could spare us the young one for a few minutes.
“Two nights ago, there was an attempt on your mother’s life. The attack didn’t happen because we intercepted the two thugs who were going to ambush her. I’m bringing him in here now and he can tell you for himself but they were acting on Lord Gaelan’s orders.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because Lord Gaelan is very powerful man with many friends and much influence with the council. Your father on his deathbed, declared you his heir and your mother to act as Regent until you come of age. Gaelan has already convinced the council that your mother cannot be Regent because she is a woman and he has taken the title for himself. You are in great danger, my lord and so is your lady mother.”
“Mother. I must get to her.”
“She is safe, Lord Jeren. One of my men is with her as a bodyguard. What you have to do is to decide what you are going to do about Lord Gaelan.”
“I will denounce him before the council tomorrow.”
“You will be laughed at, my lord. He owns the council.”
“Then what can I do? What do you suggest?”
“I’m sure I don’t know, my lord. Of course, if you had a company of soldiers behind you, you could ride in there tomorrow at their head and release all the children, bearing in mind, my lord, that my deal with your lady mother was one silver talon from each family to whom a child is returned. Now eighty three very excited children and a similar number of very happy families are going to cause so much confusion in the village that a small group of men could make their way to the centre, arrest Lord Gaelan and spirit him away somewhere secure to await trial.
“The next thing you would have to do is face down the council and declare your mother as Regent. That will be tricky but with a mixed force of swordsmen and archers at your back. I’m sure it could be achieved. Only when you’ve done that, can you put Lord Gaelan on trial. The evidence against him is overwhelming but you’re going to have to force the councillors to listen to it.
“Of course, all of this is just pure speculation without a company of soldiers.”
Jeren looked thoughtful as Feynor returned and announced that he had the thug outside.
“Take him back. I’ve heard enough. I will hear his evidence tomorrow,” Jeren ordered.
Feynor raised an eyebrow and looked at David who nodded.
“So let me see if I understand you,” Jeren said. “You are suggesting that I send a group of armed men to arrest my uncle, Lord Gaelan. You are then suggesting that I threaten the council with military force; seize control, appoint my mother as Regent and put Lord Gaelan on trial?”
“Yes. Technically, re-appoint your mother as Regent but… yes.”
“And to do this I would need a company of soldiers?”
“Correct.”
“I don’t have a company of soldiers, H…, Lord Held. But I believe I know a man who does. If you support me in this, what is it that you want from me?”
“Duke Henry is going to be very pissed off with you over the events of the last couple of days. I want a contract to protect you, your lady mother and your village against Duke Henry’s troops for the duration of the winter.”
“Why?”
“Change of employment, my lord. As I believe your mother said in her letter, we are no longer bandits. We are now a mercenary company of soldiers looking for employment. Our first contract was to recover yourself and the boys. This we have accomplished. I am now looking for a follow-on contract.”
There was absolute silence for several minutes as Jeren paced the tent. David looked at his officers, standing there expectantly and winked. Finally Jeren turned to face them.
“When my mother is Regent; when we have control of the council and that traitor Gaelan has been tried, you will have your contract, my lord. You have my word on it.”
Chapter 8
The problem he decided, was that there was nothing for his eyes to focus on. He was lying on his back, looking at a white featureless ceiling. He turned his head to left and right but there were only white featureless walls. He tried to lift his head but he was too weak and fell back against the bed. There was nothing to see; there were only the voices. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate.
“How can we monitor them…? …know if they find something?”
“Can’t risk technology. Might be found… blow their cover.”
“How then?”
“Telepathic, all three of them. This one’s very strong… trained on Platos with the monks… has a natural telepath in his team, Suzanne Versteppen. Worked with her before…”
“Where can we base her to keep her safe?”
“Navy’s sending a warship. Put her aboard… be able to monitor all three.”
“Continuous coverage?”
“Unlikely, depends on daily routines. …have to sample at intervals. Minimal risk… discovery event will stay in their thoughts.”
“Suzanne”, David woke with a shout. He was shaking and sweating profusely. His head and neck were drenched in perspiration that was running in little streams down onto his chest. Beside him, Leyla and Mo were startled into instant wakefulness.
“It’s all right, David,” Leyla said, wrapping her arms around him. “It’s all right. It was only a dream.”
Mo slipped quietly from under the furs and returned a few moments later with a soft, damp cloth to cool him down and wipe away the sweat. “You’re all right, David,” she added her reassurance to that of Leyla. “You’re safe here with us. We’ll look after you.”
By this time David had recovered sufficiently to give a soft laugh. “Safe,” he said. “With you two. And anyway, I thought I was supposed to be the one looking after you.” He reached an arm around each of them and pulled them close.
“We look after each other in our own ways, David,” Leyla said, snuggling in to him and making her intentions plainly obvious.
“Now listen,” he started to say before being interrupted by a kiss that grew more passionate by the second as Leyla’s hands continued their work. “I have to be up in the morning and be bright and alert,” he said surfacing for air.
“Oh you will be, David,” Mo said as she slid her slim body across to straddle him and eased him gently inside her. “We will make sure of that.”
A little while later, as they all lay back in a contented heap, Leyla murmured sleepily, “David, who is Suzanne?”
“I don’t know, Leyla. I wish I did. She is a name from the past, from my past but I can’t remember who she is.”
“Is she pretty?” Mo asked.
David smiled to himself. “What ladies, are you jealous of a name? I can’t answer that question, Mo. Her name popped into my head in the middle of a dream but I can’t put a face to the name or remember where or how I met her.”
“It was the white dream again, wasn’t it?”
“Uh huh.”
She snuggled her head down contentedly against his shoulder. “I don’t think those dreams will come back again tonight.”
***
The procession into the village the next morning was designed to be impressive. Lord Jeren led the column mounted on the captain’s stallion equipped with the captain’s decorative saddle which had been found in one of the supply wagons. Baltur rode at his side and David had presented them both with swords which they wore proudly if somewhat awkwardly. Marta had tutted over their clothing but in the end, had to settle for just cleaning the blood off and freshening them up.
Behind the boys were two rows of spearmen riding four abreast. The other boys were all riding in the coach or in three open wagons which had been specially cleared and cleaned for the purpose. Flanking the wagons were two columns of riders, each fifteen strong, headed on one side by Bern and on the other by Jorgen. The remainder of the company had been split into two groups. Ash had set out at first light with the scouts to skirt the edge of the village and find a place of concealment on the far side. The final group, mostly Feynor’s men, brought up the rear of the procession and were led by Feynor and David.
David kept his word to Fran. He negotiated the purchase of the spare horses from Jeren and Baltur and presented three of them to Fran. He also returned their weapons and gave them a day’s provisions. All three of them thanked David warmly before setting off with Ash for the far side of the village and the start of the long journey back to Paelis.
As the procession approached the village, there were initial shouts of alarm from the lookouts that quickly changed to shouts of joy as they saw the wagons full of boys. By the time they reached the edge of the village, people were streaming towards them from all corners. David was pleased to see Falaise in the crowd with Kemon clearing a way for her to reach the front.
As she reached the head of the procession, she spoke in a clear voice that carried across the crowd. “Welcome home, Lord Jeren. It appears you have been most successful in rescuing our stolen children.” And with that she sank into a deep curtsey to the astonishment of many of those around her.
“Thank you, my lady,” Jeren replied before standing in the stirrups and half turning. “Let the children down from the wagons,” he ordered as he dismounted. Scenes of absolute chaos ensued with children small and large, running an all directions to find their families. Jeren strode across to Falaise and lifted her up to embrace her.
“Well at least they both know how to play a part,” David thought. He saw Kemon standing close and beckoned him over. “Take Feynor and his group to find Lord Gaelan. He is to be arrested, together with his son, Raslo and their manservant if they are there. But whatever happens, seize Gaelan and get him out to the far side of camp where Ash is waiting. And do it with the minimum amount of fuss and attention.”
“And Lady Falaise?”
“Is safe enough here for the moment. I have enough men to protect her. Now go.”
Falaise released herself from the embrace and stood back to hold Jeren’s hands at arm’s length. “You look well, my son. I was worried about you but you seem to have thrived on your adventures and returned, not only with the missing boys, but riding a magnificent stallion. And with a sword at your waist,” she added.
“Ah well, the sword was a gift from Lord Held but the horse I captured myself along with two others. And Baltur got three horses as well.”
Falaise smiled at Baltur. “Welcome home, Baltur.”
Baltur produced his best court bow. “Thank you, my lady. I was very sorry to hear about Lord Brantyen.”
“Thank you, Baltur. It was a tragedy. He was a good man and will be sadly missed by many of the people here, as much as by Jeren and myself. Now you had better go and find your family and re-assure them that you are still alive.”
“I will, my lady, but before I do so, there’s something I mu
st tell you because I don’t think he will tell you himself.”
Jeren glared at his friend who continued unperturbed. “Three nights ago, when we were stealing the horses, I got caught by one of the sentries who got his hands round my neck. Everything was going black and I knew I was about to die there but Jeren saved my life and killed the sentry in the process.”
“Were either of you hurt?” Falaise asked anxiously.
“No, we were covered in blood but not injured. But we were both very sick afterwards,” he admitted.
“I see,” she said glancing at Jeren, who was still glaring at his friend. “It seems the two of you have grown up very quickly over the last few days. Gereld, Lord Brantyen, once said to me that killing a man was easy. It was living with it afterwards that was the hard part. But what you boys did, no what you young men did, in following and attacking Duke Henry’s men, was not only brave; it was right. The death of one soldier under those circumstances should not weigh on your conscience. Now off you go.”
As Baltur disappeared into the crowd, two members of the council pushed their way forward, each with a young boy clinging to their waists. Jeren recognised Lords Wynter and Foxley as friends of his father.
“Thank you, young Jeren,” Wynter said. “Although I suppose it should be Lord Jeren now.”
“Yes thank you,” echoed Foxley. “But what are you doing with these men here? I recognise some of them as the thieves who stole our supplies and kidnapped your mother.”
“They’re on our side now,” Jeren said quickly. “They were working for my mother to rescue the boys and now they’re working for me. And the first thing we have to do is pay them. The deal my mother made with them, was one silver talon from each family who had a boy returned alive.”
The two men looked in surprise at Falaise.
“On whose authority did you make such an arrangement, Falaise?” Wynter asked.
“On my own authority, my lords. I did what was necessary; what had to be done. Gaelan was too full of his own scheme to raise money to go and buy the boys back. He left here with a bag of money, a sack full of silverware that he had begged from the families and he returned with neither; on foot without even his horses and with only Raslo to show for it. How has he explained that, my lords?”