by Griff Hosker
“Thank you.”
When we reached the city, it was getting on towards late afternoon. I was bone weary but I knew I had to speak with the king. Leaving our horses inside the palace gates we strode into the hall. It was not as crowded as it had been but this time everyone looked at us. My name and device were known. The throne was empty. I went to his official who sat at a desk writing down requests from those in the chamber. It was the one who had brought the box to the king and was called Paul. He shook his head when I approached, “I told you, the king is not present.”
I leaned in and said quietly, “Then you had better get a message to him. I have three times bloodied the nose of Guillaume de Waller. I fear the Lord of Ramelah is less than happy with the king.”
He looked up and I saw fear on his face, “You have hurt the Lord of Ramelah?” I nodded. He rose and scurried into the chamber at the rear. A few moments later he reappeared and his claw like hand waved us towards it.
He closed the curtain behind the two of us. I saw that Queen Melisende was there. She smiled, “I hear you have, how did you put it, bloodied the nose of the Lord of Ramelah?”
I explained what had happened. “If I have exceeded my authority then I apologize. My orders were to protect all on the road. Without the use of force, I am not sure how I could have done that.”
She held up a hand. “You have done nothing wrong. I expected that a few eggs might be broken. You did the right thing to suggest to the Lord of Ramelah that he ought to come here and speak with my son. There will be no need for you to patrol the road for the next few days in any case. Christmas is upon us and ships do not make as many voyages in the winter. The exception being…” she looked at Robert, “well you know of what I speak.” I nodded. “My son is at Nablus. You need no nothing more other than he is aware of certain factions who wish to undermine us. We are biding out time. You came at a propitious moment. You were chosen, lord, because you were spoken of as someone who was not afraid of challenges. You have met the problems you faced head on. That is good. Already we are hearing that our merchants are happier. The bazaars are already more prosperous. I have no doubt that when the caravans use the road in greater numbers that you will be called upon to scour the land of our foes. By then you will have more men. You have made a start with your first four.”
I was about to ask her how she knew when I realised that, to have survived as long as she had there had to be a network of spies and informants in the city. “Then I will wait in my new home. I dare say the king will summon me when I am needed.”
“We will summon you.”
As we left Robert asked, “Does the king rule or his mother?”
“I think, at the moment, she is guiding her son with a heavy hand.” We mounted our horses. “I had thought to hire more men but now that I have spoken with the Queen I will speak with the four that we have. They would seem to me to be the ones who would know where we should search.”
It was dusk as we headed towards our home. I had forgotten that Christmas was so close. We had left Normandy in autumn. Winter here was as summer in England. It was dark when we passed beneath the gates. Henry and John were on the gate. They waved to us. “How goes it?”
“All quiet, lord. No one has passed up the road since you left for Jerusalem. A merchant and a caravan of camels headed south. You have just missed them.”
I nodded. Caravans heading south held little for the bandits and de Waller. They were empty. The land around Jerusalem produced enough for the people of the area and no more. Once inside I walked Alciades to the stable. The slaves, we had learned, were good with horses. Even so I supervised Atticus as he removed the saddle and began to groom Alciades. Satisfied I left and went to my chambers. The house slaves had hot water waiting for me and after helping me off with my mail they bathed me and combed and trimmed my beard. I could see now why so many lords liked the life here. With so many skilled slaves a lord could live a life of luxury. It was not the austere life my father led.
The original four guards who had been here when we came took over the watches at night. They had less to do now and did not have to endure a watch alone. The four of them worked in pairs and the twelve hours they watched were normally quiet. The new men watched during the day.
The salted cod had been cooked. It made a change from the diet of chicken and beans we had eaten thus far. Henry was more than happy with the wine which the estate produced. I had seen Robert having a word with him about the quantity he drank. My men enjoyed a drink but Henry seemed inordinately fond of it. So far it seemed he could handle it.
After the meal, I explained to them what the Queen had said.
Henri said, “The Lord of Ramelah did not seem the sort of man to accept our treatment of him. The Queen may say the king supports us but this appears to me to be more like England than Anjou. Nobles do as they choose.”
Before I could speak Robert said, “And that is why, I believe, that we have been chosen for this task. We have not spoken of this before but when Tom and I waited for our lord the first time we visited the palace we listened to the conversation around us.”
“And enjoyed wonderful sweetmeats!”
They all laughed at Tom’s outburst. “Aye that too. People were saying that King Baldwin was young and that some of his nobles were taking advantage of his youth. From what the Queen said and what I deduced, King Baldwin is securing his castles and he will deal with de Waller when the moment is right.”
I wondered if I was a tool to deal with the renegade knight. “We have ten days here and then I will take some of you to Jaffa. There we are to meet someone and escort him to Jerusalem.” I could see that I had surprised all of them. “Before then I would go back to Jerusalem to hire more men. We need guards for our walls but as we have the six horses we captured today then we can add men to my retinue. Gaston and John of Chester, you will come with me.”
“Why not me, lord?”
“Henry, you like your wine too much. We will need discretion when we visit. I am not even sure you know what discretion is.”
He shrugged, “Give me an enemy to fight lord. I need no discretion for that… whatever discretion is!”
The next morning Francis came to see me. “Lord we need to take our oil to the market to be sold.”
“Then just do it.”
He shifted uncomfortably. “Lord for the last few years it has been the Lord of Ramelah who took the oil to be sold. He gave us half. We have no animals any longer.”
“No animals? Why not?”
“The Lord of Ramelah took them.”
“I will get us animals. Francis is there anything else that I should know?”
He shook his head and smiled, “That is all lord except that the servants, slaves and our families are all happier now. We feel safe and secure. I just worry about your leaving.”
“That will not be for some time. I think I will be here for years but, before I go, I will make sure that Aqua Bella is safe.”
Leaving him I shouted for Tom, “Have Romulus and Remus saddled, we ride!” Leaving Robert in command I rode to David Ben Samuel.
His sentries had spotted us and he and Saul came out to welcome us. “Have you come to celebrate Hanukah with us?”
I knew that was an important festival for Jews. “No David. I have need of your camels. We must take our oil to market. I will pay for their hire.” I explained what had happened to the animals from the estate.
“Of course. If I might suggest?” I nodded, “We would take payment in oil. The oil of Aqua Bella is renowned for its taste.”
“Then it is agreed. We will take the oil as soon as you and your men arrive.”
“Of course. Simeon Ben Levi spoke with me. You have made quite an impact on this land. Yesterday you helped a Gentile. We have a wind in the desert. When it comes, it disrupts everything. Nothing is the same when it has passed. The land is different. You have a winged beast on your shields. You are like the wind.”
“Perhaps but I am just
doing that which I was ordered.”
“Or what you were meant to do. We will bring the camels over in three days.”
“Thank you.”
Francis was happy. The delay would help him to have the slaves move the jars from where they were stored. While they worked, I helped Tom to train Alf. His hard life with the Lombards had given him a strong body. The good food he had had since joining us had helped him to fill out. He knew how to swing a sword but not use one as a swordsman should. Garth made two wooden swords for us to use. They were heavier than a real sword. It made using a sword seem easier. At first it was I who worked with Alf. I quickly discovered that I had far too much skill. I was not cut out to train. I handed it over to Tom. My squire had recently undergone training with Robert and Louis. He was also better matched in terms of physique. The blows he struck hurt but not as much as mine did. When I was satisfied that he was making progress I went to the top of the house. The roof afforded a fine view down the valley and the road. John was on duty in the tower. I climbed up the ladder to join him.
“Anything?”
“A few riders but no caravans and no sign of the men from Ramelah.”
There was venom in his voice. “Tell me more about this de Waller. How did it come about that your friend was knifed?”
“The knight you unhorsed is typical of the men he surrounds himself with. The same is true of the sergeants. They have no honour. Had you been unhorsed then I do not doubt that the knight would have slain you. Peter and I were in an inn. We were seeking work. Peter was strong. One of the sergeants started a fight with him. Peter felled him with one punch. As we tried to leave one of the other sergeants stabbed him in the back and then slit his throat. When I appealed to the lord, for it was murder, he told me I was lucky to be alive and he had me whipped and thrown into the street. Had the inn keeper not taken pity on me and fetched my sword and helmet I would have been defenceless.”
“That does not tell me about the Lord of Ramelah,” I said, gently.
“It does, Sir William, for you judge a lord by those whom he appoints and those who surround him. He has the sweepings of the streets. There is no sense of honour amongst any of them. I have not served you long but I have spoken with your men. You may not have many men but those you have are loyal and will back you in a fight.”
“You are right.”
Suddenly he shaded his eyes against the sun. “There, lord. I spy a banner. I think it is you enemy.”
I had seen nothing but my young warrior had sharp eyes. A few moments later I saw the glint of sun on metal and then a breeze made the banner flutter. It was Guillaume de Waller.
“Keep watch, I will go down to my gate in case he means ill.”
I descended to the ground level. “To arms. De Waller comes.” Without being told Garth and William raced to join John at the tower. Tom fetched me my helmet which I donned. None were working in the field and so, when Henry and Gaston barred the gate, we were secure. The road was almost half a mile away. The scrub had been cleared from both sides of the trail which led to our gates. It seemed an age but, eventually, the column passed the end. They were not stopping. De Waller had not brought his full force. He had ten knights and twenty sergeants at arms. He was going to Jerusalem.
When it was obvious that they had passed, I told the men to return to what they were doing. “Robert, I think we will receive a message tomorrow to visit Jerusalem. Make sure that all our surcoats are cleaned and have the men sharpen their weapons and polish their helmets.”
“Aye lord.”
I went to do as I had ordered my men and I took my sword and dagger to the wheel to sharpen them. I did not think we would be fighting but a good knight was always prepared. As sparks flew from my sword’s edge I wondered if my rule here would be short lived. I had seen the importance of Ramelah. Could the king afford to alienate such a powerful lord?
We were eating when the messenger arrived from Jerusalem. It was a royal courier. When the courier was admitted, he said, “My lord, the King would like you to come to his court tomorrow. There you must answer charges made by the Lord of Ramelah.”
I nodded, “Tell him that we will be there.”
I was worried about a sneak attack while we were gone and so I left Gregor and Henry with the other sentries to guard the walls. The rest of us left before dawn. No time had been specified but I did not wish to offend the king. When we reached the city, I took Tom with me and sent Robert with the rest of my men to see if the banners were ready and to try to hire more men. I asked for more surcoats to be made. I asked him to buy more horses if the opportunity arose. The profits from the sale of the olive oil would enable us to be well equipped.
Tom dusted my cloak to remove as much sand as he could. With our helmets under our arms we strode to the court. King Baldwin had not yet arrived but the two thrones were on a raised dais and the room was already filling up. I noticed that the Lord of Ramelah stood with four men who wore different liveries. They glared at the two of us as we entered. Their jabbing fingers left us in no doubt that they were talking about us.
A servant brought some sherbet for us and we stood to one side. A figure loomed up behind us. The black tunic with the small white cross over the heart told me that it was a Knight Hospitaller; the Order of St. John of the Hospital of Jerusalem. He was an older knight. Lean, almost gaunt he was taller than most men in the room. He reminded me of Theobald of Rheims.
“I am Raymond de Puy Provence, Master of the Knights Hospitaller. I apologize for forcing myself upon you but I have heard so much about you that I felt obliged to speak with you.”
“I am honoured that you do so, sir. I admire your order. To care for the sick and the wounded as well as protecting pilgrims is noble work.”
“Yet you have put us to shame for you extend the protection to Jews. I can see that you are a man to watch.”
I laughed and gestured with my thumb at de Waller. “As you can see, Master, I am being watched already.”
“That is an evil man. He is the antithesis of my order. He plunders and he wrecks. He has an unhealthy appetite for women. He likes virgins and when he has finished with them they are discarded. If he cannot buy slaves to serve his venal appetite he takes them from the poor or anyone who does not guard their women. Surrounded by likeminded knights he can get away with this. The Pope should excommunicate him.”
“Why does he not?”
“Did you not know? His cousin is the Count of Provence and he holds estates which are close to the papal summer home at Avignon. Few would cross the Count of Provence; not even the Pope. He is protected there by the Lombard Count.”
My face must have shown my thoughts.
“Do you know the Count?”
“I have fallen foul of his family over the past few months. I thought that I was free from the threat. It seems that is not so.”
“If the King supports you then you need not worry about either of those men although I would sleep with a knife beneath my blanket. They are both treacherous.”
A knight emerged from the curtain, “Pray silence for their majesties.”
We all dropped to a knee as the King and his mother entered. They sat upon their thrones. “You may rise. Where is Count Guillaume of Ramelah?”
De Waller stepped forward. He had the confident look of a man who knows the judgement which was to be made. He was convinced that I would be punished. “I am here, your majesty.”
“What is it that you wish to bring to our attention?”
De Waller whipped his hand around and pointed it in my direction. “That knight maimed one of my knights, wounded three others, slew three sergeants and took horses and weapons from them.”
“And what do you wish of me?”
“I wish him to be punished and for redress to be made.”
“Step forward, William of Aqua Bella, guardian of the road and defender of the poor. What have you to say for yourself?”
I was almost too stunned to speak. I had just bee
n given titles I did not know I possessed. I bowed. “Your majesties, I was charged with protecting all who used the road. I found knights in the service of the Count. They were preventing a caravan from using the road.”
“That is a lie!”
I turned slowly, “My lord, I do not lie and I will not have my word doubted. Retract that statement else I will demand honour and we will settle the dispute before God. We will have a trial by combat.”
King Baldwin just looked at the Count. Every eye was on the Count. I had challenged him before his men and he had backed down. Would he do so again?
He pointed at me again, “I will not fight with you. You had no right to stop my men. They were obeying my orders.”
Queen Melisende said, “You ordered merchants to be robbed, Count?”
He blustered, “Your majesty it was not robbery. My men patrol the road and it was merely payment for using the road.”
“Then you need not concern yourself any further. William of Aqua Bella will keep the road clear and he will not be making any charges on those who use it.”
“You mean he gets to keep my horses?”
“Did you take his horses, lord?”
I smiled, “Your majesty my overseer told me that the Count confiscated every camel, horse and donkey from the estate when the last lord died. I was merely taking these until the Count could return those that he took.”
The Queen said, “Ah, perfectly understandable. So, Count, I believe the matter is cleared up. As we can all see, it was a simple misunderstanding. Had you attended court more often, then you would have known that the King has become upset at the losses that the merchants of Jerusalem suffer on the Jaffa road. We have asked William of Aqua Bella to make it safe. We are pleased that he has done so and so speedily.”
The Count was speechless. The King said, “If there is no further business then we will speak with Sir William privately.” The knight opened the curtain and I followed the King and his mother. I gestured for Tom to stay with the Master.
They waved me to a seat. King Baldwin smiled, “That went well.”