by Griff Hosker
I knew that they had engineered this whole situation so that they could stop the Count’s privations. It had to be in public and it was obvious that the Count avoided Jerusalem. He preferred his fiefdom.
Queen Melisende said, “I wondered at the challenge, Sir William. Was it reckless or did you know what the answer would be?”
“I had challenged him once already. He is a bully and a coward. He would prefer for others to do his dirty work.” They both nodded at my appraisal of the knight. “Then my task is finished.”
“Finished?”
“The road will now be safe, will it not? My task was to goad him to have a confrontation. “
“I told you he was clever mother. No, Sir William. You will still need to patrol the road and meet the Emperor’s emissary.”
“I have promised to escort the daughter of David Ben Samuel from Caesarea. That will be in a month or so. I gave my word.”
“Then, of course you should keep it.” The Queen put her hand on mine. It was like a piece of white marble. It was flawless. “We cling on to Jerusalem, lord. I will not apologise for using you. You have been well paid and you came here to do penance. Already you have done good. Your work is Christian and God will forgive whatever sins you feel you have committed. Although for the life of me I cannot see what they were.”
I said nothing.
King Baldwin rose, “We will see you sometime late next month then. Remember that the emissary must be protected. Men will try to intercept him. That is why we are using you and not royal guards.”
“Surely that will put him in in even more danger? The Count will try to get at me some way.”
“Not yet. He will try to work out what we are up to. His spies are already asking questions.”
“Spies?”
“Of course. He has spies in the palace and we have spies watching his. It is a game out here. Do not worry about it. You just have to be yourself and all will be well.”
I left through the curtain. The Master was still speaking with my squire. He turned, “I will watch you closely, my young friend. You could be a member of our order but I suspect you are worldlier than my brothers.”
I nodded, “I will help those who need it but when I am ready I will return home.”
“And that is good. If you need anything then just ask.” He shrugged, “We are a poor order but we recognise a kindred spirit.”
As we left Tom asked, “What happened there, lord? I thought we would have been punished.”
“I think, Tom, son of Aelric, that we have wandered into a world where men’s words mean nothing. We must watch out for each other.”
We walked our horses to the Temple. There we saw Robert. He had men I did not recognise and he had horses. He also had two bundles. He beamed. I realised what he held, “They are our banners?”
“Aye lord!” He suddenly looked apprehensive. “Is all well?”
I nodded. “We are like insects, Robert. The great, the good and the bad plot and plan. We just perform as they bid. The Count was put in his place and we return to Aqua Bella.” I looked at the four men who were with him. “And who are these?”
Robert waved the four men forward. There were three men at arms and an archer. One had an axe and the other two were swordsmen and the last had a war bow. This is Jean de les Monts. He is from Lombardy. Gurth son of Garth is an English warrior. He tried to enlist in the Varangian Guard. Harold Longsword is also English. He served with Walther of Buxton before he was killed at Ascalon. Lastly, we have Robin Hawkeye. He is an archer.”
“An archer?”
He nodded, “I also came with Walther of Buxton. There were ten archers. The rest all died.”
I sensed a story but now was not the time. “You know that if you serve with me I expect an oath?” They nodded. “And that I will return to England at some time?”
Robin said, “That is the reason that Harold and I have joined you. We want to go home rather than die here as our friends did.”
“Even though you serve the son of a rebel who fights King Stephen?”
They laughed and Robin said, “Especially because we will serve the son of a rebel who fights King Stephen. Had not our lord come east we would have joined your father. His archers are the stuff of legends.”
We headed back down the road. I made sure that we kept close together. The Count was still in Jerusalem and, despite what the King and Queen had said, I did not trust him. When my gate slammed behind us I felt safe. The new men were like John and the others we had hired. They had been without regular food and their clothes were in ill repair. When David and his camels arrived to take the oil to market I sent Francis and Robert with them to equip my new men.
I had decided to take Tom, Alf, Garth, William, Louis and John of Chester with me to escort the emissaries. I could have taken more but I felt that it would have attracted even more attention. I had planned on avoided Ramelah and taking the old caravan trail. When Francis and Robert returned, it was with all the equipment we needed as well as more gold than I had ever seen. I asked Robert to take it to Simon and deposit it. I left Robert in command. He was not happy for he wanted to be with me.
“Old friend when I am gone then I need our home protecting. Who else can I trust?”
“But lord you have two young boys and someone we do not know well.”
“I need to find out about my men. This is a good opportunity. Watch the road. I know the Queen said that it would be quiet but I would rather we rode the trail.”
“And how long will you be away?”
“We are meeting a ship. Answer the question yourself.”
“Take care lord.”
“I will.”
Chapter 8
We left in plenty of time. I intended to take two days to get to Jaffa. It should only have needed one but the extra day gave me peace of mind. I took three of our horses with me for the emissary and his escort. The ones we had first bought when we first arrived had benefitted from both rest and good grazing. The soil at Aqua Bella produced not only fine olives and grapes but also enough grass to feed our small herd. John of Chester and Alf led our spare horses.
Like our mounts, Alf had grown since we had come to the Holy Land. In the short time we had been there he had become less abrasive and sensitive. I knew that was the result of being with Garth. Garth treated him like a little brother. He gave him a clip when he deserved it and he knew when to banter and jolly along the young orphan. Alf had been badly used. I suspected that he and John of Chester had much in common. Both had suffered at the hands of lords who mis-used the power that they had.
We took the old caravan trail from Shilat to Ginaton. It not only avoided Ramelah, it was faster. I had no doubt that eyes were upon us as we trekked south. The bandits would recognize our devices and would be wary. We had hurt and weakened them but their livelihood depended upon attacking travellers. They would rise again but not yet. We reached Jaffa just before they closed the gates.
The port was quieter than it would normally have been. Many ships spent these winter months undergoing repairs and maintenance. It meant we were able to find an inn with a stable. We had coin to pay but my seal from the king meant that we were afforded a little more respect than otherwise.
“You are lucky, lord. Normally we are full but we have rooms and stables for you.”
None knew of me here. My task had been to keep the road to Jaffa clear of problems but this was the first time we had managed to get to the port.
We did not need to walk around the town in mail. That was, in itself, a relief. Once we had established a good place to watch for the ship which would bring the emissary we explored the town. My men took it in turns to be the sentry at the mole who would watch for a Byzantine ship. Although not as large as Tripoli, Jaffa was the closest port to Jerusalem. There were merchants there who supplied the great city. I had learned enough, since I had been here, to know that what we did was important and I let the merchants I met know what we did. At first, they were wa
ry. I could, after all, be a bandit seeking valuable information which might enable me to take their caravans more easily. Once I had shown them my seal and mentioned the names of David Ben Samuel, Philippe of Jaffa and Simeon Ben Levi they opened up.
That first evening, as we ate at the inn, I spoke of what I had discovered and what we had agreed with the merchants. “They are willing to gather together to make it easier for us to escort them. Philippe of Jaffa has left for Amalfi but he spoke to his friends. They are all fed up with paying de Waller. We have arranged for us to come to Jaffa and escort a number of caravans. We will not have to waste time riding up and down the road. Our time can be more productively spent.”
Garth put the gnawed chicken bone on his platter, “What about David Ben Samuel’s daughter, lord? Are you not supposed to be escorting her from Caesarea?”
“I am but that city is not far north of here. I will try to make it coincide with a caravan. If that is not possible then I will escort her with a few of you.” I was intrigued by the continued absence of Ben Samuel’s daughter. He had not said why she was in Caesarea. There was no real reason he should have told me but I was curious. Having seen Ben Samuel’s home and his family I would have expected her to be there where she would have been safer.
The owner came over, “The food was good?”
Garth belched, “It was indeed.”
“You came at the right time, lord. My last rooms have been taken. Some Frankish warriors took them. This will be a prosperous time for us.””
“It is, indeed, lucky.”
Over the next few days we all spent some of our coins. I bought clothes which I could wear in Aqua Bella. I had war gear but this was a land where lords dressed comfortably. When the heat of summer returned, I wished to be cool. The merchants of Jaffa had some fine garments and I paid less than had I not been the guardian of the road. The new title now rolled off the tongue. William of Stockton meant nothing here but William, Lord of Aqua Bella, guardian of the road and defender of the poor did. As time went on it became associated with the gryphon on our chests. The fact that our dark cloaks looked similar to the black of the Hospitaller also helped.
John of Chester came running to the square where we sat beneath palm trees drinking chilled wine, “Lord, there is a Byzantine ship heading towards the port.”
We finished our drinks and left. Other ships had come in the time we had been there but this was the first which was Byzantine. She was an Imperial ship. We had seen them when Ralph of Bowness had shown us Constantinople. They had all been moored in the Golden Horn. They had oars and slaves to row when the wind was not in their favour. William of Kingston had had to tack and turn with the wind on our voyage south. These ships took the most direct course and, as such, were swift. As it drew closer I saw that it was not one the bigger ships. This one was still larger than the ‘Adela’. I observed that it was under oars as it approached the harbour. It made it much easier for the captain to manoeuvre.
I shaded my eyes as I looked south, to the sun. It would be too late to return north. We would have to leave in the morning. I did not want to have to camp half way to Jerusalem. That would place us too close to Ramelah. I hoped that the emissary could ride. If they had sent a clerk or diplomat then the journey might be difficult. I had brought good horses but they still needed someone who could ride. Although the Romans had built these roads they were not the roads of Normandy or England. Here the twisting roads climbed and descended. An unwary rider could be pitched from his saddle.
The marines by the stern were well armed. The Emperor was taking no chances with his emissary. I turned to Tom, “Go and tell the inn keeper that we need another room for guests.”
“Now then Englishman!”
I turned and saw a grinning Ralph of Bowness and Aethelward leaning over the side of the Byzantine as the crew tied her up.
“You are the emissary?”
The gangplank was lowered and he strode towards me, “And why should I not be an emissary? Do you think that because I am a warrior I cannot speak with a lord? He wrapped his huge arms around me, “It is good to see you William of Stockton and I am happy that young Alf now looks like a warrior. Come, Aethelward, we will get our gear and then we can talk.”
He returned aboard the ship. Alf said, “But I thought they were Varangian Guards?”
“They are, Alf. There is a story here. Help them with their gear when they land. They are emissaries of the Emperor after all.”
The two of them did not have much but I saw that they both had their axes. Ralph of Bowness also had a leather satchel which he wore across his body. My men took their chests and weapons. As we walked Ralph said, “The weapons are for the road. When we are close to Jerusalem then we will change, and become what is expected.”
I nodded, “I was not expecting you, that is for certain.”
Aethelward laughed, “Nor did I but Ralph here, is full of surprises.”
Ralph said, “This is not the place for such talk. We will speak out of the gaze of men.”
When we reached the inn, Tom said, “We are in luck, lord. The two Franks who had the other room left but an hour since.” He frowned, “They did not stay long.”
“Have the bags taken in. I will speak with Ralph.” The square was quiet and we would not be overheard. Even so I said, “Garth, have two men watch. I want us to speak privately.”
“It will be done as you wish.”
We sat down and I said, “Perhaps you should begin with the time we were in Miklagård!”
He nodded, “I was not totally honest with you. For that I apologize. A warrior should always speak the truth to a fellow warrior.” I nodded. It was a good apology. “After I met you and your men the first time I mentioned it to the Emperor. He is a warrior. I helped to train him and … well he likes to talk to me. I am no politician and he gets honest words from me. He remembered your father and he asked me to keep an eye on you and help you in any way I could.”
“Those horses were good horses, cheaply bought.”
“The stables are Imperial stables. When he discovered you were going to the Holy Land he sent a message to the King of Jerusalem. He thought you might be useful.”
“You knew, before I left, that you would be an emissary?”
“No. That was not known at the time. At the time, I had no idea why the Emperor had such an interest in you.” He lowered his voice. “Now I know. There is pressure from Raymond, Prince of Antioch to have the Cilician lands returned to him. The Emperor needs King Baldwin to exert pressure on the prince. In return the Emperor will allow the Crusader armies to cross through the Empire.”
“And you? Why choose you?”
“Simple. I am known to you. It would not seem strange that I should visit with you, especially as, when I return to Miklagård, I will be released from service. Eventually, when I have made my fortune, I will be going home to England.”
“Aethelward too?”
“No, he takes over from me and will command the English Varangians.”
“I think that the King would have agreed to help the Emperor in any case.”
Ralph laughed, “You do not know the politics of the east.” He patted his satchel, “There is parchment here which will be signed. The Emperor wants this in writing.”
“I do understand the politics.” I told him of the Lord of Ramelah.
“Will he be threat to us?”
“If King Baldwin signs the parchment then it becomes valuable. The answer is yes. We are not mailed yet but, when we leave on the morrow, then we will be.”
“We do not leave today?”
“You are in my hands now. We rise early and we will try to reach Jerusalem in one day. I suspect that we will not manage that and so we will stay at my manor.”
“You have a home?”
I nodded, “And a title: Lord of Aqua Bella, guardian of the road and defender of the poor.”
“A grand title for one who came here as a penitent.”
“Th
e title is grander than the task. I escort caravans on the road and prevent bandits and robber barons from taking their wares. I guard shopkeepers!”
“Here, I brought you a present.” He handed me a purse. I thought it was leather. But on closer inspection I saw it was pigskin. “In the guard, we all have them. It stops these heathens stealing from us. They will not touch pigskin. It will keep your money safe. I meant to give it to you before you left.”
“Thank you, Ralph of Bowness. It is a fine present.”
“And now, sustenance. I am hungry, let us find food.” We stood and he noticed Alf, seemingly for the first time. My young warrior was doing as I had asked and keeping watch. “And how is our headstrong young Angle?”
“Garth was wrought great changes in him. He is less likely to lose his temper but I am still unsure how he views you.”
“I have thick skin but I am pleased. It was wyrd that we found him. The Count of Provence tried to gain redress for the loss of his slave. He was less than happy.”
“Where is he now?”
“He is on his way here. He is with the army of King Louis. They are waiting for permission from the Emperor to cross the Empire. So you see, speed is important. My ship will await my return.”
“Then let us feed you and you can be reunited with my men.”
I saw the wisdom of sending the two Varangian Guards. They did not look like diplomats. The fact that they spoke with my men and seemed at ease suggested that they had joined my retinue. It was only the arrival of the Byzantine ship which might have raised any suspicions. We left before dawn. We rode in a tight column. The two spare horses were now laden with the goods we had bought. Even though I knew that it was unlikely anyone would have guessed Ralph’s purpose I still had Garth and Alf at the front. Alf had shown that he had good eyes and ears. We needed warning of danger.
When we neared Ginaton I took the caravan trail. “We leave the road?”
“We do. Although the Lord of Ramelah has been warned about his actions I think he is the kind of man who might choose to act and then wriggle his way out of consequences. I will not risk it. Besides this road is shorter. The only danger is bandits and I think that we can handle those.”