Morgan the Rogue

by Lynn Granville

  Singing for his supper at the taverns in the towns through which he passed, Morgan spent several weeks travelling the border between Wales and England after leaving Chester. He gathered information as he went, listening to the mood of the people, hearing their grievances – which seemed as much against Bolingbroke as Richard himself. Henry of Bolingbroke was victorious for the moment but his victory was not without dissent. Richard had not been a popular king but it seemed that there were those who muttered as fiercely against the usurper. Plainly the kingdom was uneasy and Henry would have trouble with the dissenters.

  There were parts of Wales where he had been welcomed, particularly at his own lordships in the Brecon. Henry was intent on restoring all that Richard had changed these past years, which must cause further unrest. As one wrong was righted so it followed another took its place, creating new hatreds and more resentment.

  At last Morgan decided that he had gathered all the information he was likely to discover here in these border towns. It was time to return to Owain and tell him what he had learned, which was little enough in itself but might serve to help his kinsman form his own opinion.

  But first he would take a detour to Caris Castle and deliver Richard’s last message to the Lady Rosamund.

  *

  ‘I had almost given up hope of your coming,’ Rosamund said as she looked at the Welsh singer, her heart beating oddly fast so that she was aware of a strange feeling of breathlessness. The meeting was taking place privately in her chamber, where she could be certain of not being overheard. ‘Kestrel said that he believed your destiny lay elsewhere and that I was not to look for you.’

  ‘Did he not tell you that I had a message for you from the King?’

  ‘No, he said nothing of that. He gave me the ring and told me that he had helped you when you were in a fever…’ She looked at him, a faint spark of hope in eyes that were shadowed with sadness. ‘What news of Richard?’

  ‘None that can give you any pleasure, my lady. I dare say you have been told that he was taken to Chester a prisoner and from there to the Tower?’

  ‘He was betrayed by those he trusted,’ Rosamund cried, her face pale. ‘I tried to warn him, as did others, but he would not listen.’

  ‘It may be that he sensed his destiny. Great men sometimes have no choice but to follow where fate leads them.’

  Rosamund stared at him for a moment in silence, then gave a sob of despair. ‘What message did he send me?’

  ‘Only that you were not to surrender while he lives, but that if you were in trouble you might one day seek sanctuary with Thomas Percy.’

  ‘Yes…’ Rosamund nodded. ‘I remember that my father was at one time close to that family – and I believe them to be honest men.’

  ‘Those were the King’s words exactly,’ Morgan said. ‘His thoughts were of your safety if he should no longer be able to protect you…’

  Morgan stopped speaking as he heard her sob of grief, and with an oath at his own clumsiness moved towards her as she swayed, seeming overcome by her emotions, catching her in his arms and holding her close as the storm of grief overcame her.

  ‘There, my sweeting,’ he whispered hoarsely, his lips touching her hair. ‘It may be that he will win free and come to you again.’ He stroked her soft hair, which she had left uncovered and was hanging in silken glory down her back, a mass of red gold waves. ‘You shall never be alone while I live…’

  Why had he said that? Even as the words left his lips, Morgan knew that it was an empty promise. He could not give her his word when his loyalty was pledged to another.

  Rosamund released herself gently from his arms, turning so that her back was towards him she fought for control and when she faced him again there was only the wetness of her lashes to show that she had given way to her emotions.

  ‘I thank you for your pledge, Morgan,’ she said in her soft husky tones. ‘I know it was meant to soothe me, but I think spoken too hastily. Our ways are not together – this has been told to me. You must leave this place and I must stay. It has been revealed to me that my safety is here at Caris.’

  ‘By Kestrel?’ Morgan read the truth in her face and nodded. ‘Your wise man seems to know many things. Perhaps it was he who warned Richard of his fate? He wanted to warn me of something I must not do – is he here with you now? I would speak with him before I leave.’

  She shook her head. ‘He left some days ago, for he believed he was needed elsewhere. Kestrel comes and goes. He says that to stay in one place too long would be his death. He has gone for now but he will return before I need him. He says that the time is not yet.’

  ‘Who and what is he?’ Morgan asked with a frown. ‘He healed me of a wound that might have killed me, and there is hardly a scar left to show where the arrow pierced my flesh. While I was in a fever I seemed but to dream and when I woke I was not weakened by loss of blood as I might have expected.’

  ‘Kestrel is a man of mystery and magic,’ Rosamund said. ‘I know nothing more of him than you, for he came to me soon after my marriage and told me he would serve me when the time came, and then he left me. He says that he served my mother when she was a young girl, and that I am under his protection, but he will say nothing of himself.’

  ‘Then I shall ask you no more questions,’ Morgan said and smiled at her. ‘I dare say he would not have answered mine had he been here.’

  ‘Kestrel never answers questions, except to give another riddle,’ Rosamund replied. ‘I suspect that his mystery lies in his refusal to do so – yet I know that he has the power of healing, for Alicia had a fever when he came to us and now she is well again.’

  ‘I am glad that your friend has recovered,’ Morgan said. ‘I think that I must take my leave of you, lady – though if you should need me…’

  ‘Make no promises,’ Rosamund replied. ‘If fate should bring us together again I know that you will be my friend and that is all I ask of you, Morgan Gruffudd.’

  She offered him her hand and he took it, turning it to drop a kiss within her palm. She was beautiful and he knew that he loved her, but Kestrel had spoken truly. He could not stay with her even if he would.

  ‘Farewell, sweet Rosamund.’

  ‘Farewell, good sir. I wish you all that you wish for yourself in life.’

  Morgan bowed and left her. It was harder than he had imagined, while all his senses clamoured to be obeyed. If he had acted as his heart demanded he would have returned and swept her into his arms, kissing away her tears for a lost love and forcing her to acknowledge a new one. Yet his head told him that he would be rebuffed. She was grieving for Richard and she had dismissed him, telling him that her magician had forecast a parting of the ways.

  Morgan knew that Kestrel had spoken truly, for he was sworn to a path that must surely make them enemies. To give his heart to such a woman and to take hers would be foolish and cruel. Better they part now before it was too late.

  *

  ‘I have refused Rhys Llewelyn permission to address you, Morwenna,’ her father told her. He had visited her in her solar so that they might be private. ‘He swears that he loves you and believes you love him – is this true, daughter?’

  ‘I believe that Master Llewelyn feels some…affection for me,’ she replied, hardly daring to meet his eyes for she knew herself at fault in encouraging the young man. ‘And I like him well enough, Father. He has little money but if some preferment could be found for him we might manage on what we have.’

  ‘Your marriage has already been arranged between Owain and myself,’ Hywell told her sternly. ‘I have not spoken to you before because Owain wished it to be kept a secret – but he has received word that Morgan Gruffudd is returning and will be here within a few days. The marriage will be arranged then.’

  ‘Morgan Gruffudd…’ Morwenna’s heart raced wildly as she looked at her father. ‘But it was said that he had quarrelled with Owain…’

  ‘That was what Owain wished to be known for reasons of his own. It is almost
three months now since Morgan left us, and during that time he has been gathering information for Owain. I tell you this now for your peace of mind, but you must not speak of it to anyone – including Rhys Llewelyn. Do you hear me, Morwenna? Owain is not certain of that young man’s loyalty.’

  Morwenna blushed as her father’s eyes dwelt on her face. Had she not guessed that there was some mystery from the start? She was feeling both excited and frightened at the news that she was to be married to the man who had looked at her with such bold eyes. If she had known at the start she would never have flirted with Rhys, and she was sorry now that she had encouraged him.

  ‘Rhys is Morgan’s friend, Father,’ she said more in defence of her own behaviour than any wish to defy him.

  ‘And so far has proved himself an apt student of the art of warfare,’ Hywell said. ‘Owain was uncertain of him at first, but I believe he is satisfied with his work. Yet still he is wary. These are difficult times for us, daughter, and we must take care what we do or say.’

  ‘Yes, Father. I know that our kinsman has much on his mind.’

  ‘It was my intention to go home,’ her father told her. ‘But now that Morgan is expected any day we shall stay here so that your betrothal may take place before we return to our own house.’

  ‘When shall we be married, Father?’

  ‘Perhaps within two months, before Christmas certainly.’ Hywell smiled at her. ‘Owain’s plans are for next year and therefore your wedding will be soon. Tell me, does this marriage please you?’

  ‘I think so,’ she replied uncertainly. ‘I do not dislike Morgan Gruffudd, though I do not know him well.’

  ‘From what Owain has told me of the young man I believe he will be a worthy husband for you, daughter. You must make up your mind to the match and forget this other man. I want your promise that you will not do anything that might disgrace both you and our family, Morwenna. I trust there has been nothing between you and Llewelyn that I should know about?’

  She blushed and looked away from her father’s stern gaze.

  ‘I promise I have done nothing that could cause you shame, Father. Nor shall I…’

  ‘I believe you, child – but you must remember that a careless smile or a word of encouragement may be taken to mean more than it does. Master Llewelyn was passionate in his avowal and I would not see a quarrel between him and Morgan over you, my daughter.’

  With that he dismissed her, and Morwenna walked away with her head bent. She knew that her father was right to chide her for she had given Rhys encouraging smiles that had led him to believe his love for her was returned. He would be angry and hurt that his suit had been rejected. She had not meant to hurt him, for she liked him and would have wed him had he been able to support a wife in the manner to which she was accustomed.

  She knew that Rhys would be waiting for her to return from her walks, and that he would do his best to persuade her to defy her father’s wishes. Therefore it might be best if she did not go walking alone for the time being. She would stay close to her cousins and give Rhys no chance to speak to her alone.

  She wondered how long it would be before Morgan returned, and her heart raced as she thought of being his wife. The idea made her breathless and she knew that he affected her powerfully, though she could not tell what her feelings for him truly meant. Did this excitement inside her mean that she loved him – or was she a little afraid of his bold eyes and the laughter she had seen in them?

  And what did he think of her? He had seemed to hint that he would like to know her intimately, and his words had made her feel hot all over – but did he love her?

  *

  It was foolish, Morgan thought as he rode towards his kinsman’s house, to let the sadness in a woman’s eyes haunt him. The lady of Caris was beautiful but she was out of his reach, above him in station and married to another. And she was English. He had vowed to serve Owain and to rid Wales of the English yoke. He must put all thought of Rosamund from his mind, forget her – forget that he had ever seen her, touched her, held her close to his heart, inhaled the sweet perfume that was hers alone.

  He had been a damned fool to let her beneath his skin! His head told him that he must forget her, but she was there inside him, an ache in his heart, a burning in his loins, a part of him whether he willed it or no.

  He shook his head grimly. Rosamund was hardly aware of him save as a man who had once done her a service. Her heart belonged to a king – a king who had lost his crown and was now a sorry prisoner in the Tower of London. Who knew what his fate might be in the future? It was doubtful that Henry Bolingbroke would allow him to live for long, for while he survived there was always the danger that others might rebel in his name.

  For the moment Henry had his hands full making new alliances and visiting the various regions of his country, for it was already clear that there would be turbulence amongst dissatisfied nobles. Owain would be pleased to hear some of the news Morgan carried, for the more trouble Henry’s own people caused him, the less time he would have to waste in subduing the Welsh.

  As he rode across the drawbridge at his kinsman’s manor, Morgan caught sight of a young woman walking with companions in the courtyard gardens. Her laughter was joyous and made him glance her way a second time. For a moment as she smiled at him he could not place her, and then he remembered a moment on the riverbank and the thought brought a gleam to his eyes. Ah yes, Morwenna Gethin – the woman Owain had suggested he should marry on his return. He had forgotten her, but now he saw that she was comely and it was good to hear her laughter. It might be for the best if their wedding were to take place as soon as possible. Perhaps that way he would find it easier to put Rosamund’s haunting eyes from his mind.

  He sent her a flashing grin not guessing that he had made her heart flutter wildly and strode on into the house. Owain was waiting for him in the hall for he had sent word of his coming a day or so earlier.

  ‘Well met, Morgan Gruffudd,’ Owain said as he saw him and came to greet him. ‘I have heard of your exploits for my spies gave me news of you when you rode with the Lady de Grenville to Conway.’

  ‘I thought they might be your men,’ Morgan said with a grin. ‘I left word in the ways we spoke of, though I was not sure you would receive my messages.’

  ‘I have known of your comings and goings,’ Owain said, his eyes narrowed. ‘You returned to Caris before you came here?’

  ‘To give the lady a message from her king.’

  ‘You were with him when he was captured I believe? And wounded?’

  ‘A slight wound that troubled me little,’ Morgan said unwilling to mention Kestrel for some reason unless Owain knew of him. ‘I returned to Flint and from there made my way to Chester to discover what I could of Richard’s whereabouts. When I learned he was on his way to the Tower I knew that nothing could be done to save him.’

  ‘If he is not already dead he will be soon,’ Owain replied. ‘I had no love for him, but it is a sorry thing to be betrayed by those you trust.’

  ‘Aye, that it is,’ Morgan said. ‘As a king he was the oppressor of my country, but I respected the man.’

  ‘It is a wise man who learns to respect the enemy,’ Owain said. ‘If your travels taught you no more, the time was not wasted.’

  ‘I have learned many things,’ Morgan said. ‘Henry is victorious now but there are those who distrust him.’

  ‘With good cause I dare say.’

  ‘I believe there may be trouble from certain quarters…’ Owain arched his brows. ‘It is not certain but from something Richard told me just before he was taken…I believe that perhaps the Percies may find reason to quarrel with Bolingbroke before too long has passed.’

  A certain gleam in Owain’s eyes made Morgan suspect that what he has just told his kinsman was not entirely unknown to him.

  ‘You have done well, Morgan,’ Owain said and smiled. ‘When I sent you away to gather information it was more a test of your ingenuity than any real need for news. As you
must realise I have a vast army of spies within Wales and the border towns. I have been making plans for a while and very soon now I shall make my first move.’

  ‘It cannot be soon enough for me!’

  ‘Your loyalty remains with me?’

  ‘Have you cause to question it?’

  ‘No, I merely ask. The time is coming that will test any man’s loyalty to the utmost. I would have only friends about me.’

  Morgan nodded, eyes narrowed as he looked into the other’s face.

  ‘What of Rhys Llewelyn? Has he proved himself?’

  ‘He is a good swordsman. My captains have only good to say of him.’

  ‘And yet you doubt him?’ Morgan frowned as Owain was silent. ‘I believe him to be a good friend, but if you think otherwise you should send him away.’

  ‘Nay, for it may be imagination,’ Owain replied. ‘I feel something in his presence yet cannot lay my finger on it. Let him stay for I think he means me no harm. If the time came when things were different…’

  ‘I have already sworn to defend you before any other.’

  ‘It would be a hard thing to kill a friend,’ Owain said and smiled oddly. ‘Let us pray that it will not be put to the test.’ Morgan would have protested his loyalty again but Owain waved his protest away. ‘It is well that you are home again, for I would have the matter of your betrothal to the lady Morwenna settled. You should marry before Christmas, and make your home near by. I have already begun negotiations for a house and land in a valley not too far from here. Knowing you have no love for husbandry of the land, I have bought property that will bring you revenues rather than crops.’

  ‘I thank you for your thought,’ Morgan said, laughing softly. ‘I see that you believed some of my mother’s tales after all.’

  ‘You have passed the test I set for you,’ Owain said, ‘and we shall have no more secrets between us. From now on you are as a brother to me – and with God’s help we shall make Wales free again.’

  ‘Amen to that,’ Morgan said. ‘I pray for that day with all my heart.’