The Warrior Princess

by K. M. Ashman

  ‘Tarw,’ she whispered. ‘Is it truly you?’

  ‘Aye, Sister,’ he whispered back, ‘it is. Come and say hello.’

  Needing no further invitation, she flew across the room and into her brother’s arms, the man she had thought dead for so many years.

  ‘I can’t believe it, Tarw. After all this time, God has seen fit to return you to me. I am truly blessed.’

  ‘Me too, Nesta,’ he said, ‘but I cannot linger more than a few moments. It is too dangerous.’

  Nesta disentangled herself and looked up at her brother while wiping her eyes. ‘Of course,’ she said, ‘but even the fleetest of moments are the sweetest.’

  ‘They are,’ said Tarw, ‘and one day there will be many such times but until then there is work to do.’

  ‘And that is why you are here?’

  ‘It is. I am up against an impossible hurdle, Nesta, and I need you to help me overcome it. I need help and you are the best placed to grant me the aid I speak of. I ask not for myself but for the future of our father’s kingdom. What say you, Nesta? Will you help?’

  Nesta stared at her brother and recalled the earlier conversation with Emma about God having a different plan for her. Whatever Tarw wanted was obviously dangerous but she knew she could no more refuse him than become queen of England.

  ‘Aye, Tarw, I will,’ she said. ‘And if I should be found out by those who surround me, then I will gladly suffer whatever fate they deem necessary. Ask your favours for if it is within my power to grant them, I will do so with all my heart.’

  ‘Thank you, dear sister,’ said Tarw. ‘I had no doubt otherwise. What I need is this.’

  For the next ten minutes they talked quickly and quietly until Nesta was absolutely clear what was required and by the time she replaced the locking bar over the inner frame of the postern gate, her heart was already racing.

  Ever since she had been a child her life had been laid out for her, right up to when she had been married off to Gerald, but with her husband now dead, any loyalties she had for him or indeed the privileged position that she found herself in were at an end and her future was in her own hands. For as long as she could remember, her life had been moulded by men from a different country, men who bore no affinity to her, her family or her people and for too long she had allowed that situation to continue unhindered. But now that time was over, and with Tarw back on the scene with a plan to rebuild her family’s name, her path had never been clearer. Her life amongst the English was coming to an end, and though she could not yet easily leave the castle, it was time to start fighting for her own people, using whatever means she could.

  Feeling a resolve within her heart colder and harder than any steel blade, she made her way back up to the keep, a new and dangerous ally to the rebellion.

  Pembroke Castle

  February 1st, AD 1136

  The following day, Nesta was talking in her locked room with Emma. She had not slept a second the whole night, her mind racing as she considered the favours her brother had asked. She knew it would be dangerous to meet his requests but she was excited at the opportunity to help the Welsh cause. Unfortunately, it had soon become obvious that she could not do it alone and would have to involve a third party if she was to have any chance of success. Consequently, she had taken the opportunity to explain the situation to Emma and now she sat quietly, waiting for her trusted friend to speak.

  ‘It is a lot to ask,’ said Emma, ‘and the whole thing is very dangerous.’

  ‘I know and I would rather take all the risk myself but the constable would never let me frequent the town without some sort of escort and that would make it impossible for me to carry out the task.’

  ‘I’m not pointing out the danger for myself, my lady. You know I would gladly die for you, but this road can only lead to heartache and possibly death. I just wonder if you have thought this through.’

  ‘I have, Emma, and I want this more than anything. My station precludes me from doing anything else. Even if I was to run away and join the rebels, the cosseted life I have led up until now would make me more of a burden than an ally. At least this way, I can be of help and perhaps, when all this is over, we can all be free again to come and go as we please.’

  Emma smiled at her mistress’s enthusiasm. The thought of freedom for Deheubarth had long been a dream for everyone in the south and there had been many uprisings but they were always put down with great brutality.

  ‘What makes you think they will succeed this time?’ she asked.

  ‘Many things,’ said Nesta. ‘The coronation of Stephen has split the loyalties of the English barons in two, and if Matilda sails from France to claim what is rightfully hers, you can wager she will come with an army to challenge Stephen. I think England is heading for a civil war, Emma, and when it does our countrymen must be ready to act. With our help, they will be in a better position than they ever have been before, and with Tarw and Gwenllian at their head, they can drive the English from these blessed lands.’ She paused and looked deep into her maid’s eyes, taking her hands in her own. ‘So,’ she said finally, ‘it is indeed a great ask but I need to know: will you do it?’

  ‘Of course I will,’ said Emma with a smile. ‘For you, my lady, anything.’

  Nesta smiled back and embraced the servant as if she were her sister. ‘When all this is over, Emma, you will go down in the history books as one of those responsible for the freedom of our country.’

  ‘I don’t know about that, my lady,’ said Emma, ‘but I’m just happy to see you smile again.’ She pulled away and looked at her mistress. ‘So, how are we going to do this?’

  For the next hour or so, they plotted in Nesta’s chambers, discussing options, methods and possible allies until, finally, they were interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

  ‘Who is it?’ asked Nesta.

  ‘My lady,’ said a voice, ‘I have been instructed to tell you that the constable has returned from London and has requested your presence in the lesser hall.’

  ‘Tell him I will be there shortly,’ she said with a sigh. ‘So, Emma,’ she continued, ‘it looks like we are ready. I’ll go down and play the part of dutiful host while you get some rest. It has been a long day and you have my heartfelt gratitude.’

  ‘Do you not want something to eat?’ asked Emma, standing up. ‘It won’t take me but a few moments to arrange it.’

  ‘No, I’m sure the constable has already demanded to be fed after his journey so, if necessary, I will join him.’

  ‘As you wish, my lady,’ said Emma, and she left the room.

  Nesta walked over to the mirror on the wall and tidied up her appearance. Her eyes looked tired but apart from that there was nothing to suggest she hadn’t slept for almost two days. Finally satisfied she was looking as good as she could hope, she donned a shawl and headed down into the lesser hall.

  Salisbury was standing by the fire, still dressed in his riding leathers, when Nesta entered. In his hand was a large tankard of ale and he was laughing and joking with the castle steward. All around the hall, most of those soldiers who had accompanied him to London weeks earlier were also enjoying refreshments after their arduous ride.

  ‘Ah, here she is,’ said Salisbury and he turned to greet her as she made her way across the crowded hall.

  ‘Master Salisbury,’ she said, ‘I trust you had a good journey?’

  ‘We did,’ said Salisbury, ‘and also enjoyed the hospitality of the new king, who, may I add, is a most excellent host.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Nesta. ‘Did you achieve what you hoped?’

  ‘Indeed,’ said Salisbury. ‘That and more. In fact, I have an announcement to make and I was waiting for you to arrive before making it.’ He turned to one of the men at his side. ‘Master Steward, perhaps you could summon the rest of the castle staff.’

  ‘Of course,’ said the steward, immediately dispatching some servants to round up anybody not in the hall.

  Ten minutes late
r, the steward climbed up onto a table and called for quiet. At the far end of the hall, all the servants, cooks, maids and other staff were gathered against the wall, unsure of what to expect. It was very rare to be summoned for an announcement.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Salisbury and he waited for the steward to descend before taking his place upon the table. The room fell silent as the constable looked around at the expectant faces. ‘As you are aware,’ he announced loudly, ‘I have just returned from pledging our allegiance to the new king at Westminster. While I was there, my seconds and I managed to get a private audience with him and brief him as to the situation here in Deheubarth. I reported that this garrison was strong, loyal and well placed to continue serving the Crown as we always have done. I also told him about you people, the very heartbeat of this garrison, who provide a safe haven from which we rule this kingdom on his behalf and he asked me to extend his gratitude. In fact, he has authorised me to grant every civilian employed in this castle an extra penny as a sign of his satisfaction.’

  A murmur rippled around the room. No man, king or castellan, had ever authorised such a thing and everyone was shocked at the unexpected bounty.

  ‘He also asked about the threat from the brigands who call themselves rebels,’ continued Salisbury, ‘and I was happy to inform him that the situation is well in hand. He has promised us extra supplies and men when the time is right and he will support us in ridding the hills of those brigands once and for all.’

  Another murmur circulated around the hall, though this time without as much excitement.

  ‘Finally,’ announced Salisbury, ‘I informed him of the circumstances surrounding the death of our beloved castellan, Gerald of Windsor. He expressed his sincere condolences and sends his respects but more importantly focussed on the need to replace the castellan as soon as possible in order to continue the good work already carried out by Gerald. Consequently, a few days ago he summoned me to his private rooms and presented me with this scroll, the contents of which are a royal decree, effective immediately.’ He unfurled the parchment and started reading out loud.

  ‘“To all citizens of Deheubarth and the surrounding territories. Let it be known that with immediate effect the honourable John of Salisbury, in recognition of his services to the Crown, is hereby awarded the title Lord of Pembroke and is recognised by the Crown as its senior representative across the kingdom known as Deheubarth. It is demanded that all his subjects honour this award and recognise his authority and actions in the name of the king.

  John of Salisbury is also awarded ownership of all lands east of Pembroke town as far as, and including, the commote of Dinefwr, his in perpetuity for his family and heirs.

  Signed His Majesty the king, Stephen de Blois, this twentieth day of January in the year of our Lord 1136.”’

  John of Salisbury looked around the hall, barely able to contain the grin struggling to emerge across his face. ‘What that means,’ he said, ‘is I am now in charge of all Deheubarth and, as such, automatically become the recognised castellan of Pembroke Castle.’

  For a few seconds there was an awkward silence but then Walter de Calais removed his cap and held it up in the air.

  ‘Three cheers for the new castellan,’ he shouted and immediately everyone responded, each knowing full well that to hesitate invited scrutiny and possible punishment. As Salisbury looked around, he noticed that Nesta was nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Where is she?’ he said down to Walter as the last of the cheers subsided.

  ‘She left as soon as you finished reading the decree,’ replied Walter. ‘I think she went back to her rooms.’

  Salisbury laughed quietly to himself. He had expected such a reaction from her but he knew there was nothing she could do. His lobbying of the king and exaggerated claims of success as constable had achieved exactly what he had hoped for. Indeed, he had still another surprise for the beautiful Nesta but that would wait until later. For now, he was happy to enjoy the fact that he had at last achieved the position he had coveted for so long and bask in the many declarations of loyalty coming from the mouths of knights and servants alike.

  Up in the room, Nesta sat on her bed, horrified at the scene she had just witnessed. She had always known the constable was a sly and calculating man, but to do what he did and acquire her husband’s office so soon after his burial was an immoral depth not even she had expected of him. Her mind raced, trying to work out what it meant for her. Some of the lands now gifted to Salisbury had been owned by Gerald and, as such, should have passed to their sons but if the king’s decree was valid, and she had no reason to doubt that it was, that inheritance now lay in tatters and Gerald’s sons would receive next to nothing from his estates in Wales. There were other interests in England that would ensure they never wanted for anything but Nesta held no such investments in her name and Salisbury’s gain would leave her almost penniless.

  The door knocked and she turned to see Emma peering around the door frame.

  ‘Can I come in?’ she asked.

  ‘Aye,’ sighed Nesta.

  ‘I saw you go,’ said Emma, ‘but could not join you until he allowed us to leave.’

  ‘I understand,’ said Nesta.

  ‘I suppose this means you are no longer in charge of the castle?’

  ‘That and more,’ said Nesta. ‘To all extents and purposes I am now destitute except for my clothes, my jewellery and the purse of coins beneath my bed.’

  ‘What are you going to do?’

  Nesta looked at Emma with a steely gaze. ‘Do?’ she said. ‘I know exactly what I am going to do. I intend to carry out the plan we agreed with Tarw. Salisbury is a merciless man and his cruelty will reach right across Deheubarth. Our people need Gwenllian to succeed more than ever and I intend to help her as much as I can. If that means seeing him revel in his new-found authority as he smirks at me, then so be it. It is a small price to pay.’

  Another knock came at the door and both women turned to see Salisbury enter the room. The new castellan stopped and stared at them both in silence, as if waiting for something to happen.

  ‘Well,’ he said, ‘is that how you welcome your new lord and master?’

  For a second, Nesta almost forgot her station and had to bite her lip not to say anything inappropriate. Instead, she got to her feet and bowed her head slightly, acknowledging his new position. Emma curtsied low and stayed on the floor, her eyes lowered.

  ‘That’s better,’ said Salisbury. He glared at Emma. ‘You,’ he said, ‘get up. If you ever pass me by without an acknowledgement again, your time here will be over. Understand?’

  ‘Yes, my lord,’ she said.

  ‘Good. Now leave us and see we are not disturbed.’

  Emma left the room and closed the door as Salisbury turned to Nesta. ‘So,’ he said, walking across and sitting in her chair, ‘here we are.’

  ‘What do you want, Salisbury?’ said Nesta. ‘If you have come to gloat you are wasting your time. I will not lower myself to react to such sewer politics.’

  ‘Oh, come, come,’ said Salisbury, ‘is that the way to address your new master?’

  ‘You will never be my master,’ said Nesta.

  ‘But I am the castellan, Lord of Pembroke. I believe that gives me domain over you.’

  ‘Perhaps in public,’ she said, ‘but never, ever in private.’

  ‘We shall see,’ said Salisbury with a cold smile.

  ‘What do you want?’ she asked again. ‘For this is my private room and I am busy. So if you don’t mind . . .’

  ‘Ah, yes,’ said Salisbury, ‘this room.’ He stood up and wandered around the substantial quarters, peering into each nook and cranny as Nesta watched. ‘Correct me if I am wrong,’ he said eventually, ‘but this room was Gerald’s quarters before he married you, which means it comes with the station, not the personality.’

  Nesta shook her head slowly as the implications sunk in. ‘No,’ she said. ‘This room is mine and will remain so. If you think you can take
this away from me then you are mistaken.’

  ‘That’s exactly what I think,’ said Salisbury. ‘In fact, you have one day to remove your things to the room on the top floor. If they are not out by tomorrow at sundown, my men will move them for you, and indeed you, if needs be, without ceremony.’

  ‘You can’t do this,’ gasped Nesta.

  ‘I think you will find I can do whatever I want,’ said Salisbury. ‘In fact, your life here is about to become far less comfortable than it has been these past few years.’

  ‘Then I will leave,’ said Nesta.

  ‘No, you won’t,’ said Salisbury. ‘You will stay here, under house arrest if needs be. And consider this: the room on the top floor, albeit small, is far better than the lodgings offered in the castle gaol.’

  ‘You wouldn’t dare,’ said Nesta.

  ‘Try me,’ said Salisbury, holding her stare. ‘Of course,’ he continued, ‘there is another way. A proposal that may not garner your favour in the first instance but one that is far more sensible for both of us in its outcome.’

  ‘And that is?’

  ‘You become my wife and regain all the privileges you enjoyed with Gerald.’

  Nesta’s mouth dropped open at the suggestion and she stared at him in shock.

  ‘Surprised?’ asked Salisbury. ‘Surely you must have noticed my attention these past few years. Not even you are that stupid.’

  ‘If you think for one second that I will marry you,’ gasped Nesta, ‘then you truly are as mad as I have always thought you were. I would never consent to being your wife as long as I draw breath.’

  ‘I thought you might say that,’ said Salisbury with a grimace, ‘so I have made certain preparations to avoid any unnecessary animosity between us.’ He reached into his inside pocket and withdrew a leather wrap, throwing it on the bed at Nesta’s side.

  ‘What is that supposed to be?’ asked Nesta.

  ‘It is a personal letter from the king to you,’ said Salisbury, ‘expressing his expectation that after a suitable period of mourning you will become the first lady of Pembroke, my wife.’