A little flustered, Mrs. Fisher said, “Yes, ye Ladyship; they all be well. Me come here my lady to warn ye of treachery in the village, well not so much in the village as outside the village.”
Somehow, Stacey always knew this day would come. Eric had warned her way back in the beginning. Stacey took Mrs. Fisher’s hand and said, “Tell me ma’am what be worrying ye? I have heard fore warned be fore armed. Now tell me what have ye heard?”
“There be those that name ye a witch, my lady, not all mind ye, but some. Me thinks ye need know this foul gossip. Tell ye husband, my lady, he will know what to do.”
“Thank ye, Mrs. Fisher, it was very brave of ye to come.”
The sheriff’s wife heard the rumors and told her husband. The sheriff called a meeting, “I am here to informed ye instigators that what ye be attempting be against the law and dangerous. Should the earl hear of this he would have ye hides. The countess has lived among us for many years and has helped in many ways and done much good, now ye want to find fault with her and call her a witch. Must I remind ye, her Ladyship has a husband and strong sons and sons-in-law as well as formable daughters? Touch their mother and god help ye, because I will not.”
The sheriff was sure he had taken care of the situation, but a fortnight later, a youngster ran to the castle asking for the countess. Stacey came downstairs immediately to speak with the child, “Do not be frighten,” she told the boy, “ Tell me who be sick?” Turing is cap repeatedly in his hands he finally said, “The Tidwell boy, ye Ladyship.”
Stacey noticed how scrawny and filthy the child was so she told the maid that came to her, “Edith, please feed this child and then give him a bath and a bed.”
Stacey, packed her medicine bag and rode away. The short cut to the Tidwell farm was through the woods. Stacey had traveled this road many times over the years and knew the family well.
Treachery, was the furthers thing from Stacey’s mind as she road through the woods headed to the Tidwell farm when a half dozen or so dirty louts jumped out in front of her horse and caused him to rear up on his hind legs. Stacey, being a seasoned rider retained control of the frightened horse. It was hard to see by the dim light in the woods but Stacey felt her foot make connect with one of her attackers. She tried to force her horse past the men, but the horse was frightened and bucking, which made it difficult for Stacey to defend herself other than to hold tight to the reins. One of the men, braver than the rest, defied the crazed animal and pulled Stacey from the saddle. The louts were on her in an instant. Stacey knew she was at a disadvantage, as she had not used her marital arts in some time. Therefore, she quit struggling in order to save her strength for whatever lay ahead.
The leader of the scum, told his thugs to bind her ladyship’s hands, then he was brave enough to get in her face and say, “Well ye ain’t so high and mighty now ere ye, ye Ladyship?”
“Do I know ye, sir?” Her Ladyship asked, as she looked around at the other men. “Ye know my husband will come looking for me and this place will be a bloody grove.”
“Ye shut ye mouth, witch, I know where the earl be and it ain’t in ye fine castle.”
Stacey knew he was right, Eric left two days ago for Falcon Crest castle. It was then; Stacey remembered, Mrs. Fishers warning about the rumors of her being a witch.
Stacey knew she recognized the, so-called leader, from somewhere, but could not place him. Two of the filthy men, more vindictive than the rest, were right in her face with burning fagots. Stacey pulled her head back and glared at her captors. The leader of the pack, said, “That be right, ye Ladyship, pull back so we don’t burn ye bonnie face, but tomorrow, Witch, we be burning all of ye.”
“Wait; Stacey said, “Tell me, how be it I find ye ugly face familiar?”
The lout smiled his broken, green and blacken teeth and said, “Well, now I rightly did not expect, ye high and mighty Ladyship to remember me, however, I remember ye well enough.” Stacey frowned trying to place him. “Ifin ye recollect a few years back ye had me dunked in cold river water. I swear then, one day I get ye back.”
“Oh, yes, I remember. From the looks of ye, that be ye last bath and I doubt ye will live long enough for another.”
Stacey could tell their conversation was making the other villains uncomfortable. They had joined a witch-hunt not a vendetta. When one of the kidnappers who seemed more intelligent than the others give her Ladyship, a piece of rabbit to eat, Stacey took it, thanked him and acted grateful to get it. A little later, when her Ladyship asked to relieve herself the louts looked at each other as though this was a total unique experience. Stacey understood their dilemma and said, “What? Do ye think we women be so different from ye. Our bodies may be different, however, the functions be the same.”
The lout in charge said, “No, let the witch piss on herself.”
The more intelligent one, came over and motioned for her Ladyship to stand up and he loosen her bindings, then took her to the trees and stood watching her. “Turn ye back sir, I am a lady.” When she was finished, he took her back to the place where she was bound to a tree. Stacey watched the man and when she thought it safe to talk, she asked the one guarding her, “What be ye name, sir?”
“Norman, Norman Watt.”
“Norman, ye seem like an intelligent man to me, therefore I want to make ye a proposition. Ye know who I be?”
“Aye, my lady, ye be the Countess of Dun Raven”
“Be ye not afraid of my husband”
“Aye, ye ladyship, but I be more a feared of ye.”
“Of me?” Stacey said shocked, “Why on earth would ye be afraid of me, as far as I know we have never met before.”
“Aye, my lady, but ye be a Witch.”
“If I tell ye I am not a witch will ye believe me?”
“No, my lady.”
“Which do ye want more, money or to watch me burn?”
“That be a hard decision, my lady, but I will take the money. Now what be ye proposition, my lady?”
“You must hurry to the castle and tell my sons where my kidnappers be. I will pay ye the ransom when I be free. Oh, Norman, a warning to ye, stay clear of the horses so ye will not lose ye head.”
Norman met the knights from the castle as they were entering the forest. He told his story convincingly and was sent to the castle to await their return and that of the countess. At the castle, Petey had admitted that the men in the forest had sent him for the countess with the message that she be needed at the Tidwell farm. Other than that, he knew nothing more.
When Norman and Petey saw one another at the castle, they shook with fear. Now their lives depended on the countess keeping her word. An hour or so later, the countess entered the private parlor of the earl; her sons had spoken with her and knew what had happened and who the guilty parties were. The countess praised the bravery of Norman Watt and his son Petey Watt. She knew Petey was not Norman’s son, however, neither one of them had anyone, therefore they would be good for each other and the hundred gold pieces paid for information and recovery of the countess would go far to the rehabilitation of Norman and Petey who were born and raised in poverty.
When the earl returned home, a week later, and heard of the kidnapping of his wife, he was furious. Shane calmed him down and assured his father that justice was served and that there would be no repercussions. Later, Shane took his father aside and explained the site they found at a clearing in the woods with his mother tied to a stake. “I became so angry we killed the lot. I can not say I’m sorry Papa, what I feel is good riddance to the scum.”
Eric patted his son on the shoulder and said, “Be at ease my son, I would have done the same. If your mother be a little upset tis because she sees virtue where tis none.”
Over the years, the earl had made many changes. He wanted a good life for his people as well as himself and his extended family. Slowly but surely the villeins could see he had their best interest at heart. Their part of Yorkshire was thriving; even the animals were healthy. To make
plowing easier the earl had ordered Percherons from France for each of the farms. After paying taxes to the earl and his paid to the duke and the king there was still a surplus. This took some getting used to by rich and poor alike. The earl told his people, “It be the fruits from ye labor, use it as ye see fit. Ye have served me well. We all have prospered.”
Dun-Raven castle was a happy productive place. The root of this prosperity was little known but strongly suspected by many that the countess had much to do with it. The local people and the aristocracy alike had great respect for her. Twice a year, at Yuletide and Easter the countess made sure the village children received a new set of clothes and shoes as well as sweet treats of honey and nuts. She always managed to find a holiday to celebrate with treats of some kind no matter how insignificant the holiday. Stacey hated seeing the children have to work so hard. Some of the parents refused to let their children attend school. As much as the countess disliked how the children were treated, she knew in the big towns that it was far worse. What worried her most was that neither rich nor poor seemed to care.
An idea came to her and that night she talked to Eric about building an orphanage on a small farm where the children could live and the farm could sustain them. “Of course, I understand they will need adult supervision, however, I don’t see that as a problem. There are young adults that will be happy to teach children and younger people how to work study and live a good life without the danger and fear they know now.”
“Give me a few days, my love and we will find ye a farm on which to settle ye orphans and neglected children,” Eric promised.
He knew to find it soon or she would give him no peace. Three weeks later, Eric took Stacey south to a fine piece of land that would need a cottage to house the children and their chaperones. Within a few weeks, a nice warm dry cottage was built with the supervision of the carpenter at Dun-Raven and the help of a few soldiers was ready for occupancy. Now, the countess’s work really began. She and the earl visited with the squires and bishops of many shires. The word circulated that children in need of a home would be welcomed to the farm known as Ravens nest. The earl found a childless couple willing to run the farm and look after the children.
Before long, it was necessary to build more rooms onto the cottage. The next year, the earl built a three story stone house on the farm at Ravens nest. The countess spent much of her time there helping with the teaching and giving kind words to the children. The farm was a smooth running place with a few milk cows, sheep, chickens, guinea fowl, pigs, vegetables and flowers. Dun-Raven bought much of the meat, eggs, vegetables and flowers, but the wool was for the expenses of the farm and the extra eggs were for pocket money or barter.
Times were peaceful and the daily lives of the castle folk and the farm ran smoothly, but in the back of Stacey’s mind, she feared trouble was on the horizon. The more she tried to cast it from her mind the more it troubled her. One afternoon, when Stacey returned from the farm there was an envoy from King Richard talking in private with Eric. Stacey knew the man being there foretold bad news. Before long, Shane, Brandon, Colin and James joined the earl and the envoy. Stacey was waiting when Langston came from the earl’s parlor where he had served the wine, “Did you overhear anything while you were in there, Langston?”
“No, m’lady, they were careful not to talk while I was there.”
“You think there’s trouble coming too, don’t you?”
Langston humped his shoulders and said, “I pray not, m’lady.”
Stacey was so agitated she was pacing back and fourth. She made her hands into fists and said, “Dear god, I wish these people would forget where we live.”
Langston smiled and said in agreement, “I too, m’lady, but I fear it not be likely.”
Chapter 28
War and Ransom
The earl had heard rumors through his contacts that the Lancastrians, were going to make a play for the crown. Henry Bolingbroke was making his way from Ravenspur on the Humber across the middle of England with a few hundred men to reclaim his inheritance. Eric had been skeptical when Stacey warned him of the coming events. She could not remember the exact dates, but was almost sure it was during King Richard II reign. When Eric, confirmed Stacey’s prophecy, she was frantic to keep the men of her family out of it, but of course, that was impossible. Eric confided to Stacey and his sons, “I fear our King Richard is becoming a megalomaniac. It was foolish of him to exile Bolingbroke for life and disinherit him.”
“Why didn’t his father stand up for him,” Stacey said. “I don’t understand this lack of support.”
“Well, I must say; Bolingbroke picked an opportune time to regain his inheritance while Richard is in Ireland. I hope that when Richard returns from Ireland they will reach a compromise,” Shane said. As much as they hoped for a mutual agreement, it was not to be. King Richard called for his loyal followers from all over England, Yorkshire and Dun-Raven included. Nobleman, knights with squires, pike men, bowman and foot soldiers went to fight for King Richard II.
Stacey was angry with King Richard. As far as she was concerned, he had brought this on himself for exiling Henry Bolingbroke in the first place and then to make matters worse he disinherited him and seized his property. Stacey knew the history of the Yorks’and Lancastrians, but thought it ridiculous. Both houses were sons and grandsons of King Edward III.
The countess of Dun-Raven stood on the rampart and watched her husband, two sons and two sons-in-law along with every able-bodied man of Dun-Raven march off to fight for Richard II. Stacey, with her daughters, daughter-in-law and women folk along with the old and infirm were left to maintain the castle. Over the next year or so, the war intruded into their lives. The countess did her best to keep the castle and the farm running smoothly. As much as she hated war, Stacey knew her men folk had trained for battle. She felt Eric and Rodric were too old to fight, but Eric said, “I cannot sit here idly by my love and do nothing. The least I can do is cover the backs of our sons and our people.”
Rodric felt the same about his son and his people. He too felt obliged too fight for Richard, but he would be relieved when the conflict was over. Royal politics could cause one to loose ones head if not vigilant. Stacey was more pragmatic about the war. As much as she hated it, she saw no difference in who won. After all both claimants were grandsons of Edward III. She fully believed in a democratic society where the people chose and voted for the most capable person. Of course, her children thought her exceedingly strange at times.
In the winter of that year, a messenger rode to Dun-Raven with an urgent message for the countess. As she packed, she told her girls, “I must go; your father is wounded and ill. He is in Fotheringhay castle in Northamptonshire. Langston will guide ya’ll while I’m away. Listen to him and keep the portcullis closed unless you know the people well.”
“Mother, what about the rest of our kin? Is there no word of them?” Cassie asked.
Stacey looked at the worried faces of her daughters and daughter-in-law, “I don’t know my darlings. I’ll try to find out and send a messenger back one way or the other.”
Stacey hugged her girls, grabbed her medical kit and her coat that she had had Molly to make for her. It was much warmer than a cloak blowing in the cold wind. It was a cold and snowy two-day ride to Fotheringhay castle. The countess did not take time to warm herself or drink a cup of warm cider.
“Show me the way to my husband, please,” she said. “A warm drink can wait my husband must come first, please.”
The countess was taken to the second floor of the castle. Franklin came to her immediately and said, “M’lady, how good to see ye. His lordship is in great need of ye. His wound is infected I fear. I was at a great loss as to what to do.”
“I’m sure you’ve done your best, Franklin. I’m here now; we’ll take care of his lordship together.”
A fire was burning in the fireplace; however, the room was still chilled. Stacey had brought blankets, clean sheets and a few other things
on a packhorse. As Stacey was examining Eric there was a knock on the door. Franklin brought the supplies in the room. As Stacey was examining Eric’s wounds she said, “Bring the light closer, Franklin. How long has his lordship been unconscious?”
“Since yester morn, m’lady, I feared ye would not get here in time.”
Stacey removed the bloody filthy bandage from Eric’s thigh. The cut was deep and raw looking.
“Where is young Jaron?” Stacey asked. “We will need him to help hold his lordship down in case he wakes while I’m cleaning and closing his wound.”
“I am here m’lady,” he said. He was sitting so far in the shadows of the room that Stacey had not seen him. When he came to the light, she could see the tear streaks that ran down his dirty face. Stacey poured vinegar on the wound to clean it. Eric let out a moan of pain, but didn’t wake. As Stacey sutured the deep wound on his thigh and then the cut on his chest, she thanked god Eric had not waken. She then covered the wound with honey and her dried mushroom concoction and then bandaged the wound with clean white linen. With the help of Franklin and young Jaron, they removed Eric’s clothes, bathed him and then dressed him in a nightshirt with fresh sheets and warm blankets.
Her ladyship sat down on a stool near the fire and said, “Thank you both for helping with his lordship, now go eat, bathe and ask the cook to send up a cup of broth if she has sufficient.”
A soft knock at the door and a young woman entered. “Sorry to disturb ye, m’lady. My mistress sent these vittles for ye. She sends her prayers for his lordship.”
Stacey smiled and said, “Thank ye, young lady and please tell ye mistress, I thank her for her hospitality and her prayers.”
“I will tell her, m’lady, but ye be mistaken. I am a servant, not a young lady.”
“To me ye be,” Stacey said as she put her hand out to shake the young woman’s hand. “What be ye name?”
“I am called Willow, m’lady,” she said shyly with her eyes down cast.
A Fall Through Time (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #1) Page 16