by Griff Hosker
We rode at a little distance from Aiden and the horses. I wanted to be able to react to danger. Harold kept looking over his shoulder to ensure that we were not followed. I idly drew my sword and checked the sharpness of the blade. Harold looked at me, “You think we might need our weapons, my lord?”
“Let us just say, Harold, that I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck prickling. Wulfstan has taught me to trust such things.” I ruffled Scout’s ears. “Beside Scout here is a little restless and is looking around. He senses something and I have come to trust his judgement.”
He nodded, “Wulfstan is a mighty warrior. Why does he not lead his own band?”
“He is oathsworn to my father.”
“Oathsworn?”
“Aye it appears a little archaic I know but my father and the others remember when a man took an oath to fight for a man and he kept that oath unto death. My father swore one to your namesake, Harold Godwinson. It was only a wound which prevented him from keeping his oath. He was still at Stamford Bridge when Harold and his housecarls died.”
“I think it is good to swear an oath and follow someone. Robert of the Wood always wanted my father to swear an oath to him but he said he had already sworn one oath and that was to Lord Aelfraed and so long as Aelfraed lived he would honour that oath.”
Perhaps our conversation distracted us or it could have been that we were too far from the front of the column to smell danger but whatever the reason the first we knew of the ambush was when the arrows flew. Garth, at the front, was quick and his shield came around to protect the child. He was struck in the shoulder by a second arrow. Still the warrior held his seat and protected the child.
My sword was already drawn and I yelled to Harold, “Follow me!”
I knew from what Harold had told me that the ambushers would be deep enough in the woods to hide and yet close enough to release arrows accurately. I guessed the distance to the hidden target and I leaned forward over Scout to make myself an even smaller target. I knew that I needed to attract arrows: I was armoured and Harold was not. Even so it was a gut wrenching ride through the undergrowth as I headed towards an unknown number of men. I was relieved when no arrows came my way.
To my surprise these were not bandits but soldiers who wore both mail and leather. I discovered that when Scout flushed two of them from their hiding place as he galloped towards them. They came so quickly that I barely had time to react. I sliced at the nearer one to my right and was rewarded by my blade sinking into his neck. I jerked Scout’s head around and the second warrior was taken by surprise as I sank my sword into his chest. Had I not had such a good seat I might have tumbled from my horse but I lowered my sword and allowed his body to slide from my blade.
My move had allowed Harold to join me and he shouted, “To the right my lord, they are heading for their horses!”
He held his spear like a lance and we plunged through the thinning trees towards the seven men who were running away from us. I knew not why they ran; we were just two warriors on horses but run they did. I watched as Harold pulled back his arm and punched the head of his spear between the shoulder blades of the man at arms who was tardier than the rest.
I saw the horses, there were ten of them. One warrior was mounted holding the reins of the others. I slashed down and laid open the back of the man who ran, too slowly, before me. I glanced at his body as I passed. His back looked like a freshly cut fig, oozing red. The others had reached their horses. As Harold thrust his spear again at one of the riders another tried to strike at his unguarded head. I kicked Scout and jammed my shield between the sword and Harold. I have quick hands and my sword stabbed into the mailed warrior’s side. He tumbled from his horse. The blow to Harold had surprised him and he lay on the ground unhorsed. I watched in frustration as the remaining six galloped west.
“Secure the horses!” It was foolish I know but I charged after the fleeing riders. I felt all powerful. Scout was a good horse and had nimble feet. His hooves danced around the roots of the trees. The last rider was not so lucky and his horse stumbled. It allowed me to close with him. He glanced over his shoulder and tried to pull his sword from its scabbard. He was one of the guards from the castle! I brought my sword down hard and was rewarded by seeing his sword bend. “Surrender or die!”
His answer was to strike with his bent sword at Scout’s head. It infuriated me and I jerked Scout’s head away from danger whilst swinging my sword horizontally. His head flew from his shoulders and bounced away through the woods. I looked up and saw that the other five men were too far away for me to catch. I grabbed the reins of the soldier’s horse and led him back to the others.
My father and Ralph were attending to Garth’s wound while Harold, William and Aiden stood with drawn weapons watching the mason’s wife and the children.
“They have fled.”
Ralph looked up and shook his head. “That was brave, master Alfraed, but exceptionally foolish. Had they turned on you then you would now be dead and we might be in danger.”
He was right but I needed no instruction from an old man. I ignored his comment. “They were from the castle.”
My father looked up, “How do you know?”
“The last man I killed was one of the surly guards from the gate.”
I saw him frown. “Aiden tie the horses to the trees and then you and Harold go and collect the armour, helmets and weapons from the dead.” As they went off he smiled at me. “Despite Ralph’s harsh words, my son, I am proud of you. Aelfraed would have done the same.”
“How is Garth?”
Garth looked up and grinned, “Garth is feeling foolish. It will not happen again, young master.” He nodded at me, “By God but you have quick hands. They are like quicksilver.”
I smiled. All young men liked praise and I knew that this was genuine praise. Garth knew sword play; he had practised it every day in Constantinople.
When Aiden and Harold returned my father looked at the haul. “Well we have made a fair trade. One wound for five horses, two sets of mail, four swords and five bows.” He looked at the collection. “Where are the helmets?”
Harold flushed, “I am sorry my lord we forgot them.”
“Go and get them while we mount.” As Harold turned my father said, “My son, the one you said you recognised, where is he?”
“His head is yonder.”
“Fetch his head, too, Harold. We may have to return to the castle and have words with the Seneschal.”
While they went off to complete the grisly deed I examined the mail and the weapons. They were neither of the finest quality but they were better than nothing and Harold had shown that he needed protection. “Father, there were no shields; I wonder why not?”
Ralph snorted, “They would have identified them as the men from the castle. Someone does not wish your father to rule Norton.”
When Harold returned with the three helmets he had found he also brought the head of the dead man. The journey from the body to the ground had caused the head to smash into rocks and roots. It could have been the eyeless skull of any man. The identity of the man could not be identified for certain now.
“You are sure that he was the guard?”
“Aye father.”
“Well we cannot prove it and so we shall have to bide our time but we will be on our guard and keep a careful watch.”
The attack had delayed us and the sun was just setting as we neared our castle. After Durham it looked small and vulnerable but it was home and we would defend it.
Faren, although a slave, was like a mother hen and she fussed over both the children and Judith when she saw their pitiful condition.
My father addressed his new mason. “For tonight, William, we will house your family in the hall but tomorrow I will have my men build a hut for you inside the walls.”
“Thank you, my lord. I am your man.” He paused, “I see no stone here.”
“No, we need to go to Persebrig to buy some.”
“I w
ill accompany the buyers for some of these stone merchants will take the coins from a dead man’s eyes.”
That evening after we had eaten and the family had gone to claim a corner of the hall for themselves I sat with my father, his oathsworn and Branton. It was a council of war.
We had told the others what had happened. Wulfstan rubbed his beard. “I wonder why they did not send knights.”
Ralph laughed, “I think they saw three old men and two boys. They probably thought that ten men at arms could do the job. They did not know the ferocity of young Alfraed here.” He shook his head at the memory of my reckless charge. “Wulfstan he was fearless.”
Wulfstan jokingly wagged his finger at me. “Make sure you are not so reckless when you face the Norman knights.”
I laughed, “We saw off those in Normandy easily enough.”
“We were lucky that time for they were careless and thought that we could not defend ourselves. When those men at arms return to the Seneschal they will know your mettle and they may try to use your recklessness to their advantage.”
“How do you mean?”
“They will feign retreat and when you follow they will turn and destroy you.”
“It is how William the Bastard won when he defeated Harold. His knights ran and the fyrd followed. Only the Housecarls stood firm and they were surrounded and slaughtered. You need to use your head, Alfraed, as well as your sword.”
Of all of my father’s men Ralph was the wisest. He understood war and his advice would be heeded.
My father nodded his agreement and said, “Alfraed, I would have you and Harold go to Persebrig and buy the stone for the castle.”
I was both pleased and surprised, “That is a great responsibility, father. Can I be trusted?”
He laughed, “It takes a long time to finish a decent castle and it will be you who reaps the benefits not I. Besides it will teach you how to negotiate. I am sure William will be a good adviser.” His face became serious. We now know that we need to be careful here. This is a land filled with our enemies. Until we have built up our strength we will need to tread carefully.”
I was excited to be given such a task.
Chapter 9
We now had surplus horses and we took one for William as well as a spare. I began to head to the west but William said, “My lord we can save time if we head to the river. We will need a boat anyway. Carts are expensive and you have to hire drivers.”
It was my first decision. I could not fault the argument my mason had used but it was hard to take advice from someone who was not a warrior. “Very well.”
We took the track towards the Tees. It was south of us. I knew that Persebrig was to the west and I hoped we were not making an unnecessary journey. The track went over undulating ground and had not been built by the Romans. In winter it would become a muddy morass.
“Tell me William, how do you make a living? I know that you are a mason and build churches and cathedrals but do you not have a home of your own?”
“All my children but William, my eldest, were born in Durham. We lived there for the best part of four years. I hoped for another three or four years of work. By then William would have been able to assist me and we could have taken on bigger jobs. I like not working for others such as Robert of Durham. I have my own ideas of how buildings should be created.”
“And how long will it take to finish the church and the tower?”
“The church will not take long; it just needs a stone floor but the tower will take longer. It depends on how large you wish it to be.”
“So you will be living with us for some time?”
“I hope so, sir. You father seems like a fair master.”
“He is the fairest man I have ever met and I know that he will treat you and your family well. He came from humble origins.”
Harold looked up. “My father told me that the master had an estate at Coxold.”
“He did but that was a reward for services to the king. He began his life as a humble soldier and then became a Housecarl. He has never forgotten his roots and the way he was brought up.”
Suddenly the river was ahead of us. I had never seen it this far east and it was wide. There were a few huts there; all of them made from wattle and daub. What struck me was the small mound which was adjacent to the river. I realised it would make the perfect site for a castle. I reined in and the other two looked at me in surprise.
“My lord?”
“I am just looking, Harold, at the hill. William, would this make a good place to site a castle?”
The mason dismounted and picked up a handful of earth. He handed his reins to Harold and walked to the river’s edge and then paced back to us. “It would, my lord. The ground is firmer than in Norton. We would be able to build in stone here.”
“Good, then when we return we will broach the subject with my father. And now let us introduce ourselves to our people.”
I suddenly realised I had no markings on my shield. It was plainly covered with a blue dye on the leather covering. We had been remiss and I needed a sign sooner rather than later. I needed people to know who we were. It seemed to me that there were many dishonourable men in these parts. I needed them to know that I was not one of them.
There were too few of us to worry the small village and the people came out to see us. I noticed that there was a smith here. That was good news. I saw, too, the sheaf of barley which marked the home of an ale wife. Wulfstan had told me that he dreamed of finding some decent beer when we reached England. He would have his wish here. In the river there were three small boats. Two of them looked like large fishing ships but the third looked to be capable of carrying cargo.
I did not dismount but I spoke in English. I was lucky that my father had spoken to me in that language since the day I was born. It sounded like a foreign language to me but I could speak it fluently.
“What is the name of this place?”
“It is Stockton.”
I nodded, trying to affect the same pose as I thought my father might. “I am Alfraed of Norton and my father, Ridley of Norton has been granted that manor by King Henry.”
I was disappointed that they did not seem enthusiastic. They began to drift back into their places of work. I began to redden. I had not dismissed them. “My father will be coming here in a week or so and we will decide upon the taxes that you will have to pay.”
The blacksmith, obvious by his apron and huge arms, laughed. “The last lord of the manor took our taxes and the Scots took them when they killed him. Perhaps we should pay them directly to the Scots, sir and save time.”
“Insolent wretch! We are here to stay and you will give us respect as well as taxes.”
He did not seem at all put out by my tone. “We will see, young Alfraed of Norton. If you are still here this time next year then I might change my opinion. And now, good sir, we must get back to our labours so that we can pay the taxes you desire.”
“What is your name?”
“I am Alf the smith and yonder is my place of work should you wish more conference with me.”
I frowned. This had not been a good start. As we headed towards the river bank and the ships which stood there I began to imagine a castle here. Then Alf the Smith would have to take heed of my words or he would be punished. The thought brought a smile back to my face. I knew that the captains of the ships would need coin to take us upstream. I had plenty in my purse but I was keen to show how I could negotiate.
As we dismounted William said, “My lord would you mind if I spoke with the captain first?”
I frowned; was he trying to cheat me in some way. “Why?”
“If he is heading to sea or he has cargo already then he may not be suitable. It is better to discover such things first. Equally we may be able to journey further upstream with the smaller fishing boats and save our horses. It would be best to discover what we can do first.”
That seemed reasonable. “Very well go and ask.”
As he wan
dered off I turned to Harold. I knew I could trust my squire. “What did you make of the blacksmith?”
He smiled, “He upset you, my lord?”
“He was insolent!”
“I think I can understand him. Many men live as outlaws because they do not wish to pay taxes and work for someone else. Those like the Smith who work to produce metal are content to pay taxes so long as they are protected. The former Baron did not protect them.”
“But he died along with his knights.”
“And that is the lot of the knight. He fights and he dies. Even I know that but the smiths and sailors go on with their daily lives. Once your father has shown them that he is here to stay and, more importantly strong enough to stop raiders and predators then you will gain respect.”
I knew that he was telling me the truth but it was hard to hear such truths. I did not expect to have to earn respect. We were the lords of the manor; it was our due.
William wandered over. “The captain is willing to take us to Persebrig and the quarries but he tells me there are no workers there. They were taken as slaves by the Scots.”
“Then what is the point of going there if there is no stone?”
“There is stone, we just need to collect it. The captain and his crew are willing to act as workers, for a payment.”
I felt cheated, William had negotiated for me. “Very well but I will settle the price.” I paused and lowered my voice. “How much would you recommend?”
“A silver piece for the captain and two copper coins for each of the men should suffice.”
Surprisingly they seemed happy to agree. “Harold, stay here and look after the horses. If we are not back by dark, then return to Norton.”
“Aye my lord.”
The river was wide but it twisted and turned through thick woods. Willows draped down to the water. It looked to be teeming with game. I saw many birds and animals which could be hunted; I would have to get a hawk.