We all dismounted and led our horses down the trail. Aiden and Masood led. James followed Samuel. We walked down the twisting trail which gradually descended. This wood was crisscrossed by streams. None were large enough to require a bridge and all led to the Tees. It made for fine hunting country. The animals had water, shelter and food. There were wild boars. I hoped that we would not stumble across them. Aiden would know their territory and we would avoid it. We reached a slight open spot. Below us was a steep bank and one of the streams which fed the Lustrum Beck. Aiden tied his horse to one of the branches and we emulated him. He pointed down the stream. The trees closed in over the path and had we walked our horses then they might have brushed the leaves and made a noise. I left my bow slung across my back and held my spear. I saw that Samuel had an arrow held tightly against his bow. He had been taught well. He would be able to nock and release in a flash.
Masood dropped down the bank towards the stream. He barely made a sound and once close to the water he knelt. He pointed downstream. He walked next to the stream and Aiden led us down the trail. I turned to make sure that James was close to Samuel and then I followed. We had travelled four hundred paces, I had been counting, when a musky smell entered my nostrils. It was deer. Each stag had its own territory. Old King’s must be where we were. There would be does nearby but the other mature stags would be keeping their distance.
Suddenly we heard the crack of antler on antler. There were stags rutting. This was a disaster. They were huge beasts and seemed oblivious to all around them when fighting for the right to father young. They would trample even a man if he got in their way. A bairn like Samuel would stand no chance! Aiden and Masood had their bows out in a heartbeat. With an arrow knocked they sniffed and stared. There was lightness ahead and I caught the flash of deer as two stags thrashed and clattered through the undergrowth. I turned and saw that James had moved in front of Samuel. My squire obeyed his orders even at the risk of his own life. Like me James had a spear.
Suddenly there was silence. I had watched this ritual before. The two stags would batter each other and then retire to gain strength for one last battle. Although stags rarely fought to the death often one would be so weakened and wounded that it would crawl off to die. I was contemplating abandoning the hunt and moving back to the horses when there was a crash as one of the stags left the open ground and hurtled towards us. It was moving so quickly that Masood and Aiden had to fling themselves to the side after each released a hurried arrow.
It was Old King., I saw his one antler and his side had been gored. There was a long wound. He had been badly wounded by the other stag. He was thundering towards us. James hurled his spear. It flew straight and true and hit the mighty stag in the shoulder. It made him turn and come directly to me. He lowered his head. He was going to charge. When the arrow flew from behind me I knew that Samuel had not moved. He had sent his arrow at the stag.
“James, move Samuel!”
Samuel’s arrow hit the stag but it barely penetrated. I would not throw my spear. As Old King lowered his head to impale me I stepped to the side without an antler and thrust the spear into the side of his head. His shoulder threw me to the ground and I landed heavily. I briefly saw stars and I heard the stag crash into the undergrowth.
Aiden came to me and held out his hand for me, “I am sorry, lord. That was our mistake!”
“Samuel!”
I turned and saw a grinning Samuel holding James’ hand. They were both safe. Ten paces away lay Old King. He was dead.
“Are you hurt, Samuel?”
He shook his head, “No grandfather. He was a mighty beast. Did you see? I hit him!”
“Aye you did.”
Aiden ruffled his hair, “You did well young master. When you have a stronger bow and longer arrows then you will make the kill yourself!” He turned and looked at me, “Lord I have never seen the like. I thought you were a dead man!”
I nodded, “Had he not lost an antler then I would have been. Samuel’s arrow distracted it enough to give me the time to move out of the way.”
We reached the dead stag. Aiden pointed to the wound on its side. “We have done Old King a service. He would have been dead before the end of the week. This was a mortal wound.”
Masood pulled out the three arrows. “These were like fleas to the beast.” He handed Samuel’s back to my grandson, “Bur this one, young Samuel saved your grandfather’s life. Keep it and when you look at it then remember this day. You took a step closer, this day, to becoming a man. I will fetch the horses.”
James pulled his broken spear from the stag’s shoulder, “Sorry, lord. I should have moved Samuel out of the way sooner.”
Shaking my head, I said, “This was meant to be. Samuel faced death and did not flinch. You did well.”
Aiden took his knife and gutted the stag. He reached in and pulled out the heart, “Young master Samuel, it is said that if you take a bite from the heart of your first kill then part of him lives in you. Old King has ruled this wood for as long as I know.” He held it to him. I saw him look at me and I nodded. He leaned forward and took a bite. I had done this but that had been in the hills west of Constantinople. The heart was warm and that helped. Blood spurted and splashed down his front as he took a mouthful and chewed. Aiden shouted, “You will be a man! Your father would be proud!”
Samuel swallowed and asked, “Did my father do this too?”
“Aye but he was older when Aiden and I brought him here. Your grandmother would not let him come with us until he was twelve summers old.” I smiled, “He will envy you.”
Aiden quickly gutted the stag and then, when Masood came, they manhandled it onto the back of Aiden’s horse and we headed back to Stockton. Going at walking pace it took longer to reach the castle but Samuel rode proudly next to the dead deer as though it had been his arrow which had killed it. I was proud.
Alice and Rebekah had had word of our arrival and hurried, cloaked and wrapped into the bailey. When Alice saw the blood on Samuel she ran to him, “My poor bairn!” She glared at Aiden, “What happened to him, wild man?”
I dismounted, “Peace Alice. There is nothing wrong with him. It is deer blood and it shows that my grandson has courage. He was not harmed.”
Mollified she said, “But lord, his clothes!”
Rebekah put her arm around her son, “Can be cleaned, Alice. My son is hale and hearty. Thank you, lord, I knew that my son would be safe with you. My father and my brothers would have enjoyed watching this. I suspect your son will be annoyed that he missed it.”
I nodded, “Aye.” I wondered just where my son was.
Chapter 7
Perhaps the bright early winter sunshine should have told us that good news was here for Edgar and Edward rode through the gates to tell us of the imminent arrival of my son and his victorious warriors. Alice, William and Ralph knew their tasks and the castle became a hive of activity as rooms and food were prepared and beds in the warrior hall rearranged. Even Aiden had work to do. The stables we used for the men at arms and archers had been largely empty and now they needed cleaning and supplying with fresh hay. Water troughs had to be refilled. As much as we were all desperate to see our returning heroes everyone in the castle and the town was affected. The ale wives began to brew extra quantities of beer. Each one had a slightly different taste. Warriors each preferred a particular brew. Our warriors had plenty to drink in the warrior hall and castle but the town held the added attraction of women. My son and I had been careful to keep those sorts of women from within the castle walls but we both knew men’s appetites needed satisfying.
I sent riders to Yarm, Thornaby, Norton, Hartburn and Elton to tell them that their lords were returning. With the exception of Dick and Wulfric the rest of my knights had families who would be keen to see their husband and father.
Samuel was desperate to show his father the new deer hide jerkin Aiden had made him from the skin of Old King. Ruth was gaining a personality now. Now used to me she spok
e her mind, “You cannot! It smells!”
I smiled, “That is just the leather. It will age.”
Rebekah said, “Besides you do not need to wear it. You can show it to him and the arrow Aiden told you to save. That will be a good story to tell him.”
He raced off to fetch the precious arrow which was now housed in his room as his most treasured possession. Rebekah smiled as he ran, “He has grown so much since the hunt and yet I was petrified for him all the time you were away.”
“I know. I would his father had been the first to take him. We will have to find something for my son to do that will bond them together.”
“His father missed Samuel’s first steps.”
Ruth beamed, “He saw mine!”
The two children were close enough in age to be competitive. It would spur Samuel on and that was no bad thing. My son led the men down the road from the Ox Bridge. He looked weary. All of them did. Edgar had told us how they had captured every castle up to Norham. Even in my most successful days I had not achieved what my son had. I was proud of him. When I died, the valley would be in safe hands.
Normally we arrived back by using the ferry. This time he came down the Durham Road and all my people came to greet the returning warriors. I stood by the gate with Rebekah and the children. Samuel was almost hoarse with his cheering. I wondered if he would have enough voice to speak.
William stepped down and picked up Ruth and Samuel at the same time, “I have missed you both.”
Ruth said, “You smell funny!”
He laughed and put them back on the ground. “That is a polite way of saying I need a bath!” He turned to Rebekah and hugged and then kissed her. His men all cheered.
I saw, as they separated that Rebekah was flushed, “Lord! Your men and all your people!”
“I care not! I am home and it feels good.”
He released his wife and we clasped arms, warrior style. “You have done well, my son.”
“From what I hear so have you. How long can you stay?”
I smiled, “You know I will be leaving?”
“I know King Henry. You are more than a lucky talisman. You are the reason he wins. Look what happened in Gwynedd when he fought without you alongside him.”
“Each of us can lose.”
“Not you.”
I nodded, “We will be here until Michaelmas and then I will have to journey south to fight in Wales again. Let us not talk of that now. I believe your son has something he wishes to show you!”
While we had been talking the rest of the men at arms, archers and servants had entered the town and the castle with the wagons. I followed them. Samuel would want to tell his father how he had saved his grandfather’s life himself. I was anxious to speak with Dick.
He had just unsaddled his horse when I caught up with him, “Good campaign?”
He smiled, “It was like being with you, Warlord, when you were a young man! There must be something in the blood. I think Samuel will also be a great warrior. We took great quantities of treasure and ransom from the Scots. Our men are happy for they are all richer.”
“And that means Stockton will be richer. They will spend their coin in the town and that will please the merchants.” I put my arm around his back and led him to where we could talk quietly. I could have asked Wulfric but he had gone directly to Thornaby. “Will we hold Northumbria?”
He nodded. “Your son is clever. He has placed Sir John at Norham. With that held as a locked gate into England then the others can be rebuilt. King Henry has sent stone to Bamburgh and Warkworth. Your son will need to ride north regularly but I believe we can hold it this time. There is no King Stephen to give away all of our hard-won gains.”
“Then my son will need you.”
Dick was astute. He knew me well and understood that there was something behind my questions. “You have need of me?”
“Your archers. I would like half and Aelric to lead them. If you think that ….”
He waved a hand, “You made us what we are, lord. Take us all if you wish.”
I shook my head. “That would leave my son without the finest archers in the land. Half will do. I found some when I travelled. We will be fighting the Welsh and you know what their archers are like. I wanted to speak with you before I spoke with my son.”
“I am honoured.” He hung his saddle from the hook on the wall. “You do not wish me to come with you?”
“I would rather you watched over my son and his family. With you and Wulfric in the valley then I am content.”
My son was a thoughtful lord. He rode himself to tell Sir John’s wife, Edith, that her husband would be away until the new castle at Norham was ready for them to make it their new home. Many lords would have sent a servant but William knew the worry that the soon to be mother would be enduring.
We had much to talk about, that night, as we ate. Apart from Dick it was family and squires. Samuel was rapt as he listened to all that his father had done. I recognised the gaps and words which were unsaid. He was sparing his family the unpleasant parts of the campaign. I had done the same. When Ruth began to doze and was carried to bed, Samuel still listened. After Dick had taken his leave Alice said, “Come Master Samuel, let us follow your sister to bed. You are up later than you should be.”
Samuel grabbed his father’s hand, “Please father, let me come with you and grandfather to the solar. I promise that I am not tired.”
I knew the dilemma my son had and, in the end, his son won. “I will fetch him to bed Alice, thank you.”
She wagged a finger at Samuel, “Wilful boy. I tell you lord, you are making a rod for your own back here!”
“I know, Alice, I know.”
Alice had already put the heavy red wine my son and I enjoyed in the solar along with ripe goat’s cheese and bread. She had banked up the fire and it was cosy. With just two chairs Samuel had to sit on his father’s knee. He was comfortable and as good as his promise. He did not make a sound.
“The King would have me visit de Puiset before I join him. From what you said, or rather didn’t say, when we ate, he is playing a dangerous game.”
“Aye he is.”
“The Bishop will not be happy that you have given Sir John the castle at Norham.”
“It needs defending.”
“You do not need to tell me that.” I looked down. “Your son is asleep.”
“I shall take him down to bed.”
After he had gone I cut some cheese and put it on the bread. Alice managed to procure the best goat’s cheeses. There were many farmer’s wives who made it but she knew my taste. It was tangy and it was robust. The heavy red wine from Chinon went perfectly with it.
My son returned, “Thank you for taking him hunting. He is still excited about that day.”
“He did well.” William ate some of the cheese and the bread. “You know the King has plans for me.”
He nodded, “You mean after Wales?”
“Aye. I think that he wishes to show France that he is not a king to be trifled with. He has a large Empire now and the rats are nibbling at the edges.”
“And having the Warlord at his side will ensure that all King Henry’s enemies will fear an attack.”
“For that reason, I am taking some of the archers and men at arms from the castle. I have spoken with Dick. I have some I hired in Anjou but, as I discovered in Wales, I need men I know and can rely on. I am taking Aelric and six others. I am taking the ones who are not married.”
“I can get more. Sir Leofric has promised to continue sending men to us. All of us here would have you protected.”
“I have done all that I can for the valley. You are the future, William. I want you to know that I am proud of you. To do what you have done in Northumbria in such a short time is more than remarkable.”
“I did it with the men you trained!”
I sipped my wine. “We will enjoy Christmas before we go to Durham and speak with Bishop Puiset.”
“This will
be the first real Christmas the children will have enjoyed. You will be here and now there is peace throughout the land. That is rare.”
The bright sunshine of the day gave way to a hard frost at night. Alice and the Steward had fires burning all night to heat the castle. When I went down early for breakfast I saw Rebekah. She had a fur around her shoulders, “I do not know how you English can bear this cold! Your summers are as cold as the winters in my land. This cold it …”
“Seeps into your bones?”
She laughed, “It does. You were born in the east, how did you become used to it?”
“I had no choice. When we came back we were fighting Scots in all weathers. You think it is cold here, you should try sleeping out in it with nothing but a cloak and a blanket for warmth. But you are right. The castle should be warmer. I will have William the Steward put the tapestries and wall hangings back up. It makes the rooms feel warmer.”
Alice came in with some ale. She went to the fire and, after dropping in a large piece of butter and some spices, she plunged a poker directly from the fire into the foaming brew. It hissed and spluttered. She brought it over and poured us both a beaker, “This will warm you through, my lady. Your bairns are still wrapped in their furs. They are snug as dormice. I will go and fetch some hot food. We have porridge and fried meats.”
Rebekah sipped the ale and smiled, “She is right. It is good and she is the kindest woman I have ever met. You are lucky to have her, lord.”
“I know. Do you know her story?” Rebekah shook her head and continued to drink, “She was the wife of one of my archers who died while serving me. She was forced to herd swine. Her circumstances were little better than that of a slave. I found her and gave her this job. My family is hers. I know that I am lucky. I have been lucky with all of my people.”
Irish War (Anarchy Book 16) Page 10