“Father this is still your land.”
I shook my head, “King Henry made you the Earl. You will be living in Stockton, not I. You make the choice.”
He nodded, “Then I would appoint your old squire, Sir Richard. His wife comes from Long Newton. She still has family there. Sir Hugh’s other knights are all men from Gainford and Headlam.”
“Good then you had better write to him.”
I knew that my time in Stockton was coming to an end. I had had a letter from King Henry reminding me of my obligations. His missive gave a date for the meeting. It was twenty-one days hence. He confirmed the meeting in Striguil with de Clare. I wondered if he was softening towards de Clare. Would he give him back his title and his English and Norman lands? With my impending departure in mind I took to spending more time in Stockton. I had old friends and none of us were getting any younger. How many more times would I speak with them? I had lost friends when serving the Empress and I regretted the opportunities I had missed to speak with them.
When I spoke with Alf he gave me a present. “It is a helmet such as I made your son. It will protect you in battle.”
“I thank you for the gift but I do not think that I will be in battle as often in the time to come. Now I sit on a horse and order others to fight.”
Alf laughed, “I have never seen you in battle on a horse but I have spoken with those that know you. I cannot see that you would sit idly by while others fight. I am certain this will see good service and keep you safe.” It was a fine helmet and almost the twin of the one he had given to my son.
“I thank you, old friend.”
It was good to sit and talk. We spoke of the old days when we had had to defend Stockton’s walls against Scots and brigands. We talked of warriors now dead. He told me how his children and grandchildren were doing.
When I saw Ethelred, it was a different conversation entirely. Ethelred was rich. He had become rich through me. As a result, he never charged me or my men for using his ferry. He and I were partners in ‘Adela’ and he had another five ships which plied the east coast and beyond. When I needed ships, I knew that I would not be robbed if I used Ethelred’s. He too spoke of his children but it was not as with Alf. He did not talk of grandchildren nor their health but he spoke of their success and how much money they were making. He meant nothing by it. It was just his way.
“Warlord, I have something to ask you.”
“Ask away old friend. I can always say no.”
He had laughed, “You have rarely done that. You know that my son Ethelbert is my shipwright?”
“Aye and a good one too.”
“He needs specific trees to make good ships. He spends a long time finding the perfect y-shaped trunk. We buy them and it makes a sound ship.”
“I know, in the past he has paid me, and now my son for the wood.”
“We thought to save time for the future. We seek permission to be able to go in the woods and to make young trees become the perfect shape. He will have to spend less time seeking the trees for we will know where they are.”
“That will take years!”
He smiled, “I have grandchildren and they will thank me. My family will become rich long after I am dead.”
I had been wrong about Ethelred. He did think about his children and grandchildren; it was just differently from Alf. “I will speak with William but I cannot see anything that he would object to.”
He clasped my arm. “Thank you, lord!” he then went to explain how they would find the young trees and make them the perfect shape for a sound ship’s keel. I left knowing more about shipbuilding and also about Ethelred. I had done him a disservice by my thoughts.
As I passed the house of the Smithson brothers, who made religious goods, I saw that they had opened an inn. I was not aware that one was needed. I called into their workshop.
“Good morrow, Earl Marshal, can we interest you in a cross? I will give you a good price.” Abelard was keen to sell to me. I had no doubt that if I had bought one then he would have let all his customers know. It would increase his sales.
“No, thank you.” I pointed at the building next door. “I am just intrigued that there is a need for an inn in Stockton.”
The elder brother, Geoffrey, smiled broadly, “There are many travellers now, lord. Since your son scoured the north of the Scots then there is more trade going through the town to Durham. This is the shortest route, save the sea, and we all know how parlous that can be.”
The younger, Abelard, added, “And people come to Stockton. The iron and the metal goods produced by Alf are in great demand. Do not worry, lord. We have been open but a month and have been more than half full for at least twenty of those days.”
“Good.” That seemed good for my town. Would we become as big as York, I wondered?
As I left I saw some of the guests as they headed down to Brigid the Ale Wife who served ale at the tavern she had named The Hope. Perhaps the brothers were right. I had been so busy with war that I had not noticed the real growth of my town. Thanks to the vigilance of my men it was now a place which could grow and prosper. I saw that the men who walked to the Hope were all foreign looking. That was not a surprise. Being a port, we invited those from foreign climes. Their clothes and accents marked them as different. I heard Flemish being spoken.
I returned to the castle. I had much to do and yet I begrudged the time I would spend in planning. I decided to delegate. When I reached the castle I found James, he was practising with Alf son of Morgan. I hated having to stop them but my needs were greater, “James, I would have you ensure that all the men at arms and archers who will be travelling to Wales with us have a spare horse and all the equipment we need.”
“Aye lord.”
“The same goes for Lame Tom and the servants. I suspect we will be sleeping in the open more than we will be sheltered and housed.”
“Aye lord. Do you mind if Alf helps me? He is keen to learn what duties he might have to perform for Earl William.”
“Of course.” I handed him the new helmet, “And we will need to pack that too. I will ride with my old helmet but this one will be for when we go to war!” That done I sought William and his family. They were in the Great Hall. I heard squeals and giggles. They were playing some sort of game. I stood in the doorway, unseen and watched them. I had missed this with my son’s first family. I relished every moment of it now.
Eventually Ruth spied me and she squealed, “Granddad!”
They all turned and my moment was gone. The two children rushed up to me. “Where have you been? We were looking for you.”
“Well young Samuel, I too have friends and I was speaking to them before I go.”
His face fell, “You are leaving now?”
I laughed, “No, we still have much time but I needed to say my goodbyes early. I have a great many things left to do.”
Rebekah said, “We are planning a feast in fourteen nights time. We have invited all of your knights, including Sir Hugh.”
William nodded, “We know not how long you will be away and, by then, Sir John should have returned.”
I knew what was going through his mind. I was getting old and he was afraid that something would happen while I was away. It had happened to me with Adela. “Good, it will be a good opportunity for us all to catch up with one another. I have not seen Wulfric since Christmas and then I had little opportunity to speak with him. He was too busy playing the fool with the children.”
“You know Wulfric, he never changes but I think he sees in Ruth and Samuel the grandchildren he might have had if he had ever married.”
Samuel nodded, “I like Wulfric. He is like a huge bear that can talk! He has promised me his sword when I grow up.”
“Then you are lucky for that is a mighty sword. Come let us go into the bailey and you can show me your skills. Fetch the wooden swords.”
When he ran off Ruth said, “I cannot use a sword. What about me?”
“Then what say that tonight I tell you
a bed time story from the east. I can tell you of the Princess Scheherazade.”
“Who was she?”
“She was a story teller from Persia. My nurse was an Arab and she told them to me.”
She clapped her hands in delight, “I want to go to bed now and hear a story!”
Rebekah laughed, “Let us tire you out first.” She gave me a grateful smile. Ruth often felt left out of things.
Our meals had become simple affairs. Alf and James had realised that we needed the time as a family and they actually preferred to eat in the warrior hall. Dick presided over that table. The drink flowed more freely and the language was a little more relaxed. It was not that my men were crude or boorish but they were men. Instead of the large table we used for feasts William used the table I had used for so many years when he lived in Normandy and I lived alone. In those days, I had eaten with my squire and then retired to my solar. It was cosier now, eating before the fire and waited on solely by Alice. She loved to d have the family to herself.
That night I was aware that I would be telling Ruth a bed time story and so I donned my silk tunic. I had brought it from the east on my last visit. William had brought me a curved Turkish dagger and I strapped that to my waist too. I would play the part. Putting a cloak about me I decided to watch the sunset before we ate. I walked around the walls to the western gate. It overlooked St. John’s well.
The watch was set for the night. Walther of Thorpe was the sergeant at arms and with him were Aethelward of Thirsk, James son of Abelard and Wilson of Aycliffe. It was still light and so they were gathered above the gate. Once it was dark they would patrol the walls. They were taking the opportunity of watching the herons come down to the river for one last feed before dark. My castle was compact and the river side was almost inaccessible to men. It made it more secure. It was really the gate to the west which presented the danger. The north gate came out in the town. That was busier these days. Sentry duty was not what it was.
They smiled when they saw, beneath my cloak, the fine surcoat. “That looks expensive Warlord.”
“It is Walther, and that is why you rarely see it but it is for my granddaughter. I wish to tell her a story.”
“They are fine children both of them. It is good to hear children’s laughter in the castle.”
James laughed, “It is better than Ralph of Bowness’ snores.”
Just then the sun began to dip and the sky began to turn orangey pink. I had seen sunsets in many parts of the land but this one was always special. The five of us stood and watched the sun slowly slip down and the rainbow of colours filled the sky. When the last light twinkled out I turned, “I shall go now. I always feel fulfilled when I see a sunset.”
“Aye lord it is one of the benefits of this watch. When we do the early shift, we are too tired to appreciate the sunrise and that always feels colder. Enjoy your meal and we will watch the walls for you this night.”
I could see that Samuel was tired for his eyes drooped. We had practised for a good hour. However, he was forcing himself to stay awake. He would not admit defeat and go to bed before his sister. Alice had prepared a leg of mutton. She had slow cooked it with spring greens, last year’s beans, some early vegetables and barley. With herbs from the kitchen garden she had outdone herself by using half a bottle of old wine. It was delicious. There was far too much for the five of us. The children had good appetites but it was William and I who made inroads into the mutton.
When Samuel almost collapsed into the remains of the steamed pudding Alice had made, we took the children to bed. Samuel was laid in his and almost asleep when Rebekah laid him down but Ruth said, “Remember grandfather you promised me a story of Sherhez, er, Shraz…
“Scheherazade. And I shall. The Warlord never breaks his word.” I sat on the bed and began to tell her one. I got through one story and had begun the second when I saw that she was asleep. I pulled the covers up and said, “Good night princess.” I kissed her on the top of the head. I went to Samuel but he had disappeared down beneath the covers.
When I reached the hall Rebekah and Alice were just beginning to move the mutton. “What will you do with that, Alice?”
“The bone to the dogs and the rest for soup. Why lord?”
“It will be a cold night for it was a fine sunset. I will take it to the night watch.”
“I can do that!”
I took it from her, “I am neither too grand nor too lazy. They are my men I will take it.” I saw Rebekah yawning. “William, take some wine to the solar. It is a night for talking.”
“Aye, father, it is. I would hear what you discovered in the town today.”
“What makes you say that?”
“John of Craven drinks in The Hope and he said there were many strangers there and that they were staying with the new merchants.”
“Aye I met them. They seem to have a good eye for business.”
“They may do but their guests were Flemish and French.”
I frowned, “I knew there were Flemish but not French. I will speak with them again. They did not say that. I like not being deceived however innocent it may seem.”
I went up the back stairs. One of the sentries would be in the gatehouse. The dish was still warm and the smell filled my nose. The men would enjoy this feast. When I emerged into the night I felt the chill. I had, foolishly, forgotten my cloak. It was too late to go back for it. I looked for one of the sentries. There should have been one on the river wall but there was no one there. I wondered if they were having their mid-watch meal. If so then I would be in perfect time.
As soon as I stepped into the gatehouse I saw that they would be eating no more. Walther and James lay dead. There were three armed and mailed men dead near them. I recognised one of them as one of the guests from the inn of the two brothers in the town. I dropped the dish and, picking up Walther’s sword shouted, “Alarm! Enemies afoot!”
My family! The warrior hall was in the outer bailey. There would just be William left to defend himself against however many other killers had managed to get inside. Even as I was racing back to the Great Hall I was wondering how they had got in and surprised my sentries. I heard the clash of steel as I entered the door to the interior of the castle. As I leapt down the stairs and landed heavily I saw three men. Their backs were to me and William had his sword and dagger in his hand, facing them.
I roared, “Die!” It was not bravado. I wanted to distract them. They were good. Only one of them turned around and he had fast hands. I had had fast hands but I had been younger then. He lunged at me with the tip of his sword. That was unusual. Most men used the side of the sword. I barely had time to flick it away but I still had the Turkish dagger. I slashed it at his throat. He jerked his head back and, as he did so I punched at his face with the hilt of my sword. It smashed into his nose making it erupt. Briefly blinded, I managed to tear my dagger across his throat.
Pushing his body to the side I leapt at the two men who were fighting William. I had seen how good they were by the man I had fought. There was nothing elegant about my move. I clattered into their backs. They both wore mail and my blades did not hurt them. What did, however, was my weight for it drove them forward. William’s blade was driven through the body of one. It came right through and scored a wound down my left side. The other was lithe and he was quick. He threw me off and brought up his dagger. I used my own dagger to counter and then William sliced into his neck.
“The children!” I had no idea how many men were loose in the castle. William nodded and ran from the hall.
Alice had come in and she and Rebekah lifted me to my feet. They saw the blood, “Warlord, you are wounded.”
I shook my head, “It is nothing.” I went to the three bodies to make certain that they were dead. I would have liked to question one of them but with just two of us left to fight them we could take no chances. I heard no noise from the children’s room. “You two follow me.” I knelt and picked up two of the assassins’ daggers. I gave one to
each of the women. “If there are others then defend yourselves.”
I saw William, as we neared the room. He was backing out of the room. He put a finger to his lips and mimed sleeping. I said, “You two go in the room and lock it. Do not open it for any save William or me.”
Rebekah put her hand on my arm, “Be careful lord.”
William had must joined me when I heard footsteps. I looked around and saw Ralph of Bowness leading ten of my men at arms. “There were killers. Six are dead. Walther and James are dead too. I know not about the others.”
Ralph nodded grimly, “Stay here lord. We will seek them out.”
William noticed my wound, “I will get Brother Peter.”
I looked at my most precious garment. “It is ruined! Whoever was behind this will pay.”
“Have you any idea who they are?”
I nodded, “I recognise one of them, perhaps another two. They were staying at the house of those two brothers. As soon as Ralph returns we will go and see these two men. They have questions to answer.”
Brother Peter, Alf and James appeared. “Brother Peter, see to my father. James, go and fetch his cloak and his sword.”
“Aye lord.”
As Brother Peter took out his medicine and began to clean the wound William knelt by the bodies. “Alf search the one in the passageway.”
In the time it took for my wound to be bandaged the two of them had searched the bodies and James had returned with my cloak and sword. William held open his hand, “French coins and fresh minted.”
I nodded. “Those two knights at Durham were French. That was no coincidence.”
Ralph appeared and dropped to his knee. “I am sorry my lord, I have failed you. We found the other sentries they are dead. There is another dead man close by.”
“Rise, this could not have been avoided. Did they come over the town wall?”
He nodded, “Aye, lord, how did you know?”
“I saw these in the town today. It is I who have been lax. There was a time I would have questioned every newcomer to my town. Four of our men have paid the price for my carelessness. Leave enough men to secure the castle and bring the rest with us.”
Irish War (Anarchy Book 16) Page 12