The Pirate's Map

by J. N. Cao

  “Thank you, young man. Quick. You’d better get on too before that mob sees you,” said Gilbert, pointing to the empty seat next to Miles, and then he shut the carriage door.

  Once Will got on the carriage, Miles drove off at top speed to the town centre, where they let Will off and then they continued home.

  Meanwhile, Walter and the mob had returned to the front of the palace. Some were worried that the carriages that had gotten away would inform the capital, but Walter assured them that they would have the King before any reinforcements could arrive. He had complete confidence that the cannons would arrive tomorrow.

  Chapter 15

  Crumbling Hope

  That very night in London, Douglas and twelve men were waiting for the signal to sneak into the royal gunpowder mill. They were waiting in the bushes just outside the fortress. Behind them were hidden horses and a wagon in readiness.

  Then they heard the signal, which was a sound of an owl hooting followed by a bark. They left their hideout and headed to the back entrance where a guard greeted them.

  “All right, lads,” said the guard. “I told the other guard that I will cover his position while he goes to do his business. I even put a mixture of dung and whatnot in his food to keep him busy a bit longer.”

  “Good job, Ned,” said Douglas.

  Ned quickly opened the large door to reveal a storage room full of cannons and gunpowder barrels. Douglas and his men rushed into the storage room and started carrying out the barrels of gunpowder and muskets, and several men pushed the cannon. They made their way out the door but were stopped by guards armed with muskets and swords.

  “Stop! You are under arrest for stealing from the Royal Artillary,” said a captain amongst the guards. The guards outnumbered Douglas and his men. Soon Douglas and his men were overcome and tied up for questioning. All thirteen of them kneeled on the ground in front of the Captain in the storeroom.

  Ned stood freely, near the Captain.

  “Ned! You traitor!” cried Douglas. “You said you were against the King,” added Douglas, attempting to get Ned arrested too.

  “Well, I’ve changed my mind,” Ned replied, holding out a hand into which the Captain dropped a big pouch of money. “And besides, that Walter Cooke is too ambitious for his own good. He will only lead you to a very bad end.”

  Then the Captain proceeded to ask Douglas and his men for the full details of Walter’s plan.

  The next day in Esterwall Palace, Lord Stanley was in his office working. He had been appointed by the King to manage the country’s affairs in his absence. Usually, the Duke would be appointed to take care of such business, but everyone in court believed he was out at sea searching for treasure from shipwrecks, as well as pirating for the King. So the responsibility fell on Lord Stanley instead, and he did not expect the King to return for another week.

  Just then his valet came in. “My Lord, the Earl of Hampton.”

  “Yes, let him in.”

  Lord Hampton came running in, “It’s a disaster, Lord Stanley!”

  “What is it?”

  “The King is besieged at Oxford Palace!”

  “What? How did this happen?”

  Then the valet returned, “My Lord, Captain Randall is here.”

  “Who?”

  “He rode here from London with urgent news, my lord.”

  “Let him in.”

  Captain Randall quickly walked in and bowed. “My Lord. There is a siege at Oxford Palace and the King is trapped!”

  “Yes, I’ve just heard,” Lord Stanley said.

  “It’s a revolt, my lord. Mostly peasants,” said Captain Randall.

  “Those low-life scums!” said Lord Stanley.

  “And they have murdered nobles! It’s terrible. I had a lucky escape and rode out here as soon as I could,” said Lord Hampton.

  “Animals!” cried Lord Stanley. “I will send out reinforcements now and I’ll put those peasants in their place. How many rebels are outside the palace, Captain Randall?”

  “About two thousand, my lord.”

  “And their weapons?”

  “I believe just pikes, swords and knives. Anything they could get their hands on, my lord,” said Captain Randall.

  “Ha! You can crush them with your eyes closed,” said Lord Hampton.

  “All right, men. I’m heading out. Expect some good news,” said Lord Stanley.

  ✽✽✽

  Back in Oxford, Walter was growing anxious as Douglas has not returned. He had ordered some men to ride to London to find out about Douglas.

  “What if Douglas was caught?” asked a man amongst the crowd. Many anxious eyes were on Walter.

  “We have to wait for the news first. Don’t scare yourself for nothing,” replied Walter.

  “How much longer can we wait? The capital will find out soon,” said a young man.

  “Then do you suggest we drop everything we have worked hard for and go back to living as we were, with nothing to eat, no money, no rights, no future,” said Walter in his strongest voice for everyone to hear. “We are walking straight to our death if we turn back!”

  Then he stood on top of the large wheelbarrow.

  “Listen, friends! Don’t let fear crush your hope and strength. We have nothing, but look at what we have achieved,” Walter said, pointing at the palace. “We have the King within our grasp! We are so close to getting what we want. We must keep on going!”

  The crowd cheered and brandished their weapons. Walter was pleased to have restored their enthusiasm because he was determined not to leave; everything he had ever dreamed of was in that palace. He wanted the King under his command and the map in his hands. Since learning about the map, he had become fixated on the glory that the map would bring.

  In the palace, the King was slouching in his throne. The Chamberlain came to his side.

  “Sire, your meal is ready.”

  “I don’t have much strength in me, Chamberlain. Bring the food here.”

  Minutes later, the Chamberlain arrived with a tray and placed it on a small side-table next to the King.

  “That’s not much,” said the King picking up a thin slice of bread with butter.

  “It’s all we have left that is still fresh, Sire.”

  “How are my guards doing? I can’t lose any one of them.”

  “The best they can, Sire,” said the Chamberlain. “Though, they’ve been eating rotten food lately.”

  “Better than nothing.”

  “Yes, Sire, and washing it down with wine helps.”

  “Wine? Have you gone mad?” said the King. “Are you telling me that the King is being guarded by a group of drunks?”

  “No, no, Your Majesty. I will see to it that your guards remain sober at all times.”

  “I swear, when I get my hands on Walter Cooke. I will have him tortured in every way imaginable.”

  It was late afternoon in Brighton, some days before, when a group of five guards arrived. They were led by Captain Richard and were ordered by Prince Henry to escort Matilda and her family to North England.

  They entered the only inn in Brighton, and an innkeeper greeted them.

  “I am after Matthew Dudley,” said Captain Richard.

  “And may I ask where you are from, sir?” asked the innkeeper.

  “From North England.”

  “Ah, yes. A young man did leave me a letter that he wanted me to give to someone from North England if they were to ask for Matthew Dudley.”

  The innkeeper went behind the counter and took out an envelope, then he handed it to the captain. Captain Richard opened the envelope.

  Inside the envelope were two letters. The first one was addressed to Captain Richard, and it read:

  To the Guards of Prince Henry,

  If I am not here when you read this letter, then I should still be at Oxford Palace. My family have run into some trouble with the King, and I do not know what the outcome will be. I trust that we can handle the problem ourselves and will sen
d for you if making our way to North England becomes difficult. In the meantime, please escort my grandfather, Thomas Burley, and his family to North England first. Their address is below.

  Matthew Dudley (Matilda Burley)

  P.S. Please don’t show my grandfather this letter or let him know about our situation. I have written a second letter for him.

  Captain Richard put away the letters into his pocket and left the inn with his men.

  ✽✽✽

  The royal army had been marching to Oxford at a great pace. The three thousand men consisted mostly of cavalries and infantries. They carried the most advanced weapons that the country could offer and wore light but effective armour. Leading them was Sir Nicholas.

  The next day Will heard the news of the army from a messenger who had just arrived at the inn in Oxford. He listened to the messenger describing the size of the army to the innkeeper and knew that the rebels would not stand a chance.

  Will then hurried to the palace. When he arrived, he started warning anyone he could about the approaching army. Immediately, fear struck them. Walter, who was standing near the palace, saw in the distance a commotion. He then made his way there and was not pleased to see Will.

  “What is going on here?” he asked.

  “The capital has found out. And an army is coming,” said Will. “You must tell everyone to leave now.”

  “No,” cried Walter, then he turned to the crowd, “he is not on our side. I have seen him warn off the nobles. And now he is saying that the royal army is coming. He’s clearly trying to stop us.”

  This time the crowd did not cheer. They talked amongst themselves with worried expressions.

  Then two men on horses arrived. The men dismounted and hurried to Walter.

  “Bad news, Walter. Douglas and the others have been caught,” said one of the men.

  Now the crowd started to panic. Words spread amongst them that the royal troops were coming, and they still didn’t have any gunpowder or cannons. Soon the news reached the people standing close to the gates, where it could be heard by a royal guard.

  The guard quickly ran inside the palace and reported what he had heard to the King.

  “Excellent!” said the King. “You see, Chamberlain. I knew we would win if I held against them a little longer.”

  Then he turned to the guard, “And how far is the royal army, now?”

  “I’ve heard that they have already past Somerton, Your Majesty. They should be here by tomorrow morning,” said the guard.

  With his newly restored strength, the King jumped to his feet and walked to the window in the hall.

  “Look at them, Chamberlain,” he said. “Absolutely devastated at their foolishness. Thought they could overcome the King? Oh, how sweet!”

  “Yes, Sire. Such simple minds they have.”

  Then the King’s smile dropped. “What’s happening now? Where are they going? Don’t tell me they’re fleeing?”

  Another guard entered the hall.

  “Your Majesty, some of the rebels are leaving,” said the guard.

  “Yes, I can see that. What about Walter Cooke?”

  “He is still there, Your Majesty. He’s trying to encourage them to stay.”

  “Good. Tell him that I am willing to agree to his terms because we are out of food and almost dying, and wish to be released safely out of the palace. I will come out and meet with him first thing in the morning.”

  “But Your Majesty …” said the guard.

  “Just do as I say.”

  The guard bowed and then left the hall.

  “I don’t understand, Sire. Why did you agree to their terms?” said the Chamberlain. “They’re leaving.”

  “That is exactly what I don’t want. I want them to pay for the suffering that I went through. I almost starved to death because of them. And they killed some of the nobles. If I don’t show them who’s king, then there will be more revolts to come. I will keep them here long enough until my troops arrive.” He paused. “And as for Walter Cooke, I will make an example out of him. I will display his severed head in every city and town.”

  “So, there’s still going to be bloodshed,” said the Chamberlain, almost to himself, and then he sighed at the thought.

  “Oh, I am good,” said the King nodding to himself.

  Chapter 16

  Leaving Oxford Palace

  The next morning the crowd outside the palace had reduced by a few hundred. The news of the King acceding to their demands has kept just under a thousand rebels outside, a number that the King was pleased enough to see remained for his revenge. And most importantly, Walter Cooke still stood amongst them, waiting to meet the King that morning.

  Will had gathered the three horses and kept them near the palace in the woods. He was not sure how the event would turn out, but he wanted to be ready if Matilda and the others were able to leave the palace.

  Meanwhile, the King had the captain of the royal guards in his throne room.

  “I want every guard on the grounds when I come out,” said the King.

  “What about the guards upstairs guarding those three people, Majesty?” said the captain.

  “Oh, I forgot about them,” the King said. “Yes, those guards too. And those people can be released; I don’t need them to be locked up anymore.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “And remember to be ready when Walter Cooke walks through that gates because I will call the order to seize him,” the King said.

  “Yes, Your Majesty.” The captain bowed and then left.

  Outside the palace, the crowd waited in anticipation for the King. Finally the palace doors opened, and the King stepped out with two guards. Above him, on the hall balcony, stood the Chamberlain and several palace staff, watching the event below. Amongst them were Ralph, Roger and Matilda, who has just been released. They were not yet allowed to leave the palace until it was safe to open the gates.

  The King and his guards descended the steps, passed his statue and then stopped at a distance before the front gates. The King could see many faces through the gates, watching him. Young and old were all there. A table was laid out in front of the King and the royal seal placed on top.

  The King held out a document to the rebels. “I have here my agreement to your demands.”

  The crowd cheered in triumph.

  The King continued, “Once your leader, Walter Cooke, has agreed to the terms of this document, then it will have the seal of my approval. And then you can all go home in peace.” Then he pointed to a flag attached to a long pole held by guard, “And the yellow flag is there to let my army know that they can’t attack you.”

  The guard waved the yellow flag so that the rebels could see it above the wall.

  He turned to a guard, “Let Walter Cooke in.”

  The gates opened only enough to allow Walter and two men to accompany him.

  From the balcony above, Matilda could see Walter reading the document. Then she noticed the royal army, like a dark wave, approaching in the far distance.

  The King watched Walter finished reading the document with his two men. They then had some discussion with amongst themselves.

  The King heard the thundering march approaching. Excellent, the rebels can’t escape now, he thought.

  Walter returned the document to the King. “Everything is fine.”

  By now soldiers could be seen from the palace, making their way into the clearing. Soon they halted when they saw the yellow flag.

  “Seize him!” cried the King. Five guards arrested Walter and his men. “Signal the attack!”

  A guard quickly changed the yellow flag to a red flag and waved it for Sir Nicholas to see.

  Oh, the horror, thought Matilda, and there are some children down there. The rebels were tricked!

  Sir Nicolas saw the red flag and then ordered the attack. His men raced towards the rebels; loud screams came from the crowd as they dispersed, running for their lives. Very few stayed to fight.

&n
bsp; “Oh dear, the poor souls,” said an old female staff member on the balcony.

  Matilda closed her eyes and thought hard. Then she turned to Roger and whispered, “Give me your dagger.”

  “What for?”

  “No time. Just give it to me.”

  Roger gave his dagger to Matilda. “Stay here, we need to be discreet,” she said.

  Roger didn’t move from his spot and watched Matilda slowing make her way behind the Chamberlain, who was too focused on watching the battle.

  Matilda unsheathed the dagger and gently pointed it at the Chamberlain’s back. The Chamberlain immediately felt it, but before he could turn around, Matilda spoke close enough for only him to hear, “Don’t make a scene. I have a dagger to your back.”

  The Chamberlain swallowed hard.

  “Take me to the map,” said Matilda.

  “Humph, shame on you for thinking about gold at this time,” said the Chamberlain.

  No one on the balcony except for Roger had noticed that the Chamberlain and Matilda had left.

  “So Cooke, what do you think of your plan now?” said the King.

  “I’ll have you know that I don’t regret any ——” Walter was cut off by the sight of Matilda running towards them from the front doors of the palace.

  “Stop!” she cried.

  The King turned around. Matilda stood, holding a torch in one hand and in the other the map.

  “Stop the fight, or else I’ll burn the map!”

  From the balcony, Ralph and Roger rushed down to make their way to Matilda.

  “How dare you!” said the King. Then the Chamberlain came running out. “Forgive me, Sire.”

  “As the King, I command you to hand over the map!”

  “Stop the fight and I will,” Matilda said.

  Ralph and Roger had just arrived near Matilda. Ralph smirked and turned to Roger, “It’s a good thing she already has a copy.”