The King Is Dead (9 page)

"A little stiff but we survived!"

"Aye we did. Collect any valuables from the dead Danes.  Their weapons are poor as is their mail.  Pitch them overboard."

I found Captain Jack being tended to by Edgar.  At his feet lay Carl and two dead Danes.  "My sister's son did well.  I will owe my sister a payment.  He died protecting me."

"How is he Edgar?"

Before my healer could answer Captain Jack said, "It is a scratch.  I have had worse shaving!"

I laughed for he had a full white beard. "You are a stalwart captain."

"This is my ship! And I thank you and your warriors.  There were more Danes than I have ever seen.  I hope King Henry uses this treasure wisely."

We had been lucky and lost few men.  We buried our own with honour, at sea.  None of my archers or oathsworn had fallen although men had suffered wounds.  It had been mainly the crew and the Archbishop's men who had fallen.  I gave the treasure we had collected to Phillip and the captain. I felt guilty that they had suffered and we had not. As we neared Caen, Phillip said, "I would fight with you any time, my lord. Those were great odds and yet you did not panic.  Your plans were well made."

The Captain said, "Aye my lord, you and your men saved my ship."

"Thank you Captain Jack. We have fought together for some years."

"Aye and your Captain Dick is a great archer.  I thought that we were good but we could take lessons from the men of Stockton."

There were many ships docked and it took us some time to edge in to an empty berth.  "I will go and see the castellan and see what he wishes done with the treasure." I pointed to the keep.  "There is no flag flying so I am guessing the King is abroad. Wulfric have the horses landed.  It will take them some time to get rid of the sea from their legs." I turned to William, "You can come with me."

It was not a long walk to the castle but it did us both good.  At first it felt as though we were still on the deck of the cog but by the time we reached the gates it was easier.

"Welcome, my lord."

"Who is castellan these days?"

"Sir Richard d'Avranches my lord.  He is in the Great Hall."

I was pleased.  Sir Richard was one of the King's closest friends and a loyal warrior. The door was closed but the guard said, "I will announce you your lordship." He opened the door and said, "The Earl of Stockton and his squire."

When we entered I saw that Sir Richard was with two other knights.  I knew neither of them. Sir Richard smiled, "Good to see you Cleveland.  Is that your boy?"

"It is my lord, my squire William."

"What brings you here?  The King is abroad." He lowered his voice.  "Rebellion is in the air."

"And the Earl of Gloucester?"

"With the King.  Was it he you wished to see?"

"No, my lord I have two tasks.  I was charged by the Archbishop of York to escort gold.  The King, it seems, asked for it."

"Aye.  These Normans are easily bought!"

I closed with him.  "And I bring news of treachery at home.  I have missives from Durham and York as well as news of my own."

"Then do not tell me for I know the King would wish to hear it first." He shrugged, "Besides we have enough treachery here! There are knives behind every smile. Come we will fetch this treasure and I will fete you and your men this night."

The damage to the ship had not been repaired and Sir Richard asked, "Trouble?"

"Danish pirates.  We slew them."

"Then the feast shall be a good one." He pointed to the ship, "Raymond, have those chests taken to the keep and place them in the donjon." Captain Jack approached.  His arm was in a sling and he had a bandaged head.  "And can I do anything for you Captain?"

"A berth for a couple of days so that we can effect repairs and we need supplies."

Sir Richard waved over the official who had been hovering, "Hugo, you can forget collecting taxes.  This ship is on the King's business. Whatever the captain needs he shall have.  Do you understand?"

The man gave a surly smile, "Aye my lord." As he departed Sir Richard said, quietly, "A robbing bastard that one.  I will get rid of him when I have proof he is defrauding the King. He is sneaky and, I daresay, treacherous. He is one of the many I do not trust. Come let us walk your horses back to the castle.  In my experience that journey from England ruins horses for days, if not weeks."

Once we were given our chambers we met with the castellan in his hall.  Wulfric and the others were in the warrior hall but my squires were allowed to join us.  Sir Richard explained the problem to me although I could see that he was not telling me all.

"There is some disquiet amongst the nobles. I think that this is the work of Louis.  He ferments dissension.  He is a cunning king for he wants Normandy for his own but he feigns sympathy for over taxed nobles.  The treasure you brought means that King Henry can lower the taxes. It may sway more of the nobles to his side."

"Surely it is not just about the taxes."

"No.  Many of the nobles wish for larger estates."

"But that would mean one lord losing out.  They cannot all be happy about that."

"That is what is so insidious.  King Louis has set lord against lord. The King has to try to keep the peace between warring barons as well as fending off rebellion from others.  It is a drain both on the King's health and his warriors.  He will be grateful to see his champion again."

"Why does he have a tourney planned?"

"No but his barons fear you. Your reputation on the northern borders precedes you and your campaigns in the last two years have made you a marked man.  They are less likely to rebel with you at the King's side.  You and the Earl of Gloucester are seen as a formidable combination."

I leaned forward,  "The news I bring for the King suggests that King Louis is fermenting discord along the borders."

"It may well be that the best thing for the King to do is to conquer France!"

"Would he do that? Could he do that?"

"No for, like me, he is getting old but in his prime he would have done.  I fear that will be the task of his heir."

"The Empress Matilda."

He nodded, "I should tell you that there is some disquiet.  The Count of Anjou is seen as a threat. Many of the Norman barons are less than happy.  Some would prefer her cousin, Stephen of Blois to be King.  He is, after all, a man."

"That is foolish.  The son of the Count and the Empress, Henry will be King of England and Duke of Normandy!"

"And therein lies the problem.  There are those who support the Curthose still.  They do not like the Dukedom and the Kingdom combined."

I felt drained.  There was no solution to that problem. The King would never divorce the two.  When he died would the Empress and the Count be able to hold on to both? I could see that Fate had drawn me here.  I needed to get to the King as soon as possible.

"Where is the King?"

"He is at Le Mans in Maine."

"Then on the morrow I will join him.  Mayhap my news will not be welcome but I must deliver it."

He nodded and then added, enigmatically, "I would visit with Angers too, my friend.  I think the young Count values you your opinion and he is in need of an older, wiser head at the moment. The Earl of Gloucester said you changed him for the better."

What did that mean?  He would not elaborate. Sir Richard was of a different generation.  He was the King's friend and I was half his age.  I had to work it out for myself.

The journey was almost ninety miles in length.  We would need to stop half way. Alençon was a good place.  I knew the lord there, Sir Geoffrey of Tours, and we would be afforded a good welcome. However the forests to the north were a dangerous place.  When we had travelled north with my father, we had encountered bandits and brigands there. Life on the King's business was never easy.

Had the situation in Normandy been as it was in England then a rider could have been sent ahead to warn Sir Geoffrey and the King of our imminent arrival. In these days of treachery and intrigue that was far too dangerous.  We had to make our own way and keep scouts out ahead.  This was where my archers proved invaluable.  They melted into the woods ahead of us.  Like good hunting dogs they startled the four bandits who waited for us five miles from Alençon.  Dick and his archers chased them.  It was more effective than killing them.  This way they spread the word that the party riding through the forest was to be left alone.

Sir Geoffrey was delighted to see us.  It had been some time since we had fought together but he was my age and we shared children of a similar age and wives who had passed away. He was one of the few men who understood how I really felt. His son, John, was also his squire and he and William disappeared with Leofric and John almost the moment we arrived. It was good to see William with other young bloods. My host had some fine wine from the Burgundy valley and he broached a jug.

"Well, Sir Geoffrey, how are things here in Normandy? Sir Richard warned me that the King is sitting atop a volcano."

"That is not the half of it.  There are rumours that the Count of Anjou and Matilda have asked for the Norman castles to be handed over while the King is still alive."

"I cannot believe that he took that well."

"He did not.  Someone has been poisoning the Empress' ear."

"And that someone will be paid for by France."

He took a deep swallow.  "And there is more." Shaking his head he said, "There are rumours that they have met with the rebels."

I felt my heart sink. This was the worst possible news.  The only other realistic heir were the brothers Blois.  I would not be able to bring myself to swear allegiance to them.  I would return to Constantinople if that day ever dawned. Now the words of the castellan of Caen rang in my ears.

"And where do you stand on the matter, Sir Geoffrey?"

His eyes bored into me.  "On the side of the King and on those whom the King entrusts the Kingdom and Dukedom."

"And that means you would not support the Empress if she rebelled."

"Would you?" Then he shook his head, "Of course you would, you are honour bound.  You are a Knight of the Empress.  I once thought that was a golden crown now I see it is a shackle.  I am sorry, Alfraed.  I would not fight against you yet it may be that I must."

"I hope it will not come to that."

He brightened, "Of course we all swore to ensure that their eldest son, Henry, attained the throne.  I would fight for Henry."

I smiled, "And I would give my life for Henry too."

We clinked goblets, "And then we need not fight. Here's to King Henry the Second!"

I did not sleep well, that night, despite the fine wine. I was in danger of becoming a traitor.  Sir Geoffrey was right, I could not abandon the Empress.  If she rebelled against the King would I fight her and the Count?  I could see no way out of my dilemma. I wrestled with the problem all the way to Le Mans.

We were not far from the castle when William said, "You are quiet, father.  Is there a problem?"

"There are always problems.  You will discover that as you get older.  Enjoy these years.  You will never know such peace and freedom again. Once you are knighted you have responsibilities."

"I have them now."

"Keeping my armour oiled and my sword sharp are hardly onerous."

He was silent for a while.  "You would have told mother what troubled you."

"Aye. I would." I left it at that.

The royal standard told me that I had reached the King and he not departed for pastures new. This was a large castle, almost the size of Caen.  It was filled with knights and men at arms.  "Wulfric, see to the men.  Leofric and John, take care of the horses.  I will find the King and tell him that we are here."

I recognised the castellan.  It was Henry de Varenne.  He and I had been with the Earl of Gloucester when we had fought on the Welsh Marches.  When I had been rewarded with Cleveland, he had been given Le Mans.  He was a loyal follower of the King.

"Ah, the hero of the tourney.  It is good to see you Alfraed.  A long way from Wales is it not?  We were two young knights with barely a ducat between us and look at us now."

"Aye Henry but I would hope we are still the same beneath this finery."

"Aye, a man is nothing if he is not true."

"This is a fine castle."

"It needs to be.  We guard the back door into Normandy.  In the days of Count Fulk this was oft times the front line. I am pleased that we are friends with Anjou now but I hear they are becoming restless.  Perhaps the son is much like his father."

"I do not think so. He was young and impetuous but I think he has grown and changed.  I daresay I will see him when I have delivered my news to the King."

Robert, Earl of Gloucester's voice boomed out as I crossed the bailey.  "Thank the Lord, you have arrived.  I wondered if my message had reached you."