Baron of the North (10 page)

"The King comes here?"

"No, John, I go to him. Use your skills to encourage farmers and business to come here and to prosper under our protection so that we may tax them fairly and increase our gold."

He brightened at that, "I have some new ideas, Baron. If…"

I held up my hand.  "When your ideas are crystallised then tell me for now I need to change from this bloody armour and bathe."

He backed out, "Yes Baron and, my lord?"

"Yes John?"

"I am sorry.  You are right I know."

I was delaying by a week in order to make my manor and those nearby as safe as possible. It was urgent that I deliver the messages but I would not leave an undefended land.  Edward was still away. It would soon be midsummer when every hand would be busy either in the fields or toiling in their workshop. Ethelred was still building his ferry. He was philosophical about the loss. "I can improve the design, Baron and it will make all those who use it appreciate even more the fine service I provide!" He and John knew how to make money.

The main reason, however, was to spend as much time with my family as I could.  My daughter was still so small that I was not even certain that she knew who I was but William did and spent every moment he could with me; he strode after me trying, vainly, to match my step. He had a wooden sword which he wore, as I did, at my waist. He was a delight. Within a few years he would be able to begin his training as a knight and the wooden sword would be a smaller version of mine. The horror of the scene at Hartburn had shown me what I had. As the week raced by I forced myself to concentrate on my journey. This time I would need servants for we would be at court. I could not travel lightly.  Matthew and Mark were older men who had sought service with me some time back. Neither were farmers and both had arrived with refugees from the coast two years since.  The others had taken farms but Matthew and Mark had wished to serve in the castle.  Adela told me that they had been so fearful of being raided that they wanted the security of my walls.  I understood. Adela had told me that they would be the best servants to take for they were hard working and quiet.  She knew me well enough to know I appreciated those qualities.

We did not take spare weapons save a few knives and two swords but we had to take more clothes than we might normally. With food for the journey we needed two sumpters. We now had horses aplenty.  I did not take Scout this time, he had worked hard and he was no longer a foal. I took my second palfrey Night Thunder who was a jet black mount and looked to be a smaller version of Star. He was younger than both of my main horses and this would give me the opportunity to school him. We had almost two hundred and fifty miles to go.  It would take up to six or seven days.

We were the first to use the new ferry. Harold would act as my deputy in the absence of Edward. I knew that Adela would bring him back from the dark place into which he had hidden. When I returned I had no doubt that he would be the happy knight whose laughter had once filled my halls. Wulfric and Dick were the rocks on which he would depend. I told both of them to hire any prospective men at arms and archers. The news I was taking to the king was ominous.  Over the next few years good warriors would be both scarce and, at the same time, vital. I was planning ahead.  When trouble came I wanted to be able to respond quickly.

"Keep in touch with the other manors.  I know the ransoms are nearly all paid and they will be enjoying the fruits of their labour but have them remain ever watchful, Harold."

"Will they listen to me?"

I pointed to the banner which fluttered from my topmost tower. "They will obey that.  I will return as soon as I can. If the winds are right and fate is on my side then I may be back in less than two months.  In all events I will be back before harvest."

I left my home on another journey and, once again, I had a heavy heart.

We pushed hard the first day as I wished to spend the night at York. I needed to speak with the Archbishop and Baron Clare. We rode hard and I had to smile at the discomfort of Matthew and Mark.  They bore the bouncing rumps of the palfreys stoically but I knew that they were in agony.  They suffered in silence. We were travelling through lands which were prosperous and were safe. That was in no small measure down to me.  Those who toiled in the fields recognised my banner and waved as we passed. We entered York through the old Roman gate.  Here the Roman walls still stood, augmented and added to by William the Bastard.  The minster was close to the northern gate and I rode directly there. We discovered that the Archbishop was with the King at his daughter's wedding. I reached the keep and discovered that Baron Clare had also departed for the wedding. His son, Ralph, who was younger even than Harold, commanded.

"It is good to see you Baron.  We have heard, through those who pass through our city, that you have defeated Scottish raiders and kept our city safe."

I had to hide my smile. His words sounded like those of an old man.  I was used to plainer speaking. "We have been lucky but I urge you to be vigilant. With so many lords in Normandy and Anjou the Scots may decide to take advantage of the situation."

We left the next morning for the next leg of our journey. I intended to stay as close to Doncaster as I could. Hugh was observant and he had watched Ralph during the meal. "He is young to command such a castle, Baron."

"He is of an age with you Hugh and I would leave you in command of Stockton if I had to."

"You would?" I heard the surprise in his voice.

"Wulfstan and my father trained me to take responsibility.  I hope I have done the same with those that I train.  I have seen you in the battlefield and I believe that I know what you are like." I saw him nodding.  Soon I would elevate him to his own manor at Gainford. He was becoming ready.

The two young squires joined in the conversation about their hopes and dreams for lives as knights. We stopped, whenever we could, in the towns and villages through which we passed. Many did not have a manor and there were few castles.  This was not the border land.  This was safe rich land protected by York and the people prospered.

It was in the late afternoon when Leofric's horse picked up a stone. He said, "I have a stone.  There is a stream yonder. I will catch you up."

A short while later we heard the hooves of his horse as he galloped up behind us, "Baron, we are being followed."

Leofric and John had both been falconers and had been trained by Aiden.  They both had  an innate sense which came from hunting animals. Hugh made to turn and I said, "No Hugh, carry on looking ahead if you please. How do you know, Leofric?"

"I saw some men in York when we were there.  They had the look of warriors and yet they wore neither livery nor armour. I would have thought that they were seeking work but they watched us too closely. As we rode south I sometimes turned to speak with John in the hope of catching sight of them but they were just a movement in the woods. I would have thought it was my imagination if I had not seen them again when we stopped in Selby. I was returning from the privy when I spied one. Then, when I was returning here I saw them again as I rejoined the road.  They did not see me for I was hidden by the trees."

"How many were there?"

"I think eight."

"What think you, Baron?"

"I think, Hugh, that I delayed too long to bring these precious parchments to the King.  I allowed our enemies to hire men.  I believe they will try to stop us. Do not look around.  I know where they will try to reach us."

"Where, Baron?"

"The forest of Sherwood is vast, Leofric and the Roman Road passes through the heart of it.  There are few villages for many miles and if our butchered bodies are discovered then the blame will fall upon outlaws."

"If you had brought Sir Harold instead of me, then you might have had protection."

I laughed, "It is many years since Harold lived in the forest.  Dick and the others are the last of those whom Harold knew.  Besides I fear not outlaws. Harold and Dick have told me how many nefarious and deceitful deeds were done by men in mail but blamed on men in green. It was ever thus. Keep looking ahead and we will enjoy a comfortable night in Doncaster."

The castle at the crossing of the Don was a formidable one and it was a busy town.  The Castellan was more than happy to accommodate me.  Thanks to my deeds in Wales and on the borders my livery was known and I was afforded the finest of hospitality. Before we left, the next morning, I gave a short sword and a dagger to both Matthew and Mark.  "But Baron we are not warriors!"

"No Mark but you are men and men know how to defend themselves do they not? If we are attacked then we will be outnumbered.  My squires will acquit themselves well but these assassins will go for you two as an easy kill.  You will make it hard for them.  Fight as one man.  Stand back to back. When you use your blades go for the eyes and use the full force of your arms."

They did not look convinced but I was happier that they each had two weapons strapped to their sides.  They would not be defenceless. They had teeth.

As we headed south I contemplated heading either east to take us through Lincoln or west to travel into Nottingham. Both would add to our journey and neither would be absolutely safe. We would head for Grantham and hope to reach there before dark. At least in daylight we would have warning of an attack. We had not ridden with helmets before and I was loath to do so now even though it would afford us more protection.  We needed our eyes and our ears.  As we left through the gates I sent John to ride at the front whilst Leofric and Hugh brought up the rear. I wanted a longer line of riders. I had no idea what they would try but crossbows and arrows would have been my choice. If we were spread out then we spread the danger.

There had been a time when the forest grew thickly along the road but it had been thinned out over the years as the trees were used for buildings. It meant that we passed areas which had been cleared and then thicker areas of growth.  When we stopped at the occasional houses and farms to water our horses we casually enquired if there were other travellers.  There had been none which told me that they had left the road to set up an ambush. Leofric could not detect the sound of any hooves following us.

At noon, as we left the farm where we had watered our horses and I had bought ale for each of us, I warned the others to be even more wary when we came to any undergrowth. We passed four or five dense areas.  We knew that they were safe for us when birds took to the skies at our approach. John was a good woodsman and when he approached the next stand of oaks and elms he imperceptibly slowed down and I saw his hand go to his shield which was hanging from his cantle. It was a warning sign and I turned and nodded to the others.

As I turned back I leaned forward to speak to Night Thunder.  It allowed me to loosen my sword.  My shield was strapped around my back and I could pull it round in a moment. I began to think that John had been wrong when he suddenly brought up his shield and a bolt smacked into it. I drew my sword and then pulled my shield around as I dug spurs into Night Thunder.  It was none too soon for two more bolts flashed through the space I had just occupied.  I heard a cry from behind me but I ignored it. This was not the time for defence. I hurtled into the woods to my left. John joined me. I held my sword slightly down and behind me. I caught a flash of flesh and I swung the sword up. The man had been busy reloading his crossbow. My sword sliced up and, after smashing the crossbow in two hacked into the jaw and skull of the man.

Even as I wheeled Night Thunder to the right I took in that they had to have four crossbows. I saw John as he hacked down at a second crossbow man. The other two were busily trying to reload.  A bow is better for it can be reloaded in a flash.  Had these warriors been archers then John and I would be dead. We both crashed into them at the same time.  I slashed across the neck of my target while John smashed his sword to split the assassin's head in two.

I heard cries from behind and I turned Night Thunder to ride back through the woods. I saw Matthew standing over Mark who looked to have been wounded.  He was swashing his sword and dagger before him.  Hugh and Leofric were engaged with two horsemen while a third lay dead. I did not hesitate; poor Matthew could not survive much longer.  I thundered up behind the killer.  He turned as he heard me and I impaled his chest on my sword. The blow was so hard that it tore the sword from my hand.  I continued riding towards Leofric who was struggling against a powerful warrior.  Leofric did not have the strength of arm that John possessed. I drew my dagger and stabbed the mighty warrior in the kidneys with my only weapon. As he tried to turn Leofric finished him off with a slash to the throat.

Even as we both reined around to aid Hugh, his opponent fell to the ground. John and Matthew were kneeling next to Mark. "Baron he has a bolt to the shoulder."

"Take it out and have bandages ready.  Matthew tear the tunics of the dead.  You did well Matthew!"

"I was terrified, lord!"

"Which makes your courage all the more commendable."

The man who had just been felled by Hugh was still alive. Hugh had a dagger to his throat. "Who sent you? tell me and I will ease your passing." I saw that Hugh had managed to open the warrior's guts.  It would be a slow death.

"I need no pity! I am a warrior and I will die in my own time." His accent was from the north of our river.  These were not killers hired in Scotland as I had assumed.  He was local; he was from the land around the Tees.

I turned to Leofric. "Go to the forest and there you will find four dead crossbow men.  Search them and bring anything which will identify them: coins, documents, tokens, anything and find their horses too.

The wounded man must have had another wound for he suddenly sighed and died. I began to search his body.  In his pouch was a gold piece and some smaller coins.  There was  naught else to help me. I examined the coins.  Hugh took the weapons from the man. "This is a good sword, Baron. This is a knight's sword."

"And where did he get it from?" I held out the coins. "What do you notice about these coins?"

"That he was well paid?"

I shook my head, "No, they are all from the Durham mint and this one," I held up the gold one, is brand new! This man was sent from Durham. It seems we have an enemy there too."

I returned to Mark.  The bolt was out but he had lost blood. "John, you and Matthew make a litter to go between two of the horses.  We have eight more beasts now. Make sure he drinks and, if possible eats something."

Hugh and I searched the other dead.  They all had the same about them. The four we had slain were each paid a gold piece to kill us. Leofric returned with the horses.  The crossbowmen had a silver piece instead of a gold piece but they were fresh minted and from Durham. We left the dead.  The animals would feast on their flesh.

We would be lucky to reach Grantham now but we pushed on anyway. I spoke with Hugh as we rode south to clarify my thoughts. "There were just two in Durham who knew what we had found, the Dean and Hubert."

"They could have told others."

"True but that makes them equally guilty for I told them to keep my news secret.  I remember the last Dean was treacherous and sold out the castle to Gospatric I wonder if the Bishop appointed another viper."

"Hubert seems an honest man.  I cannot see him being a traitor."

"Honest men can adopt the mask of Janus when it suits but I agree with you and I will reserve judgement until we have more information. First we must see to the care of Mark."

Before we reached Grantham we heard the tolling of a bell.  There was a monastery or church nearby.  We followed the sound and found a small monastery.  There were armed guards outside and tents. Spears were pointed at us until I spoke my name. A young priest stepped forward. "This is fortuitous, Baron.  We have Bishop Flambard within."

"The Bishop of Durham?  I thought that he was close to death?"

"He is, Baron but he wishes to die in Durham. We are taking him home."

"It is indeed fortuitous for we have a wounded man with us too. Could you have him tended to?"

"Aye Baron." He turned to a monk, "Brother Oswald could you care for the man.  Come Baron I know the Bishop will wish to speak with you."

We entered the monastery and we were taken to what must have been the abbot's quarters. Bishop Flambard was lying in the bed.  He looked pale but he was conscious. He smiled in surprise when he saw me. "Baron, how did you know that I was here?"

"I did not.  I believe God sent me here." I looked at the attendants, "May we speak alone Bishop?"

He frowned and nodded, "You are not a knight given to alarm easily.  Leave us I will be safe and have the Baron's people seen to."

When we were alone I said, "I was told that you were close to death.  Some said you were dead."

He tried to laugh but failed, "I am dying but I fight against it.  Many say that I should go peacefully to my God but my work is not finished.  I heard of your exploits in the north.  Why are you not there still enjoying the fruits of your victory?"

I told him all including the ambush.  I held out the coins. He frowned.  "Then it is as well that I travel home. I will get to the bottom of this. This is treason, Baron."