The King Is Dead

by Griff Hosker

  "Will we fight, my lord?"

  "Captain! They are Vikings and they have shields along the side! They are closing rapidly!" Carl's voice made us all turn.

  "We will be fighting, Leofric. Come we will use the mainmast as our castle."

  As we headed forward Captain Jack said, "The wind favours them. They are sleek and they have oars. We have an hour at most."

  "Can we not head inshore?"

  "There are treacherous sands this close to the Thames. I would not risk my ship there. No, Earl, I will trust to you and your men and the pommel stone of Alfred."

  We made our way to Wulfric. He and his men at arms were joined by the Archbishop's spare archers. Dick commanded one castle while Phillip the other. I spoke to all of them. "Our task is to stop them closing." I pointed to the javelins the crew had laid along the two sides. "When we know which side they attack from we grab the javelins and use them when they are close enough. You archers do not go for the warriors, go for the sailors. When the sailors are no longer targets then we go for the warriors. They will have a large crew. If they get a foothold on our ship then we may be overcome."

  I noticed that Wulfric, like me, had his shield around his back and his mighty axe in his hand. He would be in his element. I left Wulfric in command and walked to the stern. I could see the longship more clearly now. It was fast and they were using their oars to close with us rapidly. Further astern of the Viking I saw four or five smaller ships. I looked to the captain. "The smaller ships?"

  "That is the bad news. They are following to take the cargo. It means the longship has a large crew and they cannot accommodate the chests and your arms."

  "So we stop them getting aboard."

  "Easier said than done, my lord."

  "You have never seen my archers." I looked up. "Dick we stop them boarding."

  "Aye my lord. We have plenty of arrows." He grinned. So long as Dick and his men had arrows they would not worry, no matter how many men faced us.

  I waited at the stern. "Which side, Captain?"

  He pointed to the left side of the ship. "There. It means he has the wind right up to the moment he attacks and brings his smaller ships closer."

  I went back to the mast. "Wulfric, we fight this side. Archers stay by the mast and release over our heads. Do not husband your arrows. We have plenty. When they are gone draw your swords and join us there."

  "Aye, my lord!"

  "John, tie my standard to the mast. Let them know whom they fight."As he did so I said to Wulfric, "The wolf may put some fear into them."

  He stroked the edge of his axe. "And this will show them that it is not only Danes who wield such an axe."

  Even I could see that the Dane was heading for our side of the cog. I wondered when he would withdraw his oars. The longer they rowed then the more tired they would be. Rafe was the one who began to release his arrows first. He had a good vantage point on his mast and his arrow hit the warrior standing at the prow and pitched him overboard. It gave Dick and the others in the aft castle the range. Rafe could not reach those at the steering board but he could begin to target those rowing. Unlike those in the aft castle he had a clear view of them. Griff and John on the main mast joined in. Suddenly I saw the oars become entangled as men at the oars died and others were forced to withdraw to safety. They were still two lengths behind us.

  "Well done archers!" I heard Captain Jack's voice ring out.

  I knew why he was happy. They could not close as fast. On the other hand I saw, as they grabbed their shields, that they would be harder to hit. "Go for the crew!"

  Dick's archers hit the two Danes who were in the rigging trying to trim the sails. Every arrow slowed them down. They would still reach us and they would try to board but they would be fewer in number. Inexorably they drew closer. I saw their leader. He was dressed in full mail and had a full mask helmet. He held a shield before him and had an axe such as Wulfric's. I guessed that the four warriors whose shields protected him were his oathsworn. Their bodies hid the captain. The rain of arrows had slowed to a trickle as Dick and his archers sought softer targets.

  Those targets became visible when they closed with us. They had to grapple us and that meant their warriors had to show themselves to throw the lines. We were less than ten paces from them when their steersman began to turn into us. As his men stood my archers released. They wore mail but at ten paces even if the arrows did not penetrate the mail they threw the warriors back and then Rafe's arrow found the steersman. As he pitched over the side his body took the steering board and the longship moved away from us. In the time it took for them to replace the steersman four more had died and, more importantly, they had drifted further away.

  Captain Jack took advantage and put our tiller over to take us further away from them. When they regained control of their vessel however their leader took drastic measures. He pointed the prow of his dragon ship at our midships. They were a harder target. Captain Jack was a wily captain. He put the tiller over so that we would cut across the bows of the Dane. He obviously knew his ship and judged it well. I was convinced that they would ram us. The dragon at the prow seemed perilously close to us. However he missed and my archers rained death, at close range, into the packed warriors waiting to attack us.

  Once we had passed the bow of the longship Captain Jack put the tiller over again so that the drekar was astern of us. They would catch us again but we had whittled their numbers down and were closer to the Thames. If we had to then we could sail into the Thames and be protected by the castles which guarded the entrance. "Captain, how far to the Thames?"

  "They will catch us before we reach it."

  The hope I had had was dashed from me. Our move had gained us time but given the wind to our foes. This time they came faster and towards the steerboard side.

  "Over to the other side and ready the javelins."

  I picked up two and we waited. This time, when the warriors stood to throw the grappling hooks they were protected by two warriors each with a shield. Our archers still hit them and some fell to a watery death but at least four successfully threw their hooks. Wulfric took his axe and severed the one in the centre, closest to us but the others were used to pull us together. As their warriors stood on the topmost strake we began to hurl javelins. I managed to strike a Dane beneath his chin. It struck him so hard it came out of the back and threw him into the throng of warriors. Wulfric hit two and then, taking his axe, severed the legs of the warrior who was about to leap on board. They would soon fall upon us and, using my last javelins I took my sword and swung my shield around. "Ready my warriors! Make them pay dearly!"

  My archers were already doing so. A third of those who stood on the sides to attack us never made it. Enough, however, did. "Fall back to the mast!" The Archbishop's archers were already there and they bought us the time to make a wall of shields. As the Danes held their shields to protect their faces they tripped over the bodies of their dead. My sword darted out and plunged into the exposed neck of one warrior. Wulfric swung his axe and took the head of another.

  It was as they closed I saw how poor their armour was. The mail was old and weak. Their shields had seen better days and none of the swords would match up to Alf's. It was our chance. "For England and King Henry!" I brought my sword over high and struck the warrior before me. I hit his helmet. It dented and then my sword slid down the side and bit deeply into the mail. It was so rusted that it split. My blow had stunned him and he began to slip. I stabbed down at the broken mail and my sword ended his life. I punched with my shield at the warrior next to him. He was raising his sword to strike at William. The blow was so hard that William had the opportunity to ram his sword into the man's gut. Their weakened mail now meant that the archers were causing more deaths. We had less pressure and we swung our blades to clear a space before us. The Danes could use their shields to protect from our swords or our arrows, not both!

  Their chief roared something which I did not understand but his intentions were clear.
He was coming for me. Before he reached me, across a deck slippery with blood, Wulfric's axe swung and smashed into his chest. It was a mighty blow. Even so the Dane was a strong warrior. I heard him roar something before he slipped to the deck. His oathsworn gathered around his body and prepared to sell their lives dearly. A throwing axe came flying towards my head. I barely had time to duck but I heard a cry behind me as one of the Archbishop's men died.

  "Charge!" I knew this would be blood but I now knew that they were leaderless and we had an advantage; our archers. I took the sword blow on my shield and stabbed with my sword. The Dane took it on his shield. I saw his eyes narrow and a grin appear. He had seen I wore no helmet and I knew what was coming. Wulfstan had said I had the fastest hands of any warrior alive and I proved it. I brought up sword between us so that when he tried to head butt me he head butted the sword. It split his nose and bit into his forehead. He was a tough warrior but he reeled. I pushed him back and brought my knee up between his legs. As his head came down I used my left hand to ram the sword into his spine. I gave him a warrior's death. The other three oathsworn lay dead; they had been faithful until death.

  I saw that we had cleared the midships but men were attacking the two castles. "Wulfric, take the men at arms and clear the stern castles. Squires, with me."

  The Danes were trying to climb the bow castle and reach Philip and the archers who were, with my two men at arms, holding them off. They were so preoccupied with the archers that they did not see us. The first four men were run through from behind before the others knew we were there. I was proud of my squires that day. They fought as men. They showed that their training with Wulfric had been worthwhile for their shields and swords worked in unison.

  The ones who attacked the bow castle were not the oathsworn and they fell back to their longship. As I hacked the legs from the warrior who stood on the cog's top rail I saw that there was just one line holding us here at the bow. I sliced through it and we began to separate. I ran to the next two lines and hacked through first one and then the last, by the stern. The longship began to drift eastwards. With no one at the steering board the sails fluttered and flapped.

  From the mast Griff of Gwent shouted, "It is a charnel house on their ship, my lord. If we wished we could take her!"

  I shouted, "No, we have beaten them. That is enough. Besides they have allies, see." I pointed.

  The smaller ships were closing with the longship. They would be able to crew it but their attack was over. Wulfric and my men at arms were already ending the lives of the wounded Danes.

  "Archers see to our wounded." I turned to my squires. They were bloodied but unbowed. "You did well. How is the leg, John?"

  "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."

  Part 2

  Normandy-The Rebellion Begins

  Chapter 7

  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 rebelli
on 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."