The Temporal Knights

by Richard D. Parker

  “Yah, I wish to discuss the...strangers in the west. I’ve many letters from the Lady Merwinna, and lately a few from me daughter, Flæd. Of course Alfred has also received numerous correspondences from most of the western lords. Tis said ye be lovers with one of the strange men?”

  Ellyn went red and bowed her head, acutely aware of the rocking carriage as they moved across the bridge that led directly into the large courtyard of the immense Castle.

  “Yah, I be in love with one of the Ammericaans.”

  “Ammericaans...” Ealhswith said. “Tis a strange word. Are they truly as large as giants, but have the looks of women?”

  Ellyn smirked but quickly controlled herself. “Na M’lady. Tis true they be large men, but tis nothing womanly about the way they look, ‘xcepting for that they remove the hair from their face every day, so that they resemble young boys.”

  “They be men, then? Ye have seen them?” Ealhswith asked and Ellyn blushed all the more, knowing exactly what the queen was asking. She was only dimly aware that the carriage had stopped, but Ealhswith made no move to open the door.

  “Yah, they be men.”

  “Large men?” the Queen asked with a twinkle in her eye, delighted by the younger woman’s obvious discomfort.

  “Yah,” Ellyn gulped, feeling hot and faint with the memory. “They be large men.”

  Lady Ealhswith laughed. “Well then, mayhap we should greet them quite properly,” she replied and finally opened the door to the carriage. The queen stepped out and addressed a large maid who appeared instantly. “Caitlithe, see the Lady Ellyn to her rooms so she may rest and refresh herself before this evening’s celebration.”

  “Yah M’lady.”

  “Ellyn,” Ealhswith said with a nod. “We will talk more tonight. Alfred and I both have a keen desire to know wot is truly happening in the lands of Somerset. I will see to it that ye be well placed at sup,” she added, and then was off moving to her rooms, anxious to see her own lover after his absence.

  “Thank ye M’lady,” Ellyn called after her, stepping from the carriage, and looking up at the great heights of the closest towers of the Maiden.

  Once in her rooms, which were very elegant, far better than she had ever imagined as a child or young woman, Ellyn found that she was indeed tired from the long days of travel, and dropped down on the large four poster bed and slept. Trudy, after seeing to their clothes climbed up next to her mistress and also fell into a deep slumber. It wasn’t until a servant girl knocked politely on their door that they awoke.

  “Yah’m,” Trudy called lazily and climbed down from the high bed to answer the door.

  “Sup will be ready shortly,” the girl said and poked her head into the room slightly, trying to get a glimpse of the Lady that all the fuss was about. Trudy blocked her view with a frown.

  “Ha! Wot’s the matter?”

  “Oh, nothing Miss. Excuse me, but the Queen wanted for me to be sure that the Lady was up and about.”

  “Ye may thank her Highness...I’m up and will be ready shortly,” Ellyn said approaching the girl.

  The maid caught sight of Ellyn and gave her a shy smile.

  ‘She’s pretty ‘nough, though a bit on the scrawny side and her bosom tis na nearly as large as me own,’ the maid thought with just a hint of a smile. The maid moved off down the hall well satisfied with her own looks and skipped slightly so that her breasts jiggled in her bodice. She may not be a noblewoman, but she still knew how to grab a man’s fancy, whether it be lettin’ him catch a glimpse of teat or accidentally brushing his arm with a full bosom. There were but a few surefire ways of gettin’ a man’s attention, and she was thankful again for her full figure. Still, it was said that Sir Gospatrick had taken a fancy to this young noblewoman from the woods, though why he would the girl could not say. The Lady Ellyn hardly had enough flesh on her bones to grab onto.

  Inside their rooms, Trudy and Ellyn were worried about more important things, such as changing the Lady’s dress and doing her hair up properly. It was essential to have someone around to help with grooming because mirrors were rare and very expensive. Ellyn sat patiently by the window in her long chemise, which she wore under her outer clothes, trying to decide just which dress she would wear tonight, while Trudy brushed out her hair before beginning to pull it up in a more suitable fashion. Ellyn had several garments of wool, but they were generally used for more casual occasions and she dismissed these out of mind. She also had a crimson taffeta tunic and mantle, but it had a slight tear near the bottom that needed mending, so she finally came to the decision to wear the green damask gown with an white mantle, which was her old favorite, especially when matched with white tights, that complimented the rabbit fur sown in around the border of the dress. It would present the best first impression.

  There was a loud knock on the door, which startled both girls out of their thoughts and Ellyn stood up worried.

  “It canna be time already,” she thought, absolutely mortified that she was late.

  “Tis na yet time, M’lady,” Trudy said supportively and rushed to the door, and opened it wide. Sir Gospatrick bowed, and took a quick step inside before Trudy could stop him. Ellyn gasped and covered herself with her arms as the man stood gazing at her, obviously surprised, but pleased nonetheless. Ellyn thought of running to the next room, but decided that it would be a little undignified. Besides he was looking at her with such wide, appreciative eyes that she felt a confusing moment of gratitude mixed with her acute embarrassment. She felt her face go red.

  “Oh, excuse me M’lady. I thought ye would be ready by now,” Sir Gospatrick said with a bow, though his eyes never left her, and he made absolutely no move to retreat from the room like a true gentleman would.

  Trudy walked over quickly and grabbed him lightly by the arm, but he shrugged her off. Ellyn grew angry but dropped her arms in any case just so he could have a good look.

  “Well, I am na, and if ye intend to stay and gawk at me, at least ye could come and finish me hair,” Ellyn scolded and turned her back on him.

  Sir Gospatrick smiled and snatched the brush from Trudy. “Gladly,” he said and took two steps forward when Trudy snatched the brush back and beat him twice on the backside with it. He jumped and turned on Trudy, smiling. He quickly grabbed her tightly and swung her around as if dancing.

  “I’ll wait for ye outside then, but do hurry or I shall take Miss Trudy here,” he warned and with a flourish was out the door.

  Ellyn turned as the door closed, a scowl on her face, but as soon as she realized he was gone she grinned behind her hand. “He’s impossible.”

  “Yah, Mum,” Trudy said with her own smile and went to work finishing her Lady’s hair.

  True to his word, Sir Gospatrick remained outside her rooms until Ellyn stepped out. She smiled shyly at his stunned expression.

  “Ye truly be a vision from the western lands,” he said with a formal bow.

  “Why thank ye,” Ellyn replied, glad to have him here to escort and guide her through the strange halls. Trudy followed behind them, heading for the smaller nook, next to the kitchens were the servants ate. She was equally excited, hoping to see many a handsome man about the castle.

  The great hall was enormous, over twice the size of the hall at Bridgwater, and by far the largest room Ellyn had ever been in. Hundreds of noblemen and women were mingling about, talking, drinking and laughing, since the seating for the sup had not yet commenced. Servants were also rushing about putting the finishing touches on the table decorations, and placing pitchers of wine here and there on the tables, and everywhere there were flowers and other touches of greenery.

  Sir Gospatrick led her about by the arm and introduced her to so many new people she could not possibly remember them all, most were happy to meet her, and she was well aware of the looks of appreciation a number of the young men sent her way. She found she was enjoying their attention very much, almost as much as the jealous, sideways glances she was getting from many of the young
maidens. She looked up at Sir Gospatrick, thinking him handsome enough with a likable way about him, but he did not hold a candle to her own Matthew Thane. Suddenly she missed Matt, and desperately wished he were here at her side, supporting and leading her through this important day.

  “Ah, tis the Lady Ellyn is it na,” a thin, dark man, with a small well groomed black beard said and bowed before her.

  “Tis indeed,” Sir Gospatrick said with just a touch of cold politeness, and Ellyn realized instantly that her escort did not like this man at all. She held out her hand in greeting and he bowed over it, and while looking deep into her eyes, softly placed his lips on the back of her knuckles, and though they were quite warm, she would remember his lips being cold on her skin.

  “May I introduce Sir Helmstan, the King’s Chancellor,” Sir Gospatrick said flatly.

  Ellyn froze for just a second, because if Master Ædwin was known throughout Angland as the best swordsman in the land, Sir Helmstan of Hawes was certainly the most notorious. It was said that he’d killed at least six in duels and baited men constantly for the chance to increase his number of victims. All of the rumors about this man flashed quickly through her brain, and Ellyn could well believe them now that she was in the man’s presence.

  “M’lord,” she said with a small curtsey.

  “She’s a lovely one,” Helmstan said addressing Sir Gospatrick as if she were not present. “Somehow ye always have the lovelies by the arm. Someday ye must tell me yor secret.”

  “Tis easy....I pursue the ladies, like ye pursue the duel,” he answered and quickly guided Ellyn away before any retort could be made, and it was not until they were across the room that Sir Gospatrick stopped.

  “Ye stay clear of that one,” he said softly and meant it as an order. “He’s nasty with men and women alike. He na be above ruining a lady’s honor to get a fight from her men.”

  “Yah, he was quite frightening,” Ellyn answered truthfully, unconsciously rubbing the back of her hand where she’d received the kiss.

  “Ye like him na?” She asked, looking up at her friend.

  Sir Gospatrick smiled. “Tis plain to see. He baits me, hoping to get at me friend, Ædwin, whom he wold like to duel above all else. Helmstan has tried to entice him many times, but found me friend’s tongue to be sharper than any sword, so he works on me, hoping to draw me out.”

  “Master Ædwin wold come to yor aid?”

  “Na until I was dead.”

  “He wold kill thee then?”

  “Yah, he wold kill me. Unless I had the luck of the bloody Gods,” he admitted, having no illusions about his skill with the sword. He was good, but he was not in the league with either Helmstan or his friend Ædwin.

  “Lady Ellyn,” they heard from behind them and turned to find the Lady Ealhswith, escorted by a tall, thin man with long, though receding black hair. His thin, rugged face was handsome in a severe looking way, a look accentuated by his neatly trimmed black beard. The man had dark, penetrating eyes that the Lady Ellyn would find terrifying in an enemy, but at the moment they were twinkling at her with kindhearted interest.

  “M’lord...M’lady,” Sir Gospatrick said bowing deeply.

  Ellyn performed a formal curtsey. “M’lord...M’lady,” she repeated but still was unsure of the nobleman’s status.

  The Lady Ealhswith smiled indulgently, sensing Ellyn’s confusion. “Tis me husband, yor King, Sir Alfred,” the Lady Ealhswith said simply and pinched her betrothed lightly on the arm.

  Alfred smiled at Ellyn. “I met ye father some years ago in Mercia. He’s a fine man, good with drink and a tale, if’n I remember rightly,” he said and took Ellyn by the hand and led her away from Sir Gospatrick.

  Ye’ll wait yor turn,” the King said with a slight smile and led the girl through the crowd, acknowledging his people as they bowed to him.

  “Tis a bothersome thing…all the bowing…all the time. I’d be rid of it but me council and me lovely Queen tells me it must be so, out of respect for the crown if na for meself,” he said softly, his hand warm and just a bit sweaty on hers. He led her out onto the verandah where the stars were just beginning to appear, Venus high in the west.

  “Ye are a verily lovely girl,” he said turning and looking so candidly in her eyes that Ellyn was afraid he might try to kiss her. “Me daughter has written of yor beauty, but the word always fails to capture what the eye beholds. Is it na so?”

  “If ye say so M’lord,” she answered very mildly, and lowered her eyes from the intensity of his gaze.

  “Na by me, but tis rightly said even so,” he answered and smiled still holding her hand and she did not have the courage to remove it. “Flæd tells me yor heart belongs to one of the Ammericaans,” he continued and this was the first time she had ever heard the men called so by someone who’d not yet met them. She blushed at the statement.

  “Yah, she wrote truly,” she answered even more quietly.

  “Let us test her words then. Tell me wot does he look like?”

  Ellyn looked up at her King, who was nearly as tall as her Matthew and smiled. “Oh, he is tall.”

  “Taller than me?” the King asked, feigning surprise.

  Ellyn giggled and nodded. “His shoulders are here,” she said and held her hands about half a foot above her head.

  Alfred’s eyes went wide; he was very accustomed to being the tallest man in the room and believed it helped make his presence more commanding. After a moment he nodded for her to go on. “He has dark hair, like yorn, but it is short, cut just so, and his face is completely smooth like a lad, not yet a man. But tis na because he has na beard, but rather they scrap it off every day, wantin’ to be smooth. His eyes are grey and he has dark eyebrows and soft red lips. He’s a strong man, but gentle with me, and he smells heavenly since he bathes every day.”

  “Every day?” Alfred asked truly surprised. “Are they na afeared of plague?”

  Ellyn shook her head. “Na, and their Docktor, a great man of medicine, he pulled a baby out of Meg...I think, of Aycliffe...out of her stomach, cut her open to get the babe...says that washin’ does na cause the plague. He tells in truth dat bathin’ keep the plague from spreadin’ so fast...tis a great and knowing man,” she explained, trying hard to make her King understand their vast knowledge.

  “Ye think right kindly of these...Ammericaans, eh M’lady?”

  “Yah, M’lord.”

  “Do yor words do them justice?”

  “Ye were right M’lord. I canna tell ye how kindly and good they be,” she replied and looked at him with a mixture of pleading and respect.

  “I be movin’ me armies down on the Lizard come morn, tis said the Boneless be camped on Wight. Helmstan tells me he’ll move on Wareham or Christchurch soon and try to split Wessex in two. I’ve sent for Sir Eadwulf to move his own fyrd to Shaftesbury to watch me rear. If ye say these men to the west be na threat to me lands then I will do this thing with less worry,” he said surprising her with his candor.

  “They will na take yor lands,” she assured him, very certain she spoke the truth.

  Alfred smiled at her. “Flæd will see to that I’m sure. I’ve sent word for her to move wot men she has down from Tamworth to Winchester, just in case the Ammericaans be foolin’ ye. Ye be na wrong ‘bout these strangers?”

  “Na M’lord.”

  “I will trust ye, and if’n ye be wrong I suppose it wold na be the first time a kingdom was lost on account of a pretty face and a firm bosom,” he said, reaching toward her. For just a moment Ellyn thought he was going to feel her breast, but instead he gently lifted her chin and gave her a quick kiss on each cheek. He pulled back, smiling down at her, and they both remained quiet for a long moment before he turned and led her back inside for sup.

  §

  The mood was not nearly so festive in the west where Matt was preparing to preside over the funeral of Stuart Greybon and Selby Conner. The Lady Merwinna and the Lady Æthelflæd were busy spreading the word, while the Counte
ss’ younger sister, Æthelgifu, a soon to be Abbess, worked with Friar Padstone making preparations for the service. It was a testament to the way the local people felt about the Americans that over three thousand people from all over the surrounding counties journeyed to Athelney to pay their respects. And it was a testament to the Americans trust in the locals that neither Major Thane, nor any of the soldiers, felt ill at ease or threatened by the English crowds, even though they were vastly outnumbered. These people were friends now. Matt felt it...they all felt it. This was the second and third funeral performed in the last few weeks and the mood around the Ealdorman’s Hall was noticeably somber. Friar Padstone again performed the services, though this time the weather cooperated and the day was truly beautiful, but somehow this made the deaths of the two young people all the more tragic, since they were not around to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. Captain Murphy Giles was especially hard hit by the death of both his friend and his new lover, and stood close to Beatrice, Selby’s mother, who was now all alone. Her husband, Selby’s father, had passed five years earlier of the bloody cough, since then it had only been her and Selby, her lone child. Murphy took the loss hard, and Matt made it a point to stay close to his grieving friend and colleague.

  “Mayjor Thane,” the Countess said after the service was over and the large crowd began to break up and head off in many directions, most walking down to the gates of Athelney where a feast was to be laid out to help ease all of their suffering.