“Yes, she’s on our side, but his Chancellor...that Helmstan fellow, he’s clearly antagonistic,” Lemay replied with a frown. “He’s a greasy man, and something about him isn’t right. I’d swear he is just biding his time waiting to challenge the lot of us.”
“Yes, Ædwin has warned that’s what he’s about, fighting and furthering his own reputation,” Peebles commented, mostly content to let his two top advisors hash out the opposing viewpoints.
“Now Master Ædwin, he is definitely with us,” Rice added with a smile. “I’ve not met a more enthusiastic local since Leoforic.”
“Or Sir Elid,” Lemay said with his own smile, “that man’s a born soldier and has taken to his training with a lot of determination. He rarely leaves Sadao’s side when they are off duty. It would be comical if he wasn’t so absolutely serious. As for Ædwin, I’m not sure how much influence he has with the King, but the scuttlebutt is he may be the Queen’s lover.”
“Oh,” Peebles said, and raised an eyebrow.
“That’s the talk among the peasants,” Rice confirmed. “Ealhswith sure did take to flying though didn’t she?” He added referring to the queen’s flight in the Bot the previous day.
“Yes,” Peebles answered still bothered by talk of the queen’s secret love life. “She wants to go back up just as soon as we’ll let her.”
“We’ve burned nearly sixty percent of our fuel reserves,” the Colonel reported crisply.
“Robertson has found several promising sights. There’s one out west where oil is bubbling to the surface,” Rice said. “Plus he has several more possibilities closer to Rochester he wants to check out. He’s having a bit of difficulty matching the local topography to the old maps from British Petroleum.”
“In any case, for now the Colonel is correct,” the General said. “We’ll have to go on strict rationing.”
“If the King turns against us, we won’t have enough gas to carry out a major offensive,” Lemay added.
“The King is here. Let’s have faith in him. No long offensive will be needed, and Robertson will find and refine oil in time. The oil company maps are very specific, plus the locals seem to know where to find it. Oil was still quite useful in these times. We’ll have additional fuel before the year is out.”
“Speaking of Robertson, I think we need to assign a detachment of soldiers to him as guard. I’d hate for any accidents to happen to him in his wanderings. He’s too important to lose,” the Colonel suggested.
Peebles nodded. “See to it.”
“Major Thane reports that all is ready and the ship is fit for travel at any time,” Lemay continued moving on to the next topic, wondering slightly what his commander would do.
At first the General said nothing. Then he looked at Rice and gave a curt nod. Their decision was made and they would have to live with it now, succeed or fail.
“Tell him to stand-by and be ready. I think we may have to use him and the ship here in Winchester before all this is over. We’ll delay the launch for two months while we instruct and train the women who will accompany the Major and Captain Giles.”
Lemay raised an eyebrow. “Provided there are volunteers. The locals are a superstitious lot.”
“Yes, but I can think of a few who might want to go,” Peebles replied and finally sat heavily in a chair by the fire. “Plus I think the ship might have other uses.”
“You have some idea in mind?” Rice asked.
Peebles nodded. “If we cannot convince the King that we are what we say we are, perhaps Matt and the alien ship can.”
“The King should have time to decide on his own,” Rice repeated, sure that with enough time, Alfred would come around. He was an extraordinarily intelligent and worldly man, a visionary in his time. As a boy Alfred’s father even took him on a pilgrimage to Rome. He spoke five languages and was very determined to educate his people in the ways of the enlightened east Arabic countries.” If the King was allowed to make up his own mind, Gordon was convinced that Alfred would decide in their favor.
“Time is one thing we can give him at the moment,” Peebles conceded, “though even that is not unlimited. But Flæd tells me her father will hold a conference in three weeks with his Ealdormen. He must make a decision by then, I would think.”
“So what do we do in the mean time?” Lemay asked.
The General smiled at him. “Relax. Let’s get to know the people of Winchester, and let them get to know us. But we stay on alert, no more than a quarter of the men on furlough at any one time. Tell them to keep it sharp until we have King Alfred’s answer.”
Lemay nodded. He would like to go on full alert, but he knew that might make the King suspicious, and perhaps more inclined to decide against them.
§
“Tis na me decision, Dottir,” Sir Oldalf said hoping to calm his youngest child. “The King has asked me to stay on at court until after the great conference,” he explained, watching her very closely. He was instantly struck by her simple beauty. She had something of her mother about her, but something else as well. She was truly striking and he understood well why many of the young nobles around Winchester were vying for her attentions. She was truly the loveliest of the young ladies, though he suspected he saw her through a father’s eyes. Today she was dressed in a dark green gown sewn intermittently with white lace. Her shoulders were impossibly small and her waist even more so. Her fair hair was partially down, a bit scandalous really, but it was the fashion at court this year for the younger ladies. It framed her clear, white skin and set off her dark, pleading eyes.
“But father please. I must go to him. I canna’ wait another day,” she insisted, holding Matt’s letter tightly in her left hand. She’d memorized his words long ago and recited it to herself every night before she slept and again the moment she woke the next morning. “Docktor Rice says the ship be repaired and that Matt could leave at any minute,” she fibbed. “Father, wot if he decides to leave me. He has na seen me for many a day...wot if he forgets me?” she said in a rush, voicing every desperate fear she felt.
“Child, he’d na forget ye so easily,” Oldalf said with an reassuring smile. “And ye talk to him every day on that...raydiio. Fear na dottir, ye have bewitched him. I can tell, havin’ been bewitched meself by yor lovely mother.”
“Do ye really think so father?” She asked and gave him a quick hug. Small as she was, her arms did not meet behind his large torso, but he was happy to see the sparkle come back into her eyes.
“Truly I do. Now come let us get out of these rooms. Sir Wulfhere is going to work one of his best falcons this morn. Wold ye like to get out and watch?”
Ellyn had always liked falcons and hawkin’. Her father was an expert with the birds, having trained several falcons on his own. Such dedication was rare among nobles; most did not have the patience for it, and instead left the actual training to others. Today however, Ellyn’s mind was on her absent love, and she did not feel all that festive, wanting instead to be alone with her thoughts. She’d chased Trudy off earlier and found the task quite easy. “Na, father. Ye go and I’ll...”
“Docktor Rice and Genaral Peebles are sportin’ along,” he interrupted, and could tell she was immediately reconsidering. He suppressed a smile and patiently waited.
“All right father. I’ll go with ye,” she finally replied and took his hand. “Come let’s walk along the creek,” she added. They both left the room, happy to be free of the confines of the castle grounds. Ellyn grinned at her father, glad for her change of heart as they moved through the massive gates of Maiden Castle. Once outside she released his hand and skipped away from him, laughing. Oldalf just smiled and shook his head at the quick change in her moods. In that, at least, she was like her mother.
The day was lovely, warm and cloudless, and a large crowd of nobles and common folk were already making their way down to the lower fields. Most of the nobles rode in fine open air carriages but a few walked down to a group of colorful tents where many of the bir
ds waited to show off their skill.
There were a great many trainers holding hooded falcons, hawks, and gyrfalcons, and Sir Oldalf found himself wishing for Tawni, his own prize bird. She was a sharp eyed, spirited falcon; the best he’d ever owned. There was a group of noblemen gathered at the base of a large grassy hill. Most of the noblewomen were scattered about the hillside, sitting on colorful blankets since the sky was clear and the day was warming nicely. Higher up the common folk gathered among themselves, equally excited about the day’s festivities. Sir Oldalf led his daughter through the throng, greeting nearly everyone. Ellyn noticed that her father received more than his fair share of calculated smiles from the older available women. She smiled at the attention her father was getting and couldn’t blame the women a bit. Yah, he was rich, but she also believed that he truly was a handsome, older gentlemen. He was a catch for any noblewoman old or young.
They finally reached the large area that was staked out for the Lady Ealhswith and her guests, which included General Peebles and Dr. Rice. Colonel Lemay, Captain Hersey, Sergeant Sadao, plus many of the other American soldiers were down among the trainers and noblemen, who were happy to show off their birds.
“Lady Ellyn...Sir Oldalf,” General Peebles yelled out and waved them over. He had grown to like the big, bear of a knight and his daughter. “Join us would you?” he asked and glanced over at the Lady Ealhswith to see if the invitation was acceptable. The Queen nodded and smiled, and the General found himself smiling back like a fool. The queen, though she could hardly be called a beauty, was a handsome woman and carried herself with a great deal of dignity. Her hair was blonde and probably long, though she kept it piled neatly up on her head. Her face was youthful and clear, and her skin was without blemish though her neck was showing signs of age. She had light blue eyes, a wide mouth and a long sharp nose, but all in all, the General found her to be highly attractive. Perhaps it was the fact that she wore no makeup, but of course no women of this time did so…at least as far as Peebles could tell. They were sitting next to one another, under a simple awing, each on a pair of large wooden chairs. Peebles had the uncomfortable feeling that his seat was normally reserved for the King, but once again Alfred had declined to make an appearance. The rest of the highborn men and women were crowded around on long wooden benches.
“Thank ye kindly, Sir,” Oldalf said more on pretense than anything else, since he knew his star was rising. His daughter’s invitation to court was an indication of that fact. Even still, Oldalf nervously kissed the hand of the Queen. He moved down and repeated the performance with the hand of her daughter, Æthelflæd. The Lady of Mercia was sitting happily with her son Leoforic, who she missed terribly. For the most part, Flæd was oblivious to anything else going on around her, so intent she was on her only living son.
Sir Oldalf led his daughter to the end of the bench were Sir Gospatrick hurriedly scooted away from his friend Ædwin to make room for the Lady from Somerset. Ellyn hesitated a moment but then graciously took the seat offered and gave Gospatrick a thin, shy smile. The only place remaining for her father was on the far side of Ædwin. Oldalf coughed nervously but then Ædwin smiled and indicated the man should sit. The knight from Bridgwater obliged, wondering about the enigmatic man to his right. It was said that Master Ædwin was the best swordsman in all of Wessex and though the man did have a certain grace and balance in his movements, his shoulders were on the thin side and his wrists were so small that Oldalf would not have thought him to be good with the blade. The four chatted amiably for a time, all waiting for the first birds to be ready and Oldalf grew more confused by Ædwin. He did not have the temperament of someone truly gifted with the sword. It was Oldalf’s experience that a man who was truly deadly in the art of killing was usually a boastful, arrogant braggart, and tried to be as offensive as possible, in short a bully. Sir Helmstan, who also carried a fearsome reputation with the sword, fit the description perfectly, but Ædwin was friendly, quick to smile and laugh, and overly polite to everyone. The man was truly a surprise and a bit of a dandy, but pleasant enough.
“Lady Ellyn,” Gospatrick said with a genuine smile, happy to be with her once again. If the truth be told, he’d spent most of the morning waiting on her, while trying to appear like he didn’t care. Ædwin, of course, was not fooled, but indulged his friend, and was truly relieved when the girl finally made an appearance. Perhaps now they could all enjoy the day. Gos was worrying him. He was truly smitten this time, though from his own perspective the young lady did not quite share his enthusiasm.
But Ædwin’s attention was not wholly on the two lovebirds and their social sparring. He was consumed with a different kind of sparring, the fighting kind. Later this afternoon he had a date with a Sergeant Sadao, who was said to be the master of arms among the Americans. These strange men had captured his heart and soul as simply as the Lady Ellyn had captured the heart of his friend. As a rule, Ædwin refrained from passing judgment on an opponent’s abilities until they were personally put to the test. It was a good rule and had kept him from underestimating any opponent and quite probably kept him alive. But despite his convictions he was truly enthusiastic about the coming confrontation. Now, in the intimate embrace of battle, he would discover the true worth of this man and perhaps the true worth of all the Americans.
He was looking forward to this afternoon eagerly. He knew of this Sadao. He was not the largest of the Americans but Ædwin took the time to study him closely as he went about his duties. The man moved like a fighting man, like a swordsman, but he had yet to see any of the Americans carry a sword, let alone fight with one. It would be very interesting, but he was confident in the outcome, after all he was the best, the very best. Over the years his innate skill had actually grown into something of a curse. Time after time his opponents were a disappointment, never living up to the promise or the challenge. In the end it got so he avoided duels altogether, feeling the mystery of another’s skill was better than the harsh reality of disillusionment. He had no true rivals, no matter the high esteem Sir Helmstan held for his own abilities. Now he would see how these Americans fought…and how they handled defeat. Hopefully they would push him to his limits.
“Here they go,” Sir Gospatrick said as the awning was pulled down and Sir Wulfhere finally removed the hood from his bird. The tent was removed because hawking was a 360 degree event and the crowd needed full visibility to enjoy it. Gospatrick scooted closer to the Lady Ellyn but their legs were not actually touching so she forced herself not to move away. She felt quite ashamed that she’d ignored the man since his return from battle; after all she did enjoy his company even if his attentions often made her uncomfortable.
They sat beneath the glare of the sun, and waited until finally Sir Wulfhere turned loose his falcon. People clapped as the graceful bird took to the sky and quickly flew higher and higher, until it was just a small dot circling over their heads. The bird circled for several long minutes and still nothing happened.
“What’s going to happen,” Rice finally asked Sir Oldalf.
Oldalf smiled, happy to show his knowledge to his new friends, who knew so much, about so many things.
“The falcon will wait above until dogs and men have flushed some waterfowl from the far grassy brook,” he explained, and Rice could make out a group of men and dogs, greyhounds by the look of them, working their way along the bank of the brook.
“They should make a scare soon,” Gospatrick added from behind them, and within minutes three ducks took to the air, one flying away from the crowd while two bolted directly over their heads. The short winged birds flew very straight and very fast. Rice, Peebles and the rest of the crowd turned their gaze upward but the falcon was already in her dive, dropping from the sky at an incredible speed. Even so, the spectators were forced to turn about as the action passed over their heads. The falcon hit the unlucky duck with a puff of feathers, and the two birds tumbled to the ground only about two hundred feet beyond them. The crowd cheered quietly, expr
essing their pleasure without alarming the jittery birds that were impatiently waiting their turn. A handler loosened a dog and it bolted off through the crowd, running swiftly to secure the duck. The falcon eyed the approaching beast menacingly but jumped aside at the last moment. Sir Wulfhere whistled as the greyhound trotted happily back to his master and the falcon took to the air. The bird flew no more than a few feet off the ground and glided directly over the Lady Ellyn’s head. She giggled and clapped delightedly as it gracefully landed back on Sir Wulfhere’s waiting right arm.
The Ealdorman crooned to his bird and sprinkled it lightly with water from his mouth to calm it from the excitement of the hunt, and within minutes he had his prize possession hooded so another bird could be let loose. This time it was a hawk, a much larger bird, belonging to Sir Guthlac of Surrey, and the wait was not nearly as long for the bird only flew up and perched high in a nearby tree. Once the hawk was in position a large, fat rabbit was set loose from its wicker cage. The frightened animal tore away from the nearby men and dogs, smelling freedom. The hawk immediately launched into the air with a shrill cry and quickly dove lower, flying fast after the running animal. The hawk flew low, somehow following the rabbit as it twisted one way and then the other. How the bird ever followed the winding path was a mystery but it closed on the animal as if a string connected the two. Then just as the bird was about to sink its claws into its prey, the rabbit stopped on a dime and turned to the right, and the hawk missed. But instead of landing the hawk did a complete loop in midair and this time hit the rabbit squarely behind the head. It struck the animal almost directly in front of the Lady Ealhswith’s group. The trapped animal gave a single terrified scream and then fell silent. The bird looked nervously about when the crowd broke into a enthusiastic but relatively quiet applause, then it ignored its surroundings and began to tear at its meal; the hawk’s sharp beak making quick work of the rabbit carcass.
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