by Shel Pais
“I think you don’t have a choice. Take his offer, make your payments, maybe even more than two in six months, and perhaps then you will be in a better position to increase the loan. I will report to Basil you did your best, and there was no choice but to accept these terms at this time.”
Hubert sighed. He hated losing, and that is what he felt was happening. He was especially bitter a Jew was doing this to him.
They returned to Baruch. “I accept the terms as you described them. I hope that in six months you will be pleased with our progress and when I have kept my part, you will be open to a new negotiation.”
“I will have the documents prepared, and we must meet at the archa to have them formally recorded. I will let you know when all is ready.”
“I will await your summons.”
Baruch bowed slightly as usual and left. Hubert looked scornfully at Alwyn. “Hubert, what are you thinking about?”
“Nothing. I was hoping to obtain considerably more and this entire business would not be so difficult. Perhaps I have erred in insisting on doing business with this Baruch.”
“That may be so, but what is done is done, and since your requests were so large, there was not much choice.”
“I guess you’re right. However, I am not happy about this, and someday will rectify the situation.”
Three days later Hubert, accompanied by Alwyn, met Baruch at the office of Northampton’s archa. Two parchments had been prepared detailing the loan agreement. After Hubert and Baruch signed them, one copy was placed in the archa, and Baruch kept the other. The archa was required by the king to keep a record of all moneylending by the Jews. Jews could only live in towns with an archa. Upon completion, Baruch gave Hubert fifty pounds worth of silver coin. Hubert counted the money, examining each one to be sure none was clipped. Coin clipping was practiced by some, Jews and Gentiles alike, to shave off some of the silver, and was illegal. Those caught doing it were severely punished, and some even executed.
“Hubert, you can see all the coins are perfect. I am an honest man and would never coin clip,” Baruch stated, insulted Hubert would even consider that possibility.
“I meant no disrespect, Baruch. I was merely ensuring the transaction is totally to my satisfaction.”
“Very well. I will expect your first payment in three months as agreed.”
“As agreed.”
“My lord, Baron Henry de Percy approaches!” Cyrus excitedly exclaimed to Baron Geoffrey.
Geoffrey’s face exploded into a smile. “That’s excellent news. I always enjoy his company. Cyrus, inform Lady Catherine, and tell Theresa to prepare a special feast tonight.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Geoffrey hurried down to the castle’s main gate. Henry and his party were just crossing the drawbridge. Sir Walter greeted him with a bow.
“Welcome, Baron. What a nice surprise. What brings you to us?”
“Walter, my friend. So good to see you. I hope my unannounced visit will be permissible. Is Geoffrey here?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Henry saw Geoffrey running to greet him.
“Henry! Why didn’t you send word you were coming? I didn’t expect you.”
The two friends embraced. “I’m returning from a visit to London, and thought I would surprise you, and I did.”
They both laughed. “Come, I’ll secure quarters for your men.”
“First, I need tankards of ale. My throat is parched.”
“Cyrus, prepare ale for Henry and his men.”
“Bryce, I’m glad you’re here. Come help me fetch the ale.”
Bryce looked at Henry, who nodded his approval, and the two boys ran off. Sir Walter took care of Henry’s six men-at-arms while Geoffrey led Henry into the great hall. “Sit, my friend. Try my new chair.”
Henry sat in a very plush chair. “I think this is too comfortable. I may never get up.”
The pages soon arrived with two very large tankards filled to the top with ale. They were very careful not to spill even a drop. They put them on the table, bowed, and left the hall.
“So, Henry, what brought you to London without stopping here on the way? You must have been in a hurry.”
“I was. The king summoned me.”
“Why? And why only you?”
“Since de Montfort is dead and the Second Baron’s War over, he wanted me to reaffirm my loyalty to him. I don’t know why, as I was always loyal and sent men to fight de Montfort.”
“Was Edward present?”
“Yes, he was.”
“That’s why. Henry is weak, but Edward is dangerous, and I believe it was he who made you reaffirm your oath.”
“I think you’re right. When Henry dies and Edward becomes king, he’ll make it more difficult for all the barons.”
“Did you meet with anyone else in London?”
“Other than wenches?” They both laughed.
“I saw Bishop Basil. He asked me questions about my former priest, Father Alwyn.”
“What kind of questions?”
“He wanted to know if he could trust him.”
“Trust him? Why would he ask that? I hope you told him since they are all related and he’s Hubert’s cousin, he must be a swine as well.”
“He wouldn’t tell me, other than Alwyn is here with Abbot Hubert, as you know. I could not answer him definitively, as I don’t know him that well.”
Geoffrey took a long drink, finishing the entire tankard. “Cyrus, bring more ale,” he yelled. “I’ve avoided them since they got here last year.”
“So, you haven’t done anything revengeful?”
“My dear Henry, why would I do that?” Geoffrey said, laughing.
Cyrus and Bryce both returned with pitchers of ale, refilled their baron’s tankards, bowed and left.
“What else did Basil ask of you?”
“He wanted to know about the Jews.”
“The Jews? What about them?”
“Most specifically, he wanted to know about the moneylenders, how they worked, who the wealthiest in York are, and about any loans I made with them.”
“Aren’t there enough moneylenders in London? You know, I don’t trust him either, especially since he’s related somehow to that cur Hubert.”
“I have nothing to do with him. He isn’t my bishop.”
“Did the king say anything interesting to you?”
“Only that he was not happy with the Dictum of Kenilworth, even though peace has been restored and the rebels paid their fines to restore their forfeited lands. He did thank me for my loyalty.”
“I’m against rebellions. I’m glad Henry reaffirmed the Magna Carta, even if reluctantly, but I believe there are other ways to accomplish one’s objectives. I’m tired of war and seeing too many men die.”
“And yet it earned you your knighthood and title as baron.”
“True enough, Henry. I wasn’t high-born like you. I sometimes wonder why you’re my friend because of my commoner blood.”
They both laughed. “Come, Geoffrey, you know that doesn’t matter to me.”
The two friends chatted for a while and then retired for an afternoon nap. That evening Theresa prepared an exquisite feast for Henry and his men. After eating and drinking too much, they all retired for the night.
Henry stayed for three more days. Most of the time he and Geoffrey stayed drunk with a never-ending supply of ale. Finally, as the evening of the fourth day approached, Henry announced he must leave the following morning.
“I understand. It’s hard to be away for so long.”
“Tell me,” Henry said, “whatever happened with the dead forester, your cousin I believe? Did you ever find out what happened to him or what happened to the weapons?”
“I’m afraid not. The coroner couldn’t determine the cause of death, since there were absolutely no wounds, and the sheriff never discovered who took the weapons. Some thief in Salcey Forest, I suspect.”
“No doubt.”
“B
e careful, Henry. The thieves have become bolder lately.”
“I can handle them, especially with my men-at-arms. They would make short work of any thief or group of them.”
Father Alwyn returned from London after his latest visit to Bishop Basil. He was not looking forward to relaying the bishop’s message to Hubert. Alwyn was just following orders. He saw Hubert talking to Brother Dominic.
“Alwyn. You have returned.”
“Yes, Hubert. Just now.”
“Come. Tell me what Basil said.”
They went into Hubert’s room, and Hubert closed the door. “Well, was Basil pleased?”
Alwyn took a slow breath. “Hubert, I am sorry, but Basil was very unhappy with most of my report.”
“Unhappy? Why?”
“He said you never should have asked Baruch for fifteen hundred pounds. He is worried you frightened him, and now he will be too wary of loaning you a substantial sum. He also was displeased since now it will take you much longer to finalize the amounts. He did comment he was happy with how you are managing the brothers so far.”
Hubert was visibly upset. “Oh, he’s worried and displeased, is he? Let him negotiate his own loans. I did the best I could. He wanted a large loan, and that’s what I tried to get for him.” Hubert was almost fuming. “What else did our dear bishop tell you?”
“He’s willing to give you until next Easter to get him the money. If not, you’ll be replaced and he’ll see to it that you will be sent to an abbey in Wales.”
“Alwyn, he’s just using me. Very well. I’ll satisfy him. But mark my word, I will not forget this. He will owe me, and I will collect. When do you have to report back to him again?”
“Not until after Easter.”
“Humph. Very well. I’ll make sure that he gets what he wants. And I will as well.”
AVRAM ACCOMPANIED DAVID INTO THE forest, the first time he had done so in a while. David continually reassured him there was nothing to worry about. After all, he had been going to Salcey for more than a year, usually by himself, without even one incident. Avram remained unconvinced it was safe.
The two friends reached the area near the cave where David kept his weapons.
“Avram, this is as far as you should go.”
“David, you know I’ve watched you practice.”
“Yes, but you don’t know where my hiding place is, and I don’t want you to know.”
David had gone out only to practice his archery. He was not going to collect any herbs or plants for his father. Lately he had admitted he was losing interest in being an apothecary, although he was willing to collect plants for him. His father had told him he was not surprised, was grateful for David trying to learn the trade, and for any assistance.
Avram waited while David went to the cave to retrieve the bow and arrows. From the original dozen, he was now down to five. He knew he needed to replace some, but still did not know how.
As usual, David found the brush covering the cave exactly as he had left it. He carefully made his preparations, recovered the entrance, and returned to Avram.
“Your target looks like it’s seen better days,” Avram said.
The cloth David had used to make it showed evidence of numerous hits, with multiple holes almost everywhere, including the painted center.
“I know, but I just haven’t taken the time to replace it.”
“I have an old piece of cloth that will work. I’ll give it to you later.”
“Many thanks. It has to be better than this one.”
David set up the target and began shooting from a distance of about forty paces. His first shot just missed the center of the target.
“You’ve improved, David. You’ve become an archer.”
David smiled. “I hope so. I find it hard to compare me to the archers I’ve seen at the tournament, since I haven’t witnessed one for several years.”
“Perhaps you will soon. I wish you could compete against them.”
David sighed. “I do too. But how? Sometimes I wonder why I’ve spent all this time to become this skilled. I’m resolved I’ll just have to keep this secret and only practice in the forest until I run out of arrows.”
“What will you do when that happens?”
“I have no idea. I could try to buy some from an arrow maker, but how without him getting suspicious and possibly reporting me to the sheriff? It would no doubt take a considerable amount of money to keep him from doing that.”
“There must be a way. We’ll think of something when the time comes.”
He watched David continue practicing. Almost every arrow hit the target, and quite a few in the painted center. After a while, David sat down to rest with his friend. They both were leaning against a tree and had started to close their eyes when they heard some commotion. It sounded like it was coming from the road.
Baron Henry de Percy planned on rising early to begin his journey home to York soon after dawn. Baron Geoffrey had thrown a huge feast the night before to send his friend on his way. Unfortunately, both Henry and his six men-at-arms had all eaten and drunk way too much. Henry had slept later than he had planned but felt fine when he awoke. However, when he checked on his men, he had to throw buckets of cold water on them to get them up. They were not in the best condition, he noted, but he did not want to delay his departure.
Geoffrey found his friend preparing to leave. “Henry, your men are not very fit for travel. I’m worried they may not be able to keep up with you. Only you are on horseback, while they must walk. Make sure you stay close to them.”
“Don’t worry, my friend. Are you afraid I’ll be set upon by thieves and my men won’t be able to rescue me?”
“I just don’t want you traveling alone in Salcey. The thieves have become bolder, and I’m sure they’d be very happy to either rob you or hold you for ransom if they don’t kill you. Let me send some of my men with you, at least until you’re through the forest.”
“I appreciate your concern, but we’ll be fine. Even after being drunk, my men can fight.”
“I think you’re too optimistic, but very well. I’ll respect your wishes.”
The baron mounted his horse, and Bryce rode in the cart with one of the men-at-arms. Garth had taken ill and would stay behind. The other five would walk, taking turns driving the cart, even though Bryce insisted on driving it himself. Henry said goodbye to Geoffrey and Catherine, and Bryce bid farewell to Cyrus.
As the group left the castle and proceeded through Northampton, Henry kept getting ahead, but would slow or stop to allow the rest to catch up. When they reached Salcey Forest, Henry addressed his men. “Keep your eyes open and your weapons handy. Geoffrey said there are many outlaws in the forest. I’m sure we can fight off any that may dare to attack us, but let’s not be ambushed. We must be through the forest before dark. I don’t want to camp here.”
The men-at-arms were slowly returning to normal, Henry concluded, but they still were traveling slower than he liked. He kept looking around as his horse walked slowly on the narrow road that wound through Salcey. Everything was quiet, except for the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and the occasional duck, goose, and deer. Henry listened for any sounds of trouble but did not hear any. He started to daydream, thinking about returning to Eleanor and home. After a while, he did not notice he was far ahead of his men. When he did hear the sound of trouble, it was too late.
The three of them came from behind and his right and left without any warning. They pulled him off his horse and threw him onto the forest floor at the side of the road, a stone pushing into his back. He saw the three outlaws. One had a sword pointed against his throat.
“Well, look what we found,” the man with the sword said. He was filthy, dressed in old, torn breeches, a raggedy shirt, and a well-worn cap. “A rich baron, no doubt. And who might you be?”
Henry started to push the sword away from his throat. The other two outlaws, dressed in clothes even more filthy and torn than the first man, held out daggers and m
ade gestures indicating they were not afraid to use them.
“I am Baron Henry de Percy of York. Let me up. I’m traveling with men-at-arms right behind me.”
“Is that so?” said the first outlaw. “We’ve been watching them. They, along with the boy, stopped to rest way back a spell. The boy did not want to, but your men insisted. They said their brave baron could take care of himself.”
Good boy, Bryce, Henry thought. He has more brains than my idiot men do. I will deal with them later.
“I have almost no money on me. I’m traveling home after a long journey. Here, take my purse.” Henry threw it at the outlaw, who picked it up while still holding the sword near the baron’s throat. “Bullocks. He’s right,” he said to his companions. “There’s only a few pennies here.”
“What shall we do, Tom?” one of the other outlaws asked. “Hold him for ransom?”
“No, we can’t. His family will send soldiers to find us and rescue him. It’s too dangerous. We will just have to kill him and wait for the next traveler.”
“But he’s a baron, Tom. He’s rich.”
“Search him to see if he has anything else on him.”
The second outlaw searched Henry but found nothing of value.
“So, my lord,” the outlaw called Tom said, “it appears you can’t help us. Guy and Flynn. Kill him. Then we’ll throw him in the river.”
“Are you sure, Tom?” the one named Flynn asked.
Tom was becoming angry. “Don’t keep questioning me. Just do it.”
All of a sudden there was a swoosh of air, and an arrow landed right in Tom’s heart. Guy and Flynn turned to see where the arrow came from, and two more found their marks and both men dropped. Flynn was dead, an arrow through his left eye; Guy was severely wounded, an arrow in his stomach. Henry quickly got up, grabbed Tom’s sword, and ran Guy through. Then he looked around to see who had saved him and saw no one.
“Come out, my friends, come out. You saved me, and I want to thank you,” he called. Still no one came. Then he saw a young man carrying a bow work his way through the brush.
