by Shel Pais
“Leave England?” Ezra said. “To where? When our fathers and forefathers settled here, they did not know the language, and experienced many difficulties with the local population as well. Most of us do not speak French. We must stay here and make the best of it.”
Mordecai decided to speak up, even though he knew he was considered more of a guest than a member of the council.
“Gentlemen. We have all been through this before. Frankly, are we not all tired of it?”
“Of course,” Rabbi Tanchum said, “but what can we do? We must obey the king.”
“Must we? Why don’t we try to resist? To at least talk to him? To do something other than just take what is put upon us?”
“I agree, Mordecai, but it is unrealistic. We have no legal rights. We are the king’s possessions, to do with us as he pleases,” Moshe said.
“I know, and that makes me mad. Why do we put up with being treated like that?”
Rabbi Ezra stood. “Mordecai, while I understand your frustrations, we have no choice. We must not antagonize the king.”
“No choice? Why not? We are men just as they are. Just because we have a different religion does not make us lesser men.”
Everyone except Rabbi Ezra expressed his agreement.
“Mordecai, in the eyes of the Church, we are infidels. We are in a Christian country where we aren’t considered English. The populace considers us infidels. What options do we have? We don’t have our own country. Mordecai, you’re starting to sound like your son used to. By the way, where is your son? Have you heard from David?”
“I pray he’s well. He left to find his fortune. He did not want to live the way we are forced to.” A murmur rang through the group.
“Find his fortune? A Jew can’t do that. There are severe restrictions. If he’s discovered, it will only bring harm to us,” Joshua said.
“Bring harm to you, is that your concern? You are all weak. You are like sheep who cannot think for yourselves. I am ashamed to be one of you.”
Rabbi Ezra became incensed. “Mordecai, you are naïve, and you are not one of us. Henry instituted the Statute of Jewry against us seventeen years go. We could never get him to change his mind. I asked you to join us with the hope your insight might be helpful, but I now regret doing so. Your son was a troublemaker, and you are one as well.”
The anger rising in Mordecai could not be masked. “Very well. I will happily leave you. I don’t want to be associated with your decisions and lack of courage. You are fools. Nothing will change for our people unless we try to change it. Shalom.”
Mordecai stormed out, mumbling to himself his displeasure with these old men. No wonder our people are treated the way we are. David was right. I am sorry I did not tell him so. I pray I will have the opportunity to do so.
John de Oxenden had finished questioning everyone he could find who was supposed to have been at the tavern the night Ralph and Tom were killed. Most declared they had not seen or heard anything. The barmaid, however, remembered quite well the handsome young man-at-arms who had been talking to both men after his friends left. While she had never seen him before and did not know his name, she did say he had been with Sir Walter, whom she knew from his frequent patronage.
John thanked her and immediately went to the castle to talk to Sir Walter. He was disappointed to learn he had left with an entourage guarding Lady Alycia to London and would not be back for quite a while. He had a feeling the young man-at-arms could be the one he was looking for and wondered who he might be.
Alycia stared out the window of the small chamber she was assigned. It contained a bed, a table and chair, and a wardrobe for her clothes. Rose had given her some basic instructions on how a lady-in-waiting should act.
Ladies-in-waiting were generally girls of noble birth who were more companions to a queen than her attendants were. Rose helped Alycia dress into a new gown, light blue with floral decorations, for her first meeting with Queen Eleanor.
“Rose,” Alycia said, “why don’t you go in my place? I don’t want to be a lady-in-waiting.”
Rose looked at her incredulously. “My lady, I am but a poor servant girl, trying to earn my keep for my family. You are a baron’s daughter.”
“To me it’s a curse. Tell me, have you ever been in love?”
Rose looked at this attractive young lady. Rose herself was not unattractive. She was twenty-one, about five foot three, with a nice figure, brown hair, and smooth skin. She looked embarrassed at the question.
“Actually, I’m in love right now. He’s one of the men-at-arms. We hope to be married soon.”
“I’m happy for you. I can’t marry whom I want because of my birth. I would trade places with you, but then I would deny you your happiness.”
“Thank you, my lady. Is it Donald?”
“Yes, he saved my father’s life, and mine as well.”
“I hope you’ll find your happiness soon. You should know I heard the queen talk about your coming, and of some of the suitors she wanted to meet you.”
Alycia scowled. “I don’t want to meet any of them. I want to make my own happiness.”
“I understand. I’m sorry, but it seems as long as you are here, your destiny will be decided for you.”
Alycia nodded, a small tear forming under her left eye.
Queen Eleanor was forty-six years old and quite lovely, with dark brown hair and what Alycia thought were sensual eyes. Educated and a poet, she and Henry had four other children besides Edward—Margaret, Beatrice, Edmund, and Katherine, who died at the age of three in 1257. Alycia heard Eleanor still grieved for her. Rose led her into the queen’s drawing room, where she sat with three other ladies-in-waiting. Alycia approached her and bowed.
“Your Majesty,” Rose said, “this is Lady Alycia, Baron Henry de Percy’s daughter.”
“Thank you, Rose. You may go. Rise, my child, I want to look at you,” Eleanor commanded.
Alycia stood and faced her. “You are more beautiful than I was told. I should have no problem finding you a husband.”
“Your Majesty, you are very kind. May I make a request?”
“Certainly. What is it?”
“I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but may I return home?”
Eleanor looked surprised. “Return home? Why?”
“I don’t feel right here. I don’t think life at court is for me, and I want to choose my own husband.”
Eleanor laughed. “My dear girl, you do not understand how our world works. We live in a man’s world, and we of the nobility must do as we are told. You have only just arrived. I am sure after you are here awhile, you will get used to life here, and when you are married, you will be glad your father sent you to us. My husband is very grateful for your father’s loyalty, and we will honor his wishes.”
Alycia decided not to challenge the queen. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I wish to rest now. You all may go.”
Alycia and the other ladies-in-waiting, to whom Eleanor did not introduce Alycia, all left together. Outside the queen’s chamber, one of them stopped her. She was slightly overweight, with reddish hair.
“Alycia, I am Olivia, the daughter of Baron Gilbert of Cornwall. I’ve been here for almost a year. My father sent me here for the same reasons yours did, and I wanted to tell you I feel the same as you do.”
“The queen has not found you a husband yet?”
Olivia blushed, embarrassed at the question. “I am not beautiful as you or the other ladies-in-waiting. She introduced me to several suitors, but none has been interested, and frankly, none has interested me. To be honest, I’m in love with someone from home, but he’s not noble, and so my father refused his permission to marry me.”
“I’m in the same position. The man I want to marry is not noble, although I believe he will be knighted soon, and when he obtains lands and title, then I hope to marry him. But if I’m married off to someone else, my dreams will be shattered. Tell me, Olivia, have you ever thought about leaving here
?”
Olivia nodded, tears in her eyes. “Many times, but I don’t know how I could travel home. And even if I could, my father would merely bring me back. They probably would chain me up so I couldn’t do it again.”
“Perhaps your lover could come and get you, and the two of you could run away together?”
Olivia shook her head. “My father already thought of that and threatened to throw him in the dungeon forever if he tried. My father believed I’d be married soon after I arrived here. I’m still hopeful somehow he and I can be together.”
“My poor girl,” Alycia said, embracing Olivia. “I’ve learned we must try to make our own happiness. I don’t want anyone to make it for me.”
“Are you thinking of leaving? Don’t worry. I would never betray you. I wish I had the courage to leave. You don’t have to answer. I wish you luck if you do.”
“You are a warm, loving person, and I truly hope you do find your happiness. I’m glad we met, and if I can help you in any way, I will.”
“Thank you.”
Alycia returned to her chamber and summoned Rose to help her get out of the gown and into more comfortable clothes.
“My lady, did Queen Eleanor tell you about the ball?” Rose asked.
“No. What ball?”
“I heard other servants talking, that the king and queen are planning to hold a ball next week to introduce you to eligible suitors. Everyone believes you will be betrothed in no time.”
A sense of panic arose in Alycia. I cannot stay here, she thought. Somehow, I must leave immediately.
Hubert summoned Alwyn as soon as he returned from London. The entire way back, he thought of how or even if he should confront his traitorous cousin. Alwyn was expecting the worst, assuming Basil revealed what Alwyn had told him. He decided to let Hubert make the first move. To his surprise, the abbot was extremely friendly.
“Hello, Alwyn, it’s good to see you and be back. Anything happen while I was away?”
“Hubert,” Alwyn replied, “welcome back. No, nothing happened. I’ve been checking, but Baruch has still not returned.”
“Most unfortunate,” Hubert said. “I need to talk to him. Basil gave me three months to fulfill his orders. I need to get him back. I am going to prepare a letter, and I want you to go to York and deliver it to him.”
“Letter? What letter?”
“I am going to write him that his brother and his family have been arrested and taken to the castle dungeon. If I know Baruch, he will run back here to try to help them.”
“Yes, I’m sure he will. When do you want me to leave?”
“Tomorrow at first light. You remember where you will most likely find him?”
“At the home of Aaron, the moneylender.”
“Good. Go on horseback, take one of the monks with you, and return as soon as you have delivered it.”
Alwyn nodded and left, fuming again he had to be Hubert’s errand boy. He will pay me back for his treatment of me, he said to himself.
DAVID, SIR MICHAEL, SIR WALTER, Bryce, and the rest of the men were ready to leave. It was early morning, and the sun had not yet risen. The courtyard was still quite dark, so no one saw the petite, dark-clad figure sneak into the back of the carriage, raise the cover, and hide underneath it.
David wanted to get back to York as soon as he could. His goodbye to Alycia the night before had been brief, but painful for him. She begged him to take her with him, but he told her he could not. The king expects you here, and you cannot go against your father, he repeated. He wished her luck and happiness. He also told her he hoped whomever she married appreciated the wonderful woman he was getting. Her tears at their parting tugged at his heart, and he reminded himself again even if he is knighted he could never marry her without giving up his Judaism, which he would never do. He did not know where this masquerade would end, but he knew he could only marry a Jewish girl. There was no other way. He thought about how she had tried to kiss him, and how he reluctantly managed to push her away. Her image was in his mind and would always stay with him.
They left the castle grounds with Bryce driving the carriage, and headed through London’s narrow, dirty streets until they were out of the city. David looked back, again thinking about Alycia. What have you done to me, he asked himself.
After several hours they stopped to rest and eat at a small inn, leaving the carriage briefly unattended while they all went inside. Bryce was to get his food and then guard the carriage. No one saw the stowaway get out from her hiding place and run into the brush to relieve herself. She quickly returned, hungry and thirsty, but willing to wait until it would be too late to turn back.
After a while, everyone else returned. Bryce again was the driver, and they continued north. As darkness approached, David and Michael decided they should seek shelter for the night at an inn near St. Albans. The men-at-arms took care of their horses and those of David, Michael, and Walter. Bryce was assigned to feed the carriage horses and guard the carriage itself. David had Bryce’s meal brought out to him, while everyone else had supper inside. The weather was fair, and Bryce enjoyed his roast chicken while sitting on the driver’s bench. As he ate, he thought he heard stirring in the back of the carriage. Placing his plate down, he jumped onto the ground and walked to the carriage’s back. He slowly moved away the cloth.
“Bryce, please don’t say anything. Help me.”
“Lady Alycia. What are you doing here?”
“I just couldn’t stay in London any longer. I want to go home.”
Bryce was never comfortable in Alycia’s presence. He also was attracted to the baron’s daughter and did not know what he should do.
“Could you get me something to eat? I’m famished,” she asked him in a voice that was low but very sweet.
“I must report this to Donald.”
“No. You can’t. He’ll just return me to London. Please keep my secret,” she whispered.
Both of them failed to notice Sir Michael and Sir Walter had stepped out of the inn and heard Bryce speaking. Bryce quickly covered Alycia before either of them could see what he was doing.
“You must report what to Donald, Bryce?” Michael asked. He was holding a mug of ale he handed to the boy. “Here, I thought you might be thirsty.”
“Thank you, Sir Michael. I think one of the wheels is loose, and Donald should know about it.”
Michael checked all four wheels and pronounced them fine.
“I think you’re too tired, my friend,” Sir Walter said. “Go inside and get some sleep. I’ll get one of the men to watch the carriage.”
“Thank you, but I’m all right. I can stay on watch for a little longer. I’m still hungry, though.”
Walter went back inside the inn and brought out another plate of chicken, along with a large slice of bread. “Here. If you can wait a while, we’ll get some sleep and get relief for you later.”
The two knights disappeared inside the inn. Bryce uncovered the cloth, and handed the plate to Alycia. “Here, my lady.”
“Thank you, Bryce. I promise I will never tell anyone you knew I was hiding here.”
Alycia ate quickly, and Bryce took the plate from her. The night passed without incident, as Bryce was relieved and slept in the room with the rest of the men-at-arms. David, Michael, and Walter shared another room. After a light breakfast, they resumed their journey. Bryce tried not to turn around too much as he guided the carriage but found it difficult due to who he knew was in the back. Alycia did her best to be still, but it was becoming more difficult with each passing hour. She was getting quite stiff from being forced to stay in one position in the very uncomfortable back of the carriage. The several times they stopped to rest, she wanted to jump out from her hiding place. She feared if she did it too close to London, they would just turn around and take her right back.
At one of the rest stops, Bryce parked the carriage so the rear was hidden by some bushes. This enabled Alycia to quickly get out, relieve herself, and hurry back. Again,
no one saw or heard her.
There was one more night stop to make before they would reach Northampton. Not finding an inn, they stopped at a farmhouse, where they paid the farmer for a meal and a place to sleep in the barn. Donald felt it was not necessary for anyone to stand guard there. Bryce again was able to sneak some of his food to Alycia, and again in the middle of the night she snuck out since no one was watching. She suspected she probably would not be able to keep her secret much longer, and she was right.
David was up early the next morning, heading outside to freshen up at the well before anyone else was up. He poured a bucket of water over his head and decided to use a part of the cloth covering the back of the carriage as a towel. He pulled a section of it up and was stunned at what he saw.
“Alycia, what in God’s name are you doing here? Are you mad?”
She looked up at him with those striking eyes. “Donald, don’t be angry with me.”
“Get out! Of course, I’m angry with you. Do you have any idea what you’ve done? No doubt, the king has sent out men looking for you, and I’ll be held responsible. And what will your father say?”
Even though she had been hiding in the carriage for almost three days, David could not help noticing how pretty she still looked. As he kept looking at her, he started to wonder what Sir Michael and Sir Walter would say. He did not have to wait long to find out..
“By Lucifer, what’s going on?” Sir Michael said. “Donald, what have you done?”
“I just found her here. I swear I knew nothing about this.”
“This is all my doing,” Alycia said. “I hid in the back of the carriage. Donald just found me.”
“It’s been almost three days,” Walter said. “You must not have eaten anything. Bryce, get Alycia something to eat.”
While Bryce knew that was not true, he went into the farmhouse to get her something.
“I’m sorry if I caused any of you a problem, but I had to leave London, I just had to.”
