King Henry's Champion

by Griff Hosker

  “Aye, my lord.”

  I entered the dimly lit tavern. None of those within looked to be anything other than rogues and vagabonds. I saw the five men we sought. They sat at the back. I held up the seal of the Earl of Gloucester and said loudly, “I am Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland and I am here on the Earl of Gloucester’s business.” I held up the seal. “I command you all to obey me!”

  The five men suddenly stood. Three of them raced towards the back. The knight, for I could see now that he was a knight, and the other man drew their swords. I think they thought we would run through them to get their fleeing companions. The knight shouted, in Norman, “This time you will not escape!”

  He lunged at me with his sword. I not only had fast hands I had quick reactions too. I swivelled out of the way of his blade and swung my mailed fist at him. He fell and was dazed. His companion raised his sword as he tried to take my unprotected head. Wulfric swung his axe and hacked through to the man’s spine. His body juddered as he died. Roger stamped his foot on the knight’s hand as he reached for his sword. I heard the bones in his fingers crack.

  Wulfric growled, “Now if anyone else wishes to try his hand then come forward now!” The other thieves and vagabonds shrank back into the shadows.

  John and Brian entered from the back. They were wiping blood from their blades. “They died, my lord, sorry. There were three of them and just two of us. We could not afford to be gentle.”

  “It matters not. We have the one we sought. Search them and then dispose of the bodies in the river. Where are their bags?” The landlord hesitated, “I can have you taken before the King if you wish. This man is an enemy to England. Are you?”

  “No my lord.” He turned to a boy, “Alan, bring their bags.”

  When the servant ran off the knight flashed a look of pure hatred at the landlord. “You were paid for your silence!”

  Wulfric backhanded him across the face, drawing blood. “You speak when we say!” The servant arrived with two leather satchels. John and Brian took them.

  I smiled at the landlord who stood looking at the bloody mess in the middle of his tavern. “Next time I would choose my customers a little more carefully, landlord.” I turned to Roger, “Fetch the prisoner.”

  By the time we were outside Edward was there. “It was a ship from Flanders which was waiting at the quay. We spoke to the captain. He seemed a little nervous. As we headed here we saw him departing down river.” He saw the knight for the first time, “Your ship has sailed and you are stuck here.”

  “Bind his hands and bring him along.”

  Roger roughly tied his hands. It must have caused him great pain for Roger was not gentle and he had broken fingers in his right hand. Roger tied the rope to his cantle and with John and Edward watching him we headed back to the Earl’s hall.

  The Earl awaited us at his gate. I handed him his seal. “Was he alone?”

  “He is now!”

  “Let us take him somewhere quiet so that we may speak with him.”

  “Wulfric, Roger, bring him along. The rest of you, stable the horses and I will join you presently.”

  The Earl and his sergeant at arms, Egbert, led us to a cellar. There were shackles on the wall and I guessed that this was not the first time that it had been put this use. Egbert fitted the shackles. I saw that the knight’s right hand was turning black. It must have been agony for him and yet his face showed nothing.

  “What is your name?”

  The man remained silent.

  “What is your country?”

  He said nothing. I remembered his words spoken to me in the tavern, “He had a French accent, my lord, and the men of Sherwood said he was French.”

  “So a Frenchmen comes to England to try to kill one of my nobles.” The Earl nodded, “I thought the French had some honour. Obviously you do not. Interesting. Egbert, fetch the irons.”

  He disappeared. Wulfric said, “I can beat the answers from him, my lord.”

  The Earl smiled, “I think not. This man is tough. He can endure pain. We will soon discover just how much pain.” Egbert arrived with various metal implements and was followed by two men at arms carrying a brazier. “Egbert here is something of an artist when it comes to extracting information. Many Welshmen have died cursing him.” He turned conspiratorially to me. “We always leave the tongue until last. It makes confession easier.”He said that for the benefit of the bound man.

  Egbert put a long poker into the fire and fanned the flames to make it hotter. He turned to me, “Which one, my lord?”

  “Which what?”

  “Which eye will he lose first, the left or the right?”

  I neither liked nor approved of torture but we needed this information. Until we knew who were our enemies we could not plan to stop them. We were operating in the dark. I nodded, “Right!”

  “Good choice, my lord. Wulfric and Roger would you hold his head still. I have known men who try to end their pain by forcing the poker into their brain. That is too quick an end.” My two men at arms held his head and his shoulders so that he could not move. I saw sweat dripping from the knight’s face. He closed his eyes and Egbert laughed, “I have seen men do that too. The poker can burn through the eyelid just as easily.” He took out the poker and seemed satisfied with its colour. He walked towards the knight.

  “Well sir knight, before you lose your right eye would you answer the questions?” The Earl’s voice seemed both calm and reasonable. He neither shouted nor ranted.

  In answer the assassin spat. The phlegm hit Egbert who seemed unconcerned. The poker went close to the knight’s face. He must have felt the heat. Egbert touched the flesh with the tip of the red hot poker and I could smell the burning. Then there was a hiss as it burned away the eye completely. The knight was brave and said not a word. Egbert nodded, “A challenge my lord! This is a tough man. He bears pain stoically.”

  The knight opened his left eye and I could see the hatred in it. His right was a blackened hole which smoked.

  Egbert spent the next hour applying his various implements to the knight’s body. He was skilled for he moved from body part to body part. The whole of the knight’s body must have been in agony. I thought he had failed but when the knight could not control his bladder I knew that Egbert had won.

  When he spoke it came out as a weary sob. “I am Sir Guy de Senonche. End my life now I beg of you.”

  “This is just the start, Sir Guy.” The Earl nodded his thanks to Egbert who stood back a little allowing the Earl to get closer to him. “Who is your paymaster?”

  There was the slightest hesitation and then, I think realising that he had nothing left to lose he began to speak. “The King of France hired me.”

  “To do what?”

  “To kill the Earl.”

  I was now intrigued. Why kill me?

  The Earl was interested too, “Why the Earl?”

  “Each time there is rebellion in the north the Earl manages to thwart the King’s allies.”

  I had a question, “And how did you discover where to ambush us?”

  Having been broken it was though a dam had been broken and nothing could stop the torrent of information which he spilled. “There is a spy in York.”

  “His name?”

  He smiled through broken teeth and a bleeding lip, “I never met him. I did not risk being seen in York. The man who met him now lies in two halves in the inn. Your giant killed the man who could have told you.” He seemed to think that was funny but his attempt to laugh just caused him more pain. “I swear I know no more. Kill me now. My job was to kill you. I failed. Now you can kill me and I will be at peace.”

  The Earl looked at me and I shrugged. I could not see what other information we could get. “So be it. Egbert.”

  Egbert had been anticipating the order and he had moved behind the Frenchman. He drew his dagger across his throat.

  “So you were right about the traitor in York. Perhaps we will use this code which the Archbishop is crea
ting. Thank you Egbert. Come Alfraed, I have an appetite now.”

  Before we left I said, “Let us examine the body first my lord, we may learn something.”

  “You may do so. I have delayed my supper too long as it is.”

  It was a gory task but a necessary one and Wulfric and I searched the clothes of the dead assassin. I saw that his body was white and that the dark skin was where he was burned by the sun. He had been in the Holy Land too. “Roger, go and fetch his baggage. Let us search that too.”

  Wulfric took off the belt. It was a well made leather belt and it had a lining. He found a slit and, using his dagger, widened it. Four of the golden coins we had seen before dropped out and, more importantly, a seal. Wulfric dipped it in the dead man’s blood and then made a mark on the man’s white chest. It was a griffin. He looked at me. “Could this be the knight I saw at Berwick?”

  “You saw him; what do you say?”

  He shook his head. “The knight I saw was younger. He would have been of an age with Sir Tristan.”

  Roger came in with the bags. We found little of interest until Roger cut open the bottom and found a secret compartment just like the belt. There were ten more gold coins and ten silver ones. There was also a bag with powder. Wulfric opened it and sniffed it. He held it from him as though it was a poisonous snake.

  “What is it?”

  “Wolfsbane. It is poison!”

  I knew of this. It was used by some Greek tribes to tip their arrows. It meant even wounded men died. Assassins used it to kill for it was often taken for a stomach upset. Death was always inevitable and occurred two to five hours after being taken. The man had been a dangerous assassin. The Earl had been right to torture him. Now I regretted not opening the baggage first. We would have had better questions. How had they intended to use the poison?

  Part 2

  Poison and Murder

  Chapter 10

  We took our information to the King the next morning. He was more than a little concerned. It took the shine off the previous day which had done all that the King had planned. English knights had been victorious and they had been led by his son. It made a statement to all who might have considered rebellion. This news that King Louis was still plotting and had killers in England was disturbing.

  “We must organise the swearing of an oath from our Barons to young Henry. They are all here in London but you, Alfraed, must get to York and discover this snake in the grass. You and Baron Thornaby shall swear allegiance here before you leave.” I nodded. He looked at his son, “You had best see the Bishop and then send the summons to my knights. Most are here for the tourney in any case.”

  “What of the ones who cannot be present?” His son knew that some would deliberately stay away.

  “It matters not. It is the fact that I have ordered the oath of allegiance which is important. It makes it clear who is to rule when I am gone. And when the ceremony is over I would have you sail north to Stockton. I want you and the Earl of Cleveland to visit with King David. I cannot accuse him of supporting the rebels but I want a warning sending to him that we will enter Scottish lands to punish Gospatric should they continue their attacks.”

  “Have we the men to invade Scotland?”

  “The Earl here has proved that a small number of well led knights can defeat those who live north of the border. I do not wish to begin a war in the north but if I have to I will. I now have an heir. I want the kingdom safe and secure.” We both bowed. We had received a royal edict. “Fetch Baron Thornaby immediately and I will inform my daughter. We will hold the ceremony in St.Peter’s Chapel.”

  I had much to do and we hurried back to the Earl’s hall. “I hope our visit works Alfraed. I fear a war in the north would encourage the Welsh again. I like not my absence from the marches. We two are the human walls which keep our enemies from our gates.”

  “Will it work, do you think? Will King David listen?”

  “He is not totally secure with his throne. Remember it was my father who enabled him to acquire the throne. If we had not supported him then he would not be king. I will remind him of that. And from what you say he is still engaged in a war to the north where he tries to subjugate that part of his realm.”

  As we entered I shouted my men over. They were in the courtyard practising with weapons. “I want us ready to ride north. Sir Edward, come with me!”

  I explained all to Edward as we galloped back through London to the Tower. We waited in the chapel of St.Peter ad Vincula. It was peaceful in the small royal chapel. I had not even had one day to enjoy my victory. I had hoped to spend time here in London but it seemed my lot in life was to serve. John and Alice’s list of supplies we needed would have to wait.

  The chapel was lit as the door opened and the King entered followed by Matilda, Geoffrey and young Henry. A priest hurried behind. I saw the look of confusion on Count Geoffrey’s face. He had obviously not been told of the plot. The King stood before us and nodded to Matilda. She held the sleeping babe in her arms. She held him out. Edward and I knew what to do. We dropped to our knees.

  “Do you swear that you will do all in your power to ensure that Henry son of Matilda and Geoffrey of Anjou, attains the throne of England upon my death?”

  “We so swear.”

  “Then rise for you are both true knights of England.”

  As I rose the young Henry opened his eyes and seeing my face close to his, gurgled and giggled. Others might have said wind but the look of joy on Matilda’s face told me that she had seen it too and she too felt its import. The moment lasted but a heartbeat but lived with me for a lifetime. The bond was strengthened by a baby’s smile

  I turned to the Empress’ husband. “I fear, Count Geoffrey, that I will have to postpone my visit to your home until next year. The King here has tasked me.”

  Count Geoffrey smiled and nodded, “You seem to have a most interesting life in the far north.”

  “No more than you, Count Geoffrey.”

  The King said, “You have no time to waste, Cleveland. You should know by next spring if you have been successful. Then you can visit me in Rouen and thereafter travel to Anjou.”

  As I bowed I saw the look of joy in the Empress’ eyes. Our fates were still intertwined. We turned and left the chapel. I saw the King kneeling at the altar. We had sworn our allegiance and now he was asking God for his support too. As I stepped into the sunlight I saw Rolf and the Swabians there. They clapped us on the back. “That was as fine a display of jousting yesterday as I have ever seen. Your skills are growing. Shall we see you before we return home?”

  I shook my head. “I have been tasked with a mission to Scotland but next spring I travel to Anjou. The Count would have my advice on the tourney.”

  “And that is good news. You take care, Alfraed.”

  I leaned in and said quietly, “And you take care too. We have news that King Louis plots still but now he uses assassins.”

  “Thank you for the warning. We are ever vigilant.”

  Our journey north was frenetic. I was keen to reach the Archbishop. We had suspicions before and now we had proof. I told Wulfric and Edward of our mission. “It will only be me who is needed for this embassy north. I would have the two of you stay in the valley. We need to weed out any other traitors.”

  “Other traitors, my lord? But surely the knights who follow you are beyond suspicion.”

  “I had thought so too but the presence of a spy in York and the names of those who would rise in rebellion make me suspicious. There is a De Brus at Guisborough. Is he of loyal part of the clan or the treacherous side? Sir Raymond was a true knight and I doubted not his loyalty but his son is young. What if he is being groomed to be the viper in the nest? We have much to do when we reach home and little will be honourable but we have to be certain of the loyalty of all.”

  I noticed my squires looking fearfully around them as we passed through the forest. I was not worried. Ridley had told us that there were now far fewer men living there now.
A combination of harsh winters, disease and the lords thereabouts exerting their power had driven them into the dark and furthest recesses. My son had seen much on this journey and learned much. I was glad that neither he nor my squires had had to witness the torture of the Frenchman. It had been necessary but I wished that I had not been there. The Earl’s coldness had worried me. Perhaps I was not strong enough to be an earl. I did not have the stomach for such things; necessary though they were.

  We were spied some way from York for it had fine high walls built by the Romans. The sentries were vigilant. One of the canons waited for us. “His Grace will see you and Sir Edward immediately.”

  Leaving Wulfric to organise the accommodation and horses we hurried off to the Archbishop’s quarters. The door was closed and we were alone with the prelate. Before we could speak he said, “I have found the traitor. He lies in a cell below us and he is guarded.”

  I was relieved. I told him of the attack in the forest and the subsequent events.

  “God watches over you, Earl Alfraed. I see his mighty hand in all of this. Come we will visit with this traitor now and see if his tongue has become loosened. The sight of you may make him more loquacious.” As we made our way to the cell he gave us more information. “It was my clerk, Abelard, who was the traitor. Once I knew that it was the letters which were intercepted I kept a close watch. I set a trap and found out that it was he. He denied it, of course, but I know that he is the guilty party. He was the son of a knight who went to the Holy Land. His mother did not train him as a knight; she indulged him. When his father died in Outremer the estate went to Abelard’s uncle. As he was no use as a knight he was sent here. I took him as a favour to his mother. It was a mistake. I know that now.”

  There were two armed guards outside the cell. “Go and have food. We will need an hour.”

  “Thank you, your Grace.”

  The Archbishop turned to me. “We need no word of this leaking out yet.” He took a key from his belt and opened the door. The cell had a straw pallet for a bed. There was nothing else inside, not even a light. The man who cowered before us shielded his eyes from the rush brand Sir Edward carried. It meant he could not see who had entered. Edward placed the brand in the holder. We stood and waited. “Rise Abelard in the presence of the man you would have had killed.” As he stood his eyes saw me and Sir Edward. He recognised our surcoats and he started. “Is it like seeing ghosts, Abelard? You can now see that your plots have failed.” He nodded to me, “Earl.”