Chapter 1 #4
Alex shrugged. “We had a few skirmishes with Henry’s knights, but the ranks of Henry’s soldiers dwindled each day as the king gained ground with Normandy’s nobles.
The last of the major supporters for Henry’s cause fell when William persuaded Hugh de Avranches, the Earl of Chester, to cross to his side.
” Always one to calculate the course that was to his advantage, Alex was not surprised when Earl Hugh had decided in favor of William’s greater power and wealth.
“With the earl’s defection, others quickly followed, swearing allegiance to William. ”
“ ’Tis unfortunate Hugh felt he must fight for Henry and all to the good he is back in William’s fold,” said Alex’s father.
Rory leaned forward. “Alex will not tell you but he displayed great skill, so much so the men are now calling him the Black Wolf.”
Alex stared into his ale. As proud as he was of having the favor of the king and the other knights and as much as he had wanted Merewyn to notice, his accomplishments dwindled to the ordinary when he compared them to those of his great father.
But when he looked up, he was pleased to see the pride in his father’s face.
Guy chimed in, “The siege ended when Henry’s men cried thirst and Duke Robert had water delivered to them.”
The Lord of Talisand laughed. “ ’Tis no surprise. Pliable, weak Robert would hardly allow his younger brother to perish of thirst.”
“Those were nearly the duke’s words when the king erupted in anger,” Alex said with a smile. “William accused his brother of keeping a good store of enemies by giving them meat and drink. His face turned crimson and he began to stutter. For a moment, I thought he might run Robert through.”
His father seemed to consider the possibility. “The two have come to blows more than once.”
“Days later,” Alex said, “Henry sued for an honorable surrender and his brothers granted it, pleased to see the back of him, I think.”
Maugris asked, “Is William satisfied with his foray into Normandy?”
Alex took another drink of his ale. “Yea, I suppose. And Robert is with him, but the king came back to England earlier than expected.”
His father raised his brows and Alex answered the unspoken question.
“Word reached the king in Normandy that Malcolm, the King of Scots, had marched into England to besiege New Castle upon Tyne. William now prepares for war, gathering his army to march north. He will call a meeting of his barons soon. Will you go?”
“One does not refuse the king,” said his father. “But your mother will not be happy to hear William Rufus has set his eyes upon Scotland. Your Uncle Steinar rides with King Malcolm.”
“An uncle I have never met,” Alex reminded him.
“Well, he has the same violet eyes and fair hair as your mother. And the same temper when aroused. Were you to encounter him, you would know the two are siblings.”
“I will keep that in mind should I meet him on the battlefield.” The possibility sent a shudder through him. The last thing Alex needed was to slay his mother’s much beloved brother.
His father stared into his wine, his forehead furrowed. “I wonder why the King of Scots picked this time to invade England…”
“Well, for one, William was away in Normandy,” Alex offered, “but there is also the matter of Edgar AEtheling, the brother of Malcolm’s queen. He has been living in Normandy where he gained lands from Duke Robert. He was at the treaty signing in Caen.”
His father’s dark brows drew together. “You believe he is the reason Malcolm attacked New Castle?”
“I do. As a part of the agreement between William and Robert, Edgar was expelled from the duke’s court. He left Normandy an angry man. With his brother-in-law a king, one does not have to wonder where he went.”
“Scotland, of course,” said Alex’s father, shaking his head.
Maugris turned his goblet in his hand. “So, the Conqueror’s son fears the AEtheling as did his father.”
“Likely so,” said Alex. “The king still has many enemies and Edgar, now in his fourth decade and a seasoned knight, would make a powerful ally of Robert’s, especially if Malcolm were to aid them with his army.”
“And then there are the Welsh,” interjected Rory. “The king was none too pleased to hear of trouble on the border with Wales.”
“We know of William’s problems there,” said the Lord of Talisand. “It was Rhodri’s anticipation of war that caused him to send Merewyn home.”
Merewyn. The girl with the beautiful eyes, now a woman, who dressed as a bowman.
The last time he was home, she was still in Wales.
He expected her to return, but he had not imagined she would do so looking like one of Rhodri’s archers.
“The king has not been successful against the Welsh,” he told his father, “and I cannot see him risking more of his men in that wild place when he gathers an army to fight Malcolm. The quarrelsome Scots fight like brawlers in a tavern but the Welsh fight like foxes at night in a chicken pen. You will see their feathered shafts in your dead, but you will never see the foxes.”
Alex looked up to see his mother, Lady Serena, gliding toward them, elegant and beautiful. Her gown was silk, the same color as her eyes, and her flaxen hair neatly plaited.
Her face lit with excitement as she approached. “You are home!”
Alex rose and bowed. “I would offer you an embrace, but I still bear the dust of my travels.”
“A kiss of greeting will do,” she said, presenting her cheek.
He gave her the requested kiss as his two friends stood and bowed.
The Lord of Talisand rose from his seat to stand by his lady, kissing her on the forehead. “How go the preparations for the celebration, my love?”
“Well enough, though Maggie is having a time of it in the kitchens.” With a smile for Alex’s companions, she said, “Cassie and Emma will be glad to see you both. Your mothers have been anxiously awaiting your return. Your sisters, Rory, and yours, Guy, will be joining all of Talisand to welcome you home tonight. And tomorrow, there will be contests of strength and games so do not drown in your ale.”
Alex did not mind his mother’s chiding, which had always been tempered with love for him and his brothers.
After traipsing all over Normandy with the king who fought his own brothers, Alex was glad he and his three brothers were friends, which reminded him he had not seen Raoul or Roger anywhere.
“Tibby greeted me when we arrived but where are Raoul and Roger?”
“Raoul is away on Talisand business with Sir Alain and some of the house knights,” his father informed him.
“Now that your brother has his spurs, there is no holding him here, so I have set him a task. Roger is serving his namesake, the Earl of Shrewsbury. Once Roger is knighted, I expect he will be as eager to serve the king as Raoul.”
“What was Tibby doing when you left him?” his mother asked.
“Off to the stables.”
“By now, he has probably found some trouble,” his mother put in.
Glancing at Rory, she added, “He follows your younger sister, Cecily, wherever she leads. The two were chasing chickens with Aethel’s son, Ancel, the last time I saw them.
But as long as the three mischievous imps are out of Maggie’s way and her strawberry tarts are safe, ’tis best.”
“Is my mother about?” asked Rory.
“Cassie is in the kitchens with your grandmother. Maggie has no doubt told her of your arrival but they are deep in flour, kneading dough for the bread ovens and watching closely the servants so they take care in turning the roasting spits. I will tell her you have gone with Alex and Guy to wash off the dirt.”
Alex got to his feet. “Come, lads, let us test the waters of the Lune and scare a few trout.”