Warlord of the North (4 page)

We rose before dawn and went down to the river. It was a misty morning and we could not see the northern bank.  Some of Sir Edward's men were in the woods close by the river felling trees for the second ferry.  I had all of the archers from Thornaby and Yarm as well as the remaining men at arms and Sir Richard. There were just forty of us. "Harold, take us across and drop us."

"My lord! The Scots!"

I smiled, "The Scots will believe the rumour that I am dead and that Sir Edward is no threat for he was ambushed and wounded.  From what I have been told they are an arrow flight from the walls.  Land us as close to the walls as you can manage. If we see heavy forces then we will return to Thornaby but if we have the chance then I will rejoin my men and Sir Edward will wait for news. You will need to watch for my signal."

"Aye my lord."

As we made our way across the Tees, hidden from view by the thick fog which blanketed us Sir Richard said, quietly, "Is this wise, my lord?"

"I know not Sir Richard but it is the right military decision.  Up until now everyone has danced to Gospatric's tune.  All have done as he expected.  He will not expect this." I turned to the others.  I guessed we were half way across.  "Silence until I speak."

They nodded and drew their weapons. I saw the grey shape of Stockton castle appear before us. I began to hear voices to our right.  It was the Scottish camp coming to life. I had four of the best archers we had at the bow of the ferry and they had arrows knocked.  We peered into the gloom for targets. As I had expected they had two sentries on the jetty. I could smell their fire and the meat cooking on it.  They had their backs to us. When I nodded, four arrows sped towards them and they fell.  I heard a shout from my right and then the murmur of voices continued.  It was not  the cry of alarm. As we closed with the shore I saw indistinct figures to my right.  They would be out of bow range. That meant they would be well over a hundred paces from us. The ferry nudged gently into the wooden jetty and I heard a question shouted, "Angus, what goes on?"

I leapt ashore followed by Alan, Sir Richard, his squire and six of his men at arms.  I pointed to the castle and waved the others towards it.

"Angus!"

The ten of us locked shields. The last of our men left the ferry and Harold began to pull in the rope which we had tethered to the southern bank.  Others, under Sir Edward's supervision would be pulling Harold back to safety. I said quietly, "Walk backwards towards the walls."

Walking through the fog which clung to the ground was weird. All that we could see, in the distance, was ghostly shadows moving around the Scottish camp by the river.  I had no doubt that someone was investigating where Angus had got to but so far the alarm had not been given.  That would not last. Sir Richard's men had fought with me before and, like their master, they were as dependable as any. We were ten paces from the dead sentries when the bodies were discovered.

We heard the voices, somewhat muffled by the fog, "Treachery! Sound the alarm.  We are under attack!"

I smiled.  The shout did more to add confusion rather than to present a threat to us. I could not see the men, just their shadows and we continued to move back.

"You four, search close to the castle!"

"What about those damned archers?"

"Fool! They can see nothing!"

I hissed, "Ready but keep moving back!"

The four men sent to find us came at us cautiously with swords before them.  They wore no mail; even in the murk I could see that.  We were looking for them but they were scanning the skies for the arrows which never came. When they did see us it came as a shock. "We have them my lord! Here hard by the castle!"

I knew we were closing with the drawbridge for the ground began to rise. The four came at us without any conviction.  There were ten of us and all wore mail. We kept moving up the ramp.  I wondered if the rest of my men had been granted entry to the castle.  I had heard nothing but then the fog muffled all sound.

I heard the sound of metal on metal before us and a knight appeared behind the four scouts.  He had many men at arms with him. "There are only a handful.  At them!"

It was like running into a stone wall when they hurtled at me and my men. Our shields took the blows and we rammed our blades hard at the soft spots.  Only a few had armour.  Those fell quickly and we moved back leaving those pursuing us to fall over their fallen comrades.  The Scottish knight took charge, "Shield wall behind me!"

We kept moving and I felt the wood beneath my feet.  The drawbridge was down. I stopped, "Behind Sir Richard and me!" The drawbridge was only wide enough for four men and I knew that the ditch would be filled not only with water from the river but deadly stakes which would kill and maim any who fell within.

The Scots came at us and I stepped further back.

"The gate is open! Charge!"

It was what Dick and my archers within the walls were waiting for.  A hail of arrows plunged down at such close range that mail afforded little protection. The knight and the first ten men fell with arrows sticking from them as though they were hedgehogs.  We continued our retreat.  Some hardy, perhaps even foolhardy, Scots thought the tempting target of the open gate was too much and a handful raced towards us. Two managed to evade the arrows by using their shields above their heads.  They could not avoid our swords as they tore them open. The others vanished into the mist and we turned to walk into my castle.

When I stepped into the bailey a tumultuous cheer erupted all around.  I saw that many of the townsfolk were within my walls. Wulfric and John, my castellan, strode over to me with huge grins on their faces.  "I told them you were not dead, my lord! I knew it in my heart!"

"Thank you for holding out."

Wulfric snorted, "We could have chased them hence.  They are a poorly led rabble."

Behind him I saw  Sir Tristan and Sir Harold.  Sir Richard ran to embrace his son.

"Come, let us go to my hall.  I have much to impart and there are decisions which need to be made. Ask Father  Henry to join us. Much of what I say will concern him too."

It was reassuring to see my walls still standing and my people looking so elated. As we entered my hall Alice, my housekeeper, burst into tears and kissed the hem of my surcoat, "My lord, our prayers have been answered."

"Rise Alice! It is good to be home. Fetch us some warmed ale to the Great Hall." I saw John my Steward and said, "Come with us John.  You need to know the situation too. Dick, Wulfric join us."

Once in the hall I took off my helmet and sat at my table.  The others took their places around me. I waited until Alice had brought the refreshments before I spoke. "You know that the King is dead?" They nodded.  "He was murdered but the assassin is dead too." I took a drink of the ale.  "Stephen of Blois is, even now, in London claiming King Henry's throne." I let that sink in.  The ones in the castle knew naught of that. I watched their faces for it meant different things to different people. What I would say next would be even more momentous.

"I will not swear allegiance to Stephen even if he is anointed in Westminster Abbey." That had an effect. I saw Father Henry make the sign of the cross. John, my Steward frowned; he saw his livelihood being removed.  We would be rebels. His father had been a moneyer; they served the lawful king. My knights saw war before them and the risk of losing their manors. If they sided with me they gambled.  Stephen, if he became King, would not view such disloyalty well. I would not hide my plans from them.  If they followed me it would be because they knew the reality.  This was not a romantic tale; this would be brutal civil war.

"I will stay here in Stockton and I will fight to keep this valley safe from the Scots and others who would destroy what we have built.  When that is done, " I paused, "I will take the fight to Stephen.  I will not rest until either King Henry's wishes have been observed and either Empress Matilda or Henry rule or... I am dead.  I will not break my oath."  Surprisingly it was just Wulfric and Dick who did not seem put out by my words.  Their faces remained impassive throughout.

"I have gathered you here for, with the exception of Sir Geoffrey and Sir Hugh of Gainford, you are the last of the valley knights.  I do not doubt that Sir Hugh Manningham will have roused those knights north of the wall, but until I speak with the Bishop of Durham we are in God's hands." I saw Father Henry nod. "I release everyone of you in this room from any oath you have taken. I will speak with the people of Stockton when this threat is gone and tell them the same. If you leave there will be no hard feelings.  Each of  you must look into his own heart and decide what to do.  I cannot do that for you."

I stood, "I will not stand here to wait for the decisions you might make.  I will go to my chambers and prepare for war.  Regardless of what you decide know this.  By tomorrow this Scottish threat will be gone from our gates. When they are gone and if we survive then tell me what is in your mind and, more importantly, your hearts."

I really wanted to go to my church and speak with my dead wife. Although the church was inside the walls of the town I needed to walk those walls and, when the fog had lifted, see where the enemy was and where we could attack.

I went to the east gate which overlooked the river. I received smiles and welcomes from my sentries. I was afforded space.  Erre, my Varangian Guard, stood with his fellows on the gate wall. "Good to see you, my lord. Now we can send these barbarians back where they belong."

"How are they disposed?" I needed to know where the knights were camped. If we could destroy them then the battle would be over.

He pointed to the river.  "There is a camp here with about sixty men." He chuckled, "There are fewer already. Dick and his archers have thinned their ranks. The main camp is north of here.  That is where they have their knights. I fear they took Norton.  They hurled the heads of Sir Henry and his men at arms at our walls. They have yet to try to breach the walls but we have heard them building siege engines. They will attack the town walls." He pointed, "Sir John placed men at arms there.  We are the only ones here. The other sentries are archers. Perhaps they will hurry their preparations now that they know you are here."

"Perhaps. The women and children?"

"Sir John and Wulfric brought them within your walls.  It is their men who guard the walls of the town.  The Scots tried to attack the gate when they first came but they were repulsed."

"Good. Tonight we attack here and kill these close by the river.  Sir Edward has reinforcements ready to join us."

"Men at arms, my lord?"

"No but we need just numbers here."

I descended and walked over to the town gate. I spied Aiden and waved him over. "I have a task for you."

"Good my lord, I like not being confined."

"Tonight we will clear the river of our enemies.  I want you to slip out and scout out the road to Durham.  I would know where the Scots have a hold. Do not risk yourself and I care not how long it takes but I need to know what we face."

"I could slip out now, my lord."

"And you might get caught.  Tonight will suffice. As soon as we attack the men by the river then you slip out by the west gate." 

I left by the town gate. My town was eerily empty.  The only ones within were on the walls. Had I led the Scots then I would have attacked already.  The walls of my town were only founded on stone.  The palisade was largely wood.  Perhaps the ditch had defeated them. I climbed the walls to stand on the north gate. I joined Edgar and Wilfred. "Good to see you, my lord!"

"Have the Scots showed any sign of attacking today?"

Edgar pointed to the small rise on the Norton road.  "They are building a ram and a mangonel. They had to go to Hartburn for the wood.  When you arrived this morning there was confusion in their camp.  Men came from the river and their leaders gathered to discuss it."

"Do you think they know it is me who has returned?"

"I do not know. Perhaps they thought it was just reinforcements."

"Tonight we clear them from the river.  I will have you all replaced by archers so that you may rest."

"Good we have taken enough of their insults."

Wilfred said, as he pointed into the ditch, "They are not resolute my lord.  See how few fell to their deaths in the ditch.  They lost but fifteen. Your townsfolk are tough and they fight well.  Alf your smith wields a mighty war hammer."

I saw him speaking with his sons. "I will speak with you all later.  I have much to tell you."

Alf beamed when I saw him. "There, I told you that Wulfric was correct and it was a lie that our lord had perished.  Go to the walls and spread the word!" His sons ran off to tell the others who had not left the walls since I had returned.

"It is good to see you, Alf."

"And you, lord."

Although I had said I would speak with the townspeople after we had cleared the Scots I owed it to Alf to speak with him first.  He was the leader of the town and as good a friend as I could wish for despite his low birth.  I told him, word for word, what I had said in my Great Hall.  He took it as Wulfric and Dick had, stoically.

"I know not this Stephen of Blois and he may well be a good man but I know that you are a man of honour.  Stockton would have nothing without you.  We stand by you e'en though that makes us rebels and traitors."