Outlaw (Aelfraed) Read Free Page B

little later and meet you at Topcliffe.”
    “What if I am asked where I am going?”
    “You are still the Queen.   Tell them that you are unhappy with the accommodation and are going to visit your brother in Mercia.  You would have to head west for a while anyway. Ridley you can leave now and warn Osbert and Gytha of our arrival.” He smiled wryly, “I dare say I will be in trouble with Gytha and Sarah for not giving them enough warning but…”
    Grinning to Aethelward and bowing to the Queen, Ridley said, “I will smooth your passage my lord and I thank the gods that I am not entangled with a women yet.” Suddenly worried about what he had said he mumbled, “No offence your majesty,” and backed out of the room as quickly as he could.
    “I like Ridley.  He is an honest man.”
    “Yes majesty and there are many more like him in the north although many fine men died at Fulford and Stamford Bridge. There are still enough to resist the Normans.”
    “Thank you Aelfraed, I know, and I hope that I am not endangering your family by my presence.”
    “Since the King died we are all in danger and doing nothing will not save us.   I fear the nights will get darker before they lighten.”
    When the cook arrived and was asked to eat the fish stew he looked confused but dipped the spoon into the deadly concoction.   Aethelward stopped him from eating it. “I do not understand my lord?”
    “I am sorry for the test but the fish stew was poisoned and we hadtoknow if others were involved.”
    “Impossible I cooked the stew myself and handed it to Egbert…” he suddenly saw the pool of blood on the floor.   “Oh!”
    “Did Egbert have any friends amongst the other servants?”
    “No my lord he was a loner but I never suspected him of this.  Your majesty I am so sorry.”
    Her beatific smile lit up the room.   “It was just one bad apple. I am sorry we had to test you this way.”
    “Well at least we can assume that he was alone and it will take some time for Edith to discover that her plot has failed.”
    While the Queen went to organise her departure Aethelward and I went to find the Jew he spoke of. The Jewish quarter was shunned by the Christian element of the city but those who were of Danish origin treated these foreigners well.  Christians did, of course, visit the Jews, normally when they needed money. Aethelward had used Reuben of Jorvik before when he had first returned north and Reuben managed my uncle’s money, for a small fee, of course. The Jews kept to themselves and did not advertise their religion but, as we were visiting his home we saw that he was indeed a truly religious man and wore the dress of a Jew.  I felt it a shame that he could not do so in the street for then he would have been reviled.  He was tolerated as a necessary evil, in many people’s minds, but I found him to be a courteous gentleman with a mind as sharp as any.
    “Welcome Lord Aethelward. It has been some time since you graced my establishment.”
    He bowed slightly and my uncle held his arm to include me.  “This is my nephew Lord Aelfraed of Topcliffe.”
    The blue eyes were a little rheumy but they lit up at the mention of my name. “Aelfraed of Topcliffe! I am honoured to meet and serve you   for all in Jorvik know that it was you and your bravery which saved our people at Fulford. How may I be of service?”
    Aethelward nodded at me and I began to speak. “Sir, you know that we live in parlous times and when the Normans get around to visiting us in the north then who knows what will become of us.”
    “True, true.  Wise for one so young.”
    “I would have what little monies I have accrued to be safe and my uncle assures me that you have always looked after his money wisely and securely.   I would you do the same for me.”
    “Even if you were not the nephew of Lord Aethelward I would agree to serve you   for I know from your deeds that you are honourable and I am touched that you would honour me