Warlord of the North Read Free Page A

will not like that, my lord."
    "I care not.  They will be warmer there than we will.  The horses will ensure that. See if you can light a fire in the brazier." A brazier, cold and empty, stood in the corner. It was little enough but its glow would give the illusion of warmth.
    Alan's two sons helped to get a fire going in the Great Hall and Alan's wife, Ann, brought in mulled ale to warm us up. Despite Gilles' warnings my men at arms seemed happy enough. Alan came to me.  "Is all satisfactory, my lord?"
    "It is.  There are few of us.  I would be honoured if your family would eat with us. I have been away from England for some months and I would know what goes on."
    "It is we who would be honoured, my lord.  We have all heard of the exploits of the Earl of Cleveland, King Henry's Champion and Knight of the Empress."
    "Good." A sudden thought came to me.  "Where do you and your family sleep?"
    "We have a hut by the stable." He hesitated, "But I confess when the weather is as it is now we sleep here in the Great Hall."
    "Good, then do so this night."
    The food was well cooked.  Norman food tasted different from that in England.  I know not if it was my palate, having been brought up in the east, which allowed me to differentiate but I could. Mistress Ann presented fine fare which was well seasoned with herbs.  The lack of pepper and spices showed me that Ralph of Osmotherley was not a rich knight. My men at arms were silent but the conversation around our end of the table was lively as Alan and his family told me of the effects of living without a lord.  Their wariness was explained by the fact that brigands and bands of Scottish raiders plagued the dale. Many farms had been destroyed and the people enslaved. The Archbishop had been looking to heaven when he should have looked closer to home.
    By the end of the meal I knew more than I had before we had sat down to eat.  There was worry, not about the next ruler of England, but the threat from the north. That was the people's priority.  A ruler, no matter who it was, would tax them but the Sots would burn, plunder and enslave. When Gilles and I retired I had a mind filled with questions and worries.  I had an even bigger job than I had anticipated.
    There had been no wine and I had had too much ale.  I was not drunk but I needed to relieve myself. It was cold as I stepped from the furs under which I was sleeping and made my way to the pot in which I would relieve myself. The cold woke me.  The noise of my water woke Gilles. "My lord?"
    "Go back to sleep, Gilles.  I needed to make water."
    "And now I need to, my lord."
    When I finished I went to the brazier and put on another log. The flames began to lick at the season wood and soon I felt a rush of heat. Perhaps the call of nature would, in the long run, keep us warmer. Gilles was just crawling beneath his fur when I heard a creak on the stairs. I am a warrior and I have senses which others do not have.  I felt the hairs on my neck prickle and Alan's words of Scottish raiders and brigands came to mind.  I drew my sword and hissed, "Gilles, arm yourself."
    As he did so I took out my dagger too and moved towards the door. It was suddenly thrown open and two of my men at arms led by Abelard stood there with drawn weapons. Before I could speak Abelard had thrust his sword at my middle.  I wore no mail and he did. I deflected the blade with my own sword and my dagger darted forward to pierce his throat. Warm blood spurted over my hand. I could hear the sounds of combat in the Great Hall but I had two enemies before me.
    "Gilles, behind me!"
    The two men at arms were no fools and they moved so that they could attack me from two sides at once. My lack of armour gave them the advantage. Kurt, who was on my left, stabbed at me first.  I used my dagger to block his sword and then took the offensive.  I did not wait for Stephan to attack my right.  As I blocked Kurt's sword I stepped forward and spun to bring my sword