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  “No, Fótr. Sir Edward comes with us but the others stay. Each have their own reasons. Sir Richard is the one I understand the least for his nephew is in England. He is his only living relative and I would not be parted from Alfred for the world. Before I leave I must speak with him privately.”

  The arrangement I had made with the bastion and the three castles was that they would tell their lord and he would send the names of those who wished to travel with me with his squire. I confess that I was filled with trepidation when I sat in my hall. Father Abelard had agreed to act as my clerk and he would write down the names of those who would come. We had barely sat down when what seemed like all of my men entered. As the parchment was filled I felt humbled. When the hall was emptied I said, “Father Abelard, four squires will come to add names to the list.”

  He nodded, “Lord, you have not asked me yet, if I wish to follow.”

  I looked at him in surprise. “You would come?”

  He smiled, “I have ambitions too, lord, just as any of your warriors. If I stay here I will be Father James’ assistant. You have no priest and besides, I would see England. I have read much about the times of the Romans. If you would have me then I would follow.”

  “Then you are my priest and welcome!”

  As I stepped outside some of my more senior warriors were waiting for me. None had been in the hall. I looked at them: Robert of La Flèche, Hamlin the archer, Griff Jameson’ Tom Robertson, Rafe and Tom son of Tom. I smiled, “You are here to tell me why you stay. You have no need to.”

  Griff nodded, “I know, lord, but we owe you an answer. For Tom Robertson and for me we were born in this land. Our mothers, aunts and uncles live here too. As much as we wish to follow you to the land where our sires of old were born our feet are embedded in this land.”

  I nodded.

  Tom son of Tom said, “And we have all families now. I have land which I till. My wife is from Angers and she does not wish to go to a cold and wet land like England.”

  I held up my hand, “I understand and I am honoured that you have been torn.” I patted my breast, “All of you will be in here.”

  There were no more words for we were men and could not trust ourselves. Having spoken to Father Abelard I realised that I had others with whom I needed to speak. Geoffrey was like Griff and the others. He wished to follow but he had ties. I was pleased that I had made the offer. I went to the town and summoned the council. They needed to know my decision. There was a mixture of relief at not having to fight King Phillip and genuine regret that I was leaving.

  Alain of La Flèche stood, “I speak for all the council when I say that you have been a strong lord and we will miss you. When your ship comes here to trade know that our special relationship will continue. We will not forget you.”

  By late afternoon Father Abelard had his list. Thirty of my men at arms would come with me and thirty-five archers. The whole of the garrison from Saint-Jean-de-la-Motte followed Sir Edward’s lead and chose my path. As I had expected few from La Lude chose to come. Until Alfred grew Sir William was as close to a son as I had and I took it as a compliment that they chose to stay with him. There would be enough men to garrison La Flèche and Bazouges but the Bastion would only be able to have a night watch.

  My wife had also spoken with her ladies and some of those who worked as servants. Eight wished to come with us. When Henry of Stockton arrived the next morning, we had a list of the number of ships we would need.

  “And when would you need them lord?”

  “I will stay until I have spoken with King Phillip but there is no reason why our goods should not be loaded and our horses can be gathered at the quay ready for loading.”

  “Then I will see the captains.” He smiled. “We barely have enough ships.” He looked up at me, “And the coin will be paid when we reach England?”

  I shook my head, “No Henry. We will do this properly. See Father Abelard and he will give you the coin you require.”

  “Father Abelard?”

  “Until we get to England he has agreed to act as my steward.”

  At noon the next day I was surprised to see wagons and men heading from the north. It was Sir Edward. When he was sighted I left the keep and headed for the town gate. He dismounted in the square. “Is there trouble? You have left your castle.”

  He smiled, “I did not think you would wish me to fight with King Phillip. He comes south with his army. I was ready packed when my scouts saw him.” He smiled. “I left my gates closed. It will give him something to ponder.”

  I pointed to the ships. “Your men can load your goods on the ships and your horses. You are the first here and you can be the first to board.”

  “What if King Phillip does not agree to your proposal?”

  “Then we take to the walls and have a glorious end! You had better send a ferry for Sir Richard. He will need to be in attendance and send a rider to Sir Henry and Sir William.”

  After warning my wife that we would soon have royal guests I went to my tower and saw the French army as it snaked its way down the road from Saint-Jean-de-la-Motte. As soon as they took the western road I went with Fótr and ten men at arms to the town’s west gate. We stood outside the gate as King Phillip and William des Roches appeared at the head of their army. There had to be more than two thousand men.

  King Phillip frowned and looked at William des Roches. “What is this Sir Thomas? You asked me to bring the King and I have done so. Now you bar our passage!”

  I shook my head. “No, lord, I am here to escort the King and his senior lords to my Great Hall. My town is small and this army would fill the folk with fear.” I smiled, “That is all.”

  The King frowned and then dismounted. Smiling he said, “You have a stiff neck Sir Thomas but you are a strong leader. Had your King John been made of such stuff then things might have gone differently. Lead on.” He looked up at Ridley the Giant. “I can see that I will be able to walk in the shade!”

  As we walked through the town I saw my people bowing to their new lord. It appeared to please the King. I also saw him taking in the defences. We walked through my gate and headed towards my keep.

  “I can see why this was so hard to take. When my lords told me that it was a rock I wondered for Chateau Galliard fell to me and my men but La Flèche remained a thorn.”

  My wife greeted us at the door to the hall and led us inside. Food and drink were laid out and servants were ready to serve. I waited until King Phillip and William des Roches were seated before I joined them. Water was provided for the King to wash his hands. Father Abelard came and blessed the food and drink. When the servants poured the wine, the King looked pointedly at me. I smiled and drank, “Your Majesty does me a disservice. I have never killed a man I did not face with a sword in my hand.”

  William des Roches shook his head, “You really do steer your own course, Sir Thomas!”

  The King drank and said, “I apologise for my mistrust but after the death of Duke Arthur at the hands of your King John I began to wonder at the motives of Englishmen.”

  I nodded, “And after the attempts on my life by Templars and hired assassins you can understand my mistrust of French Kings.”

  King Phillip flashed me an angry look and then turned it into a smile and nodded. “We will never be friends.”

  “No and that is why I will leave this land, with your permission.”

  “And if I do not grant you permission.?”

  “Then this beautiful manor will be covered in the blood of many of your men and all of mine for I will never bow the knee to you.”

  I saw the shock on the faces of his lords. Only the King and William des Roches appeared unsurprised, “Then what do you propose?”

  At that moment Sir Richard entered. “Three of my knights do not wish to leave this land. This is one of them, Sir Richard of East Harlsey. I would have him as lord of La Flèche. He is a good knight and he will bow the knee to you.”

  I saw the King look at William
des Roches who nodded. “I will speak with your knight after you have departed. If his answers satisfy me then I may well accede to your request.” He smiled. “It sounds so much better than demand. This is good wine. Now that this is my manor I can enjoy a better cellar. Now what about the other castles?”

  “The three of them did not exist before we came. The one you have passed is empty and is my gift to you!”

  He laughed, “You give me what I could take. Very generous.”

  I smiled, “We could have burned it but we did not. La Lude and Bazouges also have lords who would serve you. Both are doughty warriors and would keep this land safe for you.” I lowered my voice. “There are many rebellious barons in this land. I can assure you, lord, that if my knights swear an oath to you, they will keep it.”

  Sir Henry arrived. “This is another of your knights?”

  “It is.”

  “And the last will be on his way?”

  “Even as we speak.”

  “Then, in principle I agree to your proposal. When I have spoken with my knights you may return.” He nodded, “I am guessing you have ships to load!”

  I rose. “I have and I am pleased that we did not have to fight. It would have been a pity if royal blood had been spilled.”

  He laughed, “Defiant to the end. I pray that all my knights defend their land with your fervour Sir Thomas!”

  The Trials of the Sea

  Chapter 8

  My three knights all met with the King’s approval. They were all good knights but I am certain that William des Roches’ word and support helped. His new title was seneschal of Angers, Loudun, Saumur, Brissac, Beaufort, and ‘all the land of Anjou’ at the King's pleasure. My knights swore oaths of fealty as did the town council. I was not present. King Phillip sent me from my own hall. I was not certain why. Part of me thought it a cruel act but another part wondered if William des Roches had thought it might be easier for me. It mattered not for I had much to do.

  I was selfish. I had my family and my horses Dragon and Skuld aboard ‘Swan of Stockton’. Fótr’s two horses were also loaded aboard. We had most of the treasure and the precious items Margaret could not live without. Her ladies boarded with us. I would take no servants. I knew that there would be many in England whom I could hire. I spread my men at arms and archers amongst all of the ships. I had ten archers and four men at arms with me.

  I was on the quay when King Phillip and his knights emerged. He walked over to speak with me. “It has been an interesting experience, Sir Thomas but I pray that our paths never cross again. I am not certain who would come off best.” He nodded to his seneschal, “You have a fine advocate here. You owe him much.”

  William des Roches shook his head, “No, Majesty, I owe Sir Thomas more than I could ever pay and he did something I could not. He remained faithful to a cause even when it was obvious to all that it was lost. That is a rare trait. King John had best look to his laurels. Once Sir Thomas gets his teeth into a problem he does not let go.”

  I clasped his hand, “I know not about that, my lord, but I have enjoyed our friendship and despite the war that will come twixt our lands I hope that we can remain friends.”

  King Phillip shot me a sudden glance, “Are you prescient or do you have spies at my court?”

  I laughed as I shook my head, “Neither, Your Majesty. It is just that there are two bulls in the field and there is room for but one.”

  As they headed for the gate King Phillip looked confused and William said, “I shall miss you Thomas!”

  It was dark when we finished loading and low water. We would have to leave at high water which was during the middle of the night. In many ways it was better. I would be able to slip away and not see my home disappear. I had not thought that I would end my days there but I had thought to have seen my son grow a little more in this Angevin sanctuary. We ate our last meal in the hall. My knights and their families joined us. Lady Marguerite and my wife wept much. They had both travelled from the Baltic with me. They had endured much together.

  As they wept at some other memory they had shared I said, “My ship will still call here. I have negotiated good deals with the wine merchants and when I have worked out what we can send back there will be a healthy trade. I invite you both to visit.” I spread an arm around the table. “I invite you all.”

  I turned to Sir Richard and led him to one side as the good humour returned, “What I cannot understand, Sir Richard is why you did not wish to return to be with your nephew.”

  He emptied the goblet of wine, “That was the hardest decision I ever had to make. I fear the death of my son had the biggest influence. He lies in the graveyard. It gives me comfort that I can be with him. However, there is another reason. I feared that his uncle’s sins would return to haunt him.”

  “Sins? You were the victim of the Sherriff and King John.”

  He shook his head, “Ralph believes that his father was innocent of treason. He was not and neither was I. We plotted with other barons against the King. We were betrayed. If I return then your parchment will not help me and, worse, it may condemn Ralph. I love him like a son. This is the best outcome. I can try to live up to your high standards and you, I know, will guide Ralph and make him a better knight than his uncle. You can trust me with your manor, lord.”

  “I never doubted it and now that you have spoken from your heart then I understand your decision better. I hope that we never have to fight each other.”

  “Why should we lord?” He looked confused.

  “While William des Roches is seneschal then there is no reason you should but if your liege lord ordered you to war against England you would have no choice.”

  “War with England?”

  “King Phillip is ambitious and he has defeated King John and gained all that King Henry ruled. He will not be content with just that. He will see a new empire and it will include England, Wales and Ireland.”

  “I pray it will not come to that lord. I would not like to fight against my homeland and you.”

  Despite my hopes that we would leave quietly more people came down to the quay than I expected. All of my merchants were there. Alain of La Flèche had told me that they admired the way I had sacrificed myself for the good of the town and they would never forget me. My knights too and their families were tearful. When we sailed west it was unlikely that they would ever see me again. They would talk of visiting but they would not.

  “Cast off Captain Henry!” Now that the time had come I was keen to leave quickly. Long goodbyes were not part of me.

  I put one arm around my wife who held Rebekah in her arms and waved goodbye to my home. For my wife and many of my people it was as though we were going to a foreign country.

  We slipped through Angers just before dawn. The river was swift and the winds favoured us. The rest of my people were asleep. My wife and our children had the captain’s cabin. He had rigged a second hanging bed for Alfred and he thought it wonderful. Despite her misgivings my wife soon slept and the babe was as safe in the canvas as in her cot in La Flèche. I stood with Fótr and watched Anjou and then Brittany slip by.

  “How long to reach Whorlton, lord?”

  “I confess I do not know. I must speak with the captain when we are at sea. It could take more than half a month to reach the north east coast of England but it is not as simple as that. Whorlton is many miles from the sea. We have three choices. We can land at York and travel north. That is not a long journey but we would have to speak with the Sherriff of York and I would avoid that if we could. Whitby is not far away but the journey would be hard for the ladies. Then there is Stockton.”

  “You wish to land there, lord?”

  “I wish to land there. However, I would not put my aunt and her husband in jeopardy. Captain Henry will know better than I.” I looked at my squire as he yawned. “You need not stay awake just for me. I cannot sleep and I have much to think on.”

  “Thank you, lord. I am tired.” With that he curled up in a b
all in the corner of the deck and was soon asleep.

  He was right. If I could then I would land at Stockton. I wanted to see my aunt and to learn as much as I could before I headed south. The letters she had sent were highlights only. There was more I needed to know. We had too many people for such a small manor as Whorlton. I would not put Sir Ralph out. I had enough treasure to buy a manor. Of course, once I spent my coin, I would not be able to easily replace it. England was at peace. I had warriors I needed to pay and no wars to pay them.

  Captain Henry had slept while we were in the river but as we passed Nantes in the third hour of the day the first mate awoke him. I listened to the interchange. “Are the other ships keeping station?”

  “Aye captain, the lantern at the stern helped. We made good time for the river was high and the winds favoured us.”

  “Have a good sleep.”

  As the mate went below I left the gunwale. “Could I speak with you, Captain Henry?”

  “Aye, just let me look at the compass.” He went to the tiller and looked down. Seemingly satisfied he looked to the north and the south. “Good, Jack has kept us in the right channel. What can I do for you my lord?”

  “I asked you to take me to England. Where should I land? I ask your advice for you know my homeland better than I. I have spent too many years beyond her borders. I value your words.”

  “You wish to travel to Whorlton?” I nodded. “Then Stockton would be the port I would choose.”

  “Will that not put my aunt in danger?”

  “She is a tough lady, although her husband was ill on our last visit but the Bishop of Durham does not bother with Stockton. All of his trade goes through Hartness. I am one of the few ships who ply the Tees. It takes longer to reach the sea than it does from La Flèche! There are too many twists and turns in the river.” I laughed at the look on Henry’s face. “The port is not what it was in my father’s time. The Scots have more interest in it than either the Bishop or the Sherriff. People have been leaving as trade dries up. I am the only ship which regularly puts in at the port. Your coin, spent there, would help the people.”