8.3.4
October 1028
Djuraby, Djuraby
To Eadweard the solar was stuffy and unwelcoming. It felt sterile, empty and unlived in which it was. The king sat at the table looking out the window at the wisps of autumn clouds floating in the morning sky taking sips of wine from the goblet he held. The room and the castle surrounding it were his as Count of Djuraby. His discomfort, however, came from this being only his second visit to the castle. A servant brought a pitcher of wine and sat on the table next to Eadweard. The king indicated to the servant he was no longer needed. The servant bowed and left.
A few moments later Ealdwine entered with a bishop. Eadweard looked at his squire who bowed and announced, “Sire, Bishop Wistan of Burton to see you.”
Eadweard grinned at Ealdwine and said, “Thank you. You are dismissed.”
Ealdwine bowed and walked out of the room leaving Wistan with the king. Eadweard looked over the bishop. In Eadwead’s absence from the county Wistan was the regent. From all the king heard and understood the bishop was an efficient and honest administrator. Lately, however, there were persistent whispering of the bishop embracing the Cathar heresy.
Wistan bowed, “I trust, Your Highness slept well.”
Eadweard indicated that Wistan should sit at the table. As the bishop sat Eadweard replied, “I had a restless sleep. The bed felt as if I was sleeping on was made of rocks.”
Wistan looked at Eadweard, “I am sorry to hear that. I shall have someone look at the bed.”
Eadweard offered wine which the bishop accepted. The bishop raised his cup in a toast, “I wish to offer my congratulations on the marriage of your sister Wulfwaru to Ingemar Diogues. I wish them a long marriage with many children.”
Eadweard raised his goblet returning the toast, “Thank you, bishop.”
Wistan finished his sip and asked, “Is Ingemar not a son of King Diogo III of Galicia?”
Eadweard completed his sip and nodded, “He is. He is second in line to the crown of Galicia.”
Wistan smiled, “Having the King of Galicia as a brother-in-law could prove to be very fortuitous.”
Eadweard smiled, “We have thought so too. That is why we did not break the betrothal made by her mother when Wulfwaru dwelt with Crístina in Mide.”
Wistan nodded, “A wise decision, Sire.”
Eadweard sat back in the chair, “It will give us leverage against Ælfgar in a future conflict. We may even be able to bring Galicia into such a conflict on our side.”
Wistan finished his wine and placed the goblet on the table, “The war goes well?”
Eadweard still holding his goblet in his lap responded, “Yes it does.”
Wistan filled his goblet, “We had a concern when Bishop Ealdmund of Lincoln laid siege to Evensham down in Worcester. It was a great relief when the Ulsterian Dathgus mac Cummascach leading his countrymen and some local Jorvikian troops defeated Ealdmund at Droitwich.”
Eadweard took a drink and placed the goblet on the table, “Now that Gainsborough and finally Burgh have fallen, I am told the war will be over soon.”
Wistan smirked as he took a sip of wine, “You sound like you not believe.”
Eadweard looked at the bishop, “I have been told many lies by people who wish to see me fail. I take nothing as a truth until I see it happen.”
Wistan nodded, “I understand, Sire. There are always those who put their wants and needs before those of the kingdom.”
Eadweard refilled his goblet and took a sip from it, “They will all receive their just punishments one day.”
Wistan placed his goblet on the table and leaned toward the king, “As you have mentioned punishments have you examined the case, I requested your assistance?”
Eadweard smirk as he drank from his goblet, “You refer to the girl charged with witchcraft.”
Wistan nodded, “Yes, Sire.”
Eadweard looked at Wistan, “Are these cases generally not the jurisdiction of the church?”
Wistan looked at the king, “Yes they are except in cases involving powerful witchcraft such as this.”
Eadweard shrugged his shoulders, “She caused some crops to fail, some animals to be born still or with abnormalities. What is unusual about?”
Wistan was shocked, “Your Highness does not recall the gravest offenses?”
Eadweard who had not read the case at all now worried his lapse might be discovered replied, “I have had so much on my mind lately I have forgotten them.”
Seeing the shock on the bishop’s face he continued, “The war has been very stressful. And there is now the bad business going on between Countess Mildrith of Gloucester and her liege Jarl Wulfhelm of Gwynedd. Mildrith is threatening to revolt against Wulfhelm to replace him with his younger brother, Count Hlothere of Shrewsbury.”
Wistan recomposed himself, “I understand, Sire. The burdens of being king are great.”
Eadweard smiled, “Would you be kind enough to refresh my memory.”
Enthusiastically Wistan replied, “Of course, Sire. She caused the still birth of several of her neighbors’ babies and in two other cases caused babies to be born deformed. Mercifully the babies were called to God not long after their births.”
Shocked Eadweard responded, “I see. I assume she was questioned and tried fairly.”
Wistan shook his head, “There was no need for a trail, Sire, as she confessed fully.”
Eadweard raised an eyebrow, “Her sentence?”
Wistan replied bluntly, “Death.”
Eadweard looked questioningly at Wistan, “Then by all means hang her. It is well within the law for cases of witchcraft such as this you may do so.”
Wistan took a long drink and responded, “Normally we would have done so but due to the severity of the spells she cast burning at the stake is required.”
Still confused Eadweard said, “Why do you involve me? It is a matter for the church.”
Wistan looked at Eadweard, “The laws of Djuraby state only the Count of Djuraby can sentence someone to death by burning at the stake. You are Count of Djuraby and therefore must pass judgement.”
Not wanting to be bothered with this affair Eadweard said, “You are my regent and as such speak in my name.”
Wistan shook his head, “Regrettably the law is very clear and states that only the Count of Djuraby not a regent can pass this sentence.”
Just wanting this matter to go away Eadweard said, “Then I shall. Your witch is sentenced to die by being burned at the stake. Do you have the warrant?”
Overjoyed Wistan reached into the purse he carried and removed the warrant. Eadweard quickly signed and sealed the document. As he finished, he stated, “And may God have mercy on her soul.”
Wistan said, “Thank you, Sire.”
Eadweard began to rise from the table, “There are no more matters you require my assistance with are there?”
Wistan rose also, “No, Sire.”
Eadweard nodded, “Good I must be on my way.”
Surprised Wistan replied, “I thought you were staying until Sunday.”
After dealing with the matter of the witch Eadweard had decided he would leave Djuraby three days earlier than he had originally planned, “I must return to the army in Cumberland.”
Wistan stood looking at the king in shock and disappointment. Eadweard put is hand on the bishop’s shoulder trying to reassure him, “I received word this morning Emrys expects a breakthrough in the siege of Carlisle.”
Wistan replied, “I understand. Godspeed, Your Majesty.”
Wistan bowed and walked from the solar.
Once Wistan was gone Ealdwine stepped into the room. Eadweard looked at him and said, “Tell the Captain of my guard to prepare to leave by noon.”
Surprised Ealdwine replied, “I thought we were staying a few more days.”
Giving Ealdwine aa look that stated he did not want to be challenged, Eadweard said, “I do not wish to be a part of the upcoming spectacle Wistan has planned. I wish to be far away from this place as quickly as we can.”
Ealdwine bowed, “It will be done, Sire.”
Eadweard watched his squire leave. For the first time he felt it was better to be in a battle than where he was now.