Chapter 7.13
22 April 1017 Anglesey
Hlothere was playing with the last bit of food on his plate. His brother Rædwald, on the other hand was picking the bones of the chicken clean. Rædwald finished chewing and swallowing the piece of chicken in his mouth and washed it down with some ale.
Looking at Hlothere he said, “What troubles you brother.”
Hlothere still playing with the food replied, “Nothing.”
Rædwald pushed the plate away and said, “Hlothere, I am your brother and when you play with your food you are worried.”
Frustrated Hlothere pushed his plate from in front of him. He sighed, “What are your plans for Hjalmar?”
Confused Rædwald looked at his brother, “What do mean?”
Hlothere sat back in his chair, “Now you have him locked in the dungeons what do intend to do with him?”
Rædwald smiled, “Nothing.”
Hlothere was not sure if he believed Rædwald and said, “You are not going to harm him?”
Surprised at the accusation Rædwald replied, “He is our brother.”
Hlothere still was unsure, “You arrested him and threw him into the dungeons despite being our brother.”
Rædwald was becoming annoyed, “Yes but he was causing discord among the nobles. After numerous warnings he continued his ways. Even you were growing tired of dealing the repercussions of his actions. This will teach him a lesson.”
Hlothere looked at his brother, “But arrest him!? There are other ways to give a lesson.”
No annoyed Rædwald growled, “What was I supposed to do? Assassinate him?”
Hlothere’s eyes widened and he replied, “No, of course not.”
Rædwald glared at his brother and said, “Good then we are in agreement.”
Hlothere looked down at the table, “Will you strip him of his titles?”
Rædwald smirked, “That will depend on him.”
Hlothere pointed at his brother and said, “I will hold you personally responsible for him.”
Rædwald leaned back in his chair and smiled, “Of course you would. I expect nothing less.”
Hlothere appeared to relax some.
Rædwald poured himself some ale and took a couple of sips and asked, “Is all ready for tomorrow?”
Hlothere now poured himself some ale and replied, “Yes, Ealdmund and Emrys arrived yesterday. Strula is still locked away in his manor.”
Rædwald smiled, “And Beorhthelm arrived with me. That gives us all but one member of Council.”
Hlothere took another drink from his mug and asked, “Why are you holding the meeting here?”
Rædwald took a drink of ale also and replied, “Your lands are free from sickness. While it is in decline consumption can still be found in places around York. I did not think that all the Council members would be willing to travel under such conditions.”
Hlothere nodded, “Makes sense.”
Rædwald toasted Hlothere and said, “Thank you.”
Hlothere returned the toast.
Rædwald stood and said, “I must retire now. Tomorrow will be a long day.”
Hlothere stood and bowed. Rædwald nodded and left the room.
*****
Hlothere entered his strategy room. Duke Ealdmund of Powys stood with Duke Emrys of Deheubarth. The spymaster and marshal turned to greet the steward.
Ealdmund leaned his back against the table and asked, “Have you seen the king? Is he truly healed?”
Hlothere walked over to the table and lifted the pitcher of wine and a cup which he filled. He turned to face Ealdmund and Emrys. “We had dinner together last evening after he arrived. From what I could see he does appear to be healed.” Hlothere paused and then said, He does seem changed.”
Emrys reaching for some wine asked, “Changed how?”
Hlothere drank some wine and replied, “I do not know how to describe it.”
Ealdmund now joined the others in drinking the wine, “There were rumors of him being a lunatic after the botched treatment.”
Emrys nodded and said, “His execution of Aharon seemed to prove that.” The marshal shook his head and continued, “Sawed in half. I have never heard of anything like that before.”
Hlothere cringed hearing his brother being spoken about in such a manner. Finishing his cup, he poured more and responded, “There was no sign of lunacy. There was an odd almost mystic feel about him.”
Emrys raised his eyebrows, “Mystic?”
Hlothere shrugged his shoulders and chuckled, “I have no other way of describing it.”
Ealdmund huffed and drained his cup, “Is this miracle worker with him?”
Hlothere nodded, “Yes but I only met him for a moment. He excused himself and went to his chambers after arriving.”
Almost as if magic Beorhthelm appeared in the doorway starling the three men.
Beorhthelm smiled and walked into the room. He said, “The king will be here shortly.”
All three nodded and Beorhthelm said, “It is good to finally meet you my noble dukes and fellow counselors.”
Hlothere returned the smile and pointed toward the wine pitcher, “It is good to finally meet the savior of our king.”
Beorhthelm took a cup and Hlothere poured some wine, “I thank you Prince Hlothere.”
Hlothere nodded and smiled at the Court Chaplin and Court Physician.
Beorhthelm took a small sip of wine, “The king is disappointed that Mayor Strula is unable to join us.”
Emrys took a sip of wine himself and replied, “Consumption still ravages Chester and Macclesfield. The mayor feels safer in his manor.”
Beorhthelm looked over the edge of his cup and replied, “Such a shame.”
A voice coming from the doorway boomed over the room, “It is a shame that the full Council is not gathered.”
All eyes fell on the doorway. In unison the four men took a knee and said, “Your Highness.”
Rædwald entered the room and motioned that the Counselors could rise. They all stood up.
Rædwald looked around the room and smiled. Hlothere gave his brother a cup of wine which Rædwald took a drink from and then said, “It is good to see everyone after the last three years of horrors that befell our lands.”
A chorus of “Hear, hear” rose from the Counselors.
Rædwald continued, “I praise God that each of you survived and that your families did also.” Turning to Emrys he bowed his head and said, “Duke Emrys I mourn the loss of your sister, Heulwen, to the camp fever.”
Emrys bowed his head and said, “Thank you milord.”
Rædwald looked at Hlothere and sadly said, “And I mourn the loss of a brother, Prince Sigfrið, to the fever.”
Hlothere nodded and raised his cup as a toast. Rædwald returned the toast.
Rædwald turned to the table and said, “Beorhthelm if you please.”
Beorhthelm bowed his head and said a quick blessing for the meeting and asked God to guide their decisions.
Rædwald nodded to the Court Chaplin and said, “We are here to discuss many issues but first and foremost England and their Galician allies.”
The king looked at his spymaster. Ealdmund never cared for the attention that came at times like these. To him it was the downside of being spymaster. The king wanted to know all that there was to know but with the epidemics, in some places information was hard to come by.
Ealdmund cleared his throat and said, “I shall begin with the wars that have been a distraction to King Ælfgar that his alliance with King Diogo has brought him into.”
He looked to Rædwald and the king nodded his approval.
Ealdmund continued, “The so called Galician Holy War for Aragon is now approaching its thirteenth year. Since Duke Alvar of Gascogne called Sultan Abbas of Umayyad Sultanate into the conflict, the war has gone bad for the Galicians. When the English arrived, they had some success initially but that too has faded away. The Galicians have no troops remaining in Aragon. Only the English garrison in the besieged city of Teruel remain. They will not last much longer and the city may have already fallen.”
Ealdmund took a quick drink of wine and Rædwald asked, “What of Prince Oshere and his adventure?”
Ealdmund pointed to the map of Galicia that was on the table, “Oshere’s Host took Oviedo in Asturias de Oviedo not long after they landed. They are now besieging León. It is not going well for Oshere presently. He lost nearly half of his force in a foolish attack on Clydesdale at Renfrew several months ago.”
Emrys looked up from the map and questioned, “Renfrew, what the hell was he doing there?”
Ealdmund chuckled, “Apparently he was trying to aid King Ewan of Scotland, but when Ewan surrendered his troops were abandoned and friendless.”
Hlothere looking at the map and asked, “Why did King Ewan agree to a White Peace? I thought he was winning.”
Ealdmund looked at Hlothere and said, “He was until the Galicians arrived. After their arrival he lost all the occupied land in Clydesdale. With the Scottish Claim War for Clydesdale approaching the fifth year and now with all gains lost the Scottish nobles were becoming unwilling to continue much longer. They forced Ewan into signing the White Peace.”
Hlothere nodded. Ealdmund looked at Rædwald and asked, “Sire, if I may return to Galicia.”
Rædwald nodded and responded, “Do so.”
Ealdmund nodded, “King Diogo has many enemies at home. Two factions are growing more and more powerful every day. Both the Increase Council Power and the Nuno for King factions are on the verge of open revolt.”
Having never heard of Nuno Rædwald asked, “Who is Nuno?”
Ealdmund replied, “Nuno Ranimires, the heir to the Duchy of Galicia.”
Rædwald smiled and said, “It is good to hear that things are not well for the King Galicia at home. Perhaps his troops will not be here for much longer.”
Emrys looked at the map and said, “We can only hope.”
Beorhthelm spoke for the first time, “Hope and prayer can do much.”
Emrys turned to the Chaplin and said, “Good steel and many men can go a long way.”
Rædwald raised a hand to silence everyone, “That is a debate for another time.”
Both Beorhthelm and Emrys bowed.
Rædwald turned to Ealdmund, “What of the other wars King Ælfgar is entangled in?”
Ealdmund nodded and looked down at the map and pointed, “When the Galicians under Prince Monio landed in Wiltshire they crushed the Gloucesterian troops besieging Wilton. For all it is worth the Gloucesterian Claim War for Wiltshire is finished. All that remains is for Countess Mildrith and her regent, Onlaf to surrender.”
Ealdmund paused waiting for a response but no one spoke. Therefore, Ealdmund returned to the map and continued, “Earl Eadwine of Cumberland’s Claim war for Teviotdale goes better or at least it did prior to arrival of Monio and his Galicians. Eadwine had occupied all of Teviotdale but once the war with Scotland ended Monio turned his attention to Eadwine. The Cumberlander army was soundly defeated and scattered at the Third Battle of Melrose. Now the garrison at Jedburgh is under siege.”
Ealdmund looked up from the map and said, “If some help is not rendered I fear both Gloucester and Cumberland will lose their wars.”
Beorhthelm innocently asked, “Is there anything to be done to help Earl Eadwine and Countess Mildrith?”
Rædwald looked at Hlothere and then Beorhthelm, “Unfortunately I am unable to do much. I am treaty bound and cannot declare war on King Ælfgar for another four years. Since I am not the direct liege of either Eadwine and Mildrith I cannot join in their wars.”
Beorhthelm looked around the room and asked, “Why do not their liege lords help against the English. I thought defeating the English was paramount. Keeping them down was the goal of these wars if I was told correctly.”
Hlothere glared at the Court Chaplin wondering what he was playing at. Rædwald and he had discussed the possibility of Hlothere going to war but had left it to Hlothere’s discretion. Hlothere looked at his brother who showed no signs of anything amiss. Fury and betrayal were beginning to burn within Hlothere.
Emrys spoke breaking Hlothere’s thoughts saying, “Prince of Hjalmar of Northumbria has refused several requests to aid Eadwine.”
Hlothere glared at Rædwald and replied, “Given where he is now he cannot do anything to help.”
Rædwald stared at Hlothere. Discord and descent were things he did not want especially from his brother. Rædwald responded, “It is his refusal along with other actions that have caused Hjalmar his current predicament.”
Acting as a peacemaker Beorhthelm spoke, “These times are for unity and strength are they not? Despite our feelings the English are growing stronger each day through their alliance with Galicia and soon may be able to challenge us unless we devise a way to counter them.”
Hlothere suddenly felt alone with all eyes in the room on him. He glared at his brother who stood silent, his face showing no emotion. Hlothere resented being maneuvered into doing something he really did not want to do.
Hlothere clinched his fists and looked down at the map resting on the table. Silently he cursed it and then said, “If the Council feels it is in the best interest of the kingdom I will declare a claim war for Wiltshire by month’s end.”
The tensions in the room ebbed some. Rædwald looked at his brother and smiled. Hlothere did not return the smile but glared angrily back at Rædwald.
Acting as if he did not notice Hlothere, Rædwald said, “Last order of business is discussing the preparations for pursuing the claim on Dublin against King Snorri of Svea Rike.”
At first no one spoke. Several had hoped the king had forgotten about this. Rædwald looked around the room stopping at each person for a moment.
Finally, Emrys spoke, “Given the effects of the epidemics it will take close to year for the levies to replenish. We cannot do much until then.”
Hlothere also spoke, “The tax collection needs to get back on track also. Many places have not seen a tax collector in sometime. We will need more gold in the treasury to support such a war.”
To everyone’s surprise Rædwald nodded and said, “It is not what I like but it is what I expected.”
After a few mundane discussions about crops and trade the meeting ended. As the Counselors were leaving Rædwald touched Ealdmund on the shoulder and said, “Lord Ealdmund a moment please.”
Ealdmund stopped and faced the king. They were alone now in the room.
Rædwald looked to be sure there was no one near them and said, “Lord Spymaster I have a task for you concerning Hjalmar.”
Ealdmund was intrigued and thought he had an idea what the task was replied, “Yes, milord, how may I be of service?”
Rædwald turned and walked back toward the map table with his hands clasped behind his back, “For several years now we have tried to reason with Hjalmar.”
Ealdmund walking alongside the king responded, “Yes we have. I am afraid it has been in vain.”
Rædwald stopped at the table and looked down at the map, “Yes it has been in vain. He has betrayed the trust placed in him by giving him titles. Titles now which he no longer deserves.”
Ealdmund looked at the king and asked, “Do you plan to revoke his titles?”
Rædwald turned and looked at Ealdmund, “This would have been so much easier if he had only eluded arrest and revolted. We could have crushed him, and I could have easily revoked his titles. Perhaps he knew so and that is why he allowed himself to be arrested. “
Ealdmund frowned and said, “Yes it would have been easier. If you revoke them now you will incur the ire of the other dukes and earls.”
Rædwald nodded and smiled, “That is why he must die. I am heir to his titles.”
Ealdmund raised an eyebrow, “Die, are you sure?”
Rædwald turned back to the map, “Yes, it is the only way. Dungeons are such dangerous places. Do you not agree?”
Ealdmund swallowed hard and replied, “Yes, milord they are. Does Hlothere know of this plan?”
Rædwald turned to Ealdmund with a slight look of concern that soon faded and said, “No he does not and must never know. He is under a delusion that since we are brothers someday Hjalmar will see the light and come around. I know it will never happen. His mother, Ingrid, has filled his head with thoughts that only a Norse can be the true King of Jorvik.”
Ealdmund was not happy but understood, “Yes, I fear that you may be right. I will take care of the details.”
Rædwald smiled and patted Ealdmund on the back and said, “That is very good.”
Ealdmund bowed and left the room quickly.