August 1019 City of Dunfermline, County of Fife
Rædwald drew his horse to a stop before the town hall. Groomsmen took the reigns from the king and the other dignitaries as they dismounted. Jorvikian, Deheubarthian, and Tír Eoghian guards quickly and smartly took their positions around the dignitaries. Rædwald nodded and the group which along with the king included Duke Emrys and Earl Cathal of Tír Eoghain walked toward the stairs leading up to the town hall.
Rædwald was in a good mood as he closed the distance to the town hall. The events of the last eight months had a very large part in his attitude. In that time Emrys and he had taken Cupar and St. Andrews.
Mayor Ríán with his army of Jorvikians, Munsterians, Ulsterians, and Tír Eoghianians defeated the Scottish army at Rosemarkie and Elgin.
After the battles Mayor Ríán and his Munsterians continued to pursue any remaining Scottish troops. Mayor Uhtræd of Scarborough and the Jorvikians, Ulsterians, and Tír Eoghianians under his command besieged and captured Dunstaffnage in the County of Argyll.
Mayor Uhtræd and his army moved on and now besieged St Moluag.
Rædwald now had Dunfermline and with it all of the County of Fife.
At the bottom of the stairs Mayor Edward and several of the city’s leaders stood waiting for the king. Normally this formality would have occurred inside the town hall, but the building had suffered damage in the siege. It was now a burned-out shell of fire scorched stone walls and charred beams that once held the roof. One of the great wooden doors hung loosely on its bottom hinges, the other lay in ruin on the stone entranceway.
As the king approached Edward and the city leaders dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.
Rædwald stopped before Edward and said, “Mayor Edward, you have made a wise choice.”
The king indicated that the group may stand, which they did.
Edward replied, “Further resistance would have been foolish and resulted in unneeded bloodshed and suffering. We have been abandoned by our king and left to our own inadequate means. Our people starve and have suffered greatly from the bombardment”
Emrys nodded and responded, “With less than 300 soldiers you have fought with honor and can hold your heads high.”
Rædwald added, “We will share what provisions we can. It may not be a large amount as you must remember we are still an army fighting a war and must move on to our next objective.”
Edward looked at the Jorvikians confused. These were not the barbarians he had been told about. They showed honor and compassion. The mayor replied, “Your words are truly gracious. Any food and medical assistance will be truly appreciated.”
He then looked at Rædwald and frowned, “It is traditional for the mayor to turn over at this time the key to the city gate, but I fear it has been lost in the destruction of our town hall. I can only offer you my word that the city is yours and sign whatever documents you desire.”
Rædwald grinned, knowing the city gate key was worthless as the gates would have to be replaced. A battering ram had seen to that. He replied, “I accept the surrender of Dunfermline. My scribes will bring the articles to you later this day for the formal signing. For now, your word will suffice.”
*****
Several hours later Rædwald returned to his tent. No soft bed waited for him, no four solid walls either. No time to relish in the victory over another city. The army was on the move. Tents were being struck and equipment crated and hauled onto wagons. Soldiers cursed and complained as soldiers do when given orders to march. Soon discipline and pride would overcome the malcontent of the soldiers. Even before the city fell Emrys had ordered nearly half of the army north on the road to Scone, where King Uhtred’s throne stood.
It may be August, but winter would soon be upon them. Knowing the defenses of Scone were formable Rædwald and Emrys knew a prolonged siege lasting through the winter and perhaps into the spring was in store for them. Before the bitter cold and snows came Emrys wished to have his army ready for the weather, entrenched around the city with winter quarters constructed and provisioned. To aid that effort raiders had been set loose in Gowrie to gather supplies and create fear and panic. Scouts had begun sending reports from the outskirts of Scone.
Rædwald, full of confidence and satisfaction opened the flap to his tent and stepped in. As expected, a figure was seated on a stool provided for guests. Upon seeing the king enter the figure rose and then went to one knee and bowed.
Rædwald smiled and gestured with his hand, “Duke Ealdmund there is no need for such formalities at a time like this.”
Ealdmund rose and returned the king’s smile, “Thank you, Sire.”
Rædwald walked across the tent and took a seat in the padded arm chair that served as his throne in this tent. Rædwald pointed to the stool and said, “Resume your seat.”
Ealdmund nodded and sat down on the stool.
Rædwald asked, “Something to clinch your thirst after a long journey?”
Ealdmund nodded, “Yes thank you, milord.”
Rædwald signaled and a servant brought them two goblets of wine. As the servant handed the king his goblet, Rædwald ordered, “Leave the pitcher. You are dismissed.”
The servant sat the pitcher down on the table next to Rædwald’s chair, bowed and left the tent.
Once the servant had left the tent and secured the flap Rædwald leaned over in the chair toward Ealdmund and in a low voice asked, “What of the plot?”
Ealdmund leaned toward the king and in a low voice said, “I wish you would reconsider, Sire.”
Rædwald leaned back quickly nearly spilling his wine and responded in his normal voice, “Reconsider? Why should I?” Realizing what he was doing the king paused, lowered his voice, and returned to the leaning position, “Because he is my brother?”
Ealdmund hid his anger. He had expressed his growing concerns over the plot and the possible repercussions if it went wrong. “Partially. You have sent him to the oubliette and now he suffers from consumption. With no treatments and being in that place he is not long for the living. His death will be expected, and no one will question it.”
Rædwald glared at Ealdmund. He was tiring of this conversation. “I want him to know that it was I who ordered his death and had it carried out. I do not want him to think that God or some illness is responsible. I want him to hear the assassin tell him it was I who is responsible for his death.”
Ealdmund was growing frustrated, “Milord, while I understand you desire for a measure of revenge against your brother for the wrongs he has committed against you I fear he will not know your name or who you are.”
Confusion crossed Rædwald’s face, “What do you speak of? Of course, he will know.”
Ealdmund took a deep breath, “I do not think it will be so. The guards report that he is completely out of his mind. He acknowledges no one, not even his mother when she visits him.”
Rædwald snickered, “So Ingrid still visits him and hopes for his release. Fool.”
Ealdmund nodded, “She is his mother.”
Rædwald shook his head, “That maybe but she is still a fool.”
Ealdmund sat back in the chair. His back was becoming painful from the leaning. Still in a low voice he said, “She is someone that will have to be dealt with upon Hjalmar’s death no matter the manner. Be it by natural causes, consumption, or and assassin’s blade, she will turn her anger toward you.”
Rædwald now sat back in the chair and took a sip of wine. “If she becomes too bothersome we will remove her from court one way or another.”
Ealdmund swallowed. The death of one member of the royal household on his hands was bad enough. At least with Hjalmar the Duke of Northumbria had earned his fate with constant plotting and refusal to follow orders. Ingrid was only a mother protecting her child.
“Yes, milord.”
Annoyed and impatient when came to this matter Rædwald asked bluntly, “Are you going to complete this task, or shall I find another who will without question or hesitation?”
Ealdmund took a long draught from the goblet eyeing Rædwald the entire time over the rim of the goblet. To have another take on this task was not something Ealdmund wanted. While the task of having the king’s, half-brother killed left a bad taste in his mouth he did not want some incompetent fool botching the scheme exposing the king and others to retribution from the lords of the kingdom. To protect the crown, he knew what he must do.
“There is no need to find another. I will take care of it.”
Rædwald smiled and said, “Good I do not wish to speak of this again until the deed is done.”
Rædwald finished his wine. He placed the goblet on the table and filled it with the pitcher. Ealdmund waited until the king was finished and he too filled his goblet. Rædwald took a long sip.
Rædwald held the goblet in his lap and looked at the wine in it. “I truly miss the French wine we once received from King Renaud. Our monks do well but it is not the same.”
Ealdmund finished his sip and replied, “A shame that Nicolas is not of the same mind as his father when it comes to friends.”
Rædwald nodded and took another sip. Holding the goblet in his right hand and resting it on the arm of the chair he looked at Ealdmund and asked, “Were my condolences expressed to the new Chief of Ulaidh on the passing of Garalt?”
Ealdmund was growing weary of being both Spymaster and Chancellor. Too often lately Strula has fled to his manor in Macclesfield every time he perceived a threat to his life. Prince Hlothere, Steward of the kingdom was fighting a war against King Ælfgar and therefore was not able to assist in matters of diplomacy at the present. Rædwald would never allow Beorhthelm, the Court Chaplin, to leave for a diplomatic mission as long as he was the Court Physician. Emrys who was perhaps as good a diplomat as he was a marshal was busy leading the war. That left Ealdmund.
Ealdmund finished his sip of wine and replied, “Yes, Sire. I met with Chief Eláir expressing your condolences, sympathies, and prayers for the soul of his nephew.”
Rædwald grinned. He knew of Ealdmund’s dilemma over performing diplomatic missions but appreciated Ealdmund’s loyalty, “I thank you for going beyond your duties for the sake of the kingdom.”
Ealdmund smiled and nodded, “As always I am your man.”
Rædwald returned the smile and lifted his goblet in a toast. Ealdmund reciprocated the toast.
Rædwald asked, “What do make of this Eláir?”
Ealdmund sat further back on the stool and placed the goblet on the table. He stroked his beard as he thought for a moment as he tried to find the right words.
“He is a proud man who is said to be charitable and patient to and with his people. There are those who say that he has always been envious of his nephew becoming chief instead of him.”
Rædwald chuckled, “Nothing out of the ordinary then. Will he present any problems?”
Ealdmund reached for his goblet and replied, “I doubt it, Sire. He is skilled tactician and was Marshal under Garalt. He is primarily a solider.”
Rædwald sipped his wine and nodded. A devilish grin appeared, “Any vices?”
Ealdmund returned the grin knowing Rædwald was fishing for leverage over Eláir, “It is said he is chaste.”
Rædwald cocked an eye brow, “Since when is being chaste a vice?”
It was Ealdmund’s turn to chuckle, “It is if the reason is because of your preference.”
Rædwald’s grin turned to a full smile, “Yes I can see that.”
Both men laughed as they drank.
Rædwald placed his goblet on the table and Ealdmund took his and rested it on his lap. In a bitter voice the king said, “What is the word from Rome? I expect any day to find a papal envoy at my tent flap begging for money for the new Holy Father.”
Ealdmund responded, “I believe it will be some time before a papal representative from Rome arrives here.”
Intrigued Rædwald asked, “What makes you think so?”
Ealdmund finished his wine and placed the cup on the table and grinned. Displaying his knowledge of events, places, and people is what he truly relished.
“According to my sources the transition from the late Pope Honorius II to Pope Gregorius V has been anything but pleasant. The election was contentious and filled with infighting. The conclave took several weeks before a deal between the German, Occitan, and Venetian cardinals elected Gregorius. Before being elected Gregorius was Prince-Archbishop Manfred of Bremen. Many of the Italian cardinals resent a German especially one who is considered a puppet of King Karl III of East Francia being elected.”
Rædwald scratched his beard, “If the German is pope what can the Italians do? Is it not God’s will that he was elected?” A sinister grin came to the king’s lips. He shared his father and grandfather’s skeptical opinion of the papacy. Too often he felt the popes were more concerned with their earthly existence and not the welfare of their flock.
Ealdmund laughed at the king and his sarcasm. “It is not just the cardinals who are upset. It is also the rulers of Italy. From all the signs my sources have uncovered King Berardo II of Italy is preparing to launch a war for the County of Florenz against the Papacy. At least that is what the stated reason will be, but the true reason is to curtail the German cardinals and prevent the election of another German as Cardinal Leopold of Osnabrück is the Perferatus.”
Rædwald smirked, “The pettiness of men is why I like my father and grandfather do not put much trust in the so-called Vicar of Rome.”
Ealdmund smiled and said, “There is interesting news from Dyflinn.”
Rædwald raised his eye brows. The king had a claim on the county and if not for the war with Scotland he would have acted upon it by now. He would have to fight a war with the Kingdom of Svea Rike meaning that the much of the war would be fought in Scandinavia, far from Jorvik.
The king asked, “What news would that be?”
Ealdmund smile grew, “Chief Suni of Dyflinn is no longer a vassal of King Snorri of Svea Rike. Snorri and several powerful vassals were not fond that under their elective system for choosing a king Chief Suni was the leading candidate. These vassals convinced Snorri to grant Dyflinn its independence. Apparently having a king who is possessed did not sit well with the lords of Svea Rike.”
Rædwald chuckled, “That is interesting. We will not have to battle in faraway places.” Then an unpleasant thought came to Rædwald, “Other than myself who has a claim to Dyflinn?”
Ealdmund knew he would be asked this question, “None of any importance. There are several Scandinavian chiefs who hold claims. They are, however, small and insignificant.”
Rædwald still was worried, “Once this war is done we must move quickly on Dyflinn before someone like King Ælfgar fabricates a claim.”
Ealdmund nodded. “Yes, Sire.” Since he had discussed all the topics he had come to discuss he was readying himself to leave.
Rædwald, however, was not finished and asked, “Is it true that my sister Judith is with child?”
Ealdmund had to think for a moment. Judith who was also Ealdmund’s sister had once been his ward but after her marriage to the late Æthelweald son of the late Count Eadgar of Northampton he had lost track of her life. After a few minutes he did recall a report he had seen.
“I believe she is.”
Rædwald sighed and anger flickered in his eyes, “First she marries Earl Harold of Leicester and now she bears his child. Most disappointing.”
Ealdmund knew that Harold had been bothersome of late with creating and joining factions. He expressed his displeasure with the king to any who would listen. However, he had not crossed the line and done something that could be considered traitorous. Ealdmund truly wished he would cross that line, so he could be dealt with.
Ealdmund responded, “I too harbor disappointment in her new husband but after the death of her first husband she was a member of the court of Earl Wulf of Northampton and he made the choice of her husband.”
Rædwald looked at Ealdmund and said, “Earl Harold must be watched. We do not need him to become too bothersome.”
Ealdmund nodded, “That is true, Sire.
Rædwald was pleased with the meeting and said, “You are free to go Duke Ealdmund.”
Ealdmund stood and said, “Thank you, milord.” He bowed and then turned and began walking out of the tent and suddenly stopped. He turned and looked at Rædwald.
Fearing there was something amiss Rædwald asked, “Is there something more?”
Ealdmund frowned at first but then smiled, “Yes, milord.”
Rædwald prepared himself for bad news and asked, “What is this news that makes my Spymaster stop in his tracks?”
Ealdmund chuckled, “No, Sire, it is not bad. It concerns your cousin and former Queen of Scotland, Guðrun.”
Rædwald was still unsure and asked, “What of Guðrun? Last, I had heard she no longer resided in Scone. She married Edward of Galloway, who is Marshal of Tyrconnell.”
Ealdmund rubbed the back of his neck and replied, “Yes she did marry Edward. However, before doing so she gave birth to the twin sons of the late King Ewan. The oldest Gilchrist is now Tanist of Scotland. His younger brother Robert may not see many more days. He is sick with consumption and may not make it until the end of year.”
Relieved Rædwald responded, “I am glad for Guðrun. She deserved better.”
In the back of Ealdmund’s mind an annoying memory came to the forefront. It was Rædwald who had sent her off to marry Ewan and put her in the position she is currently in.
Ealdmund nodded and said, “By your leave.”
Rædwald smiled and said, “If there is truly nothing more then you may depart.”
Ealdmund bowed and said, “Thank you, Sire.” The spymaster turned and left the tent. When Rædwald stood and walked to see where Ealdmund had gone it seemed as if the spymaster had just vanished.
Pleased Rædwald stepped back into his tent and called for his squire and other servants to help him prepare for the coming march to Scone.
