7.19.2
August 1024
Barony of Richmond
Eadweard entered the room that had been used by the kings of Jorvik for many years as a retreat from the pressures and demands of being king. Eadweard had only been here a few times in his life. His father had not traveled to Richmond as his forefathers had for the summers. The few times he did he was on his way to somewhere else.
Eadweard walked across the room to one of the large windows and looked out of them. He heard a sound behind and turned to see Jarl Ealdmund standing behind him.
Eadweard smiled, “It is good to see you again, Jarl Ealdmund.”
Ealdmund smiled and nodded, “It is good to see you, my prince.”
Eadweard face filled with concern, “How does he fare today?”
As Ealdmund walked over to the table that held a pitcher of wine and some cups he replied, “He does well. There are more good days. We have not had anything like the incident in Dyflinn.”
Eadweard nodded, “That is good.”
Ealdmund poured wine for both of them and walked back to Eadweard. He handed the prince a cup who nodded his appreciation. Both took a sip and Eadweard asked, “Does he have an interest in the kingdom?”
Ealdmund nodded, “Yes, he still rules. Beorhthelm and I screen what he is told.”
Eadweard looked at Ealdmund suspiciously.
Sensing the prince’s concern, Ealdmund said, “We do not rule in his stead. That is why we have asked you to come. You are needed to watch over the kingdom.”
Eadweard nodded, “I understand.” The prince sipped some wine and asked, “Will he recover?”
Ealdmund sipped wine and shrugged is shoulders, “It is not known.”
Eadweard looked out the window, “How did you get him to agree to stay here?”
Ealdmund sighed, “Beorhthelm told him it is the cancer and he must be here to be treated.” Ealdmund gazed out the window, “It is not a complete lie. Beorhthelm believes the cancer is making his mental state worse.”
Eadweard turned from the window and looked at Ealdmund, “What can I do?”
Ealdmund took another sip and a deep breath, “Let your father handle the easy things. Decide what he should know and what he can rule on. Anything difficult consult with whomever you feel you need to, be it one person or Council and decide in your father’s stead.”
Eadweard nodded and sipped some wine, “where do we begin?”
Ealdmund pointed to the table and the chairs, “The war with the Irish.”
Eadweard sat at the table while Ealdmund went to the table and picked up the pitcher. He came back to the table and filled Eadweard’s cup. He filled his cup and sat the pitcher down. He sat across from the prince.
Eadweard said, “Emrys has taken command of the war?”
Ealdmund nodded, “Yes, he has. With an army of Jorvikians, Connachtans, and Tarans he defeated Earl Fer-Fugaill of Tuadhmhumhain at Cill Dálua and has laid siege to Bun na Raite”
Eadweard looked at Ealdmund, “All is not well, however.”
Ealdmund chuckled, “Have your own resources, I see.”
Eadweard laughed, “I had a good teacher.” The prince lifted his cup and toasted Ealdmund.
Ealdmund smiled and returned the toast, “Earl Fer-Fugaill managed to raise another army and march across Ireland. He has unwisely landed on the Isle of Man and laid siege to Rushen. Emrys has taken half of the army from the siege of Bun na Raite to destroy Fer-Fugaill.”
Eadweard nodded and sat back in his chair. “What of Scotland now that King Uhtred died from the camp fever?”
Ealdmund finished a sip, “Now that your second cousin once removed Gilchrist has been elected king the Scottish pursue the war against the English with renewed vigor.”
Eadweard nodded, “I had feared that the regent would not support the war.”
Ealdmund shook his head, “That was never a concern. Regaining what had been lost to the English was always paramount to the Scottish. What is troublesome is what goes on across the channel.”
Eadweard took a sip of wine and asked, “Alliances?”
Ealdmund nodded and frowned, “Yes. King Hermann of Germany has committed to join in King Ælfgar’s war.”
Eadweard leaned forward and with a measure of concern asked, “What of King Diogo of Galicia?” We do not need his troops appearing alongside the English.”
Ealdmund took a long drink of wine, “Diogo’s alliance with King Josselin of Burgundy has broken down.”
Eadweard smiled, “That is good.”
Ealdmund expressed concern, “Yes, it is but what is troublesome is some of the four wars he is involved in have ended.”
Eadweard was now concerned, “Less wars for Diogo means his levies could be sent to fight alongside the English. Which wars have ended?”
Ealdmund took a deep breath, “Diogo has defeated Duke Alvar of Gascogne in the Gascognian Holy War for Navarra. He is close to winning the Salamancan Holy War for León and the Aslamid Holy War for Galicia.”
Eadweard frowned, “That could become very troublesome. All the more reason to finish the Irish war and crush Ælfgar quickly.”
The meeting was suddenly interrupted by the crying and screaming of a young girl. Ælfthryth came running into the room. Seeing Eadweard she ran toward him with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Eadweard, Eadweard,” she called.
Seeing her Eadweard opened his arms and leaned down. She ran into his arms and buried her face into his chest. He hugged, “What is wrong dear sister?”
She pulled her head out of his chest and looked up into his face, “He threw them all away.”
Confused Eadweard brushed the tears from her cheeks and asked, “threw what away?”
Ælfthryth did not answer. Instead Wulfwaru did, “Her toys.”
Surprised Eadweard looked at Wulfwaru standing behind Ælfthryth. He had not heard or seen her enter the room. “Who threw them out?” he asked.
Wulfwaru helped Ælfthryth away from Eadweard. She held her hand and looked at Eadweard harshly. “Father, of course.”
Eadweard cocked his head and asked, “Why?”
Wulfwaru glared at Eadweard, “Because he is out of his mind.”
Ælfthryth said between sobs, “He told me he would buy me a new one. I don’t want a new one. I want my toys.”
Wulfwaru bent down and looked Ælfthryth in the face, “Yes I know. I will take care of it. Now go with Helen.” Wulfwaru stood and stepped aside. She directed Ælfthryth toward the doorway where her nanny stood. Ælfthryth walked slowly to her. As she reached Helen she turned and said, “You won’t forget Wulfwaru.”
Wulfwaru smiled and replied, “No I won’t.”
Wulfwaru turned to Eadweard and glared at him, “Something must be done. He is getting out of control.”
Eadweard shook his head, “He is king. There is little that can be done.”
Wulfwaru shook her head and clinched her fists, “Something must be.”
Siblings glared at one another until Ealdmund interrupted, “Princess steps are being taken to protect the kingdom.”
Eadweard nodded, “Do not worry, sister.”
Wulfwaru relaxed some, “I hope you are right.”
Ealdmund walked away from the siblings.
Wulfwaru looked at Eadweard and said, “Have you seen mother?”
Eadweard answered sharply, “No why should I?”
Wulfwaru glared at him, “See misses you and is hurt by how you are treating her.”
Eadweard glared right back her, “I hurt her. What about how she hurt father and I?”
Wulfwaru responded, “She is truly sorry and been punished enough.”
Eadweard leaned closer to her and said, “I don’t care how sorry she is or how much she thinks she has been punished.”
He did not give her time to answer. He turned and walked away from her toward the windows. Wulfwaru watched him anger building. Finally, she let out the breath she was holding, turned and stormed out the room.
Ealdmund walked over to Eadweard. In a low voice he said, “There is one other matter.”
Eadweard could sense it was not good and asked, “What is it?”
Ealdmund took a deep breath and said, “There is a plot to kill your father.”
Eadweard responded, “I suspected as much.” He turned to Eadweard, “Find all you can about it.”
Ealdmund nodded, “Yes, milord.”
The spymaster turned and left the prince looking out of the window.
