Chapter 5.24
5 March 983 Jorvik
Eilif stood in the throne room on the steps below his father’s throne. His father had not been in attendance here for many years. He had chosen to stay in Richmond since his illness stole his ability to move. The few bodies dressed in livery of the Bishopric of Worcester had been removed. When Eilif and his troops from the Barony of Jorvik, the Bishopric of St Peters, the City of Skardaborg, and Counties of Lancaster and Northampton, arrived the gates to Jorvik were opened to them. The only resistance they found was at the palace. That resistance was quickly dispatched.
There was a disturbance at the entryway to the throne room. Eilif turned to face the entry gripping the hilt of his sheathed sword. Count Eadgar of Northampton followed by several troops entered the room. The troops were leading two men whose hands were bound in chains. Count Siweard of Lincoln followed the group into the room.
The two shackled men were brought before Eilif. They were unceremoniously thrown to the ground. They quickly tried to rise but several soldiers prevent them from standing.
Eilif looked at the two men and in voice filled with malice said, “Bishop Borkvard and Jarl Waltheof.”
Borkvard looked up at the prince, and said, “By what right do you come here and attack me? I am regent.”
Eilif looked up to see Haraldr Akra, Chancellor of Jorvik being escorted into the room by guards.
Eilif looked down at Borkvard, “Regent you say. Since we have five members of the King’s Council here let’s put it to a vote.”
Eilif looked around the room and said, “I vote to remove you.”
Siweard then said, “I also vote to remove you.”
Haraldr looked frightened as he said, “I vote for removal.”
Borkvard smirked, “You seem to forget that as regent I have my vote along with the king’s vote and any ties as regent I decide.” Borkvard looked at Waltheof and his smile got bigger.
Eilif looked at Waltheof and asked, “And how do you vote Steward?”
Waltheof looked around the room. Other than Borkvard there were no allies. All the men were either Eilif’s men or Eadgar’s men. Waltheof thought hard and came to the conclusion that a no vote would most likely cost him his life.
Waltheof sheepishly said, “I vote for removal.”
Borkvard’s face first was confused and then fearful.
Eilif said, “Four votes to two. Bishop Borkvard you are no longer my father’s regent.”
Siweard then said, “I proposed that Prince Eilif be appointed regent.”
Eilif smiled. Haraldr and Waltheof quickly voted for Eilif.
Eilif said, “I thank you fellow Council members for your confidence in me.” He then looked at Borkvard and Waltheof and said, “As my first official act as regent, Bishop Borkvad you are removed as Court Chaplain, and Jarl Waltheof you are no longer Steward.”
Waltheof protested, “But milord, I voted your way.”
Eilif replied, “To save your life. You past transgressions against my mother and father are not forgiven. As for you Borkvard your fate will be decided later.” He then looked up and ordered, “Guards take these two to the dungeons.”
The guards grabbed them and marched them out of the room. Eilif walked to Haraldr. Haraldr was almost shaking with fear. When Borkvard had proposed to remove Emma as regent he voted against the queen and then voted to install Borkvard as regent.
Eilif looked Haraldr and said, “Your actions just now do not atone fully for what you did to my mother. Since you did the right thing I will allow you to make a choice.”
Haraldr swallowed and took a deep breath, “I resign as Chancellor.”
Eilif smiled, “Good choice.” Eilif nodded at the guards. The guards then escorted Haraldr from the room.
Eadgar and Siweard approached Eilif.
Eilif said to them, “For my father and mother and myself I sincerely thank you both.”
Siweard said, “It was our honor to serve our king.”
Siweard then turned serious, “Milord you cannot run the kingdom with only three councilors. You must fill the open positions.”
Eilif said, “You are correct. Bengt will be Court Chaplain and Mayor Ingemar of Skardaborg will be Steward. These positions are temporary until we decide who will permanently hold the positions.”
Siweard nodded.
Eadgar asked, “And who would will be Chancellor?”
Eilif smiled and replied, “You of course.”
Eadagr was taken aback, “Me milord? My diplomatic skills are not the worthy of such a position.”
Eilif chuckled, “I am not here to debate. I need someone I can trust. When the war is done we will sort out who will hold the position permanently.”
Eadgar nodded reluctantly.
The three began to leave the throne room. They were stopped by several guards dragging a struggling man into the room. When the guards saw the three they stopped and threw the man down.
One guard said, “We found him trying to escape.”
Eadgar looked at the man and anger showed on his face, “Thurcytel!”
Thurcytel looked at Eilif, then Siweard, and finally Eadgar, “Father? You are with them?”
Eadgar replied, “Yes, I am loyal to my king.”
Thurcytel said, “Then you are a fool. Borkvard was our last hope to prevent further needless wars and curtail the absolute power of the king.”
Eadagr then slapped Thurcytel across the face, “You are no son of mine.”
Thurcytel replied, “You have made that abundantly clear for many years. You always sided with Eilif when we were children and now you are still doing so against your own blood and common sense.”
Eadgar reached for his sword. Siweard stepped between Eadgar and Thurcytel. Eilif looked at Eadgar and then back to Thurcytel.
Eilif then said to Thurcytel, “You have always brought shame to your father.”
Before Thurcytel could replied Eilif ordered the guards to remove him to the dungeons. The guards had to forcibly remove Thurcytel as he punched and kicked at them while cursing Eadgar and Eilif. Finally one of the guards put Thurcytel’s struggles to an end with the but of his halbred.
Eadgar said to Eilif, “Milord, I am sorry for that.”
Eilif replied, “There is no need.Thurcytel is an adult and he is permitted to make his own bad decisions.”
Eilif then said to them, “Come counselors we must go and rescue King Cynwrig from Guichard.”
