CHAPTER TWO
The dark-bearded individual smiled contentedly to himself. There was some grey beginning to fleck both his beard and his shoulder-length hair. Unlike the Norman appearance of about twenty years ago and before he did not favour the cropped, round-head version but preferred a more elegant flowing style. The man was clearly of middle-years and had grown slightly portly but this did not detract from an obvious muscular strength. There was something of a gaudy dignity about him, almost a self-deprecating wry humour seemed to pervade his not unhandsome features. Slowly, ever so slowly he stretched himself but not in a lazy manner rather like a cat measuring his potential, ready for action. A shrewd, self-possessed personage was this aware of the ways of the World and one who had lived life fully in all its different aspects.
“Sire, the young lady is here for you.”
The
Gentleman of aristocratic appearance turned his head slightly when he heard
this simple announcement. The surroundings of the room in which he was closeted
within the castle could have been palatial but tidiness and general neatness
seemed to be not the most important considerations in this lord’s order of
preferences. This scene was taking place some miles away from where the Pearl
of Brittany and the squire Guy had been in earnest conversation. A closer look
at the nobleman, however, would have discerned some family resemblance to the
beautiful young princess because this man of shabby-genteel appearance was none
other than King John of
The attendant had meanwhile bowed himself out leaving the King with the young personage that he had ushered in. John cast a discerning look on the girl noting her long dark tresses and interestingly a pair of deep intelligent green eyes. He was about medium height, not of the same physical presence as his late brother the Lion-Heart but he noted that this young woman was a head taller than himself.
“Come girl tell me your name” barked John in semi-fierce fashion.
The
woman maintained a fixed, almost, John felt, an imperious stare and not
over-awed by the situation responded calmly “Brythech, my liege and here to
serve
your most direct pleasures and needs”.
“Brythech
what kind of name is that? God, I’m King of a real muddle of races
“I am Celtic, my royal master, hence my dark hair and with my Celtic blood all the fire and passion that that genus of people inspire.”
“Let me subsequently be the judge of that, you saucy wench” half-smiled John “you seem well-educated, where did we pluck you from?”
“I have travelled around in my time Lord King.” responded Brythech “and have come into contact with monks and clerical people who have taught me much.”
“Monks, eh so you know all the religious dirges and Psalters? You must be good company” sneered the King.
“My liege” interposed Brythech “monks are men with all the strengths and weaknesses of their sex, a notable supply of failings too. I’ve had a fair tumble in the hay with at least a couple that’s taught me a lot about life.”
“I’m sure you have my girl” grinned Lackland” you certainly dress attractively.”
Brythech smiled slowly, looking at the King directly and with a careful very deliberate movement began to slip the long full gown she was wearing off her shoulders. It was noticeable that the girl had eschewed the current fashions by not adopting the new closer-fitting sleeves. Instead she favoured the exaggerated, voluminous alternative style giving more room for manoeuvre. John felt that this vividly intelligent, beautiful young woman knew exactly what she was doing. In fact whatever she had worn would have seemed right. Working quickly Brythech had undressed to total nudity but had undertaken this with such style and aplomb that it would have been difficult for even a prissy archbishop like Stephen Langton to have been offended. Laughing joyously the King almost negligently started to remove his loose-fitting tunic, kicking his pointed shoes to the far end of the room before appearing as natural and unadorned as his new-found friend.
“Is there a bed available, your grace?” queried Brythech.
“You
have been influenced by the Church” grinned John “all form and ceremony. I may
be King but I don’t always go through the
proper procedures, come
and lie down on the floor it’s nice and comfortable here.”
The dark Celt shrugged her shoulders in semi-resignation but entering into the spirit of the event she flung herself to the ground and winking mischievously grasped the King by the shoulders. John placed his arms round her slender waist and felt a sudden thrill as the young woman moved exotically allowing a slowly burning smile to crease her lips.
“God, you are tall” commented John.
Brythech laughed at this observation and flung her head back shaking her long finely stranded locks. As she lowered her face to come into contact with the English monarch John was subjected to a cascade of dark ever so dark, ever so fine, hair. He flicked his tongue at his teeth as the Celtic strands seemed to subsume his mouth. The woman’s body was so supple, yet so finely-tuned, hinting at gentleness and strength. Almost without realising it the King felt his legs winding round Brythech’s. Hell, she certainly had the ability to relax you. With dramatic suddenness they became united, the monarch and the Celt. The room started to spin as John lost control of what he was supposed to be doing, the sweat gathered on his forehead glistening evenly.
“No matter whether you are noble or peasant Norman, Saxon, or Celt, everything falls into place when.....”
“All right Brythech I take your point” gasped John turning his mind back to the main point of issue “let battle recommence.”
Lion-Heart’s brother may not have had the same reputation as his predecessor as a military strategist but he was better in one respect. Sadly Coeur de Lion had been more attentive to the wiles of young men causing censorious comments from the Church. King John felt predisposed to prove that he really was regal in this activity and Brythech began to moan with some pleasure as he drew her closer and closer to him. There was almost hysterical, near maniac laughter as the two became as one and then felt a floating shimmering sensation as if moving on a sea of tranquillity.
“That was nice, my lord” smiled Brythech dressing ever so quickly “will you require me again?”
“Of
course, of course” responded John “ask my attendant to give you a gold coin.
No, better still, I have some money here, you fully deserve paying for a most
entertaining episode in my life.”
“Thank-you your grace” replied the Celt “I must confess that you are the first King, certainly King of England, that it has been my pleasure.....”
“Quite so, my girl” muttered John “ I hope that you are not disappointed by royalty.”
“As I said earlier men are men regardless of their status, or occupation”.
“My, my, wench” exploded John in mock, semi-amused horror “those beliefs would destroy society as we know it. If we don’t acknowledge people as being different, yes indeed with some born to rule, others to obey where are we? Indeed where would we be?”
“That’s for you to decide, sire after all you are our Liege-Lord, born to govern us with your sublime grace and understanding.”
“I only wish that such a gracious statement on your part was reflected in the views of my barons and alleged supporters. Too many of those damned churchmen and scribes spend at least half their time interfering and moaning about every issue that I get involved with. Am I the King, or am I not? Is it my will that people should obey or is it just a matter of opinion? After all I’ve spent most of my life learning about administration, how to govern, how to lead armies. I’ve done as well - a damn sight better in some respects - than my well publicised brother Dick the Lion-Heart.”
“I am sure you are the King we all need” smiled Brythech “after all you certainly satisfy me, your grace. I will take this memory of your kindness and affection onward throughout my young life and beyond, God bless you my liege, I am available if ever you need my services again.”
Go to Chapter 3 | Back
to Chapter 1| Index
Front Page | Home Page for individuals | Business Services Index | Site contents & internal links | Email the Author