CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Rolf de Claimont had quickly summoned together his small party of followers. As our reader will know this had been reduced to Hugh and himself and the young ladies. Given the urgency of the situation it was necessary to act swiftly and effectively. They had the current benefit of comfort and warmth but their ultimate safety, indeed their very lives were now in jeopardy.
“I suggest that we have only one realistic approach to get us out of our predicament” indicated de Claimont. “Direct action would be useless but results can often be achieved by stealth.”
“What had you in mind?” enquired Flavia “It is going to be extremely difficult to smuggle us all out of this building. Why even at night there is a close watch kept, and given the circumstances security will doubtless be tighter than usual.”
“The only solution is a diversion” responded Rolf “It would not take a great deal of work to produce a small fire. We can get hold of a few torches and there is enough small timber about to create a couple of minor conflagrations in separate parts of this establishment.”
“Could the young ladies please assemble at the far end of this corridor” requested Rolf’s henchman Hugh. “We do not want you exposed to any danger. Safety and security is of the essence.”
“That’s sensible and very thoughtful” commented Athelfreda “but I feel that there is a contribution that we women could make. We are far from shrinking violets. The guards are on the look-out for a bunch of females let us disguise ourselves as boys there are plenty of voluminous robes about to conceal our femininity”.
“Good idea” voiced Rolf “but remember we need to act now. First light is not far away and we need to catch the occupants here off guard.”
The little band proceeded to busy
themselves with their various designated tasks. Importantly there were soon two
small but quite noisy crackling fires under way. Hugh took the opportunity to
yell aloud in not very exact French. Fortunately his roar was more apparent than
the few words he spoke and very quickly retainers came running from all parts
of the building. Rolf, heavily cloaked, commenced directing operations, the
French servants being oblivious to his identity. The former knight then
ushered Athelfreda and the women down the stairs also urging Hugh to follow
him. He deliberately drew attention to himself reasoning that such an up-front
approach would not be expected of someone seeking to escape.
“Ouvrez, ouvrez!” shouted Rolf to the guards at the entrance gate. His assured manner, as one born to command resulted in his orders being obeyed almost without thinking. With the inside of the place blazing away it seemed not illogical to evacuate as many people as possible. Rolf and Hugh had in fact got as far as the stables and had secured suitable mounts for everyone before even the slightest of confrontations took place. One arrogant, swaggering fellow, bolder than the other guards seized Rolf’s horse’s bridle and demanded to know on what authority was he mounting and indeed was he preparing to leave with these companions of his?
“Fils d’un couchon!” snarled de Claimont bringing his whip across the face of his questioner.
With a fierce wave of his hand the brigand chief directed his party forward riding with determination and agility. On and on Rolf, Hugh and the women galloped as fast as their mounts would carry them. Fortunately there was far too much attention being paid to the blaze for anyone to notice the absence of the English guests.
“Who are those horsemen over there?” enquired Athelfreda pointing to a group of impressive - looking individuals mounted and heavily armed. Rolf swayed slightly in his saddle and acting on impulse nudged his own mount across the path of his companions’ charges. With a rapid motion of his hand he indicated an old disused barn that had caught his eye. Instead of going inside this obsolescent building he guided his sturdy animal round the back. Quickly dismounting he urged his friends to do likewise and fairly soon everyone in the party was crouching out of sight behind the crumbling edifice. Athelfreda was more than thankful that Rolf had been so observant and had an excellent intuitive feel for the situation. This became apparent when she recognised, as did her fellow travellers, the distinguished features of their former hosts Ralph, count of Eu and the sinister Hugh, Comté de La Marché. They were in the company of four other horsemen who were now entering the barn.
“These two rascals must have left during the night” mused Hugh, the Englishman. “What on earth are they doing here, and who are their confidants?”
“Quite Hugh!” hissed Rolf. “Just let us listen and see if we can ascertain anything of value to us.
The two French counts appeared generally disdainful of three of their companions but surprisingly were paying some attention to a small dark individual who apart from a certain richness of attire had relatively little to commend him to the observer. He was very dark, not quite swarthy and had a neatly trimmed beard and moustache. There was not much about him that appeared either vigorous or noteworthy of a subsequent glance. There was almost an air of sadness about him, denoting a man who seldom laughed and certainly did not seem to possess even an ironic sense of humour.
“But your Highness, now could be the
time to strike while the iron is hot and embark on your trip to
“Mayhap, there could be a case for
such a decision” responded the small, dark man. “However, I have my father’s position
to think of . I must not implicate him in anyway. There is a danger that once
I, the Dauphin, am seen to be challenging John Lackland, then it will be
construed that this is war between
“Yes, my Lord” intoned the silky smooth Hugh, Count of Eu. “It is, nonetheless, important to remember that your expedition is independent and you are acting alongside the English barons in an independent capacity.”
“I know, I know!” snapped the dark
man “after all I already have some of my retainers over in
“God’s blood” smiled de La Marché “I believe that they grow tired already of English beer and would prefer the finery of French wines. Now is the time, Louis, my Prince, to go over the Channel and instil some confidence, some drive, some new life into these malingering Frenchmen.”
“You have a point as always de La Marché“ nodded the Prince.
“We should still move by stealth I feel, nonetheless. As much as I admire your strategy, and personally I am willing to engage those Englishmen sooner rather than later, this very moment is not the time.”
“Should we at least push in some more reserves, my Lord?” enquired the Count of Eu.
“No let the various battles and skirmishes take their course, let the English wear themselves to death, then I will step in. The disaffected barons, nominally my allies must know me as their undoubted leader. They need to be kept at heel as much as anyone. Easy enough to rebel against one king they may well try it with his successor.”
“Heaven forbid, my Lord” added de La
Marché
“but when your great father dies we can have two mighty Kingdoms united
together under one Head. What a power that will be, with yourself as Louis VIII
King of
“Do not speak so soon de La Marché“ grimaced the Prince. “The Conqueror’s Norman brood were almost in that position not so long ago. It is only through the misfortunes of John Lackland that territorial supremacy has been pushed back and pushed back and the English King is no longer what he was.”
“Yes, my Prince” interjected Ralph
Lusignan, Count of Eu “but you are more militant than your father. You have
demonstrated your ferocity in the martial arts, your lance is firm and sure
against the enemies of
“What balderdash is my brother talking?” moaned de La Marché to himself hardly the thing, albeit indirectly, to criticise the Prince’s father.
Louis stared steadfastly at the Count of Eu but did no more than place his hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Whatever we may think the time is
not yet right to strike further at
“Quite so, my Lord” responded Hugh de Lusignan, Comté de La Marché “we can talk about this issue again shortly. At least allow us to join your escort for part of your return journey. It is good to be in the presence of one who is, I am certain, destined to be a great Monarch.”
“Of
“Of a certainty, of a certainty” repeated de La Marché “we must get moving nonetheless. Probably by now a little irritating situation will have been taken care of at a location not far from here.”
“Nothing too distressing I trust?” enquired Prince Louis.
“No, my good Lord” smiled de La Marché “you will find us efficient and effective in any enterprise that we undertake. That determination and dedication is placed now and always at your disposal.”
Rolf de Claimont could barely believe that he had been witness to such an amazing scene. Fortunately his presence and that of his companions remained unknown to the Comté and his party. Everyone remained quiet and calm as the Prince Dauphin rode away with his retainers.
“That makes our next move all the
easier to decide upon” grimaced Rolf “we return to
“With respect, sir” commented Hugh, his hench-man “where do we find suitable sea-transport from? We had a difficult enough time getting here, what with the adverse weather conditions, the rough sea.....”
“I know, old friend”
interrupted Rolf “but you seem to forget that I have contacts. My life of
criminality has made me useful friends across Country barriers. Just give me a
few hours and I’ll ensure that we are booked on a passage home to
“Yes but please, as respected guests not as galley slaves of some description” suggested Flavia.
“Well I hope Rolf has learnt his lesson, I’m sure he will take care of his female companions” interposed Athelfreda “we have become used to more luxurious living albeit very briefly at the Comté‘s residence.”
De Claimont laughed merrily at this
wry interjection. Athelfreda studied his face. Now she thought of it but for that
horrid scar on his face he was, in a rugged robust way, devilishly handsome.
She knew of the passion that he could stir in her when she melted into those
powerful arms of his. In his days as a Knight of the realm he must have caused
many a lady’s heart to flutter. Yes when he displayed his gentler side he was
such good company, he was no longer a discredited outlaw, an
opportunist, but a steady and true
friend. Still he had changed from many of his old ways, and here he was
rallying to the side of his King. When he got back to
Go to Chapter 22
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