CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Sir Guy de Buissant looked apprehensively towards the King. He was in one of those dark, brooding moods of his. At such times it was best to keep a very low profile. To metaphorically cross swords with the King at such moments, or to even indirectly be on the end of one of his Angevin rages was not to be recommended. For about the tenth time the English monarch paced backwards and forwards tugging at his greying beard.

“I remember that name from somewhere.”

“Sire?” enquired de Buissant.

“This fellow who purports to bring me vital news from France.”

“The person we are to see in a few minutes time, your Grace?”

“Yes, indeed. I have a mind for close detail, that is why I can administer this realm of ours with such efficiency. Rolf de Claimont is a name that should mean something to me. Doubtless when I see the fellow something will register. Still no matter he will be here presently.”

At that instance a page arrived followed by Savary de Mauléon, Rolf de Claimont, Hugh, and the Lady Athelfreda. The other ladies in the party had on this occasion remained behind.

“My old Captain of mercenaries” bawled John restored to something like his old spirits “I can never make-up my mind who I am indebted to the most you and your Poitivan rogues or Fawkes de Breauté and his Flemings.”

“Sire” responded Savary “I have the pleasure to present firstly a young lady by name Athelfreda.”

“Ah yes” grinned John “My half-brother’s close and honourable friend. This is good news we feared you lost, captured by unscrupulous outlaws. Well met my dear Athelfreda.”

“The two gentlemen in the lady’s company are Rolf de Claimont ....”

“De Claimont!” gasped the King, a look of recognition appearing on his face. “By Lucifer’s knees I have it. You are the murderer of my Sheriff of Nottingham some years back. In fact you had your spurs struck-off and were outlawed.”

“I was never formally tried, your Grace” responded Rolf.

“Since you escaped our custody, it would have been difficult to have given you a full judicial enquiry” grated the King.

“I am willing to take whatever punishment you feel merits my actions” replied Rolf. “However, with respect, you may find what I have to say regarding Louis of France of some interest.”

The King nodded fiercely and remained silent as Rolf outlined how he had come to be in France, his earlier plans involving Athelfreda, Flavia and the other ladies, his change of heart and military knowledge obtained following ensnarement by the Comté de La Marché.

“This is very useful information, de Claimont” barked the King “I will act on it, of course. Indeed I hope that that fact gives you some consolation as a loyal subject while you lie in one of my dungeons.”

“No sire!” shouted Athelfreda “Rolf has suffered enough. He told me over on the boat coming back to England how he had stood-up against that evil sheriff. It was out of regard for other people, not through any self-interest of his own.”

“Indeed madam/” barked the King. “That so-called evil Sheriff was appointed by me. In any case I am amazed that someone who treated you so harshly should gain your respect. This de Claimont was going to sell you overseas. God alone knows where you might have been now.”

“Yes sire” interposed Athelfreda “but Rolf changed his mind. I owe him my life. The real villain of the piece was that man Godric who was responsible for my being in danger in the first place.”

Sir Guy de Buissant froze almost to the spot. The name Godric was not all that common, could the man who followed him into battle who he had recruited in the Midlands be the same man? On reflection, he thought to himself, he was becoming neurotic there were other Godrics why on the basis of a first name should there be any connection? God, no, it was just that the man had something on him, it was necessary to be able to trust someone in the position. Still, he could make discrete enquires of Athelfreda at a more opportune moment.

“Sire a word with you in private.” John stared hard at his mercenary Captain Savary de Mauléon. What was he doing interfering, still he had been the King’s right
arm in a number of ventures, a sensible rogue as well, better listen to what he had in mind.

“With respect, my Lord King” began de Mauléon when he had the attention of Lackland “this Rolf de Claimont has come back here at no little danger to himself to warn you of what could be a great catastrophe. He may have broken rules in the past, but hell, sire, think of the rebel barons. Can I indeed be blunt? When we have swept aside this hornet’s nest of vipers .....”

“A mixed metaphor I would have thought” smirked the King his temper slightly cooled.

“Indeed, sire” resumed de Mauléon “when we have brought them to heel will all of them feel the whip? Let’s face it the more influential ones will have their lands and titles guaranteed for life. This de Claimont has risked his life for the King’s cause, clemency would be a popular move.”

“Thank-you for the lesson in statecraft de Mauléon” frowned the King “but what exactly is to happen to this slayer of my Sheriff of Nottingham?”

“At this stage in our campaign we need every man who can draw a sword or string a bow. Use the fellow’s expertise. In the same way you rely on Fawkes and myself with our mercenary bands give de Claimont a minor commission of sorts, free-roving or even here as back-up in the South.”

The King thought for a while before his deep frown changed into an expression of relative compliance.

“My dear Savary you are indeed a man apart. Not only an able commander but a subtle wit, a deep intelligent mind. I’ll take your advice let’s give de Claimont his freedom, but one slip on his part, one misdemeanour and I’ll quickly rescind everything.”

“Naturally sire” beamed de Mauléon.

“In the meantime we will concentrate our army in Kent. I want the Southern and Eastern ports to dispatch ships to Dover. We must move quickly, if we can sail with a fleet across the Channel we can close-in on Prince Louis before he sweeps out of Calais. I would give anything to see the look on the face of that prating priest - with all his prayers and simpering looks that’s what he is - when he sees Angevin steel closing in on him.”

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