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“Perhaps you might improve the defences of your city my lord eh?” He nodded but I am not certain he heard me.

Chapter 4
     
    When we left the Earl, we mounted our horses and rode to join our men.   Ridley’s sergeant at arms had been watching the gates and he sought out his lord as soon as he could.  “My lord, not long after you entered the hall four Norman horsemen rode out of the gate and headed south.”
    “Good man. “
    “Well Aelfraed I think that confirms what we are all thinking.  If there is to be any opposition to the Normans then it will have to come from us.”
    “I know, Aethelward, but we seem pitifully few in numbers.”
    He smiled, “Remember how three men held up the whole of Harold’s army?  An avalanche starts with just one rock; and we have three.” He grinned at Ridley, “Some of them bigger than others.”
    Ridley took the ribbing in good part and while Aethelward went to speak to some of the older men and warriors he still knew in Jorvik, Ridley and I went to visit Reuben.   Ridley had acquired money and wished to engage the services of the Jew.  He had always been like that; he was a follower, like a younger brother always copying his sibling.
    When we had conducted our business Reuben offered us more of his fortified wine. I looked around the room and noticed that he had invested in some fine furniture and objects.  “Things must be going well Reuben. “
    He spread his hands.   “When there is war then merchants always make money. The crops in the south were poor last year because the men who would have tilled the fields lay dead with Harold.  I was able to buy wheat in the north and sell it in the south for a great profit. There were other deals I did which increased not only my fortune my lord but yours.  You now have even more gold.”
    “Gold will do me no good if the Normans return.”
    Reuben’s eyes twinkled and he tapped his nose meaningfully.  “Perhaps but with money you can start again in another country and be a wealthy man.”
    “But this is my land and I am loath to leave it.”
    He suddenly became serious.  “You may have to leave it lord.”
    “Come Reuben, no more games.   Speak plainly and tell me the words that hide behind your dancing.”
    “People tell me things and I listen.   There are six Norman knights in Jorvik.”
    “I saw only three and I thought they had left.”
    “Trust me my lord there are six.  Their leader is William of Perci and I hear that the King has promised him land in the north.”
    I felt a chill creep down my neck. This was wyrd .  I had a premonition of what was coming.”Where in the north?”
    “Close to here my lord.”
    I swallowed the fiery yet wonderfully sweet liquor. “Topcliffe.”
    He nodded, and then looked at Ridley, “And Coxold and Medelai.”
    That was the first time I have ever seen someone’s jaw drop in shock, but Ridley’s did and it made me smile. “Thank you for that old friend.  Let us say that we do lose our lands, although we would fight hard to retain them, then what would you suggest we do?”
    “I am but an old Jew.   I am no warrior.  My people gave up fighting long ago and turned to trade.  You ask what I would do? I would leave now.  I would take my money and find another home where I could buy safety.”
    “Where is such a place?”
    “I believe you have friends in Scotland my lord?”
    I laughed.   “Is there anything you do not know you old fox.”
    “As I said, people tell me things.”
    I closed my eyes and tilted my head back. Reuben would make a fine chess player for he was always thinking moves ahead.  Perhaps I should do the same. I sat forwards. “Could you arrange for some of my money to be made available in Scotland?”
    “I will do so.   My brother Isaac lives there close to the shrine of Saint Andrew.”
    I looked surprised.   “A Jew near a Christian shrine?”
    He rubbed his thumb and foreigner together.   “Pilgrims have