Read Online Outlaw (Aelfraed) by Griff Hosker - Free Book Online Page B

money…”
    “Excellent, then make it so.”
    “I would also suggest money in Constantinople and Paris. It will not affect how much you can have in Scotland but it means that you have more choices.”
    Later that evening, as we rode home, I compared notes with Aethelward and Osbert who had listened in the taverns and the alehouses. “Morcar will not fight until Edwin does and the Norman s are coming north.”
    “Should we do as Reuben says and flee?”
    Aethelward looked at me and I could hear Osbert and Ridley, holding their breath and listening for the answer. “If you flee you will not return.”
    “But why stay?  There is no figurehead.”
    Aethelward halted his horse and stared at me. “Sometimes Aelfraed you surprise me with your naivety. You are the figurehead.   You are the one who could unite the warriors.”
    “Me?” I turned to see Ridley and Osbert grinning and nodding. “I cannot see that.”
    “You are Harold’s son.  You are the only undefeated Saxon left alive and you have a reputation as a warrior.  Men will follow you wherever you go.”
    I thought about his words and saw that they did make some sort of sense, no matter how incredible. “But Edgar, he is Harold’s son too.”
    “He is no warrior and he has no reputation and besides that no-one knows him.  When people mention your name then a host of stories flood out.”
    “Aye my lord.   When I was in the tavern I heard how you defeated and blinded the Scottish champion Duff and five other warriors in single combat.”
    “But that is not true! Well not all of it.”
    “We know that, Aelfraed, but they are desperate for a hero and, at the moment, you are he.”
    Over the next few weeks as we built up our pathetically small army I reflected on those words. My life had changed beyond all recognition in the last three years and I was not certain that I liked it. I yearned for those days before I had foiled an attempt on the King’s life when Ridley and I were just Housecarls.   Of course I would be dead along with Wolf, Ulf and Osgar but now I had the weight of the world upon my shoulders, or at least, the weight of England. To take my mind off that I worked as hard as I had ever worked; either I was training with Osbert and my men at arms or I was planning with Aethelward. Branton’s arrows were now ready in large numbers and we had tried them out on dead pigs covered in mail- they worked! We had also recruited and trained more archers; Branton ensured that they could all ride.  We would not be a static force facing the fearsome Normans – we too would be mobile.  We still could not fight on horse as they did but we could move to and from any battlefield quickly. Gytha had sent a letter to me asking for Sarah.  When I told Sarah she was torn between staying with her husband and looking after the child.  Thomas persuaded her to go and, as she left, with an escort of archers he thanked me.
    “Why are you thanking me old friend? I feel guilty for separating you and your wife.”
    He shook his head and his eyes filled.  “We could not have children my lord.” He shrugged philosophically, “ Wyrd .  But she dotes on you and the Lady Gytha.  When Harold was born she was the happiest woman in the world and she missed them. She can now have the child that was denied her and,” he wiped his eyes, “I fear that war will come here and despite all your efforts my lord, I can see a time when these walls will fall and there will death.  In Scotland she will be safe.”
    I was appalled.   “Thomas, if you feel that way, then join your wife.  You have been a loyal servant and you can serve my wife still.”
    He stood stiffly.   “My lord, I am your Steward and until you dismiss me I will still be your Steward and I will watch over Topcliffe and defend it with my life.”
    Not daring to speak I patted his arm and he walked back to his lists. This was what my title had brought us to.   Doom and destruction; but if Thomas was