Norman battlement this, with the familiar crenellated configuration, but a solid defense, nonetheless. He inhaled deeply of the pure night air, washed clean of dust by the rain and smelling of wet earth, and drew his cloak closer around his shoulders.
From the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of barely perceived movement in the sky across from his position. Keen eyes searching, he found the source, a shadow deeper than the darkness in which it moved. ’Twas a large bird, a hunter, possibly an owl. The creature swept another circle through the air above the clearing on the far side of the river, then abruptly dove into the shadows above the ground. It hesitated briefly, then leapt skyward, its powerful wings carrying it aloft once more. There was not enough light to discern if it had made a kill. It winged into the darkness and he saw it not again.
Pulling away from the chill of the wall, he saw the warmth of his gloved hand had melted a clear print in the frost that rimmed the parapet. By morn, the print would be filled in again. Absently, he rubbed his left shoulder. The old wound was bothersome this night.
His mind returned to his contemplation of all that had transpired in recent days. Who could have foreseen his good fortune? Events could have worked no better to his advantage had he planned them all himself. He thought of the nigh miraculous ease with which he had taken the fortress, and of the timely—and for him, exceptionally convenient—death of his enemy, Renouf of Sebfeld. He had once heard a Saxon scop sing of ‘ advantageous happenstance’, and had wondered exactly what it meant. Now, he thought he knew. If the events leading to the burh’s fall were not advantageous happenings, he could think not what might be.
He rejoiced that Wulfsinraed needed no rebuilding. Most of the burhs and manors granted to William’s new barons were constructed of wood. Though sturdy enough, the king’s standing order required them all to be rebuilt of stone. ’Twould be many, many twelvemonths ere that work was finished. But Wulfsinraed’s stone hall and wall had been well maintained, and the few places he had noted that needed repair were of a minor nature and easily restored.
He delighted in the oaths of fealty sworn to him earlier this day by the men and women who were now his people, on his land, to lead and defend. Those oaths had been tendered first by Thegn Randel and Domnall of Cullanis, both men whom he believed would become good and trustworthy friends. Most of the rebels locked with Sir Ruald in the gatehouse had also chosen to swear fealty, though for the nonce, they would be watched, their true loyalty in question until they proved themselves.
Come the morn, I must remember to have messengers sent to the fiefs. I will that their stewards, both Saxon and Norman, appear before me to swear their oaths. I will insist the wives and eldest sons make their appearance, as well. A man is less likely to be difficult, does he come accompanied by his family.
Fallard had re-affirmed his earlier decision that those who chose to remain with Sir Ruald—though truly, there were now less than two score—would set out for London early this morrow, escorted by the majority of William’s foot soldiers. The rest of William’s men, along with Fallard’s own knights, would remain at Wulfsinraed until the loyalty of the burh troops could be determined.
William will be pleased. The common body of an insurrection rarely survives when its noble head is removed, as has now happened with Renouf dead and Ruald a prisoner. My actions here this day will insure one less trouble for my king.
Abruptly, he laughed, the sound startlingly loud in the crystal night air. Glancing around, he saw several sentries turn to look his way, and his smile broadened. Did they think him a lackwit, or mayhap he had drunk too much ale with his sup? But he was jubilant, for now within his hand lay all his heart had ever desired.
Though the wealth
From the corner of his eye, he caught a flash of barely perceived movement in the sky across from his position. Keen eyes searching, he found the source, a shadow deeper than the darkness in which it moved. ’Twas a large bird, a hunter, possibly an owl. The creature swept another circle through the air above the clearing on the far side of the river, then abruptly dove into the shadows above the ground. It hesitated briefly, then leapt skyward, its powerful wings carrying it aloft once more. There was not enough light to discern if it had made a kill. It winged into the darkness and he saw it not again.
Pulling away from the chill of the wall, he saw the warmth of his gloved hand had melted a clear print in the frost that rimmed the parapet. By morn, the print would be filled in again. Absently, he rubbed his left shoulder. The old wound was bothersome this night.
His mind returned to his contemplation of all that had transpired in recent days. Who could have foreseen his good fortune? Events could have worked no better to his advantage had he planned them all himself. He thought of the nigh miraculous ease with which he had taken the fortress, and of the timely—and for him, exceptionally convenient—death of his enemy, Renouf of Sebfeld. He had once heard a Saxon scop sing of ‘ advantageous happenstance’, and had wondered exactly what it meant. Now, he thought he knew. If the events leading to the burh’s fall were not advantageous happenings, he could think not what might be.
He rejoiced that Wulfsinraed needed no rebuilding. Most of the burhs and manors granted to William’s new barons were constructed of wood. Though sturdy enough, the king’s standing order required them all to be rebuilt of stone. ’Twould be many, many twelvemonths ere that work was finished. But Wulfsinraed’s stone hall and wall had been well maintained, and the few places he had noted that needed repair were of a minor nature and easily restored.
He delighted in the oaths of fealty sworn to him earlier this day by the men and women who were now his people, on his land, to lead and defend. Those oaths had been tendered first by Thegn Randel and Domnall of Cullanis, both men whom he believed would become good and trustworthy friends. Most of the rebels locked with Sir Ruald in the gatehouse had also chosen to swear fealty, though for the nonce, they would be watched, their true loyalty in question until they proved themselves.
Come the morn, I must remember to have messengers sent to the fiefs. I will that their stewards, both Saxon and Norman, appear before me to swear their oaths. I will insist the wives and eldest sons make their appearance, as well. A man is less likely to be difficult, does he come accompanied by his family.
Fallard had re-affirmed his earlier decision that those who chose to remain with Sir Ruald—though truly, there were now less than two score—would set out for London early this morrow, escorted by the majority of William’s foot soldiers. The rest of William’s men, along with Fallard’s own knights, would remain at Wulfsinraed until the loyalty of the burh troops could be determined.
William will be pleased. The common body of an insurrection rarely survives when its noble head is removed, as has now happened with Renouf dead and Ruald a prisoner. My actions here this day will insure one less trouble for my king.
Abruptly, he laughed, the sound startlingly loud in the crystal night air. Glancing around, he saw several sentries turn to look his way, and his smile broadened. Did they think him a lackwit, or mayhap he had drunk too much ale with his sup? But he was jubilant, for now within his hand lay all his heart had ever desired.
Though the wealth
Similar Books
