Page 25 of King’s Knight

Talisand’s church lacked a bell tower but Father Bernard had asked one be installed so that he could call the faithful to prayer.

They rode on, the castle’s wooden tower looming high above where it sat upon a great motte. Around the motte on two sides flowed the River Dee. As they drew closer, the castle seemed to grow in size.

A brief conversation between Earl Renaud and the guard at the gate and they were allowed to enter the bailey.

The head groom and his stable boys took their horses.

Merewyn accepted Alex’s help and slipped from her saddle, his hands on her waist lingering long enough for her to find his masculine presence disturbing.

“You are all right?” he asked.

After so many hours in the saddle, her legs were sluggish and it took a moment for her to walk comfortably. “Aye, just a bit unsteady.”

Once she was walking with ease, she followed Alex to where her fellow travelers stood as a group in the bailey.

“I was here with the Conqueror nearly a score of years ago when he took this city,” remarked Sir Geoffroi “ ’Twas a terrible winter and a worse memory.”

“I have heard tales, awful things,” she said. “Was it as bad as they say?”

Sir Geoffroi regarded first Alex, then Rory and lastly, her. “The three of you were mere babes at the time and Guy had yet to be born.” Shaking his head, he continued, “As bad as they say? ’Twas worse. The Conqueror showed no mercy to the English. As he did in York, he killed many and ordered us to destroy the food stores and salt the land to assure there would be no support for a future rebellion. The people were starving.”

Talisand’s lord placed his arm across Sir Geoffroi’s shoulders and said to the others, “Geoff and Alain risked William’s wrath to help as many as they could reach a nearby abbey where there was food.”

“You did what was right,” said Lady Serena. Her words were met with nods from the men. Alex’s father squeezed his friend’s shoulder and then moved to stand next to his wife.

“I like to think so,” said Sir Geoffroi. Then raising his eyes to the timber castle, he added, “Chester was the last of England to be subjected to the Conqueror’s will and when it was done, William ordered the castle you see to be built.”

All of England knew the timber castles stood as symbols of the Normans’ power and authority and, in many instances, the Normans’ cruelty. Merewyn admired Sir Geoffroi for his courage to defy his king in order to help the people.

“Would that I had been with you and Sir Alain,” said Talisand’s lord.

“ ’Twas best you were not,” remarked Sir Geoffroi. “We could hide among so many knights, but the king’s wolf never could.”

“ ’Tis a time best forgotten,” offered Lady Serena.

Guy eyed his father, admiration in his expression. “Is it not strange to return here, Father?”

“Yea, it is,” admitted Sir Geoffroi. “I only hope this summer finds the land at peace with the Conqueror’s son.” Then, turning to Alex, “You fostered here and must know Earl Hugh well.”

“Aye,” said Alex. “Five years of my youth were spent here. But I have seen the earl many times since. He was with us in Normandy, though he joined William late in the fight.”

Merewyn had wondered about his time away. He must have seen much fighting and many deaths.

“Earl Hugh is a good knight and was respected by the Conqueror,” said the Lord of Talisand. “ ’Twas why I chose him to foster Alex.”

“I expect William will soon have Earl Hugh fighting the Welsh again,” ventured Alex.

Merewyn spoke the one truth she knew of the Lord of Chester. “The earl still holds the King of Gwynedd as his prisoner.”

Lady Serena nodded, her expression somber. “Rhodri told me of it many years ago.”

They ascended the stairs to the castle. At the door, Earl Hugh and his wife greeted them and introductions were made. Merewyn judged him to be in his fourth decade and his countess in her third.

Though he was attired in garments befitting a high-ranking lord, the earl still had the look of a warrior, his craggy face brown from the sun, his demeanor intense. He was clean-shaven and his dark hair cut in the shorter Norman style, like that of Earl Renaud and Sir Geoffroi. But unlike Talisand’s men, Earl Hugh had a large belly his cinnamon-colored tunic strained to cover.

The Lady of Chester must have been sharing her husband’s trencher, for her elegant pale gold gown did not conceal her plump figure. But, unlike the earl, Countess Ermentrude had a pleasant face and a warm smile, one that was very welcoming. Merewyn assumed her hair was brown from her brows for the woman’s headcloth entirely covered her hair. “Welcome to Chester,” she said and took Lady Serena’s arm, leading her into the castle. “It has been too long!”

Merewyn followed the two women as they spoke of their children. Behind her, the Earl of Chester inquired of Talisand’s lord, “I trust your journey was without mishap, Ren?”