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Chester
Late the following day, Roland recognized the geographical features of the River Dee’s estuary that Baron Aigremont had described. The waters had been remarkably calm during their journey, but he was glad to leave the open sea behind.
Ahead lay a different challenge. A large town had sprung up around Chester Castle. “Ironically enough,” he told his companions as they rounded a wide bend in the river and the imposing castle came into view, “it’s likely the officials here still speak the Norman French of the nobility in their daily dealings.”
The members of his crew nodded. They understood without further explanation that their mode of speech might draw unwanted attention.
Vessels large and small were tied to the busy dock below the castle. The reek of fish was overwhelming. Men scurried about like ants, all seemingly trying to outshout each other. Roland recognized Scottish brogues, the lilting speech of Welshmen, the Irish of his MacLachlainn cousins, and even accents that reminded him of the Cornish fishermen. Judging by the poor quality of their clothing and the overall grimy appearance of most of the men, the arrival of a bedraggled group wouldn’t draw too much attention. It was Adelina’s presence that might cause a problem. It wouldn’t be wise to leave her with Thyst and the rest of the crew while he, Terric and Adrien reconnoitered the castle.
On terra firma once more, Roland paused to allow his shaky legs to adjust. He was no stranger to spending hours out at sea, but sailing with his long legs cramped up in a small longboat was a different story. Adelina clung to his arm, clearly experiencing the same difficulty. Heads turned to watch.
“We’re attracting too many curious eyes,” he muttered to Terric.
“Aye. Not only because we have a woman with us, but we’re not barefoot like just about everyone else.”
Desirous of getting away from the dock as quickly as possible without giving the appearance of flight, Roland linked his arm with Adelina’s. Terric took her other arm. Adrien brought up the rear and they walked briskly up the slope toward the castle gate.
“Let me do the talking,” Terric insisted. “The guards likely are not from the upper echelons.”
Roland nodded his agreement. “Act like a maiden in distress,” he whispered to Adelina.
* * *
Adelina almost chuckled. Acting the part of a maiden in distress wouldn’t be difficult!
Upon hearing the challenge of the guards at the gate, she leaned heavily on Terric.
“What is the name of the Constable of this castle?” her brother demanded in English.
It was difficult to discern if the guard’s wide-eyed surprise came as a result of the unexpected question or because a nobleman had addressed him in his own tongue.
“Er…that be Sir Roger de Lacy,” he spluttered, his gaze fixed on Adelina’s tear-streaked face. “Is the lady in distress, sir?”
Roland breathed again. Marguerite’s father had spoken true. De Lacy was, indeed, the Constable of Chester Castle.
“Of course my sister is in distress,” Terric thundered. “We were set upon by Irish pirates, our vessel commandeered. They cast us adrift in a longboat. We’ve made it here by sheer good fortune, but we must report the incident to the Constable. Surely, he does not tolerate the theft of ships belonging to honest English merchants.”
Adelina worried her brother may have overdone it. She decided swooning might be required when the guard narrowed his eyes.
“Clever girl,” Roland whispered as he scooped her up and forced his way past the guards who scurried about like cawing crows whose nest is under threat.
“Lead on,” Terric commanded.
His indignant tone of voice was apparently all that was needed to convince the guard as he beckoned them through the gate.
* * *
The crowded ward was a hive of activity. Goats, chickens and pigs seemed to be everywhere, perhaps even outnumbering the people. The stench reminded Roland of the piggery at Waterthwaite. He was relieved no one in the jostling crowd paid them any mind, only scowling when the guard ordered them to make way.
Though they were still in peril, he liked the weight of Adelina in his arms. “Hold on tight,” he whispered, elated when she nestled her face into his chest.
The silence inside the castle came in sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle outside. Faint voices and the thud of the guard’s boots echoed down a maze of deserted hallways.
Roland and Adrien exchanged a worried glance.
“We’ll never find our way out of this labyrinth,” his brother muttered.
Roland harbored a similar worry should things go wrong, but he didn’t want to alarm Adelina. “All shall be well,” he said, hoping de Lacy would turn out to be the ally they desperately needed.
