The Blue Falcon (46 page)

Chapter 23

Christmas was a joyous celebration for most of England. With the knights and soldiers returning to their families, the relief turned to gaiety that spread from earl to knight to serf. And with the returning Crusaders came the hope that money and muscle would be spent strengthening the affairs at home.

The exception was at Cordell, where the return of the Crusaders meant an inevitable struggle.

The tension in the hall was as thick as the ice on the ground. Tedric, temporarily immobilized by bad weather, sent messenger after messenger into the cold wind to bring him word of his allies and enemy. Liegemen of Count John were contacted so that Tedric would be assured of his support. Missives were sent to Theodoric for the same reason, and men were sent toward Anselm to monitor Conan’s moves. The tension grew as Tedric awaited replies or news. What he learned he did not like.

Theodoric sent word that Tedric’s four older brothers were not quick to rally to his side, for they had been, for over two years, close companions to Sir Conan and they thought highly of him. Tedric was not even sure of his father’s support, since Tedric’s alliance with Count John was met with disfavor by his family.

“
If they fail me, I have support enough from the count!” he shouted after reading one of his father’s letters.

Chandra, hearing this, mumbled a silent prayer that Rich
ard would soon return to England. But that hope was dashed on a cold day in January when another message came to Tedric. King Richard had been captured and was being held prisoner.

Richard had insulted the German Duke Leopold in Pales
tine. While most of Richard’s army had returned by sea, Richard had chosen a land route. Leopold captured him and was holding him in his German manor, seeking a ransom for his release.

Thus, John had little time for private family wars. He had his eyes on more than Tedric’s domain: he would have all of England. He traveled to Normandy and Paris, paying homage to those leaders in return for their support. Rumors spread that Richard was already dead, leaving John as rightful heir. England’s nobles were confused and frightened, struggling with their loyalties, trying to decide whether to wait upon the return of the king or go with John now, early in his search for supporters.

Alaric declared his support of Richard. Tedric hoped that his father would go with John, but his brothers had fought with Richard and they loved and admired him. They all, save Tedric, supported Richard and would fight John in any attempt he made to usurp the crown. Theodoric’s support was slipping further and was present in name only. Tedric was frightened. And with his fear came rage.

February dragged and March brought no challenge from Sir Conan, but word was delivered to Tedric that the knight was not spending his winter idly. Conan too was making inquiries. Through his messengers and his own travels, Conan was asking questions about Tedric’s activities over the past two years. And, to add to the insult, he was building an army within Anselm’s walls.

“
If Conan attacks Phalen and you are here
--
” Chandra attempted.

“
Phalen is stout,” Tedric replied.
“
And do not try to persuade me to leave here and await his whim at Phalen. That is clearly what he wants: to have me stand ready for weeks and even months while he does nothing.”

If it was what Conan planned, it had worked. Conan had not even acknowledged Tedric’s possession of Phalen.

It was near the end of March when Master William visited the keep. He came to speak to Lady Chandra, but even he was not allowed a private moment with her. He addressed Tedric, but not until the lady was near enough to hear.

“
Milord, game is not so deep in the forest and our
f
ishermen are finding more catch near the shore. I would send a hunting party out, since meat is desired.”

Chandra smiled to herself. William knew the land and the sky. He would not have bothered for Tedric’s permission to enter the forest. He looked for a way to tell Chandra that spring was near. The weather would be warm enough for travel
--
and war.

Late one night in the month of March, Chandra stood outside her bedchamber and looked up at the first clear sky she had seen in some time. The wind was still cold off the sea, but the sleet and snow would be no more.

She cuddled her son close to her breast, though he was not much interested in being cuddled. There were other things on his busy little mind. But she cooed to him with a sadness in her voice.

“
Lady,” Wynne said softly to her back.

Chandra turned and, with tear-filled eyes, handed over her son.
“
Take him quickly,” she begged.

“
I will guard him carefully, lady,” Wynne promised.

She could not bear to watch the door to her bedchamber close behind Wynne and her son. She would not be allowed the luxury of knowing if they made their way to Laine safely. If Tedric should notice the child missing and set out after them, all three might lose their lives.

She looked up at the sky, her tears hot on her cheeks. The pain and fear she knew in sending her son to safety were almost more than she could bear.

Conan,
she thought wildly.
Will you know your son? Will he ever know a father’s love and strength? Am I alone
--
truly alone
--
without a protector, without hope? Oh, God above me
--
am I alone?

***

While Eleanor, the Queen Mother, worked toward the release of her son Richard, Count John was rumored to be busily plotting his royal brother’s death. His treachery was known to be limitless.

In a small village near the Anglesey monastery, there were two returned soldiers keeping meager lodgings through the winter. They called themselves John and Michael. The man called John had a wife, a lovely woman dark of hair, with bewitching green eyes. The three kept quietly to themselves, the man called Michael taking his meals with the couple and
s
leeping each night in the stable behind the house. They bought their provender sparingly and the men did simple chores from time to time in exchange for a meal or a few coins. The only thing that set them apart from the many misplaced soldiers was the fact that they had stabled three fine horses.

Their secrets were held behind the door of their one room.

“
The time is near when we can stay in the wood around Cordell. The nights are warmer and the brush thicker. Edythe, I think it safer that you stay here,” Mallory said.

Edythe nodded, though she feared the length of time she might be forced to keep this tiny room. Their money was running low.

“
Did you send the message?” Mallory asked Thurwell.

“
I paid the man to put it in Conan’s hand. And when he returns I shall have to pay him again for his answer.”

“
What did you write?”

“
That one in his house betrays him. I dared not name the lady for fear the message would not reach him. And I wrote the rest: that we await the dove and watch. He should know it has come from us.”

“
Unless he has grown slow-witted through the winter, he will know where to find us. Edythe, soon he will know that you live.”

“
He will not guess our mother betrays him,” she said sadly.

Few travelers passed through the single street of the small burgh. There was a better road to the monastery and a faster way to Colchester. That was the very reason Mallory and Thurwell had chosen the little farming village. Therefore, Thurwell looked suspiciously at a cart bearing two women and a small child. The wheel on the cart wobbled dangerously and Thurwell pointed out the trouble to Mallory.

“
The old hag travels without a man. Mayhaps she has need of help. Soon the thing will topple and spill out the young woman and her child.”

“
Never mind their troubles now,” Mallory returned.

“
The woman, Mallory,” he murmured.
“
I have seen her before.”

“
You lay claim to every wench who passes,” Mallory remarked.

“
Nay, I have seen her before. Look at her.”

As the cart passed, both women kept their heads bent low.

Although Mallory was not very curious, when he bent his head to look at the younger woman’s face he ceded she was familiar, but since he could not place her he turned to follow Edythe.

“
Old woman,” Thurwell called, causing her to rein in her tired horse.
“
Your wheel needs repair.”

“
I go not far, sir,” she said, urging the horse forward again.

“
Do not fear I would cheat you,” Thurwell said, grabbing the rein.
“
I will help you.”

The child at the younger woman’s side began to whimper and tugged at her mantle. Thurwell looked at the child and frowned. Then he looked at the younger woman and saw a pleading look in her eyes. A wisp of the blond hair she attempted to conceal under the hood of her cloak fell along her cheek. The pleasant face touched a place in his memory. With a snap he connected the face to the name. He had many times seen her serving Chandra in the past.

“
Wynne?” he asked.

“
Please,” she begged softly.
“
Let us pass.”

“
You do not know me?” he asked in a whisper.

“
Nay,” she breathed.
“
Let us pass.”

“
Wynne,” he pressed.
“
Thurwell. I am Sir Thurwell, Co
nan’s friend.”

A tear came to her eye.
“
Please do not stop us here. No one must remember our passing or we will be found.”

“
The child?” he questioned.

“
My lady’s son.”

Thurwell straightened and let go of the rein.
“
Move along,” he said. He watched them pass down the street. There were a few simple bundles in the cart, enough to allow Thurwell to guess that wherever they were bound, they intended to stay for a time. He could not guess their destination, but he could reason the purpose. He was certain they sought to escape Tedric.

Mallory approached Thurwell.
“
The woman,” Thurwell said softly.
“
Tis Chandra’s handmaiden, Wynne. She flees Cordell with Chandra’s son.”

“
Conan’s son,” Mallory said.

“
She is fearful. She would not talk to me here. Trouble may follow her and we must see her to safety.”

They allowed time enough to pass, and then the two
k
nights took their horses and followed the cart. It was not difficult to catch up with.

“
We fly to Thetford,” Wynne told them anxiously.
“
My father is taking many men into the forest, and Sir Tedric grows more impatient every day, and my lady was fearful for her son. We seek haven with her sister in the convent.”

“
Thetford!” Mallory choked.
“
The child would be safer in the wood. Tedric will go first to Thetford in search of him.”

“
There is no place else,” Wynne said tremulously.
“
Hugh cannot survive the cold and damp nights in the forest. He needs special care. He is still a baby.”

Mallory reached out a hand and pulled back the hood that covered the lad’s head and looked at the thick, dark hair and chubby face. He smiled and lifted the little chin to look into the boy’s blue eyes.
“
How has Tedric accepted the boy?”

“
He pays little attention to him,” Wynne answered.

“
He must not have seen him since his birth,” Thurwell put in.

“
We will take you back with us,” Mallory told Wynne.
“
You will be safer in our room with Edythe than you would be at Thetford.”

“
I fear being so close to Cordell,” Wynne said, worried.

“
There is no help for it,” Mallory advised.
“
Old woman, can you make the journey to the convent alone?”

“
If the wheel is repaired I have no other fears,” she replied.

“
Since you have no money for lodgings, Tedric would not look for you anywhere but the convent. I think you will be safe in our room and we will go pay a call on Sir William.”

“
But I have money,” Wynne protested.
“
Not much, but enough for a time. Enough for some food.”

Thurwell reached up to lift Wynne down from the cart.
“
The money is badly needed,” he told her.
“
And it will be repaid when we are free to join Conan.” Wynne shivered slightly as her feet hit the ground.
“
Fear not, lass, for Tedric will not search long. He has better use for his men. He plans to start a war.”