The Wolfe (76 page)

She smiled faintly in return,
allowing the earl to lead her on through the door.

“Oh, William, before I forget, Henry
is awake and demanding to see you,” he said, appalled at his forgetfulness. “He
sent a soldier to my rooms about an hour ago, saying he was unable to find you.
I told him I would deliver the message.”

William nodded, squaring his
considerable shoulders. “Then I shall go to him at once,” he said.

“‘Tis likely he will announce you
your lands and pass along a couple of formal charters documenting your barony,”
the earl said. “Then I suppose he will send for me, so I will see you after I
settle your wife.”

William nodded again, exiting the
room behind them. At the stairs they parted ways; William was headed down the
flight while the earl and Jordan continued down the corridor.

At the top step William paused just
long enough to watch the seductive sway of his wife’s hips as she moved down
the hall on the earl’s arm. With an appreciative shake of his head, he
descended the steps.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

The meeting with the king went
exactly as the earl had said. After formally ascending to the title of baron in
front of the king’s witnesses, William was passed two documents; one declaring
his title, and the other bequeathing him all lands and related privileges to
the barony of Kilham and Castle Questing.

The king was quite pleased with his
generosity, as was William. He tried to act surprised when the monarch took
great relish in announcing his new lands to go with his title and he must have
done a good job, for Henry looked more than pleased with his reaction.

The earl joined them later for no
apparent reason other than to congratulate his captain and express his pleasure
to have William as an ally. But the king wasn’t finished with William yet.

“There is one more thing, baron, and
then we will be finished,” he said, scratching his sparse head. “Not even John
is aware of this for I wasn’t sure myself until this morn. John, you have been
the largest fortress between the Scots and York for some time. But even your
time is growing near and since Alexander is to inherit your title, I am frankly
worried about the safety of the border. Alexander is not near the man you are,
and I do not mean that as an insult, merely a fact. Which is why there is some method
to my thinking when I made William a baron and handed him Questing. With that
occupied, it will be the major force to be reckoned with on the border. Yet, of
course, that will not be for some time yet; years, even.”

William did not like the sound of
that. He did not want to be in London for ‘years.’ The king took a healthy swig
of goat’s milk and continued.

“Therefore, I have come to a
decision, John. Until such time as William fully occupies Questing, I will make
you Warden of the North Border,” he announced. “You will be in charge of the
entire length of the border between Scotland and England, and all of my vassals
shall be answerable to you. If there is a problem, then it will be your duty to
make sure it is resolved. Then, when such time as my champion returns to the
wilds, he will take over the title. I will supply Questing with six hundred men
to support the title and powers. Before we leave I will leave one hundred of my
troops to reinforce your new responsibilities. With The Lyceum compromised, I
am sure you can use the manpower.”

William and the earl stared back at
the king, stunned at the announcement. ‘Twas the earl who spoke first.

“Your Most Highness is generous to a
fault,” he said. William thought he detected a note of sarcasm in his voice. “I
shall do my best to live up to your confidence, my lord, but in faith, William
is the tactician. He is certainly most deserving of the title.”

The king was being most ambitious in
protecting his border with Scotland, William thought. Mayhap Laird Scott’s
missive prodded the man into thinking that mayhap there would be great trouble
along the border soon. With Wales and Scotland nipping at Henry’s heels, the
king was taking no chances.

“Thank you again, sire,” William
echoed. “I am thrice honored.”

Henry nodded at them both. “Now, I
am finished with you both,” he waved at them. “Earl, we will be departing early
afternoon. I suggest you prepare yourself. My captain of the household troops,
Rolf de Moray, expects that you will be in command when we leave the gates.”

The king had, effectively, placed
William in command of every soldier in England. He felt as if he were dreaming
the entire thing, for he had never even entertained such a thought. He bowed deeply
to his king.

“My lord places great trust in me,”
he said. “I shall not fail you.”

Henry looked hard at him. “I know
you won’t, lad,” he said. “I know you and your reputation. And I only choose
the best.”

He turned away from them and they
knew they were dismissed. De Longley waited until they were well down the
corridor before letting out a long, heavy sigh.

“Warden of the North Border.” he
scoffed. “Great Gods, that ought to piss the Scots off. If they were merely
thinking of merging their forces, then that little title ought to prompt them
right into it. Doesn’t he realize they will throw everything they have directly
at Northwood simply to destroy her and rid themselves of then cage-keeper?”

William nodded. “I have always felt
wardens are for jails, not a field title.”

The earl snorted. “Hurry back from
Wales, William, and claim your distasteful title from me.”

William smiled. “I am tempted to
announce the title to the border lairds myself just to make them mad enough to
riot. Then Henry would have no choice by to send me back to the borders to
quell the uprising.”

The earl smirked at him. “A good thought,
lad.”

They parted company at the stairs.
William descended into the foyer and headed out into the early morning
sunshine.

The day was already glorious and warm
as he crossed into the outer bailey and headed for the knight’s quarters.
Around him the population of the fortress was coming alive, readying for the
day ahead. He glanced about, something he didn’t usually do, for this would be
the last time he saw Northwood in this state. He was homesick already.

William entered the antechamber of
the knights’ quarters, a room reserved for meetings and private meals, and came
face-to-face with all nine of his knights.

He sighed to himself; he had
expected as much. They had heard the announcement last night and had probably
been up all night waiting for him to return. They deserved some answers.

William stood in front of them,
bracing his legs apart and crossing his arms expectantly.

“Well?” he demanded.

Paris was leaning against the far
wall. “They wish to congratulate you, my lord.”

“They do?” William responded. “Then
I accept.”

Kieran was sitting directly in front
of him. He smiled lazily at the new earl. “Baron Kilham, is it? Has a nice
sound to it. So does King’s Champion. Quite a privilege, I would say.”

He gazed down at Kieran. “Stop
sounding so jealous. You know I could care less about the titles and land.”

“Titles?” Kieran repeated suspiciously.

“Lands?” Michael blurted on his
heels.

William glanced at Paris when he
spoke. “It seems the king had more surprises up his sleeves after he left the
celebration last night,” he said mildly. “Since you asked, I will tell you. I
have received the Kilham barony, Castle Questing, and all of her lands. I have
also received another title in addition to baron and King’s Champion. When I
return from the campaign in Wales, I will be further known as Warden of the
North Border.”

The knights looked properly awed.
William grinned when he saw that they were speechless. Paris moved himself off
the wall and walked toward his friend.

“I do not know whether to bow to you
or kiss your feet,” he quipped.

“Both, if you will,” William
returned without missing a beat. “And you, man, are now Captain of Northwood. Congratulations.”

Paris bowed slightly. “Thank you.
But I would prefer to go with you to Wales.”

Here it comes
, William
thought. “I am sorry, my friend, but you cannot,” he said as he put his hand on
Paris’ shoulder. “As much as it pains me, you must remain behind at Northwood. De
Longley needs you with the Scots on the march.”

“What do you mean, William?” Deinwald
asked, puzzled.

William proceeded to explain the
missive. When he was finished, his knights looked grim.

“So that was what that was all
about,” Kieran’s jaw flexed. “I knew you would tell us in time, but I had no
idea that was the message. And we are supporting Langton?”

“Aye,” William replied. “Which is
why De Longley is reluctant to let any of you go with me. He absolutely refused
to let Paris go.”

The men were silent a moment. “Which
of us will you be taking, my lord?” it was Adam.

William glanced at de Longley’s fair
son. “I was only allowed a choice of two,” he said.

Angry voices raised to protest that
decision and William lifted his hands to quiet them.

“Two
only
,” he insisted
loudly. “De Longley needs the majority of you here at Northwood. Believe me, it
was not an easy decision, for the two of you who accompany me will remain with
me when I take over Questing. There will be no returning to Northwood.”

They knew that, but they didn’t
care. They simply wanted to serve William. He glanced at the faces of his loyal
vassals and was greatly saddened that he could not take all of them. They had
been through so much together and he knew he would not feel complete without
them.

“Who is g-going with you?” Michael
asked the fateful question.

William detected a note of
hopefulness in the man’s voice. “Believe me when I tell you it was the most
difficult choice I have ever had to make. But I believe I made the best choice
I could. I need knights with certain qualities with me, as does Paris. I could
not take someone that I knew he desperately needed.” He wanted to explain his
decision so that they would understand. “Ranulf must be here to control the
men-at-arms and train the youngers. There is no one better suited in that
capacity, although I will miss him sorely. Corin, you and Adam and Lewis still
need valuable experience, experience that remaining here will teach you. I
believe it is in your best interest to stay. Jason, you and Marc will be very
important to Paris with your strength and experience with the scots. Michael,
you will remain behind because Paris will need a second in command. You are
more than capable. That leaves Kieran and Deinwald to accompany me to London.
Kieran as my new second, and Deinwald as my left hand and liaison to the
troops. If I cannot take Ranulf, then I want Deinwald, for he is just as
cantankerous,” he smiled faintly, glancing at the faces he knew so well. “And
that, gentle knights, is my decision.”

Because he had explained it so well,
there were no hurt feelings. Everyone began talking at once, congratulating
each other, speaking of the future, teasing William good-naturedly about the
wife he was leaving behind. They could only imagine the pain he must be feeling
and each man who would be remaining felt it his personal mission to protect
her. Especially Paris.

After the knights had retired to
rest and prepare for the departure, Paris and William remained in the room.
Paris eyed William as the man sat wearily in a chair and poured himself a cup
of wine.

“Do not look at me like that,”
William told him irritably.

“Like what?” Paris asked innocently,
sitting opposite his friend.

William shot him an impatient look. “Like
you are about ready to burst out in tears. Honest to God, Paris, I cannot take
any more emotional confrontations today. I am spent.”

“You shall get no such
confrontations from me,” Paris assured him, although he didn’t mean it. He had
so many things he wanted to tell his former captain but he was unused to
expressing himself. “Simply allow me to say one thing; that I will guard your wife
with my life until such time as you return.”

William looked at him. “I know you
will.” When the moment turned too sentimental, he stiffened a little. “And I give
you permission to discipline her if needed. And I am sure it will be needed.”

Paris snorted. “You never disciplined
her. What makes you think I will be any different?”

William gave him a wry smile,
focusing his attention on his cup, watching the wine swirl. Paris gazed at him.