Tuck

CHAPTER 31

Londein

Cardinal Flambard pulled up the hem of his robe and stepped over the low rail of the boat and onto the dock. He dipped into his purse for a coin and flipped it to the ferryman, then turned and strolled up the dock, avoiding the gulls fighting over piles of fish guts some unthinking oaf had left to swelter in the sun. He raised his eyes to the Billings Gate and started his climb up the steep bank, stifling an inward sigh. It was his lot ever to run to the king's least whim and answer His Majesty's flimsiest fancy. Like two men sharing a prison cell, they were chained to one another until one of them died. Such was the price of standing so near the throne.

Standing? Ranulf Flambard occupied that gilded seat as often as ever the king sat there-considering that Red William remained in perpetual motion, flitting here and there and everywhere… stamping out rebellion, squabbling with his disgruntled brothers, resisting the constant incursions by the Mother Church into what he considered his private affairs. And when the king wasn't doing that, he was hunting. In fact, that was William: always at the sharp end of any conflict going or, failing that, causing one.

And the dutiful Ranulf Flambard, Chief Justiciar of England, was there at his side to pick up the pieces.

It was to William's side that he was summoned now, and he laboured up from the stinking jetty with a scented cloth pressed to his nose. The riverside at the rank end of summer was a very cesspool-when was it not? Proceeding through the narrow streets lining the great city's wharf he allowed himself to think what life might be like as a bishop in a remote, upcountry see. As attractive as the notion seemed at the moment, would all that serenity soon pall? It was not likely he would ever find out. Turning from that, he wondered what fresh debacle awaited him this time.

At the gate to the White Tower he was admitted without delay and personally conducted by the porter to the entrance to the king's private apartment, where his presence was announced by the chamberlain. Following a short interval, he was admitted.

"Oh, Flambard, it's you," said William, glancing up. He was stuffing the voluminous tail of his shirt into his too-tight breeches. Finishing the chore, he started towards the door. "At last."

"I came as soon as I received your summons, Majesty. Forgive me for not anticipating your call."

"Eh? Yes, well…" Red William looked at his chief advisor and tried to work out whether Flambard was mocking him. He could not tell, so let it go. "You're here now and there's work to do."

"A pleasure, Sire." He made a tight little bow that, perfected over years of service, had become little more than a slight nod of the head with a barely discernible bend at the waist. "Am I to know what has occasioned this summons, my lord?"

"It is all to do with that business in Elvile," William said, pushing past the justiciar and bowling down the corridor which led to his audience rooms. "Remember all that ruck?"

"I seem to have a recollection, Sire. There was some trouble with one of the barons-de Braose, if I recall the incident correctly. You banished the baron and took the cantref under your authority-placed it in the care of some abbot or other, and a sheriff somebody."

"You remember, good," decided the king. "Then you can talk to him."

"Talk to whom, Majesty, if I may ask?"

"That blasted abbot-he's here. Been driven off his perch by bandits, apparently. Demanding an audience. Screaming the roof down." The king stopped walking so abruptly that the cardinal almost collided with his squat, solid form. "Give him whatever he wants. No-whatever it takes to make him go away. I'm off to Normandie in a fortnight, and I cannot spare even a moment."

"I understand, Highness," replied the cardinal judiciously. "I will see what can be done."

They continued on to the audience chamber, discussing the king's proposed journey to Normandie, where he planned to meet with King Philip to challenge the French monarch's increasingly flagrant incursions beyond the borders of the Vexin. "Philip is a low, craven ass. His trespasses will not be tolerated, hear?" said William as he pushed open the chamber door. "Ah! There you are." This was spoken as if the king had spent the better part of the day in a harried search for the petitioner.

"My lord and majesty," said the abbot, once again resplendent in a simple white satin robe and purple stole. "You honour your servant with your presence."

William waved aside the flattery. "What is it you want? I was told it was a matter of some urgency. Speak, man, let's get it done."

"My lord," said Abbot Hugo, "I fear I bring unhappy tidings. The-"

"Who are you?" asked the king, turning to the young man standing a few steps behind the abbot. "Well? Step up. Let me know you."

"I am Marshal Guy de Gysburne at your service, Sire," replied the knight.

"Gysburne, eh? I think I know your father-up north somewhere, isn't it?"

"Indeed, Majesty."

"Are you the sheriff?"

"Majesty?"

"The sheriff I appointed to Elvile-or whatever the miserable place is called."

"No, Majesty," replied Guy, "I am the abbot's marshal. Sheriff de Glanville is-"

"De Glanville-yes! That's the fellow," said the king as the memory came back to him. "Came to me begging the use of some soldiers. Where is he? Why isn't he here?"

"That is what we've come to speak to you about, Highness," said the abbot, resuming his tale of woe. "It pains me to inform you that the realm of Elfael is in open rebellion against your rule. The rebels have slaughtered most of the men you sent to aid in the protection of your loyal subjects."

Abbot Hugo then proceeded to describe a realm under siege and a population captive to chaos and terror. He spoke passionately and in some detail-so much so that even Gysburne felt himself moved to outrage at the accumulated atrocities, though the abbot's description had parted company with the truth after the first few words. "If that was not enough," concluded Hugo, "the outlaws have seized the throne and taken your sheriff hostage."

"They have, eh? By the rood, I'll have their eyes on my belt! I'll hang the-"

"Your Majesty," interrupted Cardinal Flambard, "perhaps it would be best if I were to sit down with the abbot here and see what can be done?"

"No need, Flambard," retorted the king. "A blind man can see what needs to be done. Rebellion must be snuffed out swiftly and mercilessly, lest it spreads out of hand. These Welsh must be taught a lesson. I've too long been over-lenient with them-too generous, by the blood, and they've used me for a fool."

"Sire," ventured Cardinal Flambard gently, "I do not think this present circumstance is quite as simple as it might seem at first blush. I think I remember this outlaw fellow from Elfael, Sire. Was he not the same who came to you at Rouen with word of Duke Robert's treason? He uncovered the plot against you-that was why Baron de Braose was exiled, if you will recall."

"Yes? What of it?"

"Well, it would seem that the fellow sought restitution of his lands in exchange for his service to your throne."

Abbot Hugo's expression grew grim. He had carefully avoided any mention of the circumstances leading up to the insurrection-lest his own part in the baron's conspiracy against William should inadvertently come to light.

"Ah, yes. Good hunting land, Elvile, I believe."

"The best, Sire," encouraged Hugo.

"What is your point, Flambard? We settled with Duke Robert and his schemers. That is over and done."

"Quite so, Sire," offered Hugo.

"If I may," continued the justiciar, undeterred, "I would suggest that inasmuch as this Welshman did not receive the reward he was looking for at the time, it would seem that he has taken matters into his own hands."

"I am to blame for this?" said William. "Is that what you're suggesting? I am to blame for this rebellion?"

"By no means, Sire. Far from it. I merely point out that the two matters are related. Perhaps in light of the present circumstance it would be most expedient simply to allow the Welshman to claim the throne. I believe he offered to swear fealty to you once. If you were to allow him his due this time, I have no doubt he could be persuaded to make good his previous offer."

William the Red stared at his chief counsellor in disbelief. "Give him what he wants-is that what you said?"

"In a word, Majesty, yes."

"By the bloody rood, Flambard, that I will not do! If we were to allow these rogues to murder my troops and then take whatever they want with our blessing, the kingdom would soon descend into anarchy! No, sir! Not while I sit on the throne of England. All such insurrections will be crushed. This rogue will be captured and brought to the tower in chains. He will be tried for treason against the crown, and he will be hung before the city gate. That is how we deal with rebels while William sits the throne!"

"Very wise, Your Majesty," intoned the abbot. "It goes without saying that you shall have my entire support-and that of my marshal."

William glanced at the abbot and gave a short blast through his nostrils. "Huff." Turning swiftly on the cardinal, he said, "Summon the barons. I want them to-" He stopped, did a rapid calculation in his head, and then said, "No, send to them and command them to raise their men and attend me at Hereford… Who's that?"

"Neufmarche, Highness," volunteered the abbot, with smug satisfaction at the thought that the baron would be forced to help in the end.

"All are to meet me at Hereford Castle with their troops. We will march on Elfael from there and take these rebels. I want sufficient force to quash the rebellion in the egg. It shouldn't take long." He looked to the marshal for agreement.

"A few days, Sire," said Gysburne, speaking up. "There are not so many that they cannot be brought to justice in a day or two of fighting-a week at most."

"There! You see? A week and the thing is done, the rebels brought to heel, and I can go to Normandie."

Cardinal Flambard pursed his lips doubtfully.

"Well?" demanded the king accusingly. "You're sulking, priest. Out with it."

"With all respect, Highness, I still believe an embassy to this nobleman, outlaw as he may be, would achieve the same end with far less cost-and then there is the bloodshed to think about."

"Nonsense," snorted William. "Hang the cost and bloodshed. The rest of Wales will see and understand by this that our sovereign rule will not be violated. Treason will not be tolerated. And that will save blood and silver in days to come."

"You can always invade Wales as a last resort, my liege," suggested Cardinal Flambard. "Should the embassy fail, that is, which I doubt…"

But William the Red was no longer listening. He had turned his back and was striding for the door. "Send to the barons, Cardinal," he called over his shoulder. "All are to meet me in Hereford ready to fight in six days' time."