Page 52 of Rogue Knight
“Very well,” FitzOsbern conceded. “We have time yet. You take a group of knights to warn the people in those homes, Sir Geoffroi.” To Gilbert, he said, “We will give them five days to get out before you set the torch.”
Geoff did not relish the task of telling people they were about to lose their homes, but he would see it done. Better he risked his men to warn the citizens of York who were threatened than allow innocents to die in the flames.
***
Maerleswein rapped on his daughter’s door, anxious to tell her of all that would take place. Already he tasted victory on his tongue, knowing thousands of Northumbrians would join the Danes when they arrived at the mouth of the Humber.
The door opened and Emma stood there, smiling, but he sensed an underlying tension that spoke of worry. In her eyes he saw something else, mayhap fear.
“Father,” she said, as he entered, “from whence do you come?”
He kissed her on the forehead. “The Humber most directly, where my army assembles. ’Tis where Swein’s ships will meet us and soon, but before that I was in Scotland with Cospatric and Edgar.”
She beckoned him to sit. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“’Tis a warm day. Some ale would be welcome.”
She fetched the drink herself and when she had returned and he sat on the bench, she pulled up the stool she always sat upon.
He took a drink of his ale and wiped his mouth.
“I have heard the Danes are coming,” she said, “plundering their way north.”
“I expect they are; you know they love their plunder, Emma. But how did you learn of this?”
“The Normans know, Father. Their king sent them word.”
“Did you hear this from the Norman knight you spoke of?”
“Yea, he meant to warn me. He knows nothing of you.”
“As I would have it. If they knew you were the daughter of the thegn who once ruled the North for King Harold, and now leads the uprising, they would as soon see you dead.”
“Some of them, mayhap.” She looked down at her hands entwined in her lap.
When he recalled her friendship with the French knight, his forehead creased with concern. He brushed it off, knowing the man would soon be dead. Glancing about the room, he suddenly realized how quiet it was. “Where is your brood, your hound, your servants?”
“Artur took Thyra to the blacksmith to have a loose shoe tightened. Sigga went with him to shop in the market—we want to have as much food on hand as we can—and the twins are in the garden with Inga and Magnus, tending the new plants. Why?”
“’Twould be best if you stayed close to home for the next fortnight. Thank God the house is far from the center of town. The Danes and our allies know to stay away from this street but with thousands of men, I cannot guarantee they will abide by their orders. I will post guards on every side and come to you when I can.”
A shadow crossed her face.
“Do you worry still?” he asked.
“For you and my family, yes.” Then looking up at him, “And for my friends in the city. Even for the Normans who have shown me kindness.”
“Friends among the Normans?”
“You know the ones I have spoken of… the ones who brought Ottar home, who rescued Feigr and Magnus. I owe them much, Father.”
“No matter, the Normans must go. We would again see an English king in the North.”
Emma sighed and looked away. “I wish they would leave without all the killing.”
“’Twill never happen, Emma. William wants Yorkshire as he wants all of England. To think we can stop him without a fight is to want something that can never be.”
“Aye, I know it well,” she said.
