Page 60 of Rogue Knight
A small group of French knights surrounded the nobles, their stance oddly proud given they had just lost thousands of men and been stripped of their weapons.
Osbjorn swaggered into the hall with Swein’s two sons and walked toward him, all three bearing wide grins. “We have won!”
“Aye, so we have,” said Maerleswein.
“We go to join the men,” said Osbjorn. “They seek their plunder and we would have our share. Even now Norman helms and swords lay on the ground for the taking. What do you have here?”
“A few prisoners I must see to.”
Osbjorn nodded and cast a glance at the nobles behind Maerleswein.
“Go, then.” He waved the Dane off. “But take no booty except from the Normans and keep your men clear of the far northeast of the city where lies my daughter’s home, else your men will die by my sword.”
“Of course,” Osbjorn said, tipping his head. “I will see you later when we return for the evening’s feast.”
Maerleswein rolled his eyes at Cospatric. The Northumbrians might be there to take back their city, but the Danes were there to plunder its riches. King Swein would not have been so shortsighted.
Swein’s brother and sons departed as Maerleswein’s captain approached. “What would you have me do with these?” He gestured toward the group of nobles and the knights who stood with them.
“We will keep the nobles as prisoners. They may yet be useful to us. The rest we will slay.” Smiling at Cospatric, he said, “Mayhap Waltheof’s axe is not yet dull.”
CHAPTER 12
Emma anxiously paced as Artur stirred the hearth fire, grateful Inga watched the twins in their chamber. Knowing the battle had been underway for some hours, she prayed for the safe deliverance of the men she loved, hearing in her mind her father’s words.It will be a time of celebration, not mourning. How could that be true when the two men she cared for most fought on opposite sides? The people of York might celebrate a victory this night, but would she?
She had explained to Ottar and Finna what was happening as best she could. They knew of the fire, had seen the destruction on the walk they had taken with Emma after the conflagration had ended.
Finna had stared at the smoldering ruin of the Minster and wrinkled her little girl forehead. “What happened?”
How could she explain to a child that the place in which she was growing up—her home—was changing, that men fought and died to control it? None of the answers she had to give told the whole truth, nor could they, but she had tried all the same.
A pounding sounded on the door, scattering her thoughts.
Artur went to open it. To her shock, one of the men her father had left to guard her home stood with his knife pressed to the neck of Geoffroi’s squire.
The burly guard forced Mathieu through the door. The squire’s hazel eyes were wide with fear, his cheeks flushed. He had obviously ridden hard to get here. “This one says you know him, my lady. Claims he brings you an urgent message. Should I slay the Norman offal and be rid of him?”
“Nay! I do know him. Take your knife from his neck. He is a friend.”
The guard gave her a skeptical look but lowered his knife. “I have already removed his weapons, my lady.”
“You may leave us, sir,” she said, ignoring the guard’s incredulous look.
“Come Mathieu.” The squire looked bedraggled and frightened, his brown hair tangled around his face, his mail soiled. “Artur, get Mathieu some ale.”
Artur fetched the ale and the squire took a large swallow, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, then handed the tankard back.
She gazed at him with concern. “How goes the battle, Mathieu? I have had no word.”
“The Danes and the rebels have their victory, my lady, but at a terrible cost. Thousands of the king’s men lay dead, nearly the entire garrison of both castles.”
Emma was stricken, torn between the Northumbrians’ success and the stark reality of the slaughter that had secured it. “Sir Geoffroi?” she asked in a faint voice, almost afraid of the answer.
“He lives but mayhap not for long. That is why I have come. The rebels now in charge of the castle threaten his life and that of Sir Alain. I only escaped through the postern gate to seek your aid. I do not know if you can help but if you have any influence with their leaders, please come. The nobles they have taken prisoner, but the knights they intend to kill.”
Emma did not know who held the nobles, but certainly if not her father then Cospatric or Edgar. Even King Swein’s brother, Osbjorn, would know her. “I will go.” She turned to address Artur. “Call the guards and saddle Thyra.”
Her father’s guards were not happy to accede to her request. “The Danes are now controlling the city, my lady,” said the one in charge. “They may be allies but ’tis still dangerous. We cannot defend against so many.”
