Warlord of the North Read Online Free PDF Page B

the mist and we turned to walk into my castle.
    When I stepped into the bailey a tumultuous cheer erupted all around.  I saw that many of the townsfolk were within my walls. Wulfric and John, my castellan, strode over to me with huge grins on their faces.  "I told them you were not dead, my lord! I knew it in my heart!"
    "Thank you for holding out."
    Wulfric snorted, "We could have chased them hence.  They are a poorly led rabble."
    Behind him I saw  Sir Tristan and Sir Harold.  Sir Richard ran to embrace his son.
    "Come, let us go to my hall.  I have much to impart and there are decisions which need to be made. Ask Father  Henry to join us. Much of what I say will concern him too."
    It was reassuring to see my walls still standing and my people looking so elated. As we entered my hall Alice, my housekeeper, burst into tears and kissed the hem of my surcoat, "My lord, our prayers have been answered."
    "Rise Alice! It is good to be home. Fetch us some warmed ale to the Great Hall." I saw John my Steward and said, "Come with us John.  You need to know the situation too. Dick, Wulfric join us."
    Once in the hall I took off my helmet and sat at my table.  The others took their places around me. I waited until Alice had brought the refreshments before I spoke. "You know that the King is dead?" They nodded.  "He was murdered but the assassin is dead too." I took a drink of the ale.  "Stephen of Blois is, even now, in London claiming King Henry's throne." I let that sink in.  The ones in the castle knew naught of that. I watched their faces for it meant different things to different people. What I would say next would be even more momentous.
    "I will not swear allegiance to Stephen even if he is anointed in Westminster Abbey." That had an effect. I saw Father Henry make the sign of the cross. John, my Steward frowned; he saw his livelihood being removed.  We would be rebels. His father had been a moneyer; they served the lawful king. My knights saw war before them and the risk of losing their manors. If they sided with me they gambled.  Stephen, if he became King, would not view such disloyalty well. I would not hide my plans from them.  If they followed me it would be because they knew the reality.  This was not a romantic tale; this would be brutal civil war.
    "I will stay here in Stockton and I will fight to keep this valley safe from the Scots and others who would destroy what we have built.  When that is done, " I paused, "I will take the fight to Stephen.  I will not rest until either King Henry's wishes have been observed and either Empress Matilda or Henry rule or... I am dead.  I will not break my oath."  Surprisingly it was just Wulfric and Dick who did not seem put out by my words.  Their faces remained impassive throughout.
    "I have gathered you here for, with the exception of Sir Geoffrey and Sir Hugh of Gainford, you are the last of the valley knights.  I do not doubt that Sir Hugh Manningham will have roused those knights north of the wall, but until I speak with the Bishop of Durham we are in God's hands." I saw Father Henry nod. "I release everyone of you in this room from any oath you have taken. I will speak with the people of Stockton when this threat is gone and tell them the same. If you leave there will be no hard feelings.  Each of  you must look into his own heart and decide what to do.  I cannot do that for you."
    I stood, "I will not stand here to wait for the decisions you might make.  I will go to my chambers and prepare for war.  Regardless of what you decide know this.  By tomorrow this Scottish threat will be gone from our gates. When they are gone and if we survive then tell me what is in your mind and, more importantly, your hearts."
    I really wanted to go to my church and speak with my dead wife. Although the church was inside the walls of the town I needed to walk those walls and, when the fog had lifted, see where the enemy was and where we could attack.
    I went to the