The Spoils of War by Matilda Martel

Author:Matilda Martel [Martel, Matilda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

The family who discovered the half dead soldier floating in the Trent didn’t initially believe he could be saved. He couldn’t remember who he was but he had the armor of a Norman officer and was fortunate enough to be found by the vassals of a Norman baron. Faith healers and an apothecary were summoned but the soldier slept for weeks and was incoherent for months. His wounds finally began to heal and his memory began to return. His name was Robert Malet, Lord Robert Malet and he owned an estate just south of Gloucester. His wife and son were there and they needed to know he was alive. With the help of some of the baron’s vassals, he was escorted back to his castle, unaware that more than 6 months had passed since he had been declared dead.

“My lord, your wife was forced to remarry almost immediately after your death. I mean, after they believed you died. She didn’t want to, but she was not allowed to refuse.” The Knight appointed by the crown to guard his property was one of his former men, Eustace.

“How long have I been missing? No one has told me.” He sat down, bereft and confused.

“At least 6 months. I heard they made her marry Lord Grimm two weeks later. However, if you are alive, then that marriage is not legitimate, no?” Eustace tried to provide his old captain with some comfort.

“No, it’s not. I am still her husband. Eustace, will you ride with me to London? I need to see William and the Archbishop so I can have my wife and my son returned to me. We can leave in the morning.”

King William was overjoyed to see his old friend was still alive but the Archbishop and the King’s councilors were concerned about the long-term implications it would have on the peace in the North. Grimm would be furious if his wife was stolen again and since he was instrumental in bringing about peace, they feared he would threaten to instigate the rebelling forces that were still angry over their defeat. Some wanted to kill Robert and be done with it, but William would not hear of it. He had been loyal to a fault and had come back from the grave to be reunited with his family. Robert was granted the necessary decrees demonstrating his marriage superseded Edgar’s and was given the necessary men to carry it out. Accompanied by William’s men and his old men whom he recruited on the way to Warwick, Robert set out to reclaim his wife.

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