The Devil's Companion by Ash Maureen

Author:Ash, Maureen [Ash, Maureen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Maureen Ash
Published: 2012-05-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Our trip to Dover was taken at a slow pace with Rufus ensuring that all the peoples of the towns through which we passed were made aware of his presence. Simon and I rode in the van, with three mounted serjeants behind us while Rufus, attired in his best clothes complete with fur-lined cloak, followed and the company of men-at-arms brought up the rear. His aim was to display, by the strength of his escort, his security on the throne and, by the richness of his dress, that the treasury was also held fast in his hands. He was at his best, affable and smiling, calling out a greeting or a jest to even the lowliest of the citizens that lined the streets and taking the time to stop and eat a meal with the most prominent of the merchants, Norman and Saxon alike. At Canterbury, which we reached during the morning of the second day after leaving West Minster, the midday meal was prepared at the castle and my father and both of my brothers were present.

I greeted Ralf with pleasure. It had been some years since we had seen each other but he was much as I remembered, almost a younger image of our father, with the same taciturn manner and sparseness of speech. He seemed glad to see me and told me that he had come to warn Rufus that rebellion was stirring in the west as well as the southeast, and that he had been sent at the request of Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, to apprise the king of the disaffection among the Norman nobles in that area.

“As you know, I have been on duty with the garrison at Worcester,” Ralf said to me, “and there are many rumours of offers made to serjeants and men-at-arms to join the retinues of fitzScrob, Lassy and others. The bishop has been worried and sent me to inform our father, and the king, of his concern.” Ralf shook his head. “It does not bode well, Rob, if those in the west should rise in concert against Rufus’ rule. The king will be hard put to defend on more than one front.”

I agreed with him and made an immediate approach to Rufus so that he could be told of the situation. The king said he would talk to Ralf once the meal was over and, after we had eaten, my brother went with him into a private room so that they could have speech together unhindered.

During the meal I had an opportunity to ask Geoffrey about our mother’s health. For answer, he shook his head sadly. “She still ails. Winter is always the worst time; the coldness seems to seep through even the thickest of coverings. She would be pleased to see you, Rob, if the king will give you leave to be absent.”

“I will ask Rufus for permission as soon as I can. From here, we go to Dover, but perhaps once his business there is done, I can stop for a day or two on the way back.

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