shun the dark (scribd) part 1

8/14/2019 Shun the Dark (Scribd) Part 1

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Shun The Dark

Martin Nichols

All text copyright Martin Nichols 2007

NOTE TO READERSThis is a crime novel set in Northumbria in AD680. Imma and his brotherTunna, an abbot, were real and Bede recounts their adventures. The languagereflects Anglo-Saxon English (no French borrowings, few Latin ones). This

book contains a glossary of unusual terms and names. For you alone, pleasenote the following:

All names are much as spelt. All ths are as in thin and ht is cht, sort of.Also g is pronounced y before i, e, and y, so Godgifu is godyifuh andTheodbeorht is theyodbeorcht, while Unfearth is oonfayarth and Alrd isalred. Names are authentic.

Briefly, Northumbrian king Ecgfrith (edge-frith) had invaded Lincolnshire in675, to lose it to rival kingdom Mercia in 679 in the Battle of the Trent. Theaction opens when the two kingdoms are at daggers drawn.

A thegn (thane) is what later became an earl, a hired hand who suppliedjustice; a gesith (yeh-sith) is a local lord. Feorme (fay-orm-uh) is a type of tax,where the kings entourage came to you and ate your food. A vill is a landedestate of several farms under one lord. Meadhalls are central communal

dining halls, The fyrd (furd) is the kings conscript army and a here (heer-uh) is a local levee or irregular force. Oath helpers were people who vouchedfor you the higher you were the more you needed. Coins had only recently

been introduced, so they were a big deal. Married women covered their hair,single ones didnt.


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Shun The Dark Martin Nichols

Chapter 1

ont move; dont fucking move!

Sword sharp voice.

Although Im not much used to taking orders, this one

seemed worth obeying, as it was backed by a glint of sword in the corner of

my field of sight.

Who are you, and what the fuck are you doing here? Slowly the voice

was moving to where I could see its owner. I could feel the tip of a sword

brushing the hairs of my beard. He was half a head shorter than me, maybe

five years younger, squat and very ugly. He was slightly out of breath and

clouded the chill Spring air; he had copper hairs sprouting from several

places on his face.

My name is Imma, and Im here to see your lord, Theodbeorht. I assume

that youre one of his guard? Good. Now take that thing from my throat, I

said in a low voice. He seemed very nervous and Ive seen better men than

him do stupid things when theyre like that.

Of course you are. Who sent you then? I cleared my throat. I was not

happy with his answer.

My master has asked your master to give him something owing to him;

otherwise your breath alone would be enough to scare me off. I hoped I was

getting to him.

So whos so tough he thinks hes better than my lord then? the man

sneered. He had been eating cheese, and bits of it were still between his teeth.

I think you know him I slowly reached into the purse hanging from

my belt, the man watching my every move, his sword still a fingers breadth

D


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from a vein in my throat. If he stopped trusting me now, this would be the

last thing I did.

Here!

I tossed a coin into the air. The man caught it in his left hand. The sword

in his right didnt move from my throat. Good catch. Not quite what I

planned though.

I think youll know the kings face when you see it?

Its just a coin, he snarled, but kept the coin, shoving it into a pocket

inside his shirt. So youve got a coin. Big deal. Ive seen coins before. Ive

even had a coin before.

My lord is the king, and I know him very well. He wont be pleased to

hear that youve just killed me. The guard twitched slightly.

Is that supposed to impress me? He shook his head sorrowfully, as if

my answer was going to make him have to kill me. I was sorry to disappoint

him.

Maybe not, but the man behind you with a sword may. The man

waggled the sword up and down in a way that my Adams apple didnt

much care for.

That old trick? Do me a favour will

He froze to the spot, forming more clouds in the air as he tried not to

breathe too much. He had a small pulse in his neck that moved where the

edge of a blade gently touched him.

I think our talk is at an end, bogman. Yes, that is a sword at your neck,

and unlike you, my servant will use it. The blade at my neck dropped and I

was able to point it away from me with my fingertip and walk away from his


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potentially deadly fear. I shivered slightly. Although it was Spring, it was still

cold on these hills in the afternoons.

Thank you Wulf. Took your time, didnt you? My man Wulf grinned

broadly. Several teeth were missing from all the fights hed had in York in the

years before I took him on.

All part of the job, sir! he said, saluting me, but keeping his sword at the

mans neck. Do I do im now? I shook my head; Wulf looked slightly

hangdog, but turned to the guard and gave him a bit of a shove for effect. The

man looked hard at Wulf, as if to say, Next time.

For your peace of mind, my name really is Imma, I really am the thegn of

King Ecgfrith, and I have full royal authority in his name in this vill, or

anywhere I choose to go. Do you get it yet? The man swallowed hard.

I am sorry, sir, so sorry, I didnt know. Please forgive me He broke off

sorrowfully. I like it when that happens. Nothing like fear for making people

a bit more polite.

Your name? You do have a name?

Its Alrd, sir.

All right, Alrd. Take it easy; I know youre only doing your job. Now

will you take me to Lord Theodbeorht?

Of course sir, sorry sir, please mount up and follow me. Wulf let his

sword drop from Alrds throat and returned it to his scabbard. He would

still have preferred to slice Alrd a bit. Both of us watched as the guard

mounted up.

And Ill have my coin back too.


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As we rode through the low sun of that early Spring afternoon, I silently

cursed myself for having dismounted to let my horse drink from the stream

which formed the northern boundary to Clofeshoh, the vill of Theodbeorht,

without having checked that he hadnt posted guards. I was here, after all, to

arrange the yearly feorme, the food tax to the king, and that isnt always

welcome. Many vills can barely feed themselves at times. I was a long way

from York, where my face is well known, and Theodbeorhts lands were at

the border with the Mercians. Hed suffered many raids over the years and

even at the best of times would post men on his borders, so I should have

been cleverer than to let my guard drop in that way. I wouldnt make that

mistake again.

Alrd was probably about thirty, and therefore not far off old age

himself. His beard was already grizzled in a number of places, an

unappetising mixture of ginger and grey, which also gushed out of his ears

and sprinkled his nose. His clothes, mainly a dull brown shirt over grey

leggings, had seen better days, with cuts and tears neatly mended, but then he

probably slept on these hills much of the time; his lord would normally give

him new clothes every spring, if he could afford it. Alrd was dour and

sullen and not given much to talking.

He led our horses down a winding path away from the ridge where hed

stopped me. He went first, I followed and Wulf came at the rear. Alrd had

been alone up here, right on the edge of his world, and that was odd. Men in

a local lords fyrd go in threes or fours if they can. Something unsettled me,

but I couldnt tell what. A huge old chestnut tree partly blocked our way.

When Alrd ducked under branches I did too and Wulf copied me. The man


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knew the trackways around here and I didnt, so I was not about to brain

myself on a stray branch if I could avoid it.

There were new-born lambs bleating beside their mothers in the fields on

either side and cattle in the meadows by the river, heads down drinking, or

looking up to bellow, as you would expect at this time of year. The weather is

milder here. There was the main farm, which I could see from a distance went

around the meadhall, a number of individual houses, a small stone building I

thought must be a chapel, as well as various barns, byres and the like. I could

also see beyond that a number of farms which Theodbeorht rented to men

who did him service. All in all, this was a rich land which ought to be able to

provide the feorme which I was here to confirm.

The great meadhall of Theodbeorht came fully into view in a hollow like a

bowl in the hills. Smoke was rising from it, and I could see people about their

work. It looked large and well kept, able to hold fifty men easily, just as the

lands were well tended and the beasts which dotted the hillsides and water

meadows looked plump and contented. Despite the ever-present threat of the

Mercians, this was a place where nothing much happened from day to day, it

seemed. Individual houses, which had looked close when seen at a distance,

lay further to the west. Men like to live apart for fear of fire when they can,

even in York. The largest of the houses would be the bachelors hall, where

the unmarried men of the vill lived. A smaller hall for unmarried females lay

to the north, the side of the community furthest from the border of the

Mercians. They were taking no chances. Not far away to one side was a large

hall on its own, probably the private hall of Theodbeorht. Various sunken

storage pits were dotted around the place, a sign of food stored since last

autumn and a prosperous year to come.


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A number of children were playing by a pond, throwing sticks they had

found into the water at the fish, then staring at us with goggle eyes and their

hands in their mouths. They were not unusually dirty as children go, no

dirtier than mine used to be at that age. As we rode past, people looked up

and greeted Alrd, but looked silently at both Wulf and me, wondering

whether we were trouble or not. One woman picked up her youngest and

shushed her other children out of our way.

As we arrived at Theodbeorhts stables, Alrd dismounted and whistled;

an elderly osler came out hobbling, took my horses reins and enabled me to

dismount more comfortably. He bowed to me as he did so, although I dont

think he quite knew why. Maybe it was my clothes. Wulf always tells me that

clothes make men. A woman entered the yard in front of the hall, adjusting a

shawl over her shoulders, and came to salute me, while the osler, still

saluting, led my dun filly away to be fed, steam rising from the horses body.

This was just good manners, but at least his were better than Alrds. I could

see from a distance by the womans covered head that she was married, and

guessed from her age and bearing that she was Theodbeorhts wife. She

walked towards me with an almost girlish lightness that belied her winters, as

she deftly dodged a large muddy puddle in the yard.

Hail to you, lord! Are you the thegn Imma, who we were told would

come to us? she asked. I could see that she was a woman of maybe forty five

winters, but must have been a rare beauty in her day. She still looked very

good, the sort of woman whose looks do not wither with age like leaves

fallen, even though her hair, which peeked through her head-dress, hastily

fastened, whitened like frost on a winters morning. She wore a green dress,

set off with a golden girdle, from which dangled the keys to everywhere in


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Clofeshoh. Her figure was shapely and her voice was soft, with an accent I

couldnt quite place, each l rolling on her tongue. Her eyes were grey and

seemed to look through you.

Yes. Are you his wife?

She nodded in a pleasing way.

Yes, lord. My name is Godgifu. Please enter our hall and be welcome.

With a quick scowl over my shoulder, she shooed Alrd back to his work.

The man looked back at me once and a second time at Wulf as if to fix my

servant in his memory, then slunk off somewhere. Two other, younger

women, one, from her dress and covered hair, married, the other, red hair

proudly on display, clearly not, stood at her heels like puppies learning to

hunt with their dam. Godgifu showed me where to enter the meadhall. It was

by far the largest building in the village, and for a local lord it was quite

impressive. A tall porch rose up into the thatch of the roof in an upside down

V over the door, and stood out from the body of the hall, underpinned by

pillars to each side; in their youth Theodbeorht and Godgifu must have been

people to look up to. An old-fashioned good-luck charm was placed over the

door, a relic of the days before the new religion arrived in these parts.

Have you eaten, lord? Youve travelled all the way from York, havent

you, so you must be tired. We will eat properly at the feast only when my

husband comes home, if he arrives before nightfall.

Thank you, Godgifu. Your mastiff caught me before I could eat, and I

must admit Im hungry.

I explained to her what had happened at the border. She smiled tiredly.

By the firelight of the meadhall I could see her face was etched with deep

lines of recent sorrow. Perhaps she wasnt well. She showed me a table to sit


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down at, not far from the fire which burned happily in its basket in the

middle of the room, smoke rising through the hole as if nothing in the world

could be wrong.

Alrd protects his lord too well at times, she said, looking resigned.

But he runs the guards better than any man we have. We need that.

Anyway; to business. My job is simple; you know that each year your vill

must provide to the king and his court enough food to feed them, and of

course enough beer and mead to quench their thirst, for a week; all I need to

do is to confirm with you how much the feorme will be and to make sure you

have it to hand. I sent a man down here three weeks ago; as usual you had a

month to bring it all together. One week is still to come. Once the king and his

council have eaten the food, they will be on their way and leave you in peace.

You know how it goes better than me. This was my standard speech, the one

I trot out many times a year for the king, although never here before. After

last years war, when we lost a lot of good men its harder to keep up.

Yes of course, lord. Whatever you need, Im sure we can come up with.

Food is not a problem here.

And of course, as your husband knows well enough, the king will

answer any call for favour or justice from this vill while he is here.

Godgifu was quiet and nervous, her hands flattening creases in her leaf-

dark gown that only she could see, or playing with the keys which dangled

from her girdle. Something was wrong here. Although the children had

played merry and evil in equal measure by the pond, as children will, there

was something amiss, which Id already gleaned from the manners of Alrd.

I didnt like that, because I had the king himself coming here in a week and he


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expects all those he meets in his kingdom to be happy. This only happens

because men like me smooth things out ahead of time.

Is anything wrong? If so, you should tell me now. I dont like the king to

have surprises.

Godgifu sent one of the girls, the married one, to fetch me food while I

took off my cloak and warmed myself by the fire. Wulf went with the girl and

stayed away for some time. The other girl, the unmarried redhead, stood at

Godgifus service, shifting her weight from one foot to the other in slight

boredom. I was glad it was warm in the meadhall. Godgifu had not worn a

cloak when she greeted me although the day was cold, only a thin shawl,

which had surprised me. I was more surprised when Godgifu anticipated my

thoughts.

Although it is cold, a colder dread grips my heart.

Is that poetry? I turned the backs of my hands towards the fire to thaw

them. It sounds like one of those dreary poems of the Walh, which I always

find so morbid, even in another tongue.

Its a story, an old one, Im afraid. My son is gone away, God knows

where. Until he returns, I wont be happy again, she said, absentmindedly

stroking her gown again. I looked at the unmarried girl, noticing how her red

hair blazed in the firelight; she stared back fiercely in a way that beckoned to

me to back off. Unclaimed territory, if ever I saw it. I could tell I was

intruding on something, but that only made me more keen to discover what

was behind Godgifus unworldly sadness.

Where is your son, then? Is something wrong?

At this moment, the married girl came back with a pewter plate laden

with bread, cheese and meat, together with a knife, all teetering in an


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unbalanced way in her hands. She seemed shy and awkward, keeping her

face turned away from me into the shadows; I didnt mind; she seemed coarse

and ungainly. I accepted the blade with politeness and put it to one side,

because I always use my own knife to eat. You know where you stand with

that. I ate, slicing across the soft round of the cheese while Godgifu sat with

me, the girls standing a full pace behind her. I speared one of the choicer cuts

of meat. Wulf stood away, watching us all.

I dont know what to make of your silence, Godgifu. Is something

wrong? You should tell me right now if there is. You talk about your son

being gone

The worst thing a mother can imagine, she said. A piece of bread stuck

in my throat and I coughed slightly. I was wearying of her inability to talk to

me without using riddles and strange flowery speech; I get enough of that in

the kings house. I swallowed my food properly.

Lady Godgifu, you must speak to me now, if you have something to

say.

Godgifu was about to speak, unsure what to say for the best, when the

soft clump of horseshoes on earth told of the coming of men. By the light in

her eyes, I saw that it meant her husband and his men were home. In this

land, her lord was in command and I knew that my higher rank counted for

very little. Godgifu was off the hook, at least for now. She stood up, and so

did I, carefully wiping my mouth with my sleeve. As Wulf says, you never

know who you may meet.


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Chapter 2

heodbeorht came into the hall. Around him stood a wealth of

followers, men of middle years and older, mainly tall, as warriors

tend to be, but including a short funny bald man whose weather-

bronzed head looked like a nut. He seemed to have the ear of the lord at that

time, talking fast and nervously, wagging his hands too much. Another man

laughed too loud and was too pleased with himself and his fine clothes.

Along with these two were several men who defied easy word crafting, such

was their dullness, and of course Alrd, like a dog at his masters heel,

growling to no good purpose.

I am not a poet or a man who loosens his word horde easily, but if called

upon to do so, I should speak of Theodbeorht as if a boulder had blocked the

door, and rolled over to us. He was an old boulder, weathered and chipped

and slightly stained, his clothes dulled grey from riding, but in his youth he

must have frightened the Mercians halfway back to Tamworth just by turning

up at the battlefield. His arm was still as round as a tree trunk, although I

could see it shook a bit when not in use. Even now, when he must be a very

old man of more than sixty winters, he was a more of a walking legend than a

man of flesh and blood. I had heard my father speak of him when I was a boy

and my clever brother Tunna the abbot still a baby. Theodbeorht was a lot

older than I remembered him, but that was many years ago, and we none of

us get any younger. At his side he had not only a sword, but also a large

battle axe, chipped and worn with much use, like its owner.

Lord Theodbeorht! I called to him. I have come from the king. It was

a good idea, not least when his mastiff Alrd, who stood now at his bidding,

had almost skewered me earlier this afternoon. Had he been saying anything

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to his lord about me? Theodbeorhts face relaxed into the usual ploughed

field of lines and wrinkles common to old men. His eyes were red, maybe

from riding in the cold wind, and rheumy, and looked oddly empty. For a

while he stared at me, as if trying to work out what to say next. Then the mist

seemed to rise from his eyes, which told me someone was living there again.

A thegn, dye say? You a thegn? Did he say he was a thegn? You look too

young to be a thegn. Did we meet before? Is there to be another war? You do

know what youre doing, I hope? He removed his gloves and handed them

to a servant who bowed, but not very much, and took them away. Another

servant took his riding cloak and took it over to a peg to hang. I bristled

slightly. I outrank him before the king, and I take off my own cloak and

gloves. I even hang them up, even though Wulf might like me to do

otherwise. Putting yourself so high over your ceorls and servants is not a

good thing for a gesith to do.

I hope so too, lord. The king listens to my voice and my words are tested

on the battlefield.

And how is the king? Is he so hard up for real men that hes down to

sending lads like you? asked one of Theodbeorhts old men with a sneer.

A thegn, eh? said Theodbeorht to nobody, and mumbled a little to

himself.

The king is the king; what else would you have me say? And I have

thirty five winters behind me, just like the king, so Im not any mans equal.

The king continues to defend all men against our enemies. Its funny how I

feel so old to myself, but a mere child to old men.

Including that horrible mess last year? asked the sneerer. The well

dressed man sniggered, but the little nut man nudged him to be quiet.


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I instinctively bristled again, even though the sneerer was right. I have to

say the right things, the loyal words, whatever I may think. Last summer,

Ecgfrith lost a huge southern chunk of his kingdom, the land of Lindsey, to

the Mercians. We had a battle on the river Trent and our boys lost; not that I

saw too much of it. The kings brother, who led our fyrd, died of his wounds

on the battlefield. There were rumours that Ecgfrith was not too worried

about losing him. Many whispered at the time and since then, especially

when at the other end of the feasting table, that the king wasnt up for it like

his old man, Oswiu. Now Oswiu really was a warrior. Whatever you thought,

you knew where you were with him. This king isnt like his father.

I missed most of the battle, stunned from a Mercian blow. I know that

you and your men also fought for the king. No way was I going to take the

blame for a battle which had taken place while I was out cold. I was then

taken prisoner by the Mercians and ended up in London for several months,

which is quite long enough to spend in that place. If youve ever been there,

youll know what I mean. Anyway, I continued, Im not here to score

points. You are too near the border. It cant be much fun having the Mercians

breathing down your neck. What Im really here for is to see how things are

going for the court's arrival for this years feorme.

Theodbeorht sank back. His mouth made a perfect O for a while.

The feorme. Id forgotten it, I must admit, he said. It all comes around

so fast. He turned to his wife. Did I know about this? She nodded quietly.

Had he really forgotten it? Or was this a ploy? The vill looked rich enough to

feed fifty men for a week.

My husbands mind, all our minds, have been on other matters. More

important matters.


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Yes, hmm, thats right, important, at least to us.

Theodbeorht sat down, without anything under him, although as he made

his slow descent, a folding stool was quickly placed under his backside, in

such a smooth manner that I imagined his men were used to it. The effect was

as if a small mountainside had collapsed in the Autumn rains. The stool

buckled under him, but held firm.

Your wife started to tell me I began. Theodbeorht shot a look hot as

fire over at Godgifu. I thought, you werent supposed to tell me anything,

were you? His wife bit at her lower lip, and played with the keys at her belt.

After a long while, during which he chewed at his beard, Theodbeorht spoke,

with little of his earlier hesitation or uncertainty.

Yes, there is a good reason why I wasnt here to greet you when you

came, and why I have to put men on my borders. Yes there are, and youll see

why. We, all of us, were out riding, searching. My only son, umm,

Theodwulf, has been taken and I think murdered by the family and kin of my

neighbour Wigrd, who has the vill of Finnsburh to the, the east, may he

have much shame for his evil to me. Im asking for the king to, to give me

justice, telling him if you like, yes, I am, dammit. Youre his thegn, so youll

have to do right now, wont you? His hand gripped the pommel of his

sword. By the firelight I could see that he too carried great sorrow. The old

man was almost in tears, pleading with me. This must have been what caused

such grief in Godgifu, who now stood alongside her husband, her hand

lightly touching his shoulder.

If this is true, then Im sorry for you, and Ill do whatever I can to bring

your sons killers to justice. Nobody should have to face that, especially in

old age.


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But he hesitated for a while, Wigrd is cunning and he has nothing

to lose any more, so he will just gainsay it all.

I drank this in for a few moments as they all waited for me to reply. From

a corner of my eye, I saw that Wulf had slipped in quietly and stood behind

me, silent. I licked my lips slightly.

I need to go to the beginning, to get myself clear. I assume that neither of

you saw the murder? Theodbeorht shuffled uneasily on his folding stool,

which creaked alarmingly.

Nobody did, Godgifu said, fox quick.

Or any of your men, anybody at all? They shook their heads, and there

was muttering from Theodbeorhts witan.

Then what evidence do you have that this Wigrd or any of his men

took or killed your son? Its a very deadly thing to do, to accuse another lord

of a terrible crime like this, without proof. A young woman spoke out of the

darkness.

Of course someone took him, maybe killed him. My father has said so.

Do you see him here? My fathers word alone should be enough for you.

Godburga, no!, Theodbeorht called out. These things are not for you to

get involved in! This was the young unmarried woman who had earlier

stood at attendance on her mother. You could see the flash in her eye, and her

long flame of hair, left for all to see, showed her pride. This was one that a

husband would need to be a horsebreaker to tame. To me Godgifu said in a

quiet and calm voice,

Please forgive my daughter, she misses her brother and grieves for him.

Her husband nodded along with that.


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I stretched my legs, taking it all in. I find it helps at times. It was odd how

Theodbeorht rambled at times or fell silent, and yet was clear at others.

I cant just go to your neighbour and take him on a charge like this. The

kings laws require evidence, you know that better than I do. If I charge him,

he will come up with as many oath-helpers as your sons rank requires, to say

that it isnt true. Hell find them. If you accuse him, and cant prove it, Im

obliged to fine you heavily. I cant say more strongly how bad things can be

for a man of your rank to accuse a fellow gesith of murder. Unless of course,

its true.

I have nothing to prove this, thegn, but I know it happened, yes I do. Im

not a stupid old man, whatever you think. Listen to me. My son is only

seventeen winters, little more than a child, yes, thats right, and, umm, he has

never spent a night away from home on his own, never. Godgifu and I have

raised him as a gentle boy, gentle. He is short and beardless and looks

younger than his age. He stretched out his arm, perhaps to show me how

short the boy was, and I saw again how it trembled.

Give me evidence, Lord Theodbeorht, give me a motive at least, of why

your neighbour, however evil you say he is, should want to kill your son.

Otherwise its your word against Wigrds.

My son is was going to marry his daughter, Winburh, thats the

reason. Thats why they killed him, dont you see? To stop him inheriting

Wigrds vill.

Wigrd has no sons? The old lord was silent. Godgifu spoke for her

husband.

He had two by Gods grace, but they were both killed when we fought

the Mercians in Lindsey last year. Winburh is all he has now; the wedding is


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due in only a few days, and Winburh is already here. She pointed out

another young woman, fair of face, I was used to war, but for a man to lose

both his sons in such a pointless way must have been a cruel blow.

But with no sons, theres nobody to inherit the land. Only Winburh,

through her husband. Am I right? Godgifu looked to the rushes on the floor

and kicked one around with her foot. I saw that her shoes were very new.

So, and please forgive me, Lord Theodbeorht, I dont mean to insult you in

your own home in front of your family and retainers, but you want me to

investigate a murder that you cant prove is a murder, and your suspect is a

man who has no motive to attack your son, let alone kill him. You have a son,

he does not, but he had agreed for his only daughter, the one on whom his

line hangs, to marry your son. There was never a man who had less reason to

take your son against his will, or to kill him. Your lady even tells me the girl is

here already, at Clofeshoh why should he kill your son, when you might do

the same to his daughter? You know the old laws better than I do, Im sure. If

Wigrd killed your son, all his lands will be forfeit to the king. It would be

better if he let your son marry his daughter Winburh. The lands then stay in

the family and everyone is happy.

Theodbeorht fell silent, and rested his head on the handle of his sword, as

if in thought. I got the idea that at times of stress Theodbeorht just withdrew

into himself. Godgifu motioned to a servant and my drinking horn was

refilled.

So how long has your son been missing? I said, to break the silence. The

old man looked vague, turned his head and mumbled something to his wife

that I didnt quite catch. She spoke in a whisper into his ear, and he nodded

slowly, like a man who is not swift to fathom the meaning of speech, his eyes


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watery and weak. I could see now why she looked so tired. It seemed like the

old mans mind was wandering, as sometimes happens when men live to be

that old. It would be good if he could hand over his lands to his son, let him

carry the burden, and sleep by the fire to dream of old battles. He deserved it,

in his dotage. Clearly though, his wife was also having to cope with the day

to day running of the vill and looking after a husband who looked a shadow

of his former self.

It was two days ago, she said. Saturday.

And nobody saw him go? She shook her head.

No, nobody. Hed been out hunting in the morning with some of the

men, but they all returned to eat at about midday.

So he disappeared after the midday meal on Saturday? Why was nothing

done yesterday? I asked.

Thegn, you know that we cannot do such things on the Lords Day. We

prayed for him and said a psalm, but we spent much of the day on our knees

in the chapel, for fear of our own mortal sins.

Could he have met someone while he was out there hunting? Some local

dispute perhaps She shrugged.

Yes he hunted. Nothing amiss that I know of. But thats the young these

days; they never tell their parents anything. He could have been in dispute

with Wigrds men about hunting. For the right to water for the horses.

There is a patch of land and water within the bounds of Clofeshoh which they

claim as their own, but theres been no clashes between us over it for nearly

twenty years. The land is on the far side of a pool we fish in, and you have to

stand on the bank, so we claim it. The men of Finnsburh say that the border

goes down the middle of the pool. She saw that I was interested. Its


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nothing. You cant possibly think that somebody in Finnsburh would hold a

grudge about something so small for such a long time?

Its dark already, too dark to go manhunting tonight. Perhaps your men

should show me this disputed land tomorrow morning?

Wulf and I were shown to the guest chamber at some distance from

Theodbeorhts private hall, which was in another building in the village.

While Wulf, always ready for anything that might happen, unpacked some

clean clothes for the feast later, I sat in a chair at the foot of the bed and

pondered.

I dont see it, not at all.

Dont see what, sir?

If Wigrd dies with no heir, his lands are lost to the king. If Theodwulf

and Winburh have a son, he gets to keep the vill in the family.

According to one of the old women in the household, Theodwulf isnt

much liked, said Wulf. Maybe loved and doted on by his parents, but while

everyone has a good word for them, they all seem to dislike the son.

So this could easily be down to a local man? Maybe one of the servants,

or one of his hunting and drinking friends? If anything, he sounds spoilt. Not

exactly a warrior like his father. It makes me wonder why his father dotes on

him like he does. It doesnt sit well either with the idea of him being a hunter

who likes to go out with his men and kill things, then drink beer all night.

Maybe his parents dont know him as well as they think they do, said

Wulf darkly.

Maybe not. Now, if you dont mind, Im going to take a nap before

dinner.


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An hour later, refreshed by sleep and a taking a chance to wash and change

my clothes, I was summoned into Theodbeorhts meadhall. I was dressed in

midnight blue and black. Despite the gloom which had settled over the

family, they did their best to entertain me. Theodbeorht had his mind back, at

least for the time being, as if the cloudiness I had seen before, little more than

an hour before, had completely gone. He was showing such friendship to his

followers that he seemed not only to have thrown off the blankness, but also

to have forgotten his sadness at his sons vanishing. I felt uneasy with such a

man. Godgifu smiled warmly at me, too warmly for my comfort. That made

me very nervous; with all deference to her rank, she was also a lot older than

me.

I was given a seat of honour just down from the lord and lady, right after

an empty seat to my left, which I guessed was left like that in case the son

should return. Wulf stood behind me. The seat to the right of me was also

empty until the door opened and in came two burly men, carrying another

old man like a sack of corn. I saw a kinship with Theodbeorht, somehow. He

clearly had no use of his legs, possibly crippled in war. They deposited him in

the empty seat on my right. I turned to introduce myself as custom dictates.

My name is

Imma. Yes, yes, I know who you are and why youre here. Nothing gets

past me, nothing. Feorme, indeed. We grow crops and feed beasts so the king

and his idle bunch of warriors can turn up for a week every year and swill it

all up.

And you are?

Unfearth, the lords brother. Since theres only half of me that works,

perhaps I should be his half-brother. Ha! Clearly he had used that joke


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before. And before you ask, I didnt get injured with honour on the field of

battle, I was born like this. No heroics, not for me, I shatter too easily! He

laughed again and coughed noisily with a rasp you could sharpen a scythe

with. He didnt sound healthy.

Your brother is very generous to let you live with him, I said.

Generous, yes, when you think that the only blade I can handle is for my

meat. He made a pledge to our father that hed always look after his little

crippled brother, but that was before he had a wife and children to look after,

oh yes.

But he runs the vill well?

Oh yes, well enough. I chip in where I can, and my sister-in-law runs

quite a lot of things. Your kingll get his free feed, dont worry. We do

everything, and he doesnt send men from the fyrd here to keep us safe, oh

no.

For a man who cant fight, you have a lot to say about the king. Most of

it spot-on, really, but I just keep my head down.

I can hardly fight against him, leave alone for him, can I? Youre wearing

a sharp sword there; the sharpest thing I have is my tongue, he said. I dont

think your king has much to worry about with me, eh, eh? I thought Id

better change the talk.

So what do you think about your nephews disappearance? I didnt like

the man, but I might as well use his sense of injustice to pump him for some

background.

Shocking, absolutely, yes. Never could stand the little lad, myself you

know Im not the marrying kind, surprising, eh? No, nothing really works

down below. The kid? Smarmy weakling, thats what I say. But then again I


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would never have thought that Wigrd had it in him to produce a cracking

girl like her either. He wagged his knife towards the girl I now knew to be

Winburh, with a piece of mutton still stuck on it.

And your niece?

Fancy her do you? Bit young for you, Id say, but who knows? A wild

one, eh, eh? Beware of her claws, thats all.

Do you hold your brothers views on what has happened to the boy?

Anyone have a thing against Theodwulf? I mean anyone locally?

Everybody has a thing against everybody around here. We live on the

edge, with the Mercians just over there, he wagged his knife in the general

direction of south. And so we live on our nerves and watch our backs all the

time. You learn to live that way. But, as you may have gathered, I didnt

dont much like Theodwulf; too smooth, too keen to be part of everything. I

dont trust folk like that.

Ive heard that the servants dont like him much

Always listen to the servants. We tend to forget they have ears and eyes,

and play out our fights as if they were made of wood.

Still, nobody wants such arguments out in the open at this time of year. I

wouldnt have thought that you wanted royal officials all over you

Oh we dont, but like Winter follows Summer, youll be here anyway.

Since youre here all the time, unlike the other men who go hunting and

fighting

You mean the proper men with proper bodies

I mean that since you are here, Ill bet theres nothing which misses your

eye or ear.


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There might be reasons, but again there might not. They fly in one end of

the meadhall and out the other, like little birds. It depends what people find

out.

Are there secrets? I asked.

Everyone has secrets, lord, but while some are known only to God,

others are common to many, and some are supposed to be the one, but are

really the other.

Meaning?

Look, things arent quite the way they seem. Thats my one gift to your

investigations. Look below, yes, ha, look below the surface; mens outward

form may say one thing, their mouths may say the same, but below the

surface, the truth is easy for all to see, if you look. Not the way they seem at

all. Anyway, he said lifting a pewter mug foaming with beer, thats enough;

I want to eat. Ws Hail!

Chapter 3

ulf woke me up. It was already past dawn. My ears were filled

with harsh noises, possibly voices shouting, and with the

clattering of wooden bowls on a table, my eyes with bright

torches, and my nose with acrid smoke in the hall. I had fallen asleep from the

drink after the feast in the meadhall and had clearly never made it back to the

guest hall. I dont drink so much as a rule.

I splashed my face and hands in a bowl of warm water Wulf had brought

me. Sounds softened, the world righted itself like a ship when the wind

drops. I poured the rest of the water over my head. As the droplets fell, the

fire split into a hundred pieces, then came back together again. I dried my

W


25/98


face on a piece of cloth he handed me, feeling the warmth of Theodbeorhts

fire on my skin.

Any chance of breakfast, Wulf? Wulf grinned broadly.

Most Christian people have had their breakfast already. Sir, he added as

an afterthought. The horses have been fed, even ours. But I think they have

porridge and meat left over from last nights table. Thats the boon of being

one of the kings great servants. You get to stay in bed till gone five and your

choice of leftovers. When you dont inherit land, you have to sell your wits.

Breakfasting in the kitchen, I ran into Godgifu, eyes dull as slate. I dont

think shed slept. Wisps of grey peeked out from her headcloth, as if it had

only been placed carelessly. I reminded her that I was supposed to go to see

the disputed border. From there, I would go on towards Finnsburh and talk

to Lord Wigrd.

Im sure you know best, lord. My husband and his men are putting

together the platform for you to hear the complaint. Will you do that before

you go?

It made sense to hear the full wording of the complaint against the men of

Finnsburh before going to see them; Wigrd would expect to hear that from

my own mouth.

After she had gone, I turned to Wulf.

So what happened toyou last night? After the end of the feast, which

had been a pretty sad business, he had vanished, and I had not returned to

the guest hall, lacking torchlight held by my servant.

I thought it was a good idea to slip out while all of the nobs were still

drinking and their brains were clouded with the ale, he said.

We had wine too.


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Cant be doing with that filthy foreign muck myself, sir. Reminds me of

vinegar. I raised an eyebrow.

Did you find anything out from all your snooping?

Wulf looked slightly put out by my calling it snooping.

Id say its not so much a thing as a feeling. You know how the lord and

his women and all the warriors are really angry and upset about this boy

going? Well, the servants dont seem to care. Theyre not happy, but theyre

not unhappy either. I told you before that they didnt like the boy at all. Its

like to them it dont matter.

Well, it should matter. If the lord dies without an heir, the king will want

the land back. I cant see him giving it to Unfearth, the brother. Either they

will have to pay more in dues, or he will just throw them off the land and

most likely give it to the Church.

Dare say they ought to be worried, sir, but theyre not. I tried out a few of

em but no bugger much cares.

What about the girl hes betrothed to? Did you find anything out about

her?

Aye. Winburh; they say shes known him all her life. They played

together as children, so one old gammer told me. This betrothal isnt

something the parents just put together after the war last year, its always

been what they wanted. One old dear who works in the kitchen says

Winburhs a real beauty too. She came here a fortnight ago, then her cousin

Eadwynn joined her here a few days ago. I suppose a girl going into marrying

in a place she doesnt know would want a friend with her to begin with.

Eadwynn would be the clumsy and plain married woman whod brought

the bread and cheese to me when I arrived the previous afternoon.


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And afterwards? Wulf scratched his head, never a sight to make you

warm to him.

I come back here, sir. You was asleep by then, so I stoked the fire a bit

and curled up between you and the door, with the poker near to hand.

I dont think the kings thegn is really at any risk, do you?

I think as how the kings thegn as goes around asking nosy questions is

always going to be at risk. Sir.

Already puddles were starting to form in the lane outside Theodbeorhts

private hall and people had to pick their way amongst the wheel tracks to get

to the meeting place. Early drizzle had turned to rain. I tightened my cloak

around my shoulders, pushed my hat down on my head and walked over

from the meadhall, picking my way between water-filled wagon ruts.

Somebody had rigged up a platform for me, covered it with a rug, and, as I

watched, Theodbeorhts folding stool was put upon it with due ceremony. If

the idea was for the speaker to be dry shod, it was too late. I sat down, sinking

into the leather which had borne his weight for so many years. If it would

hold him, it would hold me, I knew. What followed would be merely the

formality of laying the charge, but for many this was their first sight of me

and I was determined to make a good impression. Falling on your arse on a

slippery path is not the way to show your power.

The men came to the front and either squatted or knelt, while the women

watched standing from the rear, some hugging themselves to keep warm. I

spotted Winburh, the betrothed of Theodwulf, amongst them, and, slightly

taller, her awkward cousin Eadwynn. I also saw Godburga, hotheaded as

ever, glaring at the meeting of the vill. If anyone could wear a shawl


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aggressively, she was doing so right now, with it wrapped tightly around her

body. Since these three young women were the closest to Theodwulf, I ought

to have talked to them first, but at the feast they had been kept at their end of

the table, and I had been put in a seat of honour, far away from them. That

was a sign that someone didnt want me to speak to them. Theodbeorht

walked a little unsteadily to the meeting place, upheld it seemed by Godgifu.

He looked old. Finally, Unfearth was dumped in the front row of the people

facing me like a sack of turnips. I cleared my throat to speak.

My name is Imma, and I am the kings thegn. If there is anyone who has

been wronged, now is the time to seek justice. These were the words I was

supposed to say at such times. Theodbeorht teetered to his feet, which

required a lot of help. I have never seen a whale, the giant sea monster my

brother the clever abbot tells me the Bible describes swallowing the worthy

Jonah, but I imagine it could not have been huger than the old man who now

stood before me, swaying slightly, his face red with effort.

I claim the kings justice! he said, sputtering like a candle in a draught,

spittle catching in his beard like sea foam bright on the waves. In the matter

of my, my son Theodwulf, I accuse Wigrd, lord of Finnsburh, of theft and

murder of my son without good reason and in defiance of scripture. He was

word perfect, and he knew it.

And who stands in support of Lord Theodbeorht in this accusation?

Every man stood, except for Unfearth, who raised his useless body on his

hands a little. That is every man in this vill of Clofeshoh here at this

meeting.

Why dont we go over there and get him back right now? someone

shouted. I say lets go now, while we still can! It was a young man, just


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growing a beard and clearly keen to prove himself in front of others. Im

always wary of fighting talk from men who have never fought anything

stronger than their own shadow. Others backed him up. I heard someone call

upon Hrfn, who turned out to be the small, bald man with a head tanned

like a nut. whod been at the lords heel yesterday. He looked harmless

enough, but I have enough to do with young men like the first speaker

burning with hatred of their enemies, without men of middle years who

should know better doing the same. He stepped forward, with men cheering

him on. He looked like a man who folk listen to.

Why dont all of the men here just go over there now and claim back

Theodwulf, or his body if those bastards have done their worst, and forget the

slow drip, drip of the kings justice?

It is the kings bidding, Hrfn, that all men in this land shall have justice.

I am here to do that bidding, following the laws and customs of our people.

That is the way we do things in this land, much as youd like to take your

revenge yourself and drag this vill into a ruinous feud with your

neighbours.

Hrfn grumbled, and I heard him say half under his breath how we

should seize the moment and that one Clofeshoh man was worth ten of

Finnsburh. How many times have I heard such things said in drink? But this

man was sober and in the morning light. The men of Clofeshoh were easily

led, and with Theodbeorht ready to fight, men like Hrfn were jockeying for

their place behind him.

Did any man from Finnsburh, or from any other place, come here on

Saturday after the time when the young lord came back from hunting? You


30/98


must swear. All the men lifted their right arms and in a ragged unison swore

that no man had come on that day.

Thank you. We are not wild men like our grandfathers and those before

them. Like Gideon, we look up when we drink, and do not guzzle from the

river; nor do we strike out unthinking like wild beasts when danger is seen;

rather we go to see what the danger is. I will now go to Finnsburh to lay this

charge against lord Wigrd and his men. God, Im good when I have the

right words behind me.

There was immediately a buzz of talk among the men, and I could see the

white headcloths of the women turning to each other. I had made an

impression as someone decisive, and that could only do me good. Out of the

corner of my eye, I could see that Theodbeorht was engrossed in picking

something out of a finger nail; already the drama of the ceremony had gone

from him, and he seemed to be utterly indifferent to the clatter and din

around him as men rose to leave. You could not guess where his mind was

from second to second.

One thing I knew I should look at before long, and before I ever went to

Finnsburh, was Theodwulfs room. With Godgifu off tending to her husband,

and others lifting up Unfearth, I had Godburga show me where it was;

although her eyes burnt when she spoke to me, she blushed a little, as if she

were in awe of me, and lowered her head, so that her red curls mostly

covered her face. Her skin was pale, which made her blush even pinker. I was

taken by her modesty towards me, so I thanked and dismissed her and took

Wulf into the room with me. Godburga had brought a taper to her brothers

dark room, then left us with it, not looking at me.

I have this effect on women, you know.


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Aye, they all go soon enough. Wulf has never been the sort to hold

back.

Theodwulfs room was set apart from the bachelors hall by a solid wooden

wall, in which was a doorway, closed off by a large sheet of heavy tanned

leather. At first I could see little in the gloom, even with the taper. As my eyes

got used to the dark, I could pick out more. Wulf found a candle end in a

small metal holder on a shelf and lit it with a flint on his strike-a-light. His

face glowed as the flame caught and opened up the room to us. I blew the

taper out for now.

What do you see in this room? I asked him. There was a pallet, which

had seen recent heavy use, on the floor, which had not been swept for some

days and was already building up dust and insect life. Its rushes were

brownish and there was no sweet smell as I walked over them.

No sign of a fight or nothing. I looked all around me, seeking clues of

things which might have gone wrong for Theodwulf. His clothes were piled

on a wooden platform to one side; I could see they were cut on the small side.

There were nails hammered into posts, and a belt hung from one, while the

others held leather pouches for a comb, and a place to hold the scabbard of

his sword, which I noticed was missing. Wulf was right. Other than the

sword, there was no sign of a hasty leaving. What man would leave his belt

behind? Then something struck me.

A piece of red cloth was tied around a pole at one corner, right at the top,

in a way that looked like it could not there be by chance. I was at once alert.

All four corners of the room had strips of red cloth carefully tied in such a

way that a man might look in and never see them. In each case, a carefully

folded piece of bright red cloth was wrapped tightly with a longish piece of


32/98


red wool, then the wool had been tied at the ends to keep it all in place. They

seemed to have no reason to be there; they didnt hold up anything, nor did

they tie roof to posts.

Do you know what those are for? Wulf shook his head, adding to the

dust gathering in the room.

Never saw the like before.

Very helpful. Here, give me a leg up so I can have a closer look.

Dont touch nothing!

Why shouldnt I touch it, Wulf? Do you know what it means?

Dont like to say. Weird maybe?

You mean, a curse, or something?

Could be. Dont like to say. He didnt meet my gaze. I had a feeling that

Wulf knew more, but had good reasons not to want to talk about it. I hoped I

could get something out of him later, although I knew when Wulf wants to,

he can shut me out.

Maybe its just for good luck. They say that red is a lucky colour.

Aye, thatll be it. Just be careful. Sir.

I caught up with Godgifu, Winburh and the other women. Godburga walked

up as I was speaking. The mother turned on a smile that was too bright. She

was trying too hard for me, and I would need to know why.

I have to go to Finnsburh now so that I can get there before dark today

and back again. Can you lend me Alrd to take me to the border? He can

show me the land you dispute with them too. I will need a safe passage and

he will be able to provide me that. Otherwise I have only my servant to look

out for me. Is that all right, Godgifu?

Yes, of course, lord. You can have more men if you wish, she said.


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In fact, said Winburh, I have to go to visit my father today. He has not

heard of my husband vanishing, as far as I know, and I dont want him to

pick up rumours and worry until we know more. I noticed that she called

him husband, even though they were not yet married.

You do realise, dont you, that I am supposed to be going there to tell

him of the charges laid on him by Theodbeorht, and that is going to make him

far more upset than a few rumours? Winburh blushed.

Its not for me to tell you how to do your job, lord, but if you let me talk

to my father first, you may not need the armed guards that Godgifu would

prefer you to take. He will be less alarmed if he sees me well and you will

find him calmer.

You dont believe your father, or any of his men, had anything to do

with the disappearance of your betrothed?

I dont know what to believe after so much noise from the men here. I am

frantic with worry about Theodwulf, but no, I know for a fact that my father

had nothing to do with any of it, or any of his men either.

Nonetheless, I think Ill do it my own way, without anyone to soften the

blow for him first. For all I know, you might be in on this, and I dont want to

put you in danger. She nodded, bowing to my wishes.

My cousin Eadwynn can stay here, in case Theodwulf does turn up.

Godburga, can you accompany us?

Godburga nodded coolly. I was surprised, since she had been so angry

yesterday about her brothers disappearance. Her recent behaviour at the

meeting and just now in her brothers room had not led me to expect this.

As I was walking away, Unfearth beckoned to me from where he was

lumped down on a boardwalk, under a heavy wooden shelter, crooking his


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fingers like any traitor who wants to whisper. I walked over to where his was

perched an inch above the ground, with just a small cushion under him for

comfort.

Brave words, thegn.

Im glad you think so, I said to the shiny top of his head more than

anything. I would hate it if you disapproved.

But such words are for the crowds, the little men ha men like that

little shit Hrfn, who stir up men like roots in a pot, or that queer bird Gyldi

with his pretty ways, but who will never take the risk of the battlefield

themselves.

You think I wont do what I say?

Youll do whats right for you, maybe whats right for the king, not

whats right for Clofeshoh, unless by accident.

There are men in York who say that whats right for the king is always

right for his subjects.

But I dont think youre that stupid, thegn. Such fine sayings are for

bishops and other arse-lickers.

You see skulls where other men see skin, old man. Something about

Unfearth disturbed me. It started with his wounds, but went further and

deeper.

But in the end, were all skulls, like the many buried deep around here;

theyll not wake this side of the day of doom. Being ha dead is easy, its

staying alive that counts. After a while, the living smell worse than the dead.

Youd do well to remember that, thegn.

Then again, there are living deaths, like your brother. He seems to be in

another world much of the time.


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But at least he lived fully while all of him was here. His mind may be

half gone, but half my body was never here, so who am I to speak of that? At

this point, Unfearths servants, two men picked for strong arms, arrived to lift

him up and carry him off to his meat. He waved cheerfully to me as they

vanished around a corner.

I found Alrd adjusting the bridle of one of the horses, a black filly with a

white star on her nose. The horse was skittish, from the noise of all the men at

the meeting, perhaps, and he had to calm her as we spoke. He had some

honey, which he rubbed gently into her teeth, and that seemed to help. I

explained to him that Godgifu had given him an order through me to come

with me and the girls to Finnsburh, at least up to the border, and to show me

the land which both vills claimed. He nodded. I noticed that he didnt say yes.

Tell me. How long have you been guarding the borders of Clofeshoh?

Alrd scratched his nose. Several rusty hairs on it bristled.

I dont rightly know. Many winters. I was nobbut a lad at the time; never

thought of doing anything but that.

And yet you now head the lords here?

As one of those who made Clofeshoh, the honour falls to me. He said

the H.

And that calls for a man with wits, bravery and good eyesight, wouldnt

you say? He looked flattered; a half smile cracked his mouth, sending ginger

whiskers in several ways. I paused. You didnt see me cross the boundary

though, I said, smiling.

I did though! He looked indignant. Had he been accused of that before?

The horse whinnied at our raised voices and again he calmed her.

But you only spotted me. You didnt see Wulf.


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I suppose youre right, he said in a flat tone. Servants. Slaves, I dont

always see them. Im on the lookout for lords, nobles, important people,

thegns even. I leaned forward and spoke quietly.

So, just where is the fucking border at that point? I said.

Why, its the stream at the foot of the hill, as everyone here knows. I sat

back again.

But thats exactly where Wulf was, giving his horse a drink of water.

Which means that you werent looking at the border at all. You were standing

with the border behind you, looking into your lords vill, rather than across

the border to protect your lords vill.

Alrd smiled, his mouth like a gash in the rocks of a burn. His lips were

flecked with foam, which he licked away with his sulphurous tongue.

But we dont usually get trouble from that way, he said, assuming he

was off the hook. There are royal patrols over to the old road. We usually

have to look out for the fucking Mercians, coming across the southern border.

Twats like that Lowri, whatever he calls himself, from over yonder. Mercia is

just over there, so if you climb the hill where I found you, you can see them

coming from a long way off.

So you only look south? What if the Mercians sneak around your lands

and attack from the north? Youd be fucked, wouldnt you? I said, sneering

because I knew it would irritate him. To the west of this area is Elmet. We

conquered that only in my grandfathers time, and everyone there is basically

a Walh, even though they now call it Elmetstan, because not too many

Saxons have actually settled there.

Ill tell you what, thegn. Its all well to be a big talker, but when we faced

the here of Llywri mab Cynhafal, we didnt think about how clever he was


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going to be, we just faced him and fought him till enough men fell around

him so send him back over the border like a hare.

Were you at the Trent? He shook his head, a bad idea in one so dirty.

Clouds of foul-smelling dust rose from his matted hair.

Someone had to stay who knew the land, in case the Mercians overran

the border. We didnt trust your friend the king to win, which was just as

well, wasnt it?

But you still werent looking at the border

No, not just that. I was distracted for a moment, or else Id have

challenged you both.

Yeah, right, of course you would. But the stream is bright and noisy, and

two men on horseback splashed across it, with bright shiny fittings, talking in

loud voices, and you were distracted away from us? Is that what youre

saying?

Not what I meant, thegn, I mean he stammered.

Its what you said. I didnt pressure you. Youre a border guard who

doesnt guard the border. Does your lord give you bread and meat for this?

He looked a bit shamefaced. I thought I might have overstepped the mark

with that last question. After all, he was an evil man, whatever Godgifu might

say, and I didnt want him to lunge at me.

But I got you, he said in a dull menacing tone.

Only because I walked straight past you, I said. In truth Id been

reckless in letting him do that to me. Id been too impatient because Wulf had

rightly looked after the health of his horse and I hadnt. Alrd was sulking.

Cheer up, man, I said. Anyway, I need you this morning, and your

lady has said you must come with us. We have to go to Finnsburh and I need


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you to take us to the border. Will you do that? He brightened a bit and

smiled, to show a snaggle of teeth like an old Roman graveyard.

Chapter 4

inburh and I rode to her fathers vill the same morning, with

Godburga between us. I was beginning to have doubts about

something. There was something slightly wrong about the

calm with which Winburh approached these events. No two men are the

same, and no one woman is the same in the afternoon as she was this

morning, I know, but if I were her, and my man vanished, Id have been

frantic with worry. So although Winburh said she was upset, there was

nothing of the anxiety that Ive seen in other women when weve returned

from the field of battle and their men havent shown up. Those women are

frantic with fear, but Winburh sat easily on her saddle, with no tension. She

spoke to Godburga without discomfort. It was as if she knew that everythingwas all right, but we had to play out the game anyway. And if it were my

father who was accused of murder by his neighbours, Id have been a damn

sight more nervous about giving him the news.

Although it was only in the territory adjoining Clofeshoh, the road to

Finnsburh was steep and winding. However the rain was easing off and the

day promised better. Alrd rode with us as far as the frontier with other men

of the here at his side, and then he would turn back, saying he had pressing

things to do at his lords side. Wulf followed us at a respectful distance, with

Alrd at the rear of all. Godburga and I talked as we rode. I didnt mind this,

because I had not noticed before that she was actually quite beautiful, her red

hair being striking as the odd shaft of almost sunlight hit it. But then Id only

really seen her in the meadhall by firelight in anger, which reddened her face,

W


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and in her brothers privy chamber, in semi-darkness, so what daylight

revealed was a surprise. It was a long time since Id thought of a woman in

that way, and I was quite happy to know they werent returned in any way.

We must pass the time, lord. Tell me about yourself, said Godburga as

we trotted slowly up the winding path towards the border, and I could have

sworn she smiled at me. Men have things to do, too many sometimes.

Women have to pass the time; we get good at it. Clearly life could get pretty

dull at Clofeshoh.

Theres not much to tell, really. What do you want to know?

I never met a man yet who didnt want to talk about himself and what he

does, how many men hes killed in the last year, how many furrows he can

dig in a day, that sort of thing. She pulled a face at me.

You must mix with a different crowd, Godburga. Real soldiers dont like

to talk about such things, and seldom to women. In fact, I had killed several

men since I came back to York from the South, including one a thief in the

last month, but I didnt want her to think I was some kind of vengeful animal.

The age of warriors is dying, so men say, although youd be hard pressed to

see it. My grandfather used to tell stories of bloodier times, but one familys

feud with another is now settled with fines, not the sharpness of a sword.

Warriors of Christ have sharper weaponcraft, and a higher wergild, my

brother says. Therell come a time, maybe in my lifetime, when the stylus will

outshine the sword edge. But Im not holding my breath.

Well, tell me about the king and what you do there. I mean, really in

York. Really there. Ive never been there; in fact, Ive never been anywhere.

My father used to go and he said hed take me, but he didnt because he got

too old to go much any more.


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Surely youve seen the king when he comes to Clofeshoh for the

feorme?

Fat chance of that! Ive always been left in charge of the younger

children, the ones whos make too much noise before the king. And you?

How did you come to be a thegn? She could be tiresome, but pleasing too.

Its the family business. My father and grandfather were thegns to earlier

kings. My father served Oswiu and my grandfather was a thegn to Oswald.

Her eyes were glazing slightly. Its no different to being a blacksmith or a

miller, I guess. We have to work for our bread like anyone else.

Is your father still alive?

No, he died in battle against the Britons of the north, twenty winters

back.

The big one at Catraeth? She called it by the same name as the Walh do.

You heard about Catterick? Yes, Im afraid so. Mind you, they say he

took several of them with him, went down fighting. Men say the Walh of

Edinburgh feasted for a year together before they attacked us, not that it did

them much good; they were bound together and they died together too, but

Im sorry, you must find soldiers talk unseemly. I dont have much

experience with the lives that maids live. And certainly not maids almost

young enough to be my daughter, giving me the come on, I thought. Was it

something in the water?

Godburga shook her head, and her hair swayed like red corn in the wind;

she took after her mother, and there was nothing I could see of her father in

her. Alrd looked more like Theodbeorht than she did, God help us.


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Really no, dont be concerned. When you grow up on the border with the

Mercians, you get to be made of tougher stuff, even us girls. Brothers and

sisters?

I sighed.

I have a younger brother, whos a monk in an abbey not far from York, in

fact, little more than an hours riding from here. My sister, whos older than

me, is married to a lord with land near the Old Wall. I dont see her that

much. I didnt want to tell her that my brother Tunna was the abbot and that

he had founded his own monastery. It tends to make people think that youre

a god-botherer too.

And you? I asked. How does it feel to be the second in line to your

brother? Godburga sighed. I could have sworn I caught Winburh pulling a

face at her, but it was gone before I could be sure.

Girls always get the worst of things. Im no different to Theodwulf, but I

get treated worse because of the clothes I wear. One day she would learn

there was a lot else different, but right now, she should enjoy her innocence.

The boys I know just think youre there to tend their every need and then

marry them, if youre lucky. Are you married? You dont quite lookso

bloodthirsty She smiled at me, and the morning lit up several notches.

No, not any more. Im a widower. My wife died, it was ten winters back,

giving birth to our second child, my daughter Uhtgifu. My big sister

Weorcgyth is bringing both of them up. My boy Sigeheres fourteen now,

almost a man. I miss my wife, but the king keeps me busy. Godburga

nodded knowingly, although I felt that half of it passed right over her head.

I rarely thought about my wife Ealdgyth, who Id loved dearly but not

properly known. We were both little more than children at the time, and life


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had not seemed so harsh as it now does to me. Ealdgyth had been small and

delicate, with a waist that was not built for children and it pained me still

how much shed suffered carrying Uhtgifu to term. Right now, her face is no

longer clear to me; it has blurred into lots of other women, but I want to keep

the pain with me, in case I forget. Tunna, by then a monk and a priest, had

tried to comfort me by telling me it was Gods will, but how do you tell a man

that God wants him to be lonely and his life empty as a rain barrel? If I can

get through the day alive, I assume that God wants me to continue for

another day; one day he wont.

Im sorry, she said. About your wife. I suppose youre like Winburh,

youve both lost someone.

But time deadens the pain. Its more like an old break in your arm, if

youve ever done such a thing. The pain doesnt return, and there are times

when it aches unbearably, but then you wake up the next morning and its

gone. It disturbed me that I should care what any female thinks; such

thoughts have not disturbed me for a long time. I must be getting too soft for

all this.

And anyway, I said, Winburh may not have lost your brother. Do you

believe your father?

Do I think that Lord Wigrds to blame? I dont know what I should

believe. Winburh cant agree with it, of course, because she loves and respects

her father, as a daughter should, but Lord Wigrds not my father and I dont

really know him. I met him at the betrothal ceremony and once after that, but

although my mother tells me he was always visiting us when I was a child, I

dont remember that. You are little more than a child now, I thought.


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Before Alrd turned back, he showed me the pond they disputed. It

didnt seem like much to me. It was a pond, nothing more, fed it seems by

underground water and home to nothing more than last Autumns leaves and

the odd stick. It was raised up, and someone had made the bank more solid

with a bunch of stones, set along the edge without any idea of making them

level so that the stones stood at a crazy angle, like tombstones. I dismounted,

and went over to look into the pond, as that is all it was; Id been expecting

something bigger if it had been the cause of such disputes. The water was

clogged with weeds in a few places, and here and there I could see a few fish

moving sluggishly through the murk. It didnt seem like this would provoke

a border skirmish. But, given the chance to be stupid, folk will.

Winburh, has the death of your brothers made a difference? She

shrugged in reply.

My father was devastated, of course, but I suppose that they spent a lot

of time shouting, bragging, hunting and drinking, with a little warrior craft

thrown in, but didnt make much difference to the farms. When dad gets old,

thats when theyll be missed.

And you?

It cuts through me like a knife.

And your husband-to-be? She shook her head.

Its not going to be like that, not again.

Winburh was welcomed by one and all as we rode up to the meadhall.

Many people of all ages stopped to speak to her. Women sowing seed in the

fields, mud clinging like children to their skirts, dropped the pans from which

the seed was to be broadcast, ran up to her and kissed her with excitement,

even as the seed fell in the wrong spots. Small boys in the fields chasing birds


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stopped and waved vigorously at her, not caring that the crows had crept

back while they did so. It was clear to me that the wedding to Theodwulf was

a match which everyone thought well of. Winburh greeted them all by name

without a moment to think. Whats more, she masked her worry well, even

with them, matching the eerie calm Id seen before.

Word must have reached Wigrd that his daughter had returned, as he

came to the door of the meadhall. He was hastily fixing the brooch on his

cloak and swinging it over his shoulders. He was shorter than I imagined him

to be, and a little stout with thinning hair, and for a moment I smiled to think

of him standing next to Theodbeorht at the forthcoming wedding feast. I

drew my horse up and dismounted. Going down on one knee, as is the

custom, I took off my hat and lowered my head respectfully to him. I couldnt

see Wulf, who had dismounted to let the two women down from their horses

and now stood one pace behind me, but I knew he would be pleased that

protocol had been followed. I gave Wigrd my name and rank, and he

motioned for me to rise and follow him into the hall, where I had to take a

cup of mead with him as is the custom.

So what brings you here, lord? Youre a long way from York here. Are

you going to start another war with the Mercians? If so, you find me all out of

sons these days. And yet you bring my daughter with you, so I know you

have been at Clofeshoh with my old friend Theodbeorht. How is everyone

there?

My lord, I started, hesitantly, playing with the wooden cup and striking

a tattoo with my fingernails. I dont quite know how to put this. Certain

over heated words and possibly falsehoods have been made against you and

the men of Finnsburh. I dont believe that they have any truth about them, but


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as the kings thegn, its my job to give justice to everyone. Please accept my

word, my honest word, that I have no opinion, either way.

Is this cattle thieving again? he asked, and looked genuinely concerned,

the smile dying on his lips. Ive told the lads, I have. They think they can get

away with it, but I know whose cattle are whose, and I know whos behind it.

Ill take you to them and you can impose the fine, whatever it is. A calf here

or there, well, everyone does it, but not full-scale theft. I just wont take it

from them anymore.

I stood up. As I did, I noticed the mass of shields piled up against the far

wall of the meadhall, away from the flickering light from the fire, the sea

colour painted as fresh as this mornings inbound tide.

Its a bit more serious that that, Im afraid. I came to you in the company

of your daughter and the daughter of Lord Theodbeorht for a good reason.

His son is missing, and they believe hes been murdered.

He looked startled and his mouth started to flap soundlessly. With his

thin lips he looked like nothing more than a fish. How Winburh came out of

him. Ill never know.

Lord Theodbeorht is going around telling anyone who has ears to hear

that you did it. Or that one of your lads did it and you instructed him to do it.

It amounts to the same thing. And there are men in his here who dont want to

wait for the kings justice, and some are on his witan. Im holding them back

for now, but it matters what you tell me now.

But this is terrible! I mean, its outrageous! Why would I do such a

terrible thing? And why would Theodbeorht, whos always been so kind, say

such a thing? About me, whos always looked to him as a wiser man than me!

You know when I was first getting started, he helped me out, lent me his


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plough and man to help me. God knows, my Winburh, my own daughter, is

going to marry Theodwulf. We would have been like brothers

Would have been?

If the poor boys dead as you say

Do you know anything, lord?

Of course not. This is terrible. I dont hear much from outside the borders

of my own lands any more. Since my boys died, Ive not had much chance to

think; the only crumb of good news has been that my daughter was to be

happily married to someone she loves. No father could hope for greater

comfort, not after the loss of his sons. You know, they used to play together as

children? I am, well, horrified by the things you tell me; is Theodbeorht really

saying them about me?

So youre telling me that you know nothing about any of this?

No, nothing. By the way, the chit of a girl outside with Winburh. The

pretty one with the red hair. Whos she?

As I told you lord, thats Theodbeorhts daughter Godburga.

Really? I havent seen her in years. Little Godda, all grown up. They

grow so fast, dont you think?

The two of them seem to be very close, so Winburh will have another friend

there, her sister in law and her best friend too.

You mean my sisters daughter Eadwynn is there too?

Didnt you know?

Cant say I did. Shes married you know, well away from here.

Husbands an officer in the fyrd. But my daughter and my niece were always

close, you know. Children dont stay under your wing for long. Poor

Theodbeorht. And Godgifu too!


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I dont think hes dead, I said. Wigrd looked poleaxed, unsure

whether to believe me.

But thats wonderful. Is it true? I hope so. You must know something

else. What do you know? What does Winburh think?

My problem is that nobody has come up with a body. If Theodwulf has

been killed, somebody somewhere did it for a reason. I dont know who. But

if they thought it was right and proper to kill him, they would have made the

body available, even if they just dumped it by the side of the road. No, for

me this means that hes alive somewhere, maybe not even in this kingdom,

but somewhere.

Wigrd followed my reasoning, nodding.

Yes, I follow you, thegn. I can only think that the terrible strain of his son

vanishing has completely unhinged Theodbeorht. His mind has not been

strong for some time and hes long been a bit forgetful, talks to himself when

nobodys around. I have seen him get worse over the years, and hes not been

well for some time. How many oath-helpers do I need to dismiss the

charges?

Theodbeorht is not himself lately. Hes vague, distant, and sometimes he

just shuts off and goes into himself. If Theodbeorht is not up to accusing you

because hes mad, the law says that you will not need any oathhelpers, and

under the law I would close the case and you need fear nothing. Nor will

Theodbeorht be punished. Although it is not written in the law, the custom of

our forefathers is that madmen are to be pitied not punished.

But, I added. If I deem Theodbeorht to be sane and its my call then

the charge must stand and you must answer it. You will need sixty oath-


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helpers who are of Finnsburh, adults of course, and must not be men who are

in bondage to you. I hope it doesnt come to that, lord.

And then?

Wigrd looked distressed for the first time since Id arrived. Even after

Id told him why I was there, hed been more concerned than anxious for

himself. Now he looked like ash when the fire dies down.

Then I will judge and my judgement will be true and fair and the end of

the matter. I wont take feuds between neighbours. Wigrd sat speechless,

thinking what to do next.

Can my daughter stay here with me? he asked in a dull voice.

Given whats happened, Id rather she was with me. Im not happy with

some of the answers Im getting from people at Clofeshoh. I seem to be going

around in a ring. Do you know Unfearth?

The half-man? Of course I do. Hes the brains behind the whole set up.

Without Unfearth, I doubt that Theodbeorht would have made a go of the vill

there; theres a lot for one man, not least one whos a warrior more than a

lord, to tackle. Unfearth may not be able to walk, but he knows everything

thats happening everywhere, it seems. He sees lands with crops on them in

his head that he has never seen in life, hes that clever; its all in his head, see?

If he was complete, Unfearth would have been made the lord there, and

Theodbeorht could have

shun the dark (scribd) part 1

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