Edward Marston - The Hawks of Delamere

Hugh d’Avranches was justifiably proud of his fortress. As soon as he had changed out of his Benedictine cowl, he sent for his guests and escorted them on a tour of his home. Ralph was duly impressed with the fortifications. The battlements were high, solid and patrolled by alert guards. On the southern and western sides, the River Dee was itself an additional defence and the earl explained how the wooden bridge across it could be closed — or even destroyed — to hamper any attack.

‘Yes,’ he growled. ‘Sooner than let an enemy use it to cross the river, I’d burn it to the ground.’

‘Are you ever likely to be in that situation?’ said Ralph.

‘Never.’

‘How can you be so confident?’

‘I have taken steps to keep everything under strict control here on the border. Anyone who has dared to raise a sword against me has been savagely dealt with, Ralph. I am a great believer in the value of scapegoats. Brutality is the only language that the Welsh understand.’

‘That is not true, my lord,’ averred Gervase.

Hugh bristled. ‘What do you mean?’

‘We had some dealings with the Welsh during our stay in Hereford. They proved amenable to reason in the end.’

‘I do not waste my breath on reasoning,’ said the other dismissively. ‘Actions speak louder than words. Violent action has the most persuasive voice of all.’

‘That is a matter of opinion, my lord.’

‘I can see that you are no soldier, Gervase.’

‘I am eternally grateful for that.’

‘Someone has to keep those Welsh devils at bay.’

‘That can often be achieved by diplomacy, my lord.’

‘Not on this troublesome border,’ said Hugh. ‘I long ago found that sharp weapons are the best diplomats. They achieve results in the most effective way.’

Gervase was tenacious. ‘But they also leave a legacy of resentment which can work against you in the long term,’ he said. ‘Peace which grows out of mutual interest is far more lasting and valuable than a truce which is imposed by indiscriminate force.’

Teeth bared in a snarl, the earl rounded on him. ‘Do you dare to question my methods?’ he snapped.

‘Of course not, my lord.’

‘How much experience have you had of subduing the Welsh?’

‘None whatsoever.’

‘I have had over fifteen years at it,’ boomed Hugh, inflating his chest. ‘Fifteen years of keeping the peace and protecting the citizens of Chester. To save the lives of the people under my care, I have had to take the lives of others. But that is in the nature of conquest.’

‘Indeed, it is, my lord,’ said Ralph, keen to appease him before he lost his temper completely. ‘Gervase was not criticising you in any way. He was merely pointing out that our dealings with the Welsh during our stay in Herefordshire were on a very different footing.’ He shot his friend a warning glance. ‘Is that not so, Gervase?’

‘Yes.’

‘I have special memories of that visit to Hereford.’

‘Why so?’ asked Hugh.

‘Because that is where I met my wife.’

‘A Welsh girl?’

‘A Saxon lady, my lord.’

The earl chuckled. ‘I endorse your choice, Ralph. I can speak up for Saxon ladies. Their men may be uncouth and hairy but their womenfolk are sometimes very beautiful.’ His chuckle became a lecherous snigger. ‘And very amenable.’

‘Golde will be joining us in a day or two.’

‘I look forward to meeting her.’

They continued their tour of the fortifications, then descended into the courtyard. Stables, storerooms and lodging for the garrison were arranged neatly round the perimeter. Everything was scrupulously in order. Soldiers were practising with their weaponry. Horses were being groomed. The clang of hammers could be heard from the armoury. There was an air of readiness about the whole place.

Ralph showed an immediate interest but something else aroused Gervase’s curiosity. He pointed to the chapel on the other side of the bailey. It was a large stone structure with a bell in its tower.

‘I am glad to see that religion has a place inside your stronghold,’ he remarked.

‘A crucial place,’ agreed Hugh piously. ‘A castle without a chapel is like a body without a soul. My soldiers are not callous murderers who kill for pleasure. Brother Gerold blesses all their enterprises. They ride out under the banner of God. Like crusaders.’

‘May I visit the chapel, my lord?’ asked Gervase.

‘Please do.’

‘Ralph?’

‘I would rather see the rest of the defences, Gervase.’

‘Then I will leave you to it.’ He gave a nod of farewell to his host. ‘My lord.’

‘Gerold will show you all that you wish to see.’

‘Thank you.’

As Gervase walked away, Hugh kept one glaucous eye on him.

‘Your young friend is contentious, Ralph.’

‘Ignore him, my lord,’ said Ralph with a grin. ‘Gervase is a lawyer. He loves to argue.’

‘I do not tolerate argument.’

‘Not even from your wife?’

‘She does not argue,’ returned the other with a laugh. ‘She simply complains. Like every other wife. What is marriage but an endless series of moans and reproaches?’

‘That has not been my experience, my lord.’

‘Then your wife has no tongue in her head.’

‘She does,’ Ralph assured him, ‘but I manage to stay on the right side of her anger. Life is much happier that way.’

‘Is Gervase married?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Betrothed?’

‘Yes, my lord. To a gorgeous creature called Alys.’

‘That might explain it.’

‘What?’

‘His restless urge for debate,’ said Hugh. ‘If he had a woman in his bed, she would take him between her thighs and squeeze it out of him.’ He turned to Ralph. ‘He is a handsome enough lad. There are ladies aplenty in Chester who would willingly do the office for him. Should I provide one or two?’

‘Gervase would not even look at them, my lord.’

‘Is he too shy?’

‘Too faithful to Alys.’

‘Fidelity is the enemy of true happiness.’

‘I am not sure that I agree with that.’

‘Gervase will learn.’

‘Perhaps.’

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a newcomer.

Flanked by four armed soldiers, a big, bearded, sturdy man came into view and marched round the edge of the courtyard. Even with his hands tied behind his back, the man had an undeniable dignity about him. There was real pride in the upward tilt of his chin. The dark hair, swarthy skin and telltale attire helped Ralph to identify him.

‘A Welsh prisoner, I think.’

‘Yes, Ralph.’

‘A member of their nobility.’

‘Of higher rank than that.’

‘Who is he?’

‘Gruffydd ap Cynan.’

Ralph was surprised. ‘The Prince of Gwynedd?’

‘No less.’

‘And you have him under lock and key?’

‘Yes, Ralph. He is let out for exercise twice a day.’

‘I thought that Gruffydd ap Cynan collaborated with us.’

‘He did at first. Then he was gripped by the folly that he could unite his people and put us to flight. I thought it safer to let him cool his heels in my dungeon. He will not cause any problems in there.’

‘Will they not try to rescue him?’

‘Nobody can escape from Chester Castle.’

‘They are bound to seek the release of their prince.’

‘Yes, Ralph,’ said Hugh grandly, ‘but I will hear none of their entreaties. They have offered me money, land or both in return for their beloved prince but he is far more valuable to me in a dungeon.’

‘Why?’

‘Release him and he might start a Welsh uprising.’

‘He is a doughty soldier, I know that.’

‘And an inspiring leader. Locking him up is the only sensible course of action. We have had uninterrupted peace on the border since Gruffydd became my guest.’