Aside from Heaven

Chapter 4D

Than give you control

Tower of London, 1323

For many years, William casually watched the comings and goings of the jailer and other staff in the Tower. There was a never-changing pattern, one of comfort, routine, laziness, and not much intelligence, which infuriated the man on one hand...

...and pleased him on the other. Such ineptness played directly into William's plans. Made things much easier.

The little servant girl from the kitchen was infatuated with one of William's younger servants. The teen was young, came from a large family, one of Much's many progeny and he enjoyed the attention of the girl who was just about his age. It wasn't difficult to exchange the watered, pathetic excuse of ale for a bottle of potent and drugged wine from Aigues-Mortes, while Gyllie was distracted for a few minutes.

Truthfully, William didn't think it needed to be drugged. Chances were likely, the guard, too old for such mindless duty, never imbibed anything as expensive as what William was putting on the tray with the man's supper. By the time young Aegus took Gyllie around the corner, kissed her soundly and promised more when she came back, William had the bottles exchanged, pulled his hood up, sunk back into the shadows and simply waited.

Twenty minutes later, he heard the tell-tale thunk as the guard's head hit the table. Quietly, William crept up the stairs, peering around the corner. Sure enough, old Jonas was snoring quietly, less than half of the bottle of wine, gone. William took the bottle from the man's limp grasp and after corking it, set it aside and replaced it with the actual jug of ale.

Priorities, William. Priorities.

Reaching over the prone body of the guard, William lifted the jailer's keys from the peg and quietly moved down the corridor. "Roger!" he hissed. "Roger Mortimer." He blew out the torches as he went.

Hands came to the barred windows, hissing, whispering, "Me! Me!"

"Oh, I rather think not." William passed up three jailed men, before reaching the door he knew housed the Earl of March. Roger stood back, with his arms crossed, starring out into the darkened hallway.

"Who are you?"

William inserted the key in the lock and turned it, opening the door. "A friend." He stepped backwards and gestured. "C'mon." His voice was lowered, gravelly, rough. The Lord of Locksley adopted a lower-class London accent.

Roger stuck his head out, looking both ways and saw the jailer passed out at the table. "What happened to him and why are you doing this?"

"England needs you, Roger Mortimer." There was one torch left on the wall and William grabbed it, making sure he held it away from his body, keeping his hooded face in the shadows.

"England needing me got me jailed!"

William smirked. "And England needing you got you out. There is a boat waiting at the edge of the Thames. It will take you to the shores and offer safe passage to France. Hie to King Charles' court and let him know his sister is in need. Her husband's advisers seek to remove her from power and confiscate her properties."

Roger was thinking fast. "Charles should move to retaliate-"

"And you should move quickly to remind him of that." William was moving further down the darkened hallway.

"Where are you going? This is not the way out!"

William continued down the hall. "The other way is riddled with guards, servants who would turn in their own mother if it meant food for the table tonight. Or-" he stopped in front of the narrow passage."

"The privy shoot? Are you insane?"

William shrugged. "The choice is yours. Guards with sharp, pointy things or..." he nodded at the escape route, "a straight shot to the Thames and a boat with clean clothing and several men to row you down the river to the coast."

Roger grimaced. "'Tis not much of a choice." He climbed up, putting both legs in the shoot. "Who are you and why are you doing this? Why should I trust you?"

William took a breath, inventory, before he responded. "The Despensers are raping this country and will own more of it than the king does before they are through if no one stops them. They have taken you and your lands. Who will stop them from taking your wife's? What will happen to your children?" He tipped his head to the left. "I am offering you escape. How can you live with yourself if you do not take it?"

Roger's retort was fast. "And if it's a trap?"

Williams shrugged. "If Edward or Hugh wished you dead, they would make a public spectacle of it. Your head would be a trophy to hang on Hugh's wall. Why leave you locked up for so long and then have you escape through the privy shoot?"

That seemed to appease the Earl. "What do I do when I reach the bottom?"

William grinned, Roger only seeing a ghost of a smile and it caused him to shiver. "There is a boat waiting for you. They will get you to a larger barge and clean clothing. Stay low and speak not. There is a ship waiting for your arrival on the coast and it will take you to France. It is up to you to find the queen's brother and bend his ear. You will find courtiers there who are will lend a hand. The queen is living in appalling conditions."

Roger gripped the edge of the wall. "Why do I get the strange feeling, you will not be following me down?"

William sneered. "I am not an escaped prisoner."

Roger gripped tighter, needing to continue the argument. "What you are suggesting will take money."

"And it will be waiting for you as well. Now go." And with that, William shoved the Earl of March, sending him on long trip down a shite-coated, slick slide to the breeks. Waiting a moment, he pulled the cork from the wine and poured it down the shoot, before rolling the now empty jug after. He grimaced when he heard the echo of the bottle break and the sound of the shards continuing on. At least, the evidence was destroyed. He then relit the torches and returned the way he came, staying in the shadows and slipped out unseen through a quiet, seldom-used side gate.

It was time to begin uniting England's barons. The Wolf's hour was coming.

~~~...~~~

Nottingham 1324

"My lord?"

"Let me guess, Timothy," William removed his boots from the table and sat up, making sure not to turn loose of his wine glass, as well as to not disturb the bottle.

He'd named this one Aedyth; well-seasoned, full-bodied, and a deep, rich bouquet...

"There is a messenger."

"Yes, well... no. Yes."

William looked over his shoulder. "Make up your mind. It is stormy. The puddles have puddles. It is close to midnight. No one in their right mind would be out in this, save a messenger." He lifted the goblet.

"Or a woman in trouble."

William's hand stopped in mid-air. "A woman? Are you sure?"

"My lord, there is a woman and several of her servants in your entrance. And she is definitely in trouble."

This was disconcerting. "Who is it?"

"I do not know, my lord."

"You've allowed a strange woman and her entourage into my home without so much as asking her name?" He turned on the servant. "Do you even know if this person is a woman?"

"Go look for yourself."

William stood. "The vestibule?"

"Yes, my lord."

William strode from the room, grabbing a small lamp on his way out before making his way to a hidden stairway in the hall.

Roland FitzGisborne had been a sneaky bastard, one who trusted few people and he passed his distrust down among his progeny. As a result, homes were built with hidden crannies, hiding places, passages to tunnels, to other rooms, the stables. He was aware there were times, one wanted to look or watch visitors.

This particular staircase led to a balcony of sorts; a balcony disguised as gallery in which weapons and tapestries were on display. Leaving his lamp on a small shelf inside the hidden passageway, he stepped out onto the gallery, making sure he stayed in the shadows.

Ah yes. There was a woman...

William narrowed his eyes, peering into the darkness, taking stock and watching her servants. Their cloaks were sodden and muddy. They all looked exhausted. The group were murmuring, their French accents obvious. The woman turned and for a brief second, her profile was illuminated by the lone torch lit in the hall.

William took a quick step back into the hidden ingress. He slid the panel shut, before grabbing the lamp and returning to the chamber where he was drinking, where Timothy awaited. "Prepare my study to receive visitors. Do not light the fireplace, only two lamps. Rouse Margaret and tell her to prepare Lady FitzGisborne's chambers for a guest and her maid servant and to make sure there is room in the servant's guest wing for the outriders. They will need food, drink, and I suspect the lady would appreciate a bath. Stay at the door for further instructions." He grabbed the man's arm as he strode past. "Be prepared. There will be little to no sleep tonight."

"My lord," Timothy whispered. "Is it who I think it is?"

"Aye. And I wish to ensure that no one else knows."

~~~..~~~

"Is your hall truly so poor as to not light the fire?"

William stood in the shadows, his back to Edward's queen. One of her servants was her personal maid, and she followed Margaret to Lady FitzGisborne's chambers to aid in the preparation for her mistress. Despite their protestations, the others were taken to the kitchen, to be fed.

"My lady, I am yours to command. What is your wish?" A goblet made its way into her frozen hands. "Drink. It will warm you and not harm you."

"How do I know you will not harm me?"

"You are here." It was whispered in her ear. "You have come to me for a reason and you obviously trust me enough. Why?"

She took a small sip before squaring her shoulders. "I have come to ask your for your aid."

"Why have you come to me?"

Isabella stood slowly. William now realized she wasn't moving slowly because of exhaustion, but...

She set her goblet down and dropped her cloak. "Because Hugh is frightened of you and Edward refuses to force you to bow to him." She turned to face him. "Edward demands I pledge loyalty and bow down to the Despensers, but does not make you! Who are you to instill such fear in the king?" She took a deep breath and wailed, "Edward has taken my children and given them to Hugh. He's arrested and jailed all of my staff who came with me from France, taken my castles, my property, even those my brother gave me. He has stripped me of everything. He says I have served my purpose, that he no longer has any use for me and gave me to that monster. Hugh said I would bow to him willingly or he would force me to bow." As she raised her head, William bit back a gasp. It was involuntary and he worked hard not to show it.

She was bruised and beaten down the left side of her face, the contusion continuing across her neck and shoulder. She dropped her head in shame. "I did not bow." She shook her head and whispered, "He has my babies. I cannot protect them."

William stepped forward from the shadows, allowing her to see him full face. She gasped as he raised his hand, his fingertips gently grazing her battered face. "Who did this to you?"

"I...I..."

"Who did this to you, majesty?"

It took a moment. "Hugh. Hugh the Younger."

"Hugh or a servant?"

"Hugh. Hugh did."

William leaned forward, his breath like butterfly wings on her ear. "Rest assured, he is a dead man walking."

"I know you. I am so ashamed."

William shrugged elegantly. "You should be, however I suspect you were lonely and your husband tends to spend his attentions elsewhere. I imagine you wished to prove you were still attractive to men."

"I... oui."

William was still whispering in her ear. "You are, but your wiles are wasted on me. Understand, I do not like you," she became wooden at the cruel admission and he grabbed her by the upper arms, not turning loose when she stiffened in pain, "but I dislike the Despensers more." He turned her loose and went to the door, calling for Margaret and sending Timothy to bring Sir Simon and Sir Richard. He now returned to the fireplace and began to stir the embers into a warm fire. "Does anyone know you are here?"

"No. We have stayed away from the main roads. My servants are loyal to me, not Edward, not Hugh."

"You have stayed hidden?"

"My servants have done everything. We have taken back roads, slept in hovels."

She needs to scratch and is too lady-like to do so in front of anyone.

"My lord?" Margaret stood in the door. "You need me?"

William motioned her to his side. "This is Bella." The servant immediately sank into a curtsy. "She is a distant relative from France and will be staying at Locksley for a few days." As Margaret stood back up, she saw the bruising on the woman's face. "She fell from her horse earlier. I'm sure she would appreciate your healing herbs and a hot bath." He tapped his servant on the shoulder. "I would appreciate that few know she or her servants are visiting."

Margaret's eyebrows rose. She knew who this person was, but if Sir William was going to claim the queen as a relative, then who was she to correct him? "I suppose she is hiding from a thief or man of ill repute."

"And a vindictive one, at that." William nodded. "She will stay to her rooms while my knights and I make arrangements and plans for her."

"I understand."

"She is not a prisoner. If she decides to leave, allow her to go. I don't think she will." He stepped back and addressed the queen. "I will make plans for you and you will trust me and follow them." He turned back to his chatelaine. "I leave her in your care."

Margaret now bowed again to the queen. "My lady, if you will follow me?" She shook her head in sadness. "I know that must pain you. We'll get you into a hot bath and cold compresses. Make some tea with comfrey..." Margaret's voice faded away as the two women went through the door and headed down the hallway.

William stepped forward, his back to the woman and stirred the embers in the fireplace, working it into a warm, heated roar. He listened to the silence, the groaning of the stones, the crackle in the fire. He waited the long while before Simon and Richard came to him. Richard arrived first, quietly standing behind his lord before Simon arrived. When both finally stood there in the quiet, he motioned one to shut the door before turning, an evil grin on his face.

"Richard, send your fastest spy to France and have him seek an audience with the French King. Have him tell Charles his sister's English properties have been confiscated by the Despensers with the blessing of her husband and her two youngest children have been given to Hugh the Younger. Simon, you do the same. I am sending Aegus as well. Once they've told the French King, find Roger Mortimer, the Earl of March and make sure he knows what is happening. I will then send Aegus to my cousin in Aigues-Mortes to request his aid in financing a mercenary army."

"Will he aid you?"

William shrugged. "He loves the fight." The Lord of Gisborne returned his attention to the fire. "I also need to get word to my spies in all of the Despenser and the king's households. Hugh the Younger holds the youngest of Edward and Isabella's children and she is terrified for them."

"What of us, my lord?"

"I have orders for the two of you! It is time to begin to rally England's barons. Lupus est scriptor hora enim prope est."

Both knights grinned back. "It's about damn time!"

~~~...~~~

The man had been sitting in the back of the pub for a long time, steadily drinking, getting more and more lethargic. The bartender watched closely; he wasn't causing trouble, just getting drunk. The barmaid heard him murmur about an unfaithful wife who had run off with a knight from a far off castle. Obviously he was here drowning his sorrows.

But it was time to close and those who worked wanted to clean up and go home.

"I'll get him. He has rooms upstairs?" Gilbert was a giant of a man, a blacksmith for the Despensers. His wife worked in the main house. The bartender thought anyone who worked for the Despensers were either crazy or gluttons for punishment. However, Gilbert had been around a long time; he was an excellent smith, knew his horses, quiet, and seemed to be friendly enough. The huge man went to the back and slid his arm around the waist of the drunken man. "Let's get you to yer room. Yer traveling? I don't seem to remember yer face." He hauled him up and began to almost carry him to the stairs. "Which room?"

"All the way in the back on the left. He's paid for the night."

Gilbert nodded and began the long trek up the stairs. "Where's yer key, my friend."

"Around my neck, next to my wolf head."

Gilbert almost stopped, but didn't. The response had been whispered, no one overheard. They went to the end of the hall, Gilbert looking to make sure no one was watching. He kept an eye on the not really very much drunkard, as he inserted his key and opened the door. He followed him in and kicked the door shut behind him.

"Do you need help? I'm afraid I didn't-"

"Lupus tempus venit," Simon ette Forde turned and faced the giant behind him. "You know what that means."

Gilbert immediately went to one knee. "I have kept an eye as Lord William bid me do, as has my wife, Sir Simon."

"What does your wife do in the castle?"

"She's been named a nursemaid to the princesses. She says they are frightened, cry for their mother, their elder brother."

"Has Hugh-"

"He does not visit them, leaves them alone. I do not think my wife would just stand by if he were cruel to them."

"Good." It was good that Gilbert's wife was in the castle. It was better that she had such close proximity to the king's daughters. "Very good."

"What would you have us do?"

Simon began to remove his shoes. "Keep watch, have a care and a plan. If Hugh moves to abuse the princesses, kill him. Kill him and run to Sir William with the girls. He will keep you and them safe." He removed a pouch from a hidden pocket deep inside his worn surcoat and handed it to the blacksmith. "Keep this hidden and use it if you need it. Stay away from Despenser Estates if you're forced to travel."

Simon was gone before the sun rose.

~~~...~~~

"Where have you been?" Hugh the Younger was frothing at the mouth. "I sent word to you, weeks ago, to attend to me in London and yet, here you sit in your hall, drinking wine and groping your maids!"

William continued to sit, his feet on the table. "Groping what maids?" He looked up at the angry earl. "And what right do you have, walking into my home to order me about?"

Hugh grabbed him by the elbow and attempted to pull William from the chair. "I sent two messengers, to whom you gave no succor and sent them back empty-handed!"

"I answered those messages and you best unhand me."

"Urinating on them is not answering them!"

William removed Hugh's hand from his elbow, putting the man's finger in a grip that brought the younger Despenser to his knees. "I believe it was a rather clear answer and I told you to let me go." He stood up, towering over the favored earl. "Ah. You look good in the floor." He turned the man's finger loose, reached behind him to pick up his goblet and turned away to refill his drink. "What do you want?"

"You didn't answer my summons!"

"I," he filled the chalice and turned back around, grinning sardonically, "do not answer to pigs!"

Hugh scrambled from the floor! "You will not speak to me like that! I am-"

"Yes, I know; the king's favored earl. You are not the only one."

Hugh rubbed his injured digit, trying hard to disguise his jealousy and not doing a good job. "Edward needs you."

"Then why doesn't he send for me?"

"Because he doesn't realize he needs you!"

William took a long drink from the cup. "Trust me. Edward knows how to reach me when he wants me." His voice echoes within the deep recess.

Hugh attempted to get the upper hand. "How long will it take you to ready your horse. We need to leave-"

"I am not going anywhere with you."

The wine goblet went flying as Hugh slapped it from William's hand. "How long will it take for you to ready your horse?"

There was ice in William's eyes and his look caused Hugh to shiver. "You have a death wish, friend."

"Charles of France has confiscated Edward's French holdings and is amassing an army for an invasion!"

Edward shouldn't have taken his wife's properties. That was stupid.

"Is this fact or is it-"

"The Queen is missing!"

There was a painful silence, no sound, save the fireplace.

"Has she been kidnapped? Is there a ransom?"

"No. She... left with several servants and has disappeared."

Now William was smiling and it wasn't a nice one. "Are you suggesting that Edward has misplaced his wife?" He scratched his jaw thoughtfully. "I wonder if he can misplace mine?"

"Listen, you ragged bastard-"

Hugh found himself grasped around the neck and lifted from the floor. "No. You listen to me." William threw the man across the floor, Hugh landing in an inelegant heap. "Do not come into my hall and order me about. In fact, you do not order me about, anywhere. I take orders from one man and God and you are neither. You do not outrank me. Ever. No matter who you think you are." William strode to the door and opened it. "Leave. I will consider your request."

Hugh stood, dusting himself off. "This isn't over," he hissed. "You will regret this insult!" He stormed from the room, heading towards the door.

"I am sure you will," William mumbled back. He watched as the man and his two outriders joined him, screaming for their horses. "Despenser! Wait there a moment." Hugh and his two body servants stopped in the doorway. "Sir Richard?"

"I am here, m'lord."

William grinned and it wasn't a nice one. "Take several knights and make sure Huuugh-" he dragged his name out as if he were smelling a rotten piece of meat, "makes it safely out of Nottinghamshire. He has raised concerns in the past of the safety of our lands and I wish to ensure his health!" He turned on his heel, yelling over his shoulder. "And make sure he does not abuse any those who live on these lands under my grace."

Richard was smiling, heading towards the door. "And what if he attempts to do so?"

"Secure him as painfully as possible and send for me." The Black Knight headed up the stairs. "I will kill him."

~~~...~~~

London – 1324

Edward pinched his nose in ire. He was aware of William setting a goblet down in front of him. "You drink it first." William shrugged and downed the contents in the goblet, before taking another and pouring again. "I cannot believe my two favorites are squabbling like children."

"He threatened me, sire! ME!" Hugh the Younger was frothing at the mouth. "Told his men to kill me if I as much as touched any of the inhabitants of Nottinghamshire!"

"He lies, sire." William was as calm as Hugh was infuriated. "I told my man to detain him so I could kill him."

Hugh was now hissing in the king's ear. "I want re-compensation!" William moved away, but was still close enough to hear. To the few in the room, Edward's Wolf was about as uninterested in the conversation as he was at the goings on in Rome. "I want charge of his brats! I want Harridston and Locksley! Force him-" By God, the man was frothing like a rabid thing, "to have his sons sent back to England! How dare he remove them without my-"

Edward's eyebrows rose.

"-permission!"

"So comfortable with our friendship, you dare speak for me?"

Hugh was stubborn, but he dropped his head.

Edward turned, the goblet in his hand. "More, please," he gestured. "William, would you consider bringing your sons home?"

"No."

Edward shrugged. "That's what I thought." He took a drink. "I suspect you have contracted or are hoping to contract marriages for them in France and plan to strengthen your ties with your cousin and your strongholds there in France. That's what I would do."

"Your majesty is wise."

"And your advice is sound. Tell me," again, Edward gestured with the goblet, "if you were in my position, what would you do? It is rumored, according to Hugh, that Charles is amassing an army to invade England. He has taken my French properties. What would you do?"

William took a moment, as if to think, while at the same time, listening to Hugh's protestations. The man went on like an angered fishwife! "My lord, how is one expected to think when your servant is caterwauling like an old woman?"

Edward was in a good mood, for which William was glad. This conversation could go so differently. Truth was, Edward was in a difficult place and William was the only one of the two Earls, who thought with a level head.

"Hugh." Edward was feeling the affects of the wine, although he didn't appear to be the least bit inebriated. "There are reasons Lord William is one of my favorites. He does my bidding without question. He solves problems for me. He asks for no favors, demands no one hand their children over to him, does not demand money or lands or titles. He pays his taxes, without question, with no regrets. All he asks is for he and his to be left alone and I have agreed to that. William asks for nothing. Aye, I love you greatly, but William knows who butters his bread. Perhaps, you should remember that as well."

This set Hugh off. "My King... sire... have I not loved you?"

Edward set his goblet down and turned his back on his favorite. "William. What say you?"

William took a deep breath. So much depended on Edward agreeing with him and ignoring Hugh. "By all reports, Charles is amassing an army, set to invade England."

"We should gather our army!" Hugh interjected. He would be damned if this simple country squire would usurp his place! "March to the coast-"

"My liege, with all apologies," William continued, so bored, the swirls in his wine chalice more interesting than the conversation he was engaged in, "your army couldn't subdue the Scots. It's damned embarrassing." He strolled around Hugh and picked up Edward's goblet, refilling it. "The barons will not stand by you, nor join your and Hugh's combined army. I will not send my knights for such a cause."

Hugh was screaming. His hand went to his sword.

"Hugh. Stop."

"But, my lord,"

"He will kill you and I can do nothing to stop him. Aye, I could punish him, but you would still be dead." That silenced the man. "Your advice is always sound, William. What do you suggest?"

William took a deep breath. This would have be done delicately. "You and your queen have had a marital dispute. Negotiate with her. She is reasonable. Send her to her brother, so he can see for himself, that she is alive and well. Promise to release her properties, her household servants, at least allow her to see her children."

"But Isabella has disappeared!" Hugh was back to screaming. "She disappeared weeks ago. My men have found no sign of her or her entourage since we discovered she was gone! We have searched! We are still searching!"

"Will she do it?" Edward was ignoring Hugh. This was good.

William shrugged. "Promise to negotiate with her. Just the two of you. She has given you beautiful children, an heir. Surely, she deserves a bit more respect from your favorites. If you promise to return what is hers, allow her access to her babies, I believe she would."

"EDWARD!" Hugh was now trying to insert himself between the king and the black knight. "This man lives in the country! He knows nothing of court intrigue! Isabella-"

"This simple country knight knows more of England than you," Edward whispered, smiling. "He has done what you have failed to do."

"My lord, what could he possibly have done?"

"He did what you could not." Edward nodded to William. William grinned.

"I have Isabella. I found her. She is currently resting in her chambers. Bring her children. She will negotiate peace with her brother."

tbc

Lupus est scriptor Hora enim prope est – The Wolf's Hour is nigh

The Wolf's time has come. Lupus tempus venit

A/N - everything stated politically in this chapter is true. Roger Mortimer's guard was drugged and with help, he broke out of The Tower of London. A boat was waiting for him and he fled to France. Edward attempted to force his wife to swear loyalty to the Despensers. When she refused, he removed her from court and stripped her of any political power. Some months later, he confiscated her all of her castles and property, and handed their 2 youngest children, both girls and under the age of 5, to Hugh the Younger for 'fostering'. Hugh had a reputation for torture, so of course, no one understands the reasoning of Edward. He also arrested and jailed all of her French staff, leaving her at his and Hugh's mercy. It has been rumored that Hugh assaulted her, or attempted to. When her brother, Charles, found out, he confiscated Edward's French properties and it was rumored he was amassing an army. England's barons found their backbone and refused to mount up, so Edward decided to send Isabella to France, to negotiate peace with her brother. She was a very skilled negotiator.

I'm pretty sure you'll guess how that will go.