Chapter 25 Prelude to war

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Dunbroch Castle

Rider: "Open the gate in the name of the King!"

A sentry opened a small hatch in the huge oak doors that opened up to the inner keep at Castle Dunbroch.

Sentry: "Identify yerself an state yer business!"

Rider: "I be Sir Richard Denning of Clan Macguffin. Ah ave been sent by King Fergus to deliver a message personally ta Sir Gwayn Macguffin."

The gate guard sent a runner to notify Sor Gawayn. There were two guards in front of Sir Gawayns apartments. One of them lightly tapped on the first door and then walked over to the Knights bedroom and

rapped on the door. Lady Laura opened the door enough to poke her head out.

Lady Laura: "At is it Dan?"

Sentry Dan: "Sorry to bother ya my Lady but there is a messenger sent by King Fergus to deliver a letter ta Sir Gawayn."

Out of another door peeked Sir Gawayns son, Benton ten years old. The two guards at Sir Gawayns door were well known and friends to the family. Benton smiled and waved. Dan stayed at attention but gave the boy a wink.

Lady Laura: "Gawayn darlin, young Dan needs ta speak with ye.

Dan heard grumbling as Sir Gawayn opened the door wearing his nightshirt and pants.

Gawayn: "Evnin Danno, ats goin on?"

Dan: "A Sir Richard is waitin in the court yard for ye. Says e as a letter from the King fer ya, so E says sir."

Gawayn: "Sir Richard Denning?"

Dan: "Aye, ats im sir".

Gawayn: "Bring him to me office. I shall be down there shortly. The Guard Dan saluted and left. Sir Gawayn went back into his bedroom to dress properly. Lady Laura helped and asked, "Ats Dick come all is way fer? Asnt E on Guard detail with the Royal family?" asked Lady Laura.

Gawayn: "Yer too smart fer yer own good woman. Ah will tell ye all aboot it later. Go back to sleep. The suns no up fer another two hours."

Sentry Dan had done as Sir Gawayn had ordered. Sir Richard was standing in front of a hearth with a warm fire. He pondered what was in the sealed patchment and how he would explain it to his young friend Gawayn.

Gawayn entered the room and extended his hand…

Gawayne: "Dick its good ta see ya. At news do ye bring this fine day?"

Sir Richard: "Might I have a drop ta wet me parched lips?

As Macguffin poured him a glass of scotch whiskey and handed to the tall silver haired knight. Sir Richard downed the first glass then he got a refill.

Sir Richard: "Ah bring ye mo good news Ahm afraid. Lord Leith Dingwall is a traitor and as lost is bloody mind. E sent assassins to Castle Delaney and attempted ta Kill the King and Lord Hiccup. They failed en the two Viking lassies killed em at no before the blonde an took a bolt to the leg."

Gawayn finished reading the letter. He stood up and yelled fer Dan.

Gawayn: Dan, go ta major Ross and tell im Ah ant the general alarm sounded. Ance ats done have im sound

out call ta arms an officers call. Bring em here and double the guard on me quarters."

Sir Richard: "At ah canno figure oot is how 90,000 Saxon infantry were able ta get ta Castle Dingwall undetected?"

Gawayn: "They must of came over in small groups disguised an traveled at night. Where ere they headed?"

Richard: "Castle Delaney ere ats left o it."

"At do ye mean?" asked Sir Gawayn.

Sir Richard: "We got warned by none other than Ozzie Dongwall. Said e heard is father plotting their attack on Castle Delaney. The lad rode ten hours in the tain ta get to us. There is no treason in at boy! Anyway, when we pulled opt we put the town and the castle to the torch. We also burned every bridge ance we crossed over. The King is bringing refugees here."

The officers were assembled. They came to attention when Gawayn stood.

Gawayn: "Gentleman, be seated. Yu ave erd some rumors. Here is the truth. We are at war. Dingwall has an army of over 100,000 men marching towards Castle Delaney. He ants ta depose King Fergus and has tried ta murder members o the Toyal family. The King is traveling east on the Kings Highway with 380 men trying ta escape. Ah ave been ordered to mobilize our reserves. Ah will send 1000 cavalry troopers and 2000 foot soldiers west on the Kings highway to locate, protect and return the King to Castle Dunbroch. We will evacuate the nearby villages and bring the women, children and elderly inside the castle walls. Ah want at Cavalry regiment ready ta move in two hours. I will leave four thousand soldiers to protect the village and the castle. We ave practiced this so ye know ats expected of ye. You are dismissed, assemble yer units and good luck."

The men rushed out of the room. The horns could be heard calling the soldiers to their various tasks. The bells o the Castle began ta chime letting all within

hearing ta evacuate their homes and relocate to the Castle for safety.

When they were by themselves Sir Gawayn asked Sir Richard; "Dick ats is aboot the King sending is family south?"

Sir Richard: "The assassination attempt shook the King pretty badly. When Ozzie came with is information Ah think something snapped. E knew there was a big risk of being overtaken before they got back ta the castle so E sent the Royal family with 20 troopers and Lord Macguffin south along the Kings highway. Ah think E sent em ta at Christian monastery. Ah think her majesty an the wee ones will go there and try ta hide in the local population. It is a big risk though, not one Ahd care ta take."

Inside their quarters, Lady Laura was trying to calm her four children Gwendolyn (13), Benton (11), Beatrice (8), and Sean (3). Gwendolyn was a beautiful shy girl, very intelligent with raven hair just past her shoulders. She, like her mother, had a quit wit. Benton had lighter brown hair, he was a mirror of his father, strong and

Crystal blue eyes that missed nothing. Ben's sole aim in life was to become a squire and then a knight like his father. In the Dunbroch clan, full time military service was voluntary and the minimum age one could enlist was 15 and until 18 needed both parents permission. Bea was a tomboy. She would fight at the drop of a hat and she was usually the one dropping it. She loathed anything she considered 'girly'. Sean was a typical todler who was curious and fast. He gave his, mother, older sisters, and nannies fits watching him. Gwen: "Mum ats going on? The bells Mum! Where's Da?"

Laura: "Hush! Ah donno ats going on yet. Ah'm sure yer father will tell us ats going on in do time. We will just stay here an be easy. The boys, (their guards), wilno let any harm come ta us. You an Ben ave to keep yer heads so the wee ones feel safe.

There was a noisy commotion ust outside the door. The sentry poked is head just inside the door,

Guard, "Ah'm sorry mah lady. At crazy Viking Chieftess is at the door and is demanding we let her see ya."

Laura: "It's alright George. Let lady Freya and her children come in."

Freya, baby Celta and Her came in. Gwendolyn rushed over and Freya let her have Celta, (the two girls adored each other. Herg waved at Ben.

Laura: "Ben take Herg to the nursery and play. Gwen you can stay. Ta answer yer unanswered question, Ah donno ats going on. A rider came in then Gwayne called all is officers together. After at they sounded the general alarm".

Freya: "What happens now?"

Laura: "The soldiers all get together and usually march off with enough ta keep the castle safe. En the people from the village come inta the castle so they ere safe."

Freya: "Is there any news of my son?"

Laura: "Och no lass ahm afraid. We'el know soon enough."

On the road near Upper Heyford

Ian Macguffin was leading his men to the walled village of Upper Heyford. It had been two days since he sent the Queen and her children ahead to the monestary with a knight and three soldiers.

Two days ago when his scouts had returned they reported that while they were watching the Saxon camp had been attacked and their horses scattered. The men did not see who attacked but reported there was at first a near panic in the camp. They withdrew when the Saxons started to search for their horses.

Ian knew it had been Elisa. There had been no sign of her so sadly he knew she must have been killed. She had done as she said and had bought him time. He positioned his men in forested hills on either side of the road to ambush the Saxons when they came forward. Four hours later the Saxons, many on foot, ambled into the kill zone. Ian Macguffins well trained men ripped through the Saxons which after he dispatched the last of the knights, scattered. It took several hours to run

down and illuminate the remaining soldiers. They had traveled another mile up the road when one of his troopers reported a body on the side of the road. Sure enough there was a body covered in blood. It was the Viking girl. At first they thought she was dead but as one of the soldiers shook her she opened her eyes screamed, jumped up and attacked the two young men trying to help her. She had no weapons but fought like a banshee with her feet and fists. It took six grown men to finally pin down the 15 year old Viking Shield Maiden.

Elisa opened her eyes. Two soldiers were shaking her. She figured she was about to be raped. She screamed, jumped up and began to fight. She held her own for a while then was finally overcome. She wouldn't let them see her cry as they pinned her down to rape her. Instead the just held her, then a voice she recognized spoke firmly to her.

Lord Macguffin: "Quit fightin girl, we're on yer side."

Ian motioned for his men to let her up. The girl tan over to him, thru her arms him and openly wept. Viking or not she was still a frightened young girl.

Ian: "There, there lassie. Yer safe now and among friends. No ans goin ta hurt ye."

Elisa: "I thought the Saxons had caught me".

Ian: "Och no! The Saxons ere all dead. Captain, find us a safe place ta camp. We ave all done enough fer one day."

Elisa turned to the men who had subdued her, each sporting black eyes, broken noses and lips, and apoligized,

Elisa: "Im sorry I attacked ye. I was just so scared."

One solder to the others: "Lads if ats wot appens when shes scared, Ah dunno ant ta see en shes mad".

They all laughed. Soon the camp was set out. As usual Lord MacGuffin had sentries posted. The weather had

cleared. With a sentry escorting her Elisa found a stream and washed. The troopers had lent her some of their clothing. The trooper turned his back and the girl changed.

As night fell, the men had broken out food. Elisa ate greedily as she told them her story fightin the Saxons. None quite believed her about the great dragon that had saved her yet none could refute the fact that she had somehow ended up miles in front of them. She was given a blanket and she slept right next to Lord MacGuffin. None of the soldiers were going to volunteer to wake the young Valkyre up in the morning.

Yara, We

Yara, Maudi and Bea had just made it to the front gate of the walled city of Upper Heyford. When Lord MacGuffin set up his ambush for the Saxon patrol the three of them had decided to continue on their own. They were able to catch a ride in a friendly farmers wagon. Filthy and exhausted they blended right in with the local population. So much so that the guards at the gate didn't look twice at them. They arrived at the

monastery they banged on one of the doors. When a monk answered Yara asked him for refuge. As they were led inside one of the sisters approached them.

Sister Mary: "Where ere u ladies comin from. Ye look like ye been on the road fer some time."

Bea the nursemaid: "We ere comin from the village of Delaney tryin ta escape from the bloody Saxons woman. We ere in desperate need of food an shelter."

Sister Mary: "Dunno be using at kind o language in His house."

Maudi: "Whose house is this?" the nanny asked.

Sister Mary: Its God's house so you'll be mindin yer manners an watchin yer tongues while yer here. From the look an smell of ye, ye need a bath an a change o cloths more an food right now. Follow me."

Sister Mary took them into a room where there were big open tubs, piles of laundry and linens. There were a couple of smaller tubs used for bathing. There were two

dark haired peasant women washing clothes while two dirty dark haired children played in a corner.

Sister Mary: "Boy, start filling the tubs with hot water. Girl, go fetch some towels."

Both children ran to do as they were told. One of the women looked up from her work momentarily. She didn't say anything just looked then went back to work.

Sister Mary: "Go over by Jane and pull off those dirty things. They will get properly washed eventually. Ah will fetch ye some clothes you can wear till yer things ere done".

Yara: "Sister, there were some companions of ours left before we did. One was a lady with two children. One was a little girl with very long curly red hair. The boys hair was more russet. The lady was our employer. She was fair skinned and had very long straight brown hair. Did they per chance come here?"

Sister Mary: "Sally, ave any 'LADIES' joined us lately?"

The woman with short cropped black hair looked and shook her head no. Both peasant women looked at each other and giggled.

Sister Mary: "Nope no ladies ere just me and me scullery girls. Abbey! Hurry up with em towels."

The little girl ran back in with the towels and set them on a table near one of the smaller tubs. The little boy was filling his small bucket from a large kettle of hot water and pouring it into the two tubs. Abbey help Andy fill the tubs."

The little girl in a dirty one piece dress made of rough linen grabbed a bucket.

Bea was already naked and had dropped her dirty clothes in front of the smaller of the two women then scampered to one of the now full tubs. Both children were barefoot and had dirty faces.

Maudie: "Sister Mary. Could ye ave the wee lad step oot o the room while I disrobe?"

Sister Mary gave Maudi a dirty look and said, "Woman just strip an be quick aboot it. Ye aint got nuthin Andy aint seen afore."

Sister Mary left the room to fetch clothes for the women.

Maudi stepped into the other tub filled with warm water.

Maudi: "Ey girl! Could ye brink me a bar a soap an brush?"

The older of the the women came over with soap and the brushes.

Jane (Elenor): "Would ye like me ta scrub yer back?"

Maudi: "Ow du ye know me woman? Ah never laid eyes on ye afore."

Jane: "Sad really isnt it? After all those years workin fer me ye canno recognize me."

Yara took a closer look then exclaimed, "yet majesty. Ye look so different!"

Jane: "Mah name is Jane. Jane Smith. Ahm no bloody queen!"

She winked at the old healer. Maudi's jaw hung down and Bea just roared with laughter.

Sister Mary walked back in with the clothing. She noticed both kids and Jane standing near Yara.

Sister Mary: "Ats is new? Old home week? Back ta work you three or the'll be no supper."

They all laughed but got back to work. After the women bathed they were led into another room where, after a monk said grace they were fed a simple dinner of pea soup and hard bread.

Later Sally, Jane Abbey and Andy came in and set near them. As they were eating,

Jane (Elenor): "Ahm soo appy ye made it. We were worried!"

Sally (Ylva): "Have ye seen Elisa?"

Yara: "No. Lord MacGuffin had set up an ambush. When we left she had no caught up. Lord MacGuffin will ne here soon. Ahm sure she will be with em."

Sally (Jane): "I hope so. I dont know what I will do without her.

The test of the meal was eaten in silence.