Fire and Ice

Chapter 13



Ulfric returned to Bertone happy that he had finished his duty in Lincoln. The King had left orders to garrison the men in the castle building as soon as it was finished and work was proceeding apace. He had no sooner set foot in the Hall when Giselle appeared complaining about Juliana, the servants, the food and anything else she could think of. He looked round for Thorvald who shrugged his shoulders and hunched in front of the fire. The weather had set in cold and Ulfric had dreamed of getting back to the warmth of the Hall and of course to the soft comfort of Juliana, whom he noted, was not there to greet him.

Holding up a hand to stop Giselle’s complaints, he said, “Hold woman. Am I not the lord of this Hall and am I not entitled to enter here without the moans and groans of a spoilt harridan?”

“Harridan? Me a harridan. You listen to me, Ulfric. If it hadn’t been for me keeping these peasants under control while you’ve been away, they would all have robbed you and left without another thought.”

“I doubt that, Giselle. Thorvald was in charge whilst I was away and I’m sure he has obeyed my orders as far as this Hall is concerned, and if you have taken that responsibility upon yourself then you have wasted your time and efforts. You have no authority here and never will have - and let me repeat what I have already told you – you are a guest here only because of the debt I owe your father - and that applies to your brother too.”

Giselle sneered and went to stand in front of the fire glaring at Thorvald who grinned inanely at Ulfric’s words.

“Now, where is Juliana?” Ulfric asked looking around.

“She is with her mother who has taken ill once more,” Thorvald replied, looking directly at Giselle.

Ulfric took the steps three at a time and burst into Hilde’s room startling all the occupants except Kyle who bounced joyfully around him while Juliana ran into his arms. “Now that is the greeting I was waiting for,” Ulfric laughed, but then he saw Sara leaning over Hilde and felt Juliana’s heaving sobs against his tunic. His smile fell from his face when he noted Hilde’s pallor, almost yellowish in the pale sunlight which filtered into the room.

“What happened?” he asked, looking at Sara over Juliana’s head.

“That Norman she-dog!” was her answer.

“But she seemed to be getting better when I left.”

“That excuse for a woman came in here and frightened Hilde out of her wits again. She had to watch as all her clothes were stolen from her trunks and thrown around the room. When Juliana stood up to her she threatened to take her clothes too. Hilde was terrified and hasn’t recovered since. We fear for her, my lord.”

Ulfric raised Juliana’s head to gaze into her eyes. “I’m sorry, my love, I mean to throw both of the de Gants out of this Hall and to blazes with my debt to their father. I think we have paid enough of that debt off now and believe me, he would be the first to advise me to get rid of them. I think he is thoroughly ashamed to be their father.”

Juliana relaxed slightly and whispered her thanks before moving away to sit by her mother once again.

Ulfric left the room with Kyle at his heels and went to join Thorvald who had Erik by his side. The servants brought them a bowl of red wine warmed by dipping a poker into the fire and then plunging it into the bowl. Drinking horns were passed to each before the servants left quietly with orders from Ulfric not to disturb them.

Thorvald and Erik drank their wine slowly but Ulfric swallowed his in one gulp. “I needed that,” he said, “now tell me all that has happened and don’t spare the detail.”

After he had heard everything the men had to tell, Ulfric considered their words while he idly stroked Kyle who had taken up position at the side of his master’s chair.

Erik interrupted his thoughts, “Sire, Thorvald has come up with a plan to rid us of Giselle which doesn’t involve poisoning her - which Sara was ready and prepared to do.”

Ulfric looked pointedly at Thorvald who cleared his throat but kept his voice down. “I have spoken with Father Matthew and it could be arranged for Giselle to be placed in the care of the sisters at the Nunnery in Goxhill.” He noted Ulfric’s disbelief but went on, “It’s quite legal, Ulfric. Father Matthew says that a gentlewoman of noble birth like Giselle could be held there ‘for her own safety’.”

The corners of Ulfric’s mouth turned up and his eyes sparkled with merriment. “And you came up with this plan yourself, Thorvald?”

“Indeed I did. Ask Father Matthew or Erik here if you don’t believe me,” he said indignantly.

“No, I believe you, old friend. It just seems such a simple solution. I could put my seal to an authority that she be held there until I deem it safe to let her go and I’ll only do that if she agrees to go back to Normandy.”

“What about Sir Richard, sire?” Erik asked, “Won’t he have something to say about this?”

“I suppose he might, but I am lord here and perfectly entitled to sign any papers that you might draw up for me as my Reeve.”

“Do you think you should give her the option of going back to Normandy first, my lord?” Erik asked.

“I’ll consider it, but in the meantime I must eat a decent meal. Erik, go and tell the servants to serve the meal earlier tonight. I have a lot of thinking to do before we put this plan of yours into action, Thorvald. No doubt Richard will be here before nightfall and he and his sister will be whispering in corners again.”



***



The opportunity to put Thorvald’s plan into action was put on hold and Ulfric said nothing of it to Juliana. There was much to do before the winter set in and the leaves were beginning to turn by the time the harvest was gathered in. The farmers brought their tithe to Ulfric’s store which meant they would all be fed during the colder months, but those who couldn’t give a tenth brought their reasons and excuses to the Moot Hall where Ulfric with Erik’s help, passed judgement on those who were genuine. In these cases they were given leave to provide labour at the Hall instead, but for those who Erik knew from past experience were trying to cheat Ulfric, their farms were searched and their stores measured, any excess was taken to the Hall. Anyone found trying to cheat their new lord was threatened with being turned off their land if they tried such tricks again. Their names were entered in a book and tallies of all produce taken.

The castle at Lincoln was taking shape and parts of it were already being used for a garrison for William’s northern army. It would take some years to complete but at least it meant a permanent Norman presence in the prosperous town. The plans for the cathedral had been finalised and the digging of the foundations would begin the following spring.

Work in the barley fields of Bertone was quieter now that the harvest was in and their thanks to God underway at the church. Father Matthew was busy with his parishioners and gave little thought to Giselle and her troublemaking, but he was concerned for Juliana and her mother. Hilde had not improved in health and Sara had returned to her own cottage for a rest, leaving Juliana and the servants to carry on her work. Juliana looked tired and out of sorts with dark shadows under her eyes accentuated by her paler than usual complexion so he sought her out after the harvest festival. Ulfric was away in Lincoln again leaving Thorvald alone once more to take care of the Hall and its occupants. The priest saw Juliana edging her way to the door with the rest of the congregation and drew her to one side as she passed him.

“Are you feeling unwell, Juliana, my child?” he asked gently, looking into her green eyes for the spark which they normally held.

“Not really unwell, Father, just tired, I think,” she smiled to assuage his concern.

“How is your mother?”

“Just the same,” she answered tearfully. “I don’t think she will live through this winter.” Juliana finally gave way to her tears and Father Matthew led her to the baptistry and pulled out a bench for her to sit down.

“Hush, child. I think you’re wrong. Your mother is very strong and as long as she has peace of mind she will pull through.”

“But, Father, she doesn’t get peace of mind because she is haunted by Giselle’s treatment of her. Even though she can’t speak, she insists that her door is barred at all times which means that I or one of the servants have to stay with her, which they don’t like to do as it means a sleepless night for them. I hear her moaning and groaning and I cannot sleep let alone the servant who is in the same room. I don’t know what to do for her. Giselle complains constantly that she is kept awake but she’s too far away to hear her, so I know that’s untrue, but I’m so tired of her complaints.”

“That woman just likes to complain, you know that, but let me speak with Sir Thorvald and we will put our heads together to try and find a solution which suits everyone.”

“You are very kind, Father. I’m sorry to burden you with my worries.”

“That is what I am put here for, Juliana.”

Father Matthew walked back to the Hall with her and found Thorvald just getting ready to go hunting. He had a bow and a quiver full of arrows slung over his shoulder and the boy Sam, who Thorvald had rescued on more than one occasion from the de Gants’ petty cruelty, was ready to go with him. In recent weeks the boy’s mother had worked in the brew house making cider from the orchards around and about and she and Thorvald had become friends. Her name was Margaret and she was a widow, her husband having died along with many of the town’s male population, at the hands of the Normans. She was pleased that Thorvald had taken her boy under his wing and was a good influence for him. She also thought that Thorvald was very good looking and she blushed beetroot-red every time he sought her out.

On seeing the priest Thorvald groaned inwardly. He had been looking forward to teaching Sam how to fire a bow and to catch small game to bring to the table, but now he would have to hear what the priest had to say as he was waving to get his attention.

“Go inside the stables and wait for me there, Sam. I won’t be long. Father Matthew needs me for something.”

Sam too was disappointed the hunting trip had been delayed as he had learned many things from Thorvald recently and looked on him as a father-figure, but wandered off obediently.

As Father Matthew drew near Thorvald waited for him beside his horse. “Yes, Father. What can I do for you?”

The priest moved slightly away to be more private in his conversation and Thorvald followed. “I think it’s time we put your plan into action, Sir Knight. Juliana is suffering greatly due to Ulfric’s long absences and also the harridan that is Giselle. Shall I speak to the Mother Superior at Goxhill?”

Thorvald sighed deeply, “I will have to speak with Ulfric. I dare not do anything which might cause more trouble with the de Gants, but go ahead Father and make the necessary arrangements in case we need to act quickly.”

“I’ll visit the Nunnery today!”

“Is that all now, Father? I need to provide food for the table and teach young Sam how to do the same.”

“You are a good man, Thorvald. Sam loves and respects you and I believe his mother is ready now to take another husband.”

“Not matchmaking again, surely?” Thorvald laughed, but the priest noted a glint in the Norseman’s eye as he walked away.

The priest went into the Hall and found Giselle dressing her distaff. This instrument kept the wool fibres separate when she began spinning, but her talent at such things was limited and her temper was roused when it became clogged with wool. To her credit she tried a little while longer while the priest sat and watched but in the end she threw it into the far corner of the room and ranted at Father Matthew.

“What are you looking at, priest?” she yelled. “That was your fault for watching me, now I’ll have to spend hours unpicking it.”

“My child, I believe your spinning had hardly got started when the wool became fast so I think it’s unfair of you to blame me for your misfortune.”

Giselle stood in front of the fire and stamped her foot, “I tell you it was your fault!” she screamed. Father Matthew tried to calm her down to no avail and was not surprised when Juliana came down the stairs to find out what was amiss. The priest began to explain what had happened and Juliana retrieved the distaff and spinner from the distant corner and gave it back to Giselle who promptly threw it in the fire.

“Quick, get it out of the flames,” Juliana said as she reached out to the fire. “My mother gave me that, it belonged to my grandmother.”

Juliana reached out to the flames and managed to get the spinner out before much damage was done but the distaff was further in. Giselle saw her chance and moved closer as if to help but slyly nudged Juliana who fell sideways causing her to plunge her hands further into the fire than intended. Juliana cried out as the flames licked her hand and arm but she managed to hook the distaff out even though it had become blackened and charred.

“You did that on purpose!” Juliana accused Giselle.

“I was trying to help,” she lied in return.

“Father Matthew, help me to my feet I beg of you and summon a servant to fetch some salve for my burns.”

“You’ll live, peasant. Unfortunately!” Giselle commented drily as she reached for her cloak by the door and went outside.

The burn on Juliana’s arm had started to blister and a servant was summoned to bring cold water and some salve which Sara had made. A wad of cloth was tied around the wound and Father Matthew felt the need to retreat back to his church to offer prayers before finding a carter to take him to Goxhill.

“What’s going on?” Erik asked as he entered the Hall. He saw Juliana with her arm covered and immediately went to her side and knelt down. “What happened, Juliana? Why was Giselle so eager to leave?”

“She threw my grandmother’s distaff and spindle into the fire and then pushed me into the fire when I tried to retrieve them.” Juliana winced when Erik went to touch her. “No, Erik! I’ve only just had it wrapped up, please don’t touch me.”

“That’s the last straw!” Erik’s face was puce with anger and his fists were clenched ready to punch Giselle if she happened to return. “Where’s Thorvald?”

“He’s out hunting with Sam; he’s teaching him how to use a bow.”

“I’m going out to find him. The time has come to put a stop to this!” he declared and left as abruptly as he had entered.