CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Rolf de Claimont smiled quietly to himself. He had never expected to come out of the situation so well. At best he had hoped to keep a low profile but when an audience with the King was demanded he felt his prospects decline somewhat. In many respects the current position was extremely acceptable a captaincy of outlaws and brigards, his recent job description made legal. This time, however, he would be fighting against the rebel barons. Athelfreda had not shown any inclination to be re-united with her Earl, in fact a distinct non-interest in that gentleman except to make known that she was safe. Anyway she had asked to see Rolf before he set-out on his military expedition, that would be an enjoyable experience, every day in that woman’s company had made him appreciate her all the more.
“Come in messier Rolf I would not want you to depart before a last glimpse of your lady - at least for the moment anyway.”
De Claimont responded to the summons emanating from behind the open door that stood directly in his passage. Striding in he bowed deeply fully attuned to the intention of quoting some courtly poetry or making some witty comment that would cause Athelfreda to break into one of her radiant smiles.
“Am I not a Princess or indeed a Queen from the Courts of Love?”
Rolf stopped in his tracks. There was Athelfreda in all her unadorned beauty standing before him. No it was not quite true to say unadorned because round her neck she wore a gold clasp which shone brightly and seemed almost to be part of her. Round her waist was a belt composed of gold, or imitation gold coins - that did not matter the effect was stunning. The belt dangled down from her middle, and the overall impact was one of a heavenly being transported for a moment into the presence of unworthy mankind. Rolf gulped in semi-unbelief, not a doubt about the divinity of the lovely creature before him, but whether or not he was truly privy to such an earth-shattering event. Overcoming his incredulity he grasped Athelfreda to him and felt his body grow feverish and every particle of him throb a million times. The young lady helped him disrobe and together they sank upon the magnificent bed that seemed to dominate the room.
“Keep
me in front of you in our mind and vision when you go forth to do the
King’s work” enjoined Athelfreda.
“The King’s work can wait awhile” moaned de Claimont joyously “this is what I call reality, only this counts.”
The two lovers inspite of their inner urgency controlled their movements with great discipline. Rolf thought to himself that no woman felt softer to the touch than Athelfreda. What a magnificent body she had, yet it was the less obvious features that drew him to her, the velvet feel of the skin forming the nape of her neck, the erotic curve of the back of her legs below the knee, the sheer exultancy of sensing her sweet nature next to him. There were no inhibitions with Athelfreda, he felt that he had known that body for the whole of his life. That gloriously beautiful face, perfect in the classical sense, but expressive of the very essence of her soul, her kindness and courage brimming over into enduring bliss. Their bodies moved together, gaining in momentum and then that sweeping panorama of light and shade, a thousand dazzling explosions and then floating ever so gently back together locked in a love duet.
“The Pope should canonise you at the next Council” voiced Rolf.
“You were not so bad yourself, for a leader of brigands” laughed Athelfreda lying back and smacking de Claimont impishly on the shoulder.
“Just another twenty minutes together to enjoy the after-glow on this magnificent bed” requested Rolf smiling roguishly.
“I think I can allow you that” grinned Athelfreda “after all moments like this do not occur every-day and soon you will be riding your stallion into the fore-front of battle. Let us seize our opportunity while we may.”
“This is one of the most remarkable ceilings I have ever seen” murmured Rolf.
“You talk such drivel at times” laughed Athelfreda. “Still life is improving for both of us, so in circumstances like these I can forgive you almost anything.”
“I hope so” responded the former bandit leader “I must recoup my strength and start to think about this military campaign that I am embarking on, on behalf of our noble King.”
“I
trust that there was no sarcasm there in your tone?” enquired Athelfreda.
“Anyway they are all the same, still at least there is more of right in John’s
cause this time than the barons, and it wont do you any harm to have the
backing of the
Establishment.”
“Well said, my girl” laughed Rolf “All this ducking and diving is no good for one of my advanced years. Tell me will you still adore me when I am old and without teeth?”
“You
cheeky wretch” gasped Athelfreda in mock surprise. “Who said that I adore you,
you dragged me all the way to
“God that hurt!” expostulated de Claimont putting his hands up in surrender.
“Time up my fierce soldier” Athelfreda grinned. “Let us see you get dressed and move might and main for the Lion-Heart’s brother. You’ve given me food for thought and rather more, do your stuff for Lackland and gain his appreciation now.”
“Certainly, my Lady. From now on I am your most devoted servant.”
“You sarcastic brute!” stormed Athelfreda “I have no wish to be subjected to your peculiar sense of humour, but” she added winking craftily “I have appreciated all that you have done for me. Go with my support and blessing, I hope you will regard my benediction with greater happiness than any you might receive from the Holy Father.”
“Indeed, I definitely do, Athelfreda, my hand is very much on that.”
Dressing quickly de Claimont blew a kiss to his Lady and bounding from the room moved into a new phase of his life. There would be excitement to follow, how he was to handle it would be very much dependent on his own native resources. An interesting future beckoned, and he knew that he had the support of a solid friendship behind him.
As Rolf wandered pensively through the corridors, confident in one sense but thoughtful about how he should start his campaign, he was aware of someone following him. It was not long, however, before he discovered who the person behind him was. With a light, athletic step Sir Guy de Buissant drew level with him and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance again de Claimont” smiled Sir Guy. “Would you care to join me for a quick drink. I have been appointed your liaison officer and I feel that a briefing session might be in order, provided you have no objections.”
“None at all” responded Rolf, who quite liked the young squire already. Guy was one of those individuals who right-minded people instantly warmed to given his obvious integrity and honesty.
“I hope that you have no qualms about my position” apologised Guy “I am somewhat junior to you in years and experience and am only recently knighted whilst I know that you were an eminent soldier, well-regarded until ....”
“Until I had my spurs struck” grinned Rolf. “Nay, nay lad think nothing of it. I regard it as an honour to work alongside you, or at least in whatever capacity you suggest. Anyway lead on, let’s get that drink I feel a trifle thirsty already.”
Guy led Rolf to a small, modestly-furnished room, and speedily poured out two goblets of wine, offering one to his new friend. De Claimont gulped down the contents quickly but waved away the offer of a second libation.
“Thank-you, Sir Guy” voiced de Claimont “But I want to keep a clear head.”
“Of course, of course” laughed the younger man. “Rolf, my I call you that ...”
“Certainly, I regard that as an honour.”
“Well Rolf, before we start our discussion I would like to ask you about another matter.”
“Please do”
“You mentioned a character called Godric who was originally a follower of yours. He was the man who betrayed the Lady Athelfreda, I believe.”
“Yes, I curse the day I laid eyes on him. Although, on reflection I would never have met Athelfreda but for that rogue, so, I suppose I should suspend judgement on that point.”
“Could you describe this Godric to me?”
Rolf de Claimont with his excellent attention to detail promptly proceeded to give a blow by blow description of the villain, one that was exact in every detail.
“My God!” gulped Sir Guy.
“What ails you my friend?” asked a worried-looking de Claimont. “Do you know this man? Has he been up to more villainy.”
“It would not surprise me, there was always something about the devil that I could not put my finger on. I am going to put myself in your power Rolf. Firstly, I like to think that I am a good judge of a person, and, damn it, I feel I’ve known you for ages already. Secondly, in the pass that I am in at the minute I need the advice of a good solid friend.”
“I hope that you regard me as trustworthy, Sir Guy, please feel free to confide in me. In the coming months we need to build-up a rapport and any confidence you give me will go no further.”
“Right then, let me be plain. I killed a man at Berwick while fighting for the King.”
“Not surprising, you are a soldier as I am” responded de Claimont.
“Yes” mused Guy. Unfortunately, however, we were on the same side. The fellow was a black-hearted swine, a molester of women. He refused to obey orders when I bid him desist.”
“I see” intoned Rolf. “Was this rogue that you killed our friend Godric?”
“No, it was someone called Richard of Eastleigh. The point was, or rather is, Godric knows of my action, he saw myself and one of my other men disposing of the body.”
“And the other fellow is trustworthy?”
“Yes,
as far as I know, a stalwart reliable fellow. The one to worry about is this
Godric, the devil knows what he will do. I can only hope that he has changed
his character since you knew him. He was after all somewhat grateful when I
intervened on his behalf in a little fracas in the
“
“Of course” responded Guy “I was privileged to meet a living legend there, well almost, a robust friar called Will Scarlett. I accord that a great honour.”
“By the Holy Mass!” almost exploded Rolf “You met Will, good strong, no nonsense Will. I will never cease to keep that man’s memory deep in my very being. Indeed, someone to have when you are in difficulties.”
“Ah you know him?” enquired Guy “That other individual I told you of, the associate of Godric, he served or had dealings with Will, Hal is his name, an archer of the very best quality.”
“God’s blood!” gasped de Claimont “By the sound of it, one of my men also. Hal, if it is the same, and must be could split a willow wand from any distance given him. My word it truly is a small World.”
“Indeed it is” smiled de Buissant. “Anyway the upshot is that I have found myself a new ally. However, I need to keep a close watch on this Godric fellow. His reputation is sufficiently bad, mayhap that no-one would believe his tales in any case. Nevertheless someone to be wary of and not turn your back on. Thank-you for your information, Sir Rolf.”
“Sir Rolf?” enquired de Claimont “I once was Sir Rolf but I need to achieve quite a bit in the King’s eyes before I am free to wear that coveted title again. Nevertheless thank you for your confidence in me, my boy.”
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