Quorum Praeteritum XLV
Late Fall, 1116 AD
Aelfhun's sleep was deep, but he found himself awoken with quickness as the sun began to rise over Leowic. His eyes came open and he looked around the room, but he could feel that something was odd. He soon realized, as he attempted to move, that he could not. Neither his limbs nor his mouth could move, only his eyes still under his control.
Terror gripped him as a sense of powerlessness and queerness washed over him. He looked throughout the room, and his eyes quickly found a mysterious entity standing in the corner. It's figure was like that of a man, yet it had no resemblance to a man past that, for it was like a shadow having taken form, it's blackness seemingly holding depths unknowable.
Though most would have panicked upon this sight, Aelfhun instead relaxed, for he had seen such figures in his youth, most especially during times of turmoil. It made sense, than, that Aelfhun would see the entity again on this day, for it was undeniable that turmoil had indeed come. He had once feared the coming of them because of the future they brought, but he had come to instead respect them as warnings and heralding signs to be taken into consideration.
The thing came closer towards him, and he attempted to call out to it as Mære, for such was the Énglisc name for it's kind. Aelfhun began to concentrate his will into a single purpose, and attempted to force himself free from his body, if only briefly, so he might converse with the Mære without the muffling of the material reality. His logical mind suggested extreme caution, but yet the experiences of his younger self and of his Father suggested to his emotional mind, and indeed to his forethinking mind as well, that he needed to converse with the the Mære to learn the precise nature of it's warning.
For ever so slight of a moment, it seemed he was free in spirit from body, and he attempted to shout out to the thing and say, "Mære, reveal to me your forewarning!", yet his words remained unspoken in thought or speech, and he could only continue to watch as the thing came to stand beside him. It looked at him for a moment with unwavering eyes, and then raised it's hands and pushed down against Aelfhun's chest, causing him a great and growing deal of pain.
Aelfhun began to lose his breath, and then found he could not breathe. Fear now enveloping him, he tried to squirm and to push back against the Mære, but it only continued to stare at him with fierce and fiery eyes. The thing seemed not to care as Aelfhun fought it, only pressing his hands further down upon his chest. Aelfhun felt as though his lungs were now entirely devoid of air, and he attempted to gasp for breath but he could not open his mouth even slightly. His thoughts turned to death, and though he had wondered before if such things could do murder he was at that moment sure of it, for it seemed to him a great possibility that he would die in that bed, empty of breath and of will.
The Mære nonchalantly and mysteriously released Aelfhun just as he came upon the edge of distorted vision, and began a slow walk towards the door, yet it's eyes seemed to come to the back of it's head and glare still at Aelfhun. It paused at the doorway for a moment and watched for a moment as Aelfhun continued to struggle to be free of his paralysis, and then it stepped into the darkness that was the room outside the door.
It was at that moment that Aelfhun found himself free and able to move again, and he did so with glee as if to rejoice at the very skill of movement, it having been taken from him only a moment ago. He gasped for air and was overjoyed when it began to flow freely through him again. He then lifted himself up and began to dress for the waking day, and after he was finished he took a seat at the edge of his bed and contemplated the night's happenings, for his dreams and the Mære seemed grim and dour forebodings, which he took with seriousness and fear.
In the day which followed he spent nearly the whole of it within the residence of Wilberht, who departed at mid-day to return to the court. Egelbert and Aelfhun, for the most part, avoided each other's presence, and instead Aelfhun played no less than five different games of chess with Alfwold, who was one amongst his three companions. He thought to ask Alfwold if he had experienced such encounters as Aelfhun had the night before, yet he chose not to broach the subject, rather continuing on as if nothing had happened.
While Aelfhun gamed and thought, his companion Odalric became absent from the household shortly after Wilberht's departure, deployed on a task set upon him by Aelfhun. Odalric sought out Eudes, companion to Godefroy, and told him that Aelfhun wanted for a meeting with Godefroy. The meeting was agreed to, and the next night Aelfhun departed in secret to meet with Godefroy in his own place of residence, which was a location unknown by the King or his men. Indeed, Ealdred had ordered Godefroy to be followed with spies when he had come to Leowic, but those who were not successfully bribed were silently killed by the guiding hand of Crimthann Ó Briain.
The place was of small size and it's floor was patted dirt rather then wood, but it nevertheless was very warm and the beds looked comfortable as they had much padding and blankets on them. Odalric, who was Aelfhun's only companion in this brief adventure, introduced his lord as they entered, and Eudes greeted them with kind words and lead Aelfhun to a seat padded with blankets from one of the beds.
"Cest le Saisne dunt aveir." Eudes said to Godefroy; This is the Saxon I spoke of. His tongue was Romanz, known also as Old French. Eudes spoke with his face turned towards Godefroy, yet his eyes were looking to Aelfhun, who took the foreign words as probe of intelligence, or perhaps a challenge of sorts.
"Cest cei ke jo pensais." answered Godefroy; I had assumed as much. Godefroy's voice was casual, much more so at least then Eudes'.. He sighed when he saw where Eudes eyes were set, for he thought it foolish to assume Aelfhun would not know the Romanz Tongue. He wondered if perhaps Eudes had entirely forgotten who Aelfhun was, as Eudes had been present during many talks between Godefroy and Deorwine Dinne, who spoke the tongue fluently, his location, practice, and fealty all requiring that he was capable of speaking Romanz just as it would be required of Aelfhun.
"Jo sui veraiement Aelfhun, Vostre Majesté le Rei, et jo crains ke jo ne vos dise uns greve nouvele." said Aelfhun; I am indeed Aelfhun, Your Majesty the King, and I fear I must tell you a grave news. His voice carried a hint of pride with it. Eudes turned to walk behind his liege, and while his back was turned he gave a mocking smirk to the retainer who sat in the corner, mimicing the Retainer's own smile.
"Why do you think that?" Godefroy asked, giving no mind to Eudes anymore, but rather fully concentrating on Aelfhun. He was careful to angle himself forward and look into Aelfhun's eyes, so as to appear more friendly.
Aelfhun hesitated with his words for a moment, unsure of them. "You are a good friend of my Father, yes?"
"I am indeed."
"Then you know of his...prophecies?" Aelfhun said, his voice still uneasy. He preferred to keep quiet about the abilities of himself and of his Father, as, despite the tales of prophets and of magic in the Biblia, he found that few believed him when he spoke of them, even priests and holy men.
Godefroy squinted for a moment before nodding his head in affirmation, "Indeed, I do, and I trust them. Why do you ask?"
"Then know that I also have such visions. A recent one has shown me birds, the creatures of Wilberht's heraldry, clashing with a storm, the object of my family name, and giving ships unto a black lion. But, past that as well, I have...well, the language and manner of speech of both Wilberht and Egelbert betray a certain sense of betrayal and uneasiness where your effort is concerned."
Godefroy considered for a moment the words of Aelfhun, and took them carefully in consideration. Meanwhile, Crimthann sat in the corner and smiled at the mention of visions and prophecies, himself known for them. It seemed Godefroy has chosen to surround himself with prophets. "Another of my factions ranks has also revealed such suspicions to me, and I admit that I also am weary of Wilberht. In my few conversations with him, his speech seems...perhaps too harsh against Ealdred, so he might either be an loyalist in extremes or a deceiver too condemning to be truthful."
"Then what do you seek to do about him?" Aelfhun asked.
"Wilberht's position is one of great knowledge of our plots, yet little use to them, and I fear that this makes him much more of a threat as a possible deceiver then a use as possible loyalist. Weighing the odds, I would say his death might serve us more then his life." Godefroy said, his words graceful and confident, even as he spoke of murder.
"How might I be expected to kill him then?"
"Poisoning. I know of no plans by Ealdred to host a royal feast, so I suspect you may find yourself eating with Wilberht upon the ending of this fasting period."
"Indeed, the Hordere has told me as much."
"Good. Tell your man Odalric to come to the marketplace on the morrow, so he might be given the poisons you will need."
"Might I receive them now?"
Godefroy shook his head. "No. I say to procure them tomorrow because it will take as long for me to attain them myself."
Aelfhun nodded, and then thanked Godefroy for his counsel and aid. After departing, Aelfhun's conscience debated the murder of Wilberht, yet he came upon the decision that the murder was to be done for his legacy, which he, like his Father, cared much for, as his dynastic legacy was a supernatural one, and though he feared the Dinne legacy in it's capacities for odd and queer events, he was devoted to it and it's continuation in future generations.
As Godefroy had suggested, Odalric came to the marketplace the next day, and there he received poisons, and it was with those poisons that the meals of Wilberht and of Egelbert were tainted by his hand when the fasting period came to an end and a meal was to be had. Unknown to Aelfhun, so also was the food of Eanwin, wife to Wilberht, tainted, for Odalric had a story in mind by which he might explain the whole matter of deaths.
As Aelfhun sat and ate slowly, he was surprised by the speed in which Egelbert consumed his meal, though to him it made some sense, for Egelbert was a friend to Brithnoth, and Brithnoth, like Deorwine, dwelled much in pleasures of the flesh and of the pleasures of hunting, and as such Aelfhun suspected Egelbert would enjoy such pleasures also. Wilberht, however, was slow in his consummation, chewing his foods well.
The conversation held during the meal was brief and had an unnatural tension to it, even more than that of previous days, and much of the tension came from Aelfhun, who was wary of his plot's efficiency. Soon, however, a murderous smile came across his face as Wilberht began to choke, and Egelbert was immediately wary and alarmed. Aelfhun then turned to Egelbert, but was shocked when the sounds of choking he heard came from another; Eanwin.
Aelfhun's face paled, and soon Egelbert leaped from his chair and seized a sword, for Aelfhun's expressions betrayed his foul plot. "Aelfhun! You have done this, haven't you?" shouted Egelbert as he came towards him seeking flesh and vengeance. Alfwold leaped from his chair to grapple the man, and Egelbert battered the unarmed man with his fist before tearing open Alfwold's throat in a single slash of metal.
By then, Aelfhun, Leofgeat, and Odalric had all sprung from their chairs, and Odalric had drawn a blade of his own to attack Egelbert. Blades rung loud as Odalric and Egelbert sparred, Odalric finding Egelbert to be a suprisingly capable opponent, and Aelfhun came towards Wilberht, who had, alarmingly, ceased to choke and had begun to recover from his state, the poison failing in it's task. Aelfhun had his own sword drawn and ready to taste blood.
Leofgeat, however, was made immobile by his conscience, which weighed heavy upon him as he saw Eanwin dying. He rushed to save her, having not agreed to the killing of women, and Aelfhun threw him from Eanwin and against the table, unpurposefully allowing Wilberht to seize the shield in the corner of the room. Aelfhun lunged at his host with blade in hand, but his first blow was blocked by shield and Wilberht then bashed Aelfhun's ribs.
Odalric and Egelbert still sparred, both skilled in manners of blades, and Egelbert was able to gash Odalric's shoulder. Seeing this Aelfhun shouted to Leofgeat, "If you will not kill the woman, then slay Egelbert lest we all be slaughtered!" Thus Leofgeat came at Egelbert, and the Warriorfool found himself briefly overwhelmed by the two opponents.
Aelfhun, in his clash, found himself able to best Wilberht by seizing the shield and pulling Wilberht, who was weakened by the poison, towards the table and throwing him against it. Aelfhun then brought his blade down and cut deep into Wilberht's arm at the elbow, and he then lifted his blade again, but found himself on the receiving end of another blade as Eanwin plunged a knife into his back. Aelfhun cried out in agony and Eanwin held a knife to his throat and shouted aloud, "Stop your fighting, or I swear by God that I shall lay Aelfhun dead before you!"
After a few moments, the clanging of swords stopped, and Egelbert collapsed against a wall, Odalric having dealt him a deep wound and several lesser scratches. Odalric was also himself wounded, and though he would survive his injuries he would be regarded as deformed, for Egelbert's blade had struck his cheek and his nose and cut both. Leofgeat, a timid man, was mostly unhurt, but now was despised by his companions for his weakness.
Soon men of Ealdreds' employ arrived at the residence and imprisoned Aelfhun and brought him to the castle in broad daylight, for the meal they had eaten was that which is eaten at midday. Leofgeat and Odalric were also brought to the castle to be imprisoned, and Egelbert, Wilberht, and Eanwin came also to the castle, though for the purposes of being treated by the court physician.
The incident shocked the court, and Godefroy cursed the foolishness of Aelfhun, though it was not his foolishness which spoiled the plot, but rather it was Odalric's, for in his seeking to poison three, he did not know that he used poison meant only for one, and thus the affect was not as great as needed. In the days to come, Aelfhun was treated for his injuries, as though despite being an attempted murderer he was still treated well because of his noble birth, and so also was Odalric and Leofgeat treated.
Of Wilberht and his household, Egelbert would die of his injuries as they became infected, and Eanwin would survive though she would become slow of mind by way of damage to the brain, a thing misunderstood by the men who treated her. Wilberht survived his wounds, though he would permanently be left without his right limb, and thus lamed.
Soon after his recovery Wilberht came to the presence of Ealdred and he was nervous and worried for what he must tell. Seeing no other choice, he had decided to tell Ealdred of his crimes and hope to be forgiven.
"My King, I must first begin by informing you that I am formerly of affiliation to Godefroy de Montbrai, but I must explain that I was threatened by the vile man Deorwine Dinne, father to my would-be assassin, for he threatened to slay my aunt, and also he promised the end of my house and my lands when Godefroy came should I betray him. And thus, as you can see, I had little choice in the matter, but I can tell you of what I know, and beg forgiveness from you."
Ealdred stood still for a moment, processing the news. An anger boiling up inside of him near uncontrollable, He spoke with his rage barely contained. "You might have forgiveness from me, Wilberht, but in return I expect a great wealth of information on the plots of Godefroy de Montbrai and his associates."
"Of course, my King." answered Wilberht, his voice timid and frightened.
Over the next half-hour, Wilberht told all that he knew, and even told many half-truths. He explained that Deorwine was a great ally to Godefroy, for Godefroy planned to use Deorwine's great fleet of ships and his control of the Five Ports to move his army of Burgende from the continent to Ænglalond to support his loyalists, and Wilberht then told Ealdred of those who he knew were supporters of Godefroy, though indeed he knew few. When finally he had given all truths he knew and had given all the half-truths he could make believable, he told a final tale which concerned the loyalties of Godfrith of Wiltún.
Though Wilberht's tale was based upon suspicions, he wound a great and fake narrative of the treachery of Godfrith, for, as has been described earlier, he held contempt for Godfrith, who was a man of high pride who saw Wilberht was little more then an aide, or at least this is how Wilberht perceived things in his mind, for he was a man easily insulted and crossed, though there was still much truth to the matter.
When Wilberht finished his telling, Ealdred ordered that he remain in his castle chambers under guard until he decided what would be done with him, and he went then to seek counsel from Alexios Komnenos and his mother, Blanche Capet, and alsofrom
Deorwald.
A great game had now begun, one that would decide the future of Ænglalond, and the very first pieces had been moved. For now, Ealdred seemed to have an upper-hand, but as he walked through the castle halls he reminded himself to think of the truth; he had only a foreknowledge of betrayals, which while good was not the true advantage he needed.
Godefroy was an opponent of much power and worthy of great respect, and though intelligence had it's place, Ealdred needed men and food and blades to bring down the rebellion and keep his throne. He also needed to make an example of Godefroy, lest more rebellions come after him, and it was in this thought that his mind dwelled even more then in the actual defeating of Godefroy, which he had been assured he was foolish in doing.
Though he was advised to act in caution, he had assured himself that he would not lose his crown, for it was his by right of inheritance, and he was sure that God would not let him be cast from his throne if he was righteous and true.
"Let them come!", he proclaimed to himself, "And let them see a King fighting with the might of God!"