The Last of the Vikings Part 39

"Yes, sire, he awaits your majesty's pleasure."

"Let him be ready, and we will call him presently, when we have considered the matter for a little while."

So De Montfort vanished from the presence chamber, and the king grasped Fitz-Osborne's arm, and together they paced the room in earnest conversation.

"What thinkest thou Fitz-Osborne, of this conduct of De Montfort? I would our brother Odo, who is now in Normandy, were here; for he hath somewhat against the Count, though I know not of a certainty what it is.

I have myself heard some whisper of his playing fast and loose in his loyalty to me, but nothing of it has ever come to head. Knowest thou ought of this?"

"H--m!" said Fitz-Osborne warily, and craftily, "there are whispers about, as your majesty says, but I would advise your majesty to hear him and his Saxon ally, as he calls him. Northumbria is a wild part, and if he can, through this Saxon caitiff, exercise any substantial influence over that part of the country, it may be worth while to use him for the purpose; but I would not trust overmuch to either."

As a matter of fact, Fitz-Osborne was pleased at the prospect of having De Montfort removed so far from the councils of the king; for he was jealous of the ascendency he had acquired, and feared greatly any division of the royal favour.

"Thou sayest right. Tis best to hear the whole matter; though 'tis characterised by too much boldness to be to my liking. However, if there be a fox in the bag he cannot help but stink; and thou hast a sharp nose, Fitz-Osborne, and will smell him out promptly, I warrant."

So the king ordered the suppliants to be brought in.

William still clung to the arm of Fitz-Osborne when De Montfort was ushered in, followed by Oswald; and together they stood at the entrance, awaiting the king's command to advance. But no sooner did William set eyes on Oswald than he convulsively clutched the arm he held, and hoa.r.s.ely whispered, "_Notre Dame!_ What is this, Fitz-Osborne? 'Tis Harold come to life again! Did we not find his corpse at Hastings?"

"Be calm, Your Majesty. This is a much younger man than Harold, though he belikes him wonderfully."

The king calmly surveyed Oswald for a minute or two, and his composure returned. Then he motioned De Montfort to draw near, and the Count and Oswald advanced together, and bent their knees before the conqueror, De Montfort saying,--

"If it please Your Majesty, this loyal subject of yours is Oswald, Saxon Ealdorman, son of Ealdorman Ulfson, chieftains of Northumbria under Saxon rule."

"Rise, De Montfort," said William.

Then he motioned them to a seat opposite to his chair of state, which he resumed.

"Saxon," said he, addressing Oswald, "thou hast come, I understand, to make oath of fealty to me, and to swear in presence of myself and my chamberlain to be my faithful liegeman unto death."

"I have come with that purpose, sire, if it be your royal pleasure."

"If thou art minded to be both hypocrite and knave, first swearing fealty to me, and then proceeding straightway to stir up my subjects to rebellion, thou wilt have many ill.u.s.trious examples before thee, truly.

How long hast thou been of thy present mind? 'Tis a late-found repentance, I warrant me! Didst thou oppose me at Hastings?"

"I did oppose Your Majesty at Hastings, I confess."

"At York, also, I doubt not, if thou art minded to confess it, Saxon!"

"I opposed Your Majesty at York, too," said Oswald fearlessly.

"Tut, tut, dog!" said William, grinding his teeth vehemently, and grasping the hilt of his sword. "A very promising liegeman, truly, De Montfort!" turning savagely to the Count. Then addressing Oswald, he said, "Thou art to the fore, I perceive, when half a chance offers to overthrow my authority, and to kill my men, Saxon dog! How comes this whining for peace now? Thou hast had the Norman grip upon thy throat, I opine. 'Tis that has changed thy mind."

"I fear not the Norman, sire, for, if needs be, I am prepared to die for my country; but I have duly weighed the whole matter, and I recognise the futility of further resistance. I have also steadily, and for some time, counselled peace in our witan. If Your Majesty is pleased to extend your royal clemency to me, you will find me a loyal subject."

The frank and fearless tone and bearing of the Saxon chieftain evidently impressed the king, for he surveyed Oswald steadily for a minute or two, measuring him from head to foot, and studying his face as though he would read him through and through. Then addressing De Montfort, said,--

"Wait in the ante-room; we will consider this."

No sooner had the pair retired, than William started from his seat, and grasping Fitz-Osborne's arm, he exclaimed,--

"By the splendour of G.o.d![16] this Saxon is a pretty fellow, Fitz-Osborne! Got character in him! A demon, I warrant me, as an enemy, but to be sought after as a friend. Didst thou mark how he stood up like a man to me? By the holy rood! he looked me in the face without wincing, and there was none of that hypocritical whine in his tone, which I hate above all. Didst notice also how he out with the truth boldly, in a please G.o.d and dare the devil sort of way that I like? If he be really friendly disposed, we will conciliate him by all that lies in our power.

How sayest thou, Fitz-Osborne?"

[Footnote 16: William's favourite oath.]

"He looks like a man who could be of service if he be minded to do so.

Though, I confess it, there is an independence about him, which would be better if it were taken out of him. He looks as though he could make mischief. But I would question De Montfort further about this alliance he speaks of. It would be better if we had further light."

"Gramercy! Fitz-Osborne, I forgot about this alliance altogether. Call De Montfort alone!" said he, addressing one of the attendants.

When the Count again entered the room the king said,--

"What is this alliance thou hast formed with this Saxon, De Montfort?"

"I drove him, sire, in the first instance from his castle; but he built himself a stronghold on one of our mountains, from which the force I had at hand utterly failed to dislodge him; it is a wild and mountainous part, sire."

"Then thou shouldest have applied to me for help, and not have permitted a nest of vermin to thrive under thy nose."

"I crave Your Majesty's pardon; but, if you can call it to mind, I communicated with you at York the last time you came north, and then set forth fully the position of this Saxon and his followers."

"But thou asked no help! I remember it well; thou didst say how peaceably disposed this man was; and that he might safely be left alone."

"I think Your Majesty slightly mistakes the tenor of my message.

Nevertheless, friendly intercourse was opened between us. He visited me at the castle with overtures of peace, which he has loyally kept. He is also at this present time at deadly feud with another Saxon chieftain, one Sigurd; because he refused to join an organised insurrection. Also in a secret a.s.sembly of the Saxon witan, which was summoned and presided over by the Atheling, he boldly advocated peace."

"Hold there! Thou saidst the Atheling summoned an a.s.sembly of the Saxon witan? My despatches say that the Prince gave secret information to my forces of this traitorous a.s.sembly, and protested his loyalty; and he is now at Rouen at my charges."

"True, Your Majesty, he did; but not until this Oswald denounced him as a coward to his face, and declared that he was unfit to reign in England. Many others then, following this Oswald's lead, declared they would not follow such a prince. Then, in the darkness, he sneaked away to a neighbouring encampment of Normans and gave information."

"Hearest thou this, Fitz-Osborne? By the splendour of G.o.d! But we must know more of this. But no matter," said he with an impatient gesture.

"Proceed. What further about this alliance which thou hast formed with the Saxon?"

"We have dwelt together in a neighbourly way, having little trouble with the numerous bands of outlaws ranging the bruneswald; for his authority is acknowledged as far south as Sherwood Forest. If it please Your Majesty, I have likewise given him my daughter in marriage."

"Gramercy! De Montfort; but thou shouldst be king! Thou dost act right royally! I lose my breath discoursing with thee! Is this the lovely Alice we admired so much, now years agone, thou hast given him then?"

"My only daughter, Alice, Your Majesty."

"Were there none of my barons thou couldst have bestowed the hand of thy daughter upon? Dost thou not know I claim to be consulted in such matters?"

"'Twas a love match, Your Majesty. These two plighted their troth in true romance fashion, without consulting me. I was satisfied, however, that it would greatly strengthen Your Majesty's authority in the north of England."

"Tut, tut! Ha! that was deftly put, De Montfort; but I have too many of my knights, who make loud professions of strengthening my authority, whilst all the while they deliberately set it at naught. A precious loyalty it is. Now wait a little while, till thou hearest our commands."

"Now Fitz-Osborne, the cat is out of the bag! what thinkest thou? De Montfort is a wily dog, and has not told the whole story, I warrant me.

I like not this setting me at naught in my own kingdom; 'tis pa.s.sing strange, but I like this Oswald, Saxon though he be, better than my own countryman. I like the look of him, and I think good will come out of him. What sayest thou?"