The Fallen Crown by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online

again. What he had not done was to bury the dead.  I knew why he had not done so.  We had no priest with us.
    "Have the dead of the village taken to the church." I looked around and spied an old man who had survived the attack.  "What is your name?"
    He bowed and said, "John of Walworth."
    I pointed to the bodies being carried by my men. "I would bury your dead for you but I know not the families. I will say words over them but I need you to make sure that families are not separated in death."
    "Thank you lord.  That is thoughtful.  I know them all. I will tell you.  I have lived all of my life in this village.  Perhaps I have lived too long. Are we destined never to have peace in our lifetime?"
    I put my arm around his thin shoulders. "Peace will come one day; that I swear and I also promise you protection."
    He looked sceptically at me, "Those are words I wish to hear, lord.  I pray that they are meant."
    Some lords would have had his nose for such an insult.  But he was right.  Words were cheap and mine had been glib.  If I promised protection then I would have to deliver it. I cursed once more the procrastination of the Earl of Gloucester.  If he had acted sooner then the civil war would be over and I would not need to leave this land so unprotected.
    It was a small church.  Half timbered the only extravagance was a single bell in a wooden tower.  It was not a large bell but a symbol of the hope the people had had.  I spoke words as the people were buried. The body of the burned priest was a gruesome one to wrap in a shroud. Aiden and his men took that upon themselves.  They had watched the cruel incineration and felt guilty. They had avenged the priest.
    As we sat around the village eating in silence I looked at the villagers. We had reached the village just in time for the enemy had not had the opportunity to slay all that they intended.  There were still sixty villagers left alive. They could farm again and raise families but only if there was protection nearby. Gilles had been right, Piercebridge was the best place for a lord of a manor to use. It was better placed for a castle which could control the valley and the land around. In fact even without the horror we had witnessed I needed to ensure that the river crossing was protected. I needed a lord of the manor who could defend the river and watch over the land between Gainford and Yarm. I ruminated as I ate and I made my decision. That did not mean I had a lord of the manor yet, for my choice could refuse but I always slept better when I had made a decision.
    We left the next morning. At first light I sent one of the captured squires back to Durham with a demand for ransom.  It was a ransom worthy of the crime. Osbert Cumin's corpse was included in the demands.  I had no doubt that his uncle would wish to bury him and it served my purpose that William Cumin would have a constant reminder of the dangers of crossing me.
    I looked down at the expectant villagers. "I am the Earl of Cleveland and Warlord of the North.  I am sorry that you have been left unprotected and I give you my word that order will be returned.  Durham is now a nest of vipers but I will rebuild the castle at Piercebridge and I will garrison it with stout and doughty warriors. If enemies threaten then flee there and send to me.  I leave you four horses we took from the raiders.  It is small enough recompense for your loss but you now have the means to seek help." All the men had taken a helmet and a sword from those which we had captured.  "You now have weapons and you must realise that it is better to die defending your families than live and watch them abused!" The men nodded. "By midsummer there will be a lord at Piercebridge!"
    I had not spoken thus for applause and accolades but I received both and I felt ashamed.  I had done little enough to deserve this.  I had left them vulnerable and when I came, too late, they thanked me for that.  I was angry with myself.
    I waved