Rose Victory - Eagle Series (13 page)

Nevertheless Aguilus had been fascinated by the horse since he had first seen him.  Totally black from the tip of his tail to his nose, the steed towered above other horses.  He even surpassed Sir Stefan’s animal and Troll was big enough.  Massive and deep chested, the stallion carried both its master and the black armour that protected it
, with ease.

Fierce but surprisingly intelligent dark brown eyes watched its master intently
, as it pawed the ground as if impatient to be off.  Aguilus shrunk back almost involuntarily against his father but the earl held him firmly.  Roydon raised a hand and swept it down confidently along the animal’s face and then rubbed his nose.  The steed calmed immediately, lowering his head to receive the caress.

“Give me your hand.”  Roydon spoke softly and taking the boy’s hand in his own, he deliberately rubbed it along the horse’s nose, caressing it and at the same time allowing the animal to assimilate his son’s smell and equate it with his own.

Aguilus could not believe that he actually touched the beautiful animal.  Then his father lifted him and deposited him gently on the horse in front of the saddle.  He froze.  It seemed as if he were up in the tree again, only this time it moved!  He had learnt to ride of course, but this was the earl’s warhorse!  Instinctively he grabbed the horse’s mane; the ground seemed very far away. The steed, feeling the unfamiliar light weight on its back, gathered itself to dislodge it.

“HOLD!”  The earl’s harsh command and a sharp tap on its nose stopped the horse cold.  It stood absolutely still, although a slight tremor run down its body
as his master gathered the reins and mounted behind his son.  Aguilus did not feel the animal relax until his father had bent forward and patted the steed’s neck firmly in praise.

“Do not ever approach him, unless you are with me
.”  The earl’s command was categorical.  “It will take time before he gets used to you.”

“Yes, sir!”  Aguilus had absolutely no intention of disobeying his father on this.

The earl decided to approach the king’s residence from the south, thereby bypassing the huge, sprawling city that lay in their path.  It would take almost a day longer to reach their destination
, but they would not have to cross the city with its narrow, crowded streets and dangerous, oppressive and often smelly roads.

Following the outskirts of the capital, Aguilus could not help but be impressed by the
large number of buildings that filled the horizon; a horizon hazy with the smoke from thousands of chimneys, pierced only by dozens of church spires.

Sometimes odd glimpses of the massive city walls could be seen behind the nearest buildings, but more often than not these were completely obscured by the new buildings that had long since overflowed the
old fortifications. 

T
he previous evening, the small troop of men from Eagle Rock had stopped at a large inn, the earl preferring to arrive at the Tower in the morning rather than after dusk.  Four days earlier they had left their wounded soldiers to recover at an ally’s keep, at the same time the earl had also replaced their dead horses.  As soon as they arrived at the inn Lord Roydon sent a messenger advising the king’s steward of his imminent arrival, as custom dictated.  He also asked for an audience with His Majesty.  As one of the country’s elite noblemen he should not have long to wait to be received by his liege lord.

The Tower stood on a slight rise in the ground and
it was not as Aguilus had expected. Instead of a single structure, the Tower was made up of a vast array of imposing buildings.  Curtain walls, courtyards, imposing towers and battlements covered the high ground, dominating the city below.  High walls surrounded the enormous complex and a river added to its defences.  Banners flew from its high towers and soldiers patrolled the walls.

Aguilus sat on his horse in open mouthed wonder as he stared in awe at their destination.  The earl drew Black to a halt beside his son
’s horse.  “This is the Tower.  The king’s stronghold, it has never been taken,” pride rung in Roydon’s voice.  He had served here before his marriage.  In this fortress he had spent an important part of his life, a time that he would not easily forget.

Sir Stefan drew rein on Roydon’s other side, a
n expression of thoughtful recollection on his face.  “More than ten years ago and it seems like yesterday when you commanded here.”

The squire turned to stare at
the earl, his eyes huge and unblinking.  “You were in charge of that?” he pointed at the castle complex before them.

“You have not told the boy,
Roy?”  Stefan smiled openly at the earl’s embarrassed shrug.  “Not only did your father command here, as the youngest commander of the army ever, his strategy was instrumental in defeating the rebellion twelve years ago.”

“The
king was pleased to take my advice, Stefan.  We were lucky.”

“Nonsense, you saved countless lives and achieved a lasting peace that we enjoy to this day,” countered the knight seriously.

“Don’t fill the boy’s head with tall tales, Stef.  I but did my duty, as you did.”  Roydon started forward again.  “We will enter by the middle gate.  Our chambers and the men’s quarters should have been prepared by now.”

Aguilus walked his horse beside Sir Stefan’s,
his avid gaze centred on the knight.  “Father commanded the king’s army?”

“Oh yes, for over three years, the last two of which he
was also warden of the Tower.”  Stefan nodded at the earl’s back.  “You just watch the soldiers’ reaction at the gate when they see him.  Even after ten years he has not been forgotten.”

“Will you tell me about it,
Sir Stefan?”

“Absolutely, my boy,” Stefan laughed outright at the
glare that the earl directed back at him.

As they neared the Middle Gate, Sir Ivan who had been riding with the men-at-arms came forward and addressed the earl, his voice formal.  “Shall we unfurl the banner, my lord?”

“If you must, Ivan.”  Roydon sighed in resignation and both Ivan and Stefan chuckled.

“Aguilus
, come with me.”  Ivan turned his horse away and led the squire back to the cart that held their equipment and baggage.  Pulling out a long pole, he carefully unfurled the banner attached at its apex and handed it to the boy.  “As the earl’s squire it is your honour and duty to carry your lord’s banner.”

Aguilus
’ eyes glowed with excitement.  Carefully he anchored the long pole on his stirrup, watching the banner with the golden eagle on the blue background soaring over a green mountain, unfurl in the wind.

“You ride behind your lord.”

The squire nodded, too affected to even speak, as he turned his horse back to join his father.  The men-at-arms cheered him as he cantered past them and the boy laughed with the sheer exhilaration of the moment.

“Ivan does so like his pageantry,” Roydon glanced back at his son and had to smile in spite of himself.  The boy sat on his horse as straight and erect as the
staff he held in his white knuckled hand.  Every pore in his body oozed pride and a wide grin decorated his face.

Stefan followed the earl’s gaze, “Your son seems to like it too,
” he nodded at the boy.  Then he pulled his horse back to ride slightly behind the earl, on his off side.

Roydon frowned at him, “Stefan?”

The knight looked back at him straight-faced, although a glimmer of amusement sparkled in his eyes.  “It’s my position as your vassal and commander of your guard, my lord.”

The earl’s frown intensified.  “Are you all conspiring to ruin my day?”  When no one answered him, his
expression turned thoughtful.  “We shall see who laughs last.”  Roydon turned away and led the way towards the nearby guarded gateway.  “I am, as you say, your lord.”

Stefan smiled ruefully, but both Aguilus and Sir Ivan felt a twinge of worry as they followed the earl into the Tower complex.

The whole guard had been turned out to receive the earl.  All other traffic stopped, as the soldiers lined up on either side of the gateway, their captain at their head.

Roydon brought his horse to a halt beside the officer, his stance tall and commanding atop his steed, as he r
un his steely gaze over the honour guard.  “A smart turnout, captain,” he nodded his approval at the soldier.

The captain visibly glowed at the earl’s praise.  “Thank you, my lord.  May I welcome you to
the Tower, sir?”

Roydon inclined his head, but before he could move on the captain spoke again
, a slight hesitancy in his voice.  “His Majesty has left word that he will receive you as soon as you arrive, my lord.”  The politely veiled order was not lost on the earl.

Roydon stared at the soldier for a moment then he nodded curtly.  “Have one of your men show my people to their quarters
, then arrange to have my baggage delivered to my chambers.”

“I will also send someone to show your Lordship
…”

“I need no guide, captain
!”  The earl’s words were intentionally harsh, his mind dwelling on the king’s urgent summons.  Certainly he had not expected to be kept waiting, but neither had he thought that word would be left for his immediate presence before the king.  The soldier had obviously been ordered to escort him before His Majesty.  Something was not right but he absolutely refused to be taken to the king under guard! He decided to compromise by giving the captain an alternative option to his obviously awkward and unwanted instructions. “I would however appreciate it if you notify his Majesty of my arrival and that I will attend him as soon as I stable my mount.”

The captain’s worried look disappeared with the earl’s additional words and he turned to an officer standing behind him.  “Get up to the audience chamber and let them know that the Earl of Eagle Rock has arrived and will
attend his Majesty in a few minutes.”

As the man strode away Roydon turned to the mounted men behind him.  “Rafe!” he addressed the leader of his men-at-arms.  “As soon as you have settled in, I want two guards
on duty outside my chambers,” at the man’s positive reply, he continued.  “Stefan, Ivan, Aguilus you come with me.”

So saying the earl set spurs to his horse and led his three companions into the convolut
ed maze that made up the Tower.  At last they drew up outside the royal stables where they dismounted to be met by a grizzled older man.  “Need help with the horses, my lord?”  His voice was low and almost musical.

The earl smiled in recognition.  “Still
here I see, Karl.”

“Aye, my lord, head groom now.  It’s good to see you again, sir.”

Roydon nodded at him.  “Your people can look after those two,” he indicated Ivan’s and his squire’s horses.  “The warhorses we will take care of ourselves.  They are dangerous and I want no one to go near them,” he ordered, an undercurrent of steel in his voice.

“
It shall be as you wish, my lord.  I will show you to their stalls.”  The groom led the way into the long stone building where the king’s, as well as some of his nobles’ animals, were stabled.  Four stalls were put at their disposal, two at the front of the stables and two at the back for the warhorses.  While the castle grooms saw to the riding horses, Stefan and Roydon quickly unsaddled and rubbed down their destriers, letting them lose in their stalls after providing them with feed and water.  Once satisfied that the horses were comfortable, the earl led the way outside.

Sir Stefan looked up at the sun.  “It is nearly midday and it’s not advisable to keep the
king waiting, Roy,” the knight paused significantly.  “Especially as we don’t know what’s going on.”

The earl
nodded, his face serious.  “This imperious summons is not like him, but I will find out soon enough what the problem is.”

“We.  I am coming with you.”

Noting Stefan’s stubborn stance, Roydon acceded curtly.  “As you wish, Stef, but…” he left the thought unfinished and turned to the younger knight.  “Ivan, take Aguilus to my chambers and stay there until you hear from me.  Seeing the boy about to dispute his orders, the earl turned a stern stare on his son.  “You will obey my orders and mind Sir Ivan, Aguilus.  Do you hear me?”  The earl did not sound too pleased.

Aguilus bowed his head in contrition.  “Yes, sir,” he
whispered.  He had nearly questioned his lord’s orders in his eagerness to see the king.

“We will speak later.”  Roydon
’s tone warmed and he caressed the boy’s cheek with his knuckles.  “For now, heed Sir Ivan.”

“Yes, Father.”  Aguilus attempted a small smile.

“Ivan, keep the boy safe for me until I find out what is happening.  Rafe will send you guards soon.”

“I will not fail you, my lord.”  Ivan drew Aguilus to him, one hand on the boy’s shoulder, the other on the hilt of his sword.

“We might be exaggerating all this, Roy.  The king might just be anxious to see you.  There is no reason to think otherwise.”  Stefan tried to relieve the worried look on Ivan’s face.

“We are at court Stef, at the Tower.  That
is reason enough.  Let’s go, we have kept the king waiting too long as it is.”

<><><>

The ante-room to the king’s audience chamber teemed with people, as usual.  Mostly courtiers and their ladies, dressed in their best, desirous of catching the king’s eye, or minor barons and knights hopeful of gaining an audience.

The colourful crowd shifted and conversations muted when the earl of Eagle Rock appeared and paused at the entrance to the room.  Even if his
massive stature and commanding presence had not drawn attention, his half armour and travel stained appearance, would have drawn the eye.  Dressed all in black, as was his norm, he seemed as out of place in that crowd as a fox in a chicken run.  Sir Stefan’s tall presence at the earl’s left shoulder, enhanced rather than detracted from the earl’s awe inspiring, dangerous appearance.

Almost as if by magic, a path opened up through the crowd between the earl and the huge doors at the other end of the room. 
Portals guarded by four soldiers armed with pikes.  They were not decorative either; no one could gain access to the king unless sanctioned by one of his aides.

No one except the
earl of Eagle Rock, apparently.  The moment they saw him, two of the soldiers pulled open the doors to the audience chamber.  “The Earl of Eagle Rock, Your Majesty,” one of them intoned in a loud voice.

Roydon, follow
ed by Stefan, crossed the room amid avid murmurs and speculations.  He nodded to the guard but paused when his friend was barred from following him into the room.  “Sir Stefan is with me.”

“I am sorry, my lord.  Our orders only allow you admittance,”
the soldier’s voice was courteous but firm.”

Stefan fell back reluctantly.  “I’ll wait for you here,
Roy,” there was a wealth of meaning in his words.

Roydon continued on into the room as the door
clicked shut behind him.  The audience chamber was big, rectangular, with the king’s throne-like chair set on top of a three stepped dais at the far end.  The dais was located at the end of the room on purpose, so that supplicants had to walk the whole length of the room to get to the king.  For the same reason, the earl knew that the dais sat under the long narrow windows with the same intention.  During the morning and early afternoon, the usual audience times, the light fell uncomfortably on those who approached the king down the long room.