Heart of the Crown

5. The Court of Wincaster

Five

The Court of Wincaster

Spring 960 MC

It was late spring as Lord Edwin Weldridge, Earl of Faltingham, approached the gates to Wincaster. The trip to the Mercerian capital had been blessedly peaceful and without incidence. He wondered if anyone in the kingdom was even aware that Westlanders were riding their roads.

They had learned from fellow travellers that the rebellion had been put down. The king had lost his second son in the fight, but the unexpected assistance from another army had saved them. The Earl of Faltingham wanted to know more, but his priority must be to meet with King Andred IV of Merceria.

The guards at the gate were oblivious to the origin of the travellers, easily accepting the Weldwyn coins that were offered. It appeared that everywhere they went, the western currency was an accepted form of payment; the merchants far more concerned with coin weight than where it was minted. He suspected there was more trade between kingdoms than his king knew, for merchants are often quick to look for profit.

The city of Wincaster was similar to their own capital, full of people, but it seemed more constrictive here as if the narrow streets echoed the close eye that the Mercerian King was said to keep on his subjects.

They soon found lodging at a well-to-do inn and settled in. There was no advance warning of their arrival, therefore no messages awaited them. Lord Weldridge knew that they must make contacts if they were to obtain a private audience with King Andred. He was eager to learn as much about the uprising as possible; was Weldwyn implicated in it? He sent his people out looking for more information.

Some time later, there was a knock on his door, and he bid them enter. His sergeant opened the door to admit a short, thin individual with a balding head.

"This man says he has information for you, my lord," the sergeant said.

"Very well, Phipps, show him in." His eyes met the stranger's. "Please have a seat."

The thin man sat, and the Earl of Faltingham noticed the nervousness in the visitor's actions.

"How do you do?" the earl began.

"Very well, Your Grace," the man answered. His accent was Mercerian, and the earl detected some lower class mannerisms.

"Please," the earl continued, "tell me about yourself."

"I work at the Royal Court, Your Grace, as the master of the stable."

"I take it that's a very important position?" the earl asked.

"Oh yes, the king does so love his horses."

"My sergeant said you have some information for me. Would you be so kind as to share it?" The stable master hesitated, so he added, "I'd be more than willing to compensate you for your time."

The visitor visibly relaxed at these words. "That's awfully kind of you, Your Grace. I heard you were asking questions about the recent rebellion."

"Yes, please, go on."

"Well, there were three armies, you see. The Earl of Eastwood planned the whole thing. He hired men to strike in the west to pull the army away, then attacks from the northeast."

The earl nodded, "Very clever of him, but why didn't it work?"

"Well," the visitor smiled, "they didn't reckon on the princess, you see."

"The princess?"

"Aye, Princess Anna. She raised an army, defeated both the western forces, and then marched back to Wincaster to help the king defeat the usurper.”

The Earl of Faltingham was startled, "Princess Anna? I thought the king's daughter was named Margaret?"

"Oh, aye, she is. But this is his other daughter, the younger one."

"Younger? I thought Margaret was still young. Are you saying a child stopped the invasion?"

"Well, she had help, of course. Some powerful men advised her, and a woman too."

"A woman?"

"Yes, Dame Beverly, a Knight of the Sword. She led the cavalry that smashed the invaders at Kingsford, the whole city's talking about her."

"Curious," the earl reflected. "I hadn't heard that. Tell me more about the rebellion. You say she defeated the armies to the west, what about the army that descended on the capital?"

"Well, the king sent an army under Marshal-General Valmar to chase down the usurper. They met outside of the city of Eastwood. There was a big battle, and the enemy was defeated. Even beat off an attack by Orcs."

"You say the king sent an army, he didn't command it himself?"

"No, my lord, he was still overcome by the death of Prince Alfred."

"Did they capture the usurper?" pressed the earl.

"Oh yes, had him executed in Wincaster, it was quite the spectacle."

"Very interesting. What happened then?"

"The king ordered a celebration in honour of their victory. There's to be a huge gathering at the Palace this evening. Everyone's invited."

"Everyone?"

"Well, everyone of any import. All the nobles of the land will be present."

"And how would one gain an invitation to this event?"

The master of the stable smiled, "Anyone can get an invitation if they have enough coins, Your Grace."

The Earl of Faltingham chuckled, it appeared Mercerians were not so different after all.

That evening the Palace was packed. The Earl of Faltingham's carriage rolled up to the gates, joining the long line of elegant nobles preparing to disembark. He waited patiently, it would not be seemly to complain and risk alienating these people.

King Leofric had been adamant that the mission needed to be successful and had given the earl enough funds to grease whatever palms needed it. As the carriage rolled up, a servant rushed forward to open the door. Lord Weldridge stepped down, observing the others around him. It appeared the majority of people were already in the Palace. He had purposefully arrived late, the better to make an entrance worthy of a king's emissary. Followed by his small entourage, he made his way through the Palace, guided by a servant. He heard music drifting toward him as they approached the great hall. Arriving at the entranceway, he announced himself to the finely dressed man stationed there, and then waited.

A moment later, the music stopped, and the buzz of talk died down as the delegation entered the room. King Andred was at the far end of the court, easy to recognize as he wore the Warrior's Crown; a simple, steel crown, devoid of gold or jewels, which denoted the ruler of this country of soldiers. As if on cue, the crowd parted, allowing them to move toward the king. Walking forward, he noticed the guards stationed just behind His Majesty, along with a dark-haired woman off to the side, which he assumed to be the queen.

"Your Majesty," he proclaimed when he felt he was close enough, "allow me to introduce myself."

King Andred nodded, and Lord Weldridge continued, "I am Lord Edwin Weldridge, the Earl of Faltingham, and I have come from Westland bearing greetings from King Leofric." He took a breath. He had remembered to call it Westland as was the custom here, but now he must touch on a stickier subject.

"He apologizes for the troops that entered your kingdom from our borders," he continued, "and hastens to assure you that he had no part in the attack. The troops were sent without his knowledge and the man responsible has been punished." He held his breath, waiting for the king's response.

The Mercerian King scrutinized his visitor before finally replying, "And what does King Leofric offer in recompense?"

The earl drew a silent breath of relief; King Andred was willing to talk, and that was a major victory.

"King Leofric wishes to make amends and gifts you this," he said, waving his hand to beckon two of his men forward to drop a large chest before the warrior sovereign. The Earl of Faltingham waited as the lid was opened to reveal a king's ransom in gold and jewels. The immediate look of desire in the Mercerian ruler's eyes told him all he needed to know; the gift was acceptable.

Lord Edwin continued, "He invites you to send a delegation to our kingdom that we might better understand the bonds between our two realms. We, in turn, shall send an ambassador of our own."

Without warning, King Andred stepped forward. Faltingham resisted the urge to flinch as the king's hand shot out.

"I accept your hand as the hand of friendship," King Andred said unexpectedly, "let it be thus between our two kingdoms."

Lord Weldridge took the king's hand and shook it. King Andred had a firm grip and locked eyes with the earl. He waved his hand, and the music resumed.

"Come now," said the king, "we should speak, there are matters to discuss."

He guided the earl to the side of the room while servants brought food and drink. The dark-haired woman followed them, though she wasn't introduced.

"Tell me," said the king, "how are things in Westland."

"We are doing well, Majesty, though King Leofric is eager to establish relations with Merceria. For too long we have been at odds with one another. Surely it is time for us to reconcile?"

"I think that a wonderful idea," the king replied. "Tell me more about this proposal."

"It is King Leofric's desire that we send delegates to each other's court, the better to represent our causes. I'm sure our kingdoms have much in common."

"No doubt," the king agreed. "I suppose it would have to be someone important, I can't just send anyone." He scanned the room, his eyes surveying his nobles.

The earl watched him, observing his disapproving scowl as his eyes fell on his courtiers. No doubt, he was considering much, for a noble had just been executed for treason. He would likely balk at sending his closest allies as he would need their support. His eyes finally rested on a young, expensively dressed woman amongst the throng of people. She was obviously enjoying herself, surrounded by many young knights.

"What about a member of my family?" he asked, indicating the young lady with his goblet of wine. "Would she be suitable?"

"Sending a member of the Royal Family would indeed be an honour. I'm sure King Leofric would be most pleased with your choice, Majesty."

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity," Andred said. "I can have my daughter, Margaret, ready to travel by the month's end. Would that suit your king?"

"Most certainly," replied the Earl of Faltingham. "I think he will be delighted to host her. I shall send word immediately so that arrangements can be made. He will wish to show her every courtesy. Of course, you will send an honour guard?"

"Naturally, some Knights of the Sword to protect her, along with a suitable amount of servants. I should send an advisor as well."

The earl was elated, "I should think that would be perfect," he agreed.

"Now," continued the king, "let me show you some of our finest wines."

He led them toward a long table where servants were generous with the drinks. The dark-haired woman remained where she was, but he recognized that she was upset about something. He put it from his mind to concentrate on the king.

In the end, they agreed that the princess would leave for Westland in the early summer. The visit would last a year, during which a representative from the Weldwyn court would remain in Merceria. The Earl of Faltingham could now return home to deliver the good news to King Leofric.