Free Web NovelChapter 80: Chapter 74: Risking Our Lives for What?
Without waiting for them to respond, Eric waved to one of the men in his Warband. The man hurried to the window and pulled a horn from his tunic.
A long, drawn-out horn blast sounded, and from the forest outside the castle, a wave of shouts rose like the tide.
"God is with us!"
"God is with us!"
"God is with us!"
"..."
At this, some of the Guards began to look at one another. Their Lord was dead. Just as Eric had said, they would gain nothing by seeking revenge—especially since Geoffrey was, in fact, a detestable man.
"Or do some of you still believe in the so-called spirit of a Knight? This ’loyalty’ you speak of should be given to a Monarch worth serving. Look at the state of you! Do you look anything like proper Knights? You don’t even have your own lands. Your pathetic salaries aren’t even enough to maintain your equipment. freewebnøvel.com
Tell me, what is your daily wage? How much does this ’respectable’ Count—this man so worthy of your loyalty that you would abandon everything to avenge him—pay you?"
Eric released the pressure of the axe he held against the Guard’s neck. The man was at a loss for what to do.
After hesitating for a minute or two, once he was certain Eric had no intention of harming him, he slowly spoke. ƒreewebɳovel.com
"Five... silver pence... a day."
"Five silver pence a day! For five silver pence a day, you’re willing to risk your lives for this cruel and ungrateful Count? Willing to defy Prince Robert, the most legitimate heir to the Kingdom of England and your future Supreme Lord?
What a joke! Do you have any idea what Prince Robert pays his Mercenaries? Six silver pence a day, and that doesn’t even include their hiring fees.
Look at you, loyal and valiant Norman Knights! See how little you value yourselves! See how cruel and miserly this heartless Count was! A fearless, loyal Knight forced to cram his family into this tiny castle, all for such a pitiful, insignificant wage.
You deserve to live the most respectable lives in the Anglo-Norman Kingdom! You are the very source of the Kingdom’s Power! You are the reason King William bears the title of Conqueror!
As I see it, this is not merely the fault of the Earl of Essex. It is the fault of the entire Anglo-Norman Kingdom! And it is the fault of that indifferent and heartless King William, who sits so high upon his throne!
You deserve more!"
Eric, holding his Long-handled Axe, slammed the butt of its shaft onto the stone tiles, producing a powerful, resounding THUD.
"He’s right! That bastard Count! It was one thing not to pay the standard wage. But that bastard found every excuse to dock our pay! Why the hell should we be treated like this?!"
"Honestly, I’ve had enough of this life. I’m a Knight, but I’m living like a fucking dog."
"The Priest is right. I’ve been wanting to say it for a long time. Damn it, that Count! It was bad enough he never paid us on time, but he was always swaggering around, acting all high and mighty. I really wanted to smack him one..."
"A monthly salary of less than two hundred silver pence. Fuck, what the hell are we risking our lives for?"
"..."
"Prince Robert has appeared here today not merely to punish this reckless and presumptuous Count, but to give you all an opportunity—an opportunity to become the truly admired and respected Knights you were meant to be.
Our King William has become insufferably arrogant in the name of the Conqueror. In his self-righteousness, he has openly forsaken the oath he swore before God! He has failed to fulfill his promise to the Pope to restore the Church to its rightful place, and he has torn up the sacred pact of fealty forged between his ancestors and yours.
He brazenly strips away the rights of the loyal, rights guaranteed by that ancient pact. He is so arrogant that he attempts to trample God underfoot, forsaking His divine will to strip his eldest son, Prince Robert, of his legal right of succession!
But we still firmly believe that King William’s actions are the result of instigation by wicked advisors. Therefore, we shall act as guardians of the Kingdom’s order and sweep away those evil traitors who defy the will of God! May the will of the Lord of Heaven be done on earth, as it is in heaven!
Prince Robert has already promised to grant the most fertile lands to his most loyal and valiant followers. He has vowed to build an unprecedented, supreme Empire for both Normans and English alike. Whether you are Norman or English, all subjects of the Kingdom will be granted the dignity they deserve."
As he spoke, Eric extended a hand to the young steward, who had been sitting to one side, stunned into silence.
The young steward looked at Eric’s hand, then at Eric’s face, and then down at Geoffrey’s lifeless body on the floor. As if steeling his resolve, he nodded and grasped Eric’s hand.
"Before the merciful and generous Robert, Duke of Normandy, O loyal and fearless Norman Knights, show your true fealty! May the kingdom, the power, and the glory be the Duke’s, now and forever!"
"May the kingdom, the power, and the glory be the Duke’s, now and forever!"
"May the kingdom, the power, and the glory be the Duke’s, now and forever!"
"May the kingdom, the power, and the glory be the Duke’s, now and forever!"
"..."
The Guards lowered their axes and Longswords. Facing Robert, they performed a Knight’s salute and cried out in a great chorus.
"May the will of the Lord of Heaven be done on earth, as it is in heaven! We shall root out evil, restore order, and bring glory to Normandy and to England!" Robert raised his cup and shouted.
"Glory to Normandy!"
"Glory to Normandy!"
"..."
Eric grabbed Geoffrey’s corpse and hauled it onto the windowsill. He then shouted for all to hear, "King William, incited by treacherous advisors, has attempted to strip Prince Robert of his right to the throne, defying the will of God! By decree of the Pope, this act has been rendered null and void!
The Earl of Essex, Geoffrey Mandeville, was a chief conspirator in this plot! He attempted to assassinate Prince Robert and install Prince William on the throne! For this treason, he has been executed!
The Earldom of Essex is now temporarily under the command of Robert, Prince and Duke of Normandy! To the loyal Knights of Essex: if you march with us to London to put down these traitors, those who distinguish themselves in battle shall be granted their own fiefs!"
Though they weren’t entirely sure what had just happened, the men outside could clearly see that their comrades inside the hall had all bent the knee.
They had also heard the shouts that had erupted from the great hall.
Thus, they all knelt as well.
Seeing the situation was settled, the Earl of Northampton finally spoke. "I was wondering why you would go to such trouble over my affairs, Robert, making a special stop here. So this was the real reason."
"Then what is your choice?" Robert asked, looking at the Earl of Northampton.
"Don’t be ridiculous, Robert. Do you think I have a choice? Even if I were to refuse and pretend none of this happened, do you think your father wouldn’t be suspicious of me?"
The Earl of Northampton grasped Robert’s hand and glanced at Eric, who stood nearby.
"You have a fine courtier, Robert. Very fine indeed."
"Is that so," Robert said, his brow furrowing.
"I just hope the promises you’ve made aren’t merely the fine-sounding rhetoric your courtier spouted for dramatic effect."
