Conquest

‘He is like any fourteen-year-old boy: a callow youth with not even a hint of fluff on his face. He has lived a soft life at court and was born into a culture very different from our own. When they arrived here, he and his sisters spoke almost no English, although they speak it well now. Anyway, regardless of his merits, the King won’t hear of it. He was stubborn enough before; now he is impossible. I told him that I travelled back to England with you, an Englishman who had been close to William, who could give him a true and accurate account of the Duke’s character and his credentials as the next King of England, but he flew into a rage. He still refuses to see you under any circumstances. We are at an impasse.’

‘Perhaps he would listen to me.’ Torfida was not averse to making bold statements, but this was one of her most audacious. ‘I would not be overawed. I know it is unlikely that the King would listen, but if Earl Harold introduces me, and I have a brief moment with him, there is a small stone I could cast to see if it will make a ripple in the affairs of England.’

Harold and Edith were intrigued, but Hereward realized immediately what Torfida was alluding to.

‘Hereward, give me the Talisman.’

‘But Torfida, your father guessed that Queen Emma may well have offered the Talisman to Edward and he rejected it. On the other hand, she may never even have considered giving it to him. In either case, the King will not recognize its power.’

‘You’re right, Hereward, but we have to go where the Talisman leads us. I feel its power is directing our destiny once again.’

Harold and Edith spoke almost as one. ‘Torfida, you must explain.’

Torfida described how Queen Emma had given the Talisman to Torfida’s father, the Old Man of the Wildwood. She then chronicled its legendary pedigree.

Harold was sceptical, but Edith had heard stories about it as a girl.

‘I thought it was a myth. Your father must have been a very special man for the Queen to entrust him with it.’

Torfida’s vivid account, with Edith’s support, convinced Harold that there was some merit in her suggestion that she should try to meet the King.

‘It is possible I could introduce you. Your credentials as a scholar are impeccable, and the King is an intellectual and a philosopher; he might just warm to you. Hereward, you should go to Glastonbury immediately and join your companions. It is you who sends the King into a rage. He knows about your service with Gruffydd and Macbeth; he never forgets an enemy and never forgives one. As your guarantor, I have assured the King that you will do nothing and go nowhere, except under my strict authority. I will tell him I’ve sent you well away from London to train with my housecarls at Glastonbury; that will placate him a little.

‘As for Torfida, the ideal moment will be shortly after the King’s architect has handed over the key to the great oak door of the new abbey, while his choir sings for him and he is admiring his new creation. I will tell him of your wisdom and knowledge of the great buildings of the ancient world, and that you have come to admire his new work.’

Torfida seemed enthused, but looked to Hereward for reassurance.

He responded uncertainly. ‘I am reluctant to leave you here in London while I sit in Glastonbury with the fate of the throne hanging in the balance. It is a plan worth trying, but how will you switch the conversation from the wonders and intricacies of his abbey to the succession of the throne of England?’

Harold responded to Hereward’s question. ‘That will be my responsibility. I will remind him that Torfida was in the service of the Duke. Then, if he is prepared to listen, you must tell him about the Duke’s wild temper and about the personal beatings and executions.’

Torfida hesitated and took a deep breath. ‘I must trust that he doesn’t realize I never actually met the Duke, and that it is Hereward who witnessed these things.’

Edith nodded at Torfida’s words, and smiled. ‘So, my Lord, you agree.’

‘I do.’

Hereward was ready to leave for Wessex early the next morning. Torfida would stay with Edith in London, to be ready for her meeting with the King. After Hereward had kissed Torfida goodbye and mounted his horse, Harold took leave of him.

‘This is our final throw of the dice. Torfida is a brilliant and striking woman, but I’m afraid the chances of the King agreeing to talk to her are slim. Then, even if she gets beyond that obstacle, there is little chance that he will hear ill of his chosen successor, especially from a woman.’

‘But Torfida is remarkable, my Lord. Let us not give up hope just yet. The Talisman could be the key.’