She donned her two best dresses, one over the other, two pairs of hose, two loin-cloths, two braided girdles. After Penfoss, she was wary of possessing only one set of clothes. Besides, the weather was bitterly cold and she needed all the protection she could get. Her cloak came next, its lining made of fleece, and she pulled her brown hood over the top of her wimple.
Gently and tenderly, she lifted Rosamund from her cradle and wrapped the baby in her blankets until all that could be seen was a tiny triangle of eyes, nose and mouth. Placid as ever, Rosamund gurgled and blew bubbles at her mother. For the briefest moment, Catrin was distracted from her purpose and cooed at her daughter, but urgency was swift to return.
Without a backward glance at the rich hangings, the silk bedcover and tear-grey window glass, she swept from the room to find Berold, the captain of the garrison.
He gazed at her askance when she ordered him to ride out with her under a flag of truce to parley with the enemy commander. 'Lord Louis said that we were to hold out until his return, he said, and put his hand on his sword hilt in a gesture both defensive and aggressive.
'Judgement day will come before that happens, Catrin answered with asperity. 'Within the week, he said, but since when has a week lasted ten days? She looked at the balding, middle-aged knight and, amidst her irritation, felt a softening of compassion. Louis had promoted Berold beyond his competence. He was a good follower, but had no flair for leading men. 'You served old Lord Humphrey, didn't you?
'Aye, for nigh on twenty years. He bristled his sparse silver beard at her. 'What of it? Are you saying that I'm not fit to serve Lord Louis?
'No, she soothed quickly. 'I commend your experience. What I am saying is that Lord Louis is not fit to be your master.
He gave her a suspicious look and fingered the hilt of his sword.
Catrin struggled to swallow her impatience. 'Tell me, in all honesty, do you believe that Lord Louis will return with more troops?
He chewed his lower lip. 'He entrusted me with the defence of this keep. I would not want to pay him in false coin.
'It is you who is being paid in false coin, Catrin said sharply. 'To my husband, loyalty is just another side of a
die, and if fortune throws it face down he will try his luck at another game.
The knight rubbed a slick, white scar on his cheek. 'I do not know… he prevaricated. 'What if he arrives on the morrow and discovers that we have yielded the keep?
Catrin gritted her teeth. 'He is not returning, Berold. I doubt that we can hold out until the morrow anyway. I have to do my best for these people, my daughter and myself.
Grudgingly the old man nodded. 'But what if their terms are not lenient?
'They will be, she said, with far more confidence than she felt. 'I am not without influence of my own.
Berold pinched his scar and frowned. 'Aye, but I had heard that it was influence with King Stephen. These men are all for the Empress.
'You heard but only half the tale. She started towards the hall door, knowing that if she did not move she would scream. 'And that is the problem with listening to my husband. I cannot pull victory out of defeat but I hope I can lessen the damage.
The leader of the attacking troops was a hard-bitten Welshman called Madoc. He was somewhat surprised, not to say indignant, at being asked to parley with a woman, a swaddled infant and a small, scarred knight with about as much presence as a dead chicken.
'Is this a mark of Wickham's respect or the best you can do? he scoffed.
? 'You should not mock our best, since it has held you at bay for longer than you wish, Catrin replied with spirit. 'The snow will come soon and it will be difficult to keep your men in the field.
'Oh, I intend to be within Wickham's walls long before the first flakes fall. Fists clenched in his swordbelt, the soldier studied her. 'But you have come to parley, not to bandy words. What is it you want?
Catrin shifted Rosamund's sleepy weight on her arm. Beside her she could feel Berold's tension. He was far from happy with the situation but could see that they had small choice. 'In return for a guarantee of safety for everyone in Wickham from the richest to poorest, I will yield the castle to you.
The Welshman considered her. He had coppery hair and eyes of a narrow, flint-grey. No battle scars marred his face but it was pitted by the old marks of spotted fever. 'You will yield the castle? He raised his brows. 'Is yours then the sole authority? What of the lord of this place?
'He is not here, she said, and met his gaze steadily.
'Ah. He looked thoughtful. 'Now we come to the meat of the matter. Does that mean that he has not been here at all for the duration of the siege, or that he has seen fit to make himself scarce in consideration of his own hide?
'It would not be seemly for me to answer that question, Catrin said. 'You may draw your own conclusions. All that concerns me is the safety of these people and my daughter.
The Welshman pursed his lips. 'I would have to think about that, he said. 'The lads are owed some compensation for freezing their balls off these past three weeks.
Catrin shrugged indifferently. 'There is plunder enough in the keep to pay a hundred ransoms, she said, 'although I would counsel you against harming anyone within.
Madoc gave a disbelieving snort. 'You would, eh?
Catrin drew herself up. 'It is true that my husband is one of Stephen's knights, but in the recent past I have been a chamber lady to the Countess of Gloucester and I am known personally to Earl Robert. For a time I was nurse to his youngest half-brother, one of the old King's sons. I have powerful connections.
She watched him consider whether to believe her. Catrin knew that she had slightly overstated her case concerning her influence, but all the rest was true.
A soldier who had been standing in the background came forward and whispered in his commander's ear, his eyes upon her.
Madoc listened and nodded. A glint of wintry humour entered his eyes. 'Ascelin here was at Bristol too, he said to her. 'He remembers you well, and kindly so it seems.
Catrin did not recognise the man, but then so many of them looked the same in their mail and helms.
'You were at my wife's lying in, the soldier said. 'You and the old woman delivered our son. He's going on two years old now and sturdy as a young oak.
Catrin smiled whilst panicking about what else he was going to reveal. 'I'm glad to hear it, she murmured.
'You had that shelter in the bailey. He frowned. 'I thought that you were betrothed to that hearth knight of the Earl's.
'I was. It is a long tale, and not a happy one. But you can confirm the fact that I was at Bristol and known to the Earl and Countess.
'Indeed, my lady.
She looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms and then at Madoc who had been listening to the exchange with interest. 'I care little for either side in this war. All I crave is that my daughter should grow up in peace without constantly having to look over her shoulder or worry that each night might be her last on earth.
'Then best send her to a nunnery, Madoc said, but she sensed a softening of his attitude.
'Would she be any safer there? Catrin retorted, holding her own. 'Wherwell nunnery was razed to the ground at the siege of Winchester.
He conceded the point with a twitch of his lips and a spread hand. 'Go where you will, my lady, it matters little to me save that I do not have to spend another night under the sky. 'Then you agree to the bargain? The keys of the castle in exchange for the lives and livelihood of all within?
He sucked his teeth and pondered, finally granting her a curt nod. 'Let it be done. War is war, but why burn and destroy that which is useful?
'Why indeed? Catrin replied, her brow raised in irony.