Aeleva; The Viking Saxon

Chapter 26

The day of the feast arrived too soon. The Northumbrian Prince arrived in Canterbury in style, upon a grand stallion who's caparison and breast plate was finer then anything I had ever owned. He was accompanied by a small army, all on equally impressive horses. Large carts and carriages to hold the servants and the Princess Aelfflead on her journey to her new life.

Offa was beaming at the sight of such power, he embraced the Prince the moment he dismounted. Hurried him inside to show him the Abbey of Canterbury and the awe-inspiring roman walls that surrounded the city.

I had been up for hours, awoken a few hours before dawn to help with the organisation of such an event. The kitchen maid had sent me on various duties around the Abbey and had me relaying as many messages. I wasn't to serve the food, as that station was too high for me, I was to pour the wine. I had even received a lesson on how to pour in the appropriate way.

Osric told me that he was to dine at the feast. I was very surprised at that, as only the Ealdormen and noblemen were to join. A few important men at the Abbey were also to be entertained, but they were Bishops and High Priests. My brother had only joined six months ago, I had underestimated his importance it would seem.

The great feast was a few hours away and the kitchen maid was at her wits end, the cooks had run behind and had barely started on the porridges. The fruits were to go out first and had been left outside by a village boy and so half had become rotten. The pastry baker had gone missing, assumed to have drunk too much ale to calm his nerves. I was sent to find the tapestries to help Father Harold, who was left in charge of setting up the hall to look as splendid as Offa's Kingdom. I was glad to be out of the kitchen, it was a mad house, I was sure someone would get stabbed before we made it to the meat pies.

Father Harold told me the tapestries were across the court yard and in the smaller out house on the left. Most of the year the tapestries were hidden, as they were very valuable. On big occasions and saint days they were taken out for the celebrations of the monks. However as King Offa had turned the Abbey into a royal court, the tapestries had seen the light of day more frequently.

I was crossing the court yard when I heard my name being shouted.

"Aeleva!" I turned to find the source and saw the Ealdorman of Canterbury half running towards me.

"Ealdorman Alwin," I greeted and bowed.

He laughed, "You do not need to bow to an Ealdorman." Alwin explained. I blushed, I had once again shown my ignorance. "I was hoping you could assist me, I am planning to return to Reculver soon. I wish for your council, you know of the Danes and their plans to invade Kent."

"I have told you all I know Lord, I do not know much else."

"You know how they think, how they fight. Aeleva, you are very useful to me," He said. Alwin was a serious man, and I could tell he cared deeply about his people. In law, I was one of them, Marden was in the region of Canterbury, he could order me if he wished. But the look on his face told me he was asking me, I had a choice in this.

"Of course my Lord, I will help in anyway I can," I said. In truth, I was ecstatic to serve a Lord. I had no role and if Ealdorman Alwin was to give me a purpose, I would grab it and never let go.

The feast soon approached. As soon as the chamberlain blew the horn to announce dinner, the doors were swung open to reveal a hall fit for the greatest King of Mercia. The candle chandeliers were all lit, the walls filled with intricate tapestries and polished coat of arms. The kings table was raised and decorated in gold metals. His throne was grand and made of solid wood, carved into swirling patterns. The tables had smaller bowls with sugared almonds and sweet berries. King Offa sat in the middle of the Lords table, it was raised so everyone could see them at all times. The other tables lay running the length of the hall, each to be stuffed full of noblemen and high priests of the church. Queen Cynethryth sat on the kings left side, her ever present frown on her face. The Princess Aelffeald next to her. On the Kings right sat the Northumbrian Prince and next to him Prince Ecgfrith, he had his famous charming smile and was one of the finest dressed in the room. To my utter surprise, next to the Prince Ecgfrith, on the first place of the Noblemens table sat my brother, Orsic. He was dressed as a monk and was freshly shaven and probably recently bathed. His face mimicked that of Ecgfrith, a beautiful and easy smile, sharing jests with the prince.