Page 24 of Highland Guard
Chapter 7
Falaise Castle, Normandy
Matilda of Flanderswas of high birth, cultivated mind and exalted virtue. She was everything a true consort should be. Not only was she pleasing to the eye, but she was also a shrewd and calculating adversary. Matilda was the wife of William, the Duke of Normandy. A bastard who had risen in the ranks to become the most powerful man of the duchy. William was now also making a play for the English throne and in his many campaigns and absences, he left his beloved wife as regent.
Matilda was not meek or mild. She had a vicious streak of her own and engaged in a volatile, passionate marriage that allowed for no infidelities. She protected the duchy because, in doing so, she secured the rights of her husband and her children, whom she adored.
But now, there were more insurgences to contend with, and William was away. He had his informants; she had hers. Her most favored vassal was Will FitzOsbern, a magnate of her husband’s and close confidante. He also led a secret organization called theBrotherhoodfounded by Bishop Odo of Bayeux, her brother-in-law. FitzOsbern was her best ally and firmly against the barons seizing power from her husband.
“FitzOsbern, it appears I have lost two of my faithful subjects,” she said.
“Oui, Your Grace. Silas and Liosa have not been heard of for some time. I also lost two of my clerics in the pursuit of a Miriam Ferguson.”
Matilda said, “These Scottish are becoming very tiresome. At least there is no fear of anyone trying to usurp my husband’s position now. Except for the barons.”
“What do they want?” he asked.
“Il se plaigent,”she replied.
“What do they complain about?”
“They think I should not be acting regent in William’s absence.”
“Ah, of course.” FitzOsbern merely shrugged.
“I hear congratulations are in order. You have taken over theBrotherhoodfrom Odo?”
“Yes, my unlikely twin by another mother has his hands busy with church matters in the North. TheBrotherhoodis mine now, and I will ensure the lax attitude Odo ruled with shall not prevail in my time.”
“Good, if only we could keep the barons in line.”
FitzOsbern sat up straighter and replied, “There is a way, although it may seem rather mystical at that.”
“I am all ears, for I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
“There is an amulet. It was originally part of St Fillan’s relics and purported to hold great power. Years ago, it was stolen and found its way to Naples, Italy. Duke Sergius was the last in possession of it. But then it disappeared.”
“And?” Matilda asked.
“I have been searching for quite some time because it is rumored to hold mystical powers.”
Matilda stopped pacing and raised her brow. “What powers?”
“The kind that makes men tell the truth to the wearer.”
“And this is not some type of sorcery?”
