The Prodigal Son
The Shadow of the Raven, Book 5
by Chris Bishop
Publication Date: June 8th, 2023
Publisher: Ember
Pages: 312
Genre: Historical Fiction
‘THERE IS REJOICING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS’
WESSEX 893. As the kingdom is once more plagued by Viking attacks, Wareham is obliged to strengthen its defences against the threat posed by a fleet of over one hundred Viking longships which are rampaging along the south coast of England.
Meanwhile, having recognised Edward’s true lineage, King Alfred fears that the boy may fall victim to every fraudster in the realm seeking to get their hands on the vast fortune he’s set to inherit. Worse still, given his newly established bloodline, he could well be used by those wishing to usurp Alfred as King.
However, the most immediate threat to the boy comes from his treacherous uncle, Edmund, who has already tried once to kill him and failed. He is believed to have fled to join a band of desperate thieves in Wareham Forest from where he could strike again at any time.
WAREHAM – 893
Alfred had sent word to Governor Osric and to his nephew, Oswald, asking them to attend him at his lodge at the Vill. When they arrived, the place seemed a hive of activity. Two of Alfred’s servants were busily packing the King’s personal belongings into several chests whilst he remained seated, sorting through a pile of documents he had yet to construe.
The King looked up and stopped what he was doing as soon as they arrived. ‘My friends,’ he announced by way of a greeting. ‘I regret that Lord Ethelnorth and myself have no option but to take our leave of you. We both of us now have more pressing duties elsewhere.’
‘My Lord,’ asked Oswald. ‘Has then the threat from the Viking fleet abated?’ As the Garrison Commander at Wareham, he had been much concerned with ensuring that they could deal with over one hundred Viking ships which were known to be patrolling somewhere along the south coast and might well deign to strike at any time, with Wareham being an all too obvious target.
‘No,’ said Alfred bluntly. ‘I regret that’s not the case, although I wish it were. In fact, I fear we may all be sorely tested in the weeks and months to come. Lord Ethelnorth is even now preparing my personal guard to break camp. We intend to rejoin my army which is still camped beyond the marshes and march out from there at first light tomorrow.’
‘Where to, Sire?’ asked Osric.
‘I’ve received word that a large Viking warband has left Essex and is now raiding seemingly at will across the north of my realm. The fyrd should deal with them well enough but I would have Lord Ethelnorth command them. For my part, I must march to support Exeter which is under the threat of an imminent attack.’
Neither Osric nor his nephew took much comfort from that. ‘But surely, my Lord, you’ll be splitting your forces?’ suggested Osric.
‘Regrettably that’s true,’ admitted Alfred. ‘But I have no choice. I’m obliged to cover both threats as best I may.’
Having once been head of the King’s personal guard, Osric had more he wanted to say about that but left it to his nephew to speak instead.
‘Sire, this arrangement worries me greatly given the reported size of the fleet,’ said Oswald, his voice filled with concern.
Alfred got up and placed some of the documents in one of the chests. ‘The fleet could strike anywhere and you’re no more at risk than any of the other settlements that have sheltered harbours large enough to accommodate so many ships. We can’t cover every possibility, so just hold yourselves ready. I shall be within a few days’ march from here so can reach you readily enough if needed. In the meantime, I would advise that you train men to sail the two captured longships as they could prove useful.’
‘Sire, will you then return to Wareham once the threat in Exeter has been averted?’ asked Osric.
‘No, my friend,’ said Alfred. ‘I thank you for your hospitality, but I must go wherever I’m needed most. In my absence, I’m most anxious that you continue to look out for young Edward.’
‘Of course, my Lord. As we agreed whilst in Winchester, I’ll ensure that he learns the ways and skills of a Saxon nobleman as now befits his new station.’
‘I was thinking more of his personal safety as I fear that his treacherous uncle doesn’t yet know that the assassin he sent to the stables failed and that Edward is still alive.’
Osric had to admit that was something which greatly concerned him as well. ‘Do you think he’ll try again, my Lord?’
‘I’m sure of it,’ stressed Alfred. ‘Or more likely he’ll have others do so on his behalf.’
Osric considered that for a moment. ‘Then I’ll alert our permanent guard to keep a ready lookout for any strangers,’ he offered.
‘Do that. But it won’t be near enough. Don’t forget that there could be other rogues who may try to use Edward to their advantage or attempt to relieve him of his great fortune.’
Osric remembered all too well what Lord Ethelnorth had said about how a fool and his money are soon parted. He also recalled what he and Ethelnorth had discussed about the risk of Edward being used to usurp Alfred as King, the consequences of which were, in such troubled times, too dire to think about.
‘Then what more can we do?’ he asked.
‘I recall that you said you’ve charged the carpenter, Sigbert, to look out for Edward at all times?’ said Alfred.
‘That’s true, my Lord,’ agreed Osric without hesitation. ‘Although one of the oldest members of the fyrd, he’s served us well enough and is also one of our most experienced men.’
‘Good. In the meantime, I’ve advised Edward to confine himself to Wareham and warned him to be wary of anyone else who tries to befriend him.’
Osric looked worried. ‘Sire, all that should help to keep him safe from those who might seek to use or exploit him, but there’s little we can do to guard against his uncle’s murderous intent. A stray arrow loosed from behind a tree or an assassin who strikes when Edward least expects it – those are surely the greatest threats and yet are also the ones which we can do little to protect him against.’
Alfred didn’t answer at first. ‘Yes,’ he managed at last. ‘I fear that’s true. But you can do no more than try. That and pray that God will see him safe, although with all that which now threatens this pious realm, the good Lord may well have more immediate concerns than the plight of just one boy.’
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Chris Bishop
Chris was born in London in 1951. After a successful career as a Chartered Surveyor, he retired to concentrate on writing, combining this with his lifelong interest in Anglo Saxon history. His first novel, Blood and Destiny, was published in 2017 and his second, The Warrior with the Pierced Heart, in 2018 followed by The Final Reckoning in 2019, Bloodlines in 2020 and The Prodigal Son in 2023. Together they form a series entitled The Shadow of the Raven.
Chris has also published numerous blogs about his work, including several for Historia, the online magazine for The Historical Writers’ Association of which he is a member.
The topics for his blogs include the following:-
1. Alfred and the Vikings – a four part series:-
a. Alfred’s troubled realm
b. So, who were the dreaded Vikings?
c. Why did the Vikings first invade England?
d. The (almost) forgotten battle
2. Warhorses – the use of horses in battle at the time of King Alfred the Great
3. Wareham’s past as a Saxon stronghold
4. Was King Alfred really the father of the English Navy?
5. So, did Alfred really burn the cakes?
These can all be viewed on his website - www.chrisbishopauthor.com
His other interests include travel, windsurfing and fly fishing.
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