Long Live the King

By Johann Fuchs

This is the second book of the trilogy of King William. The story continues as it follows William and Margaret growing into the position of king and queen. Follow them as their family grows, as their children find love, as William watches the kingdom getting stronger. See what happens to the family over the next twenty-five years or so as William becomes one the most powerful kings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662418785

Book preview

1

Hello, Michael

The first year of my reign was quiet but still scary. I was king and responsible for not just Margaret and the children but the entire kingdom. First things first, I had to deal with the surviving rebels. As ordered, they came to London. It was not by choice, but they did not want me to come and get them. As predicted, it was a one-sided insulting conversation. I told them how I hanged the Earl of Sherwood, as well as his wife and child, for treason and that I would not hesitate to do the same to them and their families. As a parting gift for their visit, each got six knights, loyal to me, to join them as advisors so I could keep an eye on them.

That ended the first rebellion against the crown, which would not be the last. Now we could settle down and take a breath. Winter always seemed to be easier since the Knights’ Feast was canceled and not much was happening. Now I would learn how to be king, more than what I had done before. There were things to look forward to, a summer trip to Rochester and my first Knights’ Feast. That all changed when Margaret told us that she was with child again, which would be due in late spring or early summer. This gave me something to look forward to.

Now I got into a routine as king, unlike King Edward, who liked to sleep late and do royal business at lunch and in the afternoon. I had kids and preferred to do royal business in the morning so I could have lunch with Margaret and the children. Then in the afternoon, I could go out and watch knight training or finish up any royal business. Winifred and Gregory learned quickly—that I didn’t want my family time interrupted and if it was, it better be important.

Once, when dinner was interrupted by Winifred, that might have been the only time I ever snapped at him. A noble had arrived at the palace to tell of the Welsh clashing with our nobles along the border. The clash was two weeks earlier, and the Welsh were repulsed with only two dead—a nuisance raid. It could have waited until morning. I apologized to Lord Winifred about snapping at him. I guessed that was when he decided to retire and return to his estate, west of London, and allow someone else to deal with a young hot-headed king.

A couple of days later, he came to me and broke the news.

Sire, he began, I want to propose to you that Gregory become your new consular. It’s time for me to rejoin Mary at our estate and live out our days together.

My, Lord Winifred, I replied, I hope this doesn’t have to do with the other day?

Yes, it does, sire, he replied, but it is time for me to go. You need someone younger to advise you. Gregory has been with me for a number of years with King Edward and now you, and he will serve you well.

I’ll be sad to see you leave, I said.

It won’t be real sudden, sire, Winifred said. It will take time until I feel that Gregory can take over. I will do like King Edward did with you and let him do more and more until I’m gone.

Thank you, my friend, I replied. You know I will always call on you for help with the really tough matters.

I know, my friend, Winifred said, I mean, Your Majesty.

So began the transition from Winifred to Gregory as my principle advisor. At least having Gregory as an advisor was good since he already knew me because he was Margaret’s brother-in-law and was trained at Rochester while I was there. At first, Gregory watched and didn’t say much, mostly asking why things were done a particular way. As for something to do at first, he began to practice his writing skills and began to chronicle my reign. He began to keep track of whom I met with and what was discussed—when he was allowed to stay. Since he was family, he began to keep a journal of what the family was doing, which must have been something to read. But I never did.

Generations later, these journals were considered gospel on how the early government worked and what had happened. His training took place like mine did—getting a little more to do until he was responsible for everything. At first, I used him for special mission, like visiting King Sancho, but later, I would not let him be too far away, like when I met King Louie and Chief Olaf.

The first summer was going to be interesting for us since Margaret was expecting and I was getting bored being locked up in the palace. I had promised Mother, Lady Diana, and Lord Robert so many years ago that we would visit Rochester so they could see the grandchildren. We had made many number of trips to Rochester in those years while I was just prince. Now I didn’t feel any different, so I began to plan for a trip home to visit family and watch knight training. I was trying to do like I did for Diana’s birth and have Margaret down there since I trusted Jane and Helena much more than those in London.

This trip took longer because of Margaret’s condition, but we made it to Rochester without incident. This was Gregory’s first trip out with us. Winifred didn’t like these trips, so he sent Gregory to be my primary advisor and stayed in London and watched things there.

As usual, there was the regular pleasantries when we arrived, but they were kept short so Margaret could get inside and off her feet. Like usual, the next day was a trip to see Mother and the others, but this time, I went with just Diana. I didn’t want Margaret to make the journey in her condition. I would arrange for Mother to come to Rochester to see Margaret and the rest of the children. While I was visiting Mother, Margaret got a visit from Jane. As it turned out, Helena had passed away during the winter, and now Jane was on her own. Luckily for the community, Helena had trained someone as good as Jane. Like Helena, Jane learned how to take care of all sorts of illnesses and injuries and had enough sass to speak her mind and get away with it. Peasant or king, she treated everyone the same. I found that out when I came back from visiting Mother. As soon as I returned and checked on Margaret, she educated me on how I had screwed up.

How are you, Margaret? I asked since she was in bed.

I’m fine, Will, she replied as Jane came in.

Mother and Mathilda will be here in a couple of days to visit, I said.

Then Jane cut me off. Sire, what were you thinking? she snapped.

What are you talking about? I asked, not yet good at scaring most people.

Not realizing she wasn’t supposed to yell at me, she continued, Why did you bring the queen down here in her condition?

I was careful, and we took our time coming down here, I replied. We used the carriage. Why?

The queen is in bed because the journey has caused her to be ready to give birth, she snapped. She should have stayed in London.

Is the journey going to hurt the child? I asked.

No, she snapped. Don’t ever do something like that again, or I’ll smack you.

Well, Jane, I replied, if getting smacked by you is what it takes to get Margaret here for you to help her give birth, then it would be worth it.

Get out, William, she said, softening her tone. It will be a few hours yet.

So once again, I was waiting for the birth of a child at Rochester. As normal, there was nothing for me to do, so Lord Robert, Uncle Geoffrey, and I joined Philip and his trainees at the archery field. This was the first knight training that I had watched since becoming king. In the past, I would do some training with the men, but I wasn’t sure if I should now. I watched the first couple of groups shoot and whisper comments to one another.

Sire, Philip said, why don’t you shoot with the next group and show these wretches how it is supposed to be done?

Very well, Philip, I said. Thank you.

This was what I should be doing while here watching the training. I should join the trainees and show them how it was done. Thomas and I got a bow and arrows from Master Clyde and fired them with the next group.

Then we were off. For the first time, a king would make the crossing of the stream. I didn’t think that, with it being late spring, the water would be extra cold. I waded across anyway. Eight of the ten trainees tried to cross on the stones. The last two watched the others being pushed off into the water or, in the case of Squire Mark, being thrown back in. Then came the first lecture about if the king waded into the stream, then they should as well. Now a bunch of cold, wet trainees headed to the next stop to retrieve their arrows. Lesson two for them, being king had its perks and someone else (Thomas) got my arrows for me. The first complaint by a very cold and wet Squire Mark got him slapped down, literally. It was hard enough to knock him off his feet. When we got to the wood piles, there were whispers about me not moving the wood.

Once they were done, Lord Geoffrey snapped, "Now for those who think the king should move the wood, you need to move the piles back. Now!"

This time, there was not a sound made as they hurried to move the wood back before the next group got there. No one wanted to piss off Lord Geoffrey more than he already was. It didn’t matter, because as we reached the firing point, a rider arrived. Lord Gregory sent Squire Albert to the archery range with news.

Sire, Squire Albert said as he kneeled before me, I bring word from Lord Gregory. You need to return to the manor. Sire, the queen has given birth to a son.

Francis, Thomas! I shouted. Get the horses now!

Sire, Francis asked, did the queen have the baby?

Yes, I said with a tear in my eye.

Lord Geoffrey stopped training, and those close enough heard the news of a new prince.

For all of you to hear, I said loudly, we are welcoming the birth of Prince Michael Isaac this morning.

The trainees cheered as Thomas brought Lord Charles over. I wasn’t sure if the cheer was for the birth of Michael or that I was leaving. Just that quick, I left for the manor. Squire Albert was sent to Gillingham to give Mother the news. Unlike the slow, lazy pace we had when we rode out, the trip this time was announced with the thunder of hooves as I hurried back.

Unlike when the others were born, I was made to wait. This time I didn’t wait, and I went in and checked on Margaret and then Michael. I was as proud of Michael as I was all of my children. The only difference was, he was born a prince to a king and queen.

By the time I returned, Gregory had already dispatched a rider to London to inform Lord Winifred of the birth, but they didn’t know his name yet. The news spread across the kingdom that a new prince was born. It took a couple of weeks before Jane allowed Margaret to travel back to London. Once we were back, there was a formal presentation, and I held Prince Michael up on the balcony of the palace for the people to see. This was the first time a child was formally presented, and a banquet was held for the nobles to see him. A few days later, I took Michael to the front of the palace to let the commoners see him. This seemed to make Margaret and me more popular with the people, because we included them in this joyous event.

It would be only a few months before the Knights’ Feast, and there would be changes. Many changes had taken place in the last years of the reign of King Edward while I was learning to be a prince and king. Now with Gregory learning to be my advisor and writing everything down, the rules for the Knight’s Feast came into being. As we talked about how it should be done and the decrees made in the past, he wrote them down. A few days later, he presented me with what he thought was how the Knights’ Feast was to be done and what the rules would be. Once I went over them with Gregory and made some changes, I was ready to make them law. It was a far cry from when I first went to the feast. Back then, it was just a free-for-all, but now we had rules.

A simple I need to speak with you got Lord Robert and Lord Geoffrey to come to London. I didn’t think people would react so quickly to a simple request. We went through the new rules, and they liked them—except one. The only rule that they didn’t like was that Lord Robert would knight all the new squires in the name of the king. To me, this made all new knights loyal to the king and not to individual dukes and barons. When copies of the new rules were sent out to various parts of the kingdom, that was the only part that received complaints. But it was not like it mattered to me.

Still, when the nobles met at the Kings’ Feast, nothing was said. Now the fun began for me. Many of the nobles had never met Queen Isabella since she died young, but Margaret was different. I kept Margaret close by as much as possible. The nobles were shocked when she came into the nobles’ feast on my arm. For the entire week, she joined me at the events as much as possible. She also made it known that in the future, she would like the nobles to bring their wives with them so she could meet them. This was a major change from what King Edward did. Margaret would also host some of her own events.

The feast went on as planned, without any major problems. It did take longer this year since the year before, there wasn’t a feast. We also had twice as many men who came to be knighted. This year, I had to sit through seventy-one squires being knighted, and I got bored. In all the years I had watched King Edward doing this, I didn’t find any one I was willing to make a royal knight. At the very end, I would get to do my first actual knighting at the feast.

Gregory was called forward and received the knight’s blessing, and I made him a royal knight, his task being my advisor. Once that was done, Charlotte was brought forward and made a lady of London—equal to her husband, Gregory. In the end, nothing had changed, and I continued to learn about being king.

2

The Return of Pedro Barrios

It seemed like I had just become king and was still trying to get used to being king now that my word was law. Actually, years passed that we were at peace. Once again, Lord Pedro Barrios returned to London on the same mission that he was on before the death of King Edward. After the king had refused his offer or, really, his demand, I wrote to King Sancho, explaining why the king and I would not allow Princess Isabella to marry Prince Juan Marcos. Since we kept the king’s fall a secret, Lord Barrios did not know about it, and he sailed from London to Spain just days after the fall. His ship never made port in England before it arrived at San Sebastian, so he never heard of the death of King Edward. As both King Edward and I expected, Lord Barrios did not deliver the letter to King Sancho but to Queen Donita, who was not as understanding as King Sancho would have been. Between them, they came up with their own answer to the proposal, which was from the queen to start with and was meant to anger the king.

Queen Donita and Lord Barrios informed King Sancho that King Edward was willing to marry his niece Princess Isabella to his son, Prince Juan Marcos, but he wanted concessions in land and money for the marriage. This infuriated the king, who ordered Lord Barrios to return to London with his counterproposal. The offer that Queen Donita proposed from King Edward was for lands in Galicia (northern Portugal) and 100,000 gold coins. King Sancho was going to accept the offer since Juan Marcos was older and they had not been able to find him a consort. The lands of Galicia were not his to give and the money did not matter, because he would just collect a tax to cover it. The queen was not as accommodating and demanded that Princess Isabella be brought to Spain for the wedding or they would come and get her by force of arms and there would be no money or lands. Lord Barrios had no problem delivering the message but thought it should not be so demanding and was going to try to negotiate a settlement that did not include force.

It turned out to be a typical English spring day when Lord Barrios returned to London with the message for King Edward from King Sancho—really, Queen Donita. Thinking he was much better than the English, mainly those living in London, Lord Barrios did not speak to any of these lower-class people. Instead, for the evening, he went straight to the estate that the Spanish kept in London for the use of the Spanish emissary. The next day, he would meet with King Edward at midday, which did not sit well with him because it meant he had to get up early. Little did he know that he was not meeting with King Edward but with the new king, William. I did things differently than King Edward did. It was not that I thought I was better than King Edward, but I had young children and liked to spend time with them. I didn’t like late afternoon meetings for the same reason, and I really did not care for Lord Barrios because he was arrogant.

Lord Winifred brought Lord Barrios to the audience chamber and asked him to wait while he went and got the king. This upset Lord Barrios since he was asked to wait by someone he felt was inferior to him. Lord Winifred came to my private chambers and only found Queen Margaret.

Good morning, Your Majesty, he greeted her. Where is the king?

Good morning, my lord, she greeted him back with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Where is he every day at this time? With the children, of course.

My lady, did he forget he was meeting with the Spanish emissary today? Lord Winifred asked.

No, my lord, she replied. He did not forget, but he does not care if the emissary has to wait.

Yes, my lady, Winifred replied, and then he left to continue to look for me.

I was entering my audience chamber with the children and found I had an unannounced visitor.

Lord Barrios, I greeted him, I did not expect you this early. Isabella, take the rest of the children back to your mother for your lessons. Geoffrey, stay with me.

Let the girl stay, Lord Barrios commanded. I am here about her.

Isabella, children, stay for a moment, I commanded.

I have a message from King Sancho for King Edward to negotiate for the girl. I suggest you take his offer if you want to keep your lands. I am here to talk to the king, not some prince.

I don’t like your tone, I snapped. I won’t allow you or King Sancho to threaten me over my daughter.

In his normal arrogant tone, he snapped back, I’m here to negotiate with King Edward, not some wannabe prince.

Lord Barrios, wait there, I ordered. Children, come with me. Geoffrey, get some help and find Lord Winifred or Gregory and bring them to me.

With that, I left with the children, and Geoffrey went and, with help, found Lord Winifred and brought him to me. Once he was there, I gave him instructions, and then he left. He went to Lord Barrios and got the message from King Sancho, read it, and told him that it was not acceptable to the king. He had a squire come and get us so I could dress down Lord Barrios. The children came in first.

As they entered, they took their places and Lord Winifred introduced them. Her Royal Highness, Princess Isabella; Her Royal Highness, Princess Diana; Her Royal Highness, Princess Elizabeth; His Royal Highness, Prince Robert; His Royal Highness, Prince Edward; His Royal Highness, Prince Michael; His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Geoffrey.

Then when I arrived, Lord Winifred introduced me. Lord Pedro Barrios, emissary of King Sancho of Spain, His Royal Majesty, King William.

Where is King Edward? he snapped at me.

Kneel until I tell you otherwise, I snapped at him and began to speak with authority. I am king of England and not a wannabe prince like Prince Juan Marcos, who will never be king. King Edward died shortly after your last visit to London. Isabella, take your mother’s place next to me. Lord Barrios, I know why you are here, and the answer is no. I will not allow you to arrange a marriage of Princess Isabella to Prince Juan Marcos. I was clear on the matter in the letter to King Sancho, so I can only assume that you did not deliver the message I sent or that you changed it.

Prince William, I am insulted, as is Spain, of your accusations, he replied in a loud tone.

"It’s King William, I snapped. I will have a letter prepared for you, and I will send my own emissary to King Sancho to explain my position. My position has not and will not change. My daughter will not marry your Spanish prince."

You’ll regret that decision, he snapped at me.

Maybe. But King Sancho is a reasonable ruler, and I have no desire for his lands, I replied. But we will defend England and her princess. Now go. I will have another letter prepared for King Sancho, and it will be delivered by someone I trust.

With a bow, Lord Barrios left in a hurry.

Lord Winifred approached. Sire, he said, trying to remain calm, please remain calm.

I will, my friend, I replied. Please write a letter to King Sancho and explain why this marriage cannot take place.

Yes, sire, he replied. Then he asked, And whom do you wish to take the message to Spain?

Lord Gregory, I replied. Make arrangements for him to leave as soon as possible for the southwest coast and before Lord Barrios leaves.

So, sire, you wish for Lord Barrios’s departure to be delayed? he asked suggestively.

Have the letter for Gregory done immediately and have the one for Lord Barrios be finished in a week or so. He will then try to sneak out of London without our emissary.

Very good, sire, Lord Winifred replied.

I imagined Charlotte would not be happy with me since I was sending her husband on a long and dangerous journey. I took the children back to Margaret for their morning lessons, except Geoffrey, who would get his lessons later. I felt it was better for him to learn how to rule. Instead of meeting with my advisers as usual, Geoffrey and I went to the training area and practiced swordsmanship. This was my version of a long walk after a bad meeting so I would not fall and get hurt.

After the morning training and my meeting with my advisers, I went for my midday meal with Margaret and the children. Today it was very quiet since the children had seen their father assert his authority and no one wanted to experience my wrath. This was impossible since I tried very hard to always be a loving father and not be distant from them, like my father had been with me. Finally, the children left, so Margaret and I could spend some time together before I had to meet with the nobles and those peasants who wanted to speak to the king and were granted an audience. This was what King Edward had told me many years ago—that the people was the strength of our kingdom—and this was how I kept in touch with them. I told Margaret about the meeting with Lord Barrios and that I would never allow Isabella to marry until she was ready and unless it was for love.

Now I needed to get Gregory on his way while Lord Winifred held up Lord Barrios. I sent Thomas to get Gregory and bring him to me. It was not like it was a tough task. When the king said Come, then you should come immediately. Gregory arrived while Margaret and I were meeting with the ordinary people who had asked to see us. Most only wanted to meet the king so they could say they did, while others had some minor problems that wanted me to solve. Gregory patiently waited for us to finish with those we were talking to. If nothing else, it showed the peasants that they were important to us as any noble or knight.

When they were escorted out, Gregory approached us, kneeled, and said, Sire, what does Your Majesty want me to do?

Lord Gregory, I said as I took his hand, I have a task for you, and it could be dangerous.

Just ask, sire, he quickly replied.

Gregory, I want you to take a message to King Sancho of Spain, I began. King Sancho has sent Lord Barrios again to try to marry his son, Juan Marcos, to Princess Isabella. You know why I cannot allow this. I would not want her to end up like your beloved Charlotte.

Yes, sire, he said in agreement.

I am sure King Sancho did not get my letter last year on this matter, so I want you to take this letter to the king and assure His Spanish Majesty that we harbor no ill will toward him or his people. The journey, Gregory, will be a long and dangerous one. I want you to leave in the morning for Portsmouth and then sail for Spain. We are going to delay Lord Barrios for at least a week or so. That way, you will see King Sancho before his arrival.

Yes, sire, I will leave before dawn, he replied.

Thank you, Gregory, I replied as I shook his hand. Godspeed, and have a safe journey.

So Gregory was off on his mission with the letter for King Sancho, which told him why Princess Isabella could not marry Juan Marcos. Leaving at dawn, Gregory was able to make Portsmouth just after dark; he rode hard because of the importance of his mission. He left Portsmouth with the morning tide, sailing on the Mary Ellen for Spain. This would seem to be a simple thing, but it was not. Gregory was a fine knight but was no sailor or fisherman; he was seasick most of the journey. Normally, our ships stayed within a few miles of our shores, but Captain Benjamin Shell was a brave and daring captain always looking for an adventure. So instead of hugging the coast to Spain, when he reached Pointe du Raz, France, he headed into the open seas, hoping to cut a week off his journey. The seas were with them and relatively calm, and the winds pushed them right along. The trip into the open sea would cut a full week off the journey and would inspire other British sea captains to venture into the open sea.

The simple part of the voyage was over. Now Gregory had to make his way to Burgos to see King Sancho, not knowing the language or having a guide. Luckily for Gregory, he had learned Latin when younger, and he was able to find a priest to assist him. Father Antonio de Bexar was able to arrange for horses for him and accompanied him to ensure his safety. They dressed as monks so as not to draw attention, and they set out on a leisurely pace. Gregory would have rather traveled faster but could see the need for secrecy.

The trip also allowed him to ask questions about King Sancho and learn more about him and Spain. The most important thing Gregory learned was that even though King Sancho was king, Queen Donita had a lot of influence over him and was probably the one who wanted the marriage.

They traveled for nine days before reaching Burgos, where they would have to enlist the help of Bishop Joaquin Salazar, who was a close advisor of King Sancho. First thing in the morning after services, Father Antonio and Gregory met with Bishop Joaquin and asked for his help to speak to King Sancho without Queen Donita present. Now it was a waiting game for Gregory as Bishop Joaquin went to see the king and, hopefully, arrange a meeting. Many of the king’s political and military advisors and the queen were not pleased with the trust the king placed in Bishop Joaquin.

Bishop Joaquin approached the king and whispered into his ear, telling him of the English visitor who wanted a meeting. King Sancho agreed to meet this English emissary as soon as he could be brought to the palace. With that, Bishop Joaquin returned to his church and asked Gregory to join him in a short journey to the palace, but he also asked that Gregory remain dressed as a monk. It was actually a very short walk to the palace but was a much longer one when they got inside the walls as they went to the chapel to wait to be sent for by the king. Even though Gregory thought he was important, he was made to wait. All he could do at this point, was wait for the king.

Several hours passed before they were sent for, and now the last part of this journey was about to begin. Gregory would not pretend to be a monk anymore.

Several advisors were still present when Bishop Joaquin introduced him. Your Majesty, King Sancho, I present Lord Gregory Waterford, emissary from His Majesty, King William. Lord Gregory Waterford, His Royal Majesty, King Sancho.

Remembering his manners, Gregory stepped forward, kneeled, took the king’s hand, and kissed it. He said, It is my honor to meet you, Your Majesty. Starting out like this should make the rest of the meeting go smoothly.

Rise, Lord Gregory, King Sancho said. Come and sit with me and tell me what your king has to say.

They went to a couple of chairs away from the other advisors, where Gregory delivered the message.

Your Majesty, he began, I am here on behalf of King William and Queen Margaret to inform you that Princess Isabella cannot marry your son, Juan Marcos.

Does King William want more money and lands? King Sancho snapped as his friendly attitude had ended.

Oh, no, Your Majesty, Gregory quickly replied and handed him the letter. King William believes that Princess Isabella should marry for love and not as a part of an arranged marriage.

Go on, King Sancho said, having decided to hear him out.

Sire, there is an age difference of nearly twenty years, and then there is Charlotte.

Who is Charlotte? King Sancho asked.

Sire, Charlotte is my wife and sister to Queen Margaret, he replied. She was married off in an arranged marriage to a noble she had never met. He was cruel to her, and she was unhappy in the marriage. Not that your son, Juan Marcos, would treat Princess Isabella badly, but the king and queen are concerned for their daughter’s well-being.

That seems reasonable, King Sancho said, accepting the reason for not allowing the marriage. Why didn’t he say so before instead of demanding money and lands?

King William sent you this same message before the death of King Edward, but he believed that your emissary, Lord Barrios, changed the message to gain favor at the Spanish court.

Thinking about it, King Sancho replied, Lord Barrios is the brother of my wife, and I can see her hand in this. Lord Gregory, take this message back to your king. I understand his position and accept his decision about Princess Isabella. I will deal with Donita and Lord Barrios and end this marriage talk.

Yes, sire, Gregory replied.

My friend Joaquin, King Sancho said, take Lord Gregory and an escort back to your church and see him safely to San Sebastian. Godspeed, my lord.

Kneeling before him, Gregory replied, I pledge the friendship of King William and Queen Margaret to Your Majesty, King Sancho, and Queen Donita.

The mission was done. Gregory and Bishop Joaquin returned to his church to wait for the official letter and meet up with Father Antonio for the journey back to San Sebastian. After the message was received, Bishop Joaquin blessed their journey, and Gregory and Father Antonio were surprised by the number of soldiers who were sent by the king to ensure a safe journey home. Unlike the trip to Burgos, Gregory was willing to move along more quickly—not out of fear, but for his love for Charlotte. It was advisable for him to return quickly since Lord Barrios was on his way back to Spain with the same message.

While Gregory was gone, Lord Barrios was waiting for my reply. This was not difficult as one might think since Lord Barrios was not in a hurry. Lord Barrios was relaxing at the manor where he stayed at while in London. More than a week passed before he inquired about the delay, and it was a polite inquiry. Once he asked, Lord Winifred had the reply to King Sancho written and then waited several days before he had me sign it. In all, Lord Winifred held Lord Barrios up for eighteen days, in which time Gregory had reached Spain and was able to see King Sancho.

Even when he got my reply, Lord Barrios still remained in London for three days before departing. Unlike Gregory, who had left from a southern port, Lord Barrio had a ship and sailed from London. Whether by fate or an act of God, the winds were with me and England, as the Spanish ship lumbered along, making slow progress. By the time Lord Barrios’s ship made it to the English Channel, Gregory was back aboard the Mary Ellen and heading home.

Gregory’s ship actually passed within sight of Lord Barrios off Pointe du Raz, France. This was when the winds began to blow and the sea became heavier, driving each ship toward their destinations. Gregory reached Portsmouth just two days after passing the Spanish ship. Without delay, Gregory began his journey to London. Since he left near midday, he arrived back in London in the middle of the night and returned home to Charlotte and the children, not wanting to disturb me at such a late hour.

In the morning, Gregory arrived at the palace for an early morning meeting to deliver King Sancho’s response. Unlike King Edward, who liked to conduct business in the afternoons, I liked to do business in the morning.

Winifred and Gregory came in, and Gregory came up, kneeled, and said, Sire, I bring good news from Spain.

Gregory, you look well, I replied as I took his hand. When did you get back?

Late last night, sire, he replied.

How are Charlotte and the children? I asked.

Well, sire, he replied, knowing I had seen Charlotte and the children several times while he was gone.

Come and sit, Gregory, Winifred, I said, waving to the chairs. Tell me, Gregory, of your journey and King Sancho’s reply.

They took their seats, and Gregory began, "Sire, it was quite the journey. Captain Shell is quite the sailor. He ventured out into the open sea to shorten the trip to Spain