Knight of the Empress (3 page)

As we neared the woods I scanned them for the ambushers.  They were not very good at this for I saw three of them crouched behind some small bushes.  They had spears.  I slowed a little. I spoke in English so that my men would understand.  "Three men with spears to the right."

"I saw them my lord." Harold had sharp eyes.  "If I had my bow then there would be three dead men!"

Edward laughed loudly, "But you are become a knight and have to wait! Now there is an irony!"

The laugh must have persuaded our ambushers that we were unprepared. As we entered the trap I drew my sword and yelled, "Ride!"

A number of things happened at once.  Dick and his archers began to rain arrows down on the attackers to our right.  The three spearmen leapt forward to spear us and arrows fell from our left. My reins were long ones and my shield straps equally long.  It meant I could reach across with my mailed mittens as the spear came towards Scout's head. I pulled the spear head towards me as I slashed down with my sword.  The soldier should have let go but he did not.  My sword smashed through his thin and badly made helmet to split his head in two. Alan and Harold took care of the other two.

I jerked Scout's head around to the left as Edward pulled his own around.  "Charge!"

The ambushers to our left were not expecting us to attack.  They thought we would be disorientated.  Those to our right could do nothing to help for the finest archers in the whole of Europe were slaughtering them with ruthless efficiency. I pulled my shield tighter to me to protect my body and leg and as much of Scout as I could manage.  I leaned forward and sought an enemy. I saw a knight on a horse.  He had an open helmet and a shield which was slightly smaller than mine.  Although he was uphill, he was stationary. It was a mistake.  I might not have been on Star, my warhorse, but Scout knew how to fight too. I feinted to my left, which was the side I should have gone; we would have been sword to sword.  As he pulled his horse's head around to face me I used my knees and the reins to yank Scout around to the shield side of the knight.  As I reached him I stood in my stirrups and brought my sword across from the side. It smashed into his head.  He was stunned.  His horse was just standing there and so I brought Scout's head around behind him and slashed horizontally with my sword.  It severed his mail and ripped into his gambeson. A poorer blade would have stopped there but mine had been made by a sword smith who had been trained in Constantinople in the far east. It sliced into his back and came away red.

The combination of the blow to his head and my swipe to his back caused him to fall to the ground and I whipped Scout's head around as I sought another enemy.  I saw two men at arms hacking at Harold. He was still learning to be a swordsman on a horse.  His natural skills were saving him but it could not last.

Scout bundled into one of the men at arms as I brought my sword down across his back. I severed the strap holding his shield and ripped into his shoulder blade.  As the shield fell he pulled his horse's head around to flee. As the second man at arms turned to face me Harold gutted him like a fish. There were no more horsemen but I saw bows being nocked as the men on foot tried to bring us down.  They did not know us and we charged at them.  It takes a brave archer to stand against a mounted, armoured knight and they fled. We pursued them until our horses tired.  As we returned to the road I counted ten dead archers and spearmen.

"Harold and Alan finish off any who are wounded and bring anything of value."

Edward lifted his helmet. "That went easier than I thought."

I nodded as I lifted my mask.  "Aye but where were our German friends?"

Edward pointed to the road where they both stood; their swords still sheathed. I would deal with them later.  My men and the German men at arms had obeyed me.  The two German knights were nowhere to be seen. I halted beside the wounded knight. Dismounting I rolled him over. He was not wounded, he was dead.  He must have bled out. I took his sword, for it was a good one and searched him.  He had a few coins and a signet ring with the mark of a wild boar.  I took them both and his horse. Edward gathered the other four horses.

Dick and the archers were on the road and they held up their own treasures.  "They had little enough but we took it."

"Good, watch our backs and we will find the Empress."

Geoffrey and Padraig had halted a short way from the burnt out motte and bailey castle. "We thought you might want us to wait here. There is no one ahead."

"We will wait for Harold and Alan." Our two squires reached us. "Anyone behind us?"

"Just the archers."

"Ride to the castle and see if anyone still lives there.  We will camp there if we can."

As they rode away I turned and, drawing my sword, held it to Lothar's cheek.  "Take out your sword and show me the blade."

Edward had his blade at Konrad's neck whilst Padraig and Geoffrey levelled their spears at the men at arms.  Lothar had anger on his face and I pushed a little harder until blood trickled down his cheek. "Unless you want a scar like your friend there then do as I say.  I care not if I rip a hole in your face."

He pulled the sword out and I saw that it was clean. I nodded and took it from him.  "Now either you are a piss poor knight or you are a coward. You did not fight. Which was it?"

He remained silent and I pushed the sword into his cheek to make a large hole.  He winced. I withdrew the blade. He spat blood to the ground and snarled, "You had those bandits under control. We are here to protect the Empress and not you!"

"You did neither. As far as I am concerned you are useless baggage and I am tempted to end your worthless lives here and now."

"Stay your hand Baron!" I turned and saw that the Empress had closed with us.  "Do not kill him.  Give them another chance."

I was ready to end his life but I nodded.  "The Empress has just saved your life.  Next time we meet trouble then you two, the scar faced twins, will go first." Lothar and Konrad exchanged a look between them. They knew that I meant what I was saying. I had not enjoyed what I had done but these two were merciless killers. I knew that I should have killed them there and then but the Empress had stayed my hand. "From now on we watch you!"

My archers appeared at the same time as Harold and Alan descended from the castle. "Anyone left alive?"

Dick shook his head, "No, my lord."

"Harold, the castle?"

"We will have to get rid of the bodies of the defenders but we can shelter there."

"Good then let us go." As we led our horses up the hill I nodded to Wulfric.  I watched as he took two more men at arms and followed the two Germans up the hill. The German men at arms had not understood one word of what had gone on and I wondered what they made of my scarring of the German knight. German was one language with which I was not familiar. As we ascended I said, "There is another war horse for you Harold.  It is slightly better than the one you have."

"Thank you Baron but I am happy with the one I have."

"If you are to be a knight then you will need a war horse. Take it."

When we reached the burned out castle I saw that it had been devastated in the attack. It would need rebuilding when it was reoccupied. Luckily for us the ditch still stood and that would deter any who tried to sneak up on us. I helped the Empress to dismount.  "My lady, I think that you need to speak with your men at arms.  They understood none of the words I spoke to the knights."

She nodded, "Thank you, Alfraed. You did the right thing."

While she went to speak to the men at arms I had Dick and the others begin a fire for food. Edward joined me. "They are an unpleasant pair of bastards although I have to say you have done nothing to improve their looks."

"Would you have done things differently?"

He nodded, "I would have run both of them through.  They deliberately held back, hoping that we would be killed.  If you weren't such a wild man we would have been." Shaking his head he added, "Charging up hill on a palfrey takes some nerve Baron Alfraed.  You scared me, I will say that!"

I went to Scout to see if he had suffered any injuries in my wild charge but he appeared to be whole.  I found an apple and gave it to him.  He munched contentedly. I should have been riding Star for battle but in my haste I had forgotten to do so.  And now my mind was filled with the problems of the Germans. I could do as Edward suggested and execute them out of hand. They had behaved dishonourably. On the other hand I needed the German Men at Arms.  We still had over three hundred miles to go and who knew what enemies we might face?

My archers had been used to fending for themselves in the forests of Sherwood and it was they who organised the food. I glanced over at Matilda who was still speaking with the Germans.  Lothar and Konrad were sharpening their swords.  That was ominous. Wulfric and his men were still watching every move the Germans made. I would not have to worry about them launching an attack.

Harold joined me. "What do we do about the Germans, lord?"

"Edward says to kill them.  What would you do?"

"I do not know.  I think I would find it hard to kill a man in cold blood. Their only crime was that they did not fight.  Do we kill a man for cowardice?"

"If that gets another killed then yes but it is not cowardice which prevented them from fighting today; it was treachery. That is the real reason I do not kill them. There are too many unanswered questions.  Whom do they work for?  Are there others waiting for us? Warn the others to keep their eyes on those two."

I took out my sword and handed it to my squire.  "You had better put a sharp edge on this.  It looks like I may need it."

The Empress joined me and I saw a frown upon her face.  Amongst the mail, shields and weapons she seemed so fragile. I cursed her father for putting her in so much danger. Politics!

"They are not happy, Baron."

"With me?"

"They did not understand your actions although they all admired your courage. I have now explained what you have done and they understand but they are unhappy with Lothar and Konrad. They were angry that their knights did not help."

I was relieved. I had worried that I had turned them against me too.  "Edward wants me to kill the two knights."

She was her father's daughter. She nodded.  "It would make sense.  My husband and my father would have slain them already." She gave a sad smile.  She had wished them kept alive but her husband was like Edward.  He would have eliminated the threat.

"And you think I am weak for not doing so?"

"No, I was the one who told you not kill them."

I led her over to the crude bench my men had made from some unburned timbers. We sat down.  Grant brought us some of the food they had cooked. It was not the sort of food an Empress was used to but she smiled graciously anyway. When we were alone I began and told her what I had told Harold. "I am keen to speak with your Swabian knights in Nancy. There must have been a reason they were poisoned.  If the two Teutons are still with us by then we may get answers."

"You think they will flee?"

"Possibly or they may try to harm you and then we would kill them." I ate for a while without tasting the food. "They do not want you dead! They just want you.  Someone wishes you to be taken.  Perhaps for ransom?  A hostage?  Leverage?"

"Both my father and my husband have many enemies. That would make sense." She smiled, "You see I knew there would be a good reason for your actions.  You are right, Alfraed.  We need to find out who is paying them."

"And they will not just give us that information."

We kept a good watch that night both for enemies without and enemies within. I used the German Men at Arms as well as my own.  I had to show the Germans that I trusted them. We would need them before too long.

The next morning we continued our journey east. This was all new territory and we crossed an uncertain land. The Lords of Lorraine owed fealty to the Emperor but they were not as committed as the Emperor might like.  The Emperor's disagreements with the Pope had not helped.  These malcontents who wished to rule themselves had a good excuse now.  They could be seen to be siding with the church. There was much political manoeuvring as they each sought a throne.

We had left as soon as dawn had broken.  I had the two Teutons just in front of me and Edward with the Empress between us. With the German men at arms behind us I was able to use my archers to range far ahead as scouts.  I knew that Harold was itching to be with them but he was taking his new role seriously. He was a squire now but he would be a knight one day.

We saw occasional castles on the hillsides as we passed but they looked as small as the one at La Cheppe and no-one investigated us. Their gates remained closed as they watched our banners moving ever east. We were a large conroi and the sun shone from our armour and our mail.  We looked intimidating.  I wished now that we had questioned one of those who had attacked us.  The presence of a knight did not suggest bandits but why would they risk attacking such a force as ours? Perhaps I was seeking plots where there were none.  They could have been opportunists or they could have been after the Empress.

Dick galloped up to us. "My lord there is a castle ahead. It is next to the road."

I looked at Matilda, "Empress, do you know who is the castellan?"

She looked at Dick. "What banner flies from the walls?"

"Two fish and three flowers."

She looked relieved and she smiled.  "Then it is the County and Castle of Bar and the Count of Bar is a supporter of my husband. He is an old fashioned loyal knight.  You will like him. We will be safe there."

I wondered at that but I had to trust someone and if I could not trust the Empress then we were in trouble.

As we approached the castle the gates were opened and armed men came out.  There were eight knights and the leader rode a magnificent destrier.  They had lances with pennants showing their nobility and were supported by crossbowmen on the walls. I hoped that the Empress was right. The leader took off his helmet.  I was intrigued by the design for it was made in one piece so that nothing of his features could be discerned. I saw that he had a grey flecked beard and looked to be of an age with Wulfstan.  More importantly was his smile which made me relax.

"Empress! We wondered who came with such a conroi of knights. What brings you here?"

"I have been visiting my father and now I return home, to Worms."

"Then tonight, you and your men will stay with me for there are bandits abroad."

She nodded, "We know.  They wasted La Cheppe and tried to ambush us."

The Count was an old fashioned knight.  His wife, the Countess, had died giving birth to his youngest son.  Having no daughters I think he enjoyed being a genial host to the Empress.  It certainly explained the warm welcome.  It was a large castle but, even so, the archers and the men at arms had to camp outside the walls of the castle. I left Wulfric in charge of them.  I did not think the two Germans would try anything whilst we were under the protection of the Count du Bar but we would need to confide in him our suspicions at the earliest opportunity.  It would not do to have the Count or any of his people suffer because of us.

The Count took the Empress to her quarters while we stabled the horses. As I fed Star and Scout I said quietly to Edward.  "You three keep an eye on our Teutonic friends and I will try to find out the lie of the land ahead of us." Edward fingered his dagger and I shook my head, "Not yet.  We have much to discover and many leagues to travel yet."

We took only our swords to the hall and left our armour, helmets, mail and shields in the stables. It would have been rude to go to the meal prepared for battle.  The two Germans had to, reluctantly, follow suit.

When we reached the hall the Count and the Empress were seated before the fire.  I saw that there were retainers on the doors and I wondered why. As soon as we had entered the Count gave a command and the two Germans were seized before they could draw their weapons. "Take these two Teutons away for questioning!" It was an imperious command and the guards were not dainty as they hauled the two Germans from our sight. He smiled and gestured forward three knights who looked like younger versions of the Count. "My sons and my nephew will give your knights and squires a tour of the castle, Baron Alfraed, and you can join us here." This was a ruler.  He gave commands as though he was born to it.  He reminded me of my father.

The others left the three of us alone. He poured me some of the red, heavy wine of the region. He saluted me with his goblet as I drank, "The Empress has told me of your little problem. For one so young and with so few knights you have done well.  The raiders you slew are a band of men from Flanders.  Their Count has sent them across to our lands to cause mischief. So far he has avoided annoying me; he knows that my vengeance would be swift but he has preyed upon some of the smaller demesne." He waved his servant forward to pour us all some more wine. "Abelard, leave us and see how the food for this evening's feast progresses.  We have important guests and I wish everything to be done well." The servant bobbed his head and then left us alone.

"I trust my servants but sometimes they gossip and I believe I have information which you might find useful."

"Anything would help my lord, for we have a long way yet to travel. And I still have little idea who is behind these Germans."

Matilda put her hand on mine, "I think, Alfraed, that it is the same man who is causing this land so much trouble."

The Count du Bar nodded, "It is Charles Count of Flanders. His land is poor and prone to flooding.  He has been casting his covetous eyes south, to King Henry's domain and east to the lands of the Emperor." Hs shook his head.  "I am afraid, my dear, that the Pope has much to answer for.  He has weakened the position of your husband and thereby encouraged those who seek to take lands from the Empire."

"But surely the Emperor is Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire!"

The Count laughed, "You are naïve, young man.  The Pope is as political an animal as any. Come let me show you something."

He led us to a cupboard in the corner.  He opened it and took out a map. It was beautifully decorated and looked expensive. He pointed with his dagger which was adorned with well cut jewels. "Here we are. My lands are on the borders of the Empire.  Here is the County of Champagne and Blois. And here are the lands of the County of Flanders.  We are like the nut which can be cracked from two sides.  It is only the strength of my arm which holds them back."

Matilda said, "My cousin Stephen is from Blois."

"And your father's mother was from Flanders.  The Count Charles fears that your father will claim Flanders and Stephen's family, well they just want more land."  He smiled.  "It is lucky you came this route to return home.  I can provide an additional escort.  It will not be many for I needs must protect the borders of my lands but it will be enough to discourage any attempts to take you captive." There was a knock on the door. "Come!"

A servant appeared, "The food is almost ready my lord, can we prepare the table for the food?"

He waved them in, "Come we will go and see these Germans.  It would be useful to find out what they know."

We descended by a spiral staircase into what must have been a stable at one time.  It reminded me of the lower level of my castle in Stockton. This one now had a door and I could see that it was being used as a cell of some sort. The Count's sons, Edward and the squires were there and, manacled to the walls, were the two German knights.

"I am sorry, I was rude not to introduce you, this is my elder son Geoffrey, my younger son Raymond and my nephew Guy of Dijon." They nodded. "Did you find anything when you searched them?"

Geoffrey held out his hand and there were a number of gold coins in his palm.  "We found much gold and it all bears the mark of Charles of Flanders. It was hidden beneath their saddles and was cunningly concealed."

I could see from their bloodied faces that the two Germans had been struck. Konrad spat out a tooth and snarled, "We came by that money honestly!"

The Count put his face close to the Teuton and asked, "How?" The hesitation proved it was a lie and this was confirmed by the downcast looks of Lothar. The Count turned to me, "This knight thwarted your attempt to harm the Empress and I have been told that you did not try to defend the Empress against her attackers.  Your animals, weapons and gold are forfeit.  I will send a ransom demand to your families.  Until then you shall enjoy my hospitality." He smiled, "I could of course make your stay more comfortable were you to tell me who hired you and what the Empress can expect on her way home." The two remained sullenly silent. "Bread and water only!"

On that sobering note we returned to the hall and the feast. I discovered that the Count's sons and nephew not only looked like him but they took after him too. They were most interested in life in England and found my story of our journey from Constantinople to England fascinating.

"I will take a crusade one day. When this land is settled and quiet then I shall visit the Holy Land and make a pilgrimage."

The Count shook his head, "Raymond, my son, it is unlikely that this land will ever enjoy peace and as for the Holy Land, it seems to me that men go there for profit and an idle life."

I added a word of caution.  "We suffered in Constantinople when the Crusaders passed through following Pope Urban's call to arms. We did not see much Christian fellowship.  The knights who passed through looked to be looking out for themselves rather than Christ."

The Count nodded, "I heard that.  And I have also heard of counts going there just so that they can become king.  There are greedy knights without any honour. A throne thus gained is not worth sitting upon."

It was a pleasant interlude.  In the middle of our long journey we found safety and sanctuary with the Count of Lorraine. The Count and his family were both courteous and entertaining.  The whole evening was illuminating.

When we left the next day the Count insisted that I take the Germans' war horses but I refused the gold.  "It is blood money, Count, and not earned honestly.  Do not fear we will make from this journey.  You keep it for your hospitality and for your nephew's lance and men at arms." The eight men at arms with Sir Guy looked as though they knew their business.

The Empress Matilda looked happier too now that the spectre of Konrad and Lothar was gone. Guy proved to be a lively companion.  He told us how his father had been dispossessed of his lands by a rival Baron.  He had been the only survivor of a savage midnight raid and now, thanks to his uncle's generosity, was building up his own conroi. "I know what my uncle said about the Holy Land.  For me it may be my only recourse.  I do not mind serving my uncle and learning from him but it would be a different matter to serve my cousin. How about England?  Is there any way a knight can make his fortune there?"

I smiled, "The northern borders are lively.  If you are good enough then you can carve out a demesne for yourself but it is a never ending struggle.  I left almost as many men at home as I have brought with me. The Scots will be trying to steal my cattle and my people and then there are neighbours who seek to take what is mine."

The Empress said, "And it is thanks to me that you cannot be with them. I am sorry."

I was appalled to think that I had upset her.  "No, my lady, I was bound to serve your father and this is a much more pleasurable task I can assure you."

Guy laughed, "Why, we have the perfect knight here.  Not only is he skilled with weapons and tongues, he is a troubadour too!"

"Tell me Sir Guy, where did your uncle get the helmet I saw him wearing?  I have never seen the like."

"It is from Italy.  I am surprised you did not see them in Byzantium."

"When we left the helmet I have was the latest design."

"My uncle's was made especially for him.  It gives him all round protection.  It is called a great helm.  I like yours. Your neck is well protected.  The aventail is light but it is mail and will stop a blow.  I shall buy myself one when we have the next tourney."

"I will have to get myself a great helm.  I can see the advantage of them."

"The vision is not the best but it gives the wearer an advantage in a
mêlée
."

Once again we had my archers scouting far ahead of us.  They were woodsmen and rode comfortably though the trees and fields which lined the road. If they did not wish to be seen then they would not be. They warned of us of castles and Guy was able to tell us if they represented danger or not.  His presence was invaluable. We slept safely in the manors of friends of his uncle. We were just a day or so from Nancy when they brought us news of danger. Only half of them returned.  "My lord there is a party of armed knights and men at arms waiting on a small hill about two miles up the road."

"Did they see you?"

Dick smiled, "No my lord! We left Grant and the others to watch them."

"You have done well." I turned to Sir Guy.  "What do you make of it?"

"I vaguely remember the hill your archer speaks of.  It gives a good view of this road and the advantage of a hill down which to charge."