Enemy at the Gate (16 page)

I saw Dick smile in the light from the hall, "You are assuming we will survive this battle, lord."

"Let us say I am hoping.  I do not think that our work is done but if we are to fall here then let us make it one which Stephen and our foes will remember."

Sir John was being a gracious host as we entered the hall. The majority of my men were still busy either looking after their animals or sharpening weapons.  My own sword needed an edge. Gilles was busily turning the wheel to sharpen it. Even William Roumare was preparing for battle but the Earl had broached a jug and was in his cups already.  I could see he was feeling sorry for himself. I sighed; it was like caring for a spoiled child.  Before I could deal with him I needed to speak with my knights. The three of them had been speaking with their prisoners. Edgar guarded the last, a squire, who looked to be no more than thirteen summers old. I recognised him as the squire who had surrendered to me.

"Edgar, arrange the sentries."

"Aye lord."

"Dick go and make sure the men eat and rest.  I will speak with this young warrior." I saw the fear on his face despite his stiffened lip.  He expected the worst.

"Where is the sword you promised me?" He pointed to it.  My men had placed it in the corner.  I picked it up to examine it. "What is your name?"

"I am Richard sir. Richard son of Alfred. I was squire to Sir Ralph of Buxton. "You slew him sir.  I was an orphan and so I have no master." He looked up at me. "And there will be no ransom for me."

I liked that he did not beg.  This boy had courage. "And what is your expectation?"

He continued to look at my face.  "That you will either make me a slave or you will have me killed." He hesitated, "I would prefer to live, lord.  Life as a slave would be hard but it would be life and that is better than the unknown which is death."

I balanced the sword in my hand and then tossed it and caught it. "Do you not believe in heaven, Richard?"

"Of course lord, but, if it is all the same to you I would wait awhile before seeing it."

I nodded, "There may be a third choice I could make but we will see. Firstly you surrendered to me and gave me your sword." I flipped it over to hold it by the blade.  "You know what that means?"

"That I am yours to do with as you please and I will not try to escape."

I flipped the sword back so that I held the hilt again. I nodded, "Good.  Now I have a few questions, none of which will threaten your honour or your word.  When you have answered them I will make my judgement." He nodded and I saw hope enter his eyes. "Who commanded this conroi?"

"Sir Walter de Langeais, Sir Ralph's elder brother.  You slew him, my lord."

"And who commanded him?"

"Baron William Peverel gave him his orders and, I think the King was there too."

"Do you know what your lord was told of his task?"  He hesitated, "Come boy, I am not asking for secrets.  I need to know the purpose of your conroi for there were not a large number were there?"

"We were told that we would be trapping a traitor; the wolf of the north! Sir Walter was promised a larger and richer manor than Buxton.  My master was promised Buxton. We were to hold you." He paused, "We sent a rider to the Baron when we spied your column."

I nodded.  It was as I had thought.  They had expected us but how?  I doubted that this youth would know much more. If Sir Ralph had been forced to use an orphan as a squire then he was not a rich knight nor an important one. I looked at the armour the boy wore.  It was leather studded with a few pieces of iron. His sword was a short one and his horse was of poor quality. I flipped it again and held it by the tip once more.

My silence encouraged him to speak, "Are you the wolf of the north, lord?"

I looked at him and saw honesty in his face.  "Some call me that."

"They say that you roast children on your sword and that you use the forces of darkness to win your battles!"

I laughed, "They are tales to frighten children.  You saw me fight this day what do you think?"

"I think you are a fierce warrior and it would take a brave man to stand against you. They also say that you were King Henry's champion."

"That I was.  And it is why I still fight for his heirs.  Now, young Richard, what to do with you." He stiffened his back as he prepared to hear my judgement.  "You have two choices."

His eyes widened, "I have choices, lord?"

I nodded, "You can either choose to serve me for I need someone to help my squire or, when we get to Chester I will let you go free."

"So I would live, my lord?"

I nodded, "Despite what people say of me I do not make war on orphans.  It is your choice, Richard.  You are almost a man and can make your own decisions.  I do not attach any conditions to my offer.  You have given your word that you will not escape and I will hold you to that."

"Then I will become your man. I know not Chester and who knows what would become of me. At least this way I have life and you seem like a fair master, lord."

I handed him his sword.  He grasped it as though it was Excalibur itself. "Good, then give me your hand we will seal the bond." I clasped his arm. "Now go and ask for Gilles, my squire.  Tell him you are now my retainer.  He will tell you your duties. When he sees you have your sword he will understand."

"Thank you, lord. I was frightened of you."

"As you should be but now you will serve me! Fear me no longer. Go for I have others to see!"

Eventually my three knights emerged with the other three prisoners.  "Have they given their words?"

Harold nodded, "There will be ransom for them." He looked around, "The one who was here will have no ransom."

"I have dealt with him."

I saw on the face of the surviving squire that he thought I had slain him.  I smiled.  He would think he was seeing a ghost soon. "I will speak with you when we have eaten.  You all did well today."

The Earl of Chester seemed oblivious to the action around him.  He ate and he drank as though we were safe.  I knew that we were not.  Our enemies would follow us and try to destroy me and my men. The Earl of Chester was a political animal.  He would make arrangements.  Everyone knew that the Warlord would not. I sat next to Sir John.  I had fought alongside him when his sons were alive.  We had been together in the army which had garnered over five thousand head of cattle from the Welsh. We spoke of those days together.

"Those were the days, my lord.  King Henry and his son knew how to cow the Welsh.  This King Stephen has lost all of the land which the Earl of Gloucester had gained. I have lived long enough. I grow weary of this life."

"Do not say that, old friend.  The Empress and her son will need doughty warriors like yourself.  Your arm can still wield a sword."

"Aye but the saddle is not so easy these days. I fear the next battle shall be my last." He lowered his voice, "I wish you well in your endeavours on behalf of the Empress.  I swore an oath to her father as did  many others." He flashed a look at the Earl who was oblivious to it. "The breaking of the oath was almost as hurtful to me as the loss of my sons. I tell you now that I will oppose this King Stephen no matter which way my lord and master bends."

"Well for now he bends towards the Empress but tomorrow will see if that is to be.  I fear that we will be attacked."

"And I am only sorry that there are but seven of us to die with you."

"Do not bury us yet.  I have good warriors." I turned to Harold, "Well what did you learn?" 

"You were right, lord.  It was William Peverel who betrayed us!"

The Earl roused himself, "I will pay him back!"

"Let us just get back safely to Chester and then we can make plans for our future. What else did you learn?  Do we know who will be coming here?"

"The two knights both said it would be King Stephen for Prince Henry has returned to Scotland.  He went to Lincoln first.  They believe that the King ordered the knights of Lincoln to escort him back to Carlisle."

Sir John chuckled and looked twenty years younger.  "The new king must think highly of the Scottish Prince.  Lincoln controls the Great North Road.  A man who controls that city and York controls England!"

The ghost of an idea came to my mind but I left it there.  We had the problem of escaping this trap. When that was done I would resurrect my thoughts. "Tomorrow we rise before dawn.  My plan is to use most of my archers to make them bleed while they take the lower gate.  We fall back to the keep and use the weapons from the armoury." I turned to the Earl, "When do you think your forces will reach us?"

"Tomorrow at noon would be the earliest." He smiled, "My wife can be very forceful when she wishes.  She gets that from her father."

"Aye the Earl of Gloucester knows his own mind."

Sir William said, "And it is rubbing off on my wife too. She has changed since meeting your wife."

I arranged with my three knights to share the night watch.  I did not want to be surprised.  It was a trick I had often used. The Earl seemed to think that such tasks were beneath him. I took the middle watch.  I did not mind the broken sleep.  It had been hard enough anyway.  My mind was beset with all sorts of problems. How could I defend my castles against Stephen and fight for the Empress? Where would she land and would she be opposed? If the Earl was typical of those who might support her how could we rely upon them?

I found Henry of Langdale and Cedric on watch.  "How goes the night?"

"Quiet, my lord.  The castle has a good aspect.  You can see far to the east.  These old castles do have the advantage that there is but one gate in."

Cedric grumbled, "Aye Henry and but one out."

"You are a miserable old codger! When has an enemy got the better of the Earl? I do not think this will be my grave." Suddenly he stopped and peered east.  "Lord, I saw a movement."

I whistled and Gilles appeared.  He was sharing the watch with me.  He had younger eyes than either Cedric or me. I pointed, "What do you see?"

He looked for a moment and said, "Horsemen.  They are leading their horses from the woods."

"That would be a mile away.  Go, Henry, wake the garrison and have them stand to arms but do it silently.  I want no noise to alert them.  I want every man hidden beneath the ramparts."

"Aye lord!"

My enemies were trying the same ruse as me. The question was, would we able to deal with it?  I had a short time to plan.

Gilles having identified our enemies, it became much easier to see them. There were many of them.  Their numbers were hard to ascertain as they were mere shadows. There were men on foot as well as horses.  They came steadily down the slope. Dick and my knights were the first to reach me.  They had done as I asked and kept below the ramparts. "They are coming from the east.  Spread yourselves out along the ramparts." I looked and saw Sir John climbing the steps.  "Where is the Earl and Sir William?"

Harold snorted, "He took some rousing.  Dick told him to guard the keep and the prisoners."

I nodded and noticed Richard was there. He was unarmed, "Gilles, find a shield for Richard.  We cannot have my new retainer being slain because he was unarmed."

"Aye lord."

"You two stay with me and fetch my banner.  If the sun rises on us this day we will show our enemies that we do not fear them."

When I looked back I could make the enemy out a little clearer.  They were less than two hundred yards away. "Lord, they are mounting."

"Thank you, Cedric. Pass the word for the archers to be ready but wait for my command."

Henry of Langdale said, "Lord, there are men with axes running towards the gate."

We had placed spears by the ramparts the night before.  They were in plentiful supply. "Use the spears."

The three of us hefted a spear each.  I said to Sir John, "It is your castle feel free to join us."

I saw that his men were not in the keep but had joined him on the ramparts. "Couldn't leave you alone, lord, although we have annoyed the Earl by leaving him all alone in the keep."

They were truly oathsworn.

He shook his head at my offer of a spear.  "A sword will suffice.  I will leave the throwing of spears to you young men. My men and I will use our swords as we always did.  A sword is the weapon of a man."

I nodded, "Ready?" My two men at arms nodded.  "Archers, now!" I hurled my spear and struck the man at arms who was crossing the ditch.  I struck him between his shoulder and his head.  He spiralled into the ditch. My two men at arms slew two more. Arrows began to pluck the men with axes from the track down which they ran.  My archers were aiming at shadows but they struck flesh. I picked up another throwing spear and hit a knight who was urging on his men.  It struck him in the knee and as he fell on the ground an arrow ended his cries for help.

Someone amongst our enemies took charge and the next men at arms who advanced came under the cover of their shields.  None of us had targets. The gate would not hold out for long. "Sir John come and join me.  Gilles, Richard, I want you behind me.  Cedric you are in command.  When the gate is breached run back to the keep."

"Aye lord."

As we stood twenty feet from the gate I heard footsteps coming down the steps from the ramparts.  The knight's six retainers had left the wall to join us.  They placed themselves on either side of Sir John and me with Gilles and Richard standing behind guarding the standard.  We were ready.

Sir John said, "This is fitting.  This will be the end of all things and I could not wish for better company.  King Henry's champion and my oathsworn."

I heard the axes as they smashed against the gate.  It was well made but it would not last long. I shouted, "Prepare to retire to the keep!"

I heard a ripple of replies.  None of my men were foolish enough to try to be a hero.  They knew I did not approve of such acts.  We fought together and my men obeyed orders. I saw the flash of an axe.  They were almost through. "Retire!"

The sound of footsteps thundering down the wooden walls drowned out the noise of the axes.  Two axes sheared the bar holding the gate and the knights and men at arms burst in. I held a spear still and I hurled it at the huge knight wielding the axe.  It struck him in his chest and he fell to the ground.  Not dead, he was out of the fray. I drew my sword and shouted. "The Empress and Henry fitzEmpress!"

The eight of us were a solid line and our enemy came at us piecemeal.  Sir John may have been aged but he had not lost any of his skills.  He took the blow from the sword on his shield and then jabbed with his own, ancient weapon towards the eye of the man at arms.  It takes a brave man to keep his eyes open and the man at arms closed them as the sword entered his skull. I brought my sword over as I blocked a sword strike and struck the knight before me in the middle of his helmet. My sword was sharp and my arm strong.  It split the helmet and the skull.

I saw more men entering the shattered gate.  "Fall back but keep the line."

The experience of the old knight and his ancient warriors showed as they moved back alongside me. We were just slowing up the enemy to give my men the chance to reach the keep.  Once they did so then their bows would wreak havoc on the enemy.  Inevitably it was the man at arms on the extreme right who fell.  Two men came at him on his sword side and his reactions were not quick enough. He died. The man next to him was then assaulted by three and he was struck by an axe and a sword; he died quickly.

"Wheel right!" It was a hard manoeuvre but it swung the end man at arms further from danger.

An enemy man at arms took advantage of my distraction and moved towards me.  I barely blocked the blow but a short sword darted out and Richard slashed the thigh of the man at arms. "Thank you, Richard! First blood." The enemy were reforming for another attack. "How far, Gilles?"

"Forty paces my lord."

"Are the others safe?"

"Aye my lord!"

"Run! We will stop them at the gate."

As we prepared to run a spear was thrust into the side of Sir John. His men at arms slew the killer but I could see that the knight was badly hurt.  I moved towards him.  He shouted, "No Earl! Save yourself and the young warriors." He raised his sword to me in salute.  "It has been a privilege to serve with an old fashioned warrior! King Henry's Champion! Come my friends let us go out in a blaze of glory!"

The four of them hurled themselves at the men at arms who climbed the hill to get to them.  I could hardly tear my eyes away from such a brave gesture.  Gilles grabbed my arm, "Come my lord or their gesture will be worthless!" We ran up the slope to the gate which was still open.

As we entered the gate I saw the last of the retainers slain around his lord.  The men of Stephen and Peverel had killed all six. The old man was happy and his retainers had been oathsworn to the end.

As I stepped through Edgar said, "It was a good death, lord.  Let them come now and I will show them that we too know the meaning of loyalty!"

The gate was slammed shut.  Unlike the lower gate this one had extra beams laid across it. I ran to the gatehouse.  Already my archers were carefully picking off the enemy.  They were conserving their arrows for we had few. The Earl and his brother were looking fearful. I shook my head, "A brave man lies dead before these walls.  Stir yourself, Earl or you will lose your life as well as your land.  We fight this day and we fight together!"

The men who heard me shouted and banged their swords against their shields. My men were a throwback to an earlier time when honour and loyalty meant more than coin and reward.  I was lucky and I knew it. He picked up his sword and his shield and joined me.

I reached the centre of the gate.  Dick and Harold were there. "I have sent John to the east tower and Tristan to the west.  We have alternated archers and men at arms.  We are down to ten arrows each."

"Well done, Dick! This is not over yet!"

I hefted my shield around as I saw the crossbow men begin to loose their bolts.  My archers hated crossbows and crossbowmen.  The ten the enemy had brought all died.  I looked to see who was leading this conroi.  It was not Stephen the Usurper.  It was Baldwin fitz Gilbert.  I had met him before.  He was a ruthless man.  It did not matter for we were all warriors.  We would ask no quarter and certainly we would not give any.

I turned to Dick.  "How many do you estimate?"

"Until the dawn breaks it will be a guess but I have counted at least eighty.  Of course forty lie dead and they will be feeling a little more nervous about the assault.  Even the old man had teeth enough to bite.  They will not relish taking you on, my lord."

"We must keep them from the gate.  I have no doubt that they can use shields to scale the walls but we can deal with that.  We have spears aplenty!"

Baldwin fitz Gilbert halted his attack.  We were going nowhere.  The only gate out was the one on which I stood. He had no crossbows and no archers. It would be down to brute force to gain access. For my part we had to buy time.  If Maud, daughter of the Earl of Gloucester, had aught to do with it then she would be moving heaven and earth to reach us.

I saw the first thin line of light in the east as the sun began to rise. Baldwin fitz Gilbert had made up his mind.  He formed his men at arms into an old fashioned wedge and they moved towards the gate.  There was no drawbridge but the bridge into the castle would only accommodate six men abreast. They had a wall of shields before them.  Arrows would be useless and Dick ordered his men to save them for softer targets. Sir John had been old fashioned enough to have piles of stones along the wall.  We picked them up and hurled them down on to the advancing mailed men. A sharp arrow can fail to penetrate a mail hauberk.  But a stone dropped from a height can crush a skull even if it is protected by a helmet.

The men who did not throw a stone hurled a javelin or a spear and at thirty paces distance they caused mortal wounds. The first attack fell back leaving ten wounded and dead men. There was another debate and more orders were issued.  The sun began to peer over the eastern hills. Each moment of daylight brought us hope. "Gilles, Richard, fetch ale for the men and see if there is any food left from last night."

This was partly to keep up my men's strength and partly to keep my two young warriors occupied.  Waiting was harder than fighting. They raced around the ramparts with food and the last of Sir John's ale.  It filled a hole, as Wulfric was wont to say.  By the time the sun was above the hills they had decided upon their plan.  They attacked simultaneously all along the wall.  They wanted to divide our efforts. I turned to Gilles and Richard.  "Stand either side of me and keep hurling spears and stones.  If you see a finger on the wall then cut it off.  If you see a face then ram your dagger into it!

"Aye lord!"

My archers used the last of their precious arrows on the lightly armed men who  approached the walls.  They were not the main threat but an arrow aimed at mail was a wasted arrow. When their missiles were gone they drew their swords. The enemy had not had time to build ladders and they were using shields to raise men to the ramparts to fight us.  We had done so ourselves and the walls were not high.  The knight who was raised close to me had an axe which he swung as soon as he was in range.  It was the wrong weapon.  The momentum took the blade harmlessly across my face and I darted forward with my sword.  It tore into his eye and I twisted as I pulled it out.  He fell screaming onto the men below. Gilles and Richard hurled a rock and a spear to injure two more of their men.

The next attack saw two men raised. I could only fight one but Gilles and Richard worked together.  They both jabbed at the two men with their spears.  They were safe from the enemy swords and the distraction allowed me to sweep my sword across the throat of one of the men.  The dark blood spurted and he seemed to almost choke on his own blood before falling to the ground. The second man had to fend off two spears and my sword.  He could not block all of them and Gilles' spear rammed into his eye. He too joined his comrade in the ditch; dead.

We had had success all the way down the line and the enemy withdrew.  More of their men had fallen but they still outnumbered us and I had no doubt that reinforcements were heading this way.  It would be a race to see who reached us: Maud or the enemy! This latest attack, however, had cost us men.  I saw, in the inner bailey, men being tended to by the servants of Sir John. Our supply of spears was exhausted.  Sooner or later, if they were determined, they would breach the walls.

As they gathered for another attack I wondered what else I could do. Then, from the north I heard a horn and a cheer from the enemy.  Maud, it appeared, had lost the race.  If there were warriors to the north then they were the enemy. Baldwin fitz Gilbert certainly thought so for he began to cheer and organise his men for another attack. It was only when Gilles spied the banners of Chester and of Gwynedd that we knew it was Maud, the wife of the Earl of Chester.  She had shown skills of which Caesar himself would have been proud. She had confused our enemy and used a clever ruse to get close.

"Men at arms, to the gates! Relief is at hand! Archers hold them on the walls!"  I rushed down the ladder to the bailey.  Two of my men took away the two bars which held the gates in place.  The forces of Baldwin fitz Gilbert had heard the trumpet and our sudden appearance discomfited them. We rushed directly at them. Baldwin must have realised that the relief force was not his own for he shouted for his horse. As I blocked a blow from a man at arms I dropped to one knee and rammed my sword upwards into his middle.  His body tumbled over my shoulder.  As I stood I saw Baldwin and five knights mount their horses and gallop out of the gate.

Leaderless the men at arms threw down their swords and asked for mercy.  The four remaining knights looked ready to continue fighting. I took off my helmet and pointed to the body of Sir John and his retainers.  "Do you really wish to die? Your leader has fled and there has been enough death here this day!"