King Henry's Champion (21 page)

We had a party of men waiting at the village of Nonancourt.  They would tell us when the siege was over.  It would afford us the opportunity to spring our ambush. I went with my small conroi to spy out the land. The Avre twisted and turned through thick woodland. The roads were not straight.  When I reached Nonancourt we were less than six miles from Dreux. There were bridges where the enemy could be slowed up but the river was easily fordable. I found a good site for an ambush close to Breux-sur-Avre. There was a rise to the north of the road and the domed shape of the hill meant that a force of knights would be hidden there.  If the rebels had no scouts out then an attacker could sweep down the hill and rout them.

When I reached the King I told him all. He nodded, “Then we will execute your plan.”

We had just finished when riders rode in, “Your majesty, the Count of Anjou is half a day away.”

“Excellent! Then we can now face our foe with better odds.”

“We could have even better odds, your majesty, if we had the garrison from Dreux.”

“But they are lost to us.”

“Not necessarily.  The scouts report that the castle is surrounded but the main attack is from the east.  To the west they have men watching for the garrison’s flight. If we attacked those guards then the garrison would be able to flee.  Are there women in the castle?”

“No, the Baron is a widower and his sons have not yet taken wives.”

“Then we can try.”

“We?”

“I will take my men and the archers; archers are good at knife work.”

“I cannot afford to lose you, Cleveland.”

“And you will not, my lord.  I am trying to sway the odds in our favour.”

“Very well but if the alarm is raised, then flee.”

“Have we someone who is known to the Baron?”

“His cousin is Ralph of Mortain.  I will seek him out for you.”

I gathered my men and squires.  They were pleased to be doing something.  Sitting idly by was not what they enjoyed. While they were preparing Ralph of Mortain joined me.  He was older than I had expected. My face must have shown my doubt for the old knight chuckled, “Do not let these grey hairs fool you, my lord. There is plenty of life in this old dog and besides I hear you have a madcap plan to relieve the siege.  I would be party to this!”

The twenty archers arrived under their captain, Gilles. I gathered them around me. I explained our task.  I had learned that telling those who fight for you all the details made them fight better. “We ride within the hour.  I want to be within sight of Dreux soon after dark. Make sure you have sharpened knives for you will be slitting throats this night.  We kill the guards as silently as we can.  Sir Ralph will then approach the castle and tell his cousin to leave.  Each of you will have an extra horse for you will need to make a speedy exit.”

Sir Ralph asked, “You say ‘you’ as though we will be without your leadership.”

“I am taking my men to distract the enemy at the main camp. We will make them think they are being attacked from the north.  It will give you and your cousin time to flee.  I am leaving two of my squires with you for they know my plan and they know how I work.  William and Leofric are the best men I know for this type of work.” I saw the two of them swell with pride at my fulsome praise.

“But that means you will just have five men to help you.”

I grinned, “That is all I need.”

My men donned black cloaks.  We bade farewell to Sir Ralph and the archers close to Dreux.  We could see the ring of camp fires.  It was like a necklace around the neck of the Baron of Dreux. We headed north. We could see the brighter fires of the main camp to the west of the castle.  We had left our shields at the main camp for we would not need them.  This would be knife work.  We walked the last two hundred paces.  Leaving John with the horses we headed towards the camp of the ten sentries. Two were watching while the other eight lay asleep around their fire.

Griff and Ralph’s arrows struck the two guards.  They were so close that they hit them in the throat and the two died silently.  Their bodies hitting the ground made two of the sleepers turn in their sleep but by then we were among them. Wulfric had an axe and a short sword. He was able to kill two men at once. Three of those who died actually made a sound before they were killed but it was like the sound of someone talking in their sleep and no one was disturbed.

When they were dead there was silence.  In the distance we heard the sounds of the other camps. It was the usual noises of men talking in their sleeping, snoring and farting.  Every camp was the same.  It was a background noise that you were used to.  The sentries would listen for other noises but these sentries were dead. Wulfric gave a low whistle and John appeared with the horses.  Griff and Ralph used a brand from the fire and they headed through the trees to close with the tents which were just a hundred paces from where we were. Roger and John led the archers’ horses and Wulfric and I held the spears we had taken from the dead sentries.

We waited. Even though we were expecting it we were surprised by the brightness of the arcing arrows which Griff and Ralph released. They loosed five each.  The first had just struck when they raced back to us. They had struck a number of tents and there was a sudden flare of flame as they caught. Then we heard the shouts. We headed north east.  We had smelled their horses and heard their animals.  They had horse lines there. As we galloped towards them we saw other guards racing to the main camp for the shouts were now much louder. The men who fell to our spears died without knowing who we were. We were like black wraiths in the night.  John leapt from his horse and slashed the ropes holding the horses.  We slapped their rumps with the flats of our swords and shouted.  They stampeded to the north in panic.

Turning, we made our way west. With our black cloaks we would be difficult to see. This would be the hardest part of the journey for we had to make our way through woods.  It would be easy to get lost.  Had we not had our two archers with us then I am certain we would be there yet.  They had an unerring knack of finding trails in the dark.  When we saw the road ahead I breathed a sigh of relief. I could hear shouts from the south around the castle. It was then that my thoughts turned from our predicament to that of Sir Ralph and my squires.  Had they achieved our objective?

“Head for the castle.”

Wulfric said, “But my lord the plan was to go back to our main camp.”

“And now I am changing it.”

There was a small road leading south and we headed down it. I heard the clash of arms ahead. I drew my sword and galloped.  We burst upon a skirmish.  I recognised Sir Ralph and my squires but the others who fought alongside them were unknown. They were being attacked by a force of rebels. Even as I hacked down at one of them I wondered whence they had come. I would discover that later. The six of us slew and wounded eight before they even realised they were being attacked.  In such close quarters Wulfric’s axe was worth ten men.  Skulls were splintered and shattered as he carved a path to our beleaguered comrades.

“Sir Ralph, fall back up this road!”

Our sudden attack had relieved the pressure and the knot of knights and squires hacked and slashed a path to us. Ralph of Wales and Griff of Gwent used their bows to target white faces in the dark. I saw shields rise as the enemy sheltered.

“Fall back!”

The men who had attacked Sir Ralph were on foot and we soon outdistanced them.  “Griff, you two wait here and slow down the pursuit. We will head back towards Nonancourt.  Join us there.”

“Aye, my lord.”

Dawn found us at the rear of the refugees. We had kept a close watch on pursuit but our archers had kept them from us. I found Sir Ralph.  He was riding with my squires and four other knights as the rearguard.

“What happened, Sir Ralph?”

The knight next to him whose arm was in a sling said, “It was my fault, my lord. I am Baron Hugo of Dreux.  I did not want to leave my servants to be enslaved. We moved too slowly and were attacked.”

Unexpected events often spoiled perfect plans. I would probably have done the same but it had almost spoiled a good plan. “But you are safe and can fight another day.”

He nodded, “And your squires are as brave as terriers. We owe our lives to them.  They charged the men who ambushed us.  They have reckless bravery.”

I turned to look at my son and Leofric.  To my dismay I saw that they were both wounded.  William saw my face and gave me a wan smile, “It is not so bad father. I bound Leofric’s arm and he bound my leg.” He laughed, “We are truly blood brothers now.”

“You will have them looked at by a healer when we reach the King.” The bloody bandages were a reminder of how parlous our existence was.

“It was worth the wound, my lord.” Leofric waved his good arm at the knights. “We have increased the number of knights by four and the men at arms by twelve.”

I could only blame myself.  I had brought them up to behave and think as they did.  They were younger versions of me.  A man cannot change his nature. This would be the way things would go from now on.  William’s life would be in danger each time we went into battle.  I could no longer leave him guarding the horses.  He would not bear it.

The King was delighted with the results of our raid. After making sure that Wulfric took my squires to the priests I said, “But now they will come.  You majesty needs to plan the ambush and prepare our defences.”

He swept a hand around, “Sir Richard has had ditches dug and stakes planted. They will have to bleed to reach us. If the ambush works then we may have parity of numbers.” He looked at me.  “You know what that means do you not?”

“They are more likely to challenge me to fight this Black Knight.” He nodded, “I am ready.”

Leofric and William’s wounds, whilst not serious meant that they would not be fighting for some time. Although disappointed, both had learned much over the last few months. They took the news stoically. “It means your new warhorse will have a great deal of attention, my lord.”

One effect of our raid was to raise the morale of the whole camp. It was not just the boost in numbers it was the fact that we had effected their escape from under the noses of the enemy.  Our standing had never been higher.

Count Geoffrey had not emptied his land of knights for Angers needed guarding but his force reinforced us by a further twenty knights and forty men at arms. I noticed that the five young knights who had been training with us now had a swagger as they strode around the camp.  They also stayed close together. Count Geoffrey now had his own oathsworn. I knew from experience how valuable that was.

The King gathered his leaders.  “When the enemy begin their approach we will send a battle to ambush them with fifty knights and fifty men at arms.  I give command of this force to Alfraed, Earl of Cleveland for it was his plan and I know it will be carried out with great courage.” He nodded so that I could speak.

“I intend a double ambush. I want all of the archers mounted and waiting a mile from where we will attack the vanguard. I have no doubt that they will pursue us for we will flee.  The archers will further bloody their nose.  This will secure our escape, slow down their advance for they will be more cautious and whittle down their numbers. Ralph of Wales will be captain of the archers.  He has done this before.”

We then had to choose the men who would come with us.  I chose only the best. The ones I disappointed would have to prove themselves later.  This would not be the last battle but it would be the one which determined if we won or lost the rest.

The scouts reported that the enemy camp was in chaos.  It took two days to recover their horses and another two to begin their move west. Once they broke camp I led my battle to the place of ambush.  Our scouts reported their speed.  It was slow for they had a large baggage train.  We could move faster. We reached the hill before the enemy vanguard was in sight. Scouts watched from the woods.  The enemy could not see us but, until we broke the skyline we could not see them.  I used John as our eyes. The enemy would not worry about a single figure on the hillside. He took off his helmet and wrapped a cloak around his mail.  I hoped they would think him a shepherd. Roger of Lincoln held his horse for him at our main battle line. The only men at arms in the front rank were my two.  The rest were in the second rank.  I gave the place of honour, to my right, to the Count of Anjou. I trusted him more now than I had done previously.

It was nerve wracking to wait knowing that the whole of the enemy line was approaching. I had had to trust John’s judgement.  When the vanguard was almost level with me he would return and we would charge. We would be travelling downhill and the enemy would be just two hundred paces from us when they saw us.

John ran up to us, “They come!”

As he mounted and took the standard which Wulfric held for him I shouted, “Keep the line and when I signal retreat then follow!”

“Aye lord!”

I spurred Hunter.  We trotted along the flat part and then crested the rise.  I saw their vanguard spread out.  There were almost a hundred knights riding in a column of twos. At their side marched a line of crossbow men. The column was led by two knights and their squires.  They bore the banners of Montfort and Pointel. They did not see us until we began to canter a hundred and fifty paces from them. Some froze and others turned to try to charge up hill to us.  They did not have lances and they drew their swords.  It was this indecision which helped us.  At fifty paces I lowered my lance and shouted, “Charge!” Bolts clattered off my shield.  I saw one knight, to my right pitched from his horse but then the men with the crossbows fled. I pulled back my lance and punched at the brave knight with the yellow surcoat who charged uphill towards me. I struck his middle and my lance penetrated his mail, ripped into his stomach and broke.

I threw away the broken stump and drew my sword.  A crossbow man was trying to reload his weapon and I brought my blade down and split his helmet and skull. A knight came at me from my left and Wulfric’s lance smashed into him and knocked his mortally stricken body to the ground. Any knights who had escaped our first line were slaughtered by the men at arms who came hard behind. The knights who had originally fled turned to face us.  We had momentum and we had bloodied our weapons.  I jerked Hunter’s head to the left and surprised the knight with the green and blue quartered surcoat. He was so busy trying to turn his horse that he failed to block my blow with his sword.  He only caught part of my blade and my sword ripped through the mail links on his right shoulder.  I had quick hands, Athelstan had called them the quickest in Christendom and I brought my blade backhanded as I passed him. It bit through his mail and his neck.  He fell to the ground. I could see now that we had broken them and the survivors were flooding east to the safety of the main battle.

“Fall back!” After making sure that all had heard me I wheeled Hunter right.  Two knights faced me. I spurred Hunter and then pulled back on the reins.  He leapt forward and raised his hooves.  The knights were riding palfreys.  One shied away while the other was clattered by Hunter’s hooves.  I swept my sword across the chest of the knight on the shying horse.  Already unbalanced he fell to the ground next to his companion. I heard the crunch of his skull as Wulfric galloped over his body. My horse had killed or maimed two knights.

I turned to see if John was still behind me and he was.  His grin and his bloody sword told me that he had slain our enemies. We did not gallop.  Our horses needed to recover.  Besides which I knew that the enemy would take time to reform.  We had some time and I knew that, up ahead, Ralph had the archers ready to surprise them. I was desperate to know if we had lost many men but that would have to wait until we reached the King.

Count Geoffrey rode next to me.  His face, like that of John, was full of the joy of battle. “We harvested them like wheat.  We could have destroyed their whole army!”

“We did what we intended, Count. Had we pursued them then we might have lost more than we can afford to.  Surprise worked for us. This campaign will not be over in one encounter. These archers will give them a shock.”

He looked to the left, “Which archers?”

Wulfric laughed, “The ones, my lord, who are hidden in the trees. The knights behind will soon get a rude awakening.” The road rose a little just past the ambush site. 

I stopped, “Count, lead the knights home, I would watch the enemy from here.”

I think he was going to argue and then he remembered that the King had given me command.  His days of disobedience were long passed. “I will.”

I turned Hunter around and waited with my three men. The leading enemy riders saw us stop and, seeing my banner, spurred on their horses. Wulfric smiled, “You have done this to draw their attention to you, my lord.”

“Aye Wulfric.  It guarantees they will not look at the archers.” We turned, as though afeard and headed down the road.

For just a handful of archers they had an immediate effect.  Releasing their arrows at almost point blank range they swept horsemen from the backs of their horses.  Ralph had laid his ambush so that they hit the unprotected right sides of the column. Even so five managed to make it through the arrow storm and lumbered up to us. We wheeled around to face them. I parried the blow from the first knight with my shield as Wulfric severed his spine. I swept my sword to the right and it slid over the top of the knights’ shield and into his throat. Roger easily defeated the knight who came at him. He took the blow from the sword and then lunged at the knight’s neck.  Roger was a strong man and the links of the coif were torn apart. I watched in admiration as John punched my standard with his left hand to hit the helmet of his opponent and then stabbed him through the mouth.

The fifth knight found himself surrounded by four men.  “Surrender or die.” He hesitated. I smiled, “You will die. My men are the best.  Ask your dead companions.” I saw that he was young. “Surrender and tell this tale to your grandchildren.”

His shoulders slumped and Wulfric leaned over and took his sword. I saw my archers had mounted and were heading up the road to join us. “Come, my lord.  We have given them enough chances to take your life this day.” My two men at arms flanked the young knight and we turned to head west and our camp. My plan had worked.

The King had taken no chances and he and the rest of the army were arrayed before the town.  As I approached down the same road which Montfort would take I looked the defences Sir Richard had erected.  They were daunting.  Of that there was no doubt. They would not stop them but they would slow them down.  If I had all of my archers from home then they would have made it a killing ground. There were stakes pointing east and they were well sharpened.  We had to slow to negotiate them. A charging army would have no chance to evade them. Even without my archers they would not find it easy. I saw Geoffrey of Anjou pointing behind him as he spoke to the King.  His animation told me that was recounting the ambush. As the Count’s teacher I was proud of what he had done. He had obeyed orders and, as far as I could see, his knights had suffered no losses.

The King had a huge smile on his face. “I see we have our own Ulysses here.  You are a true strategos, Alfraed!” He held his hand out to clasp mine. He noticed the prisoner behind.  “And a captive. We will question him later. You two have done more than enough this day.  Sir Richard and the others can take charge here.  We will go and enjoy the adulation of the town.”

The King, whilst a good general, was an even better leader.  He understood the art of war.  By riding through his army with the victorious knights he would share in that glory. Leofric and William, both bandaged, were waiting for us.  They took Hunter and unsaddled him.  They had some apples for him.  He had deserved them. John helped to take off my metal plates, helmet and shield.  I was keen to question the captive.

I saw that, with his helmet off, he was a young knight.  He looked to be just a little older than John.  He had not been a knight for long.  Perhaps he was caught up in the moment and saw his chance for glory.  He had been luckier than his four companions.  They lay dead. Wulfric and Roger guarded him.  The King had finished acknowledging the cheers of his arm and he and Geoffrey, Count of Anjou, joined us. As the knight had surrendered to me he was my prisoner.  The King nodded to me; a signal for me to begin questioning him.

“What is your name?”

“Phillip of Breteuil.”

“Will your family pay ransom?”

He looked down at the ground, “You killed my elder brother; I do not know.”

“That is an honest answer. Who leads your army?” He hesitated.  “Come there is no dishonour in an answer.”

“Amaury of Montfort.”

“And who is the Black Knight?”

He looked afraid, “You know of him?”

“We know that you have a champion with your army and he wears black mail.  We do not know his name. Is he so afraid that he hides behind black armour?”

“He is not afraid! He is a powerful warrior. He does not need to give his name.” He looked at my surcoat, “You are the King’s Champion, are you not? Alfraed Earl of Cleveland?”

“I am.”

“Then be afraid for the Black Knight has sworn to kill you.  He takes no treasure nor does he want land. He serves with the army for the chance to fight and to kill you.”

Wulfric forgot he was in the presence of the King and he snorted, “Then he had better be damned good!” I glowered at him. “Sorry, my lord.”

I looked at the King, “Have you any questions, your majesty?”

“What is your intention?”

“Your majesty?”

“You are not a rebel.  Breteuil is not in Normandy.  Montfort wants Normandy but what was promised to you and the other French knights?”

“He tempted them with the prospect of manors.  Breteuil is poor.  My brother and I joined the army for Lord Montfort promised us land here in Normandy.” He gave a sad smile, “Your father did much the same in England did he not, your majesty?”

The King smiled, “He did indeed.” He waved over some of his household guards. “Have this knight taken away.  We will ask for ransom should the enemy ask for a truce.”

After he had gone Count Geoffrey said, “At least we know where we stand. They are here for land.”

The King gave me a curious look, “And to kill your teacher. It seems you have an enemy.  Do you know who it is?”

“Know?” I shook my head.  “Guess?  Yes.  I believe it is Waller; the knight who escaped me in England. Now that I know his identity he must hide. If he thinks I fear him then he is wrong.”