The Temporal Knights (17 page)

Rice nodded. “From what I can gather the Ealdorman would only be able to scrounge up about thirty-five knights on horseback and maybe another two hundred huscarls, or professional foot soldiers. These along with a hundred or so archers, mostly peasants, would make up the bulk of his army. Of course this is just an educated guess. Æthelnoth, as friendly as he is, has not offered up any concrete information about his strength.

Peebles frowned for a moment, wondering how anyone could keep a stable land with so few fighting men.

After a moment Rice continued. “If I’m correct and Æthelnoth waits for the King of Mercia, his force would still be only a couple of thousand at most. It would be a hard fight for them, against a fortified position, but I don’t expect the Danes to give us any trouble.”

Peebles nodded. “Yes, I want to smash them completely with absolutely no casualties on our side...we may have to be merciless. We’ll plan just what force is necessary after we have a look at their stronghold. Does anyone have any objections to splitting our forces? I plan to leave Major Thane in charge here. He’ll have about one hundred and fifty troops and technicians, but we are all aware of their fighting capabilities. We’ll also leave one hummer to help guard the supplies.

“It’s a risk,” Lemay said simply. “We still don’t know much about the local area. Just how far away is this Countisbury Hill?”

“Approximately forty-five miles.” Rice replied.

“That close,” Lemay said with surprise, but then realized it was probably a two-day trip for troops on foot. “We could be back in a couple of hours at most,” he added thinking out loud, “depending on the road conditions. I think we can manage this. It’s unlikely that Matt and his contingent could not hold out for at least a couple hours against anything the locals could muster. In any case, it would have to be a very sizable force. I’d like to send up a Bot to scout the area at least fifteen miles out to check on Wulf and Red before we head out. We can travel forty-five miles, much faster than any army on foot can fifteen. No sense taking any chances.”

“Someone’s at Shaftesbury…maybe fifty to a hundred horses outside the walls, clearly not an army,” Matt said, “but they’ve got to be fifty…fifty-five miles away.”

“How fast can they travel?” Peebles asked Rice, who shrugged.  

“No more than ten… maybe twenty miles in a day with foot soldiers. It’s still probably a two-day trip on horseback,” he answered though truly he had no idea.

Peebles nodded. “Major, I’d like you to set up a perimeter about one klick out, at normal walking speed that would give you at least ten minutes of warning time. No one should be able to severely threaten you if you’re not taken by surprise,” the General said.

“I don’t see anything to worry about, if we scout the area by plane first. I suggest you take the Bots with you. I’m sure they could give you a better idea of what you are up against. I’ll keep at least one bug in the air all during the day.” A bug was a small, Micro Air Vehicle or MAV. They were much smaller than their famous cousins the Predator drones; the UAV’s used in the Afghan wars. Mav’s or bugs, as they were commonly called, were used only for reconnaissance without putting any pilots in harm’s way. The bugs were incredibly small but fitted with sophisticated cameras equipped with night vision, infrared, and microwave technology, and they could be plugged directly into the IWS, or Integrated Weapons System. Bugs were used extensively against the Skawps, who tended to ignore it because of their small size. The Skawps were singularly committed to killing humans and since no humans could possibly fly in such a small craft they paid it no mind. “We will be covered,” Matt added.

“So then we’re in agreement?” Peebles asked and everyone nodded. “Splitting the force is a risk, but the locals at their present state of technology are not a serious threat as long as we stay on our toes and are not taken by surprise.”

The General then looked Matt directly in the eyes. “Stay on your toes Major. You’ll have the bulk of the supplies under your guard. Don’t become distracted.”

“Yes Sir,” Matt answered, and saluted, understanding the thought behind the warning. Many things depended on him, and he couldn’t let any of the locals get in the way of their overall mission, no matter how enticing their eyes, breasts, or hips.

Chapter Five

T
hey woke the next morning to a hard driving rain. The sky was dark gray and uniform from horizon to horizon so the expedition west was delayed. The rain posed no real problem for the trucks and hummers, but the low ceiling and bad weather would keep the Bots on the ground and make reconnaissance tricky. Even without the small planes the trek to Countisbury Hill would probably present no great danger but General Peebles wanted a zero risk operation…so they waited, which suited the Ealdorman Æthelnoth who was aging and his body no longer reacted kindly to the rain. Throughout the day most of the soldiers stayed in their tents and out of the elements, at least those who did not have sentry duty.

The refugees from Pilton arrived wet and miserable just after midday. Their arrival created a stir and a bit of a dilemma for the Ealdorman, who did not have the resources to house the unfortunates. A few found sanctuary among family and friends living within the gates of Athelney but most made camp on the far side of the town, away from the soldiers and out in the open air, at least until Dr. Rice heard about it and requisitioned four large tents for them. They would be crowded but dry.

All throughout the day the local soldiers and archers that the Ealdorman called into action streamed into the town. Many found quarters within the walled town but a few hundred also camped outside just to the east of the cultivated fields. They came willingly from all over Somerset, heeding their Ealdorman’s call to war even though Peebles had assured Æthelnoth that they would not be needed. Rice was positive that all of the extra people were putting a strain on the Ealdorman’s food supplies, and suggested that the soldiers stick to their rations for the time being, and Peebles agreed. The men took the news without so much as a grumble; since they were accustomed to far worse conditions…at least the constant threat of a Skawp attack was missing.

The grounds in and around the Athelney quickly grew into a muddy mess, where even walking became treacherous, and most of the noblemen stayed indoors by the fire. In the early afternoon the Ealdorman sent a huscarl out into the mud and filth to invite the General and his immediate staff to eat in his hall. The General agreed, taking Colonel Lemay and a few others, but Major Thane declined so that he could work on the ship he’d so recently neglected. Rice also declined, deciding instead that it would be a good day to begin the education of the youth that always seemed to be under foot these days. Master Leoforic was constantly in his tent, and even spent the previous night with the doctor, having been caught by the rain storm. With the General’s permission, Rice sent word out among the soldiers that he was going to begin teaching the locals and was swamped with volunteers to handle the job. He finally settled on Private’s Guon and Osage, both of whom had extensive teaching experience back on old Earth.

The first day of class was relatively small; to be exact there were only three students, all male and all young sons of the surrounding nobility and only Leoforic was an enthusiastic participant. Rice frowned at the meager turnout, and so sent out word once more that the school was open to all, common or noble, and that the gentler sex was also welcome. An hour past and then two before finally a few gathered the courage to investigate. First among the newcomers was the Lady Ellyn, who spent a great deal of time around camp waiting for Major Thane to conclude his duties. Also straggling in was young master Harden, son of the Ealdorman, who was more or less forced to attend by his father and was in no mood to cooperate. Sir Rawlins’s thirteen-year-old daughter Aldarcy and her ten-year-old sister Gytha arrived not long after with their manservant Jarvis along as chaperone.  Sir Tompkin’s twin sons Kinsy and Lind, both ten, also sourly appeared as did eight-year-old Palma, a beautiful young girl who belonged to Sir Ældwin. There were also a few adults on the first day, namely Sir Elid, who was always about with Sergeant Sadao, but his new friend was currently on guard duty. Lady Radella, wife of Sir Rawlins, and Rishley, Scott, and Seabert, peasant men who worked in the fields around the Hall also shyly entered the tent.

Rice was more than satisfied with the turnout at this point and was practically giddy with excitement. Teaching the group to read American English was the first priority. Of the students, only Leoforic could read. He understood a bit of local English, but was much better with Latin, which would be of little use in this classroom. From the first Harden was slightly scandalized to learn that these strange men intended to teach them all to read, even the young girls, which was not proper.  But after Rice carefully explained that teaching without reading was nearly impossible he held his tongue, though the sour look remained on his face for most of the day.

Even the Lady Ellyn felt a shiver of wickedness ripple down her spine when she realized what Doctor Rice intended, but it was the Lady Radella who quieted the protests. Radella, a cousin to King Alfred, grew up in the metropolis of Winchester and was quite convinced that the King would approve, and no one present had the wherewithal to challenge her. And so everyone attending remained quiet and respectful. Rice suspected that the group was more impressed by the warm, bright atmosphere of the tent than the opportunity to forward their knowledge. Even the Ealdorman’s hall was dark and dreary when compared to the electric lights of the tents, which were powered throughout the camp by several large generators.

The classes, and the rain, went on all that
day, Rice began by handing every student their very own computer tablet and spent a good hour instructing the locals on their use. In the beginning the atmosphere was filled with fear and superstition but as the students grew comfortable with the device they were all filled with delight, even the reluctant Harden. Rice used colorful pictures to teach the ABC’s, and quizzed his new students with interactive games that to the locals…did not seem like learning at all. But by the end of the day, everyone could recite the entire alphabet, which Rice thought was incredible progress, and he rewarded them all by allowing them to play one of his favorite computer games, Tetris. 

The fun ended abruptly when Father Gillian rushed into the tent looking for Rice, and explained that one of the children among the refugees had fallen and hit his arm on a rock and now could not use it. Rice excused himself and went outside where the boy was waiting with his mother, father and Friar Padstone. Rice led them to the medical tent and sent an orderly to fetch Lieutenant Wells, who was the best paramedic in the group.

“What’s your name?” Rice asked with a smile as he helped the lad up onto one of the examination tables. He also turned the smile on both the boy’s mother and father, who were understandably concerned. A broken arm that did not heal correctly could render the limb useless, hindering the boy’s ability to do labor, which was very important to both him and his family.

“Tranter,” the boy answered, clearly frightened.

“My name is Gordon,” Rice replied, “pleased to meet you. Where did you hit your arm?” The boy showed him the spot near the middle of his forearm. “Now Tranter, I’m going to examine your arm,” he added as Wells entered the tent with a nod. “This may hurt a bit, but I know you’re a brave lad.”

The boy nodded, clearly more dubious about his bravery than the man before him.

“Get the portable x-ray machine out and ready,” Rice ordered Wells and then gently lifted the boy’s arm and tenderly probed with his fingers along the boy’s forearm. Tranter winced a few times, but did not cry or call out.

“How old are you Tranter?”

“Nine.”

“You’re a big lad for your age,” Rice added, finishing his examination under the watchful eyes of Padstone and Gillian. He could feel the break in the radius bone of the boy’s arm, but the skin was not punctured, and he called Wells over to take the x-rays.

“We are going to take a few pictures of the inside of your arm, Tranter. When they’re done we will show them to you all right?”

The boy nodded, though he really didn’t understand what was being said. Despite that, he trusted the strange man instinctively, knowing that the doctor knew what he was doing. Rice and Wells moved the boy’s arm into several positions under the x-ray machine causing him a bit more pain, but Tranter was tough and endured it silently. They were done in just a few minutes, and the pictures not long after. Rice held them up to the light with Wells looking on and then he called over Father Gillian and Padstone, who also got a good look at the pictures.

“Tis magical!” Gillian exclaimed.

“Humph,” Rice grunted. “It’s a bad break, but not really too serious if we can set it properly. Let’s give the boy a local,” he added and Wells nodded and prepared the shot.

“Na…the boy’s arm tis gone,” the Friar contradicted. “Twill na work now.” The boy’s father groaned from behind them.

Rice shook his head. “We’ll reset the bone, pulling it back in place so it will heal properly. He should have full use of it in about six weeks, if everything mends correctly. I’m sure it will. This is all fairly routine.” Rice said speaking directly to the boy’s mother and father.

Rice took the x-rays over to the boy and held them up to the light. “Tranter this is the inside of your arm...see how the bone is broken and moved?”

The boy nodded, fascinated despite his pain, as were his parents who now flanked him on either side. His mother looked at the pictures and saw the broken bone and began to cry.

“He’ll be fine,” Rice assured her and for some reason they all dared to hope that it might just be true. “Now Tranter we’re going to have to pull the bone back in place so it can heal properly. I’m going to give you a little shot to help with the pain, but it is still going to hurt considerably.”

“Whil...whilst me arm be able to move again?” he asked, well aware of the consequences. Troy, a young man from nearby Seaham, broke his leg as a child and had been a cripple ever since. He also was aware that there were times when people died of such things, though the reasons were unknown to all since infections were unheard of in these days. At the moment the fear of such a fate far outweighed the fear of pain for young Tranter.

Dr. Rice smiled. “Yes, we’re sure you’ll be able to recover full use of your arm.” He nodded to Wells, who came forward with the needle containing the anesthesia. The boy had no idea or phobia about needles and watched fascinated as it was stuck into his arm. He only flinched a little but the pain of it was minimal compared to the actual break.

“I need you to lie back now,” Rice said, and the boy did so, then he retreated a bit to wait for the boy’s arm to go numb. He called both Padstone and Father Gillian over to the far side of the tent and explained what was going to happen and what they could do to help. Both were completely willing, fascinated and utterly in awe of the man before them. After a few minutes they all approached and smiled at the boy, who smiled back bravely.

“Are you ready, Tranter?”

“Yah, me arm be tinglin’.”

“That’s the medicine working,” Rice said and nodded to Wells who moved around and stood behind the boy’s head. Wells gently but firmly placed his hands on the boy’s shoulders. Friar Padstone took hold of the boy’s good arm to hold it still, as he was instructed. Father Gillian meanwhile went to the boy’s parents to keep them out of the way.

Rice felt along the boy’s arm once more, and then quickly grabbed him along the wrist and the upper arm and with constant pressure pulled the boy’s arm back into place. Beads of sweat appeared on the boy’s brow and he sucked in a deep breath, but he did not cry out. The pain grew steadily and was at least as bad as it had been during the fall though not quite as sharp, but once the arm was in place it quickly subsided to a dull throbbing.

“We’re finished for now, but we need to take additional pictures to make sure the bone is set properly,” Rice explained and Tranter’s mother began to cry once more but this time with hope and relief.

The second x-rays were good and Wells quickly made up a plaster cast for the boy, who was simply captivated by the entire procedure, as were the two local physicians.

“This will harden quickly and protect your arm from further damage as it heals,” the Lieutenant said just as he was finishing up, then he rigged a sling to help the boy hold his arm up and in fifteen minutes everything was complete. Both Padstone and Father Gillian studied the cast with great interest, as did the boy’s mother and father, who could not contain their gratitude. Neither parent was completely convinced their son’s arm would truly heal but part of them wanted to believe, and they now stared at Rice as if he were some sort of sorcerer.

“It is a custom of our people to write greetings and good tidings on the cast to help the bone inside heal...you and the boy’s friends may draw pictures on it if you like,” Rice explained with a smile, realizing now that very few could write or read.

“We’ll keep the cast on for six weeks,” Wells explained to the parents, who looked at him very strangely.

“Six weeks?” the father asked.

“A moon and a half,” Rice explained and both parents nodded. “He’s welcome to come to school and learn to read a bit while it heals.”

“And he will need to be very careful with his arm for the first...for the first half moon,” Wells continued. “If anything happens bring him back to us and we’ll have another look.”

Tranter was now up and looking about with interest as both of his parents thanked Rice, Wells, Padstone and Father Gillian. The family was overwhelmed with gratitude and it was a very satisfying experience for them all.