Knight of the Empress Read online

  I had seen Matilda each day. I was obeying the King's instructions; I was getting to know her. When we were in company she spoke of me as Baron but when alone it was 'Alfraed'. It was as though she was two different people: the Empress and the vulnerable young woman. She had told me why she feared the two Germans. I had thought, at first, that her husband wished her ill as she had yet to conceive but the Germans, it seemed, had another paymaster. She could not determine who but she felt at risk. I would have to find out who wished her harm.

  She said farewell to her father while I spoke with Robert, Earl of Gloucester. "Watch over my little sister, Alfraed. We have different mothers but she is as dear to me as though we had the same." He slipped me a purse of gold. "Here is some recompense for you. You may need it on the journey." I nodded, "And watch those Germans. Like my sister I do not trust them."

  Once on the road I set the precedent of riding next to the Empress with Edward and Alan ahead of us and Harold and Wulfric behind. With my archers as scouts the Germans had little choice but to follow behind. The rest of Edward's men at arms brought up the rear with the horses. The Germans were trapped. They could attempt no treachery in such a position.

  We had been on the road but half a day when Matilda said, "Baron, I have to tell you that we are not going to Regensburg as we said in Caen. We are going to Worms."

  It did not matter overmuch to me, in fact Worms was closer but I was curious. "Why the deception? Did you not trust me?"

  She had the good grace to blush, "When your father is Henry and you are Empress you give away as little as possible. Forgive me. I could not risk word leaking out of our real destination. I know that we have to travel on the same road but the lands closer to Regensburg are easier for ambush. We could be waylaid and captured there."

  "The Empress of the Holy Roman Empire?"

  She nodded, "It is why I came west in disguise."

  "I do not understand why you took such a risk. If it is a dangerous road then why come all this way?"

  She lowered her voice, "I came with a message from my husband for my father. You need not know the content of the message but I am the only one they can both trust. It is a burden I must bear alone."

  "Then why did he not send better guards?" I jerked my head in the direction of the Teutons.

  "I had four Swabian knights when I set off. They were loyal to me. When we reached Nancy they ate some bad fish and we had to leave them there to recover."

  Suddenly everything became clear. "You had a larger escort then?"

  "We did. These two were the only knights not affected by the bad fish."

  "That seems a little suspicious." My voice was also almost a whisper.

  "That was when I began to fear for my life."

  "And the men at arms?"

  She shrugged, "I know not."

  I began to plan at that moment. The first thing we needed to do was to change the route we had agreed. Lothar and Konrad had been too agreeable to the idea. I did not like that. "Will your knights still be in Nancy?"

  "I know not. Perhaps. Why?" I ignored the question for I was busy trying to remember the maps I had studied with Robert. "You are planning something?" I nodded. "And when are you going to tell me what it is?"

  "Empress Matilda, when I have worked out the details then you shall be the first to know." I was acutely aware that I was more than naïve when it came to the politics of Europe. The politics of the east were familiar to me. "Tell me, Empress, do we have enemies on the route we selected?"

  "Not enemies as such but Louis of France and my father have had disagreements in the past. The Count of Flanders is an enemy of both my husband and my father."

  "We avoid the northern route." She nodded. "I think we will avoid Paris too then."

  "Why? We were welcomed there on our way west."

  "That was when you were accompanied by your German guards. They may take offence at twenty five Normans marching through their city. It would be best to avoid confrontation."

  "But that will take us close to Flanders."

  "Yes but it is a shorter route." I could hear the doubt in her voice. "Trust me, Empress. We will get you home and I am happier now for I believe I know the problems we face. That is easier than travelling in the dark."

  We stayed that night in the castle of Evreux. The lord was with Henry but we were treated with both honour and respect. After we had eaten I took Edward to one side, while the Empress chatted to the lord's lady. I told him of our suspicions.

  "I can just slit their throats tonight, my lord. It would be no bother." He grinned, "We have done it before."

  "A nice thought but I suspect the ramifications would come back to haunt us. No we just watch the two of them. Who are the two men we trust to watch them?"

  "Any but the best would be Roger and Edgar. They are both bright lads and handy with their weapons."

  "Good then ask them to keep an eye on the two knights. Have them ride behind them. And tomorrow watch out for trouble when I take us to Rouen."

  "Rouen?"

  "I want to stay in Normandy as long as I can. We cross the narrow part of France. We just have Rheims to pass through and then we should be away from the French."

  "Are we at war with them?"

  "No but we aren’t at peace either."

  "That is a pity. If we were at war then we could make a little bit of gold out of this!" Edward was always looking for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow; even when there was no rainbow!

  I slept outside the Empress' chamber. I woke when she opened the door in the small hours of the night. She gave a squeak of surprise when she almost stumbled across me. "Why are you sleeping here? Is there no bed?"

  I stood and stretched. "Aye but this way I guarantee your safety."

  She took a dagger from the folds of her shift. "I am armed."

  "That did not help your Swabians. I will endure this until we reach Nancy. I will be happier when we find those loyal to you."

  As I expected Konrad and Lothar questioned my route when I took us north east towards Rouen."

  "This is not the way we agreed."

  "No, but it is the way we shall be travelling." I stared at Lothar. He was not willing for a confrontation yet. We outnumbered them but I could see in his eyes that he wanted to pull his sword and kill me there and then.

  He shrugged, "It matters not. Once we cross into our homeland there is but one way to go."

  That confirmed what I had thought, it would be closer to Lorraine where the danger would come. We had to pass through Nancy in Lorraine and the danger would come before we reached that city. The two of them needed watching and I would not let them anywhere near our food but I did not think there would be an ambush until we were forced to rejoin our original route.

  The first five days were relatively easy for we were travelling through Normandy. When we saw Rheims in the distance I began to fear for our safety. We were now in foreign parts. Our shields and livery were unknown but we were marked as Normans by our style of dress. People stared at us as we rode through the narrow streets. Matilda oozed confidence and smiled at those we passed. I admired her strength for I knew that, inside, she was as fearful for her life as we were. Miraculously we were welcomed. We were accommodated in the Bishop's Palace. At least we four knights and Matilda were. Our men had to camp in the grounds. It was a small price to pay for the security the Bishop afforded.

  As we left, the next morning, hope began to soar in my heart that this might not be as hazardous as I had expected. I was heading for La Cheppe. There was a small castle there and I hoped that they would offer us hospitality. We were now in unknown territory. Lorraine and the Empire were friends but that did not mean that we would be welcomed. The Empire was a loose confederation. Every landowner could, potentially, be a prince or a king if events went in their favour. Smiles in these parts meant nothing.

  "Harold, take Dick and ride ahead to the castle. Let me know what it is like."

  "Do you want us to speak
with them?"

  "No, but just see if they have a closed gate or an open gate. Do they have banners hanging from their walls?"

  He grinned, "Yes my lord, to see if they are friendly!"

  "Exactly."

  Harold had been an outlaw before he joined me. His father had been the leader of my father's archers after the conquest. He had shown that he had the potential to be something better than an archer and I was training him to be a knight. Although he had much to learn the task I had given him was perfect for him. When I saw the two of them galloping hurriedly back I knew that there was trouble.

  "What is it, Harold? Is the castle prepared for war?"

  He shook his head, "The castle has been taken and burned. But there is more. There are warriors in the woods ahead and there is an ambush waiting for us."

  I did not insult him by asking how he knew. He was as skilled at laying ambushes as any. If he said there was an ambush then there was one. I held up my hand and then waved the two Germans forward along with Edward. "The castle we were heading for has fallen and I think that those who took it have seen us and are waiting in ambush where the road passes through the forest."

  The Empress asked, "Think you that they come for me?"

  "Possibly but I doubt it. They could not know we were coming this way. I believe this is just a coincidence. Now we cannot go another way so let us spring this trap. Padraig and Geoffrey you ride on either side of the Empress. Keep her safe." They nodded, "Dick, take the archers in a long sweep to the south of the road. Use your arrows to attack those ambushing us." I turned to Lothar and Konrad. Have your men at arms guard the horses at the rear. We four and our squires will be the vanguard and draw the sting of this ambush."

  Konrad looked incredulously at me. "You would ride into an ambush?"

  "Unless you have a better idea, then yes. Are you afraid?"

  He shook his head, "We are afraid of no one. We will ride with you!"

  "My men will take care of those on our right. Our shields should protect us from those on our left. Once we know where they are then we will attack. The four knights and the two squires will charge whoever awaits us. The rest ride through as quickly as you can. It is the forest so we will just use our swords." Everyone nodded. "Dick, ride!"

  My archers headed south. I doubted that the ambushers would spot them for we were more than a mile from the woods and there was a slight rise before us. When we crested the rise in the road then they would anticipate our arrival. They would nock arrows and prepare spears.

  I said, more for the benefit of the Empress Matilda than anything, "Take it nice and steady. Let us appear as though we do not except an attack and allow Dick and the archers the time to get behind them. Those on the right, slip your shields to your right arms." I loosened my sword in my sheath. "Steady, Scout." The fact that we had not changed to our warhorses would add to the illusion that we were unprepared for an attack.

  Edward was a little nervous, I could tell from his question, "How many do you think there are, my lord?"

  "Enough to take a castle. Perhaps too many for us but we will try them anyway."

  Lothar sneered, "And risk the Empress?"

  I turned and glared at him. "The Empress will be safe. I guarantee that! You have the word of an English knight and I am never foresworn."

  My answer made Edward smile. I knew that I had good mail; it had been made in Constantinople by a master craftsman. The helmet too afforded me protection and was still light. However when you were riding into an ambush you had no idea what Fate had in store for you. My father had always been quite philosophical about death. The problem with Christianity was that it did not allow for accidents such as fate. I would have to trust in my armour and my skills.

  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?"