Knight of the Empress Read online

  The lodge was just big enough for the knights. The squires and the men at arms slept outside under quickly erected shelters. Our archers were at home in the huge forests and brought back food for us to cook. Perhaps we relaxed too much. We had good food and we had a river to protect our island. The men at arms stood guard but we, as knights, did not supervise the watches and we left them to it. Whatever the reason, we were surprised by attackers in the middle of the night.

  It was a shout which woke me. I opened my eyes and saw nothing for the room was in darkness. I began to doubt that I had heard anything at all. Perhaps it had been a bad dream. Then I heard the clash of arms. I grabbed my sword and ran for the door. As I opened it a huge axe came in my direction. It was wielded by a bearded giant. I threw myself backwards to avoid having my head split open. I landed on the floor and felt myself winded. Behind the giant I saw a battle was going on outside our doors. I had to roll to the side as the axe came down again. I had to take charge and end this. I dived forward and my sword ripped into his kneecap, just below his leather byrnie. As he stepped back on his good leg I jumped to my feet and thrust the sword into his throat. He had no metal there and he collapsed in a heap.

  "Edward! Watch the Empress!"

  Guy was behind me. He had his sword in his hand but, like me, he was just in his gambeson. "I hoped they might have given up."

  "No such luck. Ready?"

  "Aye ready."

  We leapt from the door. As far as I could see the men who were attacking us had no mail. That did not help us for neither did we. However they were not skilled swordsmen and I hoped that we could take advantage of that. It was a large band which had invaded our camp and sheer weight of numbers meant that some had got through our men at arms. A huddle of seven came hurtling towards the two of us. Three were thrown to the ground by arrows sent into their backs. I stepped forward and swung my sword in a wide sweep. I held my hand before me and, as my sword ripped into the shoulder of one warrior I managed to grab hold of the shaft of the spear which was heading for my eye. I continued to bring the sword around and it sliced through the top of the skull of the spearman. I retained hold of the spear and, flipping it the air, used it defensively in my left hand as some protection from that side.

  More men had broken through and, although my archers were felling as many as they could we were in danger of being overwhelmed. I heard a roar of anger behind as I threw the spear left handed at an advancing man wield an axe. At the same time I swung my sword at head height to keep the others at bay. Guy and I were back to back. Suddenly the three Swabians came hurtling from the door of the hunting lodge. They had their mighty swords in two hands and they charged so quickly that we were in danger of being knocked over by our allies. As the axe man looked in terror at the three Swabians I darted forward beneath his axe and gutted him.

  Guy and I followed the three swordsmen as they drove the terrified assassins down the hill towards the river. Our task was easy. We swung our swords and hacked at any who were wounded by the wild charge of the Empress' protectors. By the time we reached the river the hillside was cleared. It took the Swabians some time to return by which time we had made sure that there was no further danger to the Empress. Seven of the German men at arms had paid the price of defending the Empress with their lives. I had lost two more men. Wilfred the man at arms and Grant the archer were gone. Both had died in the first assault. We had one prisoner. He would not last until morning. Guy's sword had ripped across his stomach and those wounds were always fatal.

  "Wulfric, see to our wounded. Brian, make sure the island is secure."

  When the Swabians returned we had them question the man. They were not gentle. They spoke in German and I understood not a word. Finally Rolf nodded, took his sword and took the man's head.

  "He asked for a quick death in return for information." He pointed to the dead, "They were hired by a Frenchman. He did not know who paid but I am guessing Louis. They were sent for on the same day you reached Nancy. There must be a spy or agent in the town."

  When Wulfric and Brian returned they had a puzzled look on their faces. "There are no wounded and the German Sergeant is missing."

  Rolf nodded, "I thought there was something suspicious about him. He must have been Lothar and Konrad's man."

  I wiped my sword on the tunic of one of the dead. "The sooner we reach Worms the better. We cannot afford to lose any more of our men."

  There were few coins on the men. I suspect they would have been given half first and would receive the balance on fulfilment of their contract. This was a harsh world of politics into which we had stumbled.

  I went down to the river to wash the blood from me and my sword. I heard a noise behind me and I whipped my sword around. It was the Empress Matilda. Her eyes widened when she saw the sword. I lowered the blade, "I am sorry, my lady. You should not be out alone. It is not safe."

  She walked close to me and put her hands on mine. She reached up and kissed me gently on the lips, "I am safe when I am with you, Baron Alfraed of Norton. You have saved my life over and over on this journey. When you raced out to fight these wild animals I thought I had lost you and I would have no protector. Keep yourself safe, my English knight. I know now that our destinies are intertwined."

  Guy suddenly appeared with his sword in his hand, "Thank God! I thought one of them had managed to return and abduct her."

  She turned and smiled at him as though no words had passed between us. "I needed to bathe my face and cool it down. Thank you for your concern, Sir Guy. I am lucky to have such noble knights to protect me."

  When we finally saw the towers of Worms, in the distance, I was relieved beyond words. We became more relaxed once we knew we were close to this centre of Imperial power and took off our mail. Our horses were beginning to suffer. We had travelled hundreds of miles and even a good horse like Scout could not continue to travel each day with a mailed warrior on his back. It also felt good to be riding without helmets and let the fresh air blow through our hair. The journey had been fraught. I had known it would be a hard task but I had had no concept of the twists and turns the road would take. What I did know, as we rode through the huge gates of the town, was that Matilda, Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, was someone for whom I would lay down my life. When I had raced from the hunting lodge on the Lauter, half dressed and barely armed, I had expected to die. That told me much about my feelings for Matilda for I would have done so gladly.

  Gottfried spurred his horse on to warn the Emperor that his wife was coming. We saw the crowds gathering in the distance. Guy was quite amusing and, now that the journey was almost done, he entertained us with some stories of his cousins when they were younger. The three of us were laughing as we approached the first of the crowds. Matilda waved cheerfully to them.

  As she did so I spoke to Guy on her other side. "I envy you, Sir Guy. You grew up with young cousins. I had old warriors to play with. They were good tutors and stalwart warriors but there was little laughing and joking."

  Matilda turned to me and, putting her hand on mine said, "And no mother too. You had a hard upbringing."

  I laughed, "And yet, like Sir Guy, I appear to have survived." She laughed too but, as I looked up I saw her husband, the Emperor for the first time and his face was dark with anger. I wondered what he had read into the Empress' harmless gesture. The anger was replaced by a smile as we neared them. We waited outside the gates whilst they were reunited and then the Emperor, on his white charger, led her into the palace. We were left to our own devices. I felt a little lost. Did we just turn around and head back to Caen? I did not understand the protocol involved. Rolf laughed when he saw my puzzled expression. "Come, Englishman, we have our own quarters here for you and your men. This may not be Paris, London or Caen but we will be comfortable here. We rode through the gates. The Swabians appeared to be well known but we were the focus of attention and all stared at us.

  The stables were enormous, clean and well equipped and I knew that our mo
unts would be well looked after. Due to the deaths and our success we now had plenty of spare mounts. The squires would be kept busy. I made sure the men at arms were taken care of in the old warrior hall. It looked like it had not changed since the time of Charlemagne. Then Rolf led us by a back door into the palace. Compared with the Emperor's palace in Constantinople this was just a large castle and it was barely bigger than Caen. The six of us would share a room whilst our squires would have to make do with the servant's quarters. Harold was still impressed. He shrugged when he saw where he would sleep, "When you have slept for most of your life in the green sward then a roof is a luxury. I am content, Baron."

  Once we had washed and changed into more comfortable clothes I asked Guy and Rolf for they seemed to know more than I did, "What happens now? Do we eat and then return to Caen tomorrow? We have done as we were asked."

  Rolf said, "We are based here anyway but I would imagine that there will be a feast and then the Emperor will want to reward you."

  "Are you certain?"

  He shrugged, "It is normal and he sometimes likes cavalry games."

  "Cavalry games?"

  "Aye knights fight with blunted weapons watched by the King's heralds. The victor normally gets a prize." He held up a beautifully decorated dagger. "I won one and received this. These are precious stones upon the hilt."

  Edward and Guy nodded, "I have heard of these. My uncle, the Count, has spoken of holding one when more peaceful times descend upon us."

  "When I served in the borders some of the Normans there liked them. They are good for training." Rolf was a well travelled knight.

  "How do they work then?"

  "You fight in conroi. There might be six or seven different conroi. When the herald thinks you would have been wounded then you leave the mêlée. The last man standing normally wins although if you fight bravely enough then you are rewarded too."

  I shook my head, "It sounds like the gladiatorial games from ancient Rome."

  "No, my friend, they were to the death. You receive bruises only and damage to your reputation; that is all. I will try to discover what is happening. If there is nothing then we will explore the town. There are some interesting sights."

  While he was away Edward and I sought our men. We left Guy polishing his sword. He hoped to catch the eye of the Emperor. He was a landless knight who could not even afford a squire. He had to impress where he could. "Keep yourselves amused and out of trouble."

  Wulfric laughed, "Easier said than done, Baron."

  Edward nodded, "If idle hands need something to do then paint your shields blue. The Baron and I have decided we shall all look the same. People will know, on the field, that we are Norton!"

  They liked the idea and we left them discussing how to make the paint that they would need. Edward chuckled, "That is better than having them spending their coins in the taverns and getting into fights with the locals."

  "Would they do that, Edward?"

  "They would not mean to but they are Englishmen and, as such, think they are worth ten of any foreigner." He suddenly realised what he had said, "Sorry, Baron, I meant no offence."

  It was my turn to laugh, "I wouldn't worry. I think of myself as English rather than Greek. We had better take some coins with us in case we have the chance to buy a surcoat or two."

  "Is that likely, my lord?"

  "It depends if there is a tailor here who wishes to earn money. But we will wait until we discover what Rolf has to say. It may be that we leave the day after tomorrow."

  Even as I said it I knew that I did not want to leave. The Empress Matilda held a fascination for me. I suddenly felt guilty as I thought of Adela, back in Stockton. She had given me a lucky charm and obviously thought much of me and I had not even thought about her once. This was the first time and that was only because I thought of my castle.

  While we waited for Rolf's return we explored the public areas of the castle. There were many rooms forbidden to us. Stern faced guards moved poleaxes across the doors. We were guests, just about, but I suspected that, in the Emperor's eyes, we were not welcome guests. By the time we had explored what we could Rolf was back and we met him in our room where Guy had finished his polishing.

  He looked at me askance before saying, "There is to be a feast tomorrow and then three days later a tourney to celebrate the return of the Empress. He wishes you three to participate as a conroi."

  "But I have never even seen one."

  Rolf laughed, "Do not worry, my English friend, I have seen you fight. You and your companions are more than up to it. Now let me show you Worms. It is an interesting place."

  As he led us through the ancient town he regaled us with stories. He had been a mercenary; indeed he was still one for the Emperor used the three Swabians as his most trusted bodyguards. He had travelled and fought throughout Europe. No wonder poison had been the method the Teutonic Knights had chosen. When we were in the market place I asked, "Are there tailors here who could make us surcoats such as the ones you wear?"

  "Of course! There is a man just down one of the alleys here. He is expensive but they are fine garments."

  "So long as they fit then I am happy."

  Guy said, "I will go with Gottfried and Carl. They have promised to take me to taste some of the finest beer in the world." He shrugged, "Why drink beer when you can have wine? Still I will go with them. It would be rude not to."

  The tailor proved most accommodating. He apologised for his lack of variety. "I only have two blues, my lord. I can send for more if you wish."

  "I am afraid we are only here for a short time. Will you be able to make them in such a short time?"

  "I can put aside my other work for the knight who saved the Empress but it will cost you, Baron."

  "If they are ready in time and fit then you will be paid their worth."

  "A man can ask no more. How many would you require?"

  I took a deep breath. "At least five and, if you could manage it then ten."

  He almost took a step back. "Sir, I could do that but I would have no more stock left in that blue." I took out one of the gold pieces with the face of Count Charles of Flanders. I said nothing but I twirled it before him. "I will have five ready for tomorrow and the rest three days later."

  "One more thing. I wish two blue stars over the heart. They need not be the same blue."

  "That can be arranged, sir. I shall hire two seamstresses."

  I flipped him the coin. "Then we have a deal."

  "Yes sir. Shall I measure you or your other knight first?"

  I shrugged, "It matters not but let Edward go first. The others are his size."

  When they disappeared into the back room Rolf said, "It is good we are alone. What I have to say to you is for your ears only."

  "You sound serious."

  "I am. I like you Englishman. You are honest, forthright and brave. More than that I can see that your men would follow you to hell and back. You are a leader." He lowered his voice, "The Emperor suspects that you and the Empress have, how should I say, become close."

  "You mean…" He nodded, "But that is ridiculous!"

  "I know but he is the Emperor. All that I am saying is be more circumspect around her and watch your back in the tourney."

  "That is easy. I will not participate."

  "I am afraid that would make matters even worse. It would be considered an insult to the Emperor." He saw my crestfallen face. "I am sorry, my friend. My brothers and I will be in the tourney and we will do all that we can to protect you."

  "It is not me I worry about but Guy and Edward. They have done nothing wrong."

  "And that is another reason I like you; you are honest and protect those who serve you."

  "That is the way I was brought up. My father's men were oathsworn."

  Rolf smiled, "Oathsworn. I have not heard that word for many years. I like the idea."

  Edward came out, "He's ready for you, sir!"

  Rolf just nodded to me as I entered the t
iring booth. He was on our side. He would say no more and it would be up to me to speak to my men.

  Chapter 5

  Although I had decided to tell my men of the dangers we might face that night they were in no condition to hear my words. Even Harold and Alan had been into the town to sample some of their beer. They were reeling as they fell into their beds. I had spoken with Edward on the way back to the castle and told him.

  "That's the trouble with women sir, they don't mix with war. And don't worry. You did nothing wrong. It must have been good for her to have someone she could speak to in her own language. The sooner we are out of here the better."

  I nodded and added, gloomily, "You realise we shall have to go back the way we came. We cannot go north; we would have to pass through Flanders."

  He laughed, "Yes Baron but, to be honest we can get back a lot quicker. We have spare horses and we don't need to go sedately. We can cut the journey in half and we know where to avoid now, don't we?"

  He was right and his positive attitude made me feel better. I prepared for this feast I would have to attend. I was not looking forward to it. I had made sure that I had one decent tunic. It was from Constantinople. Not only was it beautifully made, it was extremely light. I could not get used to the lack of bathing here in the west. I had Harold fetch me a large bowl of hot water and I bathed from head to foot. I still had some of the oils I had brought from the east and I oiled my body with them. I could, at least, smell civilised for a while.

  We were told to be on time for the feast. The two squires were invited. Poor Guy felt bad about not having one. I could never afford one Baron but seeing Harold and Alan makes me envious."