City of Fiends

by Michael Jecks

  Simon and Baldwin were at the rear of the group as the main column began to gallop, and at the first shriek of pain, Baldwin bellowed and pointed to a thinner part of the hedge at the side. He cantered to it, and leaped through, Simon close behind him, Edgar and Sir Richard side-by-side behind, and found himself in a pasture. There, ahead, he saw the trees, and in the midst of them were a number of men.

  ‘Quick!’ he roared, and thundered straight at them. Somehow three others had joined them in their diversion, and now they all spread out into a loose line as they crossed the field, hurling clods of earth and grass into the air as they went.

  For Baldwin, any nerves had fled as soon as the first arrow was loosed. After that he knew only rage that felons, no matter whom, should dare to attack him and his companions. He felt the wind in his hair, the tug and snatch of the cloak at his throat, the reckless abandon of his horse, the weight of the sword in his fist, and let the savage glee of warfare take him. Bent low over his horse’s neck, sword held high, he raced towards the nearest man.

  The ambushers were concentrating too hard on their victims in the lane to notice him, and when they did, it was already too late. Baldwin’s first blow hit an archer in the middle of his breast, and as he fell from Baldwin’s sword, he saw Simon had killed another, while Sir Richard was bellowing and cursing, whirling with his beast as a man tried to flee his fury. Then Baldwin and Edgar were in the trees and for a moment it was a close thing. Baldwin’s blade seemed to be alight with a cold blue flame as he stabbed a man, then hacked at another. An arrow thrummed past his ear, too close, but then Edgar had the bowman with a slash to the throat, and he fell in a spray of blood. Another was about to fire at Simon with his crossbow, but Wolf seemed taken with the same frenzy as his master, and ran in low, biting his legs. The man fell, and Wolf towered over him, his snarling mouth at the man’s throat, and he squealed in terror until Simon came and slew him.

  It had been a quick action, but already the men from the road were pouring into the woods, and of the twelve or more of those who had lain in wait, only two were still living. The other side of the woods was not so secure. The enemy was in there, and arrows whistled and thumped into the trees about them as they rallied.

  Baldwin and Edgar rode on until they could see a break in the trees, and there they halted. A few arrows whacked into the trees nearby, but there were too many twigs for an archer to aim with accuracy. A twig could throw a clothyard off by feet even at short range.

  ‘Where is the Sheriff?’ Baldwin bellowed, trying to bring some order to the madness about him. ‘To me! Where is the Sheriff?’

  There was no sign of him in the road. A few men were still struggling together, but even as Baldwin stared, he saw Sir Charles’s men running up with knives, and soon all the members of the posse which had charged into the ambush with Sir James were dead. Farther back down the lane, Baldwin saw the remains of the column the Sheriff had led from Exeter so light-heartedly earlier that day. They had retreated, and now streamed back away from the fight. A few, perhaps five or six, stood watching from the top of the road at the corner. Apart from them, and Baldwin’s small team, the Sheriff’s entire column was dead or had fled.

  ‘He is here, enjoying my hospitality, Sir Baldwin,’ Sir Charles called, and Baldwin peered through the trees. ‘Would you like to join him?’

  ‘Sir Charles? Is that you?’

  ‘Aye. It is good to see you again, my friend, but I would have wished it were under better circumstances’.’

  ‘I agree with that,’ Baldwin said. He jerked his head and he and Edgar rode back to where Simon and Sir Richard stood still on their horses. The other three were also still there waiting, and Baldwin gestured to one, then pointed up towards the remaining men, who still waited nervously at the top of the lane at the corner. ‘Go to them and tell them to charge when they hear us begin to fight,’ he whispered. The man nodded and galloped away.

  ‘What is that, Sir Baldwin? Seeking assistance? There is no one near here. I conducted my spying with the greatest of care, I assure you,’ Sir Charles called.

  Baldwin motioned now to Edgar, flattened his palm and lowered it in dumb sign. Edgar nodded, and was about to drop from his horse when Sir Charles laughed.

  ‘Do ask Edgar to stay there, Sir Baldwin. I can see you both, and I would so hate to have to fire this crossbow at him before he has had a chance to leap upon me.’

  ‘Greatly though I enjoy our conversation, I think I must leave you,’ Baldwin said, peering through the screen of leaves to see the man.

  ‘Please don’t do that. I would be very sorry to have to hurt this fellow any more,’ Sir Charles called back, and there was an edge to his voice as he spoke.

  ‘Who?’ Baldwin said.

  ‘It… It’s me, Sir Baldwin,’ Sir James de Cockington called.

  ‘Is that the Sheriff?’ Sir Richard bawled.

  ‘Yes, it is me.’

  ‘Aye, right. Then you’ll know that we don’t tend to suffer felons to barter with a man’s life, eh?’ he yelled.

  ‘That has been the rule, I know, but there are times—’

  ‘I am a King’s Officer. I’m the Coroner for Lifton, the King’s manor. I am very sorry, but I won’t negotiate with a man holding a blade to a Sheriff’s neck.’

  Sir Charles spoke again with an oily sweetness. ‘Sir Richard, I appreciate your candour. So, would you prefer me to slit his throat now?’

  ‘Aye. Do that and we’ll discuss matters when I have you tied and ready for the rope.’

  There was silence for a moment, and then, ‘If you mean to provoke me, you won’t succeed.’

  ‘No? Good,’ Sir Richard said. He glanced at the others about him. ‘This fellow will not allow the Sheriff to survive. The body would be too much baggage to carry with him. So he’ll kill Sir James as soon as he may. Nor will he release him willingly. If we negotiate, he will look for advantage…’

  ‘I want you to surrender your arms to me and then you can ride away. I will take the good Sheriff with me as far as the border with Somerset, and then I give you my word I will release him.’

  Sir Richard smiled grimly. ‘In a hog’s arse he will! That whoreson will kill Sheriff James as soon as he may. If we throw down our weapons, he’ll kill us. Even if he let us ride off, he’d use our weaponry on others. We can’t allow him to escape.’

  Baldwin looked from him to Edgar, who nodded agreement. He glanced at Simon.

  Simon was troubled, but he gave his assent. ‘We both know Sir Charles, Baldwin. He’s bold, resourceful and determined. I can only think of the bodies by the roadside all the way back to the Clyst. And he has killed the Bishop and despoiled the Bishop’s manors as far as Petreshayes. No, we cannot allow him to escape.’

  ‘Very well,’ Baldwin muttered. He raised his voice again. ‘What do you wish us to do, then?’

  ‘Throw all your weapons here into the roadway. Then you may mount and ride away.’

  ‘You expect us to throw away all means of defence?’ Baldwin laughed. He looked at Simon and Sir Richard, and they nodded and began to sidle away.

  ‘You can remain here and haggle if you prefer. I would like to return home, however.’

  ‘Where is your home now?’ Baldwin asked.

  ‘I live far from here,’ the response came. ‘I won’t be visiting again for some time. Now, your weapons?’

  ‘Wait,’ Baldwin said. He turned to the others. ‘DISMOUNT!’ he shouted, but then added: ‘Slowly, and keep your weapons ready!’

  Louder again, he said, ‘WE ARE COMING!’

  ‘We’ll hold our fire,’ Sir Charles said.

  ‘Sir Baldwin, don’t surrender!’

  It was the Sheriff. His tone of anguished trepidation was enough to incite in Baldwin’s heart a sudden and unexpected sympathy for the man. ‘Don’t hurt him, Sir Charles. You know I cannot allow you to escape if you harm him.’

  ‘Come and throw down your weapons.’

  Baldwin glanced about him. Hi
s companions were spread out, but he was uneasily certain that the men with Sir Charles would have each of them marked, and they would be ready with their bows, preparing to fire as soon as the posse came closer.

  ‘Come, my friends,’ Baldwin said.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Venn Ottery

  Sir Charles lay with his chin in the dirt, staring through the stems of a blackthorn hedge at the men who slowly approached. This was not how he wanted to finish his ride. It was a great shame that Sir Baldwin and Simon should have been sent after him, but there was nothing to be done about it now. Two former travelling companions were now his enemies, and that was an end to it.

  ‘Stop there,’ he shouted when the men were near the road. ‘Throw your weapons into the roadway. All of them.’

  He had over twenty men still. Five were injured and out of the fight, two were scratched and keen to kill those who had hurt them, and three lay in the road. In compensation, there were eight of the men from Sir Baldwin’s column lying dead, and the Sheriff was here with him, sitting quietly with a knife’s point resting under his chin. He was not moving, but watched the posse approach with a terrible certainty. He knew that Sir Charles could not allow any of them to escape.

  Sir Charles waited until the men were almost at the hedge, and then turned to issue the command to kill them.

  At the same time, the Sheriff knocked his hand away and sprang up. ‘Sir Baldwin, beware! It’s a trap – they will kill you too!’

  ‘Get down!’ Sir Charles roared, and would have opened him from gut to gizzard, but before he could, two arrows were loosed into Sir James de Cockington’s back, and exploded through his chest and belly. He coughed, and blood dribbled from his chin as he fell to his knees, staring at the two barbed points, before toppling to the ground. Sir Charles clenched his fist, striking Sir James’s body three times in impotent rage, and then swore viciously and continually as the arrows and quarrels flew over his head, but it was all to no use. The men with Sir Baldwin were in the road, concealed behind the carts that still littered the place.

  There had never been a situation in which Sir Charles had felt at such a loss. Even while abroad he had always known where his escape could be effected. Today, no such avenue occurred to him. His horses were at the rear of the pasture with Ulric, while down there in the roadway with the carts were his winnings. The treasures he had accumulated from the episcopal manors were packed upon them. He could escape, perhaps, but only at the cost of losing all he had gained.

  He had no choice. Giving an incoherent roar, he leaped down into the road himself, bellowing to his men to follow him. There was a man before him, and he swung his sword, only to have it clash with Sir Richard’s, then it was knocked away, and he and Sir Richard circled warily. He could hear crashing and shouting, screams of agony, and a terrified man’s last shrill scream, before he concentrated utterly on Sir Richard. There was a moment of serenity, almost, and then he drew his sword up and into the St George guard, and waited, watching.

  Sir Richard launched himself forward, and Sir Charles could have laughed at the clumsy attempt. This fight would be quick, then, with so old and portly an opponent. He turned fluidly and knocked the sword aside with ease, only to find that it wasn’t there. Sir Richard had reversed his manoeuvre at the last moment, and Sir Charles almost spitted himself on the up-turned point.

  It was a caution. A knight as old as Sir Richard must surely have had the expertise to survive many dangerous encounters. Sir Charles warily tested his parrying with his point, without exposing himself too greatly, and then lunged. His blade was almost at Sir Richard’s belly, when his sword was effortlessly flicked from its path, and Sir Richard’s point came straight for his throat.

  He withdrew again. This opponent was surprisingly competent, he thought, and as he did so, he heard a sound that sent a shaft of ice into his bowels. A horn, and he could feel the ground rumble beneath his feet. Glancing up the lane, he saw seven more horsemen pounding towards him and his men.

  ‘’Ware the men!’ he bawled, but his men were not trained warriors. They were competent in a melee, or against peasants, when armed with war hammers and axes, but they had not been trained to stand in line with lances fixed against a foe this deadly. One dropped his weapon, and was instantly slain by his opponent, a second wailed, turned, and fled. He was cut down by Sir Richard as he passed, and then the horses slammed into the men remaining, their breasts used as rams to batter at the men, while blows were rained down upon them. Men were crushed against each other, had their skulls broken by axes, were stabbed and hacked at with swords and knives, and in only a few moments, ten were dead, another seven wounded, and being forced back while the horses herded them into the edge of the roadway.

  ‘Surrender!’ Sir Richard thundered.

  ‘Go swyve a sow,’ Sir Charles responded. ‘Your father did.’

  Baldwin approached, his sword bloody, a great rent across the front of his tunic. ‘Sir Charles, surrender or we will have to kill you. I would not do that, for memory of the times we enjoyed in your company.’

  ‘I will not surrender. What, give up now so I can hang from a tree like a common churl?’

  ‘The city of Exeter will give you a good hearing. You need not die here.’

  ‘I will not submit to a pair of rural knights with the dregs of Exeter to back them.’

  ‘Then guard yourself,’ Baldwin said.

  Sir Richard interrupted him as he raised his sword. ‘Sir Baldwin, he is mine. I would not have you kill a friend. Leave him to me.’

  ‘Sir Richard, you have a most dangerous opponent.’

  ‘Sir Baldwin, I watched this man’s fellows rape a poor woman yesterday. My wife was killed by a faithless, dishonoured coward and as I killed him, so shall I kill this. Without aid.’

  Baldwin hesitated, but the cold rage in Sir Richard’s eye was impossible to ignore. ‘Very well,’ he conceded, and withdrew.

  De Coyntes’ House

  It was already beginning to edge towards twilight when Bydaud de Coyntes made his way along the street towards the alley and his home.

  He had a strange feeling as he approached them. A kind of reluctance he had never known before. It was almost as though he was fearful that there might be another body outside the house when he reached it. Nonsense, of course, but even so, he could hardly help himself from looking about him, his eyes going straight to the piles of rubbish that lay against the wall of the houses in the street, hoping not to see any limbs or a face staring back at him.

  He was tired today. Perhaps it was the effect of two broken nights’ sleep in the last few days, but he thought it was more than just that. There was a new nervousness about him at work. The excitement of new opportunities.

  It was yesterday that the first of the merchants had come to him, a shifty-looking man in his late fifties with a shock of unruly white hair beneath his cap, and narrow, keen eyes that moved about the tiny shop like a bird’s looking for a morsel on which to pounce.

  ‘We have been reconsidering some of the city investments and other works,’ the man had said without preamble.

  ‘Yes, sir?’ Bydaud had replied.

  This was no ordinary merchant entering to have a word; it was a senior man from the city, one of the four stewards, and with his patronage a poor merchant like Bydaud could hope to make a much better living.

  ‘We do not like what we have heard about Henry Paffard. There is no place in the city for a man who has confessed to murdering women, and no place for him to share in decisions about the future direction of the city. If you were to be asked, it may be possible that you could join the Freedom of the City in his place.’

  ‘I would be honoured.’

  ‘I hope so. Not many cities would consider bringing in foreigners, but we are a more progressive city, I like to think.’

  He had continued to outline some projects already underway, and Bydaud was keen to help with each. He had the contacts with France and the Low Countries whi
ch the city needed, and in a short time all was agreed. The steward left him and said he would be back as soon as he had discussed the matter with his companions in the council.

  As good as his word, he had arrived this very afternoon, and in a short while, Bydaud and he had agreed their contract. Bydaud knew he would make a little less money on these voyages than he would usually, but he was also convinced that the prestige would be worth it.

  ‘What of Henry?’ he asked at one point.

  The steward looked at him appraisingly. ‘You prefer us to take this business back to him?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Good. Then that is all.’

  For the first time, Bydaud thought his decision to come here to Exeter was about to pay off. The money which this deal would bring in would help, but it was the idea of additional business that attracted his attention. There was potential to make much more in the longer term. Especially just now. The city was going through a period of expansion, with the new cathedral building and renovations to the city walls, and these men were offering him a percentage of all that effort. With luck, in a year or two he would be a member of the Freedom himself, every bit as important as Paffard ever had been.

  It was a glorious future.

  Venn Ottery

  ‘Sir Richard, for a fat man you can move swiftly,’ Sir Charles panted. His eyes were fixed on Sir Richard’s. To fight a man, it was usually necessary to watch his movements. Sir Richard’s legs hardly appeared to move at all, but his arms could dart about with blinding speed, and the sword’s point moved fastest of all, as Sir Charles knew. It was the eyes of the opponent that betrayed the assault.

  There! The blade slid towards him, and Sir Charles had seen the tiny narrowing of Sir Richard’s eye just before. To make certain, he waited a little, and then saw the eyes narrow again in the same way. That was his mark. That was Sir Richard’s giveaway sign. And that would be his doom.

  Sir Charles slid backwards, avoiding a cart’s wheel on his way and a dead man’s arm, allowing a hint of anxiety to tweak his eyes and brow. He retreated before that swift-moving blade, the cold, angry face of his opponent, until the little telltale narrowing came again, and this time Sir Charles whirled, wrenching his sword-hand up, blade pointing at the ground, knocking Sir Richard’s sword away, and then while Sir Richard’s belly and breast were exposed, he completed the manoeuvre, his blade arcing up to Sir Richard’s throat.