by David Scoles
“Heal well, then.”
“And you? Do you travel onward to Calais?”
Radu shook his head. “I am not one for sieges. Months of inactivity in a camp would chafe worse than wet leather.” Gwilm laughed and Radu joined him. “Sanjelio and his men ride for the Low Countries and I will join them briefly. The wars in those lands are constant enough to yield consistent gold.”
“You do not return home? Have you not a birthright to claim there?” A brief look of sadness passed over Radu's face.
“Word came one day to my father’s ear about the vicious mercenary Radu the Black. How quickly my father’s former words of scorn about the son who had run away became words of praise! I wonder if my brother ever knew? I grew jealous. I wished that I could be more like him and that my father would praise me too. Then, one day, Radu returned, but he was no longer my brother, but the Nachzehrer and he… killed my mother.” Gwilym and Radu watched the lines of men in silence for a moment, then Radu continued.
“Shortly after, I left Transylvania and I was mistaken for my brother. So alike were we in appearance, but so far apart in reputation! I reveled in the mantle of a dangerous mercenary, but as time went on I began to learn more of the man I pretended to be. It was only after walking so far in his boots that I felt myself slipping closer and closer to a precipice from which I might not have pulled back from.”
“Radu the Black would not have saved an innocent minstrel and tavern girl in Caen, and yet he did,” Gwilym said firmly. “You saved us.”
“Perhaps it was you who helped save me as well, my friend.” Radu said solemnly. Gwilym shook his head in embarrassment and Radu guffawed.
“In any case, perhaps someday I shall return to Transylvania, but not yet. There is more to that story than I have shared with you, but perhaps another time I will tell it.”
“Oh?” Gwilym looked intrigued and Radu seemed to wrestle with a thought.
“You could come with me if you wish. You are an amusing fellow to have about.”
“Ah, well,” Gwilym sputtered in surprise. “I could not. Such dangers are not the domain of a poet and bard, you know. Before I reach Cardiff, I must complete several stanzas to properly describe my heroism during the battle to the sweet ladies who no doubt weep for my return daily.”
“Of course,” Radu replied wryly, but he looked disappointed. “I bid you fair journey then, Dafydd ap Gwilym of Wales.” Radu bowed his head in a show of respect.
“And I you, Radu the Black, Prince Mircea of Transylvania.” Radu snorted and put his heels into his horse. The beast took off at a gallop and Gwilym watched Radu's retreating back, his feelings mixed. Wherever the road takes him…
“There are some things in life that are certain, Master Gwilym.” Gwilym looked down at a man who marched in the line beside him.
“Master Arthek? You live!” The Cornishman smiled a gapped toothed smile.
“Aye, that’s a certainty. So is dying though. So is fighting and sometimes winning and sometimes losing. But that road right there that one is riding down?” He pointed at Radu’s retreating back. “Nothing certain about it in the least! Aye, that's not an old man’s road nor a noble's either, Master Gwilym.”
Gwilym stopped his horse and the line of men continued on past him. He watched Radu get further and further away. Arthek paused and looked behind him to see what had become of the minstrel.
“Are ye coming along, Master Gwilym?” Gwilym didn’t respond for a moment. The cloth-covered lute on his back was whispering a soft melody into his mind. The saber belted at his hip was murmuring a harsh counterpoint. Somehow the two blended well together.
“Forgive me, Master Arthek, but I fear life has one more certainty.” Gwilym grinned. “That I should be able to finish those stanzas far easier with a bottle of wine from the Low Countries. Say a prayer to Saint John the Baptist for me when you reach Calais!”
“What is he Patron of, Master?” Arthek asked curiously.
“I cannot remember!”
Arthek laughed and Gwilym put his heels into his new horse and set off at a gallop. Arthek watched a while as Gwilym's form grew smaller until it joined up with the distant figure of the mercenary. Then the distant figures of Dafydd ap Gwilym and Radu the Black set off together until finally they disappeared.
The End
Glossary of Names
Arthek: a Cornish archer and fletcher.
The Barbat: former voivode of Transylvania.
Casimir the Great: King of Poland.
Charles, King of the Romans: eldest son of John the Blind. Distant from his father, but worries about his motives for joining with King Philip of France against the English.
Sir Cobham the Elder: a knight of some fifty years who is a highly accomplished knight of King Edward. He hopes for his son to make a good account of himself in battle.
Sir Cobham the Younger: oldest son of the elder Sir Cobham who serves in the retinue of Prince Edward. He fears his father shall learn of his great debts and disown him.
Dafydd ap Gwilym: a 15 year old Welsh bard who accompanies Edward, The Black Prince of Wales to France as his personal minstrel. He hopes to witness great acts of chivalry and adventure in order to write an epic poem.
The Duke of Alencon: younger brother of King Philip Valois.
Eberhard of Schleswig-Holstein: a mercenary leader.
Edward Plantagenet: King of England, Wales and Ireland. He has invaded France to advance his claim to the French throne.
Edward, Prince of Wales: Oldest son of Edward III, also known as the Black Prince for the armor he wears. Recently knighted and determined to prove his worth to his father.
Emayn: an ancient heretic living deep in the French woods.
Esteban of Castile: a former lackey of the Nachzehrer, he is now a highwayman robbing anyone who travels close to Swanne Hill.
The Franciscan: a martial monk from the Low Countries. A violent drunk and sometime mercenary, he loves to fight and punish the wicked with his mace he calls ‘Baptizer.’
Gerwyn and Madog: Welsh spearmen brothers.
Gobin Agace: a Savoyard facilitator of goods and services. A former acquaintance of Radu the Black and a man who always keeps an eye out for profitable bounties.
Godemar du Fay: an experienced French general who seeks to entrap the English at the ford of Blanchetaque.
Joanna of Flanders: widow of John of Montfort. She has donned armor and joined with Edward III to fight for her son’s claim to the duchy of Brittany.
Sir John Chandos: a young knight who serves Prince Edward. He is of common birth, but is extremely capable.
John the Blind: King of Bohemia. His only desire is to elevate his son to Holy Roman Emperor and make him the most powerful monarch in Europe no matter the cost. Goes into battle with the aid of two knights he calls his Left’ and ‘Right.’
John of Montfort: Duke of Brittany and a collector of secrets. In conflict with the Count of Blois for the duchy of Brittany.
Hugo the Long: a mercenary of Eastern Europe who once served the Nachzehrer. Escaped death by hanging by pretending to be dead, then murdering his captors.
Princess Joan: youngest daughter of Edward III. Once gifted Dafydd ap Gwilym a beautiful lute.
Johannas Abelard, Captain of the Red Swords: also known as Horseslayer, he is the leader of a German mercenary company in France. He and Radu the Black are old enemies.
Kveta: Vlach woman, mother of Mircea.
Marat: Turkish noblewoman and mother or Radu. Former prisoner of the Barbat.
Marguerite of Caen: the daughter of an Innkeeper, she is an acquaintance of Dafydd ap Gwilym.
Prince Mircea: second son of Tihomir and heir.
The Nachzehrer: a mysterious mercenary who terrorizes Europe.
Philip Valois: King of France and sworn enemy of Edward Plantagenet. Determined to drive the English from his land and destroy King Edward.
Radu the Black: a 19 year old mercenary from Transylvania. He pursues anot
her mercenary known as the Nachzehrer for personal reasons.
Raoul of Brienne, the Compte d’Eu: Constable of France and noble master of the city of Caen during the Siege of 1346. Once a very rich man, but now deeply in debt to King Philip.
Sir Richard Talbot: One of Edward III’s most trusted knights, he is vulgar and outspoken, but determined to find success for England against the French.
Sir Robert Bourchier: Baron of Bourchier and chancellor serving under Prince Edward. A gruff, stout man who dislikes the French and impiety.
Taziz the Mamluk: leader of the Mamluk forces fighting in France. He seeks vast amounts of gold to restore the Amirs of Ayyubid to power in Egypt.
Sir Thomas Boeth: a private, yet intimidating knight who serves the Earl of Northampton.
Sir Thomas Holland: Earl of Kent who serves directly under Prince Edward. A serious and taciturn man.
Tihomir: Voivode or Prince of Transylvania. Cuman warlord, father of Radu and Prince Mircea.
Vladimir Kessenovich: a Cossack mercenary who takes advantage of the chaos during the Siege of Caen to murder and steal. Wields an heirloom saber of great quality.
Sir Walter Reed: a minor knight in service to Prince Edward. He loves to tease Sir Richard Cobham the Younger and hates many of the elder knights in service to the King.
William Bohun, Earl of Northampton: One of King Edward’s most trusted vassals. An extremely rich lord with vast estates in England, Wales, Ireland and France.
Wilhelm, the Bishop of Bayeaux: a former mercenary turned Bishop who holds the siege against the English in Caen.
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