Kingmaker (The Anarchy Book 12)

by Griff Hosker

  "Aye Harold but the battle is not yet won. Have our wounded taken back to our camp. This is not over yet!"

  Chapter 16

  When I reached my lines I saw Dick and some of my men at arms gathered around a cloak covered form. They parted and I saw that it was Edgar. He opened his eyes and gave me a half smile, "A great victory lord." He winced as pain coursed through his body. "I go now to join Sir Edward and the others who had served you. It has been an honour to fight at your side. You truly are the greatest knight of the age." He smiled and his eyes closed.

  "Edgar!"

  Father Robert shook his head and made the sign of the cross, "He is gone lord. I gave him absolution. I know not how he hung on but hang on he did just to speak with you." He lifted Edgar's cloak and I saw a hole in his shoulder big enough for me to put my two hands in. The priest was right he should have been dead already.

  "He was a brave man."

  Dick waved his arm at the other bodies which lay covered by their cloaks. "Many were as brave."

  I looked up as Sir Harold and my other knights arrived, "A timely charge, Sir Harold."

  "But we did not win the day."

  "There were too few of you. Keep watch on the enemy while I assess the situation. Have my horse fetched."

  Sir Gilles said, "Would you have Edward?"

  I shook my head, "Rolf will be adequate. Have the dead taken close to the woods and then search the bodies of our enemies."

  Wulfric huffed and puffed his way up the hill. He saw Edgar's cloak and dropped to a knee. "I have lived too long, lord."

  "No you have not. He died well. I leave you in command." James trotted up with Rolf. "Dick, let us ride down to the road and see how Erre fared."

  As I mounted he said, "He was hard pressed but they did not force the road."

  "I will reward him and his men well."

  However as we headed down the slope towards the road my heart sank. There was a wall of bodies, mostly Danes. They surrounded my Varangians. My Frisians were busy pulling the Danish bodies to one side. Franck of Frisia turned to look as I reined in Rolf. "They died well lord. Your Varangians obeyed your orders and none passed. They made a great slaughter but there were too many of them. We stopped them despoiling their bodies, that was all."

  I looked and saw that Erre and his Varangians had fought beyond reason. They now lay dead in a circle of brothers. They had fought to the end. Erre had lost his left arm and yet his sword was still in his right. I knelt and, taking his sword from the body of the last Dane Erre had killed, laid his sword across his chest, "My father would have been proud of you as I am proud of you. You managed some peace at the end of your lives but you died as you lived, as warriors."

  I took the sword from the Scot who had killed Erre and stood. "We will make a barrow for them all on the morrow. For now take their bodies up the hill so that they may be guarded. I would not have carrion feast on their flesh."

  It was black night when I reached the ridge. We butchered the dead Scottish horses and ate. There was no joy in the food for we had all lost too many friends. It had been a hard-fought battle and it was not yet over. The light came from the slingers. Dick said, "Where is he that slew the first Dane?"

  A boy of ten summers stood, "It was I lord, Tom son of Watt."

  Dick handed him a war bow. "Then take this. It belonged to a fine archer. When we return home we will teach you how to use it."

  I remembered the stone which had slain the Dane who was about to kill me, "And who was it saved the Warlord?"

  They all pointed to a stocky boy of eleven summers. "It was Will son of Osbert."

  I handed him the Scottish sword, "Then take this in thanks. It was the sword which slew Erre. He was a great warrior. Use it in remembrance of a warrior who kept his oath."

  His eyes widened in joy, “Aye, lord!”

  I beckoned Aiden over. He smiled, "You wish us to discover the Scottish plans, lord?"

  I laughed, "Are you a seer now? Aye. I would know their intentions Do they stay or do they flee? If they flee then we will pursue."

  We had lost over thirty warriors. Not all were dead but the ten who were wounded would not be able to fight again soon. Dick and the rest of my knights sensed my despair. "We had a victory, lord. The Count of Hainaut aided us with his warnings. We fought off many times our number and they have left over two hundred dead on the field."

  Sir Harold nodded, "Aye and we saw many more wounded being helped from the field."

  "I know but this is a battle we should not have had to fight. Regardless of the outcome when this is over I ride to speak with King David. His whelp needs curbing. If the King of Scotland is still an ally of the Empress then he should control his wild son."

  Wulfric chewed on the bone before hurling it into the fire. He wiped his greasy hands on the damp grass and stood, "But what of the morrow? What do we do about the Scots?"

  "That depends upon Aiden's news. If they stand then we drive them from the field. We will use our mounted horsemen. His Danes are spent."

  Dick nodded, "Aye, I counted a hundred dead Danes on the field and others were wounded. Half of his horsemen were unhorsed or slain and there are only the galloglass warriors who might be rallied."

  I lay back and closed my eyes, "Then we wait for Aiden."

  It was in the dark of night when he and Edgar returned. "They stand, lord. There was much debate. His Danes wished to go home. The Scottish Prince said that they could but they would not be paid. Some of his men slipped away while the prince was talking. I think he will have little more than four hundred men left by dawn."

  "Then our task is simple. We dislodge them from the hill. I would have the fyrd and the slingers guard our dead and our camp. I would not risk the boys in an uphill attack. Dick, you and the archers will approach to bow range and rain arrows upon them. You have a wise enough head on your shoulders to choose the best target. I will take the horsemen to Bishop Middleham and approach from the west. It is flatter there and we will not be at such a disadvantage. If we can we will charge and dislodge them from their ridge. Aiden and Leopold of Durstein, you will stay here with the wounded and the boys. I would have you issue them spare shields and spears."

  Leopold's arm was in a sling and he was in pain from his wound but he grinned, "You wish them to think we have more men that we do."

  Shrugging I said, "It cannot hurt and besides it may deter the Scots from striking at our camp." I turned to Wilfred, "A word."

  I took him to one side. "I would like you to be my sergeant at arms and take over from Edgar."

  "It is a great honour lord but I am not certain that I am worthy. Edgar was a great warrior as was Wulfric before him."

  "And I chose those; trust my judgement. You will be a worthy successor, believe me." He nodded his thanks.

  James and Richard came to speak with me. Richard said, "If you give me your sword lord, I will put a decent edge upon it. It did valiant service today."

  "And I will choose you a lance for the morrow." James hesitated, "Will we be riding with you, lord?"

  I felt both sad and old, "I wish that you were not for it will be a hard day but needs must. I have few enough men. Aye, you will be in the second rank. I hope that you are not needed."

  Richard shook his head, "I thought Edgar and Erre were made of granite and would live forever yet they were slain."

  “They were both great warriors but it was their time. Never underestimate a foe. No matter how young he may be or even if he is wounded there is always a danger. The Dane I fought today discovered that and he paid with his life."

  I did not sleep that night; I dozed. I feared going into a deep sleep in case I was haunted by those who had died for my cause. I went over in my mind what I might have done. Could I have sat behind my walls and waited? I knew that I could not. It would have caused more pain to my people. I had had to do what I had done and men had paid for that with their lives.

  I rose before dawn. I walked around the sentries speakin
g to each one. I had not said goodbye to Erre and that bothered me. I did not say goodbye to the sentries but I spoke with them so that they knew I valued their service and did not take it for granted. It might not make any difference but I felt better for it. I went to the horse lines where Richard was already grooming Edward. A good warhorse was pampered. The reward was reaped each time I rode him into battle.

  "He is keen to go to war, lord. He had little to do yesterday. Sir Gilles said that the horse did not take kindly to being ridden by him."

  "That is his imagination. I watched as he charged. Sir Gilles did well." I turned to him, "As did you. I will knight you on midsummer's day."

  "You think I am ready?"

  "I know that you are ready. We will have to watch out for a squire for you. There were some likely lads amongst the slingers."

  He smiled, "When I was a squire, before I met you, I would have looked down my nose at someone who was not noble born. I was a fool. I will have any that you think right."

  "No, Richard, this is your choice. I chose you and trained you. I did a good job. You choose because you are preparing a knight and other men will watch him and it will reflect on you. I am proud of all my former squires and all do me honour."

  As dawn broke I prepared for war again. I sheathed my newly sharpened sword and the fresh lance. Mounting Edward I surveyed my battle. I was leading a mere seven knights and seven squires. I had fifty men at arms with us but we would be facing over a hundred horsemen protected by four hundred men on foot. The odds seemed insurmountable. My men formed up in a column of four behind me as Dick waved and rode towards the bottom of the dip. Each man had a lance. Richard held mine for me. I waved my sword and led my men towards the end of the ridge above Bishop Middleham. I saw that the Scots were arrayed for battle and watched us as we went. The Prince would be happy to be able to defend against us. He had watched us do it and now thought he could do the same.

  We reined in three hundred paces from the Scots and Danes. I saw that Prince Henry had angled his men so that he could face a threat from both Dick and from me. The Danes who remained with him faced my archers. I turned to Richard, "Come with me and unfurl my banner."

  "Aye lord." I handed my lance to Robert, John of Elton's squire and then unloosed my wolf banner.

  "Wulfric stay here I wish to try something."

  "Be careful lord. This Scottish Henry is a snake!"

  "I know and I wish to play on that trait."

  I spurred Edward who strode towards the Scots. I glanced to my right as I did so. Leopold of Durstein had done as I had asked. It looked as though I had a large number of men in reserve on the top of the hill. From this distance he would not be able to tell if they were a threat or not. He would just see an armed body of men with horses behind freshly repaired stakes.

  I halted a hundred paces from the Scottish line. The Scottish prince had used his better armed men to form the front ranks. He was ready for a charge. I took off my helmet and shouted. "Prince Henry I would speak with you."

  I watched as he and his standard bearer nudged their horses and moved through their men to stand fifty paces from us. The knight with the unicorn on his surcoat and his squire came with him. He kept his face covered by his full mask helmet.

  The Prince had a confident look upon his face as he said, "You wish to surrender Earl?"

  "I wish to give you the opportunity to save more lives. I wish you to leave my land and pay reparation for the harm you have caused."

  He laughed, "And why would I do that? I outnumber you. I count the banners of but seven knights!"

  I smiled, coldly, "These seven knights have defeated Scots each time they have fought them. Do not disparage my men else it makes it worse for you."

  "Then you have my answer. Go back to your men and we will settle this issue today."

  He jerked on his reins and I said, "Then let us try this. You and I dispute the matter here between our armies. If you defeat me then you have won. It will save a useless slaughter of many fine men." I had spoken loudly for I wanted all of his men to hear.

  He shook his head, "I am no fool! I am the Prince of Cumberland. I will not fight with an earl."

  I looked at the other knight, "Then how about the knight who prefers to keep his face hid? Perhaps he will be your champion."

  The prince turned to the knight who raised his helmet to reveal a younger face than I was expecting. "This is Baron Siegfried of Trier of the County of Luxembourg."

  "Well? What say you?"

  The knight from Luxembourg shook his head, "There is no advantage in tilting with you, Earl. We outnumber you and when your lances are shattered on our shields I will end your life."

  "Very well then." I raised my voice as I lifted Edward's head to make him rear, "I gave you the chance to save men's lives but it seems there is no honour amongst my foes this day. That is a pity. I hope, Prince Henry, that you have a good horse between your legs else I shall catch you quicker this time when you flee!" Edward snorted as his hooves crashed to the ground. In answer Prince Henry jerked his horse's head around and galloped back to his men.

  "Lord, why did you issue the challenge?"

  "I hoped he would accept and then I could have defeated him once and for all but in all truth, Richard, I did not expect him to do so. I knew that his refusal would dishearten his men. Glance over your shoulder. You will see that his men are not happy. They do not cheer him then look at our men."

  Even as he turned my men began to cheer me and bang their shields. It had been a still and quiet day. My words had carried and they knew better than any the import of the prince's refusal.

  I faced my warriors, "I gave them the chance and I was also afforded the opportunity to view their dispositions. He has men with shields facing us but they are neither Danes nor galloglasses. He has not put stakes there and his horses stand behind five ranks of men. We will charge. Keep a tight formation. I saw few archers and slingers. The men we face have shields but no mail. Strike true and they will break. Sir Harold you will command the right side of our line. If we break them then take your half to attack the Danes."

  "Aye lord!"

  I turned Edward and backed him between Wulfric and Wilfred. My knights were spread out evenly in our front rank but the centre was a wedge. Wulfric, Wilfred and the five men at arms there were the most experienced warriors I had. With the squires behind Wulfric and me my plan was to make us into a wedge which would break through the centre of their line. I had sown the seeds of doubt in his men's mind.

  I spurred Edward and we trotted towards the Scots. I wished to make a slower approach than normal. The tension would get to his men. I heard hooves from my right and saw that Dick was moving his archers closer. With just the Danes before him he was safe. He halted just a hundred paces from the Danes. His horse holders held the horses and I saw my archers prepare their bows. I made Edward go a little faster so that we were just cantering. I watched as the Danes held their shields above and before them. Even with the sound of our hooves I could hear the arrows as they soared into the air. Dick was clever. He did not aim at the Danes. That would be a waste of arrows. His archers loosed at the men waiting to receive our charge. Every arrow found flesh and I heard the screams, shouts and wails as they struck home. We were fifty paces from the front ranks and I saw some turn to see their comrades behind.

  I lowered my lance as Dick's arrows found some in the front three ranks. When we were thirty paces from the Scottish shields and spears I spurred Edward and pulled back my lance. I chose my target. He was a grizzled greybeard. I saw fear in his eyes. The man behind him suddenly pitched sideways as an arrow plunged into his neck and his spear fell. I punched forward. Even as I did I saw men fleeing from the rear ranks. My lance tore into the chest of the Scot whose shield was too slow to rise. He was hurled backwards and Edward was through the gap his body had made. When you have a dam holding water back the crack, which first shows it is breaking, is a trickle and then rapidly becomes a torrent. The arrows
and our charge had that effect. They broke. I yelled, as we burst through. "Sir Harold, take half the men to the Danes. The rest with me!"

  My lance's head had broken and so I threw the stump at the back of a retreating Scot. It knocked him to the ground and Wilfred's horse trampled him to death. I saw Prince Henry and his knights. There was agitation amongst them. His knights and mounted men at arms outnumbered us but would that mean he would attack us? His path was barred by his routed men. I drew my sword and began to hack a path towards him. I held my shield loosely for no one was trying to attack me. I swung my sword at head height and it sliced through the shoulders of a galloglass whose naked back was suddenly covered in blood. I swung it to my left and brought it down on the skull of another. Men threw away shields and helmets to make themselves lighter as they ran like hares across the turf. If they thought to reach the sanctuary of their standard they were disappointed. Prince Henry turned his horse and led his men away in an inglorious retreat. This was the battle of the standards all over again.

  I saw the Prince wave his arm and shout something. A line of men at arms wearing the prince's livery bravely charged us. There were just twenty of them but they rode well-spaced; they were sent to stop our pursuit. We would have to defeat them before we could pursue my prey. I reined in Edward a little so that Wulfric and Wilfred were able to join me boot to boot. They both had their lances. Our two lines were approaching rapidly. I wondered if the Scottish men at arms had had much practice at this. It is hard to control a lance at speed. It takes a steady hand and a good eye. When I saw the lance head moving up and down then I knew that the man at arms who was hurtling towards me was not experienced. I did not watch the tip. I watched his eyes. He was coming from my right and he intended to hit me on my sword side. That suited me. I pulled my shield on to my cantle and held my sword out. I saw the triumph in his eyes as he jabbed forward with the lance. He had aimed it too high. I did not even need my shield. It caught my shoulder a glancing blow and sprang up. I saw the triumph turn to terror as he saw my sword head towards his middle. He wore mail but our combing speed meant it afforded little protection. My sword tore across his stomach. His body fell and I was through the line.