Kingmaker (The Anarchy Book 12)

by Griff Hosker

  We were approaching the old Roman fort which lay to the north of Cheshire when Edward rode in. He had Hal with him. "We have found Henry FitzEmpress, lord. When we left they were camped at Rushton Spencer."

  I nodded, "It was held by the Earl's man, Norman de Verdun."

  Edward said, "The enemy have a camp by Danebridge. Aiden said there were over fifteen hundred men."

  "And Henry FitzEmpress."

  "Less than six hundred but many were mounted."

  "Did Aiden manage to speak with Henry and tell him that we were coming?"

  "We only saw them at dusk. Aiden wanted to find out the enemy dispositions first."

  "What is the ground like between them?"

  "It is rough, lord. There are small copses and the ground has many rocks and dips. It will not suit horses."

  "He did right. Lead on then and take us to them." I turned to Wulfric, "Have spears issued."

  "You have a plan lord?"

  "I have an idea. Plan is too grand for what is in my head."

  Richard brought me my lance, "Have Will watch the horses when we go into battle. You will ride by Rolf's rump with my banner."

  "Aye lord."

  We were five miles from Danebridge when Edgar rode up to us, "Lord, they have joined battle!"

  My heart sank, "Tell me the worst."

  Stephen held his men on a low ridge and the Earl of Chester and Henry FitzEmpress charged. They lost many men and fell back. The enemy pursued them and they are now back at Rushton Spencer."

  "Has Stephen the Usurper brought a baggage train, Edgar?"

  "He has. They have wagons and guards."

  I turned, "On, we have no time to lose."

  Dick rode next to me, "Orders my lord?"

  "Take Phillip and head east. I want you to capture their baggage train."

  "And then, lord?"

  "That depends upon what we can do. We are in the hands of God now."

  The land through which we travelled was neither level nor even. Troughs and dells gave way to low rises. Bushes and scrub made small barriers along the rough greenway. So it was that we only saw the battle when we were half a mile north of Rushton Spencer. Even as we crested the rise and saw Aiden emerge from the trees I saw that Henry and the Earl of Chester were being hard pressed. The manor had a small motte and bailey castle but it was too small to hold many. Someone had placed archers within and it was they who were holding off the knights and men at arms who charged the thinly held lines. The enemy were less than half a mile from us. They would see us but not immediately. Therein lay our opportunity.

  "Form three lines!"

  As I watched I saw fifty or sixty men at arms suddenly detach themselves from Henry's right flank and gallop south. His army was fragmenting. We were too late. Even as we watched another group joined them.

  Turning in my saddle I yelled, "We charge the right flank of Stephen the Usurper's lines. I want us to hit him hard. We are but a hundred mounted men but I would have us fight as a thousand!"

  They cheered. That was enough for me. I spurred Rolf and he took off. We cantered hard towards the Usurper's men. With the departure of so many men I could not see how Henry and the Earl of Chester could hope to survive. I forced myself to rein Rolf in a little. It would do no good to reach the enemy with blown horses and a disorganized line. I lowered my spear when we were two hundred paces from them. I leaned forward in my saddle as I sought an enemy. Some of those at the rear of their lines heard us and turned. Their shouts of alarm were lost in the hubbub of the mêlée. I pulled back my arm as the knight with the yellow surcoat and red diagonal tried to turn his horse to face me. It was a race against time and he was losing. I spurred Rolf and he leapt forward. I punched hard with my spear. The knight had turned the wrong way and my spear struck him in his right side. I felt it grate against bone and then he was thrown from his saddle and we were amongst them.

  The dying knight's body had pulled him from my spear and I was able to thrust it into the unprotected back of a man at arms. He threw his arms in the air as the head tore through his mail, gambeson and flesh. Ahead of me I saw that we had closed to within thirty paces of Henry and his bodyguards who were fighting for their lives. Our sudden drive had taken us deep into the heart of the enemy and they had become disorganised as men fell without seeing their foes. We had to get to Henry soon before they could rally.

  Wilfred and Leopold of Durstein were ahead of me. They had lost their spears but their swords carved a passage for me. I saw one of Henry's bodyguards fall and a knight with a dark blue surcoat saw his chance. He spurred his horse into the gap. I stood in my saddle and hurled my spear at him. I hoped to hit his body but the knight stood to deliver the killing blow. My spear clattered into his helmet and he fell from his horse.

  I turned, "Richard! Signal the rally! On me!"

  We had the chance to form a barrier of fresh warriors before Henry. It was all that I could think of. I drew my sword and met the mace of an angry knight who also wore a dark blue surcoat. A mace could be deadly but my sword was sharper. I saw wood chipped from the mace's handle. I whipped Rolf's head around so that I faced the knight's shield and I stood to use the longer reach of the sword. It was not an elegant blow but I swung it sideways at head height. I heard it ring into the helmet. I had suffered such a blow before and knew that it disorientated a warrior. Continuing Rolf's turn I pulled back my arm and rammed my blade into the left side of the knight who fell from his horse.

  It was now a true mêlée. There was no order. However I had succeeded in placing my one hundred men between Stephen and Henry. As I turned Rolf I saw Stephen and his bodyguards; they were racing towards me. He could end the war in a couple of blows. He had his greatest enemy and his greatest threat close to hand.

  "Wulfric! Sir Harold! Form on me!"

  If I was to fight Stephen and his bodyguards I needed my own men around me. The two of them hacked and slashed their way to my side. Sir Gilles of Stockton was close behind Harold and I saw Sir John rein in next to Wulfric. Stephen and his men reached us at a walk. They had been fighting since morning and our mounts were slightly fresher. Battles turn on such things. I made for Stephen. This would be between us two. My knights would keep the others from me.

  He had brought a warhorse. It was a huge black beast. If I had been riding Edward then they would have been well matched. Rolf was a smaller horse but he was clever. He would have to avoid the warhorse's teeth and hooves for it would take all of my skill to defeat Stephen. I now knew that was what it would take to win the day.

  I had fought Stephen before and knew some of his moves but he knew mine too. I would have to outthink him if I was to beat him. I used Rolf's nimble hooves and the fact that he was fresher. I spurred him as I rode at Stephen's left side. I saw him pulling his horse's head around and, at the last moment, I jerked Rolf to the right. Stephen tried to react but he merely confused his horse and it stumbled slightly. I took advantage for the Usurper had to use his left arm to control his horse while his right flailed around to keep his balance. I brought my sword hard across him and struck his upper arm. I severed his mail and I saw his head reel; I had hurt him.

  After bringing his horse under control he sought to take advantage of his bigger horse and he pulled back on the reins to make it rear. His men were trying to get to his side just as mine were trying to stop them and there was a maelstrom of horses and metal as they whirled around. I saw the black stallion's hooves rear and I spurred Rolf. He leapt from beneath them and then I jerked his head around. He was tiring now and I could not keep this up much longer. My move brought me up behind his left side. He knew the danger and tried to turn his horse's head. I stood in my stirrups and brought my sword down on to his shoulder. I had been aiming at his head but he was a skilful knight and he avoided the killing blow. The one I struck, however, was effective. It hurt him. I saw his shield drop and he spurred his horse away from me. I had him!

  He was saved by a brave young knight who threw his horse
between me and my prey. The young knight’s shield faced me but as I was already standing I was able to sweep sideways and my sword struck him in the throat. He fell over the back of his cantle and lay still on the ground. Stephen's household knights had formed ranks around their leader and were taking him to the rear and safety. The sight of the banner falling back disheartened his men and they began to fall back. Some of the Earl of Chester's men shouted and cheered. As they tried to pursue I yelled, "Hold! I command you!"

  They obeyed. We had bought time; that was all.

  I turned and said, "Wulfric, I want a wall of knights and men at arms here. I will go and see how Henry is."

  “Aye my lord.” He looked at me, “You would have had him but for that young knight.”

  I saw him being tended to. His hand had been hit. It did not look like a serious wound and for that I was grateful. He smiled when he saw me, "I knew you would come, even if it is a little late!"

  I bit back an angry retort. Now was not the time for such words. "I came as soon as I received your missive but, in truth my prince, this was a reckless and foolish action."

  I saw Ranulf heading towards us as Henry shook his head and said, "No, Warlord, for now you are here. You have defeated Stephen and we can win!"

  I let my head drop and then looked him in the eye, "We have bought time that is all! We are still in grave danger. I will take command now." The Earl of Chester looked over at me. I saw him begin to open his mouth. "That is not a matter for discussion Earl. We will talk of your part in this when I have managed to save Prince Henry here!" I was angry and my eyes showed it. The Earl nodded."Reform your lines and I will rejoin my men."

  Henry said, "Thank you for coming to my aid, Warlord."

  "It is my duty, lord."

  Chapter 19

  Leaving the Earl and the future king I turned Rolf's head around, "Good boy. Come on; one more effort eh?" I ruffled his mane and he snorted. He was not finished yet.

  I reached my men. Wulfric turned, "The Usurper is still on his horse, lord, but you have discomfited him."

  "Good. Richard, bring my standard and the horn. Sir Wulfric and Sir Harold, come with me and let us go speak with them. And let us pray that Dick has done as I asked."

  I took off my helmet and hung it from my cantle. It was the sign that we wished to speak. We picked our way across the field. Dead horses and warriors along with the wounded were scattered all over. I saw a debate between Stephen and his knights and then Stephen took off his helmet. He and three knights came towards us with his standard bearer. They stopped thirty paces from us. I could see he had his arm in a sling. He smiled ruefully, "I see you have not lost your touch, Alfraed."

  I cocked my head to one side, "I suspect I have had more practice of late."

  He nodded, "Well what is to be done? Do you surrender?"

  I shook my head, "I think not. I came to ask if you wished to surrender."

  William of Ypres was next to him and he spat out, "Surrender? We outnumber you! Let us fight him lord; he is finished."

  "We have been outnumbered many times, William of Ypres, but you have yet to defeat me."

  "You would fight on?"

  I nodded, "I would although I suspect that you may wish to break off the engagement."

  Stephen looked at me curiously, "You are up to something."

  William of Ypres stood in his stirrups and stared around as though looking for a sudden influx of reinforcements, "I see no reason to stop."

  I nodded and turned to Richard, "If you make two blasts on the horn, Richard, I think all will become clear."

  The two blasts sounded louder than I had expected. William of Ypres' horse reared a little. He shook his head, "Is that supposed to make us fear you?"

  "No. It was merely to tell my archers who have just captured your baggage train that I need them."

  All five of them turned and looked towards the ridge which lay a mile or so behind them. At first there was nothing and then a line of horsemen appeared. It was some distance away but I could see that there were two women mounted on horses. I did not know who it was but I took a guess. "And that, I believe is your queen. What say you Stephen of Blois? Do I have your attention now?"

  William of Ypres shouted, "You would make war on a woman?"

  "I thought the whole war was about that or am I missing something? You have hounded the Empress from this land and all we have done is capture your baggage train. I did not know that the Queen would come to war."

  William opened his mouth and Stephen shouted, "Enough! We have been outwitted. What are your terms, Alfraed?"

  "We withdraw to Chester and you to Lincoln."

  "That is all?"

  "For the present it is."

  He spurred his horse towards me. His right arm was hurt but he held it towards me. I clasped it. We said no words. We both knew the bargain we had made and we would keep our word. He knew nothing of the King of Scotland. As far as he was concerned this was just a minor setback. I turned to Sir Harold, "Go and fetch my archers. Have them escort the Queen to her husband."

  While we waited Stephen said, "You have done a good job with Henry. He fought well and he led well. A little reckless perhaps but we were all like that when we were young."

  "He is a work in progress but I should not have left him. I will not make that mistake again." I saw that Harold had reached my archers and they headed towards us. "I did not see your son today."

  "He is in Bury St. Edmunds. There was rumour of rebels and malcontents there too."

  "And he will be your heir?"

  William of Ypres said, "He is a good leader. He will make a fine king."

  Stephen's silence was eloquent. It confirmed what I had heard about his son that he was weak and a bully. He used terror as a weapon.

  Queen Matilda's face was a mask of anger, "What is all this? Finish the battle! You have not bargained our victory away for me have you?"

  "I was a prisoner in Bristol. I would not have you share the same fate."

  "I was in no danger! You should have fought on!"

  I looked her in the eye. She was a hard woman, "But he did not and the bargain has been made. I hope your wounds heal quickly, my lord, for I have an idea that we will fight again and soon."

  Stephen gave me a wry smile, "If this is all that you have then I look forward to it for we shall trounce you."

  It was my turn to give an enigmatic smile, "You know not what forces we can bring. Fear not, Stephen the Usurper, it will be a battle worth remembering."

  Queen Matilda spat out, "Show him some respect! He is the King and I am the Queen!"

  "Not in my eyes. Come let us go back to the prince."

  We turned our backs on them. Dick rode next to me and Wulfric. I said, quietly, "Well done Dick. I knew you would not let me down."

  He nodded. "You did just bargain for the Queen did you not, my lord?"

  "I did but why do you ask?"

  He grinned, "The Queen's jewels and the pay chest were too tempting for my men. I fear that the Queen will be less than happy when she discovers that we have taken them."

  I laughed. Dick and his men were opportunistic and I admired them for that.

  Henry looked at me in anticipation as we reined in, "Well?"

  "We can withdraw to the Earl's castle and Stephen will withdraw to Lincoln."

  "Thank you. This could have been worse, I suppose."

  I waved a hand at the dead and wounded, "This is not the place to discuss the mistakes which were made. I am tired and I might speak out of turn. If I might suggest, Earl, that you send a rider to your castle to warn them and we need to do something for our dead and our wounded."

  It was almost midnight when we finally reached Chester. We had buried our dead and seen to the wounded. With my archers as a rearguard in case William of Ypres broke his word we trudged back to Chester.

  Maud, the daughter of the Earl of Gloucester, greeted us. "Come I have food prepared and there is straw for beds." She hugged and k
issed her husband before embracing Henry, "I will get the healers to look at you, cousin."

  "I am fine, lady."

  "As you will." Then she threw her arms around me and kissed me, "Once again you are our saviour, Alfraed! What would we do without you?"

  Maud was a real lady. She made sure that we were all comfortable and well fed. When all had had their fill and gone to their beds she sought me out and took me to the battlements. "I am sorry it came to this, Alfraed. My husband thought it for the best. He wished to emulate your feats in the north. He wrote to Henry and promised him much. He promised him more than we had. Ranulf thought that the young prince had more men than he brought."

  "Do not make excuses for him, Maud. He always makes bad decisions. However this is my fault. I left Henry in Normandy and I should have kept him close at hand. I will not make that mistake again." I kissed her on the cheek, "Do not worry I will not take this out on your husband's skin."

  She laughed but I saw relief in her eyes, "That is kind of you."

  The next morning I was up early. I went to see Henry's squire, "Have your master come and speak with me when he rises."

  "Aye lord."

  I sent for Aiden. "Take your scouts and make sure that the enemy has gone to Lincoln. I trust Stephen but not that witch of a wife and her lackey. Keep an eye open for the men of Flanders."

  I summoned my knights. "Sir Hugh, Sir Gilles of Normanby, Sir Tristan and Sir Phillip, I would have you return home to your castles. We have more than enough here for what I intend."

  Sir Tristan asked, "What is wrong, lord?"

  "William of Ypres. He is cunning. Knowing that we are here he might try to take Yarm or Piercebridge."

  They nodded, "Then we will see that he does not."

  The clattering of their hooves as they left the castle awakened Henry and he hurriedly dressed and came to see me. "Where have your men gone, Earl?"

  "Back to defend my land."

  He looked disappointed, "But I thought we could build up an army and take the war to my cousin."