Warrior Knight

by Paul J Bennett

  “That might be true on paper, but I doubt these men would agree with you. You’re the one they look up to, not that puffed up piece of nobility.”

  Now it was Ludwig’s turn to laugh. “Piece of nobility? By the Saints, Cyn, you’re learning to be diplomatic! We’ll make an officer out of you yet.”

  She sneered. “No, thank you, I’m completely content as a sergeant. Now, let’s get going, shall we? Before we waste away the rest of the morning.”

  Ludwig climbed into the saddle, watching as his men began gathering. He had issued no orders, given no indication of his desires, yet they instinctively knew what was required of them. He looked down at Cyn.

  She grinned back. “See? What did I tell you?”

  * * *

  The road led westward towards its ultimate destination of Lieswel, and yet they would never reach that target, for their objective was to observe the enemy, not enter an occupied town. Instead, they would halt far short of the enemy army, sending in a small group to scout out their numbers. At least that was the plan. The difficulty lay in not stumbling into them by mistake. To that end, he had archers marching in front, some hundred paces or so beyond the main column, their intent being to alert the others should they spy any sign of the enemy.

  He wondered if cavalry might not have been better suited to such a task but then dismissed it, knowing they would have been too easily spotted. In theory, it was Hagan's decision as commander of the company, but he had deferred to Ludwig, adding to the already heavy burden on his shoulders.

  They made good progress on the first day, camping that night in a small woods. The men had complained, preferring a field, but Ludwig had been adamant. The woods, he explained, were far better at hiding the light of their campfires from prying eyes.

  The next morning they rose early and were on the road in good time. This was, in all probability, the most dangerous part of the trip, for the news from Lieswel was old, and the enemy might be just past the next turn in the road.

  When they halted at noon, the wind blew in from the west, bringing with it the scent of burning wood. It appeared the enemy encampment was close.

  Ludwig sent out a few select men seeking a place of concealment and waited. It didn’t take long for Simmons to return, bearing news of an abandoned building. They left the men in Captain Ecke's care while Ludwig and Hagan followed the archer back to his discovery.

  Before them was a stone building, two stories in height, with a collapsed eastern wall and a roof that had half rotted away. Access to the second floor was by way of some rotted stairs. Whatever this building used to be, it was evidently extremely old, leading Ludwig to wonder why it was here in the middle of the countryside.

  He dragged an old timber over to the stairs and propped it against what steps remained, using it to form a ramp. Up he went, testing his footing on the upper floor before committing fully to its support.

  “What can you see?” called out Hagan.

  Ludwig moved to what remained of the western wall, peering out through an old window. The sill had long ago rotted, leaving naught but the stone opening, but the view was magnificent.

  "I see smoke in the distance,” he said. “It’s the Andover camp, by the look of it.”

  Hagan soon followed, taking considerably longer to climb to the upper floor until finally he crouched by Ludwig, looking westward.

  “That’s a lot of fires,” said the lord. “Should we report this to the duke?”

  “Not yet,” replied Ludwig. “We still have no idea of numbers. For that, we’ll have to get even closer.”

  “Closer? How do you propose we do that?”

  “I’ll pick a small group, no more than a dozen, and we’ll move into their camp under cover of night.”

  “And the rest of us?” asked Hagan.

  “I would suggest you bring them here. If things go badly, we’ll need a defensive position, not that this is much of one.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This building gives us an excellent view, but the eastern wall is missing, and most of the southern one is little more than shin-high. This is not a good place to fight an enemy.”

  “Then shouldn't we withdraw?”

  “It has the advantage of concealing us while we keep an eye on THEM.” Ludwig pointed westward.

  “Very well,” said Hagan. “How can I help?”

  “You need to keep a couple of horsemen ready. As soon as I bring word back, we’ll need to send them off.”

  “We have no horsemen.”

  “You and I have horses. Somewhere amongst all these men, there must be two who can ride?”

  “You expect me to give up my mount?”

  “It’s for the good of the army,” said Ludwig. “And just imagine all the accolades you’ll receive for bringing word of the enemy.”

  Hagan appeared to consider the idea for a moment. “Very well. Who will you take?”

  “I have a few in mind, but I need to have a chat with some others. Let’s get the rest of the men safely behind these walls. I don’t want them being spotted.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Yes,” said Ludwig. “The men are not to build campfires tonight.”

  “Why ever not? Surely the enemy won’t be able to see us from there?”

  “The fires, no, but the light will illuminate the inside of this building, or at least what’s left of it. Remember, the idea is to not draw attention to ourselves. Now, why don’t you stay here, and I’ll go fetch the men?”

  “Very well,” said Hagan. “I’ll keep an eye on the enemy camp.”

  * * *

  They settled in and awaited the coming of darkness. The afternoon dragged on, made all the longer by the knowledge that the army of Andover was so close. On the upper floor, they kept only a small group of men lest they risk being seen at the windows. It was there Ludwig found who he was looking for.

  “Beornoth,” he said in greeting. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Suit yourself,” the man replied, keeping his eyes westward.

  Ludwig sat, his back to the ancient wall, looking around, taking in what was left of the building. “I can’t help but wonder why this place is here?”

  “It’s a freeholder’s house,” said Beornoth.

  “I’m not sure I’m familiar with the term.”

  “During the days of the Old Kingdom, men were given land in reward for their service to the Crown.”

  “You’re saying this building dates back to Therengia?” said Ludwig. “I find that hard to accept.”

  “One only has to look at the way it’s built to understand,” said Beornoth.

  “Yes, but that would make it over five hundred years old, wouldn’t it?”

  “Possibly, but remnants of my people lived on for some time before they, too, were hunted down. This building likely belonged to one such survivor.”

  “And your people built with stone?”

  “Of course," said Beornoth. "Why wouldn’t they? Did you think us barbarians, living in nothing but huts made of animal skins? Ours was a large kingdom, Sir Ludwig, the likes of which would put most of the Petty Kingdoms to shame.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Ludwig. “I meant no offence.”

  “It’s not your fault. Your people know so little of my race. Is that all you came to see me about? Or is there something else?”

  “I was actually wondering why you’re here?”

  “You mean serving the duke I’ve sworn to destroy?”

  “Precisely. Not that I’m not happy to see you; you certainly bring us a sorely missing skill set, but wouldn’t you have been better off serving Andover?”

  “I can see how you might assume that,” said Beornoth. “But the truth is the treatment we receive at the hands of the duke is mild compared to that meted out by our northern neighbour.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “In Erlingen, we are shunned, the same as we are in many of the Petty Kingdoms, but in Andover, the penalty for
being a Therengian is death.”

  “Just for having grey eyes?”

  “Do you doubt my word?”

  “No,” said Ludwig, “of course not. I merely find it difficult to understand. Where I’m from, we don’t see such attitudes towards your people.”

  “Your home is not part of the Old Kingdom. Erlingen, on the other hand, was founded in the heart of it. They have feared its return ever since.”

  “What is it your people hope to accomplish by rebelling against the duke? You can't possibly see it rising again?”

  “No,” said Beornoth. “There are too few of us left to do something like that. Instead, I fight for the rights of my people, to have them live in peace, as others do.”

  “A noble sentiment.”

  “Perhaps. Others would see it as desperate.”

  “I don’t count myself amongst them. I admire what you’re fighting for, even though I feel it unlikely you’ll succeed. There must be a better way.”

  “Like what?" asked Beornoth. "Abandon our homes and flee eastward?”

  “It might be safer.”

  “It could just as easily be worse. My people have been persecuted for generations, but at least here they are allowed to live, even if it's under the hand of oppression.”

  “I do not envy you your position.”

  “Nor would I expect you to, but come, let us speak of other things, or is it your intention to crush my soul?”

  “Not at all," said Ludwig. "I’m putting together a small group of warriors to infiltrate the enemy encampment.”

  “To what end?”

  “We need accurate information concerning numbers."

  “I’m afraid my men would be too easily recognized. One wayward glance, and our eyes would give us away.”

  “I don’t need you to enter the camp, merely to stand and assist when we leave, in case we run into trouble.”

  “We can do that,” said Beornoth. “Tell me, who else is to undertake this fool’s errand?”

  “Sigwulf and Cyn, although I haven’t spoken to them yet. I came to you first.”

  “They will agree,” the Therengian replied, “else I’m a poor judge of character.”

  “Good. We’ll leave right before dark. Now I must go and seek my friends. There's much to discuss.”

  “Then dusk it is,” said Beornoth.

  Ludwig climbed down to the ground floor. The other men of the company were strewn about what was left of the interior—a large area he imagined resembled the hall of some ancient warrior lord. Did heroes of the past gather here to hear the tales of history? He liked to imagine so, but his mind told him such accounts were little more than bedtime stories, meant to inflame the hearts of the young.

  So intent was he on his ruminations that he almost bumped into the exact man he was looking for.

  “Careful,” warned Sigwulf. “You might hurt yourself.”

  “I was looking for you.”

  “It appears you've found me. What is it you want?”

  “I’d like to discuss something with you.”

  “Like what? Sneaking into the enemy camp?”

  “How did you…”

  Sigwulf grinned. “What else would we be doing here? We can’t get an idea of their strength by hiding in this ruin, can we?”

  “Are all my plans so obvious?”

  “Not all, but most of them.”

  “And your answer?”

  “Need you ask?" said Sigwulf. "I’m in, of course, but we need to go and talk with Cyn.”

  “You think she’ll agree?”

  “Do you seriously imagine she won’t? That woman has more guts than a badger.”

  “What is this fascination you have for badgers?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sigwulf quickly changed the subject. “Come on, Cyn’s around here somewhere.”

  “It’s not that big of a ruin. How could you lose her?”

  “She’s likely having a nap, and that means her face is turned away from people.”

  “Which means?” asked Ludwig.

  “She’ll be curled up in a corner somewhere.”

  “Like a badger?” He snickered.

  Sigwulf turned on him, raising a finger. “Not funny!”

  Ludwig held up his arms in surrender. “Sorry, I might have taken it a little too far.”

  They began their search, walking amongst the ruins, seeking out the faces of those who slept.

  “You’d think this would be easier,” said Ludwig. “I mean, how many women are in this camp?”

  “Only the one,” said Sigwulf, “and here she is.” He halted, looking down at the sleeping form.

  He stood there a moment, and Ludwig wondered why he didn’t do anything. “Aren't you going to wake her?”

  “I will, but it must be done carefully.”

  “Why?”

  “Her first instinct will be to lash out.”

  Ludwig watched the woman sleep. She began to twitch, and then her leg kicked out involuntarily.

  “She’s dreaming,” he noted.

  “No, it’s not a dream,” said Sigwulf, a shadow falling across his face. “It’s a nightmare.” He knelt, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. “Cyn,” he whispered, “come back to me.”

  Her legs jerked out again, and then her eyes opened. “Siggy?”

  “It’s me,” he said. “We need you awake. Ludwig has to talk to you.”

  She sat up, rubbing her eyes. Ludwig noted the haunted look to them and wondered what might be the cause.

  “Well?” she said. “What is it?”

  “I’m looking to take Sig here into the enemy camp with me to have a look around.”

  “Not without me, you’re not.”

  “That’s what we’re here to discuss,” said Sigwulf. “You can’t walk into the middle of their army without someone noticing.”

  “Then what do you expect me to do?”

  “You’ll come with us right up to the edge of their camp. We’ll need you to keep an eye out for us.”

  “Who else is going?”

  “Beornoth and his people,” said Ludwig.

  “Are you sure you can trust them?” asked Cyn.

  “I am. They have much to lose if they’re discovered.”

  “And what is our role in all of this?”

  “When we leave that camp, we may be in a hurry. We’ll need your help to elude anyone who might follow.”

  “You mean kill anyone who follows.”

  “Yes,” said Sigwulf.

  “Good,” said Cyn. “Then I’m in. What time do we leave?”

  “Right before sunset,” said Ludwig.

  “Fine, then I’ll return to my nap.”

  Ludwig noticed the concern on Sigwulf’s face. “You weren’t sleeping well,” the big sergeant added.

  “Then come and lie by my side, Siggy,” said Cyn, “and keep me safe.”

  39

  Amongst the Enemy

  Summer 1095 SR

  * * *

  Ludwig edged up the side of the gully. They had followed a dried-up riverbed and were now within a few hundred paces of their target. Peering over its lip, he took in the view while beside him came Beornoth, his breath visible in the chill of the evening.

  “What do you make of it?” asked Ludwig.

  The Therengian grunted. “Pretty typical camp,” he replied. “They have a few guards out against intruders, but we can make short work of them.”

  “No!” insisted Ludwig. “That might alert them to our presence. Our objective is to get as close as possible, even inside if we can. The last thing we want to do is raise the alarm. Do you see any easy way in?”

  “No, but maybe downwind?”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “An army is a lot of soldiers,” said Beornoth. “Soldiers who eat food, and you know what food does once you’re done with it.”

  “So we’re looking for waste pits? Do they even have them?”

  “This isn’
t a Church army, so I doubt they’ll have set aside an area for such a use. They’ll still have to go, though, and that means likely a wooded area downwind, where the smell won’t bother them too much.” The Therengian wet his finger, then held it aloft. “The wind is coming from the west, which means we want to be farther east.”

  “Towards our own camp,” said Ludwig. “How convenient.”

  “Do you want to get in or not?”

  “I do. Lead on, and the rest of us will follow.”

  Ludwig waited until the man had started on his way to motion for the others to follow. They crept along, exiting the gully and making their way eastward. It felt like they were backtracking, but then Beornoth turned northward, and they passed through a copse of trees before halting. Everyone went quiet, and then voices drifted towards them.

  “They’re just ahead,” whispered Beornoth.

  Ludwig moved up, crouching as he went. Ahead of them, he heard something crashing through the trees and then the distinct sound of someone urinating into the underbrush. He waited until whoever it was began making their way back to the camp, then looked over at Sigwulf and nodded.

  “This is it,” whispered Ludwig. “The rest of you stay here and keep your eyes open. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”

  Ludwig and Sigwulf both stood, making their way through the trees, emerging to see the edge of the encampment scarcely a stone's throw away.

  “Shall we?” he asked.

  Sigwulf nodded. “After you.”

  * * *

  It was a strange feeling walking amongst enemy troops. Closing his eyes, Ludwig almost felt as though he were back with the army of Erlingen, yet if any here were to guess at his allegiance, he would be killed. They passed by a paddock crammed with horses.

  “Knights,” grunted Sigwulf, “and a substantial number of them if the horses here are any indication.”

  Ludwig, too busy counting heads, merely nodded. His tally complete, he halted, looking to the north. “Over there is a group of tents,” he said. "I want to see what troops they command.”

  “Then shouldn’t we look for their footmen?”