by Griff Hosker
"Not all of my men wear such facial hair but it is a good idea. I will make the arrangements tomorrow."
There was a knock at the door and when we opened it Edward and Gille were there. They looked at us expectantly.
"We have had a quiet evening. I hope you are rested."
"Aye, my lord."
I bowed to the three women. "Then I shall make the arrangements tomorrow. Good night." Taking more pouches of the jewels we slipped out of the Empress' quarters.
When we left the palace it was night. Although not yet midnight it was late enough that there were few people around. As we reached the gates to the city I noticed more guards on duty than there had been. They let us out and the gates slammed ominously behind us. It was just a few miles to our bed for the night but I kept glancing around. Something did not feel right. We could see nothing for it was a cloudy night and there was no moon.
"Harold, you are a man of the woods, does everything seem as it should be?"
"No, Baron. I cannot put my finger on it but it feels, uncomfortable and threatening. There are no noises in the woods to our side."
"Draw your sword."
I pulled my shield around to my side. It was pitch black The only way we knew our route was by the stones before us. Our horses' hooves clattered and that was the single sound we heard. The hiss of my sword as it slid from the scabbard was hidden when Scout neighed. There was danger ahead.
I turned to Harold and whispered, "Ambush! Ride like the devil himself is after us."
I leaned forward over Scout's mane and spurred him. He leapt forward. There were half a dozen cracks as crossbows were released. I felt one as it pinged off my helmet. The rest flew above us. We had sprung the trap but not yet escaped it. I heard German shouts behind us and the sound of hooves on the road. Suddenly four horses loomed up out of the dark. I jerked my reins to the right knowing that Harold would tuck in behind me. We would rely on our shields and fight those to our right. I ducked beneath the sword which swung at my head and stabbed forwards with my sword. I heard it tear across the mail of armour. As I pulled it back I heard a grunt of pain. I barely had time to bring up my sword to block the next sword strike. Fortunately we were travelling faster than the ones who had sprung the ambush.
I felt something strike my saddle. As I glanced behind me I saw Harold finishing off the man at arms I had wounded. It was too dark to make out who they were but I could see from the moving shadows that there were at least ten men chasing down the road. This would be a race to the estate of the Empress.
"Harold, ride as fast as you can and keep your head down!"
"Aye my lord."
He came level with me and I spurred Scout. The two horses were used to running alongside one another and they settled into a ground eating rhythm. It was so dark that I was disorientated. Had it not been for the Roman cobbles beneath Scout's hooves then I would have been lost. Fortunately the natural woodsman in Harold came to our aid. "My lord, I can smell wood smoke. We are close to the hall!"
I took a chance and began to yell, "Norton! Ho! Norton!"
I glanced over my shoulder and saw the mailed men were less than thirty paces from us. They were gaining, slowly but surely. They had big powerful horses. I wondered if we would make the safety of the estate. Harold rarely let me down and from what he had said we were tantalisingly close. I saw a lightening of the woods to our left. It was the road which led to the gates. As we began to turn into it I saw two of my archers release arrows. I heard Edgar yell. "Keep going, my lord! We will protect you!"
Despite his words I could not leave my men to fight my battles. I wheeled Scout around as I heard the shouts from behind and the clamour of arms. My men had run from the hall in ones and twos. They jabbed spears at the men who desperately sought my life. One man at arms managed to knock my man at arms, Peter of Totnes, to the ground and he charged at me. I brought my shield horizontally across my body as I swung my blade at him. His sword smashed into my shield making it and my arm shiver with the shock. He rode into my blade with such force that it almost tore it from my grip. It ripped through his mail, his gambeson and his stomach. He fell from the horse and lay writhing on the ground.
The others had had enough. Leaving four of their number behind the rest fled. Rolf and Sir Guy ran up to me. "What happened?"
"They waited in ambush not far from Worms. They were after me. We saw more guards at the gate than there should have been."
Sir Guy reached up to the cantle of my saddle and broke off two bolts. "It seems that God watched you this night. Here are two crossbow bolts. A hand span higher and you would now be dead, my friend."
"We will need to escort the Empress' protectors from now on."
Once we had searched the dead and thrown the bodies into the ditches we went into the hall. Carl said, "They had nothing to identify them. The coins, however, were not from Flanders, they were imperial silver."
I laughed, "It seems our value is diminishing. At least Count Charles pays gold for our corpses."
Rolf shook his head and he had a worried look upon his face. "This is no laughing matter, Baron. We have barely arrived and already they seek our death."
"Rolf, we knew this would happen. It is my fault for not taking precautions. But we have survived and now we can be on our guard."
We put the jewels with the ones we had brought earlier and I explained my plan to them. "I will ride in with you tomorrow, Gottfried. We will take all of the men at arms. Let us have a show of force. I will order the spare surcoats and helmets. Carl, if you come with us then you might hear news of the perpetrators of this ambush."
Sir Guy said, "It is obvious."
"Is it? There are three candidates unless you think they are all acting together. I am not certain that this Lothair would want us dead before he is Emperor. If he is elected then he can kill us legally. No, I would know who seeks us dead now."
Rolf nodded, "And then you would do something about it."
"Better to strike first than wait for the knife in the night."
When I was awakened I felt as though I had barely slept. Edward was returned and Sir Guy was on duty. My archers had escorted them for the changeover. While I ate Dick and Aiden told me the results of their exploration. "The main road has many roads and trails leading from it." Dick took a piece of charcoal from the hearth and, using the wooden table, drew a map. "If we leave by the main road, which I believe is your intention?" I nodded, "Then here," he drew a circle, "the road turns and there is a trail to the south and one to the north. If we turn north then any pursuers will either carry on or think we have gone south."
"North is in the wrong direction."
Aiden grinned, "Aye my lord but the trail north forks a mile or so further on and then swings to cross the road again. Then it heads south west. We followed it for ten miles. There it meets another Roman Road which heads west."
"Good! You have done well."
When we reached the gate of Worms I looked more carefully at the sentries who stood there. Were they the same ones who had watched us leave? Their numbers were much less now, in day light and yet they should not have been. It confirmed that there was a conspiracy. I suspected the Count of Aachen. He appeared to know Worms well. He had been here on our last visit. As we left the horses in the main square Gottfried and his man at arms continued on to relieve Sir Guy. We had left Edward sleeping. His first duty had tired him. He was still recovering from his wound. Carl and two men at arms headed for a tavern and the gossip while Harold and I made for the market area. With the surcoats ordered and the helmets purchased we walked back towards the main square.
I noticed just how many armed men there were. Each day, more arrived as the death of the Emperor grew closer. We heard the sound of hooves approaching and we moved towards the side of the square. The horses sounded as though they were travelling at speed. A column of knights and men at arms hurtled through the square scattering stalls and those who could not get out of the way fast enough. Harold shook his head, "What wa
s that about, my lord?"
"I am not certain but the livery looked to be that of Stuttgart. I didn't recognise any of the knights." I had fought the Count and two of his men at a tourney when we had last been in Worms. If I had recognised the knights then it might have been an attempt to intimidate me."
Carl hurried across the square to meet us. "Come, we should go." He had a serious look on his face. "I will explain when we are on the road."
Once we had left the gates he told us what he had learned. "The three counts all have their forces spread just outside the walls. Last night might have been a coincidence for the men of Aachen are camped close by that road."
"That was no coincidence but carry on."
"Archbishop Adelbert is coming here to speak with the Empress."
"You make that sound as though it is significant."
"It is. The Emperor gave the imperial insignia to the Empress for safekeeping. A new Emperor cannot be elected until the insignia is in the Archbishop's hands."
"And the Archbishop is Lothair's man."
"Now you see the significance. If Lothair can get his hands on the insignia then both the Emperor and the Empress are no longer needed. They could be removed. Hence the number of soldiers in the town."
"And what about those riders who just charged through the town?"
"They are trying to show the burghers that they rule this place. The Empress is popular and they are trying to isolate her."
"Then we had better plan to leave sooner rather than later."
When Harold and I returned to relieve Rolf we found that he was standing guard outside the chapel. He nodded, "The Archbishop is within." He pointed to a door leading to another antechamber. "Our friends, the three counts, are in there." He smiled cynically, "They said they would use the chapel to pray for the Emperor when the Archbishop had finished speaking with the Empress."
I quickly told him what Carl had discovered. His face fell, "Then we do not have long."
I shook my head, "I think we should plan on leaving tomorrow."
"But the Emperor is not dead." He shook his head. "We cannot. As much as I would like to it would be even more dangerous to flee. Our enemies could proclaim whatever they wished. The Empress and the Archbishop must be at Henry's side when he dies."
This was an impossible situation. Whatever we did the Empress would be in danger. My thoughts were interrupted when the Archbishop came out. He was holding a small casket. I guessed that this contained the imperial insignia. I found myself being scrutinised by this representative of the Pope. "This is the young knight I have heard so much about; the one who rescued you." He made the sign of the cross, "The church blesses you Baron Alfraed. We are much indebted to you."
Just then the door behind us opened. I could feel six eyes staring at my back. The Archbishop looked beyond me and smiled, "And now I must speak with these three scions of the Empire. Come my sons; let us go into the chapel and pray for the Emperor."
As we led the Empress back to her quarters I saw that she had been weeping. Once in her rooms she said, "It is done. The moment that Henry dies then I lose all of my power. His estates will go to his nephew and I will be sent to a nunnery."
I laughed, "No you will not! You have six knights who will take you back to your father. We have the surcoats being made even as we speak. Half of your treasure has been taken already and by the time dawn breaks it will all be gone. You and your ladies just need to be ready to go as soon as the funeral is over."
"But he is not dead!"
"But he is close, is he not?"
"Yes but how did you know?"
"When I was in Constantinople I had to stand guard over a strategos who was dying from the wasting sickness. He died during my watch. He looked much as your husband did towards the end. Have you been in yet this afternoon?" She shook her head. "Rolf, you and your man at arms head back to the estate. Have supplies readied so that we can leave quickly. We will see how the Emperor is."
The two of them put the pouches of jewels beneath their surcoats and left.
"Where are your ladies?"
"They are within."
"Get them, we shall need them." When they joined us I said, "When we return have any of the clothes you wish to take with us prepared. Harold and I will take them with us."
"We are leaving?"
"Not yet but, unless I miss my guess, it will not be long. We may have to adapt my plan."
The long faces of the physicians told their own story. "Empress! We have not bled him but he is worsening!" There was a priest hovering nearby. His assistant was swinging a censor while he intoned prayers above him.
Suddenly one of the physicians put his hand on the Emperor's chest. "I fear he is dead!"
Another said, "Hold a glass to his mouth. Sometimes his breathing is so shallow that he appears dead."
They held a glass and a tiny amount of moisture formed. "He lives still."
The door was suddenly opened and the Archbishop stood there with the three counts. The Archbishop frowned when he saw Harold and me there while the Count of Stuttgart almost erupted like a volcano. "What is that Norman doing in the presence of the Emperor?"
"He is with me, Count and I am still Empress whilst my husband lives."
The Archbishop smiled, "Peace. We should all close our eyes and pray for the soul of the Emperor."
The others might have closed their eyes but I would not. I trusted not one of them.
The Emperor was tough and he clung on to life but, an hour after the Archbishop had entered the room, he died. In England we would have said, 'the King is dead, long live the King' but here there was no natural successor. The Archbishop blessed Matilda and said, "We are sorry for your loss."
She nodded, "If you would all leave me I would like to spend a few moments alone with my husband."
I knew that I was included and we all left the room and stood in the antechamber. The Archbishop must have been well prepared by the others. "What will you do now, Baron Alfraed? Return to England?"
I saw his three companions watching me intently. "I will ask the Empress what she wishes me to do."
Count Lothair snapped, "She is not Empress any longer."
I was not certain about the protocols but I was fairly certain that the title would still be hers; more importantly she had to have a title for her own security. "Correct me if I am wrong but until there is a new Emperor, who is married, then my lady will still be an Empress."
The Archbishop was a shrewd man and he knew that I spoke the truth. He nodded, "Let us not concern ourselves with titles. A great man has died let us think on him and his soul."
As soon as Matilda left the room I made sure that Harold and I flanked her. I did not think they would do her harm but I wanted none of them any closer to her than they had to be.
When Edward relieved us he told us that the gates were now manned by the men of Lothair of Supplinburg. "Did they stop you entering?"
"No, but they tried to frighten me." I smiled; that was impossible. "I laughed at their pathetic attempts. I am not certain, however, how we will manage to leave without a fight."
"I have that in hand." Harold and I took the clothes the women would need and we left. As we neared the gate I saw what Edward had meant. It was like a siege except here the danger was from within. Two knights held up their hands. "Where do you think you are going?"
"Back to the estate of the Empress. She wishes us to return these clothes to her estate. She has need of black for the funeral."
I could see that I had confused them. I held up the medallion. "This is the authority of the Empress; we need to pass."
One of them sneered, "Only until after the funeral Norman and then you have no protection."
I smiled, "God will watch over me!"
I was pleased that my men had made all the necessary preparations for flight. When Rolf and the Swabians heard about the men at the gate they were angry. "Alfraed, let us return tomorrow. We will stay by the Empress until the funeral.
There is no danger to us but there is for you and your men. You cannot leave during darkness."
"What about Edward?"
"We will keep him with us until daylight. He can pick up the surcoats and we will stay by the Empress until the funeral."
I was going to argue but Sir Guy said, "It makes sense. The more they see you the more chance there is of a confrontation and the Empress' life would be in even more danger. Let them think they have cowed you. Do not let a stiff neck bring disaster."
I nodded my acceptance. They were right.
We spent the rest of that night packing jewels and coins into bags placed in the saddles of our horses. We would spread them out. I expected to lose some but the Empress had nothing else to show for her time as Empress; we would take her treasure home for her.
We kept out of the town for the next day. We had nothing we could do there for everyone was busy with the funeral arrangements and I did not wish to aggravate the situation. We stayed at the estate. The horses had all been well rested and, more importantly, well fed. Sir Guy had sent a rider back to his uncle informing him of the death of the Emperor. I hoped we could still rely on him but, if we could not then we would find another route to take the Empress to safety. There was a grindstone at the hall and all of our edged weapons were sharpened. I had the surcoats for the three women all ready for them. The hard part would be to get them to safety. I had, with the help of Sir Guy and Edward, conjured a plan which we hoped would allow us to escape. If it failed, then it would be a bloodbath.
Chapter 4
We set off for the town before first light. I took only my men at arms. They looked resplendent in their surcoats with matching shields. My archers and Aiden had other work ahead of them. Sir Guy and his men at arms entered Worms by a separate gate. I hoped that our enemies would not notice such small numbers. We were admitted for the whole of Worms was filled with mourners there for the funeral of Henry, Holy Roman Emperor. We dismounted and formed a line on the road leading to the cathedral. As a mark of respect we took off our helmets. When the body passed us we bowed our heads. Empress Matilda followed, dressed in black and with head bowed leading a jet black war horse on which the Emperor's sword and helmet hung. Judith and Margaret were with her and Rolf followed with his knights and men at arms.