Hawkwood's Sword

by Frank Payton

  “This is Gaetano, my steward,” announced di Lucanti. “I have instructed him to see that your men have places to sleep, and to prepare their food. For you and your lieutenants he will arrange accommodation in the house.”

  Gaetano bowed deeply to me, and beamed. “I am honoured to serve your Excellency.”

  I beckoned to Marco. “I think it would be best if you explained to the Count’s steward what the men will need. My Italian is not yet good enough.”

  “I will, Sir John.” And off he strode, with Gaetano rolling alongside.

  Jack and Giles also made to leave in order to oversee the arrangements, vowing to return as soon as possible.

  “Before you go,” I said, “Make sure the men understand there must be no mischief. I don’t want any outraged fathers, husbands or betrotheds following us to Genoa.”

  Giles grinned in his usual way. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean, Sir John. Do you, Jack?”

  “Hmph!” said Jack, and set off after his men.

  I turned then to see the Lady Proserpina alighting from her litter. My heart leaped at the sight, I have to confess, she was so fair to behold. A servant ran to assist her, and they both helped an elderly figure dressed from head to toe in black to descend. This proved to be a small old lady of whom Proserpina seemed to be very fond. I felt myself being scrutinised by a pair of exceedingly sharp black eyes. She spoke rapidly in Italian to her young companion, who laughed, blushed and said, “Signore Giovanni, may I present my nurse Taddea, who has looked after us all since the day we were born.”

  I bowed gravely to this small person, and essayed a greeting in Italian which Marco had taught me to say on such occasions. “I am honoured to meet a lady of distinction,” I said, adding, “Especially the nurse to the Lady Proserpina.”

  Taddea bowed in her turn. There was another spate of Italian directed at her charge who translated with flaming cheeks. “Taddea says you are very handsome, and you appear to be the sort of man who could rein in my wild ways, and that you should take me to wife!”

  This was boldness indeed, although I had to admit to myself that the prospect seemed very attractive on several counts.

  “Well, my Lady, it is certainly something to be thought of, but perhaps the customs of your country would demand a more cautious approach. We would need to know considerably more about each other than we do at present."

  “That is true,” she conceded with a smile. “But as it appears we will be travelling to Genoa together, we shall have the opportunity—under Taddea’s and my brother’s eyes, of course.”

  “Of course,” I said, wondering where all this would end.

  At that point, Ludovico returned his attention to me. Laughing, he said, “Come, Sir John, leave this troublesome child to prattle to her nurse. We have much to discuss, and you will wish to rest and refresh yourself before the evening meal. Proserpina! To your room, please! Take Taddea with you. Do not be late at table.”

  To my surprise, Proserpina meekly obeyed, and preceded us into the house, followed by her small, black-clad shadow.

  *****

  That evening, seated in the place of honour at the Count’s right hand, was, as I look back up on it after so may years, one of the happiest in my long life. The beautiful Proserpina sat to her brother’s left, facing me across the table. She was in turn the meekly obedient child, the mischievous maid, and the young noblewoman very sure of her beauty and station in life. To Marco she was gracious. Of Jack she was rather fearful, but she could laugh merrily at Giles’ japes and jests.

  Towards me, Proserpina preserved much of her dignity, as if to show that she was indeed a young lady of both virtue and responsibility. Eventually, when the meal was eaten and our wine cups were refilled, she asked, “Do you have large estates in England, Sir John?” her grey eyes wide with enquiry.

  “Unfortunately, none at all, my Lady. My elder brother inherited from our father what wealth we had. He is a man of business, and now a large landowner, due to his own efforts.”

  “But you are a knight, a nobleman,” she persisted.

  “Only for the past six years, since Poitiers. Prince Edward saw fit to raise me to knighthood after that little affair. Before then I was but a man-at-arms, though admittedly with a following of mine own!”

  “I do not believe you!” she cried. “You make little of yourself. Even before Lanzo, all Italy had heard of your deeds, and those of your men against France—and now against Savoy. You have an army at your back!”

  “Then that, my Lady, must serve as my estate. My wealth is in my men, and their devotion to the causes I espouse.”

  “And what are they?” Proserpina asked. “I am sure they are of the highest order.”

  “I could not even pretend to that. Like many another soldier, I fight for my pay. But if I take up a cause, I do not lay it down lightly until the final battle is won.”

  Ludovico intervened. “My dear sister, you must not subject Sir John to your interminable questions. I’m sure he does not thank you for your curiosity.”

  “Not so,” I said. “I do not find them troublesome in the least. Indeed, I will say more to you. In England I have a daughter who I have not seen for eight years. Her mother died in the great plague which visited England. She scarcely knew me when I was last in England, but it is best perhaps that she is with her uncles and aunts, for mine is a hard life with no place for a child.”

  “But she needs a mother, surely?” Proserpina leaned forward and placed a long-fingered hand over mine. She looked at me, her eyes warm and bright. I turned to her brother, whom I sensed was watching me closely.

  “The Lady Proserpina has a kindly heart,” I said.

  Ludovico sighed. “Yes, it is well known to me, and is a constant cause for concern. Her warm heart runs away with her head, I fear.”

  His sister pouted. “You are a miserable old man, Ludovico. God will not forgive you your hard heart. I shall pray for the Signore Giovanni’s daughter this night. “Now I will bid you all good night.”

  She then rose imperiously from her seat, and sending a radiant smile winging over the whole company, swept from the hall. Old Taddea followed, bobbing a bow to Ludovico and one to me, before scurrying away like a small black bird.

  Ludovico beckoned a servant to refill our cups. He shrugged his shoulders as if to dismiss his sister from his thoughts, and raised his cup to me.

  “A health to you, Sir John. Now that my troublesome sister has removed herself from our presence, perhaps we grown men may talk together in peace.”

  “I do not find her troublesome,” I replied. “Indeed, quite the opposite. Not every day does a man of my years and origin receive a proposal of marriage from a beautiful and personable young noblewoman. I return your good wishes.” I raised my cup.

  “You would be a very brave man to take that young vixen to wife,” chuckled Ludovico. “She is very high-spirited, as I and others know to our cost. But enough of this talk. Let us discuss your business with Boccanera.”

  “We need smaller numbers to talk of this,” muttered Jack. “Too many at table here.”

  “Yes, you are right, Messer Onsloe,” said our host. He turned to the company lower down the table, and dismissed all save young Niccolo, his personal secretary Giuliano, and one other. This was an older man, soberly dressed, who had remained in the background of the afternoon’s events. However, I had noticed him at the skirmish with the brigands, and he could well handle a sword. His name, as I learned later, was Orlando Scacci, and he was always in close attendance on the Count.

  “Now then, you will wish to know why I desire to recruit crossbowmen,” I said. “The answer is simple. I need such men, and I have none. Yes, I have many archers, but for siege work against castles and walled towns, where speed of shooting is not usually necessary, the crossbow comes into its own. It is less tiring to work over long periods. In an open battle, the weapon is less effective.”

  “But how will this avail Genoa?” asked Ludovico. />
  “I understand you are ever under pressure from Milan. It could only be to the Doge’s advantage to assist us. At present, we fight to maintain Monferrato in his lands, but this will shortly come to a conclusion. We shall defeat the Visconti. That will relieve Genoa as well as Monferrato, I believe. Insofar as payment for the services of your crossbows is concerned, we have ample means to satisfy any reasonable demand. Also, at need Genoa could find us a strong ally.”

  “It is well said, but Grimaldi and Orsini will go against you. They still smart over the defeat at Crecy, and the loss of so many of their men.”

  “The French killed more Genoese than we did,” Jack broke in. “I was there too. When your men retreated out of range of our archers, they were ridden down and slaughtered by the very people who had hired them, but who had neither sense nor patience to know how they could have been used to advantage. I felt sorry for the poor bastards, caught between the hammer and the anvil.”

  Ludovico looked at me. I told him that what Jack had said was true. “The King of France lost control of his knights. If he had held his men back, and waited until the following morning to give battle, there could have been a very different end to Crecy. No, I don’t think we should be blamed entirely for the sad ending of your men.”

  “I will mention all this, but I feel there will still be resentment.”

  “Maybe, we shall see. But remember this: Crecy was sixteen years ago. Many of the men who came home to Genoa will be too old for further service in the field. Your young men will be eager for adventure, and the chance to try out their skills in battle. The pay will be good.”

  “Do not mistake me,” said Ludovico. “I seek only to point out problems which may arise. Because of the debt I owe you, I shall speak most strongly on your behalf. There are others who will wish to assist you when I explain how matters stand.”

  The evening proceeded with more such talk, turning from time to time to more general matters concerning the Italian cities, their alliances and feuds. I learned much from all this and committed to memory the names of many persons then wielding power in Northern Italy. I heard more of the tyrant Bernabo, Lord of Milan, who kept five thousand hunting dogs. He tortured unfortunate captives on alternate days with increasing cruelty until he achieved his purpose, or the wretched victim gave up his life before facing the next coming horror.

  I listened with interest to accounts of the enmity between Pisa and Florence, and mused on the possibilities of future employment with one or the other. Also in this vein, I was intrigued to hear how the Church tried to extend its influence and power over cities and towns. Even the bishops were not averse to hiring soldiers to enforce their demands.

  At the last, with the wine jugs emptied and the candles guttering low, sending their sweet scent of beeswax around the hall, we decided for bed, and, preceded by servants bearing lighted tapers, were led to our bedchambers. I saw myself to rest, bidding Huw sleep on a pallet outside the door. Shedding my clothes, I donned a sleeping robe left for me. I extinguished the taper and moved to the window looking down over the ornamental garden bathed in bright moonlight, which threw dark shadows where its rays could not pierce.

  As I watched, the figure of a man emerged into a moonlit patch, walking swiftly and with purpose. He moved out of my sight and away towards the front of the house. Waiting, I listened intently, and eventually heard the unmistakable sound of hooves on grass, quickening in pace as rider and horse left the house behind.

  They were heading, I thought, towards Genoa. A little breeze stirred the night air, and brought the sweetness of late autumn roses. I turned from the window, and as I lay down I wondered briefly why Orlando Scacci was abroad so late in the night.

  *****

  I was shaken awake next morning by Huw. “Sir John! Sir John, wake up! The sun is already high, and Master Onsloe chafes to be away. The Count’s man of letters has been to bid you break your fast with the family.”

  Slowly I came to my senses. A dream lingered in my head and would not be driven away by the daylight. In this vision I had seen Orlando, the Count’s bodyguard, riding away with the Lady Proserpina across the front of his saddle. She had called out to me “Giovanni, Giovanni!”, but however much I urged my own horse to greater effort, Orlando drew away from me. His mocking laughter seemed to ring in my ears. A feeling of great loss flooded over me.

  I splashed my face and head with cold water from the ewer brought in by Huw. He handed me a fine linen cloth on which to dry myself. The cold water helped my awakening, and the dream faded, but a persistent foreboding had arisen in my mind, which did not leave me for many days.

  Dressing quickly in my travelling clothes, I went down to the great hall, followed by Huw. Ludovico looked up as I entered and pushed some documents into Giuliano’s hands, dismissing him to his place lower down the table with other members of his travelling party. He smiled, “Estate affairs, Sir John. Always I have papers to examine. Accounts to pay, debtors to press for payment; a heavy burden. But enough! Have you slept well? No disturbances?”

  I wondered vaguely if he referred to the departure of Orlando in the night, but said nothing of it. I had noticed that he was not at the table. “Yes, passing well. I am fortunate to be able to sleep well almost anywhere, from an open field to a comfortable bedchamber.”

  “You have a clear conscience. I find it strange that a man of your calling can sleep so well. Are you never troubled by the faces of the men you have killed? How will you account to God at the last?” He laughed. “You think me a fool to ask such a question?”

  “Not at all. I expect to be judged as one who did his duty by his liege lord, and without fear, as my opponents did in their turn. I have always fought fairly. I have never killed women or children, and would punish those who did. I have never forced a woman who would not be taken, and I never break a contract unless I judge myself to have been unfairly dealt with. Those are the reasons for my clear conscience.”

  “Hmm. I had not perceived the matter in such terms,” he replied. “Perhaps you are right to think thus.”

  The arrival of Jack with Giles and Marco brought this talk to an end. Seating themselves at the table, they proceeded to break their fast with some enthusiasm, eating heartily of the various foods set before them. There was good white bread, and cheeses, with eggs cooked in their shells, olives, and figs. With all this I drank only watered wine, but the others drank the red wine from the silver jugs as usual.

  At last Ludovico excused himself from the table and, beckoning to Giuliano, made to leave the hall with his retainers. “I shall gather my party together as soon as possible, Sir John. I know we are all anxious to reach Genoa before the end of today.”

  “And the Lady Proserpina.....?” I enquired.

  “Will travel with her nurse in a horse-litter,” he replied with a rolling of his eyes to the heavens. “To invite her to ride would be an invitation to trouble, and I have no intention of galloping all over the countryside to follow her mad pranks. No, the litter will be the best.” With that he bowed and left.

  I caught Giles looking at me. “Well, what ails you?”

  “Naught, Sir John, but I’ll venture that young lady would enjoy being chased around the countryside by one such as yourself. She looks a spirited lass to me.”

  “Enough of your impudence! You shall not speak thus about your betters. Away with you, and get your men ready to take the road. I’m not in the mood for your little jests.”

  “Perhaps not, Sir John,” he answered, completely unabashed, “but I’ll wager you have already thought it would be a pleasant pursuit.” He stalked out of the hall laughing, and tossing an apple from hand to hand.

  “One day he’ll overstep himself,” growled Jack. “My hand itches to take the silly grin off his face.”

  “Yes,” I agreed, ruefully, “but he’s often right, and it seems a pity for the girl to be denied her true self.”

  Jack looked at me grimly. “I’ll go and gather my men together. Someo
ne has to keep his eye on the mark.”

  *****

  Before long, we were once more on the road to Genoa. It was a fine Autumn morning. There was something of a chilly mist in the air, soon to be driven away by a bright sun in a clear sky. Our formation was as before, scouts in front, a vanguard of men-at-arms, a ventaine of archers, followed by my own party—which now included the Count and his retainers—and, of course, the Lady Proserpina and her nurse in the horse-litter. After them came the main body of men-at-arms and archers, the small baggage train, and a final detail of men-at-arms. Thus I felt secure. The three brigand prisoners were also taken along, and were eventually handed over to the city authorities for trial and their later execution. There could be no other outcome for the wretches. It would have been better for them had they been slain in the skirmish, whether by sword or arrow. I had little doubt that the eventual method of their dying would not be so clean.

  Luckily, there were no more incidents to halt our progress, and towards the late afternoon of the fifth day we sighted the towers, spires and red roofs of the great seaport of Genoa. Beyond lay the sea, a wide expanse of blue, glittering under an already setting sun. I had not seen such a sight for eight years, since I had last left England. I have heard it said that travellers overseas will often long for their homeland on arriving at a far away seacoast. However, this was no time for fruitless yearning, and I thrust the thought away, and turned to Ludovico.

  “This is a wonderful sight to behold. Such a fine city set beside the sea.”

  “Genoa is the most beautiful city in the whole of Italy,” he said, with no little pride. “We are a great seafaring and trading people, both to east and west. You can see for yourself the fine buildings, and the harbour always busy with ships of all nations.”

  He swept his arm around in a flamboyant gesture. “My house is one of the best in the whole city. It shall be yours and your principal officers’ lodging whilst you are in Genoa. I will make arrangements for your other men outside the walls.”