by Griff Hosker
He nodded. Although it was the middle of winter in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, it was still hotter than even Ralph was used to. We stopped frequently and took on water. It was as we had taken another stop, just three miles from Shilat that Garth wandered over. He took the water skin and, as he raised it to his mouth said, “Lord, Alf has spied men ahead. They are in the rocks.”
I did not look but continued checking my girth.
“Have you seen them?”
“I saw a movement but I trust the boy.”
“Bandits?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, lord. Men hiding does not bode well.”
“Go around and warn the men.”
“Aye lord.”
I wandered over to Ralph and pretended to examine his horse’s withers. He spat. “Trouble?”
“Men are hiding ahead. I intend to spring their trap. I will have Alf and Garth scout ahead. Men hiding will want us and not two scouts.”
He laughed, “It has been a while since I exercised my sword arm.”
As Garth passed me I said, “You and Alf ride fifty paces from us. I hope that they will let you pass and then attack us. You have your bow and Alf has his sling.”
My men were all ready. I saw them surreptitiously sliding swords in and out of scabbards. We had no spears. We would be using swords. From Garth’s words, I had worked out that the men were waiting where the trail went between two large rocks. It would hide them from our view. I waited until Garth had begun riding before I mounted. “Ralph when we near those rocks head left around it and I will head right. It may confuse them.”
“This is your land and you are a horseman. I normally like fighting with the earth beneath my feet.”
“Then today we teach you to become a horseman. Use your stirrups and do not over swing.”
We began to move. I reached down to stroke Remus. As I did so I pulled up the long strap on my shield so that I held it, with my reins, in my left hand. My right hand was laid casually across the cantle of my saddle so that I could draw my sword quickly. Glancing ahead I saw that Garth and Alf had reached the ambush site. When they spurred their horses then I knew that the trap was sprung. A Seljuq archer, encased in robes suddenly rose from the rock and loosed an arrow. It struck Louis in the shoulder. Then the archer fell as Garth sent an arrow into his back. Another took his place but, before he could strike Alf’s stone had smacked into the back of his head and he had pitched from the rock.
“Go left and right!” Pulling my sword out, I rode right. A warrior leapt up at me. He was encased in voluminous garments. He jabbed up at me with his spear. I had my shield raised and I blocked it. Standing in my stirrups I brought my sword down on the side of his head. It grated along the bone and he fell. As he did so the cloth from his head fell and I saw that he was not a Turk. He was a Frank!
Garth and Alf had found a position some way from the ambush and they sent arrows and stones into the, as yet, unseen ambushers. Two warriors rose from my right. They had spears and they jabbed them at me. I deflected one but a second pierced my thigh. John of Chester was following me and he brought his sword across the back of one of them. The spear which I had deflected was pulled back for a second strike and I lunged down with my sword. I found the gap and my sword slid into his throat.
Another two archers rose ahead of us. An arrow from behind, sent by William of Lincoln, hit one in the chest. The other levelled his arrow at me. John of Chester had not stopped and he galloped towards the archer. The archer switched targets and released but John took the arrow on his shield. He did not stop and his horse trampled the archer to the ground. I heard shouts from the other side of the rock and knew that Ralph and Aethelward were laying into the ambushers with their axes which they used one handed.
There was a shout, in French. “Fall back!” Ten riders broke from cover and rode south. William, Garth and Alf continued to send their missiles after them and were rewarded with two more men falling from their saddles.
“Tom, see to Louis!”
“Aye lord!”
“Ralph!” I turned Remus to head towards the other side of the rocks.
“We are safe.” As I turned I saw him. “I thought you said the Turks did not raid so far south?”
I shook my head, “These are not Turks. These are Franks.” I sheathed my sword and dismounted. I walked to one of the so called Turkish archers. I pulled his robes from him. He was wearing Frankish mail and he was white.
John of Chester reined in behind me and said, “I know him! He is the sergeant who stabbed Peter. These are de Waller’s men.”
Ralph said, “But how did they know we would be here?”
I shook my head. I had been a fool. I had been so confident that we had fooled our enemies that I ignored what we had been told. “The two men who left after your ship arrived. They were de Waller’s men.”
Garth and Alf rode up with four captured horses.
“Thank you. Had you not been so quick then it would have gone ill with us.”
“As soon as we passed them I saw that they outnumbered us, lord. Did I hear you say that they were de Waller’s men?”
“Aye. “
“But they used the Turkish bow.”
Louis appeared, his horse led by Tom, “Aye but badly, Garth. The arrow barely penetrated my arm. It was used by someone who had not much experience of the horned bow.”
Tom shouted, “Lord! You are wounded!”
I had forgotten the blow. I looked down and saw the trail of blood I had left. “It was a spear.”
By the time I had been tended to and the weapons gathered I knew we would not make Jerusalem. “We will head for our home.”
“What about the bodies? Do we take them as evidence?”
“What evidence Ralph? De Waller did not use his knights. He will deny it. He will say they were bandits. He is a clever opponent. We have thwarted him but he will try again on the way back.”
“And how do we stop him then?”
“We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Keeping a wary eye open we headed for Aqua Bella. We reached it after dark. I was pleased that my sentries spotted us long before we reached the gate. Our defences were intact. As the gate closed behind us I reflected that it could have been worse. Two of us were wounded but our charge and his missive were safe.
Alice tended to our wounds. Tom had been basic in his ministrations. He had bound the wounds. Alice cleansed them and then applied first vinegar and then a balm made with garlic and honey. When we were bandaged we went to the hall for food. We ate well and both Ralph and Aethelward were impressed with my home.
“This King of Jerusalem has been generous in his gift.”
“He has but we pay a price. We are tied to this road.”
We talked long into the night. The wine was good and Garth and Robert got on well with the two Englishmen.
I awoke stiff for the wound was fresh but we left for Jerusalem when the sun was barely up. I took just Tom and Robert. If we were attacked on the short journey to Jerusalem then the world was awry.
“What is he like, this King of Jerusalem?”
I smiled, “Young but with an old head. His mother is the power behind the throne. He will agree to whatever you say. With Edessa captured Jerusalem is threatened from the north.”
My seal gained us immediate access to the King. Paul, whom I had discovered was more than just a servant, whisked us through the curtain and into the presence of the King and Queen. Robert, Aethelward and Tom waited in the court with those who dreamed of an audience.
Ralph bowed, “Your majesty. I have a message from the Emperor. I am but a simple soldier and he did not trust the words to my mouth.”
Queen Melisende smiled, “I do not believe that for one moment.”
The two of them read the parchment. Queen Melisende asked, “Was there any difficulty in reaching us?”
Ralph looked at me. I answered. “We were attacked close to Shilat.” I paused. “It was de Wa
ller.”
“You are certain?”
“Yes, your majesty. Could I prove it? No. You will have to take my word for it.”
“And we do. We have known for some time that the Lord of Ramelah seeks to usurp me.” The king smiled at Ralph. “We will need time to read this. Sir William, could you entertain the Emperor’s man?”
“Of course.”
“We will see you again this afternoon.”
I saw the look of confusion on Ralph’s face. When we were with the others I shrugged as I explained, “The king is young and he needs the advice of his mother. She has managed to hold on to power through two husbands. I have no doubt that they will confirm the treaty. We can go and visit the holy shrines. I have yet to do so. Come, Robert, lead on.”
We spent the rest of the day visiting those places associated with Christ. Many of them were filled with those who sought to make money form pilgrims. Ralph displayed a temper and a fierce expression which enabled us to walk around without disturbance. The normal beggars and hawkers did not risk his ire. We ate well although Ralph and Aethelward were less than impressed with the wine that we were offered.
“Come it is time we returned. They will have debated long enough.”
As I had expected they were more than ready for us. King Baldwin handed over the parchment. “You may tell your Emperor that we agree to this document.”
Ralph bowed as he took it, “Thank you your majesty.”
Queen Melisende asked, “Will you need an escort, Sir William?”
I shook my head, “I intend to ride along the Ramelah road. If you could loan me a priest?”
“The Queen smiled, “We can do better. The Master of the Hospitallers is to take ship from Jaffa. He is to sail to Rhodes. The order has business there. He was waiting for permission to leave. This would seem a good opportunity to do so.”
I saw Ralph frown and I wondered why.
“Should we wait for him?”
“He will meet you at Aqua Bella. You have a sharp mind Sir William.” The Queen held her hand out for me to kiss it.
“Thank you, your majesty, although I feel that I am in the company of the sharpest minds in Christendom.”
As we left Ralph said, “Rhodes is Byzantine! What does this monk seek there?”
“As long as it gets us beyond Ramelah I care not.”
In the end, we waited for two days for the master and his brothers to reach us. He apologized for the delay spouting the King and Queen as the reason. It was a large column which headed south. I had twelve men and with eight Hospitallers we would be noticed. As we passed Ramelah I saw the walls lined with de Waller’s men. It was hard to gauge their mood but I suspected that we were flaunting our defiance in their faces and that did not sit well.
The journey allowed me to talk with the Master. I deduced that he was a serious man. He believed in what he was doing. He was not in the Holy Land to become rich. He genuinely wished to help pilgrims. I admired him but I could not do what he was doing. He had committed himself to a life of service. I was happy to be a penitent but when I had atoned for my sins I wanted a life. I wanted a family.
It was sad to say goodbye to Ralph. He would be returning, eventually, to England. I hoped I would see him when I returned but I had given my word to the king that I would not leave until Ascalon was captured. There appeared to be no sign of that. The rumour was that the king wished to take Damascus first. As the Crusaders were still in Anatolia that prospect was a lifetime away.
I clasped his arm at the dock. “You have your grandfather’s blood coursing through you veins, William. If I was younger I would join your retinue but I fear I have seen too many of my friends die.”
“And I am glad that I have met a serving Varangian. My father has spoken of them but until you meet one you cannot understand that the Varangians hearken back to a different time.”
“You are right there. Your grandfather fought for Harold. He was with the housecarls who defeated Tostig and Hadrada. To those of us who now serve the Emperor they are the ideal and we strive to match them.” He smiled, “You would have made a good housecarl.”
I shook my head, “I like being on the back of a horse too much. Farewell. Have a good life and a long life.”
He nodded and they boarded the ship.
We rode back north feeling strangely downhearted. We had no reason to be. We had bested all of our enemies. We had completed all the tasks asked of us and we had yet to lose a warrior and yet, as I approached Aqua Bella I found myself yearning for England. I realised that neither Normandy nor Anjou would suffice. I had been seduced by the Count of Anjou and now, after barely half a year in the Holy Land, I realised that my father was right. I wanted to return to Stockton. I wanted to go back to my roots.
Chapter 9
David Ben Samuel came with Saul when the first shoots on the vines appeared. “Lord, it is time to fetch my daughter.” He hesitated, “Unless, of course, your task prevents you from doing so.”
I smiled, “I could be insulted by those words David Ben Samuel! I gave my word and I will keep it. Where do we find your daughter?”
“Saul will take you there. She does not know you and you are a Frank….”
“Of course. How inconsiderate of me.”
“We have spare horses. I would not expect you to use your war horses for such a task.”
“Does your daughter require a carriage or a litter?”
“No, lord. She can ride as a man does. Before…” He closed his eyes. “She was a wonderful young woman and as a girl was full of life and laughter. That man…”
Saul put his hand on his father’s arm, “Father we can do nothing about him. He is a Gentile and a Frank. He has power. If we try to do anything then it will end in the ruin of the family. Rebekah knows that.”
David Ben Samuel shook his head, “I am sorry, lord, but I am a father. I know that you will understand that I would have endured any kind of pain or disfigurement to have prevented my daughter suffering what she did.”
“I know. One day this man will be brought to justice but until then your son is right. You must bide your time and bite your tongue. God has a way of punishing such wrongdoers. It is the same God we all worship. We have to believe that he will exact retribution.”
We left the next day. I took Tom, Garth, Alf, John of Chester, Henry son of Will and Robin Hawkeye. The ones I left behind were less than happy. “Robert, I need you to carry on with the patrols. My duty is to the King but I owe David Ben Samuel. I will be away for seven days; that is all. This is not like bringing the Emperor’s emissary. De Waller can have no interest in Rebekah. This will not put me in danger.”
Despite my words, we went well armed. Saul had brought four of his father’s guards and they were all well-armed too. We took spare horses for Rebekah had servants and baggage. I was not arrogant enough to risk riding by Ramelah for a second time. I used the caravan road. The site of the ambush had been picked clean. Whatever bones had been there they had long since been picked over. We stayed in Jaffa. The port was busier than it had been during the Theophany. Ships were busy disgorging men and supplies. The Emperor had kept his word and the Crusaders were coming. I looked at their pale skin. That was us when we had arrived. We had changed both outside and inside.
Caesarea had been important when the Romans had ruled this land. Now it was something of a backwater. As we approached it I asked, “Saul, what was Rebekah doing here? Does your father have trading connections?”
He was evasive, “My father’s sister lives here. She and Rebekah are close.” And that was all that I could get out of him.
Judith, sister of David Ben Samuel, was a widow. She had four married daughters and no sons but she was a force of nature. When we reached her home, it was she who greeted us at the barred gate which led to her courtyard. She embraced Saul. Her smile and her twinkling eyes told of her fondness for him. I had not learned enough Hebrew to understand what they said. There was no need for all the people with who
m I came into contact could speak my languages.
She glared at me and Saul said, apologetically, “I am afraid that my father’s sister has a low opinion of all Gentiles and Franks in particular. She wants you and your men to sleep in the stables this night. I am sorry lord. She…”
I held up my hand, “It is her home and I respect her wishes. We will sleep in the stable. But we will need to leave early. I am reluctant to spend two nights on the road. We will have to stop once to sleep but that is all.”
“You are right, lord. I will tell my sister and her women.”
He turned and spoke to the woman. Her face cracked a little as Saul told her what I had said.
When they had gone, I spoke with my men, “Tonight we sleep in a stable.”
Henry son of Will grumbled, “A stable? Where is the ale and the good food I expected?”
John of Chester chided him, “Our Good Lord was born in a stable not too far from here this will be a good thing.”
In truth we were all ready for our beds. They knew that it would be a hard ride the next day. Judith sent over plenty of food and wine. She was a generous hostess. Saul had told us, on the way over, that her husband had been a supplier of grain. She had continued somewhat more successfully than her husband. She was rich and, in Caesarea, an important woman. It explained why she had not moved closer to her brother.
We were up while it was still dark. I had my men prepare all of the horses. The sound of their hooves on the cobbles of the courtyard was an effective way of waking the house. There were, however, people already up for servants brought us out fresh bread with butter and cheese. The horses readied, we ate. Saul emerged with the servants and the baggage which were packed on the pack animals. The four female servants she brought came out next and we helped them to mount. As they did so I realised that they were no riders.
“Saul, you had better have one of your men assigned to each of these servants. If there is danger they will need to lead their horses. They can lead the horses with the baggage too.”