by Peter Darman
‘I apologise for my behaviour,’ he said curtly.
‘You may retake your seat, brother,’ said Rudolf. ‘Please, Tonis, take the weight off your feet.’
He smiled at the Saccalian and pointed to an empty chair next to Conrad. Henke smiled evilly at Conrad before sheathing his sword and sitting down. Tonis propped his shield against his leg and placed his helmet on the floor. At least he has some manners, reflected Conrad.
‘Lehola is sorely pressed, master,’ said Tonis. ‘An army lays siege to it and Sir Richard has few warriors to man its walls.’
Conrad was not really listening, finding the proximity of the shield with its accursed symbol too near his body. The last time he was this close to a wolf shield he was trying to kill him.
Tonis continued, telling the master and brothers how the former stronghold of Lembit had been suddenly surrounded by thousands of brightly attired horsemen, who had then proceeded to raid and plunder the whole of Saccalia. The abruptness of their arrival had prevented the alarm being raised and consequently many villagers had lost their lives.
‘The raiders also took many women and children as slaves,’ reported Tonis, ‘before they could seek the safety of the ancient forest sanctuaries.’
‘Dreadful,’ remarked Walter, shaking his head.
‘Most of the raiders moved on,’ continued Tonis, ‘towards Livonia. But we have also heard that some struck north into Jerwen and others into Ungannia.’
Conrad’s ears pricked up at this. He hoped Kalju and his family were safe. He shot a hateful glance at Henke, the instigator of all this misery, who sat toying with the hilt of his dagger as though he had not a care in the world.
‘How many sit before Lehola’s walls?’ asked Rudolf.
‘At least five hundred,’ replied Tonis. ‘And there are more at Fellin.’
Lehola had once been the main stronghold of the Estonian leader Lembit, while Fellin, located a few miles to the south, was a smaller though still formidable timber hill fort.
‘What is the size of the garrison that Sir Richard commands?’ queried Walter.
‘Sixty of his own men plus the same number of wolf shields at Lehola,’ said Tonis. ‘A further forty Christians at Fellin and thirty wolf shields.’
Henke scratched his nose. ‘Those forts are strong enough if my memory serves me right. They were tough nuts for us to crack so a few Cumans without siege engines won’t be able to do much.’
‘But my people who have fled to the forest will be in danger from the elements if they are not rescued soon,’ said Tonis. ‘Winter approaches.’
‘I thought you people liked living in the forest,’ replied Henke.
‘Not when it is freezing and the ground is covered in snow,’ replied Tonis. ‘We still have to eat and with no food we starve just like you do.’
Hans shook his head. ‘A terrible fate.’
‘There are hundreds of my people in the forest, master,’ said Tonis. ‘If you were to march to Sir Richard’s aid the warriors among them would join you. I also know that among the Jerwen there are warriors who would fight beside the Sword Brothers if they came to their aid.’
Conrad laughed and even Henke wore a bemused look.
‘The Saccalians and Jerwen will fight beside the Sword Brothers?’ Conrad said to Tonis.
‘When Lembit was killed in battle, many among my people were glad that the years of fighting were finally at an end. We feared the coming of the Sword Brothers but Sir Richard has respected our beliefs and allows us to grow our crops and hunt in peace.’
‘What of Jerwen?’ enquired Rudolf. ‘Jaak still lives, does he not?’
‘He does, master,’ answered Tonis, ‘though word is that he and his followers have fled north to seek sanctuary with Edvin or Alva.’
Of the six Estonian tribes only the Harrien and Wierlanders continued to oppose the Bishop of Riga. Rotalia was subject to Oeselian war bands, Saccalia was under the control of the Sword Brothers, or at least Sir Richard, and Ungannia was an ally. Though whether that was still the case was a moot point. And now it appeared that Jerwen was without any governance, its leader Jaak having fled north.
Rudolf leaned forward. ‘You fought with Lembit, Tonis?’
‘I did.’
‘You know that we fought against him, and you?’ said Rudolf.
Tonis nodded.
‘How do I know that Sir Richard is not already dead and that you seek to lure this garrison into a trap to exact revenge for the death of your commander?’ asked Rudolf.
Conrad nodded in agreement and even Walter looked thoughtful.
‘It is true that we have been enemies,’ Tonis agreed, ‘but when Saccalia and the Sword Brothers were at war you did not burn our villages or steal our women and children to sell them into slavery.’
Conrad looked at Henke to see if there was any sign of guilt on his face, for he knew that Wenden’s garrison had been involved in slave trading, though in Ungannia and not Saccalia.
Rudolf studied Tonis for a few seconds. ‘You and I will talk further in private. In the meantime Brother Walter will escort you to the dining hall so you can take refreshment.’
The meeting over, Conrad walked with Hans, Johann and Anton to the stables to saddle some horses so they could train on the quintain and joust against each other on the training field.
‘Never thought I would see a wolf shield inside this castle,’ said Anton.
‘Rudolf would be mad to trust him,’ added Johann.
‘But what about Sir Richard?’ queried Hans.
No one had an answer to his question so they saddled the horses in silence and then led them into the courtyard. Conrad looked up at the cloud-laden sky. There was an autumn wind blowing and the sky threatened rain.
‘Winter will be here soon enough. I fear Sir Richard will have to look to his own resources until next spring.’
Hans turned up his nose at the sky. ‘At least the castle’s storerooms are well stocked with food.’
‘As long as Hans has something to eat all is well with the world,’ said Anton.
Conrad slapped Hans on the back.
‘We will march west soon,’ remarked Johann, ‘to join up with the relief force that the grand master will send from Riga to deal with the invaders.’
That evening, after vespers and supper, all four were summoned to the master’s hall. Conrad wondered if he was to receive punishment for drawing his sword in the presence of Rudolf and the other brother knights earlier, but was confused as to why his friends were with him. However, when they were escorted to the master’s office by one of the sergeants on duty he was surprised to find Tonis standing by Rudolf’s desk. The sergeant shut the door behind him as the four of them stood in front of the master’s desk. The room was illuminated by candles on stands and the fire was burning in the hearth, for Livonia’s autumn nights were long and chilly. Conrad looked at the bearded warrior in his mail shirt, leggings and gaiters and estimated him to be in his mid-twenties, perhaps older. Like many of his race he had fair hair and blue eyes. He wore his sword belt but at least he did not have his shield bearing the insignia that Conrad had come to loathe. The Saccalian had eaten with Rudolf and the brother knights earlier and he had noticed that Tonis and Rudolf had been deep in conversation, which was highly unusual as meals were traditionally eaten in silence in the Order of Sword Brothers. Conrad put it down to the Estonian’s ignorance of the order’s customs and Rudolf wanting to appear accommodating.
‘I have been discussing much with Tonis since his arrival and we are both agreed that Sir Richard needs immediate assistance if Lehola is not to fall. If that happens then Fellin will also undoubtedly be captured by the Cumans, which means that the whole of Saccalia will be handed over to Prince Mstislav of Novgorod, which in turn will lead to the Russians seizing Ungannia, which will be surrounded. I cannot allow this to happen, but nor can I march at the head of Wenden’s garrison to the relief of Sir Richard. This leaves me with only one alternative.’
Conrad was racking his brains trying to think what that might be, but was stunned when Rudolf told them.
‘You four will accompany Tonis back to Saccalia to raise an army that will march to the relief of Lehola.’
Conrad heard the words but did not believe them. ‘March to Saccalia, master?’
Rudolf nodded. ‘That is correct.’
‘Just the four of us?’ said Hans.
‘I will give you twenty crossbowmen and plenty of ammunition. I will offer a bonus to the first score of mercenaries who volunteer to go with you.’
‘But that will make only twenty-four men, master,’ said Anton.
‘Plus whatever forces Tonis can raise from among his people who have sought refuge in the forests.’
‘Saccalians?’ said Conrad.
‘Is there something wrong with your hearing, Conrad?’ asked Rudolf. ‘That is what I said.’
‘You wish me to fight alongside wolf shields?’ spat Conrad.
‘I wish you to obey orders. I have given you an order and you will obey, all of you.
‘Tonis believes that a sizeable force can be gathered from among those who have fled to the forests.’
‘Then why can’t he and they march to the relief of Lehola?’ said Anton impertinently.
‘Because they lack weapons,’ said Tonis, holding the stare of Conrad. ‘Many men were cut down trying to defend their families and their homes. They died but their resistance allowed the young and old to escape.’
‘So even if you manage to raise any warriors they will be young boys and old men,’ scoffed Conrad.
‘Saccalian men of any age can still fight,’ said Tonis calmly.
‘This matter is not open to debate, Brother Conrad. You will be leaving with Tonis in the morning, together with the crossbowmen and weapons with which to arm the Saccalians.’
‘You will give them weapons?’ said Johann incredulously.
‘Yes, Brother Johann,’ smiled Rudolf. ‘The Sword Brothers always support their allies.’
Conrad hardly slept a wink that night, and in the morning said little as he helped to load one of the ponies with supplies for the journey. Master Rudolf had been generous for in addition to the abundant quantities of crossbow ammunition that he authorised the armoury to issue, he also ordered that Tonis be given axes, spears and daggers so he could equip his men. The weapons, tents and supplies were loaded on hardy local ponies, similar to the one on which Tonis had ridden to Wenden, and that Conrad and his comrades would also ride. These hardy beasts with their low legs and long bodies could live out of doors in the summer and even in the autumn and winter could survive in conditions that would kill most horses, especially the pampered warhorses.
Conrad had cleaned his sword the night before but he pulled it from his scabbard and examined it once more before he left. It had been a gift from a Saxon knight named Sir Frederick of Tangermünde, a great warrior who had died while on crusade in Livonia. That was seven years ago and Conrad had been just a novice at the time. He looked around at the great stone castle that was slowly nearing completion. He had been here over eight years. He could scarce believe it. He looked at the sword’s disc-shaped pommel with its chamfered edges and unicorns carved into each side, and the birch grip wrapped in black leather. It was a fine sword, perhaps the finest in all Livonia, and he knew that to be given such a weapon was a rare privilege.
‘A fine sword.’
He turned to see Tonis standing near him, dressed in his mail shirt, helmet and carrying his round shield with its wolf insignia.
‘It has seen much service,’ replied Conrad. ‘Mostly against Lembit’s warriors.’
‘Master Rudolf informed me that you were the one who killed him.’
Conrad slid the sword into its scabbard. ‘You still carry his symbol on your shield.’
‘It is the symbol of my people, not the personal crest of Lembit.’
Conrad examined his axe before fastening it to his pony’s saddle. ‘It must have been hard for you to come here, to a castle of the Sword Brothers, the ones who defeated your people.’
‘You dislike me. I understand that. Former enemies cannot become friends overnight.’
‘Former enemies can never become friends,’ sneered Conrad.
‘Time is a great healer, they say,’ said Tonis, refusing to rise to the bait.
‘For some,’ muttered Conrad.
‘Make way, make way.’
Conrad recognised the gruff voice of leather face and turned to see the doughty old mercenary leading an equally grizzled pony from the stables. Conrad laughed at the pair who bore a remarkable resemblance to each other. The crossbowman halted his beast beside Conrad’s.
‘When Master Rudolf told me you were going off on some wild goose chase into the north I decided to accompany you to make sure you didn’t get into trouble.’
Nineteen other crossbowmen were leading their ponies into the courtyard, one to ride and the other carrying supplies and ammunition.
‘Nothing to do with a hefty bonus, then?’ said Conrad.
Leather face grinned like a gargoyle. ‘Bonus? Oh, yes, he did mention something about additional money but as soon as I heard Brother Conrad was going north, I thought I better tag along to make sure he doesn’t get himself killed.’
Conrad looked at the other crossbowmen. ‘Are they likewise possessed of a desire to safeguard my life?’
‘Who them?’ sniffed leather face, ‘nah, they’re just in it for the money.’
Rudolf, Walter and Otto appeared from the master’s hall and walked across the courtyard towards them as ponies defecated on the cobbles and small children who had lived in the now destroyed village ran around excitedly. Their mothers grabbed their arms and hauled them away as Wenden’s master called the four brother knights to him.
‘I know you do not understand the reasons why I am sending you all north,’ Rudolf addressed them. ‘You will just have to trust my judgement in this matter. You are all veterans of numerous campaigns and battles and have knowledge of Saccalia, and all of you speak Estonian fluently. Use the skills you have acquired to your advantage.’
He looked directly at Conrad. ‘I hereby appoint Brother Conrad to be commander of this expedition.’
‘Me?’ said a surprised Conrad.
Rudolf held up a hand to still him. ‘Now on your knees, all of you, so Father Otto may bless your enterprise.’
They all knelt on the cold stones and bowed their heads, as did Walter, as Otto said a prayer for their success and safe deliverance and that of Sir Richard. Tonis looked on with interest as four fierce warriors in iron knelt like men about to be decapitated. Otto finished his prayers, gave each brother knight a cold stare and then turned on his heels and headed towards the chapel. Walter offered his hand to each of them, coming to Conrad last.
‘I wish I was coming with you,’ he said to Conrad.
‘Me too, brother,’ replied Conrad.
Rudolf came and placed an arm around Conrad’s shoulders. ‘You are in command now, which means that you are responsible for the lives of your friends and the mercenaries who are accompanying you. They, and I, are relying on you. Do not let them down.’
‘No, master,’ replied Conrad sternly.
‘I know that you suffered greatly at the hands of Lembit,’ continued Rudolf, ‘but you must not let your hatred cloud your judgement. You must put your personal feelings aside, for a great many lives now depend on the decisions you will take. Make sure they are the right ones.’
‘I will try,’ said Conrad softly.
Rudolf stepped back. ‘God be with you all.’
More ponies deposited dung on the cobbles as a novice brought one carrying supplies and a crossbow on its back, over which had been placed a canvas sheet. Earlier Conrad had packed the spare surcoats, felt cape, woollen underwear, woollen leg wraps, fur cap and thick leather boots he would need for wintering in Lehola. He hoisted himself into the saddle and took the reins of the pony
loaded with supplies from the fresh-faced novice while others shovelled pony dung into wheelbarrows to keep the courtyard clean. He carried no lance for there would be no great mounted charges on this expedition, only a grim campaign in the wetlands of Saccalia. If Tonis the wolf shield could muster any men.
‘So, off to play with our newfound allies.’ Conrad recognised the patronising tone of Henke.
‘So it would seem.’
‘I reckon the chances of you returning are slim at best. Still, if we recover your body I’ll try to make sure it is buried next to your wife and child.’
Conrad did not even bother to reply, merely waving his arm dismissively at the brother knight.
He sat in the saddle and became aware that his three friends, the crossbowmen and Tonis were all watching him. It suddenly dawned on him that the master had appointed him as commander of the expedition and they were waiting for him to lead them from the courtyard. He became very self conscious as he tapped his spurs against the pony’s sides to make the beast walked forward, leading the other pony as it did so. He rode it to the head of the column where Hans, Johann and Anton were waiting, nodded at them and then led the party from the courtyard of Wenden Castle.
Henke had sauntered over to where Rudolf stood with Walter outside the doors of his hall.
‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ he said to Rudolf.
‘Have faith, Henke,’ replied Rudolf, ‘that is Conrad Wolff, the man who saved the bishop and killed Lembit. Who knows what else he is capable of?’
‘Having his throat slit in a Saccalian forest?’ offered Henke.
Rudolf gave no answer as he watched twenty-five riders trot from his courtyard to begin their journey that would hopefully lead to the lifting of the siege of Lehola. That night Walter prayed long and hard in the chapel to ask that he had not seen the last of the four brother knights who had left that morning.
They travelled directly north, a line of men on ponies leading other ponies loaded with supplies. Conrad rode at the head of the column, head down and mumbling to himself. Next to him rode Tonis, his wretched shield dangling from his saddle in full view of the brother knight. The Saccalian told him that they would ride to a place deep in the forest some miles west of Lehola.