Baron's Crusade

by Griff Hosker

  One pinged from Mark’s helmet. I knew it was him for he said, “John’s father, Henry the Smith, deserves another coin for his work has saved my life, lord!”

  “You are hurt?”

  “No lord, but it sounds like the bell of the Church in Stockton is tolling inside my head!”

  There were more cracks as arrows struck shields, wood and stone. Another cry told me that someone else had been hit. The second line of horsemen was rapidly approaching. I lifted my visor and shouted, “Have the wounded taken away. Replacements!”

  The ones who had been cooking were eager to pick up the fallen weapons and improvised shields of the wounded men. Our line was still intact. I looked at Geoffrey who grinned. The arrowhead had come through his planks and was a handspan deep. He lifted his sword and sliced off the head.

  This time the horsemen who attacked us had two problems: firstly, they had to slow while they passed between their retreating fellows and secondly, they had to negotiate bodies. They were also aware of my archers’ skill. That worry would make them glance at the rooves of the buildings. Cedric and his men had accounted for another three archers before they were out of range.

  The second rank’s slower charge enabled Cedric and his archers to be even more judicious in their arrows. They aimed at the archers closer to the men who had neither mail nor helmet. This time, when the Turkish arrows struck, there were fewer cries. By the time they had fallen back to regroup, I saw that we had accounted for almost thirty men and horses. Not all the men were dead but there were thirty who would not attack us.

  Lifting my helmet, I said, “Replace the wounded!”

  A cry came back. “They have all been replaced!”

  That told me that we had been hurt, proportionately, more than the Turks. Perhaps the leader knew that for his next tactic showed his determination to end this. He had his whole line charge us. They meant to assault our walls. He had hoped to weaken us with arrows and now he would use his superior numbers to overwhelm us. I saw that the leader, aware that he would be a target, kept himself protected by four warriors who wore full-face coifs. I heard Cedric roar, “Now we bend our backs until our arms burn! His lordship depends on us! I will not be the one to tell Sir Thomas that we lost his son!”

  I dropped my visor and watched, again, as Cedric’s arrows thinned out the enemy but the sheer numbers who were charging and the fact that some were mailed meant they did not hit as many as they had in the first two attacks. Then the Turks loosed and this time there were more arrows. Thuds, cracks and cries filled the air as their arrows struck home. I had my sword at head height and my dagger was behind my shield in my left hand. This would be a hard and bitter battle.

  The Englishman with the executioner’s double-handed sword was still alive. I saw that he now wore a mail vest. I had not seen him take it but he must have leapt over the defences to take it from a Turkish body during the lull in the attacks. He was screaming like a Viking berserker. “Come on you heathen bastards! Let me show you how Alan of Chester uses this weapon!” He swung it as four horsemen approached, I saw that they had their arrows nocked. It seemed inevitable that Alan of Chester would die and then I saw one of the men standing next to him had improvised a spear from one of the palings he had found and he rammed that at one horseman. An arrow from one of Cedric’s archers took another and then, capitalising on the shock of the two deaths, Alan swung his mighty sword in a long arc. It was so long that it had to be a diagonal sweep and the end hacked into the arm and chest of one of the Turks and then through the head of the other’s horse. Certain death had turned into a minor victory and the men around him cheered.

  I might have cheered had not the enemy leader closed with me. Fighting just him would not have been a problem but he had four mailed askari with him and their swords slashed at me. I still had the arrows sticking from my shield and when I punched at the horses one went into a horse’s eye and it reared. I lunged with the tip of my sword and God smiled on me for it went beneath the skirt of the Turk’s hauberk and entered his groin. He and his horse continued to fall back and the leader was forced to move his own horse backwards to avoid being bowled over. Matthew and Geoffrey, although outclassed, fought like tigers. Matthew had become quite skilled and he used his sword as well as any sergeant at arms. Geoffrey’s shield was useless against a sword and the first blow shattered it and laid open his left arm. He slashed wildly at the Turk who thought he had an easy victory and hit the Turk’s arm. Matthew brought his arm over to hack into the rider’s horse and then as another sword came at his head he reacted instinctively and their blades rang together.

  An arrow came from the second rank of Turks and I saw it hit Mark in his right shoulder. He cried as he fell, dropping his sword. He held his shield above his head but he was helpless. Matthew should have stayed where he was but it was his brother and he did what any brother would have done. He raced to Mark’s side. It left a gap next to Geoffrey and the Turkish leader and one of his bodyguards took their chance and leapt across the gap in the wall for there was neither blade nor spear there and the palings had been smashed to kindling by the previous dead. Geoffrey’s sword connected with the Turkish warrior’s horse but he was knocked to the ground and lay there, stunned.

  “Jean, Philip, we are breached, watch the fore!”

  I whirled and ran at the two warriors who had broken through. I leapt over Geoffrey’s unconscious body and hit the warrior with my shield and my sword. My sword ripped across his thigh and the weight of my charge, allied to the fact that Geoffrey had already hurt the horse meant that horse and rider fell to the ground. It also made the Turkish amir’s horse moved sideways and away from me. I brought my sword over to hit the warrior trapped beneath his horse. He wore a helmet and a full-face mail coif but my sword split them and his skull in two.

  Matthew shouted, “Watch out, lord!”

  I whirled with my shield and sword just in time to block the blow from the amir’s sword while brave Matthew hacked through the leg of another Turk who was leaping towards me. His other men were emboldened by their leader’s success and our men were hard-pressed. If it was not for Cedric and his bowmen then we would have been swamped. I still held my dagger in my left hand and I ripped my shield and dagger across the amir’s horse’s throat. I did not kill it but I terrified it and it reared throwing the amir to the ground. He rose to his feet with his small round shield and sword. Two days without enough sleep and little food had weakened me but I knew I had to defeat this leader or everything we had achieved would be lost. I hefted my shield and weighed up my options. His shield was smaller but also lighter. He could deflect my blows without damaging his shield. His sword was not as big as mine but it was sharp. He made my decision for me; he swung at me with his sword while he punched at me with his shield. Alan of Bellingham had often practised such a move with me and I knew how to counter. I met him with my shield, sword and dagger while bringing up my right knee to hit him hard between the legs. I had metal plates on my knees and when I hit the blow hurt him. Our shields were together and I rammed the edge of the shield upward, smashing into his jaw. I was sprayed with blood and teeth. More, I saw his eyes begin to roll and so I pulled back my right arm and rammed the tip of my sword into his open mouth. He fell, dead. When the enemy realised their leader was dead they would fall back!

  Of course, a battle is not about two men. His death would dishearten his men but most were too busy fighting to see and it was as I hurried back to the defence that I saw Matthew, standing over his wounded brother and the unconscious Geoffrey, trying to fight three men. It would have been too much for me and although he wounded one, a second rammed his sword through Matthew’s body while the third raised his sword for the coup de grace. Alan of Chester’s executioner’s sword hacked through the three men and, as their bodies fell to the ground, I heard a wail from the Turks as they realised that their lord was dead. They began to flee but our men wanted blood and they did not escape lightly. Arrows struck those some distance f
rom the wall and my men leapt over to hack and butcher all who were close to them. We had won but, as I looked at the dead, I counted the cost.

  While men went wild, I ran to Matthew. Alan of Chester knelt over him. I could see that the sword had gone through him and there was much blood. Alan shook his head, “He is a game ’un, Sir William.”

  Mark was clutching his shoulder and he could not stop himself from weeping, “How is he, lord?”

  Before I could speak, Matthew opened his eyes. A trickle of blood dripped from his mouth as he spoke, “I am sorry I left my post, Sir William. I could not let Mark die, he is my brother. He is my father’s favourite.”

  Forcing himself up so that he could speak with my squire Mark said, “Matthew, you must live! You saved my life!”

  I added, “And that of Geoffrey of Lyon.”

  Matthew smiled, “Then perhaps I have made amends for my mistake, lord. I pray you to watch over my brother until you reach home.”

  “You cannot die, Matty!”

  Matthew gave a wan smile, “Nor do I wish to. I would have loved to be a knight. Swear, Mark, that you will be the best knight that you can be for you will a knight for both of us.”

  “I swear!”

  “And lord, I have tried to be a good squire. If I have been at fault then…” His eyes closed and Matthew, the tanner’s son, died. No knight ever died better. I looked up and saw my men standing around us; Rafe and Peter had joined us, along with Cedric and my archers.

  Cedric shook his head, “It is not right, lord. He had so much to live for. Why did God not take me instead?”

  “Because it was not your time. You had better see to the other wounded, Peter. You can do nothing for Matthew. Rafe, collect weapons, armour, horses, treasure. Cedric, send two of your men to follow the Turks. Make sure that they have gone.”

  “Aye, lord.”

  I stood and looked around. There had been many deaths. I saw that Jean lived although his scalp had been laid open to the bone. Sir Philip was also still standing. I called him over, “Sir Philip, a roll call if you please.”

  “Aye, Sir William.” He shook his head, “I am ready to go to my bride now.”

  I heard murmuring beside me and I saw Geoffrey of Lyon coming to. I knelt next to him, “Lie still until Peter of York can tend to your wounds.”

  He lay back and said. “Did we win?”

  “It is too early to say. We survive, let us leave it at that. Mark, watch over Geoffrey until Peter returns.” My father’s squire looked as though he was in a daze. Giving him this task might focus his mind.

  “Aye, lord.”

  Peter of York stood and made the sign of the cross. One of the captives had died. “Peter, see to Geoffrey.”

  “Aye, lord. A sad day yet a day full of glory and heroism; I am uncertain how I should feel but Cedric is right. Any one of us would happily have changed places with Matthew. He was well-liked.”

  It was hard for me to speak. Matthew was the first squire I had had and he was now dead. I had been comfortable with him. Now, when we returned home, I would have to tell his father and his sister that he had died. The fact that he had died so well would be of little comfort to either of them. Sir Philip and his squire came over. The French knight looked drawn.

  “Well, Sir Philip, what is the butcher’s bill?”

  “Looking at the enemy we have slain it is not as bad as it could have been. We slew over sixty Turks and wounded many others yet our losses are heavy. You lost your squire although your archers and men at arms are whole. I have a squire and three men left. Twelve of the captives died and five were wounded along with Jean. He fought like a lion!”

  I nodded for I still could not take in the fact that Matthew was dead. “You and your men did well. You have the honour you sought and I thank you. I know that I could not have done this without you.”

  “You should rest. I doubt they will come again this night. I will have the food served.”

  “Aye, the men need it. I will see how Geoffrey is and then we must bury our dead.”

  Jean wandered over, “It was good to hurt the bastards!”

  “I thank you, Jean of Rheims.”

  “It is I who should thank you. The ghosts of the past are now exorcised and I can return to France.” I saw him looking at Matthew’s cloak covered body, “I am sorry the lad died. He was a good warrior.”

  “I will speak with Peter about Geoffrey and then we will bury the dead.”

  “This is a good place for the dead to rest, lord. This is where Our Lord walked on the water and is the place the Jews defied the Romans. The dead will sleep well here until the day of resurrection.”

  There was comfort in Jean’s words and I felt better as I walked towards Peter, Mark and Geoffrey. Both youths had had their hurts tended. Peter stood, “Their wounds are not serious but Master Mark will not be able to fight for a week or so.”

  “If we have to fight again then all is lost.”

  Geoffrey said, “I am sorry you lost your squire saving my life, Sir William. I feel like a burden now. Many men lost their lives saving me.”

  “Look around, Geoffrey of Lyon, there was more than you that was saved. Jean of Rheims now has his life back. Sir Philip can return to France and marry. He is freed. You have your life and that is good.”

  “But what life is there, lord? I have no land and no money. I have no knight to serve and all I know is war.”

  “My father was like you and he found a life. He became a sword for hire.”

  “I have heard his story, lord, but he was dubbed, by the King himself. I have nothing.”

  Mark had been straightening his dead brother’s hair for he had seen the other bodies being carried to the graveyard. He looked up and smiled, “My brother, Matty, was a kind brother for he was always looking out for me. He would not wish this sadness and I see an obvious solution, my lord. You need a squire and Geoffrey needs a knight. As Ridley the Giant might say, ‘This is fate and was meant to be’.”

  When I saw Geoffrey’s eyes brighten I knew what answer I ought to give and I did so for John was too young to be even considered for training as a knight. “If you will be my squire, Geoffrey of Lyon, then I shall happily train you to become a knight.”

  Geoffrey held his sword before him, like a cross, “Then I swear to be the best squire that I can be and serve you unto death.”

  “No, Geoffrey, for I want no more squires to die. You will serve me until you are knighted. And now, Mark, let us lay your brother to rest with the other brave warriors of Ein Gedi.”

  The funeral was a sombre ceremony. The Jews who lived in the ruins also attended. Jean told me that our common enemy was the Muslims and they had approved of our heroic defence. The locals left but the rest of us stood around for I let them know I wished to speak to them. The scouts had returned with the news that the Turks had fled east. Another two had succumbed to their wounds before they could even cross the river. We had captured ten horses and we were safe.

  “Tonight, we sleep. First, we eat for I know not about you but my stomach thinks that my throat has been cut. Tomorrow we will ride to Jerusalem. The treasure, arms, horses and armour we captured will be sold in Jerusalem and all the survivors of this battle will have an equal share.” I smiled at the look of surprise on their faces, especially the rescued men. Most did not know that was my father’s way. “Any who wish may stay in Jerusalem. I will speak with the castellan. For myself, I go to Acre where I shall take ship for England. Jean of Rheims will come with us as far as France but any of you are welcome to share the voyage with us. Indeed, if any so wish it, there will be a home for you in England at my castle.” I knew that half of the men before me were English. “If any wish to speak with me then do so but it will be some time before we have our ship.”

  They all cheered and called my name. I felt embarrassed.

  “Away with you, let us eat!”

  As I walked back flanked by Geoffrey and Mark, Alan of Chester, although most men since t
he battle had joked that his name should be Alan Longsword, hurried up to speak with me. His mail vest was bloody and cut about and he had asked for a Turkish hauberk from the dead. We had given it to him. He said, “Sir William, I am a plain-spoken man and I won’t beat about the bush. I served Baron Amaury de Montfort. He would not have come for me. I doubt he even knew my name. There is nothing for me here, France or even England, save by your side. I like the way you lead and fight and I like the care you have for your men. I have not witnessed it before. I have spoken with your men and I would be one of your sergeants.”

  I smiled, “Honestly spoken and I will give you a place but, on the proviso, that if within a week or a month you are unhappy then you will tell me.”

  He laughed, “I am an honest man, lord, and I will tell you.”

  That evening, as we ate, Jean, Peter and Rafe also told me that many others wished to follow my banner. A couple of the Frenchmen were keen to join Sir Philip. The rescue, flight and the battle, it seems, had bonded them. It was likely that I would return home with as many men as I left with. Already Mark and Geoffrey were becoming closer. It was as though Geoffrey had, quite literally, stepped into Matthew’s shoes. That night none would let me watch and I slept but it was a troubled sleep for it was haunted by dead men’s faces. This had never happened before and, when I woke, I realised why. Men had died because I had chosen to make the rescue. It was not like Elsdon where I had been defending against an enemy. Here I had sought danger and men had died. I had learned a lesson about myself and I was changed.

  We left the next morning. I kept my promise and the people of Ein Gedi were given money. Every eye was drawn to the graveyard with the stark newly fashioned crosses marking the graves of our dead.

  Although the consensus of opinion was that the Turks would give up it was not beyond the bounds of possibility that they might attempt something on the last part of the journey after we had cleared the Dead Sea and so we were vigilant. We broke the journey up as best we could for we had wounded men but all of us were anxious to spend a night where we would have walls and guards to protect us. We reached Jerusalem just after dark. The wounded were taken to the Hospitallers and we stayed at the expensive inn. It proved to be less expensive for Jean spoke with the innkeeper before he left for the stable where he had worked. He would be leaving and he had his affairs to put in order.