The Dunston Blade (7 page)

“The King has sent word that I am to meet Prince Edward and to prepare to crush the Barons once and for all. We are to meet him near Worcester and we leave
early tomorrow morning. Carac, you are to stay here with enough men to defend the Castle and town if need be. John and Gavin prepare our weapons and
horses, pack only what we need, we have a long journey ahead.” With that Sir Cedric went back inside.

II

Roger was settling into his job as Bailiff, he patrolled the town with four guards and the level of theft and armed attacks had lessened. The Mayor was
pleased and Roger now lived in a small house in the better part of town with his extra income he had also hired a maid who would come in daily to clean and
prepare his meals. Life was good for Roger. Early one morning as the group patrolled the poorer part of town they heard carousing coming from an old Inn,
the Fighting Cocks. Roger sent two of his men to investigate, the noise increased and the sound of swords being drawn prompted the rest of the group to
rush in where they found the two guards facing a drunken crowd of ruffians.

“Landlord, show yourself,” bellowed Roger. A fat man wearing a dirty apron appeared from behind a bar. “They were too many for me, your worship, and they
wouldn’t keep quiet,” whined the man.

“Much more of this and I will close this Inn,” said Roger. He spotted the most sober of the bunch and called him out. “What causes you to make merry at
this time of the day, speak up or you will find yourself in gaol?” The man stood unsteadily before Roger and tried to explain that they had arrived late
last night from Worcester and they were on their way home to the East, they had been fighting for a baron but had been routed by the King’s men. Roger told
them to gather their belongings and be outside the town walls in half an hour, there was a mad rush for the door and as everyone tried to get out at the
same time. None got out as they were all stuck in the doorway. Roger sat down on one of the bar stools, laughing with his men. “I don’t think we will see
them again, but we must keep our eyes open as there will be more of them coming through,” said Roger. He turned to the landlord and remonstrated with him.
“Don’t let this happen again. Have a couple of men to keep order or I will close you down.” The landlord bowed and said he would do what Roger suggested.
Roger wondered if Roland would be among the men passing through. During the next week more of the retreating army passed the town, Roger doubled the guards
at the gates then suddenly the movement of men stopped and there were more going the other way.

“They have been persuaded to make a stand somewhere, and the Knights are rounding them up,” said one of the guards as they walked the walls.

“We have not lost any more men,” said Roger. “I think our boys know they are better off here.”

A guard came hurrying up to Roger and reported that they had news of a large force of Knights and men spotted south of the town moving west.

“Did you see any banners?” asked Roger.

“We managed to talk to one of the pike men and they are part of Prince Edward’s army going to Worcester,” said the guard.

“No wonder the other troops turned round,” commented Roger. A thought crossed his mind, should he report this news to one of the barons, but he decided
against it and not get involved. Arriving home for his evening meal, Roger poured himself a jug of cider and settled himself in his favourite chair. The
door from the kitchen opened and the maid walked in.

“You have beef tonight sir,” she said. “I have also made a plum pudding.”

“You will make me fat and lazy, Laila, would you join me tonight, I could do with some company?”

“Thank you sir there is enough, and my mother is visiting her sister so my time is my own.”

Roger looked at her, a comely girl and she kept his little house clean and comfortable, I am beginning to feel that this is now my home he thought. Ralf
could have his draughty Castle, this was better by far. They both sat down to enjoy the beef, Roger started a conversation by saying. “It is time you
called me by my real name, you are more a friend than a servant.” Laila smiled and her face softened, she appreciated the fact that she had been very lucky
that Roger had picked her out of all the girls that had tried to gain this position, however she also wondered what she might have to do to keep it. Roger
and his group kept a vigilant eye on anyone entering the town, he posted extra guards on the gates to deter any fugitives, but everything quietened down,

II

On the morning of their departure John looked out over the valley and saw a huge encampment that must have arrived during the night. He and Gavin were
ready in the Bailey when Sir Cedric with Gilbert de Clare, Alfred of Ely, Robert of Lincoln and Henry of Almain strode out of the Castle and mounted their
horses. The group rode out with John and Gavin following leading the destrier and spare horses. A company of Sir Cedric’s men at arms joined them and the
whole ensemble prepared to move off. John felt the excitement building in him.

“There must be over 1,500 men here.He “ he said to Gavin.

“At least that amount, but we had better keep close to Sir Cedric if we are to serve him,” answered Gavin.”Shame Carac is missing this.”

John looked back at the Castle and could just pick out the young Squire on the battlements. The large company moved off with great noise and some confusion
which soon settled down. A small number of townspeople had come out and stood waving at no one in particular, they had never seen this number of Knights
and soldiers before. John looked to see if he could spot the Mayor’s daughter but there were too many men milling around. When they stopped for the first
night’s camp John and Gavin picked a spot on high ground and pitched Sir Cedric’s tent and their own. They soon found a system where they could both work
together quickly and efficiently. They sat round a camp fire and listened to the men tell stories of past battles which always ended with the teller
winning. As they journeyed on many of the villages they passed were like ghost towns with people hiding behind locked doors. They fed off the countryside
which did not go down very well with the inhabitants, imagine 1,500 hungry men being fed by the cooks who stripped the surrounding fields of animals and
crops, payment was promised but the farmers hardly ever received any, most people wanted the fighting to stop so they could get on with a peaceful life.
After several days march they at last came to the outskirts of Worcester where they found Prince Edward’s army resting. Two days later the senior Knights
were called to the Prince’s tent and a plan of action was discussed, the Prince now had an army numbering over 10,000 men and he meant to finish de
Montfort. Sir Cedric came back from the meeting and told his two Squires to prepare for battle. That night John lay awake thinking of home and Tania, would
they be able to convince Sir Cedric of their love for each other. They were woken in the morning when it was still dark, the army was noisily getting
ready. John and Gavin put on the white over tunic with a large red cross, at the battle of Lewes de Montfort’s men wore a white cross and Prince Edward
decided that he wanted his men recognisable. The army started to move, a section was despatched to the bridge over the Avon to stop any reinforcements
reaching de Montfort, the rest climbed to the ridge overlooking Evesham. As they waited a thunderstorm swamped the armies, they could see through the
driving rain the baron’s forces aiming for their centre. The Prince gave the order to encircle the opposing force and the two armies met. The fighting was
fierce, many remembered the defeat at Lewes and attacked with a bloody resolve. John and Gavin were in the thick of it beside Sir Cedric whose destrier was
barging biting and kicking whilst his rider hacked left and right. John, on Anvil, thrust and swung his sword until he felt his arm would drop off but
miraculously all three of them suffered no serious wounds. A lull in the battle allowed some small respite and Sir Cedric moved them foreword into where
there was still fighting, it was not man against man but a slaughter as men took revenge on the army that beat them at Lewes. Sir Cedric pushed through the
throng to where the Prince was trying to stop a group of men hacking at something on the ground, they found the mutilated body of de Montfort. The royalist
forces gradually gathered on the outskirts of Evesham and Prince Edward called a council of his Knights to plan strategy to finish off any resistance.
Sitting round their camp fire John fell into a dark mood.

“It wasn’t a battle, it was a slaughter,” he said to Gavin. “I hope our battles are not going to be like that.” Gavin shook his head and lazily poked the
fire. “Maybe we will return home tomorrow, I’ve had enough of mud and blood to last a lifetime.”

Sir Cedric and his retinue returned to Wymondham where the men set up camp outside the Castle, Sir Cedric arranged a feast for them and the celebrations
went on into the night. John and Gavin took care of the horses and stowed all the armaments away. Carac was waiting for them in the Castle and wanted a
full report on all that happened.

“Let us get cleaned up first and go down to dinner, we haven’t eaten a decent meal since we left,” said Gavin. In the great hall they found the other
Knights and Squires that had accompanied Sir Cedric, they sat down and the food began to appear chickens, joints of beef, a whole pig, geese and the centre
piece, a swan. There was plenty of ale and mead and gradually everyone relaxed. Carac was still pressing for details of the battle but John really wanted
to forget it for a while, the frenzy at the finish had upset him. The next day he finished his work in the Castle and Carac suggested they go into
Wymondham as Gavin was on duty. The two arrived in the town to find it was market day, they wandered through the colourful stalls and chatted to the
vendors. Many wanted to know what had happened at Evesham but John gave only a sketchy account.

“I am going to the Priory,” said John and mounting Anvil rode off .

Sitting alone in the church he reflected on how he felt about fighting and living as a Squire. Sir Cedric was a kind man and John liked him, he was
generous and supportive to his people, in the town and countryside. John felt he could learn much under his guidance. The life was certainly different to
working in a forge. He returned to meet Carac and they journeyed back to the Castle together.

Over the next years life in the Castle settled down and apart from having to chase robbers and patrol the countryside around the Castle there was nothing
exciting happening. John studied the books in the Library and listened to Gavin, he was determined to show Sir Cedric his gratitude for giving him the
chance to better himself.

One evening Sir Cedric called John into his room. “I am going to arrange a Tournament in the valley. I will send invitations to my friends, I know Prince
Edward has gone on a crusade, but I hope some of my friends are still here, send messages to those I tell you.”

“Are we not joining Prince Edward?” asked John

“No, one crusade was enough. Once we know how many Knights can accept my invitation we will get ready for the event, it will keep us sharp and ready,
meanwhile you, Gavin and Carac had better train harder as I expect to win.”

John returned to the Bailey where his friends were already practicing and gave them the news.

For the next month the three Squires studied hard and honed their fighting skills, they did not want to let Sir Cedric down in the Tournament. John was
rapidly becoming unbeatable with the sword and long bow while Gavin practiced new moves with his lance and spear, Carac could outride both of them and fire
his short bow in rapid succession whilst guiding his mount with his knees. Watching from a window Sir Cedric felt a pride in their expertise, and thought
about his daughter. He missed her company but he convinced himself he had been right in sending her away, perhaps he would bring her back for the
Tournament.

The Castle was buzzing with excitement as the preparations for the Tournament got under way. Heralds were despatched to notify the Knights who had accepted
Sir Cedric’s invitation. A Herald was also sent into Wymondham to tell the townspeople of the event. Traders will be setting up stalls and the population
will no doubt turn out in force to see the fun. With people travelling in from the surrounding countryside the town’s Inns will be filled and local houses
will try to benefit by hiring out bedrooms.

John was sitting on the mounting block, resting after cleaning Anvil, when Carac ran up to him and said. “Guess where I am going John.” John looked at him
with a bemused smile, “I’m going to Lincoln to escort Lady Tania back for the Tournament. We shall be travelling with Lord Robert’s party but I am to guard
Lady Tania.”

John leapt off the block and grabbed Carac. “You guard her well or you will have to answer to me,” they both laughed and walked back inside the Castle.

II

Roger woke gradually, he was contented as he lay next to the warm body of Laila. He looked at her loose curls laying on the pillow, he was happy and at
peace with the world. Suddenly there was a loud pounding on the door of the little cottage.

“All right, don’t break the door down, I’m coming.” Roger pulled on his trousers and walked from the bedroom to the front door, opening it he found one of
the guards standing there.

“Sorry to wake you but we have a seriously injured man at the gate who says you can vouch for him. I was going to turn him away as it looks like battle
wounds and he’s not got long to go, but he insists he knows you.”

“All right I will come with you.”

They hurried off to the gate where they found two men with an old cart standing by the entrance. On the bed of the cart lay a man covered by a sack. Roger
bent over the cart and looked at the face of the man who lay there, he immediately recognised him.

“Roland!” Roger exclaimed. The man made no movement, Roger could see he was still alive though badly wounded. “Take him to the Priory at once, I will come
and raise the Prior.”