The Sword Brothers (73 page)

‘I offend you? I state
the truth, young Conrad.’

Conrad also disliked
being called ‘young’. He was seventeen now and reckoned himself a
man.

‘I said nothing about
marriage to Daina,’ snapped Conrad.

Henke stopped and
rested the end of his spear on the ground.

‘Listen, Lukas has
said that you have the makings of a fine knight and I accord his
word great import. And your actions to date have confirmed this to
me.’ He pointed at his white surcoat emblazoned with the arms of
the Sword Brothers.

‘You wish to wear one
of these?’

‘Of course,’ said
Conrad without hesitation.

‘Then you can’t have
Daina. You should put her out of your mind rather than torture
yourself with things that are beyond your reach.’

He looked up at the
clear blue sky. ‘Wife, child, hearth and home.’

Then he looked at
Conrad. ‘It’s not for you, Conrad. You remember that time when I
rescued you and your sister outside the cathedral in Lübeck?’

‘When you
and
Brother Rudolf rescued us. Yes, I remember.’

Henke smiled. ‘As you
will. Well, do you think it was a coincidence that we were there to
assist you and thereafter you came to Livonia?’

‘I do not know.’

Henke lifted his spear
and strode away. ‘I do. God has a plan for you whether you like it
or not.’

‘If we all survive,’
Conrad called after him.

‘You’ll survive,
Conrad. Just put your faith in God and keep your eyes peeled and
your sword sharp.’

The day passed without
incident, the Lithuanian horde around the castle being content to
cut down more trees for shelter and firewood and keep at a safe
distance from the wall. The bodies in and around the ditch
continued to bloat and rot, occasionally exploding as the gases
built up inside them tearing the putrefying flesh. The incessant
buzzing of the flies feeding on their flesh was even worse than the
smell and so those on guard duty stood, suffered and waited.

That night Conrad and
Hans resumed their position in their ‘cell’ and peered through
loopholes to keep watch on the myriad of campfires that illuminated
the darkness.

‘There seems more of
them than last night,’ said Hans, his face mask muffling his
voice.

‘I wish they would
attack and get it over with. This waiting is driving me
insane.’

‘Soldiers of Wenden, I
bring you a message.’

Conrad turned to Hans.
‘What?’

‘I said nothing.’

‘Soldiers of Wenden, I
bring you a message.’

The voice was coming
from beneath them, from the berm at the base of the outside of the
wall. The both drew their swords and lifted their shields from the
floor.

‘Soldiers of Wenden,
do you hear me?’ hissed the voice in the darkness.

Conrad pulled down his
face mask and knelt by the clearance in the floor.

‘Careful, Conrad,’
warned Hans, ‘it might be a trap.’

‘State your business,’
ordered Conrad.

‘I am from King Caupo
and I bring a message for Master Berthold,’ came the reply.

Conrad felt a sense of
relief sweep through, though he was still cautious. Words were
cheap and there might be hundreds of Lithuanian warriors waiting to
attack.

‘Go and fetch Lukas,’
he said to Hans.

His friend scrambled
down the ladder and scurried away to search for Lukas.

‘You must let me in,’
pleaded the voice, ‘it is a matter of utmost urgency.’

‘Be patient,’ replied
Conrad. ‘My commander is coming.’

For what seemed like
an eternity Conrad alternated between crouching by the gap and
looking through the peepholes to search for any signs of movement
in front of the ditch. He saw none, though there was no moon and it
was pitch black between the ditch and the enemy campfires.

Lukas arrived in the
company of Hans and crouched by the gap. He spoke first to Conrad
in a whisper.

‘Is he alone?’

‘As far as I can tell,
brother.’

‘Who are you and what
do you want?’ asked Lukas.

‘I am Valdis,’ came
the hushed reply from below, ‘I have a message from my king for
Master Berthold.’

Lukas slapped Conrad
on the arm. ‘Welcome Valdis it is I, Brother Lukas. We have met
before, at Treiden.’

‘Brother Lukas, yes, I
remember,’ replied Valdis.

‘Listen, my friend,’
said Lukas hurriedly, ‘get yourself to the gates, which are but a
short distance to the left of where you are. There is a door in one
of the gates that will be opened. Now hurry.’

‘Thank you, brother,’
said Valdis.

Lukas stood and
pointed at Conrad and Hans. ‘You two with me.’

They climbed down the
ladder on to the earth rampart and walked to the gates that gave
access into the castle grounds. Two sergeants stood guard behind
the gates and a further four in the wooden towers that flanked
them. Torches secured in wall brackets illuminated the inside of
the gates where the sergeants warmed their hands on a brazier, for
the spring nights were still cool. Lukas walked over to them with
Conrad and Hans in tow.

‘Open the door in the
gates,’ he ordered.

The sergeants looked
at each other and then at Lukas. ‘Open the gates, Brother Lukas?’
said one.

‘That is what I said.
A friend of the master wishes to enter.’

‘From outside?’
queried the other sergeant.

‘Time is of the
essence,’ snapped Lukas.

The sergeants saluted
and then walked over to the right-hand gate that had a small door
in its left-hand side. The gates themselves were secured by a great
oak beam that had been placed in heavy iron brackets so it hung
horizontally along the length of the inside of the gates. The
latter were also made of oak and had iron reinforcing strips
attached to both sides. They were thick and weighty and would make
heavy work for a battering ram as Ykintas had discovered to his
cost. Lukas drew his sword and held his shield before him.

‘Draw your weapons,’
he said to Conrad and Hans, ‘just in case.’

The sergeants had the
same idea because as one unlocked the door that was only four feet
in height, the other held his spear pointed at it. When the door
swung inwards the other sergeant jumped back and drew his sword as
a figure in a black tunic and leggings and black boots stepped
through it. He stood and held up both hands in an act of
submission.

‘It is quite safe,’
said Lukas. ‘Close it.’

He beckoned the
dark-clothed figure over as the door was closed and locked. He held
out his hand.

‘Welcome Valdis, you
are indeed a sight for sore eyes.’

Valdis took Lukas’
hand. ‘Greetings Brother Lukas, it is good to see you.’

The Liv was slight of
build with a thick black beard and long black hair. It was
impossible to estimate his age, though he was certainly not young.
He carried only a knife for a weapon, tucked in a sheath that was
attached to his belt.

‘I have an urgent
message for Master Berthold,’ said Valdis.

‘Then you must give it
to him,’ replied Lukas. ‘Follow me.’

They strode off on the
track, Lukas calling after Hans and Conrad.

‘Hans, back to your
guard duty. Conrad, go and find Rameke and bring him to the north
tower.’

Conrad slid his sword
back in its scabbard and ran past Lukas and Valdis towards the
castle. He arrived panting in the courtyard and went to the
master’s hall where two Liv guards stood outside the entrance. They
barred his way with their spears.

‘I have an urgent
message for Rameke, that is Chief Rameke,’ said Conrad.

‘It is late, the chief
sleeps,’ said one of the guards.

‘The message is from
his king,’ continued Conrad. ‘One of his men just came into the
castle with a message from Caupo.’

The two guards looked
at each other and one nodded.

‘Wait here.’

He went inside the
hall as Conrad began pacing up and down outside. A few minute later
Rameke appeared, buckling on his sword and rubbing his eyes.

‘Conrad, what nonsense
is this?’

Conrad smiled at him.
‘No nonsense, my friend. A man named Valdis came over the wall with
a message from King Caupo for Master Berthold. I was told to
request your presence in the north tower.’

Rameke looked
surprised. ‘Valdis, here?’ He straightened his mail shirt and
readjusted his sword belt. ‘Well, let us go and see what news he
brings.’

Daina appeared from
the hall, wrapped in a red cloak, her hair wild around her
shoulders.

‘I’m coming too.’

‘I’m not sure that
women are allowed at a council of war.’

She tossed her hair
behind her. ‘I am a princess. Of course I am allowed,’ and stepped
into the courtyard to walk towards the north tower. Conrad sprinted
over to be by her side, followed by Rameke.

‘Hello Conrad,’ she
said, ‘you bring good news I hope.’

‘I am sure of it,’ he
replied. ‘You look…’

He stopped himself
from saying that she looked beautiful.

‘I look what?’ she
queried.

‘Warm in your cloak,’
he said quickly.

She and Rameke looked
at him in confusion, then she smiled knowingly, sensing his
attraction towards her.

‘Do you think I look
like a princess?’ she asked coyly.

‘Oh, yes,’ purred
Conrad. He was clearly soft clay in her hands.

‘We are here now,’
said Rameke irritably. ‘You had better wait outside, Daina.’

She opened the door to
the tower and went in. ‘Nonsense.’

The ground floor of
what would be a three-storey tower would eventually be a storeroom
but at present was a large empty space with a rectangular table
placed in its centre, around which were stools. A stone stairway
adjacent to the wall opposite the door led to a trapdoor in the
wooden roof and gave access to what would be the second storey,
when it was built. There were no windows in the walls at this level
and thick wax candles on the table, filling the room with a ghostly
glow, provided the only lighting.

Master Berthold had
been roused from his slumbers and now sat at the head of the table,
Valdis on his right and Rudolf on his left. Lukas was seated next
to the Liv and Henke sat beside the deputy commander. Stoneware
jugs sat on the table, from which people helped themselves to wine.
It was all very different from the wealth and finery of the
bishop’s palace in Riga.

Berthold saw Daina and
smiled. ‘I fear the discourse of men might bore you, princess.’

‘I would hear what my
king has to say, Master Berthold.’

He held out his hand
for her to sit at the table, Valdis rising and bowing his head to
her and to Rameke who took his seat opposite Berthold. Henke poured
wine into cups and passed them to Daina and Rameke while Conrad
stood back from the table, feeling awkward. Rudolf noticed him and
nodded. Henke shook his head and smiled. Lukas turned to him.

‘You can serve wine,
Conrad, if you would.’

He went to the table
and picked up one of the jugs, refilling Berthold’s cup as Valdis
relayed his message.

‘After the battle at
Lake Inesis and the death of Chief Thalibald,’ he said, casting his
eyes down, ‘the king retreated north to Treiden, there to rebuild
what remained of his army. His scouts have been observing the
Lithuanians since that unhappy day and have been reporting back to
him the events that have taken place south of the Gauja.’

‘And what are those
events?’ asked Berthold.

‘The Lithuanians have
encircled the castle of Segewold and send raiding parties towards
Riga but as yet Daugerutis makes no move to take his army west. It
remains at Wenden but has been weakened by the departure of the
other dukes since the assault against these walls.’

‘Why did they leave?’
asked Rudolf.

‘I do not know,’
replied Valdis. ‘But my king judges that the inertia of the
Lithuanians is a sign from God that they should be attacked here,
at Wenden. To this end he has gathered every man and boy that can
carry a weapon and intends to strike the heathens at dawn the day
after tomorrow.’

‘Yes,’ hissed Conrad
without thinking, which earned him stares of rebuke from the Sword
Brothers, though not from Daina who flashed him a smile. Henke saw
it and laughed.

Berthold frowned. ‘Is
something amusing you, Brother Henke?’

Henke held up his cup
for Conrad to fill. ‘No, Master Berthold. I was thinking that we
should send out young Conrad against the enemy. With his luck he
could probably kill Daugerutis on his own and save the rest of us
the effort.’

Berthold was not
amused. ‘This is not the time for levity, Brother Henke. Livonia is
in peril and the Sword Brothers are stretched thinly.’

‘Daugerutis may have
brought many men to Wenden, master,’ snarled Henke, ‘but how many
of them are soldiers? How many can fight?’

‘Enough,’ said Valdis.
‘I know, I was at Lake Inesis.’

‘The king wishes us to
strike the enemy when he attacks?’ said Rudolf.

Valdis nodded. ‘Master
Mathias and the horsemen of Kremon will be accompanying the king
when he crosses the river and strikes at the enemy camp. He feels
that the addition of the garrison of Wenden will decide the outcome
in his favour.’

‘I and my men will be
joining the garrison,’ stated Rameke.

‘The king greatly
laments the loss of your father, Chief Rameke,’ said Valdis, ‘and
hopes to convey his commiserations to you in person following the
battle.’

‘If he and us are
still alive,’ remarked Henke dryly.

‘Do not the
Lithuanians have scouts of their own to warn of such an attack?’
Lukas asked Valdis, holding up his cup for Conrad to fill.

‘They grow lax in
their discipline, Brother Lukas,’ replied Valdis, ‘so confident are
they that Livonia is already theirs.’