A Winter's Knight

by Fiona Neal

  “I shall, dear wife. I must protect you and the child we are expecting.”

  He then went back to her, and they kissed again.

  “Edmund, have you seen the trebuchet?”

  “Yes, but for today, Camden is displaying it to intimidate us.”

  “But he will use it,” she said.

  “Yes, dear lady, but if he shows it to us, he thinks we will surrender without a fight. He is wrong about that, Alice.”

  “Yes, Edmund, I know.”

  When Edmund strode out of her solar, Alice wished that she had bought him a new mail shirt. The one he had was adequate, but she knew too well that arrows with narrow tips penetrated the links. True, Edmund wore a padded jack, twenty five layers of linen in thickness, but arrows could still kill him. A mere scratch could fester and poison his blood, causing death. She had witnessed slight wounds fester and take lives.

  And what people didn’t realize was that it was the shock—the constant thudding of arrows—that could wear devastatingly on a poor soldier.

  Perhaps she should have bought the mail shirt. She could have said her grandfather gave it to him. Still, that would have been deceitful. Alice couldn’t lie. She just couldn’t.

  She walked to the window and gazed at Camden’s troops. At the moment, they seemed very far away. However, she saw a big structure, and then she gasped.

  That’s the biggest trebuchet I’ve ever seen.

  Alice just froze. Even an ordinary sized trebuchet could smash the walls of a castle to dust. This one must have taken months to construct.

  “Oh, God, please help us,” she whispered in desperation.

  Alice's breakfast arrived and she ate it, not because she was hungry, but because she knew she had to nourish her child. She then washed and dress without her lady's maid. She then exited the room and hurried to the chapel. She thought it would be full of people, but it was now dark and empty, save for the candles.

  “Dear God,” she prayed, “help the people of De Winter Manor and deliver us from evil.”

  Chapter Ten

  After her trip to the chapel, Alice hurried to the battlements. There her husband and grandfather stood.

  Approaching them, she asked her grandfather, “What is going on here, my lord? Shall we have a battle?”

  “We shall not start it,” her grandfather said, “but we shall engaged if Lord Camden attacks.”

  “But surely he will,” Alice said. “Look at the trebuchet.”

  “Alice, dearest, this is no place for an expectant mother,” Edmund said. “You must protect yourself and the baby.”

  “I suppose you are right, my love, but I am curious.”

  “So far, we are just waiting to see what Camden will do,” Edmund said.

  “Yes, for the moment,” Lord De Winter said.

  “I wish we would have sent Godwin to the king earlier,” she stated.

  “There is no use in thinking what we should have done,” Edmund told her.

  His words rang true. Still, they would have had more men to defend the castle.

  “I shall check on the place for the wounded,” she said.

  Edmund took her hand and kissed it. “Be careful on the steps, dear lady.”

  “I shall be, my love.”

  Alice then carefully descended the steep, winding steps to the castle undercroft, making her way to the place that she had designated as a hospital to treat the wounded. It would not be long now before the poor men would arrive.

  Though her resources remained somewhat less then she wanted, Alice had made the place as ready as she could. She worried about the lack of medicines, even though she had bought a supply from the abbey—which was still woefully inadequate. Furthermore, she was not a physician or a barber-surgeon. Still, she had more knowledge than most ordinary people. She would do her best.

  Dear God, please give me the strength and expertise to help the sick and wounded.

  Alice had faith God would help her. As she prayed and waited with the other women of the estate, she felt a little better.

  “Lady Alice, over here,” a woman called.

  Alice saw a man being carried in on a stretcher. A great deal of blood came from his shoulder. The poor man likely did not have enough money for a mail shirt, which would have protected him.

  So...the battle had begun.

  Alice ran to him, springing into action. She immediately cut away the bloody cloth of his shirt. The arrow had severed an artery. He was fast losing blood, and he would die if she did not soon stanch the flow.

  Alice knew she must remove the arrow, but she feared the man would lose his arm, or worse—hemorrhage to death.

  Oh, what can I do? I am not a physician or a barber-surgeon.

  Alice removed the deeply embedded arrow and the injury bled even more. She stitched the artery instead of using the cautery method because the man had suffered enough damage. She did not wish to inflict more pain.

  She after she finished stitching, Alice poured a kind of pepper on the wound, which was supposed to stop the bleeding, according the nun at the abbey, and then bound the wound as best as she could.

  When the bleeding subsided, she silently prayed a prayer of thanks.

  Still, Alice was unsure if the man would leave this life. He was so badly hurt, and he had lost so much blood. Furthermore, festering could set in. Despite her efforts, this undercroft was not the cleanest place. She was sure a great deal of miasma was present.

  Nevertheless, she had done her best for him, so Alice left the man’s side. She realized while she was tending to him that other wounded men had arrived, and the women she had trained were all busy—too busy.

  The battle must be raging fiercely.

  “Lady Alice, another soldier needs your attention,” a woman called urgently.

  She said a fervent prayer for Edmund and her grandfather and then rushed to the wounded man while noise and frantic activity swirled around her.

  * * * *

  Sweating soaked the padded jack that Edmund wore under his mail shirt or hauberk, as it was called. The May sun had reappeared, and the weather seemed warmer than usual. Furthermore, the exertion of swordplay made him exhausted and, oh, so thirsty.

  His muscles ached, as he defended the barbican, but he knew that tomorrow the trebuchet would start hurling stones at the walls. The breach in the wall would allow then Camden’s troops to invade—if they could make it beyond the murder holes.

  Dear God, don’t let that happen.

  Camden wanted Lord De Winter, Alice, and him dead. The perverse knave wanted no heirs to dispute his right to De Winter Castle. That meant, the unborn baby must die also.

  Well, if Camden killed Alice, the babe would also die. Somehow, Edmund must prevent that dire scenario from ever happening, so he fought with all his might.

  Suddenly, Camden’s troops retreated. Edmund held his sword, its tip to the masonry on the battlement floor, and he drew in a deep breath.

  Was this a feigned retreat?

  For some reason, Camden’s men left to return to their camp. Why? Edmund knew about sham withdrawals. The enemy pretended to run from the field of battle. The opposition followed, but they were led into a trap and often surrounded.

  Still, wasn’t there some speculation that William the Conqueror had ordered a feigned retreat that at the Battle of Hastings?

  But Edmund’s men would not follow. Edmund would not give the order to pursue. The soldiers were to guard this castle and defend it with their lives.

  Perhaps Camden decided not to wear out his men, for they had done little to win the day. What was the rogue plan?

  Lord De Winter had won this battle, but tomorrow would bring another fight—one with more fire power, for Camden would use his horrific trebuchet. He had no doubt about that.

  A plan formed in Edmund's mind. He hoped his wife would agree, but he doubted it.

  * * * *

  “Alice,” Edmund called out, walking toward her as she stood in her bedchamber.
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  “Edmund,” she ran into his arms and held him tightly. “I was so frightened for you and for grandfather.”

  “I know,” he said softly. “I felt the same about you and his lordship, so I’ve come up with a plan.”

  Alice disengaged from his embrace, but stood holding his hands, as she gazed up at him. “Why, my love? We have won the first battle.”

  “We did not really win the battle, though the men say we did. Camden retreated, but not because he was losing. Tomorrow, he will make another assault. He knows he can smash the walls with his trebuchet anytime he wants. He will play a cat a mouse game with us for a while. Make no mistake, he will breach the gate and take possession of this castle.”

  “But how can his men get beyond the murder holes?” she inquired.

  “Trust me, Alice, they will find a way. It can be done. We are greatly outnumbered.”

  “So…what is your plan, dearest one?” she asked.

  “You must not be captured. You must escape through the secret passage, go to France.”

  “I refuse to desert you, Edmund. Besides, we have sent Godwin to King Stephen.”

  “You are not deserting, Alice. You are protecting our child.”

  “I will soon be six months.” Alice patted her swollen abdomen. “I am afraid something will happen.”

  “And if you are killed, which we know Camden wants, what happened to our child them?” Edmund asked. Oh, God, he had to let her see reason. She and their precious child had to be safe. His frustration hovered close to boiling, but he could not let her see it.

  “I love you, Alice. You and our child must survive. We cannot let Camden win. You are the heir to this castle, and our child is the next heir. As long as you are alive, Lord Camden will never rest easily, even if he kills me and your grandfather and wins this siege.”

  She sat in the chair under the small window, put her face in her hands, but she did not cry.

  “Oh, Alice, please save our child.” He knelt beside her and took her hands in his. When she left this castle, he would feel as if his heart was being torn from his chest, but he could not think of himself and his feelings. Edmund was basing his decision on the safety of her, his child, Lord De Winter, and the future of this castle.

  “May I think about it for just a little while, Edmund? It is a momentous decision.”

  He dabbed her tears away and nodded. “Of course, dear girl, but please don’t take too long.”

  “I have one question,” she said. “What happens to the missive my grandfather sent to the king? Godwin promised he would deliver it. Suppose the king sends us reinforcements?”

  “I don’t know, Alice. I have not heard anything more about it. Godwin could have been hurt or killed on the road. You know bandits hide, steal, and kill in the forest. Many men are desperate.”

  “But that letter may change the fate of this siege because if it arrived, Camden’s forces would be outnumbered.”

  “Maybe.” He nodded, and he saw how tired she looked. “It depends on how many soldiers the king sends.

  “Oh, how I wish I was a rich man so I could send you to another castle. You’d be safe elsewhere—at least for a little while.” Money had always been a problem for him.

  Alice didn’t say anything. Maybe she was wishing to be away from the strife, so she could bring their child into the world in a peaceful place.

  “But enough about me, my love; you and the child need a rest.” He drew her up from the chair and walked her to the bed.

  When she lay down, he covered her over. “I must go, Alice, but I shall be back. For the moment, you should sleep. You’ve worked hard to save our wounded soldiers. Rest would be good for you and for our child.”

  “Yes, I must take care of the babe,” She said. “The child sure be my first priority.

  “I’ll be back soon. I must see your grandfather.” Edmund bent, gave her a kiss, and he turned, hurrying to see Lord De Winter.

  * * * *

  Alice watched her husband leave the bedchamber, and tears flooded her eyes. She did not wish to leave him. She hated the notion, but Edmund was right. She was carrying the next heir. They must protect that child at all costs.

  She surmised that Edmund probably would go to her grandfather and convince him to leave—or try to persuade Lord De Winter to go.

  Alice felt sure her grandfather would not leave.

  But, oh, she loathed departing from her husband. She had been attracted to him from the first moment she saw him. She didn’t really know what the strange feelings were, but now she did. It had taken her a long time to become intimate with him, but love had overcome her fears, for she did love him with all her heart.

  What if he was hurt in one of the upcoming battles? Alice wanted to be here to tend him. She realized she was good at healing. Even Edmund had said that. Still, if she was not here, the other women might not be as careful with him. His wound could infect and he could die.

  The devastating thought brought more tears to her eyes.

  Oh, this heartache was not good for her child. She must try to rest, but how could she?

  Sooner rather than later, she knew that Camden would use the trebuchet. Perhaps Edmund didn’t want her to be in the castle when that happened. The noise and chaos could cause her to miscarry.

  “No,” she said aloud and with determination. “I will not allow that to happen.”

  She must be strong for her child, for Edmund, and for all the people of De Winter Castle and then village.

  “And I shall not allow Lord Camden to kill me or my child.”

  She reached for her rosary and finished praying. At the moment she set the prayer beads aside, she got a thought. Allie remembered that she was the heir to this estate. Yes, her grandfather was still the lord here, but she had some responsibilities. She must show some spirit, some initiative, as she did when she took Godwin from that stock and saw to it that he had a better life.

  She would not slink away to France or anywhere else while this castle was under attack. She would do something to protect it. She got out of bed. She now had a plan—one that others should have proposed when they first know of Camden's vile plans.

  “I must go to Edmund and my grandfather,” she said aloud. “This plan could be the saving of this estate.”

  * * * *

  “But, Sir Edmund, I cannot leave this castle during a siege. I am Lord De Winter. I must lead this fight.” The older man began to pace, his agitation obvious.

  “My lord, you will be leading the fight,” Edmund countered. “We cannot be sure Godwin is on his way to the king. We must insure that the king send troops.”

  “But it doesn’t seem right, Sir Edmund, that I should leave. I would be deserting my home and my people.”

  “Someone has to take care of Alice, my lord. I must stay here and command the men. I cannot go. If she should fall into Camden’s dirty hands, he will kill her and the unborn child.”

  “Of course, you are right about that.” Lord De Winter stopped in front of the window and turned toward Edmund “I have never thanked you for saving my granddaughter. You risked your sister’s life in the process. You are a good man, Sir Edmund.”

  Edmund recalled that dark moment. He had his big hands on Alice’s delicate neck. He could have snapped her bones in an instant, but Almighty God sent him a divine inspiration, and he was able to save his now wife and his young sister.

  “I made a knightly vow to protect women. Camden wanted me to commit murder and imperil my immortal soul. I refused to do that. I prayed and God answered me, my lord. Besides, though I have killed on the battlefield, I am no murderer. I’m just a poor knight who remembers the promises he made to the great Lord in heaven.”

  “And thank God you are, but I will provide you with what you need,” Lord De Winter said. “That I promise.”

  Edmund nodded. “I know, but a man likes to have his own resources, and I am saving.”

  “I understand.” Lord De Winter smiled.

  “
But you have not answered my question, my lord,” Edmund said. “Will you go with Lady Alice to petition the king?”

  “No, Edmund, I am lord of this castle. If I must die defending it, then so be it.”

  “And that is as it should be,” Alice proclaimed in a strong clear voice.

  * * * *

  “Alice,” Edmund said walking to her. “I thought you were resting.”

  “This is no time for rest, Edmund. It is time for action, and I have a plan,” she said with strength and determination, “one that will deliver us from Camden's evil trap.”

  Edmund took her hand and led her to a chair. “Then let us hear about it.”

  “You have asked me to leave, and I said I needed to consider that decision,” Alice replied. “I have, and I came up with a plan. Instead of going to France, I shall go to your sister's home. I shall ask her father-in-law for troops. He will send them. His home is just a day's ride. I shall be back before Camden has reduced our walls and taken over this castle.”

  “That is a fine idea, Alice,” her grandfather said. “We should have thought of going to Sir Alec and his father, Lord Bosworth. Their castle is closer and they are now relatives my marriage.”

  “Alice, that is a brilliant idea,” Edmund proclaimed with enthusiasm.

  “If he gives us men, I shall not stay as Bosworth Castle, though,” she said. “I shall lead the men back here.”

  “Alice, you will be putting the child at risk,” Edmund said.

  “No, I shall ride in a cart, which will have a driver, so I may rest, but I shall lead the men here. I am the heir here. I must not cower or run. I must inspire the people and the soldiers here to defend our home.”

  “She is right, Edmund,” Lord De Winter said.

  “Besides, even if Camden wins, he will hunt me and the babe. I refuse to live like that.” Alice shook her head.

  “This is a side of you I've never seen before, Alice,” Sir Edmund said.

  “It has always been there, Edmund. I was always afraid to show it, but now I must.”

  “I told you I have seen flares of spirit,” Lord De Winter said and smiled.

  “Yes, you are right,” Edmund added.