by Rocky Bills
She is weak but squeezes my hand. “I kept your heart with me, good sir.” I gently wrap her up like a baby and cradle her against me. I’m taking my girl home.
When the invaders began the attack and Ox blew Hades Quake, men-at-arms accompanying the noble families moved quickly to surround their charges. Soldiers from several holds soon formed an alliance to set defenses around the main house complex should any of the attackers splinter off of the main group. If De Ferrier soldiers failed on the battlefield, these soldiers would be the last line of defense. As our procession continued up the path toward the main house, more and more people continued to line the roadway. Torches were lit to light the way. Soldiers of visiting lords now fell out to join the noble families and hold folk forming along both sides of the roadway. News of the battle had traveled quickly. Nobles, common folk, and these soldiers would honor those who fought. Word of Basilea’s grave injury and Gamel’s insanity on the battlefield were well known by the time Ox blew his horn, signifying the withdrawal from the field of battle. As hold visitors joined the lines, the number of people along the path swelled to almost two thousand. As the procession made its way on the now well-lit path, Demon took full advantage of the opportunity to bask in his own glory. After all, why else would all these people gather, but to bestow praise upon his self-proclaimed royalty? At full attention, tail and head up, with his neck gracefully arched, he strutted back and forth in front of his subjects. He couldn’t understand why the people shied away when he came close to them. They were not praising him for the pretty that he carried in his mouth, his trophy of war. His human had told him it was his to keep. They should be telling him how beautiful it was. To ensure people could see his beautiful trophy, he veered close to the crowd so they could gaze upon his pretty. When people gasped or screamed, he would go to the other side of the path. Perhaps he would get a better response on the other side. When the procession neared the main house, visiting lords and their ladies had joined the ranks of well-wishers. Demon approached some of the same ladies he had entertained two days earlier. Upon seeing his gruesome trophy, two of the noble ladies promptly fainted on the spot. Demon took that as the highest compliment. They must have been overwhelmed by the immense beauty of his pretty. Mildred had fallen into her usual place on Gamel’s left shoulder. She was proud and pranced in her best erect pose. Seeing the devastating effect Demon was having on the crowd by presenting them his souvenir arm, Gamel spoke to Mildred. “Mildred, isn’t there anything you can do to control him?” Mildred’s erect pose sank like a stone on water. Her tail fell, her ears pinned back, and her head dropped as she looked away from Demon in disgust. She slowly shook her head back and forth miserably. “It’s okay, Mildred. I know, there isn’t anything I can do about it right now, either. Mildred, you are such a good horse, and you were a very brave girl today. I’m very proud of you, very, very proud!” Mildred was immediately revived. Her tail flagged, head popped up, and ears pricked forward. She was instantly renewed appropriately for the occasion.
At Sirates House, Lord Goodwin was being attended to by Healer Umfrey. Goodwin’s wound had been cleaned with boiled wine and a poultice applied. A fresh dressing was secured by wrapping white linen over his shoulder and around his chest. The new dressing immediately began wicking up blood from the wound, leaving a red blotch on the white cloth. Healer Umfrey spoke. “My lord, the wound has been cleaned and packed with a drawing poultice. The poultice should draw out any festering that may try un take root. You were very lucky, my lord. The weapon missed all vital organs and bone. Although the wound is painful and has caused considerable blood loss, you should manage a total recovery. The wound must be cleaned three times daily and redressed, but you will be on your feet in a short time.”
Goodwin replied, “Thank you, Master Umfrey. Your attentions are greatly appreciated. You may go now and attend the wounded men awaiting your care.”
“Thank you, my lord. I take my leave.”
Sitting propped up on one of the beds in Fulk’s quarters, Goodwin looked around the room. “Captain Terric, are you here?”
“Yes, my lord.” Terric moved to Goodwin’s bedside. “My lord, what is your will?”
“What of the casualties? Have we any word yet?”
“My lord, we have suffered fourteen dead, twenty-three wounded, nine of those seriously, of which two are not expected ta live. Of the dead, three are personal guard and eleven regulars. Of the wounded, two are personal guard, of which one will not live the day out.”
Looking somber, Goodwin said, “Did we lose any ranked soldiers?”
“No, my lord, we did not. Sergeant Devin, of the personal guard, is wounded but 'tis not serious. We were very lucky, my lord. We should not have survived the attack.”
“I didn’t know we had planned for the regulars to join the battle. That is what saved our asses today. How did that come about?”
“My lord, that be Gamel’s doing. Seems he pointed out ta Renald, when the hold be under attack, men-at-arms be bound by oath to defend. To not defend 'tis a crime punishable by death. That be all excuse Renald needed ta deploy.”
“Well, thank God for oaths and boys smart enough to use them against us!”
Both men laughed. Goodwin stated, “Well, that boy saved the hold today and all of our asses, Terric. How bad is he with the battle fever?”
“My lord, 'tis reported as the worst case Ox has ever seen. I be afraid he might not come back ta us.”
“Well, let’s not think of the worst. If Basilea lives, he will have good reason to stay with us. Captain, I don’t want any battlefield looting, not here in Serenity Valley. Please see that that does not happen.”
“'Tis taken care of, my lord. Men are posted to guard da field. Weapons're being collected, and the corpses bein' collected. My lord, how do you want the dead invaders handled?”
“After we came under attack, Lady Bella checked a couple of the dead, and they wore the symbol of the assassin guild from Ackmer. They have ink in the palm of their left hand of a coiled snake; that’s their mark. They are ruthless killers of anything that walks or crawls. They had no honor in life, and they will have none in death. Haul all the corpses to the trash pit, and burn them.”
“A fitting end for trash, indeed, my lord. I’ll see to it.”
“Captain, we have over two thousand visitors to the valley, not counting nobility. I need to address the visitors and our hold folk right away. Has Sayer come in from the mounted sweep yet?”
“Yes, my lord. He waits in the great room. I’ll get him.”
In a few moments, Sayer joined Goodwin and Terric in the sleeping quarters. He asked, “My lord, how are you fairing?”
“Well enough, Sayer. I’ll be fine. How did it go with the mounted cavalry this day, any casualties?”
“The unit performed admirably, my lord. It took some doing to root the invaders out of the woods. When things turned against them, they tried to retreat. The unit only took some minor injuries to the men and horses. The Siren foals took to battle like seasoned chargers.”
Goodwin was pleased with the report. “Terric, Sayer, we were lucky this day. Let us learn from the children who saved our asses this day and be better prepared next time. We need many more good men like the ones we have now. This will be a priority in the very near future. Sayer, please see to it that the temporary mess hall stays manned through the night. Anyone who has need of food this night will be fed, hold folk, visitors, makes no difference. Also, gentlemen, I intend to address everyone in two hours at the main gate of the complex.”
“My lord, in your condition, do you not think it better someone else address the crowd?” Sayer objected.
Goodwin looked at the two men with serious eyes. “It is because of my condition that I must make the announcement personally. I don’t want one of our noble guests getting the idea that the hold is in a weakened condition at present and ripe for the picking. Thus the phrase: 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' I want you two wi
th me when I address the crowd. We will use one of the towers as a stage.”
Terric replied, “But, my lord, you will never be able to climb the stairs in your condition.”
“That is another reason I want you two with me. Once inside the tower, you two can help me with the stairs. No one outside our trusted group is to know of my weakened condition.” Sayer and Terric agreed with the plan.
Sayer said, “I will get the word spread that you will speak in two hours then, my lord.”
From the great room, a loud voice could be heard. “Runner Ira to report to Lord Goodwin as ordered!” Ira was shown to the sleeping quarters where Goodwin rested.
“Runner Ira, what word do you have of Basilea?” Goodwin inquired.
“My lord, Basilea lives, but barely. Healer Warin says there is no hope and gave the girl one to two hours to live. The Gypsy woman is there now and knows of a procedure that may restore her breath. They are trying this procedure now.”
“And what of Gamel, Ira? What news do you have of him?”
Ira’s shoulders sank. “My lord, he is unchanged. He sits lost to the world. He does not see, nor hear, nor talk to anyone. He is gone, my lord.”
“Very well, Ira, return as soon as you have word on Basilea.”
“Yes, my lord.” Ira turned and quickly left. A short time later, loud, fast hoofbeats could be heard trailing away in the distance.
Goodwin and the two men were silent for a bit as they pondered what they had been told. With concern in his voice, Goodwin said, “Let us hope that our friends, no, our family, return to us. Terric, did any of the fallen soldiers have families here in the hold?”
Terric replied, “My lord, seven families are now fatherless. There are six widows with children and one orphan boy of nine years who has no family at all.”
“Terric, see the master accountant. The widows will be pensioned and children offered employment within the hold when they are of age. This hold is their home, and I will not be turning out widows and orphans as other holds would. What is the boy’s name, Captain?”
“The boy is Simon, son of Private Luke, my lord.”
“Very well, please see that the boy is placed in a home until we can find a family for him.”
Sayer spoke up at this. “I will keep the boy with my family as long as is required, my lord. With your permission, I will make arrangements for the address and return shortly.”
Goodwin said, “Thank you, Sayer. Please see to it and return as soon as possible.”
With that being said, Sayer left the room to attend to his duties.
Nesta, Fulk’s girlfriend, entered the quarters with two steaming mugs. She said, “Lord Goodwin, Captain Terric, you must drink this herbal tea to restore fluids.”
“Thank you, Nesta,” Goodwin said. The men took the mugs and began drinking; Nesta remained in the room, looking nervous.
Goodwin spoke to her again. “Nesta, is there something else?”
“My lord,” Nesta started timidly, “I haven’t received any word of Fulk but that he lives. Is there any more information?”
Terric barked, “Hell, girl, Fulk is fine, better than fine; he be a damn hero! Dropped two snipers whiles hanging upside down from a tree. Damndest thing I ever seen, hell, damndest thing I ever heard of! When he runs outta arrows, he joined the ground battle and cut a score down there!”
Nesta swelled with pride, and her eyes filled with water. “Thank you, Captain Terric. I can’t tell you how much it means that he is safe.”
Lord Goodwin offered, “Nesta, you are aware that Fulk worships the ground you walk on?”
Nesta looked a little stunned. “I know he likes me, my lord.”
“Oh, my darling girl, it goes much further than liking you, I’m afraid.” Goodwin added a wink after his last statement.
Nesta turned a pretty shade of pink in embarrassment. After a moment, her mood turned somber. “My lord, is there any word of Basilea? She is my best friend. They say she lives by a thread.”
“All that can be done is being done. There is hope.”
They heard running footsteps in the great room. A very excited runner Ira entered the room with a huge smile. “My lord, Captain, she lives! The procedure works! Her breath returns!”
Terric boomed, “Damn good news, Ira, the very best damn news!”
Goodwin added with a huge smile, “Indeed, indeed. News doesn’t get any better than that!”
Nesta now had huge tears of joy running from her eyes. Terric barked, “Runner Ira, this young lass is in need of seeing young Fulk as soon as possible. Can you arrange it?”
Ira, beaming with pride, said, “Sir, I can delivers the girl to him so fast she will have ta wait fer her arse ta catch up wit her.” All the men laughed. Nesta giggled but put her hand over her mouth in embarrassment.
Terric regained his composure and cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I believe that to be truth, but nonetaless, please deliver the girl wit her arse attached if'n you please. I believes Fulk prefers her wit all a her parts intact.”
“My lord, Captain. My lady, your ride awaits.” Ira took Nesta by the arm for the beginning of the fastest trip she could have ever imagined.
When Ira and Nesta got outside, he said, “When we mount Whip, you grab hold 'round me waist an' grip wit yer knees a hard is ye can; we be woods running.”
In a tentative voice, Nesta said, “What’s woods running?”
“'Tis the fastest way from one place ta 'nother, a straight line.” Ira mounted Whip and gave Nesta an arm up. He said, “Now hold on tight likes a told ya!” Ira gave Whip a nudge with his heels. Whip went straight up on his hind legs, bellowed excitedly, and took off at a flat run. Instead of taking any path or trail, Whip cleared the turnout fence and took off into the woods at a full run. Once in the woods, Whip turned and veered to miss trees. When he came to a fallen log, he jumped it at a flat run. Still, he ran faster, turning and dodging quicker. Nesta tried to look over Ira’s shoulder to see upcoming obstacles and have some warning of maneuvers, but the wind rushed into her eyes so hard she couldn’t focus on anything. She could feel the wind turbulence and hear the swish of trees as they streaked past. She started shaking and closed her eyes. Someone was screaming, but she didn’t know who. With her eyes closed, she heard the thunder of Whip’s hoofbeats and the swish of trees as they zoomed past. She felt the wind pushing her hair straight back. She leaned with Ira’s body as they maneuvered. Someone was still screaming. It seemed like forever, but finally, they cleared the woods, and Whip accelerated even faster. Nesta hung on with all of her strength. She didn’t know anything could travel this fast. At least the screaming stopped. In a few more seconds, Whip planted his rear end and slid to a stop.
