Ann of Cambray Read Online Free PDF Page B

stealing out of the woods, burning the half-gathered harvest in the fields, the Lady Mildred kept the drawbridge tight so none might leave or enter without her knowledge) and run through the field. The peasants, who lived outside the castle in their own village huts, knew us well enough, but went about their business as we did ours. The castle was there, close at hand, to scuttle to in time of danger. Dressed in simple homespun, my skirts bound up, I seemed, no doubt, a kitchen wench. There was game for all, provided we did not disturb the real preserves, the deer and bigger animals of the forest. That we would never have done, the forest being Lord Raoul’s own hunting lands, had not we come to the idea of riding there on horseback. I had always had this wish to go into the forest but had never ventured there at first, it being too far to walk. But once I had reasoned that on horseback we would be safe—no foot soldier willingly tangles with a mounted man, and our chance at profitable game was the much more likely since no one dared go there now – I worked hard to convince Giles of the soundness of my plan. Although no man knew more of horses than he did, he was reluctant to mount one until I showed him how. And when I persuaded him to let me ride the grey horse of Cambray, then were we free to go farther abroad until there was no part of the encircling forest we had not explored in. The catch we brought back then always justified the risk. The Lady Mildred, for fear of greater misfortunes to come, kept all on half-rations in the Hall, salted fish, tough meats, watered wine. At least we could bring enough food for our friends, and what Gwendyth and I did not use, we gave freely away. In return, when bad weather shut us in or when we were out of luck, they contrived some way to get food for us.
    About the great horse of Cambray. It was one of my father’s breed left by some chance at Sedgemont, although all other war horses had gone with Lord Raoul’s guard. It was a knight’s charger, trained to fight and kill, perhaps left behind because not all men care to ride so conspicuous a beast, preferring more conventional brown and black. But my father had always ridden grey horses, and my brother too. When I rode it, I felt somehow close to them; of their kind. And then nowhere was too far for us to explore, not even to the edge of those misted hills that hung upon the horizon far away. Yet Giles was always uneasy for me; and truth to tell, it was no mount for a girl, hard to control at a gallop, ready to rear and lash with its hooves. I rode astride, without saddle, but it took both of us to harness it with bit and bridle, and although in time it would come when I whistled, yet I was always careful not to mount alone for fear it should rear if I startled it. Yet once it save our lives, as you shall hear.
    We had been roaming idly through the forest, not hunting, for we had already caught enough, but for pleasure, Giles riding beside on the small pony that suited him better, the two of us chatting without thought of where we were. Carelessly then, we blundered into a clearing that we had not seen before, where a number of men lay sprawled upon the ground, busy at their food. They sprang to their swords; at their shouts, other men came running behind us through the trees. Giles tugged at his short dagger, but he would have been helpless against so many. I backed the grey horse against his, screaming at him to leap behind me. With a great scramble, he heaved himself up, catching hold of my waist with a jerk, that almost sent us both flying. There was no time to right ourselves, and the horse itself was startled. Almost without my guidance, it plunged towards the first group of men, bursting through the centre of their camp, sending pots and pans flying, scattering the burning embers of the fire underneath. At the first sword prick, it squealed, lashing out with its