Enemy at the Gate Read Online Free PDF

mood to surrender."
    "My lord you spoil all our fun."
    "Remember Wulfric that Father Henry said to take things easy for a while.  Your stitches have almost healed.  Do not undo the father's good work."
    "I know my body, lord.  I will take it easy but if you are inactive for too long your body does not fully recover.  I do not need a priest to tell me that."
    I saw men hurrying to the walls of the inner bailey. The banner was that of De Brus but it was not Robert who led these men. From what we had heard in Ayeton I guessed that it was Sir Henry.  I did not know him. I was no fool and I held my shield before me.  Sure enough one of the crossbowmen risked a bolt.  It thudded into the shield. Before a second could come my way four arrows struck the walls.  One of them hit the crossbowman whose weapon fell into the ditch followed, a moment later by the dead man. We had so many archers that shields' came up and those with crossbows decided that discretion was the better part of valour.
    Dick shouted, "Right lads, loft your arrows."
    They began to send their arrows vertically.  Crossbows had to aim horizontally.  I heard a cry from the ramparts. The defenders would need shields. We stopped thirty paces from the gate. I shouted, "Surrender your castle and I will ask for ransom. Fight and you shall die."
    A shield with a red diagonal cross on a yellow background appeared.  "I will not surrender to a rebel and a traitor."
    Wulfric growled next to me. "I believe I am both Wulfric.  He is right to address me thus." I lowered my ventail so that I could speak a little clearer to the walls. "Then that should tell you I am a dangerous man to cross.  I repeat my offer.  Surrender your castle and I shall demand  ransom.  You will live."
    "My Uncle left me in command of this castle while he is with the King.  I will defend it."
    "Then you are brave but foolish.  Had you stone walls then you might hold us off. Ask your men.  They know me."
    There was silence and then raised voices.  Finally the shield disappeared and I heard, "Very well.  We will come out.  Promise me that your archers will not release arrows at us."
    "You have my word!"
    Next to me Wulfric lowered his axe. He sounded disappointed as he said, "They used to fight us."
    I heard raised voices within the walls.  I smiled, some must have objected to the surrender. I had just turned to shout for Dick when the gates opened and ten horsemen galloped out.  Far from surrendering, they were attacking. The men nearest me reacted the quickest. Wulfric stepped before me and swung his axe at the horse which hurtled towards us.  My other men at arms made a hasty shield wall. Dick and his archers were unsighted.  They could not release for fear of hitting us. The rider whose horse was hacked by Wulfric flew over his head and landed at the feet of Ralph of Thirsk who stabbed him in the neck.
    The ones who had not had the chance to take a horse now flooded out.  I turned to shout. "Stop them!" Stephen the Grim had a horse in each hand and could do nothing about the men in mail galloping towards him.  The knight rammed his spear at Stephen who spun and fell to the ground. Then they were through.  Sir Edward's men charged at their side for they were still mounted and they slashed and stabbed at those towards the rear. My men at arms were angry and they fell upon the men on foot.  Sir Henry and two men escaped the carnage beyond the gate.  None survived within.
    "Wulfric, take my men and search the hall.  Fetch anything of value and then burn it!"
    "Aye, lord, with pleasure!" he shook his head in disbelief. "They had surrendered!"
    "They will pay."
    I ran down to Stephen the Grim.  The horses had not wandered far and the standard was still planted  by the gate. He lay on the ground and I saw blood. His eyes opened, "I am sorry, lord."
    "It is not your fault.  Where are you hurt?"
    He held his hand to his shoulder.  The tip of the spear had broken some mail links