English Knight Read Online Free PDF

we need to pass.  Henry is close by his borders with Maine.  He is supposed to be hunting but from what I have discovered he is looking for an opportunity to enlarge his kingdom.”
    “Are the lands through which we are to travel not safe then?”
    Ralph laughed, “Of course not! We are just as likely to be taken for brigands and bandits as travellers. The next days will be dangerous, Master Alfraed. You will be using your sword before too long.  Of that I am certain.”
    As I went to sleep that night I could not help but wonder about the draw of England.  My father was risking death to reach his home as were his retainers. I suppose in my arrogance I thought that I would be immune from swords and arrows for I was young.  I was wrong.
    For five days we saw few people as we travelled along the old Roman Road.  There were occasional merchants and, once they discovered that we were peaceful, were happy for us to travel with them.  They moved too slowly for us, however, and we left them after we had enjoyed some of their food. The merchants ate well. We were not far from Tours when we hit trouble.
    We had found a ferry to ford the river.  We should have known that trouble was waiting for us.  The ferryman seemed very nervous about dropping us off. He kept glancing to the west. Wulfstan nodded to my father.  “I will take young Master Alfraed and we will scout ahead. Come.”
    I followed Wulfstan and noticed that he donned his helmet.  It seemed prudent to copy him. The road wound along the river but Wulfstan led us up a gentle slope towards the north west. I could see that we followed an ancient track way.
    “Why are we leaving the road?”
    “The ferryman seemed nervous about the west and besides our route is to the north and west.” He pointed to the track we were following. “This is earlier than the Roman Road.  Often they are the best way of travel.” Above us the slope became steeper and was rounded.  I saw tree tops above the slope. I glanced behind and saw that my father and the rest were just half a mile away.  They had the pack animals to lead and could not travel as swiftly. As we reached the summit of the slope I saw, about two miles away, a small castle.  We had seen many such castles on our way north.  Wulfstan stopped and pushed his helmet back.  He peered at the castle which stood next to the Roman Road we would have travelled.
    “See, Wulfstan.  Had we stayed on the road we might have been able to stay at the castle.”
    “We have passed many such castles.  Since we stayed at Montluçon how many have opened their gates to us?”
    I had not thought about that but now I realised that none had opened their gates. “None but that does not mean that this one will not.”
    He laughed. “This is not a peaceful land.  You saw the Lord of Montluçon; he was busily enlarging his lands and taxing all who passed by.  We will wait here for your father and let him make the decision.”
    I heard the horses as they jingled and jangled their way up the slope. Suddenly I spied the gates of the castle open and horsemen and foot soldiers emerged. Wulfstan jammed his helmet down.  “Lord Ridley we should make for the trees.”
    “Very well.”
    I was going to argue but the rest all rode to the trees. When Wulfstan spoke they tended to listen. Once we reached the top of the rise they all jumped down and took their shields and weapons from their horses before hobbling them in the tree line. I was surprised at the speed with which the old men did so.  Osric chuckled, “Come along, young sir. Prepare yourself.”
    I did as they did but I knew not why. “This is nonsense.  They might well be coming in peace.”
    “In which case, my son, we have lost nothing by preparing for war.”
    I saw that they all had their shields slung easily across their backs.  Only Ralph and Garth had their weapons out for they wielded axes and needed two hands. As I turned I saw that the horsemen were much closer.