The Archer's Marines: The First Marines - Medieval fiction action story about Marines, naval warfare, and knights after King Richard's crusade in Syria, ... times (The Company of Archers Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Many of my men from Hathersage are already on board. Men are sleeping everywhere in between the stacks of supplies and provisions.  Roger and I piss against the wall of one of the buildings next to the dock before we climb over the galley railing and crowd into the little captain’s castle to sleep with Henry Forester. 
           It’s been a fine day and I’m just like the rest of my men - seriously drunk and ready for a good night’s sleep.
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           I wake up the next morning with a splitting headache from too much drink.   It’s time to send my parchment to Windsor for the king.  So I shake Roger awake and off we go to the livery stable in the lane of blacksmiths behind the dock.  That’s where we returned our horses yesterday.  I need to settle my account with the stable master before we leave – Freddy’s important to us because his stable is where our recruiting sergeants tell our new recruits and apprentice archers to come to be gathered up and taken to Cornwall.  Oh my poor head; I’ve got to find out what is in that drink to make it so powerful?
           It’s early but the stable is full of ostlers preparing the horses for another day of pulling carts and wagons on the docks and through the city.  From dealing with the stable master in the past I know this is the time we’re most likely to find him here without having to search the local taverns and ale houses – and we do. 
           “Hey Freddy.  It’s good to see you again.  I’m sorry I missed you yesterday when we brought the horses and wagons back.  How much do I owe you for the two horses we dropped off along the way and the broken wagon wheels?” 
           “Oh eminence.  I sees the horsez and knows you izz back, don’t Izz?  Izz six silvers each same as last time, izzn’t it?” 
           “All right, Freddy.  Six it is that I’ll pay - but only if you’ll have two of your most dependable ostlers ride out to Windsor this morning with a parchment for the King.  They’re to hand this message pouch to the guard at the castle gate if the King is in his castle and then return here immediately without stopping along the way; they’re to bring the pouch straight back to me if the King is not at Windsor .”
           “No Freddy, one man won’t do; I want two to carry it in case one of the horses breaks down.”
           I don’t want to go in person.  Delivering my message this way will, I hope, make it harder for the King to change his mind or make changes in our arrangements with Leslie.
           “Oh, and Freddy, if the King is not at Windsor your men are to ask where the king is – but they are to immediately bring the pouch straight back here to me rather than go anywhere else to deliver it or do another task.”
           It’s an important parchment and I need to know it has been delivered before we sail.  That’s why I’m going to wait on Henry’s galley until the ostler returns.  I’ll have to make other arrangements if Freddy’s ostler can’t make the delivery.
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           Freddy’s ostlers leave immediately and return that evening.  Roger and Henry and I are just starting to tuck into some chops and cheese in the White Horse when in comes Freddy with a big smile. 
           “Joe and the boy just got back, Your Eminence.  The King was at Windsor and they leaves the pouch at the gate just as you said.”
           “That’s good Freddy, very good it is.  Why don’t you pull up a stool and join us.  Mistress Ann just finished brewing a new batch of her juniper and it’s uncommonly good.”
           We finish our chops, make our farewells, and leave as Freddy is once again waving at the barmaid to order another mug of drink.  I can see that Henry and Roger want to stay longer but I’m having none of it.  I’ve sailed before after a night of heavy drinking and it’s not pleasant at all.
           I’d