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"Arrows are much better than crossbows, Frenchman. They can find targets hidden from your crossbows. So?  You were saying?" He stared malevolently at me. I sighed, "My archers can pick you all off one by one. Your captives will be a hindrance.  If you wish honour then let the captives go and we will fight again, to the death this time.  Whatever your decision the captives will not be harmed."
    I could see that he was beaten.  "Let the captives go."
    He spoke in French and none understood him.  I doubted that they would understand Norman either. I spoke in Saxon.  "You can go. Head up the road towards my men." They looked fearfully at their former captors.  "Go, you have my word they will not harm you."
    The old woman turned, "Come! We are safe." As she passed me she said, "Thank you, my lord!"
    "Thank my archers.  They have the keen eyes and hands."
    They hurried north. Sir Guy said, "And now what?  We have done as you asked. Let us go home."
    I shook my head, "I came here for your surrender."
    He laughed, "You will get no ransom for us.  Let us do as you say and fight to the death."
    I nodded, "A good idea.  Shall we say first thing in the morning?"
    His eyes narrowed, "You have something planned?" He glanced to the south. "You were not trying to deceive me; you do have men approaching from the south and you hope to trap us!"
    I said nothing. I watched as he wrestled with his options. So far I had tricked him into believing that I had more men than I had. I could not afford a battle with them.  We might well win but we would lose many men.
    "We will pay no ransom. What is the solution?"
    "Leave your warhorses and crossbows here.  We will escort you and your Frenchmen to Jedburgh and you swear not to make war in my lands again."
    He nodded, "That would seem reasonable. You said Frenchmen?"
    "Aye," I pointed to three knights who were off to the side. "They are traitors or foresworn for the two rebels there swore an oath to King Henry and the Scotsman has broken the peace.  They come with me to Durham!"
    The three of them looked startled.  Sir Richard De Vere shouted, "You cannot do this Sir Guy!"
    "It is out of my hands!"
    In answer they jerked their horse's heads around and galloped south. Their squires and three men at arms followed them.  The rest realised they were better off staying where they were. That way they would live. I shook my head, "Foolish! Had they come with me they might have lived. They would have paid ransom but they would have lived." I turned to William, "Signal Sir Hugh and Wulfric!"
    Sir Guy nudged his horse closer, "You realise, of course, that this is not over.  We will meet again; perhaps on the field of battle perhaps somewhere else but we are now enemies."
    I smiled, "That would ever be the case for you are French and King Louis is my enemy. So long as there are Frenchmen then I will fight them. The difference is I will not sneak over the border and murder men women and children.  I will fight on a battlefield." I shrugged, "Of course that is because I am English and you are merely French!" My men had ridden behind me, "Sir Hugh, escort these Frenchmen to Jedburgh.  The warhorses stay here; they are our reward for victory.  Aelric, destroy the crossbows.  Wulfric, we will follow these traitors."
    Sir Hugh said, "With pleasure, my lord."
    I turned to Sir Guy, "And now Sir Guy, your oath." I pointed to his sword.  "On your blade."
    There was hatred etched across his face but he took out his sword. He held it before him like a huge cross, "I swear that I will not raid these lands again!"
    I had no doubt that he would try to hurt me but he had sworn before his men.  He would not come to the north of England again. "Leofric, take the warhorses back to Sir Harold and Sir Tristan.  They can escort the captives home and then wait for us at Norham. Come Wulfric, we have traitors to hunt."

Chapter 3

    "Where will they head, lord?"
    "This road leads to Otterburn.  Dick and my archers