[404] Ox and Alois were stunned. “Give up? Let that bastard win?”
I did not reply. I stood in the center of the group, catching Odo and Alphonse’s eyes, taking in their looks of disappointment and anger.
The Languedocian shook his head. “We came a long way to fight, Hugh, not to run.”
“We too, Hugh,” Alois protested. “We’ve earned our place.”
“Yes, you have.” I nodded. “All of you have.” I turned and faced each one to convey my thanks.
“And you shall have it,” I declared, my voice coming alive. “You shall have the chance that each of your friends sought as they were cut down.”
They stared at me, lost between alarm and confusion. “Oh, shit.” Odo’s jaw dropped. “It’s another of those fucking pretexts.” He looked at me as if he were trying to gauge the weather inside. “We have Emilie to blame for this. What is the plan, Hugh?”
My face gave away nothing.
“We’re going to take this city,” I finally said, “but not as soldiers. I have tried to fight this as a military man, and as a general, but I’m really a fool… And as a fool, even the great Charlemagne would have no advantage over me.”
“I’m not sure this is a revelation I’m pleased to trust my life to.” Ox sent a skeptical gaze my way. “But I’m all ears. Tell us about this pretext of yours.”
Chapter 139
STEPHEN WAS IN THE MIDST of stabbing a piece of breakfast ham, the morning light tumbling into his quarters, when his page called out, “Look, your lordship, to the window, quick. The rabble has fled.”
Just minutes before, the duke had woken in a sour mood. These rebels had proven more resistant than he’d imagined. In wave after wave they came at him; he could not understand their zeal to die. Plus, two weeks ago, Anne had moved to the lady’s quarters. He’d been sleeping alone.
At his page’s call, he hurried to the window. His empty stomach filled with glee. The boy was right! The rebel ranks had thinned, cut by more than half.
Those fucking Languedocians, with their arms as thick as ox legs and their horsehair vests, had fled. All that remained was a measly little force, standing around like chickens waiting to lose their heads.
And there, at the head of them, the green-and-red rooster himself, in full view. With the lance! This decimated rabble of woodchoppers and farmers was no more than mop-up work for his men.
From behind, his aides burst in. Bertrand, the chatelain, followed by Morgaine.
“Look,” Stephen cackled, “the gutless bastards have given [406] up. Look at that stupid prancing cock, standing about as if he still had something to command.”
“You said, when the opportunity arose, the little fool was mine,” Morgaine rasped.
“So I did.” Stephen beamed a gloating grin. “I did promise you that. Tell me, Bertrand, what strength do you estimate they still have?”
The chatelain scanned the field. “Barely three hundred, my liege. All on foot, with limited weapons. It should be no feat to round them up with our horsemen and achieve a quick surrender.”
“Surrender?” Stephen’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought of that. Yes, it might be good to extend a hand and save these poor, misguided fools a bit more blood. How does that word sound to you, Morgaine? Surrender?”
“These men are soulless, my liege. We’d be doing God a service by removing their heads.”
“So what are you waiting for?” Stephen jabbed him in the chest. “The little bastard’s lance still makes an ache in your side, does it not? You heard the chatelain’s advice. Let the knights ride with you.”
“Liege, those are my men,” Bertrand interrupted. “They are our castle’s reserve.”
“You know, Bertrand,” Stephen interrupted. “That surrender thing… I’ve never been particularly keen on it. Morgaine makes a case. These men have already forfeited their souls. No reason to keep them fluttering around in this world.”
The chatelain’s stomach sank.
“The holy lance or my dignity-that was his choice, was it not?” Stephen’s eyes lit up. “Now it seems that I will have them both. Won’t I, chatelain? And Morgaine… one more thing. I know how you enjoy your work, but do not forget your real purpose out there.”
“The holy lance, my lord. My thoughts have never strayed from the prize.”
Chapter 140
“LOOK!” A cry of alarm spread among the troops. Several men pointed toward the castle.
The gates of Borée had suddenly opened. We watched, all eyes fixed on the sight, not knowing what would emerge. Then, we heard the rumble of heavy hooves clattering over the lowered drawbridge and saw armored men atop massive crested chargers, trotting in rows of two.
Silently, we watched the deadly battle formation assemble.
No one moved. I knew even the strongest among us debated whether to fight or throw down our arms.
“Positions, men,” I called. The troops remained, eyeing the ever-growing enemy force massing on the ridge. “Positions!” I called again.
Then, slowly, Odo picked up his gigantic club. And Alphonse, taking a deep breath, strapped on his sword. Then Georges and Daniel too armed themselves.
They took their places without saying much. One by one the rest began to fall in. We gathered into a tight formation, like a Roman phalanx, covered by shields. I prayed this final pretext would work.
Alphonse took a breath. “How many of them do you count?”
[408] “Two hundred. All armed to the teeth.” Daniel shrugged. He continued to count as they steadily poured out of the gate and took their places on the field. “Make that three.”
“And how m-many are we?” the boy asked.
“Never mind.” Daniel sniffed, raising his weapon. “What are warhorses and pikes against a good hoe, anyway?”
A stream of grim laughter trickled around the ranks.
“What is this city, just one big fucking garrison?” Odo shook his head.
On the walls, green-and-gold defenders of Borée stood silently, gaining confidence as the ranks of their horsemen grew. Chargers blew and snorted, held back from the charge as knights adjusted their armor and weapons.
When the force was finally set, a sole rider walked his horse out of the gate and took his place at the head of the formation. I expected Bertrand, the chatelain, but it was not.
On his helmet, I saw the outline of a dark Byzantine cross. My blood went still. Once again, I was facing the man who had killed my wife and baby son.
Odo swallowed dryly. He leaned close to me. “Hugh, I know I’ve asked this before…”
“Yes, I think it’ll work,” I told him. “But if it doesn’t… what’s the cost? I always thought you made a better soldier than a smith.”
“And you were a better jester than a general,” he shot back.
I started to laugh, but suddenly my voice was drowned out by a terrifying rumble from across the field.
“Here they come!” Daniel cried. “Shields!”
There was a harried, desperate murmuring. People could be heard muttering their last prayers. I slung the holy lance through a strap across my back and took hold of a heavy sword.
The ground had started to shake. Shouting and cheers erupted from the castle walls.
[409] We linked together in tight formation, our perimeter protected by a wall of shields. The drum of heavy hooves grew closer and closer, like an advancing landslide.
“Hold together,” I yelled. Forty yards… thirty… Then they were on us!
Chapter 141
THE WAVE OF HORSEMEN crashed into our formation with the impact of a hundred-foot crest swallowing up a ship. Sparks and shields and armor flew into the air.
Our ranks staggered backward from the force, shields raised over our heads. Steel came crashing down on us. But the men did not break.