The Crusader's Crown (Tales of the Brotherhood Series Book 1) by James Mercer (ink ebook reader txt) 📗

that horse over there, bound and gagged, is one of the most dangerous men we will encounter on our journey through this land. During our journey and once we return to the Forgotten Army and the armies of this Crusade, at no time will he be left unguarded. Two men will be with him always, myself and Robert included will watch over him. He is to remain gagged apart from when being fed and watered. You will block what he whispers in your ears for he will try to turn you against us. He will make promises of riches and wealth, but all you will receive is a blade to the heart, for that is the sort of man he is.”

  Jimmy raised his bloodied hand waiting for the Commander to nod his permission for his man to speak.

   “What are we to say to the lads back at the camp sir?”

   “You say he is merely a prisoner of war and the Commander is interrogating him.”

  Finished with his talk he asked the men if they had any other questions which they had not. Relieved he walked to his horse and pulled himself up. Robert followed suit and the Commander signalled to Sir Elizondo that they were ready to move out.

  Their journey, that would lead south and west to re-join the Crusade against the Caliphate, had begun.

Chapter 18

 

The City of Ubeda, September, 1212

From the Forgotten Army’s camp Selva looked at the glowing city which was alight with fires along its battlements. It was the evening of the second day as the Crusader forces laid siege to the city of Ubeda. They had bombarded its walls with their ballistae and trebuchets, then tried a different method with the munition which catapulted from the siege engines. They had changed from stone to barrels filled with oil and pitch that were set alight just before they were cast into the night sky and plummet into the city.

   “How does one survive such destruction?” she asked sadly.

   “Damned if I know love. But if you figure it out, be sure to let me know,” answered Clutter who was rooting around in a box of his favourite knives.

  The Forgotten Army and most of the forces of Navarre had been held in reserve. King Sancho had received much applause for his charge at Tolosa and there were rumours that it had stirred jealousy amongst the other Generals.

   “Do you think they will surrender?” she asked hopefully.

   “Unlikely,” answered the surgeon, who had returned to sharpen his ‘Butchers Tools’ as he liked to call them.

   “They’ll know full well of the victory at Tolosa. And the armies of them Catholic Kings will want blood to recompense for the loss of their own men.”

   “Will the Holy Orders not intervene?”

   “Dear lass. Those humble holy warriors will be at the forefront of them believe you me.”

  She remained where she was listening to the sounds around her. The rumble of thunder made by the war machines that pounded against the city, the grating of the surgeon sharpening his tools and the cheers from men nearby.

Only a day after the survivors of the party who had set out to pursue the Order separated. The Commander and his followers came across the Castilian vanguard. The mercenaries had donned their surcoats along with Sir Elizondo.

  The head of the vanguard approached with a company of eight knights when he recognised the Crusader cross upon the surcoats and the Templar’s mantle. He halted his party and raised his hands as a sign of peace. The Commander had done the same and trotted his horse toward the conroi, accompanied by Robert and Elizondo.

   “We are knights of his majesty King Alfonse of Castile,” the leading knight announced.

  Fortunately he spoke Norman which suited the three of them.

   “Greetings Sir knight. We too follow the armies led by his Royal Highness King Alfonse,” answered the Commander carefully.

   “The armies of the Crusade are to the west of here. What reason have you for being in this region?” asked the knight.

   “Our lord volunteered us to lead a scouting party to watch for a relief force sent by the Caliphate.”

   “And did you find them?”

   “No, only a detachment of men who had fled Tolosa,” answered Elizondo.

  Still curious as to why a Templar would be among a scouting party bearing an unknown coat-of-arms he answered slowly.

   “The armies of the King lay siege to Ubeda, you should reach them by late evening.”

   “And where is it, do you go?” asked Sir Elizondo.

   “We have received news that Baeza to the east is abandoned and its inhabitants are within the walls of Ubeda or another fortress to the east. The King would have Baeza garrisoned and fortified before the Caliph has time to send reinforcements such as the ones you were scouting for.”

   “Then God go with you on your quest,” replied the Templar knight.

   “And with you holy warrior. A large contingent of the King’s army follows us. If you are challenged tell them you have been granted passage by Lope Diaz de Haro, son of Lord Lope Diaz of Biscay.”

   “You have our thanks Sir Lope Diaz,” said the Commander gratefully.

  The young lord and his knights turned their horses and rode back to the ranks of the Castilian vanguard, leaving the three Brotherhood knights to watch a moment.

   “Fitzbois was right. We were fortunate that Ubeda was to be the first that the armies decided to assault,” said Sir Elizondo.

   “That we were.”

  The Commander signalled to the rest of their depleted unit to continue onwards to the besieged city.

*****

Sir Lope’s prediction had been correct. The small troop arrived on the edges of the Crusader armies