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

   “I didn’t bring a long blade with me,” he replied cheerfully. “This will do nicely.”

  Finally they were in sight of their objective.

   “Maybe they didn’t make it?” said Fitzbois.

  The knight had dismounted and held the reigns of his destrier.

   “Fear not Brother Fitzbois. They made it. Even if only some.  They will open those gates,” replied the Commander.

   “Let us hope you are right Sir Reynard, for soon, regardless, we ride for the gates,” answered the Master of the Keys.

   “Fond of you isn’t he?” said Fitzbois quietly.

   “We have an interesting past,” answered Reynard.

  Although the Calatrava knight could not see it in the dark, there was a faint smile on the Commander’s face. Reynard thought back over the brittle relationship between his mentor and himself.

Four torches clinging to the stone walls revealed two men atop the gate’s stone archway. Two other men guarded either side of the old timber gates. The only access to the defences were a couple of ladders. Like the guards, one flanked the right of the gate and the other the left. The only way to reach them would be to despatch the sentries first.

   “Someone’s coming,” whispered Athaelstan.

  The Varangian had been watching for any others who may have been patrolling the area. He had been right to do so for another of the streets started to glow brighter followed by several moving shadows which revealed a band of heavily armed men.

   “How many?” asked Cherik.

   “A dozen at least,” Robert answered quietly.

   “They must have caught sight of the Commander and the others,” whispered Ridley.

  Robert was trying to get a more accurate count of the new arrivals. One of them started to point in different directions, issuing orders. By the handsome armour showing under his short sleeved surcoat he was obviously a Temple knight. However with the absence of his helmet and no mail coif or cap Robert could see his well-groomed face.

  He was young. Probably only a year or so older than Nathanial. Likely the youngest son of a noble family and was unlikely to see anything bequeathed to him on the death of his sire. Since the creation of the Outremer, these young knights had journeyed east to make their fortunes and many would join the Holy Orders. This knight however had been foolish enough to be duped by a rogue Brother of the Temple.

   “Hell’s teeth!” hissed Jurgen. “Crossbows.”

  Robert had already seen them. Over half of the arrivals were carrying crossbows. A favourite of the Franks, Normans and Genoans. To the disgust of his men back at Bridgenorth and those in the Forgotten Army who were real archers, Robert was more accustomed to the deadly contraption.

  “Cherik. You, Jurgen and Jimmy; find a way onto the walls and kill as many as you can. Keep their focus away from the Commander and the other knights.”

   “Oh, bloody wonderful. So the bolts will be aimed at us instead?” growled Jimmy.

  Ignoring his friend Robert continued.

   “Athaelstan, Ridley. You two are with me. We will attack from here. Our job is to draw their attention away from the lads while they take out those on the walls. With an assault on three sides, it should cause confusion amongst them. At least for a short time. But you three, wait for my signal before you start your ambush.”

   “And what be the signal?” asked Jurgen.

   “You’ll know it when it comes, trust me. Now go, you have no more than ten minutes before we make our move.”

  Without another word, the brothers and Jimmy disappeared into the darkness.

Chapter 16

   “It’s time. And we have waited long enough. We will either leave here as victors or die here in the service of God,” said Father Anzac.

  The grizzled priest was unwrapping something which was too short to be a sword but too slim to be an axe.

  The small gathering of Brotherhood knights and their squires started to advance up the hill. They kept to a steady trot so as not to exert their horses. Although the gradient of the slope was gentle it stretched further than they anticipated on their first sight of it.

  At its peak, Reynard could spy the low walls of Baeza. He had no doubt that the enemy would be reinforcing the defences at this very moment and when their conroi was near enough, the enemy within would start firing volleys upon them.

   “Come on lads. Don’t fail me now!”

Robert slowly turned the corner of the alleyway, hugging the wall so as to remain in the shadow. There was blood on his dagger where he had cut the throat of a sergeant who had been oblivious to their presence. The man had been walking passed the darkened alley when the strong arms of Athaelstan had wrenched him into the shadows. He had not even had time to shout for help before Robert had plunged his blade into the man’s neck.

  Once relieved of his crossbow and the body hidden further down the alleyway Robert had crept out. He was able to edge along only a little more before they would likely spot him. They had been kept occupied so far after one of the sentries had shouted an alert. The sound of hooves thumping on the hard, mud baked track leading to the town could be heard. They had begun their approach.

  The young Templar knight was hurriedly shouting orders for his men to man their stations. He had pulled his coif up over his head. Although young, he was broad shouldered and about the same height as Robert. His mail hauberk, under the white mantle nearly reached his knees and would require immense strength to wear