Free Knight of the Empress by Griff Hosker Page A

Sir Guy and my men at arms.
    "That means they will be looking for you on the field."
    I smiled, "Better me than one of you two.  It seems I have made myself a target. When this tourney is over we will revert to plain blue stars."
    The tourney was to be held on the site of an old Roman fort. There was a circular ring which the Roman Cavalry had used when they had trained.  I had seen them in the east and when we had travelled from Genoa to Caen.  In the time of Charlemagne they had begun to use it again to practise formations.  The Emperor had extended its use.  He entertained his people. It now afforded a good view for spectators and was large enough for charges and retreats.  We lined up before the dais containing the Emperor and the Empress. Emperor Henry stood. "The prize for the winner today is this chest of silver." It was a small chest but worth winning. "The judgements of my heralds will be final.  If you fall from your horse then you are eliminated.  If you are knocked to the ground you are eliminated.  All other decisions will be made by my heralds. May God be with you."
    There were four conroi and each had a table where there were wooden swords and spare lances.  I suspected that they would all come for me as soon as it began and I would be eliminated first. It mattered not.  I had already sent a message to the Emperor, through Rolf, telling him that we would be leaving immediately after the tourney.  An early elimination would not hurt. Apart from the conroi of Swabians there was the Count of Stuttgart and his team.  There was another team who were dressed like Lothar and Konrad. They had black surcoats with a white cross above their hearts. I suspected they were their friends and they would seek to hurt me.
    As we waited for the trumpet signalling the start I said, "Our only chance is if we fight as we did the other day.  Stay tight on me and listen for orders.  Let me know when danger comes." I nodded in the direction of the Teutons. "They will come at us in a wild rush. Rolf and his Swabians will challenge the Count."
    "How do you know?"
    "Rolf told me!"
    The trumpet sounded and, as I expected, the three Teutons hurtled at us. Thankfully they came at us individually and did not keep as tight as we did; it gave us a distinct advantage.  We galloped towards them and I pulled my arm back. I punched forward at the middle knight's cantle with the long lance. As I did so I lifted my shield and it deflected his spear up. Mine hit him squarely in the middle.  I had used Star to lean in too so that he was thrown from his saddle. I saw Edward do the same to his.  The lances of Sir Guy and the last Teuton were broken.  We rode back to replace them.  I had the opportunity to watch the other battle. Carl was down but Rolf and Gottfried were holding their own.
    "Sir Guy, can you take the last German?"
    "Having watched you two, yes. Go and help Rolf."
    With new lances Edward and I galloped to the other side of the circle.  Rolf had knocked one of the Count's men from his saddle but he was then struck from his by the Count himself.  Karl fought bravely but he was outnumbered. He was knocked from his saddle.
    The two knights turned and rode back to their table.  Protocol determined that we had to let them re arm. We galloped towards them.  I intended to take out the Count but he had other ideas and he made directly for Edward. He charged across my front and his horse was fast. His lance thudded into Edward throwing him from his horse. I wheeled around and shattered my lance as I smashed its head into the shield of the other knight. He was not thrown from his horse but I could see that I had hurt him.
    I returned to pick up a second lance and saw that Sir Guy had finished off the last of the Teutons.  "Two against two eh. Baron?  We have a chance."
    "Watch out for the Count he is tricky."
    Sir Guy had the joy of battle upon him.  I had seen it before.  He did not wait for me but turned and charged the