Free Knight of the Empress by Griff Hosker Page B

two last knights. It was a mistake. The Count led with his injured knight protecting his lance side.  It meant that they could hit Sir Guy with two lances.
    I spurred Star to help my friend. Even as I charged I knew I would be too late.  Sir Guy was dumped unceremoniously from his horse and, worse still the two knights, with whole lances, came directly for me. I had, however, seen the fate of my companion and I would not fall into the trap. I knew the Count was the stronger and I decided to take out the man I had injured. As I approached them I made them think I was going to the Count and the two knights closed up. Using my knees I moved Star right and then jerked the reins around so that I rode directly for the injured knight.  Once again I punched but this time there was anger in my blow.  There was a huge crack as my lance broke when it struck the shield.  Then there was a cry of pain.
    I wheeled my horse around to replace my lance.  At any moment I expected a blow from the lance which the Count still held but it never came. When I turned, at the table, I saw that the injured knight was being helped from his horse. He could no longer continue. The Count handed his lance to one of his retainers and was handed another by a sergeant at arms. I grabbed my own and turned Star.  It was now the Count, the knight who always won these tourneys, against me, who had never fought in one until that day.
    I allowed Star a few moments to recover.  He was a powerful horse and he was eager for battle.  I needed to control him. I saw the Count move and I spurred Star. I shortened my reins and held my shield tightly to my head. The Count had a Great Helm upon his head.  I relied upon the fact that his vision might be slightly impaired, I raised the tip of my lance so that it was aimed at his head, as his was with me. I pulled back my arm and braced myself. As we closed I ducked behind my shield and punched at his cantle with my own lance. I heard a whinny from Star as his lance struck her on the mane and then punched into my right shoulder.  I felt a sharp pain but my knees still gripped Star and my own lance had made the Count and his horse stagger to the right.  I threw away the broken haft and drew the wooden sword.
    It was now my sword skills which would be tested. I rode after the Count who was trying to control his horse. Star was angry and snorted as he leapt after them.  I stood in my stirrups and brought the sword down across the middle of the Count's back. I think he must have thought that I was down for he had not drawn his own sword. He was, however, a good horseman and he wheeled his horse in a tight circle whilst drawing his own sword.
    I could not afford to let this superior warrior get the better of me.  He had the advantage for he had done this before.  I was a novice. I swung the sword, as we closed horizontally. I saw the weakness in the great helm for he only saw that it was coming for his head at the last moment. It clattered into the helmet and his head jerked back. As we passed he smashed his sword across my back. It hurt.
    I pulled to the right and headed for his sword side.  He, too, turned and, standing in his stirrups brought the sword above his head. I raised my shield above my own head, spurred Star and swept my own sword across his middle. Star's speed, my blow and his unbalanced stance meant that he tumbled backwards over his horse's rump to land in a heap on the floor of the arena.
    The cheers from the stands told me I had won and when Edward, Guy and the Swabians rushed to me, it was confirmed. I took off my helmet and felt the cool air around my hot head. Edward patted Star's mane, "That was superb sir. You cut him down to size." Suddenly he stopped and held up his hand.  It was bloody.  Star had been cut.  "Baron, look at this."
    The others stopped smiling and looked at the bloody hand. Rolf examined Star's neck. "There is a long cut here."
    "Perhaps the lance splintered.  See if there is