Free Northern Knight by Griff Hosker

a chase would tire our pursuers. If we could reach Bar then we had a chance; a slim one but a chance nonetheless. The three ladies were placed in a circle of my best men at arms. The three were almost invisible amongst the giants who protected them.
    With Dick and his archers well ahead and the Swabians, Edward and Edgar guarding the Empress, Sir Guy and I were the rearguard.  Aiden was off in the woods, disguising our trail and watching for pursuit. The work Dick and Aiden had done paid off and, as afternoon drew on, the next day, we found ourselves forty miles away from Worms.  We had bought ourselves some time.  However, even with spare horses, our mounts could go no further and we camped just off the trail.  We had a fifth of our men on guard at any one time.  The only ones who slept well were the three ladies. For the rest of us it was two hours sentry duty and snatched sleep.
    I was on watch with some of my men at arms when I sensed someone approaching.  I drew my sword and then breathed a sigh of relief when I realised that it was the Empress. She had the sense to come close to me and speak quietly.  She was the daughter of King Henry; she knew that sound travels far at night. "Thank you, Baron. You have given us a chance to escape."
    I smiled and pointed to the trees, "We are not out of the woods yet."
    She giggled and was suddenly a young girl again. "It seems like years since I laughed."
    "We have hope, at least.  We will be pursued and we will have to fight but the odds are more in our favour than they were."
    She gripped my arm, "Will men die?" I nodded, "Because of me?"
    "We all die, my lady.  It is how we die that is important." She wrapped her cloak around herself even more rightly. "Why do Lothair and the others care what happens to you?  You are leaving Germany.  What harm can you do them?"
    "When my father was ill I was sent to rule the parts of Italy where there was dissension." She shrugged, "I enjoyed the work and the people appeared to like me.  They were sad when I was summoned back to my husband's side. You saw yourself that those in Worms liked me. I think they fear me because I am popular."
    "But Sallic law means that you cannot rule."
    "I know but their fear is that someone will marry me and become Emperor because of my popularity. That will be my fate.  Someone will be chosen by my father and I will have to marry them."
    I felt sorry for the Empress. She had had no choice in her husband and now was like a prize animal to be auctioned to the highest bidder.  I saw too clearly why they wanted her.  It was not to do her harm but to force her into a marriage. I would make sure she reached Caen safely then her life was in her own hands.
    "You had better get back to your bed, my lady.  We have long days ahead and you will need your rest."
    She turned to go back to the fire.  She looked over her shoulder, "What of you and your men?  Do you not need rest?"
    "We are hardened to the rigours of the road.  Do not worry about our men.  They are all sworn to protect you. The only way anyone will get to you is if we all lie dead around you."
    "I pray that will never happen, Alfraed."
    I nodded, "As do we."
    While we broke camp the next day I sought out Edgar.  "I want three of our best men at arms assigned to protect the three ladies. From what I have learned the aim is not to harm the Empress but to capture her."
    "It leaves us short, my lord, if I have three good men out of a battle."
    "Nonetheless that is my order. Impress upon them that they keep them safe even if it means deserting us."
    "Aye my lord."
    As we rode west I smiled at the efforts of the three ladies not to show their discomfort. My men and I were used to the hard saddles we used.  We had all ridden for eight hours a day for many years. The ladies could ride but our saddles were not easy on the posterior. I watched as they surreptitiously stood in the saddle to ease the pain for a few moments and then saw them wince as they