Free Castellan by Peter Darman

made to stand but Rudolf told him to remain seated.
    ‘As Sir Richard says, we are all friends here.’
    Hillar gestured with his huge hands as he spoke, using them to cut the air as he told of how the Danes had landed on the northeast coast of Oesel where they were currently besieged by the Oeselians. They had advanced only a small distance inland, establishing a camp and staying close to the ships that had dropped anchor in the nearby cove. But the Oeselians had fired the ships and blockaded the other Danish boats that had sailed back to the mainland, taking shelter in Matsalu Bay.
    ‘My people have also heard that the Oeselians also maintain their blockade of Reval.’
    Rudolf laughed. ‘Valdemar is well and truly bereft of hope.’
    He tapped a finger on the rim of his cup and pondered for a moment.
    ‘Hillar, what would be the best way to transport this army to Oesel so it may come to the aid of King Valdemar?’
    Hillar puffed out his cheeks. ‘It would take many boats to transport hundreds of men and animals.’
    ‘What if we left the horses and ponies on the mainland?’ Rudolf pressed him. ‘Can the Rotalians provide me with enough vessels to transport a thousand men to Oesel?’
    Bertram raised an eyebrow. ‘I thought there are nearly fifteen hundred men in this camp, Rudolf.’
    ‘There are,’ Wenden’s master agreed, ‘but I will leave a few hundred on the mainland to guard the animals and supplies. Besides, we need room in the boats to accommodate our esteemed Danish allies.’
    ‘What is left of them,’ said Mathias grimly.
    ‘I know the elders of Lääne County, the region on the western coast of Rotalia,’ said Hillar. ‘I can ask them to assemble as many boats as their people can gather. From there the army can sail to the island of Muhu, which is but a short distance from the mainland. Muhu lies between the mainland and Oesel. My advice would be to spend one night on Muhu and then sail through the strait between the islands to land near where the Danes are besieged.’
    ‘You know these waters and islands you speak of?’ Mathias asked Hillar.
    The Estonian nodded. ‘Before I joined Susi Lääne was my home.’
    Conrad suddenly remembered the time, many years before, when he was on a cog travelling to Livonia.
    ‘If we are attacked by Oeselian longships we will be slaughtered, master.’
    ‘He’s right, Rudolf,’ said Bertram.
    But Rudolf had already thought of that.
    ‘Hillar has told us that Oeselian ships are blockading the Danes in Matsalu Bay and in the harbour at Reval, and we know that an Oeselian army is besieging King Valdemar. Unless the Oeselians are devils from hell in human form then I would hazard that they are stretched thin. That being the case I believe we can get to Oesel unnoticed and snatch Valdemar from the jaws of defeat.’
    ‘We risk much for someone who shouts loudly that he is an enemy of the Sword Brothers,’ said Bertram.
    ‘Why can’t we let the bastard die?’ asked Mathias.
    ‘Because he is more use to us alive,’ said Rudolf, though when questioned further on the matter he would say no more.
    ‘We go to steal a king,’ Rudolf announced. ‘Hillar, I must ask you to ride to your people to assemble the boats so we may accomplish our mission.’
    As the camp was subjected to another heavy shower and the others filed out of the tent, Rudolf asked Conrad to stay.
    ‘When we get to Oesel try to resist the temptation to kill King Valdemar, Conrad, and order your warriors to likewise refrain from harming his regal body. I know that they are loyal to you.’
    ‘They obey orders, master, have no fear.’
    Rudolf smiled. ‘Good. And bring that girl that you and Lukas have turned into a fighter with you.’
    ‘Kaja, master? Why?’
    Rudolf smiled again. ‘You will see.’
    *****
    The Danish engineers had laid out the ground for what would become the castle of Berengarian, named in honour of the king’s late wife, the Estonian slaves being whipped to