Free Earl by Griff Hosker Page B

supplies."
    "We are! Come.  Let us go into my hall and I will entertain you."
    "First I must see to my men.  John, ride to the camp and have Wulfric send over half of the food we captured, the prisoners and the wounded."
    Ranulf’s wife was the daughter of Robert of Gloucester.  Maud was lively and vivacious. She had something of her Aunt, Matilda, in her.  Her laughter and her smile seemed to light up the room. They had laid on a meal for us.  It was not as grand as they might have hoped but with our extra supplies it was bearable. Warriors always enjoyed food after a battle.  Even the plainest of fare tasted good when you had been close to death.  After we had finished the two of them questioned me closely about my exploits.
    "My father speaks constantly of you.  He entertained us royally with the story of how you have rescued the Empress twice."
    I nodded, "Sir Edward here was with me both times.  We are both Knights of the Empress.  It is a great honour." I subconsciously fingered the medal she had given me.  I still bore it around my neck.  Like my blue pommel stone I believed that it protected me.  I am certain that Father Matthew would not have approved of such pagan beliefs. I told them, as modestly as I could, how we had saved her.
    Maud clapped her hands, “My lord, you tell a story well.  You could have been a troubadour!”
    When the interrogation had finished Ranulf de Gernan asked. "What do you think has prevented Maud's father from coming to our aid."
    Maud said, defensively, "If he could have reached us he would!"
    I smiled, "Fear not, dear lady, I too, know that it was not carelessness which prevented his arrival.  It is why I have ordered my men to break camp and to leave before dawn. We needed this day to recover from the battle but I have succeeded in the first part of my task, I have relieved Chester, but now I must ride to the aid of the Earl. If he has not come then he must have found trouble.  Owain is the dangerous one."
    I saw the look on Maud's face.  It was a mixture of relief and gratitude.
    "I wonder how the King of Gwynedd will take the loss of his son."
    We all looked at Edward. "I do not know, Sir Edward, but it is not the old man we need to fear.  Owain ap Gruffudd is the real power in Gwynedd these days. If they had been conducting the siege of my castle then I fear it would have fallen.  He is a ruthless man and he is loved by his men.  He is a dangerous foe."
    "All the more reason why we will leave early." I rose as did my knights. "I will take my leave my lady." I kissed the back of her hand.  "My lord, I will see you on the morrow."
    "We have rooms for you and your knights, my lord."
    "Thank you, my lady but, when I can, I share the hardships of a campaign with my men." I shrugged, "It is my way."

Chapter 6
    When we left to find Robert, Earl of Gloucester, the Earl brought five household knights and ten men at arms. They had suffered too many casualties for more. The Vikings and the Irish had constantly attacked their walls during the siege. We left my wounded men at arms and William of Yarm.  He was recovering and Lady Maud promised to keep a special eye upon him.
    We headed south and east to try to meet up with either the Earl of Gloucester or discover the whereabouts of the rampaging Welsh army. I remembered the last Welsh incursion.  The salt and the cattle on the Cheshire plain always seemed attractive to the Welsh.  I sent Dick and four archers out towards Nantwich to see if they could pick up their trail.  As we rode I asked the Earl why he had not fortified the lands to the south and west of his castle.
    "There are still Vikings in Man and in Dublin who raid my west coast. I have knights patrolling that area. We had thought the Dee was a barrier. The castles along the border did not seem a priority.  I can see now that they were."
    I nodded and pointed to my two young knights who rode ahead of us.  "I have given these two manors which protect my land