Free The Fallen Crown by Griff Hosker

We could then send for Sir Richard and his men and meet them on the rise close to Osmotherley.
    "Sir Tristan, send your squire ahead.  Tell him to fetch your father and his men.  Meet us south of Harlsey. Hopefully that is where we will meet and stop this cunning Mandeville."
    "Aye lord. John, ride to my father and fetch him to the road close to the priory.  Do not get caught by our enemies.  The Earl is counting on you."
    "I will not let you down."
    "Aiden, make sure the way is clear."
    It was less than eighteen miles but it took some hours to reach the track which led down from the moors to the vale below. Even in the dark we saw the high mound of Whorlton to our right.  It was the sign that we had to head west. We reached the road well before dawn and I had all the men dismount and feed and water their horses. With the grain we had brought from Helmsley the horses were well fed.  We led them down to the Wiske River and they drank too. Some of my men ate the rations they had with them but my knights and captains gathered around me. 
    "We will wait here for the enemy.  I am guessing that they will use this Roman Road for it is both wide and well made." I pointed to the high ground to the north us.  The road rose a little and there was some dead ground behind. "The bulk of the men at arms will wait there.  The knights and the squires with my oathsworn will form the front line. I wish him to see us and our banners.  We will draw him on. Dick I want you to divide the archers." I pointed to the west of the road just ahead of us. It dropped sharply down to the Wiske and there was ample cover. Put half your archers there." I pointed to the land to the east.  It began to rise and led to the escarpment of the moors just half a mile away. "The rest can go on the other side of the road. There is little enough cover there but use what there is and embed some stakes."
    Dick asked, "You care not if the enemy see us?"
    "He is no fool.  He proved that with his cunning plan.  He knows we have archers.  Better that he sees you in a prepared position rather than looking for the others."
    He nodded, "Then I will be with the archers to the east."
    "Have as many men rest as they can."
    They nodded as they headed back to their men. Aiden, Edward and Edgar waited nearby. Aiden said, "I am sorry, Lord.  I have let you down.  I should have known."
    "No, Aiden, the scouts who were sent by my other knights let us down and I have learned a lesson as have they." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Wulfric berating his scouts.  I hoped he would not inflict actual harm on them.  They had made a mistake; that was all.
    "We will find the enemy for you."
    "Are you certain; are your horses not tired?"
    "Fear not lord.  We know this land well.  There is cover to the east up on the escarpment.  We will not need to travel far.  It will be a clear day and our vision will be unimpaired." I nodded and they rode off.
    He was right.  The May on the hawthorn and the cow parsley gave all the hedges a stripe of white blossom.  Summer was upon us.  The cold weather of a month ago had given way to what promised to be a fruitful summer.  If I could not stop Fitz Mandeville then the bounty of the summer would go to our enemies.
    Richard brought me a water skin, "Do not forget to drink, lord."
    "Thank you for the admonishment! You are becoming the complete squire." He smiled at the compliment.  "Today, Gilles will command you.  Obey him as you would me.  This will be hard for our enemies may well outnumber us."
    "But Sir Richard will join us."
    "John of Elton has to reach him and then they have to arm and ride.  It is a twenty mile journey. I am content knowing that they will reach us some time this morning. Now rest.  Today will be a test of all of us."
    I then went to speak with my other captains and knights.  I needed them to know precisely what my instructions were. That done I sat down beneath a lone apple tree.  It was a gnarled crab