Free King Henry's Champion by Griff Hosker

Never forget from whence you come, Sir Roger.”
    My men were quite happy camped by the river. They had augmented their diet with salmon taken from the river and hares killed by the finest archers in England.  They were happy.  Although they had not taken anything of value, save the horses from the Scots, they had all done well from the battle. I knew that anything of value would have been stripped from the bodies.  More importantly, they had won and that was immeasurable. A warrior could eat a handful of grain and be happy if he had won. Sometimes a feast tasted like dust when you had lost.
    I sat with my squires and knights around a fire.  It was daylight and we did not need the fire but soon we would sleep and a fire seemed part of that.  “Have we set sentries?  It would not do for the Scots to repeat our trick.”
    “Dick has his archers on the two islands and Wulfric has organised the sentries around the camp. If the Scots get past them then they had better flee fast for Wulfric is not a forgiving taskmaster.” Sir Edward was a good second in command.  He made sure that nothing was overlooked.
    I did not think that the Scots would be able to do anything until they had sorted the mayhem of their camp. “Good then I can sleep for an hour or two.”
    “Will they retire?”
    “I know not. They should for we have beaten them twice and suffered little in return but they are Scots and have more courage than brains.”
    William was next to me.  He showed me a sword, “I took this from the Scot I killed today.  It is not the best sword I have ever seen.”
    “I disagree for this is the first sword you have taken and as such will never be bettered.  You will achieve great things, my son, but today when you are barely out of your youth you killed a man and protected a baron.  This sword should be honoured and protected.  Within this sword lies the spirit of Sir William. Never forget.”
    I saw a different look on his face when I handed it back to him.  Sir Edward and Wulfric nodded their approval.  They knew that I was making the knight who would rule my land after me.  As I lay down to sleep I wondered about another son, who lay many miles hence in Anjou.  Would I have a hand in moulding a King of England? We rolled in our cloaks and lay on the ground. I slept but my rest was disturbed by the faces of the knights who had died that day. I had been lucky in my fights.  Would my son be as lucky?
    I woke, due to my active mind, before noon.  My squires slept on as did most of my knights.  I rose and walked towards the river. I passed the sentries who bowed as I passed.  “All quiet?”
    “Yes my lord.  I think we have stopped the Scots this time.”
    “Perhaps but remain vigilant.”
    The sound of the river made me need to make water. Dick appeared from the trees on the narrow island in the middle of the river. “Good morning, Earl.”
    “Morning Dick. How is your accommodation?”
    He smacked his cheek, “Fine but the other guests are a little annoying.” The river teemed with midges and biting insects.
    I nodded, “It should not be for too long.  Unless they come on the morrow or the day after I think they will not come at all.” A sudden thought came to me.  “Do we know who commands?”
    “No my lord; we saw banners but I only recognised that of Gospatric.  I will see if we can capture a scout or two.”
    “Do not take risks. It is not that important. And if you do scout combine it with hunting eh?  I would like some fine Scottish venison!”
    I walked back towards the castle.  What I had said to Dick was not quite true. The King was keen to know who his enemies were. The ones who had attacked us had not been the leaders.  When we had attacked their camp they were ensconced in Berwick.  I had seen neither banners nor liveries. Was it a Scot or a rebel?  Perhaps Gospatric himself had crawled out from under his stone, I know he harboured thoughts of a throne; to be the King of