archers – but they saw the danger for themselves, and his warning was unnecessary.
An arrow bounced off Geoffrey’s shield and told him attackers were behind, as well as in front. Unfortunately, those in the middle of the convoy, which comprised servants, the women and Cornald, stopped dead in hopeless confusion. So far, the attack had focussed on the two ends of the cavalcade, where the knights were able to defend themselves with their shields, but Geoffrey sensed that would not last, and staying still would see them all shot.
‘Ride on!’ he yelled.
Fortunately, Sear and Alberic understood the reasons behind his orders and galloped forward to clear the way. Richard followed, although Gwgan took time to control his prancing horse, putting Hilde directly in the line of fire. Geoffrey watched in horror, certain the Welshman’s ineptitude was going to see his wife dead. Then Edward spurred forward, placing himself and his shield between Hilde and the point of attack, and escorted her out of danger.
Delwyn and Pulchria screamed in terror, although Leah gamely put her head down and kicked her horse after her husband’s. Delwyn’s fear transmitted itself to his nag, which reared and threw him. With Roger howling like a Saracen behind him, Geoffrey grabbed the monk by the back of his habit and hauled him across his saddle, vaguely aware that Cornald had produced a small bow and was returning fire in a manner that suggested his paltry efforts at the competition had been a front.
Once safely away from the hail of arrows, Geoffrey threw Delwyn to the ground and galloped back towards the woods, aware of the attackers scattering before him. Roger was at his heels, and they almost succeeded in laying hold of one of the villains, but the fellow dived through a thicket of brambles, a place where Geoffrey had no intention of taking his horse.
‘Shall we track them?’ asked Roger, breathing hard from his exertions. He glanced around as Sear, Alberic, Bale and Edward joined them, ready to help. Richard and Gwgan were behind, although the pallor of their faces said they would not be much assistance.
Geoffrey shook his head. ‘That might be what they are hoping for – leaving the baggage cart unattended.’
‘But there is nothing on it except Abbot Mabon,’ Sear pointed out.
‘Yes, but they do not know that,’ explained Geoffrey. ‘It would not be the first time a coffin was used to transport riches, and I do not want to leave Hilde and the other women without protection.’
He expected Sear to argue, but the older knight merely inclined his head in acknowledgement and trotted away, taking Alberic with him. Bale looked disappointed that there was to be no bloodshed, but obediently trotted back to see whether Pulchria needed any comfort.
‘I saw what you did,’ said Geoffrey gratefully to Edward. ‘Thank you for protecting Hilde.’
Edward smiled, but his unsteady seat in the saddle suggested he was already suffering from the weakness that often followed such incidents for those unused to them. Geoffrey handed him a flask that contained medicinal wine, and watched the colour seep back into the man’s cheeks. Then he rode back and reorganized the column, with him and Roger at the front, and Sear and Alberic bringing up the rear.
‘Sear and Alberic gave a good account of themselves,’ said Roger begrudgingly, as they led the way out of the wood, alert for more trouble. ‘I would not have expected it. Richard and Gwgan did not, though.’
‘They are both unwell. It is unfair to judge them today,’ said Geoffrey. ‘Cornald reacted well, too. He began shooting at the robbers almost instantly.’
‘I saw,’ said Roger with a grin. ‘Cunning old Cornald, hiding his talents! Do you think we should turn back? We escaped harm, by and large, but it will be dark soon.’
‘There are lights ahead,’ said Geoffrey. ‘Let us hope the villagers are friendly.’
The villagers were not friendly, but Cornald’s heavy purse encouraged them to let the travellers use a large barn, in which there was plenty of clean straw. Gwgan, Richard and Leah lay down immediately, and Roger lit a fire and began to prepare a basic meal. Geoffrey, Edward, Cornald, Sear and Alberic sat with him, recounting the relatively easy way they had defeated the ambush.
‘Wisely, they concentrated their attack on us,’ said Roger. ‘They shot at the knights at the front and rear of the column, intending to dispatch the warriors first. Then, with us dead or incapacitated, they would have moved in on the cart and the women.’
‘White surcoats,’ said Alberic. ‘We all wear white surcoats, which makes us easy targets.’
‘Mine has a red Crusader’s cross,’ said Roger proudly. ‘And so does Geoff’s. We are different.’
‘Not that different,’ said Cornald. ‘They are both rather grubby, and the crosses do not stand out as well as they did when we left Goodrich.’
‘Perhaps we should don something else, then,’ suggested Edward nervously. ‘I have enough gowns for everyone. Perhaps if we wore no surcoats, the next attack would not be so fierce. I have a lovely red one that will suit you, Sear.’
‘There will not be another ambush,’ predicted Roger confidently, as Geoffrey struggled not to laugh at the image of Sear in a womanly kirtle. ‘We saw the last one off with ease, and the villains will not risk a second one.’
‘I do not want to think about it,’ said Edward, accepting a bowl of soup from Roger with hands that still shook. ‘I will not sleep a wink tonight.’
Geoffrey was just returning from a foray outside, on which he had circled the barn three times to ensure all was in order, when he saw Bale and Pulchria exchange a smouldering look, then aim for the shadows at the back of the building.
‘Bale,’ he said sharply, unwilling to stand by while his squire insulted the butterer quite so flagrantly. ‘Sit with Roger.’
‘But there is something I want him to do,’ said Pulchria.
‘I am sure there is,’ said Geoffrey coolly. ‘But he is not available.’
He nodded curtly to Bale, who looked from master to lover in dismay, but did as he was told, bald head well down so he would not have to see the disappointment in Pulchria’s eyes.
‘You have no right to interfere,’ Pulchria hissed to Geoffrey, coming close so she would not be overheard. ‘You declined my services in favour of your hag of a wife, but-’
‘You would be advised to say no more, madam,’ snapped Geoffrey with barely controlled anger. ‘Or we both might regret it.’
The expression on his face told Pulchria she would be wise to back away, although she continued to glower. He glanced to where Hilde was talking to the servants, calming their uneasiness with her easy confidence. He felt a surge of affection for her, feeling he was much more fortunate in his spouse than Cornald was.
Restlessly, he went to stand in the doorway, scanning the darkness outside. He wished he still had his dog, knowing it would have growled to warn him of danger. He was not alone for long, though, because Delwyn came to join him.
‘The next time you save me, perhaps you would do it a little more gently,’ he said. ‘I have a bruise where you grabbed me.’
‘My apologies,’ said Geoffrey caustically. ‘If there is a next time, perhaps I shall not bother.’
‘There is no need for that sort of talk.’ Delwyn stepped closer. ‘You are vexed, because I made a remark to you in anger earlier today, but I did not mean it. I would never harm you.’
‘I am glad to hear it.’
‘And to prove it, I have been considering William’s murder for you. Would you like to hear my conclusions?’
‘Only if they do not come accompanied with another demand for the Archbishop’s letter.’
Delwyn grimaced. ‘I think you should not confine your suspicions to the people in this barn – or the ones who are still alive. Do not dismiss Abbot Mabon from your musings, or Bishop Wilfred and Prince Hywel.’
‘Right,’ said Geoffrey tiredly.
Delwyn leaned closer still. ‘And also bear in mind that Hywel is something of a saint, too. He is not as goodly as William was, but everyone likes him.’
‘Was he “something of a saint” before William died?’
‘I suppose he was, but you should not dismiss the possibility that he killed William for his secret and is now reaping the benefits.’
