Warlord of the North by Griff Hosker Read Free Book Online Page A

then it was daylight and the ones who could still run deserved to live.
    None of the nobles had survived.  My men had been ruthlessly efficient.  The few wounded survivors  were the low born and knew nothing of the plans of King David or the Earl Gospatric. They had been enticed to join the enterprise with the promise of Stockton's treasure.  The only treasure they gained was a patch of earth.  I had, however, achieved my objective.  I had relieved the siege and halted the Scottish invasion.
    As I took off my helmet and walked around the battlefield I was able to assess our position.  There was no immediate danger. Aiden was looking for danger closer to Durham.  Had he found any he would return quickly. We had breathing space.  I would be able to think and to plan. I joined my men as they cleared the ditches and the battlefield.
    Alice and her women began preparing food.  We would eat when we had made the town and castle secure once more. My men spent the late hours of night and the early hours of the morning taking the treasure from the dead and stabling their horses.  We now had fifteen war horses and twenty palfreys. They had been captured intact. They were as valuable as gold. Then we piled the Scottish bodies together and began the task of burning them.  For days the air was filled with the smell of burning flesh.  It was an unpleasant task but it had to be done. Dead bodies would attract vermin.
    As dawn broke I returned with my knights to my castle and we held a council of war.
    While Alice served food I spoke.  "As long as the Scots are abroad we must ensure that your families are safe.  I decree that until you decide your futures, then your families stay here.  Stockton's walls are thick and they will hold."
    Sir Harold said, "My decision is made already, lord.  I will follow you even if it means my death.  I would be nothing without you."
    I waved my hand.  "Do not be hasty Harold.  I have asked Alf to gather those from the town to meet with me in the square.  I will tell them what I told you. Make your decision then.  I intend to tell the archers and men at arms the truth.  They may be hired men but they deserve respect.  I shall give them that."
    By the time my hunters returned from the chase of the Scots it was gone noon.  The pyre of bodies burned still.  The graves for our dead had been dug and Father Henry would inter them after dark. The sentries on the river wall shouted, "My lord, the ferries from Thornaby come."
    Ethelred had fretted about his son and his ferry all morning.  His son now brought over our horses, Gilles, stable boys and Sir Edward.  The rest of Sir Edward's men came on the second ferry. I went to the jetty to greet them. Blood still stained the grass where we had made our night attack upon the Scots. The air was still chill and the blackened blood stood starkly against the frost. As the ferry reached half way Sir Edward shouted, "My lord, boats from the west!"
    Could this be Scots?  I was taking no chances.  I turned and yelled, "To arms!"
    Wulfric, Erre and my Varangians had not left my side since the battle had begun.  Nor had Alan of Osmotherley .  With drawn weapons they stood in a circle behind me. The ferry bumped into the wooden jetty. "Gilles, get the horses into the castle and hurry." As they led Scout, Hunter and the rest up the ramp I asked, "Could you make out who was aboard?"
    Sir Edward shook his head, "There was a canvas awning and they were using a sail."
    I glanced up at my wall.  Despite the fact that they had only recently returned Dick and his archers lined the river wall, arrows knocked. The three small river vessels had arrows protruding from the sides and the sails. They were heavily laden. They were riding low in the viscous, icy water. I drew my sword and prepared for combat.
    Sir Hugh of Gainford's head appeared around the edge of the canvas awning,  "My lord! You live!"
    We sheathed our weapons and breathed a sigh of relief.  Sir