The Broken Realm (The Saga of Roland Inness Book 3) by Wayne Grant

Author:Wayne Grant [Grant, Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

Borderland

Roland was mounted on the roan charger that had belonged to the dead mercenary commander. Sir Edgar had insisted that, as their leader, he had rights to the most valuable booty left on the field of battle and this big stallion was surely that.

The animal was not yet the size of Bucephalus, but it was young and would grow. It had a broad chest and stood fifteen hands high. More importantly, it had the temperament of a warhorse. When Declan brought his mount too near, the roan stamped a massive hoof, swung its head around and tried to bite the offending horse.

“Can you handle the brute?” Millicent asked sceptically.

Roland laughed as he jerked the horse’s big head around to the front and patted its neck.

“Perhaps we will come to handle each other in time.”

Declan’s own mount was a much more impressive horse than the one he had taken from de Ferrers’ men in the ruins of Shipbrook, but he couldn’t help but give Roland’s new possession an admiring inspection. The Irish had a great appreciation of good horseflesh.

“Handsome thing, but a surly beast! What shall ye name him?”

Roland hadn’t thought to name the animal. The horse’s former name was lost, gone with its recent master who lay dead on the hillside, but a warhorse this magnificent deserved a name.

“Dec, I think you described this horse’s nature exactly. I will call him The Surly Beast, until he earns a more fitting title.”

“I like it!” Declan declared. “I only pity any boy who may someday be your squire. He will be eaten alive.”

The remainder of the morning was taken up with tending their wounded, burying their dead and reorganizing the pack animals and horses. It was discovered that the mule with the wages for the Invalids was missing. Roland called the men together.

“Your wages seem to have followed your commander back to Shrewsbury. Any that wish to do the same are welcome to leave. We will continue on to Wales, but I have no authority to command you to follow.” He stopped, letting the men consider the choice before them. “I have seen what you can do in a fight and I would be honoured to lead such men as you. Will the Invalids follow me?”

“Aye!” the roar echoed from the sides of the valley. The Invalids had found themselves.

Roland nodded and twisted in his saddle. He ordered four riders ahead to scout the route. Behind him the men of the Invalid Company mounted the new horses they had taken from the Flemish mercenaries and awaited the signal to move.

The events of the morning had transformed them. Each man had new mail and new weapons. None slouched in the saddle. They were men who had regained their pride. And without doubt, they were now Roland’s men. He must get them to Wales and to Earl Ranulf no matter what de Ferrers might send against them. He turned to Declan and Millicent who were watching him. He raised his arm and swung it toward the north.

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