The Crusader's Crown (Tales of the Brotherhood Series Book 1) by James Mercer

Author:James Mercer [Mercer, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-15T22:00:00+00:00

*****

What had been endless waves of Almohad warriors was finally starting to slow. Looking to the far left of their forces, Robert could see the banners of the Templar knights. They had ceased their pursuit of the enemy horsemen who were fleeing from the dreaded Crusader warriors. He watched as the large contingent of knights and their sergeants slowly moved forward. Somewhere amongst their number was the knight that the Brotherhood were searching for.

Had he survived? Was he even there? He knew not.

“Rob, what are you waiting for? The bastards are on the run. Let’s finish them off, once and for all,” said Jurgen excitedly.

His friend was right. If they could prevent the enemy from reforming, the battle would be theirs. He could see that King Sancho’s royal bodyguard had already begun a pursuit. However their horses were fresh having been kept in reserve. Many, along with their King, had joined the fray but once their horses were pushed to the limit their squires had quickly returned to those wealthy enough to afford another and now they galloped after the fleeing survivors.

“Rally the men still able to fight,” Robert called in a hoarse voice.

“Aye sir,” replied the German.

It was odd to hear his friend, who had far more experience than he, address him in such a way but it gave him confidence.

Those still mounted hastily gathered to their leader and waited to hear his order.

“Form two ranks, we advance at a trot only,” he ordered.

“Only a trot? We should run the rancid bastards in to the ground,” argued one of the men.

Cherik was about to cuff the man before Robert interjected.

“Do that and that horse of yours will collapse before you reach the summit of the hill. We ride as one and we ride at my pace.”

“Sir Robert is right,” came the voice of the Commander.

To their surprise, Reynard pushed through the horses on foot as the men made a path for him.

“Commander! Are you hurt?”

“As bruised as the rest of us. One of the bastards pulled me from my horse. Well, don’t just gawp at me. Form ranks as Sir Robert said and someone find me another horse.”

One of the men who had taken an injury to the side, gave up his horse gladly.

“Right. Let us not allow the King to have all the fun,” said the Commander once he had hoisted himself into the saddle.

“You there,” he called to one of the men. “Find Hamish and Wilfred and tell them we make for the enemy’s camp. Tell them to hold our infantrymen here, they’ve done more than enough this day.”

After such battles, those men who survived the carnage of fighting in the front lines, always welcomed those orders. However as exhausted as they were they would still find the energy to strip the dead of anything of value.

As they began their slow but steady advance to the enemy encampment, Reynard did his best to dismiss the pain in his arm and shoulder which had come when he had been pulled from his mount.

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