Knight's Pawn by A. L. Kucherenko

Author:A. L. Kucherenko [Kucherenko, A. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Female Protagonist, Middle Ages, Norman Conquest, England, Saxon England, Tutbury, Ewyas, London, France, 1066, 11th Century, William the Conqueror, Eustace II, Count of Boulogne
ISBN: 9781944453213
Publisher: Cuidono Press
Published: 2022-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

May 1067, Tutbury, Staffordshire

A recent fire?” Elise asked Gilbert. She and Hortense exchanged uneasy glances. Fire always reminded them of Mortemer, the attack both had survived. As they approached the village, her gaze traveled slowly from the burnt structures and brambles at the base of the escarpment up over the charred trees sweeping up to the crest where the tower stood.

“Yes,” Gilbert said. A dark look flitted across his face, and she doubted he would elaborate without a prompt.

“The cause?”

He paused as if deciding what to tell her. “Rebels.”

She had seen the murderous, hostile English in Cricklade, and could well imagine their violence. Again, she felt exposed but knew her taciturn guide would give no comfort.

“Was the attack serious?”

“Soldiers and villagers died,” he said. “The first tower and inner palisade burned down. Those responsible were punished. All will soon learn to obey their masters.”

Elise looked from Gilbert to the tower. He knew more than he said, she thought. “How long ago was the fire?”

“A fortnight.”

“Two weeks!” she said, “A testament to the builder’s efficiency.” She looked up at the new tower. She supposed it possible. The captain at Cricklade had told her William had kept his several thousand troops busy building towers. One rose in only eight days. Lord Stafford must have had hundreds of workers unless . . . “Was any fort here when Lord Stafford took possession of the land?”

“No,” he said.

No doubt her betrothed’s troops were adept at digging trenches, building castles and bridges quickly. In a hostile land, no warrior would balk at building a strong defense behind which he could sleep easier than in an open field. But they would need many hands to build this castle and troops were preparing to march. She wondered if they had slaves, but refrained from asking an underling. He seemed to resent her inquiries, and there was no need to impose her authority or censure his surly manners at their first meeting.

Gilbert would defend this place and, despite his hostility, he would protect her as well. Accustomed to the defense of her own lands, she studied the scarp and castle. A sentry atop the parapets could see enemy troops long before they reached the valley. Besides the High Tower, she knew each gate would have watchtowers as well. The fewer gates, the better, she thought, hoping builders could complete the barest defenses before winter. Once atop the rise, she would know how well the castle’s defenses had been planned.

Gilbert reigned in and spoke to Roland. “My lord, there is limited space above on the castle grounds. Your retinue must remain here.” He pointed to an edge of the valley far from the two armies. “We have tents above for only a few of you,” he said, including Brian Dubec. “Your wagons and carts will take up much room.”

Roland and Brian agreed. Tristan took command of their company remaining in the field.

Elise turned to her companions during the journey. “Thank you all for escorting me.” She proceeded to

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