Earl by Griff Hosker Page B

I later found that the men there were leading pack horses with fresh supplies to replace the ones we had taken. Although Dick only had nine bows they could release almost as fast as they could blink. I pulled back my arm, aware that I was not riding Star and Scout was not as big a mount. I punched upwards at the knight on my right. He, too, had pulled back his arm to strike me with his spear but I was faster, Scout was faster, and my spear was deadly.  It struck him in his right side and tore through his mail links. As I withdrew it the head came away bloody.  Roger of Lincoln, riding to my right, pulled him from the saddle and I heard his scream as my men at arms rode over his body.
    The enemy men at arms had tried to make a hurried shield wall but the speed of our advance caught them in mid formation.  I spurred Scout who leapt a little in the air when I urged him on.  His front hoof flailed making two of the men at arms raise their shields for protection. I had an easy hit on one of them, striking him just above his belt with my spear.  Roger of Lincoln took the other in the thigh.  Then the four of us were into the disordered spearmen.  Dick's arrows were still causing chaos and I saw the men leading the horses ahead of us turn and try to flee. I thrust my spear into one of the spearmen who clutched at the haft as he fell.  I released it and drew my sword.
    "Come on Scout! On!" My steed responded to my spurs and my shout.  He was far superior to the sumpters ahead and we soon made up the ground.  As I raised my sword to strike the men they threw themselves to the ground.
    "Mercy! We surrender! Do not kill us!"
    Wulfric and Roger reined in next to me.  Wulfric growled at them. "Then throw down your weapons!"
    I turned and saw that most of their men at arms lay dead or wounded and the surviving spearmen had all surrendered. I shouted, "Dick, bring your archers and take charge of these horses and the prisoners." I dismounted and nudged one of the Welshmen in the ribs. "You, stand."
    He did so, "Please do not kill us.  We have families."
    I saw immediately that this was not a warrior.  He was little more than a villein. "Then speak the truth and answer my questions."
    "I will."
    "Where have you come from this day?"
    "The castle at Flint, my lord."
    I pointed to the dead knights. "Was one of these a lord of the castle?"
    He shook his head, "No, lord.  The Lord of the manor is Cynan ap Iago. That is his younger brother Rhodri ap Iago."
    "And is there a garrison at Flint?" He hesitated. "I was beginning to warm to you Welshman.  It would be a shame if I had to slit your throat because you were too slow in answering."
    "Yes, my lord.  This is half of the garrison."
    I smiled.  "What is your name?"
    "Gwynfor of Caerwys."
    "Then you and these other eight shall live. You will return to your master and tell him that the Earl of Stockton, who leads an army of King Henry of England and Normandy demands that he surrender his castle.  I will come tomorrow to receive his answer." I saw him glance behind me. I laughed, "This is not my army! These are my oathsworn out for a pleasant ride." He nodded.  "When you have delivered your message I would go back to Caerwys and take up another occupation." He nodded and began to move albeit slowly. "I have given my word.  Go."
    After they had fled down the road Wulfric asked, "Why did you let them go?"
    "A number of reasons. Firstly we do not need extra mouths to feed and men to guard. Secondly, because I want the lord of Flint Castle to send a message to the other leaders in the valley.  If they think we intend to attack then they will prepare for a siege of their own castles and are less likely to reinforce Chester but most importantly because there is no need.  These were not warriors.  These were like Tom the Fletcher who was slain for no reason."
    He pointed to the other prisoners; the men at arms, "And those?"
    "They are different.  They are warriors. We will guard them