The King Is Dead by Griff Hosker

broke. My blade bit into his neck.  Blood spurted. He slumped to the ground.
    I saw that my two squires had acquitted themselves well.  Four dead outlaws lay before them. My archers had laid down their bows and finished the attack with swords.  Five outlaws knelt with their hands before them.  They had surrendered; they had had enough. "Leofric, find John and see if they need help."
    I dismounted. William of Lucker was still alive. He laughed as I knelt next to him.  "When you were younger I had the chance to slay you.  Had my aim been better then my spear would have found your back and I would still be alive."
    I could not remember the incident but I did not doubt his words.  Dying men rarely lie. "That may be.  It was not my turn to die.  Today it is yours."
    He coughed and dark blood dribbled from the edge of his mouth.  "How did you find me?"
    I would not lie to a dying man but I could hide some of the truth from him. "You were betrayed."
    I saw his eyes narrow as he tried to work out who might have done so.  Ralph of Beal was too inconsequential and he nodded and said, "That damned Frenchman, Senonches.  I knew I could not trust him. Gospatric vouched for him but I knew. And Comyn's lies did not help! I told him the new Bishop was suspicious." He closed his eyes and I thought him dead. Suddenly he opened them. "I beg a favour, lord.  Have me buried in the church in Lucker. I would be with..." And then he died.
    I stood.  I would do as he asked. He had given me valuable information.  Suddenly Leofric came racing around the side of the old Danish hall. "My lord, you must come quickly! John has been wounded.  There is much blood!"

Chapter 4

    Aelric had tied a rag around the top of John's leg to stop the bleeding.  I could see that he had a deep wound. "I have stopped the blood flowing, my lord, but he passed out."
    Edgar was my healer and he was seven miles away. Dick had followed me. "I want a wooden litter made.  Leofric find any horses you can.  William, see if the outlaws had anything hot to eat or drink.  Soup would be good."
    When they had gone I said, "Aelric, I will go with my squires and return to Norham.  Take the dead outlaw, William of Lucker, and bury him at Lucker."
    He looked at me as though I was mad.
    "I know he is an outlaw but he asked me with his dying breath and I did not refuse him. I feel honour bound to do as he asked."
    "Aye, my lord, but you are too honourable. A promise to an outlaw means nothing."
    "I know.  Meet me in Norham with the prisoners.  I will let the lord of Norham pass judgement." He nodded.  "And bring any treasure they have here. There should be much."
    William had found a pot of thin soup.  It was hot. "William, while we fit the litter to the horses you try to get some of that into him."
    "But he is unconscious!"
    "Rafe will hold his head and nose.  When that is done you must release the cloth and let some blood come out of his wound and then tighten it again." He looked at me in horror. "John needs you William.  He has stood by you these many years.  Today you stand by him."
    He said, "Aye, my lord."
    Leofric and Dick brought two of the palfreys they had found in the stable. With Long Tom to help we were able to tie the litter between the horses. "Leofric go and fetch our horses.  We must get to Norham before it is too late." As he went I said to Dick, "I have given instructions to Aelric.  I wish you travel to Lucker find out all you can from the outlaws. I want to know how they came to be in their position."
    "Aye, my lord.  Lucker?"
    "I was asked by one who was once a knight to have him buried at his home."
    "We would leave him for the foxes."
    "As should I.  I am sorry but it is the way I was brought up.  It is in my nature."
    "And that is why you are our lord and we follow you."
    When Leofric returned he brought Aelric with him.  "My lord, we have found chests of coins.  There are three smaller ones but these two are larger."
    "Tie them on