21 September 1124

　　William woke to screams and smoke. Someone was shaking him.

　　"Get up boy, the mill`s on fire! They took Matilda!"

　　The last statement cut through his grogginess and Walt helped him to his feet. His head pounded and his vision was blurred but he staggered out from the burning building. The Carpenter urged him to help put out the fire but William knew others would take care of that. Someone needed to help Matilda.

　　William pushed past the tide of people rushing inside to fight the fire and broke out into the courtyard. The cool evening air helped clear his head and the yard came into focus. Elizabeth crouched by the millhouse, tending to a nasty gash in Matthew`s leg.

　　"Matthew!" William cried. "You alright?"

　　"The Bishop`s men got him pretty bad," Elizabeth reported as Matthew bellowed obscenities.

　　"Where`d they go?" William asked urgently. "They had Matilda?"

　　"They ran towards Holford. Nobody stopped them, they were too well armed. One of the bigger men had Matilda slung over his shoulder."

　　"Shit." William paused for a moment and then sprinted away. "I`ll try to keep up with them. Send help, I`ll leave a trail."

　　"But Will," Elizabeth protested. "Your head`s bleeding!"

　　"Never mind," he called over his shoulder. "Get word to the Baron!"

　　William raced back to Holford, an unexpected energy pumping through his veins. Small clusters of people were gathered in the village square discussing the ambush.

　　"William!" Father Daniel called out. "They`ve got Matilda."

　　"That`s justice for you," Martin Brewer sneered.

　　"Which way?" William asked, ignoring Martin.

　　"East. About ten of them, maybe more. I`d say they`re headed to Stowey or Bridgwater. Moving pretty quick. Boy, your head`s bleeding."

　　"Thanks Father," William cried back. "I`ll be right. Tell someone to send help!"

　　He raced out of the village and into the fields which were illuminated by an almost full moon. The vast emptiness emphasised that he was alone, chasing a group of armed men. He was hit by a wave a doubt but stubbornly pushed on.

　　The shadow of the distant mine teased potential reinforcements, though the miners had little love for William and Matilda since the accident. Not sure what else to do, he used stones to craft a crude arrow in the middle of the road before continuing his run.

　　Unsure how far ahead the Bishop might be, William climbed a hill for a better vantage point and scoured the landscape. The moonlit fields aided his search and he eventually spotted a shadowy mass moving in the distance. He was relieved that they travelled at a reasonably gentle pace, slowed by a few stragglers and their precious cargo. William`s chest burned from the run and his head pounded but spotting the group gave him another burst of energy and he resumed his pursuit.

　　Concerned that he might be seen, William kept the group just in sight while trailing them for miles through the fields. The Bishop skirted around the edges of Stowey town and headed towards a small thicket of trees.

　　The silhouette of Stowey castle stood tantalisingly close. William wracked his brain for a way to signal the Baron for help but the Bishop`s men disappeared within the thicket, forcing William to resume his chase. He crafted another arrow in the middle of the path using some fallen sticks and prayed that the Baron might find it.

　　William entered the thicket, thankful for the cover of the trees. He recalled his childish games of ambush with Ralph as he darted from tree to tree, using the dense foliage as cover as he searched for the raiders.

　　Loud celebrations betrayed their position and William soon spotted the light of a campfire. He snuck towards it and peeked through the undergrowth. The raiders were gathered around a fire, gnawing on tough trail bread and recounting their exploits while the Bishop angrily interrogated a younger priest. William gasped when he spotted Warren`s familiar face among them. Traitor!

　　William was surprised at how established the camp was. A tent had been erected for the Bishop and a handful of horses were unsaddled and tethered beside a large wagon, revealing the raiders intention to stay put. Weapons were propped against the wagon and inside lay a lumpy form with a mass of matted red hair. William`s stomach flipped.

　　He held his breath as he watched Matilda, willing her to show any sign of life. It was an eternity before she finally began to stir. Unable to move with her hands and legs bound behind her, she threw up and was forced to rest her head near the pile of vomit. William felt indignant on her behalf but was relieved that she was alive.

　　William longed to free Matilda but the situation looked dire. He was vastly outnumbered and Matilda lay in full sight of the Bishop`s men, preventing William from sneaking up to check on her.

　　The Bishop eventually noticed that Matilda was conscious and ordered a thug to drag her to the fire. She didn`t resist but looked shaky on her feet.

　　"It`s late," the Bishop said with a yawn, "but I really must know. The lights? Can you do it here? Now?"

　　Matilda met his gaze but didn`t speak.

　　"Answer me woman."

　　Matilda remained silent. Defiant.

　　"Answer me!"

　　When Matilda showed no sign of moving, the Bishop gestured to his brute. And then the fire.

　　Matilda started to resist but the man grabbed her with ease and dragged her hand above the coals.

　　"Tell me," the Bishop commanded.

　　Matilda struggled to escape but her lips remained sealed.

　　The Bishop nodded and his brute lowered her hand. Matilda`s cry echoed through the trees. William wanted to rush in and help but a rational part of his mind forced him to refrain.Stolen story; please report.

　　"Stop!" the Bishop finally yelled. "Anything to say now?"

　　Matilda stared up at him defiantly, though she let out an involuntary whimper.

　　"Very well then," Godfrey replied with disappointment. "That will do. I`ll have time to do this properly back in Bath. Until then&" he taunted as he retired to his tent.

　　His men returned Matilda to the wagon and posted a pair of sentries before curling up beside the fire. When everyone else was asleep, the Bishop`s younger priest visited Matilda to offer food, bathe her hand and clear away her vomit. William hated the Young Priest for his association with the loathsome raiders but was at least thankful for that.

　　Unable to devise a workable plan, William prayed again that Elizabeth had found reinforcements. He knew it would be almost impossible for them to find his clumsy signs in the dark and cursed himself for not laying more. He settled in to keep watch and urged himself to stay awake as relentless waves of fatigue rolled over him.

　　+++

　　The sun had already risen when William woke and he struggled to recall where he was. His head throbbed and his legs ached. Memories of the previous evening jolted him awake and he pushed himself to his feet, cursing his weakness.

　　The camp was abandoned. The fire had been doused and wagon tracks led to the east. William didn`t know the way to Bath but Bridgwater was the largest town in that direction. The wagon needed to keep to the roads so there was still a chance of finding them. William hastily crafted another arrow with charred wood and set off towards the rising sun.

　　William`s stomach growled as he marched along a rutted road but he pushed on, stopping only to ask farmers if they`d seen the raiders pass by. Each greeted him with bewildered looks but one eventually confirmed that he wasn`t far behind.

　　He picked up his pace and the wagon soon came into view, trundling along at a comfortable pace. William breathed a sigh of relief and eased the intensity of his pursuit, keeping out of sight and watching them from afar.

　　William`s blood boiled as the Bishop intermittently rode back to admire his prize and gloat about her capture. Matilda remained stoic, letting the Bishop`s petty words flow over her without getting riled up by the cantankerous old man.

　　The group skirted around Bridgwater and continued travelling until they happened upon a clearing as the sun reached its zenith. The raiders kindled another fire beside a babbling brook and prepared a meal, showing no concerns of being pursued. William resented both their complacency and being forced to watch as they enjoyed their food. The Young Priest shared his meal with Matilda and William found himself begrudgingly starting to like the man.

　　Godfrey`s men had just started packing up when the sound of galloping horses echoed through the trees. A handful of heavily armoured knights thundered into the clearing on mighty warhorses, Baron Walter leading from the front and a ferocious Sir Phillip at his side. The Bishop`s men quailed at the sight of Sir Phillip and William had to consciously refrain from revealing his position with whoops of excitement. The Baron looked resplendent in his shimmering chainmail and brightly coloured tabard. His face was a portrait of rage.

　　"Godfrey! What is the meaning of this?" the Baron demanded.

　　The Bishop calmly strolled towards the Baron, hands clasped behind his back. He walked right up to the Baron`s horse, showing no sign of being intimidated by the beast`s might nor the Baron`s collective strength.

　　"Baron Walter, I am most surprised to see you so far from your castle. Are your men always so heavily equipped for hunting?"

　　"Don`t be coy with me Bishop. Unhand the woman and be on your way."

　　The raiders held onto Matilda, eager to keep her well within reach.

　　"Unhand her? I think not. She has been found guilty of heresy and sacrilege. These men can vouch for that, as can many from your own village. She comes with me to face the Lord`s justice."

　　"No," the Baron snarled. "She`s mine."

　　"Walter! I`m not property&" Matilda objected, only to be silenced by the Baron.

　　"You`ll be quiet," Baron Walter snapped, "if you know what`s good for you!"

　　The Bishop also glared at her before continuing his debate with the Baron.

　　"Regardless of who she belongs to, the woman has committed grave crimes and must be punished. Do you truly crave association with a blasphemer and heretic?"

　　"I don`t know what crimes you think she`s committed but I`ve watched her work for months. She`s introduced much good to my village. To the entire region. So no, I won`t hesitate to be associated with the woman and her works."

　　The Bishop began to object but the Baron continued.

　　"And nor will Earl Robert. He`s followed my letters about Matilda`s work with interest and will no doubt oppose your ill-informed actions. I wrote him last night, as soon as I learned of your attack."

　　William`s ears pricked up. He knew the Baron and Sir Phillip had closely followed Holford`s progress but never thought that word would reach as high as the Earl. Matilda looked surprised too.

　　"The King`s bastard?" Godfrey noted with disbelief. "I don`t care what your earthly ranks might be, this is a matter for the Church. My men and I will defend that right."

　　 William saw the Bishop`s men weigh the strength of Walter`s recently-arrived cavalry and eye their spears by the wagon. Their faces paled as the Bishop spoke on their behalf but their hands hung by their knife belts and the Baron`s knights shifted in their saddles.

　　The tense silence shattered as thundering hooves echoed around the clearing once more and another horse burst into view. The horse panted from the hard ride, though the rider carried himself with poise. His livery was even finer than the Baron`s.

　　"Baron Walter. Bishop Godfrey. How&convenient to catch you both in the same place," the rider said diplomatically. "I come bearing word from Earl Robert."

　　The messenger withdrew a scroll from his bag but looked unsure which noble to give it to. The Bishop reached out for the message but Walter nudged his horse forward and plucked the scroll from the messenger`s hand. Still astride his saddle, he unrolled it and read silently to himself.

　　"Ha!" he exclaimed victoriously. He unceremoniously tossed the scroll to the seething Bishop. Walter gave him a moment to read before announcing its contents to the crowd.

　　"We`ve been summoned to the Earl`s court in Bristol. Earl Robert acknowledges the right of the Church to punish religious crimes, but also insists that he be appropriately informed of high profile crimes occurring on his own lands before any punishment is given. What say you Bishop? His Majesty would no doubt agree."

　　The Bishop shook with silent fury but his body betrayed defeat.

　　"You are correct," he said through gritted teeth. "You ride ahead and inform your lord to prepare for my audience. I shall see the woman safely to Bristol."

　　Baron Walter seemed to consider the Bishop`s proposal but William couldn`t allow that.

　　"Nooo!" he interrupted, bursting out of the bushes and startling priests, nobles, horses and raiders alike.

　　"What is the meaning of this?" the Bishop cried.

　　"It`s the witch woman`s apprentice," Warren informed him.

　　Sir Phillip recognised William instantly and gave an impressed smile.

　　"William? What are you doing here? Elizabeth delivered your message, that Matilda was in trouble. I didn`t think you`d still be on her trail."

　　William ignored him. "You can`t let the Bishop take Matilda! He`s been cruel and hasn`t fed her or tended to her wounds. She`ll be lucky to make it to the Earl at all, let alone in a condition for an audience."

　　"I hope this isn`t true Godfrey?" Walter said, finally noticing Matilda`s bloody hair and cradled hand. "Playing with your prey like a cat with a fieldmouse? You couldn`t hold your barbaric foreign ways in check until judgement was delivered, could you?"

　　"You`re getting what you want Baron, don`t anger me further."

　　"Fine," Walter conceded. "You hold her but we travel directly to Bristol. Together. My men and I will accompany you, every step of the way," he added, looking directly at William as he spoke. He turned to the messenger. "Tell your lord that we`re coming. I give my word that we`ll make haste."

　　The messenger wheeled his horse around and galloped from the clearing. William knew that he wouldn`t receive any further concessions from the Baron but was pleased with the guaranteed audience with the Earl.

　　"Well," the Baron said awkwardly. "No reason to dawdle. Let`s get to Bristol and get this farce over with."

　　Matilda gave William an encouraging smile as the raiders loaded her back into the wagon. They rebound her hands, in front of her this time. Not knowing where he was supposed to go, William glanced around the clearing and vaulted into the back of the wagon.

　　Sir Phillip barked orders to the knights, establishing an escort and sending a man to inform Stowey of the new travel plans. The Baron settled into the rear of the formation where he could personally keep watch over Matilda.

　　The wagon lurched forward and they started the long journey to Bristol.

　　Matilda gripped William with her good hand. "You little champion. You followed me all this way? What did I do to deserve a friend like you?"

　　William didn`t know what to say so he merely smiled, content with knowing she was safe. Feeling suddenly weary, he lay down among the spears and was asleep in a heartbeat.

　　(C) Jay Pelchen 2023. All rights reserved.