Amis and his Shadow

Chapter 1

The Proctor called for me this morning. He wanted to carry out my performance review, this morning, today, now and I had hardly finished my rest; most ungracious of him. I’d been shadowing an arrogant Roman Senator for all of his life and would have continued my role in peace if he hadn’t been brutally assassinated. I had been accused of not looking after his welfare and directing him onto the incorrect path. How was I to know that he hadn’t been paying his monthly dues to his party leader? I have to have my rest and some leisure time. The Proctor accused me of being lazy and he nearly bit my head off when I remarked that I was being economical and efficient with my time. I should have been more careful with my words and manner but what can you expect if one has been rudely dragged out of his comfort to face a snarling Proctor. 

I was to be downgraded and appointed to shadow a lowly person of minor birth to monitor his performance as a human on this particular living world I had been assigned to. I was disgusted to wander after a peon whose only life would be to toil in the fields, eat and sleep. What interest was there for me? My only hope was that he would have a short life so that I could get a more interesting next assignment. I would have to be diligent with my progress reports and appear to the Proctor that I was taking my role seriously for once.

Rather than resting and moping about my demise I decided to check out my new person, or friend should I say, that I had been allocated. It was no but a developing egg in the womb of a grumpy old hag kneading dough on a wooden bench all covered with course flour. I did a cursory check on her background and found she was a baker’s wife living under the banner of a Knight, Sir Fitzpatrick and was destined to hatch at least eight brats, all screaming girls to boot. I didn’t care for girls or women at that so I carelessly tweaked genes in the egg for good measure to induce a male and give him some odd features of interest. Not too much otherwise the Proctor would have detected my handiwork.

Was it fortunate or downright irresponsible for Amis to be born in the midst of seven sisters who shunned and despised him? His contemporaries avoided him and stoned him whenever the opportunity arose. Even his parents tended to send him off on chores to be rid of him, out of sight and out of mind. Had he emerged from the womb with a club foot on top of his other disabilities then his miserable childhood would have been thankfully foreshortened by being ripped out and cast onto the pyre or into the millpond to be forgotten immediately, after a short prayer. His saviour had been that he was only disfigured by a major cleft palate and a large purple birth mark that started at his forehead, at the hair line, extended down his left eye, past his cheek to his jaw and onto his neck finishing in a dramatic swirl on his left collar bone. A further embarrassment was heaped upon the unfortunate boy by the colour of his hair, bright ginger, unbeknownst in the village community commonly used to dull brown locks. It was a common practise in the village to quietly do away with an unwanted child particularly if it was deformed in some way but being the only boy after four girls his life was spared or at least his demise was delayed, depending on future offspring. 

He languished and barely survived in his early years until he was able to walk, since he was constantly at the end of the family food chain. His fortunes changed when his father, the village baker, would send him off to the millrace to collect the flotsam wood for the oven. There he would help himself to the millrace fish caught in the Miller’s traps and dine on raw catch plus the occasional moorhen’s eggs. Field mushrooms, roots and berries added to his diet immensely so that instead of withering on the vine he thrived and grew faster than his peers. By the age of ten or so he could carry a full sack of flour back to the bakery. Delivering bread to the villagers was allowed but not to the big house since it might upset sensibilities.

I was quite pleased with my creation and sent copious progress reports to my Proctor about the lad’s well being and his initiative to thrive amongst  poverty and also that his spiritual education was progressing even though he had to spend the service listening from the porch of the rudely built church. His dull occupation gave me plenty time to rest. I did on occasion consider a slippage into the millpond or redirecting a hefty thrown stone in the direction of his temple but I resisted for the moment. A time would come to end this farce and move onto a more interesting subject.

By the physical manner of his daily chores accompanied by a healthy and plentiful diet he became much stronger than many of the village lads, even men. Woe betide anyone who should accost him and raise his ire. A sore head plus heavy bruising at the flaying of his staff would keep even the foolhardy at bay. The staff, his constant companion, acted as a third limb in steadying the heavy loads he carried on his back rather than just warning off his adversaries. He led a lonely path from mill to bakery with frequent foraging for sustenance. He quickly learned that fish encased in clay from the river bank and popped into the dying oven whilst his father was resting was far more digestible than raw. An occasional duck, moorhen, even swan could be baked and remnants hidden away for another day. No one was fair to him so why should he share his bounty.

Chapter 2

At some point, the Lord of the Manor, Sir Ralf Fitzpatrick invited or rather ordered Amis to join in with the other youths of the village in some military training so that at some stage, when bidden by the King, he could muster a troop to fight in the Crusades in some distant far off land. This he enjoyed immensely since he could wield his staff with ease and draw the bow string consistently. The Lord was an efficient teacher and task master. He taught them how to combat against a sword and spear and how to bring down a horse just with a plain wooden staff. Tipped with a forged iron spike, or a scythe, or a billhook it became a deadly weapon. The less able and strong had to master the crossbow which was easier to handle than the long bow. These drills were carried out on a daily basis under the watchful eye of the Lord and his squire, an old veteran of the Crusades. 

The day finally arrived when Sir Ralf was called to raise a force of trained yeomen to join King Richard on one of his Crusades to the Eastern Holy Lands to free Jerusalem from the infidel. Amis didn’t take kindly to such orders so ran off to the big City of London to be master of his own destiny. The idea to travel to distant lands took his fancy but it had to be on his own terms. Travelling as a lowly seaman was easier but not to his taste since he wished to serve as a Marine whose prime job was to protect the vessel from attacking pirates and privateers.

 He approached a ship’s Captain who was recruiting and volunteered his services. The Captain, seeing a strange dishevelled, mumbling country bumpkin with red hair and an ugly disfigured face decided on some sport. Amis arrived at the appointed quayside and was told to pick a weapon to take on the Captain’s Chief Mariner in combat. The war axe Amis chose was much better balanced than the wood chopping axe he wielded expertly at home. A circle of jeering and teasing men formed a crude circle and the two warriors faced each other with the Chief choosing a long sword as his weapon.

The Chief made the first move with encouragement from the surrounding mob now baying for blood. Had the sword swing connected it would have done mortal damage. The second move was a downward swing aimed for the head. Amis parried and caught it deftly in the cleft and swung the axe sideways and downwards ripping the weapon easily from the Chief’s hands. The crowd hushed.  Taken aback, the Chief grabbed the sword from the ground, totally exposing himself to a mortal counter blow and faced Amis again with a modicum of respect. This time he dummied a swing to the left and raised the sword for a swing to the right. Amis was ready for this, stepped forward swinging his battle axe diagonally upwards, catching the Chief under the armpit and slicing right to the heart. The opponent fell to the ground, dead, without a sound. A roar of horror went up from the crowd.

 The Chief’s crony, his mate, rightly angered by his leader’s sudden demise, picked up a spear and charged at Amis aiming for his chest. Before the Ship’s Captain could stop the deadly thrust, Amis backed off, ran and picked up a spear and just managed in time to parry the lunge to his heart. The next step was easy. His opponent had overreached himself and was unbalanced. Amis swung the haft of the spear, a well practised move, with all of his strength and struck the mate across his left ear with such force that the cracking of the skull could have been heard right across the Thames. Two men lay before him stone dead and the crowd was shocked into silence.

 None could have foreseen that a country bumpkin could have out mastered and slain two seasoned warriors. Amis had killed a living human person, not just one but two in a matter of minutes. The surprise was that he had no emotion or feeling of guilt. It wasn’t even like axing a pig, at least there was some anticipation of the juicy aromas of roasted meat but here it was more akin to clubbing a thrashing fish. At least he wasn’t the bloody mess on the ground.  The Captain looked on in a state of shock and turned to Amis and said, “Lad, since you’ve slain my best two fighters you’d best take over their role and lead the rest of my motley marines.” That’s how Amis got his first placement on a ship, Chief of the Marines. One of his charges yanked out the axe, cleaned off the blood on the tunic of the prostrate Chief and handed it to Amis, touching his forelock.

I was totally surprised by the turn of events and had to get off my couch and search for the lad. I only found him as he stood over two slain men with a bloody spear in his hand, a Ship’s Captain congratulating the lad and offering him a position. He was coming up in the world. I was about to send a message to my Proctor announcing that I had helped my charge achieve a position in life when I decided to delay and find out what really had happened whilst I was dreaming and amiss in my duties to the boy. The recounts in the local tavern told me what I needed and I sent a more edited version to my dear boss, omitting the slaying, hoping that he might note that I had the lad’s future firmly in my grasp. 

Chapter 2

Amis was shown to his quarters in a sizeable sailing ship and introduced to only eleven of his twelve charges. One he’d slaughtered earlier. They were a scrawny bunch who probably held their own in a tavern brawl but lacked discipline and were probably untrained to work together as a combined force. Working on Sir Ralf’s principle he immediately summoned them to the quay side with crude staffs, drilling them with thrust, parry slice; thrust, parry, slice, then in opposing pairs. At first it was in slow, easy motions but as the occasional staff hit flesh it became a heated contest. Amis had to call a halt before they did untold damage to themselves. At least he was pleased with the way they all showed some aggression and courage even if they lacked some finesse at this stage.

The Captain had given him some coins to feed his men whilst in dock so he invited them to a local hostelry on the quayside for an ale and fish supper. To make his coins go further he hailed a fisherman selling his wares on the Thames and bought fifteen fat gutted salmon and had them caked in thick mud. These were transported on a cart to a local bake house. Fourteen were returned to the ale house, the clay baked a deep brown colour. A curious crowd of gapers gathered around their table to see this strange ritual.

 A roll of baked clay was set before each man as they looked on in anticipation and some suspicion as Amis held the fort. He ordered the baker’s boy with the cart to hand one roll to the landlord who soon was out to check on the commotion. Amis crossed himself and with the stub of his knife cracked his clay open, to the accompaniment of oohs and aahs as the salmon aroma escaped. I didn’t take a second for each of his band to follow amid cheer from the onlookers. They ate ravenously since they were all starved, batting away the creeping hands of envious bystanders hoping to sneak a morsel. A cheer went up as Amis ordered another round of flagons of the landlord’s best ale. He was now the true leader of his band. A swarthy Cornish man with the least bruising was chosen as his second in command, who immediately took his honour by insisting on barging his way to sit next to Amis amongst jeers and ribald comments, all in good faith.

That afternoon, after a welcome nap, he marched his marines out into the countryside for archery practice and by the end of the afternoon he was pleased to see that they managed a flight of deadly arrows in unison if not very accurately. That and speed would come with practice. A group of boys collected their arrows for a reward of a small coin. On the way back to the ship he bought a couple of sacks of mixed vegetables from a passing cart which would be part of their evening fare after they had been baked, accompanied by tankards of ale. The men looked up to their chief as this was far better than their normal or past fare and a vast improvement on their shipboard servings. This was repeated on the next few days with variations including the crossbow practise.

 They were about to sail on the next tide, across the channel with a cargo of fine wool so Amis checked his remaining coins and reckoned he could muster enough to buy them all thick boiled leather vests to give them a modicum of protection and also to differentiate them from the rest of the crew. The artisan added a leather helm for Amis as part of the bargain and affixed a crude iron star to the breast of his vest. As time went on the men adorned the vests by affixing bits of discarded armour acquired on the field of battle or the artists amongst them would decorate theirs with patterns using hot irons or cold chisels.

The sail down the Thames and across the Channel was a novelty for Amis but since the ship was kept short of crew the marines were expected to take their part in the shift and duties of normal seaman and the food was bad. On the way back Amis realised why the Captain was keen to maintain a substantial band of warriors on his ship. The lookout spied a smaller trader crossing their bows, heading down the Normandy coast and the Captain decided to give chase. This is where his advantage lay, with the extra men he could lay on more sail and had a separate boarding party when the ships met.

 As they got closer Amis amassed his archers with long bows and sent over a hail of arrows. This was too much for the trader and he hove to, surrendering without being boarded and facing a bloody fight. Apart from the ship there was little booty other than a dozen half starved crew and a frightened Captain who had to be coaxed out of the hold. Amis was given the command of sailing this freighter back to London docks with a mix of crews. The Captain shrewdly assessed that Amis was the most able leader to get the treasure back to port for a hefty sale. The French crewmen were quickly integrated bolstering the manning of the ship. Amis chose three of the roughest for his band of marines.

 Months went by sailing back and forth across the Channel, occasionally capturing a ship and frequently escaping from a larger pirate. This is where Amis and his men came to the fore. As the ships closed Amis would have his longbows shoot hails of well aimed arrows to the pursuer until they gave up. If the ships closed then a hail of deadly crossbow bolts at close quarter would create mayhem amongst the attackers who hadn’t expected such massive defence from a trading ship. On one occasion they reversed their fortune, grappled, boarded and captured their attacker. Amis would get a generous bonus which he spent wisely on shore, feeding his men up and re-equipping them with better weapons and plenty barrels of arrows and bolts. He was getting a reputation in the quayside hostelries, which he carried with great aplomb. Mothers would frighten their disobedient children with the Red Devil as he was nicknamed.

This Amis was growing to be an interesting fellow, able, intelligent, excellent leader of men. I checked on him more frequently because he was so full of surprises. He looked after the welfare of his men and they worshiped him, even the Captain listened to his advice and prospered. They even devised plans to ambush larger ships which I thought rather clever and a marked development in Amis as a strategist. I even had a pleasant comment from my Proctor which pleased me and hoped it would lead to promotion. I didn’t expect Amis in such a dangerous occupation to live a long life. I was proved mistaken.

Chapter 3

Catastrophe struck when the very wise King Richard commandeered the ship to sail in his fleet to the Holy Land to do battle with the Saracens. The Captain was furious at the King’s command. He was plying a lucrative trade between London and Normandy and now he had to fund personally a return trip through dangerous waters all the way to the Holy Lands and back. Amis on the other hand thought this an adventure that he couldn’t miss; the chance to see other exotic lands afar.

 The first order from the court was that the ship Trident would carry cargo and military supplies but then this was countermanded to be a troop carrier. Lord Rutland took one look at the Trident and dismissed the cramped accommodation as not to his taste. A motley mixed bag of a hundred and forty yeomen and a mixed bag of military supplies were assigned, which meant that the holds had to be converted to sleeping quarters again at the Master’s expense. On leaving, Lord Rutland remarked that it was common and he expected at least forty of the men not to survive the journey from illness, home sickness, desertion or fatal accident.  Amis was concerned that the need for Marines was no longer necessary with a full complement of soldiers on board. The Captain compromised by keeping Amis and his second in command, Oscar, and letting go the rest of the Marines plus half of the regular crew. His plan was to use some of the soldiers with fishing experience as seamen.

I was a little concerned by this turn of events. Instead of looking at the broader picture I stayed in bed and only concentrated on my charge. Now I had to tend to his needs and understand why in this world, people were crossing half the continent to fight in some forsaken land for the privilege of doffing their spiritual caps at some tomb of some carpenter’s son in Jerusalem. What a waste of resources and life, both of which were sorely needed back home. I was forced to study the issue in depth to understand the finer points and request some fully reasoned interventions that I should make or could make.

To my horror I discovered that this mayhem had been going on all around me for some time, in the name of a God.  There seemed to be many. The clerical hierarchy were not only controlling the rulers of the lands but creating huge edifices in the name of these gods and amassing huge wealth for themselves whilst their underlings suffered and starved. I got a curt message from my Proctor stating that no intervention was required and he was glad that I was educating myself in the finer detail of the populace on this world. I took this to mean I should delve further.

 Do you know that each of the religions believe that there is an all powerful God or Gods that not only created them but look after them from on high? They also believe that when they die they have four routes or choices in the afterlife. If they have been good citizens then they can expect a life of luxury in a place they call heaven. If they have been bad then they are dumped into a hot hellhole controlled by a mad monster called the devil or they can ludicrously purchase “indulgences” at high cost from the   clerics as an escape road to this heaven. This would absolve them from all crimes. If there is some controversy over their life, they spend time in purgatory where all their sins are exorcised by severe torture. The truth is if they only knew, they just become shadows, like me in the bureaucratic system of the Proctors. 

The only correct notion is that there is an afterlife but only as a shadow, like me, monitoring the living for the grand experiment. There are no Gods but a Committee of twelve very Senior Proctors who, pondering over the records, wonder where they went wrong and learn from their mistakes. Bit of an overworked phrase in my estimation. I presume it was only a coincidence, but the people on Earth believed in twelve apostles who served their Christian God. I have also discovered that the people believe or are led to believe by the rich fat clergy that there are hidden spirits, souls, ghosts, angels that guide these poor sods into a good life of giving more to the clergy and the rulers as far as I could see. Not one mention of the shadows like me who just monitor and record, even though at times we do meddle secretly, just for our pleasure and to relieve the boredom. I wonder sometimes how my Amis would have turned out as a normal boy without the disfiguring scars that tormented him in his earlier life. I wonder how he will fare in the next epoch.

The problem with over a hundred unruly men and a short crew is how to keep them occupied for a few months during the long and tedious voyage. Anyone with fishing or boating experience was commandeered as a sailor to crew the ship. The others were too sick to care about but something had to be found to occupy them when they got over their illness. Amis suggested to the Captain that they provide them with regular military drill and those who were unwilling to take part would be downgraded to half rations. As soon as anyone got over his seasickness then they were forced on deck and Amis and his second in command Oscar drilled them with staffs and climbs up and down the rigging to get them fit and tired. Amis soon realised that they were all poorly trained and wouldn’t last a minute in a true skirmish. 

When they asked why they were being trained so hard the answers were many. This was commanded by their Lord which wasn’t the case. Their Lords didn’t want them to travel three months at his expense to fall over dead in the first battle. The most important fact in our Captain’s case was they were needed to protect the ship from pirates and privateers who preyed on such trading vessels and would sell them off into slavery. The Captain ignored the comments by many that they were true slaves already. The last point the Captain made was that fighting for a Christian cause would absolve them from all their sins and the path to heaven, through the pearly gates would be theirs.  The other personal factor that had been unofficially promised was plenty of rich plunder and free access to the women. 

The Trident was part of a larger fleet of forty ships of various sizes. The faster, sleeker warships were supposed to guard and shepherd the others but generally headed to port well ahead to buy the best provisions. The rest of the ships fended for themselves. Six of the more sensible Captains got together and decided to stick together as a force and help each other. Eventually the others saw sense and linked in with the Trident which was unofficially in command. They hugged the coastline during the day but hove out to sea in the dark and bad weather to avoid the rocks. A couple of the smaller vessels, usually lagging behind, were regularly approached by aggressive pirates but these were seen off by two or more of the larger ships turning back to give assistance. The smaller vessels soon learned to keep in the middle of the pack.  After an arduous journey they finally reached the shores of their destination with only two ships lost in storms

Chapter 4

The soldiers disembarked onto the rough quayside and stretched their legs when a messenger came telling them that some Knight or Lord was coming to inspect the troop and designate some lodgings. Amis got his men to fall in, in an orderly group, holding whatever weapons they had. With special care they only lost fifteen men on the long journey, mainly to illnesses prior to joining the ship. They didn’t look much of an army but they were at least well disciplined. A puffed up Knight in all his armour rode up and demanded to know who was in charge of these men. He introduced himself as Sir Ralf Tenyson. There was no sign of Lord Rutland. The Captain pointed to Amis who had dressed himself with the tough leather vest and helm, now covered with bits of armour plate in strategic places to provide a modicum of extra protection. This now extended to leather gauntlets up above his elbow and leather leg guards with metal strips. Not exactly armour but more protection than just a linen shift that most of his men sported. The Knight was not impressed, asked where their proper weapons and chain mail were. Oscar, as usual, answered for Amis, since his speech was slurred and generally incomprehensible to strangers, told the Knight that they were expecting to be armed when they arrived at their destination. This flummoxed the Knight and he asked Amis to follow him back to the headquarters. Amis ordered the men to offload any stores on the ship and not to stray and with Oscar, he tried to keep up with the horse. The Knight showed them to a dilapidated group of dusty buildings where they were to be billeted and told them that some provisions would be forthcoming. Oscar spied a well in the courtyard and made a note to bring some of the ships buckets and plenty of spare rope.

Amis was now in total charge of a hundred and thirteen surviving men plus Oscar. The Captain had retained twelve men as seamen for his own return. The stores plus a couple of old sails that Amis commandeered were carried to their new dwelling. To keep everyone busy he allotted tasks to each group. One group blocked off all but one exit to keep the place safe, another set up the sails for shade and checked the roofs of the dwellings, another checked the well and a special group led by Oscar went off to forage for wood for a cooking fire. To Amis’s amazement he found a couple of large clay ovens of similar build to the ones his father had back home. He unpacked and checked the stores that they had offloaded from the ship. These contained cooking equipment, clothing, hammers, axes, and the most useful element was a large number of barrels of arrows for long bows and a number of boxes containing bolts for cross bows. A couple of men started drawing water from the well when a cart arrived with their provisions. The most welcome sight was the two barrels of ale but most of the rest was sacks of flour. They would have to make their own bread; the ovens would come into their own.

As the bread was baking Amis and Oscar divided what weapons they had amongst the men. The strongest were given the long bows, the weakest the crossbows and the rest an assortment of spears, halberds and poleaxes. Some only got the staffs they had trained with. At least they were an organised troop if still green around the gills. Sir Ralf later sent them a cartload of weapons that had been taken from the Saracens on some battle field. There was an assortment of sabres, daggers, metal helms, javelins and round shields. These were divided amongst the spear carriers. Amis noted that to survive they would have to arm themselves from the dead in battle. After their supper of bread and ale a cart arrived bearing white shifts for all with a large red cross painted on the front. At least they would all look the same. After posting sentries they found a piece of ground to sleep on, wondering what next day would bring. 

What in Hades is going on here? Amis has jumped ship. I was resting at the time. Was he supposed to do that? If I was the Captain I certainly wouldn’t release my best man. Maybe since he’s retained some of the soldiers as crew he felt obliged in some way. I wish the Captain had a name but he’s always referred to just as The Captain. Well it’s certainly a nice diversion for my Amis. A couple of battles and he’s likely to come under the sword although he seems to be able to handle himself well. Quite a head on his youthful shoulders! Under his direction he got Oscar to order the men around whilst he stood back aloof inspecting their progress from a distance like a higher officer or God like creature. The men certainly respect him and I see that Oscar always defers to him.

 I like the way he took all of his men into the countryside whenever they landed, away from the port. They practiced with their long bows, crossbows and took part in mock battles, apart from some necessary pillaging. The odd herd of cows, goats, poultry and sheep were commandeered and driven back to the ship to improve the crew’s diet. Stores were raided for grain, flour, vegetables and dried fruit. I’m not sure this was good or even compassionate. I’ll have to check with my Proctor. I could intervene but it all seemed good harmless fun to me. By the end of the long voyage the men were disciplined, trained and sported many bruises with pride. Would they stand up and fight the Saracens had yet to be seen? At least they wouldn’t die helpless. I’ll have to watch the next episode of my Amis with more diligence. The Proctor likes my reports and even said that many were recorded in the Book verbatim. Promotion beckons, maybe to another world. This travelling is catching.  

The next few days passed with a touch of boredom with most of the day spent escaping from the scorching sun. The spare sails proved their worth. Amis and Oscar took raiding parties out into the countryside to get better acquaintance with this strange, arid land and also to scavenge food and fuel. Since other groups were doing the same they went even further and spied a village nesting in the hillside ready for pillage. They decided on an early morning raid and came back with four asses, six goats, bags of dried fruit and rough flour. The scouts had done well and spotted the main stores and animal pens. They escaped unscathed with lots of bravado and made a welcome addition to their diet of bread and water.

On the fourth day another Knight, Sir Rodney Maynard, arrived with six armoured henchmen plus a cart of provisions and ordered them to be ready to march in four hours at dusk to join the main army. They packed up the sails plus the spars and loaded them on the cart. The two remaining asses that hadn’t entered the pot were loaded up with the stolen provisions and each man carried a bundle of fire wood. They had also stolen water carrying skins which were filled at the well. A passing wounded veteran advised them to drink their fill and more before they set off. The march was fortunately slow and the Knight didn’t really know the way other than in an easterly direction. His henchmen who were weighed down with armour were even less use. Amis took command and told Sir Rodney through Oscar that he was an aged veteran and would guide them through but he needed the Knight’s horse to scout ahead for the best route. The main idea of the horse was to ride back quickly with a warning of danger ahead. Sir Rodney was happy to avoid any conflict so marched with his soldiers acting as rearguard.

 During the heat of the day they rested in an abandoned olive grove, under the shade of the trees and sails.  Scouts were posted and a party sent out to find water. They travelled like this for four days in the semi arid land without seeing a soul. The villagers had crept away and hid on their approach, often leaving their stores and provisions behind. Water containers were eagerly sought after, repaired and filled for the next day. Amis soon realised that they were completely lost and their provisions were running out so he decided that he would send his scouts out further a field during the day, hoping to find some traces of a large army.

On the sixth day the scouts returned having found an enemy encampment. They reported twenty Saracen soldiers armed with scimitars and short javelins, some manacled Christian prisoners, a group of pack animals which they drew in the sand and which the Sir Rodney recognised as camels, and a stack of provisions plus a number of unarmed men in white shifts that looked and acted like servants. They didn’t see the leader who was in a large tent whilst the servants were preparing food and taking it into the tent. After some heated discussion Amis concluded that they had probably travelled beyond their own army, were to the rear of the Saracens and had found one of their supply camps.

 The only thing was to ambush the encampment, capture the Saracens, free the captives and learn from them where the main Crusader army was stationed. At dusk Amis and Oscar were led to the enemy encampment to reconnoitre the scene and form a plan. They quickly saw that the one sentry on guard was rather lax and that the main group of soldiers were more engrossed in some game of dice. They would likely be asleep all huddled together. The prisoners were already asleep and huddling together to escape the night cold as were the servants asleep near a fire. A sound of heavy snoring was coming from the tent.

Amis worked out a plan to creep up and deal with the sentry. The first group of spearmen led by Oscar would surround the soldiers, who would hopefully be in deep sleep. The second group would surround the servants and a third small group would free the prisoners and whisk them away to safety.  Amis and a group of three would then enter the tent and capture the leader and anyone else in there. All this would happen in the early morning, before sunrise and as quietly as possible. Once the ambush was over successfully then the main group would arrive and take the hobbled horses, camels, any equipment including the tents. Sir Rodney and his six men would be left to guard their former encampment since their clanking armour would be too noisy.

The ambush was a total success. The guard was overpowered by Amis who trussed him up and gagged him. He gave the signal for the rest to carry out the plan and he with three armed men entered the tent only to find the leader asleep with a woman in his arms. Amis ordered his three men to gag and bind the woman and chief then lead them out. This allowed Amis to search the tent where he found a jewelled scimitar and dagger. These he bound up in a cloth and strapped to his back. Outside the sleeping soldiers were disarmed and bound before they even woke up. The servants were kicked awake and ordered to take the tent down and pack up all the belongings. The camels and horses were loaded with all the provisions and led away. The prisoners were also led away, only the dying fires were left. By the time the main party arrived back to their encampment the Knight had already interviewed our captured men and ascertained that they had encroached well behind enemy lines and would need to back track at least a full day’s march. 

As daylight approached Amis’s first order was to get the cooks to feed the men with the stolen provisions and they were to depart soon after. The twelve released men were in a sorry state and Amis ordered them to walk on either side of the loaded horses and camels and hang onto the straps for support and aid. They were more than happy to comply. It took them two days to find the main force and to Amis’s chagrin, Sir Rodney took all the honours for the ambush and capture of the Musliman prisoners. Amis decided to not mention the bundle he carried strapped to his back. The Saracen soldiers were sent back to a holding area. Their leader would be ransomed and the servants Amis employed as his own camp cooks and to look after the camels. The six horses were commandeered by the Knight for his men.

Chapter 5

A battle was to take place in two days time and the Crusaders and Saracen armies were positioning themselves across the plain below the town of Acre which would then be besieged if the Crusaders won the battle. King Richard’s encampment could be spotted by the numerous flags fluttering in the slight breeze. Since they had arrived late they were assigned to be at the rear as a reserve group. Amis was happy about that since his men needed some rest and he could view the scope of the conflict. The Knight and his six cohorts rode off to join a more distinguished group of Lords and were never seen again. Another fifty men were assigned to Amis’s force which now numbered about one hundred and seventy men plus the cooks. What the new group brought with them was more weapons that could be shared out and a pack of vicious war dogs.

Amis positioned his troop on a rise where he could watch the battle unfold. No one told him what their orders would be and how they were to employ themselves in the battle to come. A camp was set up with the captured tent and sails erected on spars to provide a modicum of shade. The camels were used as high spotting places to watch the outcome of the battle. They were hobbled and couldn’t race off. Amis spent some time on high as the battle commenced. A third of his troops were at the ready whilst the others rested huddled in the shade.

The battle commenced with great trumpet calls and drum beats. The Knights charged on their huge horses with long lances against the more nimble Saracen horsemen with short spears and short bows. The first thrust of the Knights broke up the Saracen’s charge completely but the Knights broke their tight formation and the second charge of Saracen horsemen started to break up the Crusaders. The footmen were too far behind to help. Loose horses from both sides galloped away from the battle field. Amis had his men round them up and segregate them into fit animals and the lame ones destined for the pot.  Provisions were scarce on a battle field. The battle seemed to fizzle out and both sides retreated taking with them their wounded and dead. The wounded screamed, yelled, making the battlefield a gruesome feature. Amis ordered his men to retreat over the hillside to escape from the hideous noise.

At twilight a messenger came ordering Amis or the commander of the troops on the hillside to send all his soldiers down to the main camp to take part in next days foray. He, with twenty men, was ordered to escort some wounded English Lords and Knights plus a string of prisoners to the coast where the wounded would be shipped back home. He ensured that all the men were fed and rested before he marched them down the following morning to join the main army. With his twenty men plus Oscar, camels and his band of Arab servants he finally found the prisoners and the wounded he had to escort. They were all a dismal bunch in need of food, water and care: thirty Knights and some sixty Saracen prisoners. Ten of the wounded could walk and the rest needed transport so Amis managed to commandeer two further carts but had only three horses. He raided the provision stores for what they could carry and Amis herded them all out of sight of the main army to take stock. The three horses were insufficient to pull the carts along the rough stony tracks all the way to the coast so measures had to be taken to organise his flock.

Well, well, well, my darling Amis has been excelling himself again. His leadership and strategic thinking has surpassed my expectations of him. I hope my Proctor will be pleased with my report. Not only did he take over the expedition which got his army behind enemy lines, he ambushed a Saracen encampment without bloodshed and came away with much booty and provisions for his men. I was hoping he would have had some experience at the front of battle but the high and mighty leaders chose to place his contingent at the rear where they watched the wretched conflict unfold. At least Amis had the nouse to retreat beyond the earshot of the yelling wounded and got his men to round up the stray horses particularly the lame ones that added to his camp kitchen provisions which were only meagre at the best.

Someone upon high must have heard of his skills because he was put in charge of escorting a bunch of high and mighty wounded Knights back to the coast to be shipped home with only a paltry band of men who not only had to tend to the wounded but guard sixty seasoned Saracen warriors. Again he sensibly rested all of his men overnight, fed them and sent them to join the main battalions. With twenty handpicked men plus Oscar, the seven Arab servants and two battle dogs. He found the wounded, the prisoners and led them off away from the battle zone to organise his charges.

   I was intrigued at the way he showed off his own men’s prowess by staging a couple of training fights with four of his best men. He then got two prisoners to hold a shield at seventy paces away whilst his archers shot arrows at the targets. I realised that this was a ploy to thwart any prisoners daring to run away only to be pierced by an accurately shot arrow. Very clever.

He also quickly perceived that there was a Saracen Princeling among the prisoners. He untied him, gave him a camel switch and indicated he should keep his men in order. Half the prisoners he used to push and pull the three carts with the worst of the wounded laid out on them and the rest of the prisoners were weighed down, carrying sacks of provisions. His two vicious dogs came into their own by nipping at the heels of any prisoner that lagged behind or wasn’t doing his full duty at the carts.

Three of his men led the way which was well marked whilst Amis sat on one of the camels to observe his column and shout orders. The five camels led the column, loaded with tents, sails spars and provisions guided by the Arab servants. The walking wounded clung onto the saddle straps to help them along then followed the bunch of prisoners carrying their loads ahead of the three carts. Two of his men acted as rear guards, the rest moved up and down the column urging and encouraging people to move in an orderly fashion.

One of the Arab servants I was pleased to see was commandeered to see to the wounded. He had been a physician to the Prince they had ambushed earlier. He treated the wounds of the Knights who allowed the Saracen near them. Those that refused found later to their own cost and suffered. A number died on the way.

Another quirk that I found interesting and amusing was that he got everyone to chant a children’s rhyme to help them to forget their discomfort on the march. “One, two, buckle my shoe, three, four, open the door” and so on until they reached twenty and started again. I only realised later that Amis used it as a timing devise because when they reached a hundred repetitions he would rest the column for a short while and off they would go chanting. Even the Saracens were forced to chant or got a beating from their own Prince. I made copious notes of all these arrangements for my Proctor explaining the methodology as I saw it. I was proud of my protégé. 

Chapter 6

             The column moved slowly along, resting after a hundred chants, equivalent to two thousand paces, and rested during the noon heat when the meagre provisions were shared out to all. Tents were erected and sails set to provide shade for everyone. Whenever a well was found all the water sacks were filled, animals and men watered. Fortunately these opportunities occurred frequently since the track led from one well to another. One of the prisoners refused to carry a load and Amis simply, with sign language ordered the Prince to correct the man or he would feed him to the vultures. He had no discipline problems after that.

On one of the noon stops the Prince requested an audience with Amis. They found some shade away from the resting group and with sign language they communicated. The Prince informed Amis that when they reached the coast he would be ransomed by the crusaders and at that point would want to buy the six camels that Amis possessed. These apparently were special animals, Royal camels unfit for carrying mere baggage. They bartered for a while in sign language at which Amis was an expert until he was happy with the number of gold and silver coins he would get for each camel not that he knew their full value. He then surprised the Prince by asking him how much his own ransom would cost. The Prince quickly understood that Amis was planning to ransom him himself rather than leaving it to some Lord at the port. A price of forty camels was offered and Amis laughed giving the impression that the Prince must be very low in their hierarchy to demand such a low price. The Prince shook his head in amusement and they agreed on a price of hundred and fifty camels worth plus ten horses to carry their provisions. A prisoner was dispatched to get the message back to base. 

The following afternoon, when they were resting, the sentries alerted them that a group of Saracens was approaching with a string of horses. Amis ordered one of his bowmen to shoot an arrow to mark where the group should halt. Amis walked to the middle ground with the Prince and one of the Saracens approached with a laden horse. Amis counted out the coins and was shown the horses which to his relief included four English large horses that would help to pull the carts and speed up their progress. The exchange was made and to Amis’s embarrassment the Prince kissed him on both cheeks, shook his hand in the English fashion and mounted a camel, riding off with his group, giving a final salute as they disappeared over a rise. Amis stroked his cheeks, cheeks that had never been kissed even by his mother. Even the wenches refused to kiss him after one look at his face. That night Amis made up twenty small sacks of sail cloth and shared half of the coins amongst his own soldiers. The other half he split evenly with Oscar. They were rich. The men were amazed to get such wealth and worshipped Amis even more as their leader.

During the journey they came across many stragglers, some walking wounded others probably deserters. They pleaded to join the organised group and generally were accepted even though provisions were scarce. One day Amis sacrificed an old horse so that they could all eat. Coming the other way were occasional bands of soldiers marching and riding towards the battlefield. On these occasions Amis took the opportunity of ridding himself of the deserters who suddenly found themselves in chains and ordered back to the front.

Eventually they reached the coastal port of Akko where they were able to hand over the wounded and the prisoners to the appropriate authorities though the place was chaotic. On the pretence that Amis had orders to return to his regiment they were left alone to their own devices. Amis gave his band of men a choice. Go back to the battlefield or purchase a berth on a ship back home. They all looked at Amis for his decision and he decided on a return journey. A wealthy Knight on his way to join King Richard was pleased to buy their carts, horses, water bags, tents and cooking paraphernalia. This money was used to buy their passage with some left over. This he shared amongst the Arab servants that had faithfully accompanied him. They were overjoyed especially when Amis released them to go their own way. The physician who looked after the wounded so well got some extra coins and he intimated that he would be setting up practice in town.

The ship was due to sail in two days time so the group found themselves secure accommodation. They then spent their time in the taverns, wenching and even trying the hot baths. Amis ran a tight ship and would only allow the men to take on their excursions into the town a meagre amount of coins so that they wouldn’t be robbed or fritter their wealth before they got home to their families.

The Captains of the ships returning home were eager to buy up any plunder and spoils hoping for a cheap price. Amis drove a hard bargain with his jewelled scimitar and dagger and converted them into another hefty bag of coins. With their current wealth Amis and Oscar were able to purchase more comfortable shipboard accommodation and were found sharing a cabin with two Knights that they had safely transported to the port. Sir Reginald and Sir John were not too pleased to have commoners at close quarters but admitted that they were eternally grateful to have been so well looked after on their journey from the battlefield by Amis and his men. Prior to boarding Amis and Oscar purchased a large rug each to sleep on and several sacks of figs, dates and dried apricots to supplement the onboard fare, plus two barrels of red wine. These they shared with their companions for the voyage plus the two war dogs that Amis had taken a liking to.

An inspirational leader, a strategist and now a skilful negotiator, most impressive and I’ll have to keep a close watch on his planning skills. His social skills are also coming on especially the way he made peace with the higher status of his cabin companions by offering to share his fruit and wine. I assume that the Knights were not too offended by Amis’s looks and poor mumbling speech because they had got used to this on their journey to port. Other than his own men the others on board found Amis frightening and kept clear of him. I appreciated that his men were totally loyal to him and warned off any who might jeer and sneer at such a cripple. To beat the boredom they spent many hours playing dice and telling tales of their experiences.

Chapter 7

I was somewhat amiss in not detecting that Amis had developed the dreaded pox. I might have prevented it. We were two days out of Sicily and he was quarantined in a boat with his dog named Tiger as companion and towed behind. Oscar took charge backed up by his men and ordered the Captain to row Amis ashore. By now Amis was delirious and covered in the dreaded spots. I was pleased that Oscar thoughtfully managed to arrange that Amis would be looked after by fishing villagers and his accommodation would be away from their dwellings in an upturned hulk of a wrecked fishing boat. There he would be looked after by a girl. The family got some coins and promise of more when and if he recovered.

I watched his progress carefully expecting that soon Amis would expire and I would sadly miss him. The village girl came daily and bathed him in sea water and attempted to feed him fish broth and water. She took her nursing duties quite seriously, though I detected that the villagers hoped that he would die and they would save themselves the expense, though very little. They even tried to kill Amis but his guard dog Tiger saw them off.

I looked in on Amis less frequently since his illness was so severe and he wasn’t going to get up to anything interesting so I studied more of what the earthly people believed in as to how they came to inhabit this planet. I was in for a shock when I read about Charles Darwin and his evolution theory and others calling themselves anthropologists who thought the people evolved naturally from apes. They even had pretty diagrams with the various stages from ape to man. I was so intrigued that I consulted my Proctor who kindly found time for me in his busy schedule. In the case of evolution he put me right and informed me that they had introduced new species onto this world as the climate and conditions changed and yes there was some evolutionary progression but that was mainly caused in the labs where the technicians created changes to see what the results would be on various planets

  As for the people, the Proctor told me that initially they introduced two primitive species of man to see how they managed as hunters and gatherers and then introduced various more sophisticated people in various continents to see how they would develop and cope with the local conditions. The evolution was done in the labs not in the field although one could trace similarities and developments between the most primitive types and the more developed. It was all tinkering around the edges in the labs and the technicians left trace patterns as notes so they could check their own developments and results.

He did tell me that occasionally this world suffered from physical catastrophes such as meteor strikes, volcanic activity and earthquakes which caused devastation of such magnitude that many species were wiped out by the resultant severe change in climate. He told me to study dinosaurs as an example. My Proctor was pleased by my inquisitive mind and promised me a more interesting future assignment although he admitted he was enjoying hearing about Amis as much as I was being his shadow.

The overpowering stench of goat and human excrement, his own, was too much for Amis as he awoke in a much better frame of mind and physical wellbeing. He had overcome the pox and was on the mend. He looked about him not knowing where he was, only seeing a stream of daylight from a narrow opening. He was covered in an old piece of sail cloth and on his chest he noticed a bunch of wild rosemary that gave off a much sweeter smell. As he moved the stench got worse, he gagged and spat out a glob of bile. On all fours, still weak he struggled to the light and managed to break through to full daylight with the sound of the sea waves lapping gently on the beach.

 His body still stank so he crawled across the sand to the sea and found a pool of warm seawater where he could lie and gently swish the water across his body. It was heaven. When he eventually sat up he examined himself looking at the sores spots on his chest, arms and legs. He couldn’t see the spots on his face but could feel them. They seemed to avoid the areas of his birthmark but were prominent on his brow cheek and within his beard. They were crusted and dry. He felt weak so he lay back in the soothing water.

A loud bark along the beach brought him to his senses when his dog Tiger came bounding along and splashed into his pool overjoyed at seeing his master off his deathbed. Tiger dashed around with his ears pinned back like a puppy, jumping into the water, rolling around and jumping out again for joy. A shout made the dog leap up and race down the beach. Amis sat up and saw a girl or lady in a smock with a joyful dog bearing down on her. She put out her arms for protection but the dog just skidded towards her, unable to stop, and knocked her flying. She didn’t seem to mind as the dog jumped around her barking and licking her face and urging her to follow. 

The girl got up and raced along the beach to the pool with the dog urging her along. She stopped and shyly looked at Amis as he tried to rise out of the water. She helped him up and he stumbled along to the lapping waves not helped by Tiger weaving in and out between their legs. With signs she urged him into the cooler water of the gentle waves and as he sat there she splashed water over him and gently washed him down. He realised that this was his guardian angel who had nursed him back to health, washing, feeding him and seeing to all his needs. She was as pleased as Tiger that he was now up and physically fitter and able to move. 

They sat on the sand further up the beach to dry off with Tiger stretched out in front of them, both smiling at each other. Amis didn’t know what to say and anything he said wouldn’t be understood so he reached out his hand and gently put it on hers. She didn’t flinch but just continued smiling at him. Suddenly she got up and made a clear gesture that he should stay with the dog and she would be back. Amis lay back resting and Tiger crawled up beside him and placed a paw firmly on his chest. He must have fallen asleep because when he woke up he was covered with the sail cloth which had been washed, dried and smelt much sweeter. He sat up, looked around and saw the girl at the upturned boat with a bucket scrapping the smelly sand from his dwelling and tipping it out with the dog watching on guard.

He tried to stand but it was too much so he again crawled on all fours towards his abode. The girl noticed him and immediately threw down the bucket and raced towards him smiling. She made him sit and then came back with a cloth bundle and as she unwrapped it uncovered a crude clay pot. She handed it to Amis and gestured for him to eat. In the pot was a fish stew so he picked out the fish with his fingers, chewed the meat, and spat out the bones. She then urged him to drink the liquor which he did and handed the bowl back to the girl muttering “thank you.” Finally he remembered the Italian and repeated “Grazie” many times. This pleased the girl and she patted her chest and said something that sounded like “Sally.” He patted his chest and said “Amis” a few times and she repeated it with a giggle then he pointed to the dog and said “Tiger” at which point the dog bounded over, jumping for joy and nearly knocked them over. The girl gestured for him to sit and watch whilst she cleaned out his quarters. Once many buckets of filth were removed she started bringing in the dry fresh sand until she was exhausted, tired and sweaty.

Sally ran down to the beach, flung off her shift and jumped into the waves followed by Tiger who spent more time knocking her over playfully. She dunked her shift in the sea, wrung it out and  slipped it back over her head allowing the sun to dry her off by running up the dunes and bringing back clumps of wild rosemary and thyme which she flung into his abode with the dog chasing along besides her. She then struck her head with her palm, the sign of not remembering something, dashed into the abode and came out with Amis’s shirt and pants. She suddenly smelt the clothing, her face twisted with disgust and dashed back to the sea to give it a good dunking and stamping. Tiger joined in the fun. The clothes were wrung out, shaken, stretched into a modicum of shape and draped over some bushes to dry.

With lots of hand gestures Sally made Amis understand that she was needed back home to help with gutting the catch the boats had brought in and that she would be back next morning when the sun came up. She smiled and ran off with Tiger following for part of the way. At the point of the beach she stopped, waved madly, disappeared, leaving Amis on his own except for Tiger. 

He inspected his dwelling and found there was an overpowering perfume of rosemary and other herbs, far removed from the stench when he awoke. His leather armour was hung up in the rafters, including his helm, axe and dagger. In a crevice he spotted his bag of coins. He hefted it and was surprised that all seemed intact. His strength was coming back in leaps and bounds and he now walked unsteadily down the beach to retrieve his sail cloth blanket and up to the back beach where his clothes had dried out. These actions exerted him and he wisely decided to call it a day and retire to his newly laid bed. Tiger lay besides him and he promptly fell into a deep sleep. The next morning he was roughly awoken by Sally who had brought him some more fish stew. He sat on the sand eating greedily as she urged him along. As he finished the last drop she grabbed the pot and ran off saying something that Amis vaguely understood. It seemed that she had duties to perform back home. It was only when she had left that Amis realised that he didn’t have a stitch of clothing on him and he sat in embarrassment thinking of his modesty in front of ladies. Then he laughed at the thought that she had seen all as she washed and cared for him. The bit of sail cloth wrapped and tied off at his waist acted as a sort of loin cloth he’d seen some Arab sailors wear.

Feeling much stronger he decided to explore his surroundings hoping to find a source of much needed fresh water. He didn’t find it but Tiger already had and led him up the cliff to where there was a small spring. He drank his fill and dammed up the crevice with rocks and clay to create a pool of fresh water. Back on the beach he explored the rocks and found lots of long black shells, clinging onto the rocks and seaweed. He broke one open with a stone and Tiger sniffed the contents and promptly gobbled them up. Breaking more, they disappeared the same way. He tried one himself and found it agreeable. They spent some time sharing their good fortune then having their fill Amis wandered down the beach to the sea, slipping his loin cloth off onto the sand. He plunged into the waves with Tiger joining in the fun. Diving down deep to the seabed he found a strange sight that he had never experienced before. Yes, he had seen fish in the old mill race where he had learned to swim but this was more majestic with colourful fish swimming by, crabs scurrying on the sand, seaweed wafting gently in the current and an eight legged creature swimming away which he recognised as an octopus.

Back on shore, they rested on the sand when Tiger barked and went tearing off down the beach. Appearing around the point was Sally. Amis retrieved his sail cloth and wrapped it around his waist again. Sally ran up to him with a great smile on her face to see him standing and pointed to the loin cloth laughing, giving it a tug, promptly exposing Amis. She put her hand to her eyes spreading her fingers and giggled uncontrollably. Amis was embarrassed and didn’t know how to handle this so he ran to the sea and plunged in with Tiger following. Sally sat on the beach and watched them play and decided not to miss out on the fun, she stripped off her shift and ran into the water to join them. Amis pointed down into the deeper water and dived down finding Sally swimming quite deftly alongside. She picked up a crab and gestured for Amis to catch an octopus. He managed on the third attempt and brought it back to the beach where Tiger was barking at a scuttling crab trying to avoid its pincers. Sally gestured that they should go back to the hulk and he followed, holding the crab gingerly and allowing the octopus to twine around his arm. 

Sally brought out the wooden bucked and held it out for Amis to deposit his catch. She then signed that he should make a fire. That wasn’t a problem since there was plenty of wood and tinder on the beach. Amis got his knife and already previously he had found a flint stone and promptly sparked up the tinder, waving it around until it flamed and put small twigs around it followed by larger pieces until he had a good blaze going. Sally picked up the dagger and deftly stuck it in the octopus which expired and wrapped its tentacles around a stick and stuck it in the sand next to the fire whilst Amis watched and learned. The crab suffered the same fate except this time he was laid on a flat stone close to the fire to roast. Amis had notice that Sally was not only terribly thin, half starved, but she also had tell tale signs of the dreaded pox. Amis presumed that this was why she had been assigned to look after him. He also wondered if she was sharing her meagre food supply with him because she was likely to be at the end of the food chain as he was back home, crippled and marked.

They sat next to the fire and Sally opened her bundle to retrieve the pot half full of fish stew again. This time Amis insisted that they share and when the fish was cooked Amis ensured that she had the larger portion. She smiled and acknowledged his generosity. Tiger got very little and went off, prowling along the sea line until he found a washed up fish and brought it back before gobbling it up. Amis realised that this was how the dog had survived by scavenging. Sally gestured that she needed to go back home. Amis made a sign of pulling a bow and letting the arrow fly. She understood immediately and rolled her wrist to show that she would bring it next day.

Much of the evening was left so Amis decided to practice his fishing techniques and managed to catch another four octopuses, which were cooked as Sally had done and shared between him and Tiger. They made a tasty and filling meal even though parts were chewy. Amis planned to provide a fish supper for Sally next day and this he did with great style. There were five octopuses, two large crabs and a bucketful of black long shells. She turned up quite excited with Amis’s longbow, six arrows and his scimitar in its leather sheath. Sally showed Amis how to prepare the shells by placing them on the hot stone until they opened naturally. That morning Tiger had the fish stew, all to himself. After a long rest Amis showed her how he used the long bow by setting up a target of sand at various distances. His trusty dog would retrieve the arrows and drop them at his feet. They went for a swim and this time Sally caught a big fat lobster. She gestured that she would be back in the evening for the feast. Amis had never eaten such sweet meat as Sally prepared. She also brought some shears and trimmed Amis’s hair and beard.

Life went on in this manner for many days and Amis got stronger whilst Sally put some flesh on her bones. Their diet improved by Amis hunting with his bow and in the evenings, apart from lobster there was an occasional hare, duck and even wild goat. Amis offered her half the beast to take home but she disagreed. Quite quickly Amis picked up some phrases of the local language and they could converse happily often resorting to gestures and drawing pictures in the sand. Amis found out that she had four brothers two of whom had died of the pox and that her father was a fisherman with a very small boat. There were ten families in the village and all were very poor. With the coins they had received to look after Amis her father had bought some fish nets and their lot had improved. To supplement their fish meals they foraged in the forests for mushrooms, roots, herbs and berries. What they feared most were pirates who would swoop down on them and carry the men and women folk away as slaves. That’s why the fishermen never went out too far out to sea and missed the best fishing grounds.

One morning many months later Sally came with a broad smile pointing at Amis and then at her tummy. Amis didn’t understand until she coupled her arms and rocked them as if she had a baby in her arms. Amis understood completely and hugged her to him to hide his shock. This was something he hadn’t contemplated or planned for even though he well knew about the methods of procreation. That afternoon he decided that when Sally was away that he would have to leave. He had greater aspirations than being a poor fisherman who would probably be ostracised in this community just as Sally was. Bundling up his belongings in the sail cloth, he strapped on his scimitar and axe, slung his bow over his shoulder and picked up his newly cut staff, heading Northwards, along the coast, with Tiger padding at his side. In a crevice in his dwelling he left a number of coins and a sprig of rosemary to mark the spot. He didn’t know if this was sufficient recompense but it was time to leave.

Chapter 8

After many days marching he reached his destination, the port of Genoa, where he knew he could buy a passage back home. The port was full of Knights and soldiers, some outward bound for the Holy Land and some returning. Sir William Beckinsdale was amassing a troop to journey back home overland. Having suffered a severe bout of scurvy on the ship to Genoa he didn’t want to continue and die. He needed men to carry and guard his plunder and Amis volunteered since he wasn’t too keen on spending more time at sea. This seemed a new adventure and different experience. Sir William had six soldiers from his own village and found ten more willing soldiers to make the trek. He rode horseback, whilst the rest walked, carrying quite heavy loads including some provisions. Twenty mules carried the rest of the riches. Sir William intended to plunder the land he passed through in army style for further provisions. 

The only condition that the Knight made was that the volunteers had to be well armed. Amis was better prepared that way than most. Having trekked across the deserts in the Holy Land Amis ensured that he had a supply of provisions of his own comprising a skin of wine to avoid bad water, a small sack of dried fruit and three rings of local smoked sausage for himself and Tiger which would keep well on the march. He also had to carry a roll of heavy carpet. Sir William on his horse set a fast pace.

I looked in on Amis from time to time only to find him delirious and being looked after by a local wench who took her task seriously enough to wash him down and made him drink a broth to keep his strength up. I was taken by surprise when I came across him up and frolicking with this wench in the sea. They fed themselves well from all accounts, far better than the villagers nearby. Both were putting on weight and looking more sprightly. I shall have to keep a close watch on them. I was puzzled by the close coupling they both enjoyed and quizzed the Proctor on the matter who laughed, gave me a pamphlet to study and called this procreation. I was still puzzled but the pamphlet made it clear. I still didn’t understand why Amis should want to procreate until I followed up some of the references in the pamphlet which led me to understand that the technicians in the lab had introduced certain parameters in the genes for survival and that the act of coupling was made enjoyable and even addictive. I shall have to observe this in more detail.

Alas before I could witness this act again, Amis ups and disappears off into the wild yonder. It was only later that I realised that the girl was with child so Amis had done his duty and was off to find new pastures or more correctly girls anew. When I mentioned this to my Proctor he sent me off with a flea in my ear to do more study on the subject. I must admit in hindsight I was most naïve. I caught up with him at the port of Genoa where he was buying a passage on a ship home but to save his pennies had decided to walk all the way with a troop of soldiers led by Sir William Beckinsdale who I took an instant dislike to. It proved good judgement on my part and even got commendation from my Proctor.

I noticed that although Amis was carrying a big load for his master, he also had made provisions for the journey including for Tiger his faithful dog. I couldn’t quite imagine that anybody could walk so far. My studies corrected that belief and I followed a number of travellers who had walked twice that far on various pointless pilgrimages. My concern for Amis was that he had to cross some high snow capped mountains and winter was coming on. I was concerned that he might not make it either through exhaustion, hypothermia, or being ripped apart by some mountain bear or pack of wolves. I had done my research thoroughly. What puzzled me was that Amis kept to himself and didn’t fraternise with his colleagues not that they would want to with a cripple until they got to know him better. I watched carefully and noticed that he slept by himself away from the rest but ate some of his own provisions without having to share them. Quite cunning really because being so strange and crippled to all eyes he was at the end of the pecking order for the meagre rations. He was looking after Numero Uno.

The pace set by Sir Bloody William was far too fast and soon the troop was strung out over a huge distance. Even the mules were baulking at the work and without seasoned muleteers they often stopped and wouldn’t budge until they had fully rested. Amis took control of one mule and managed to coax it along through kindness rather than the whip. This way he managed to assist his efforts by hanging onto the harness with the mule taking the major weight of the carpet. He and Tiger kept in the middle of the troop to avoid being harassed by his Lordship and by his colleagues. They would see him as a turncoat if he sopped up to the Knight by being constantly up front.

When they camped the Knight caused even greater grievances by favouring his own men with provisions. During the day the men were too tired to stray from the column and forage for food so they grew weaker and weaker. Two collapsed and wouldn’t go any further. Their loads were distributed amongst the already weak mules. Amis didn’t intervene though he planned to do something once they had crossed the mountains. He had never been so high in altitude or seen so much snow ahead. Sir William had planned to find provisions to buy or plunder in the Alps but the shepherds had already abandoned their high level quarters and moved their flocks down the valley. They spent a dreary night in an empty draughty barn and there was snow on the ground when they woke up. For once Sir William made a wise decision. He decided to rest up and sent men out to hunt for food. His thought was that the game must leave foot prints in the snow and the men were to hunt them down. This was easier said than done. The mountain goats just stayed ahead of the weary men. Amis had more luck and his group spotted goats climbing a steep crag. Amis shot two with well aimed arrows and they had at least two scrawny beasts to share that night. Amis kept two long strips of skin for himself, bound them around his boots and gave some bones to Tiger.

Next day they trudged upwards along a narrow path as it wound up the mountain. Sir William had hoped to engage a shepherd to guide them through but none were available. Everyone was horrified when he set light to the barn out of sheer spite as they left. Fortunately the howling wind blew the snow off the path so they could trudge on keeping as close together as possible to beat the wind. The slopes got steeper and the path narrower. Two mules slid off the path into a ravine and were totally lost from sight. The next day two of the soldiers were pushed off by a stubborn mule and had to be abandoned in some deep gorge.

A break in the weather brought them to the top of a high pass. Little did they know that they had to cross four further passes before they finally climbed over the mountain range. They lost another mule the following day and a soldier was found dead of exhaustion the next morning. Amis had put on all of his available clothes including his leather armour to keep warm. At night he dug a hole in the snow and rolled himself up including Tiger in the carpet he was carrying. Nobody cared anymore how other people looked after themselves. They looked after their own needs. It took three more days and nights of hardship before they started descending below the snowline and they could see the valley below. They stopped for two nights at a small hamlet where the locals would sell them food and provide shelter. Even though they provided excellent hospitality, the Knight refused to pay these people and the column marched off feeling somewhat disgusted with their leader.

Many weeks later they reached a sizable river that was navigable to the sea. They could either build or hire rafts to carry them down to a port on the estuary called Le Havre. Sir William decided that this would be too slow and ordered them to march directly to a port on the channel called Calais. There was a revolt especially amongst his own loyal soldiers and the poor Knight found his head severed and his bare body unceremoniously dumped into the river.  Amis who had weathered the march better than most took charge and one night they stole two barge like rafts and sailed down the river letting the current carry them to the sea. They were short of provisions so they stopped frequently for raiding expeditions for food. The rafts took them through towns and they poled themselves quickly through without stopping. There was too much danger in towns, too many people to gang up against them.

Most of the men recovered their strength and health particularly since they fed well and when the provisions were short there were the mules and the horse to dispose of. In Le Havre they found passage on a ship bound for London by selling most of the goods they carried. Amis’s carpet fetched a good price and he also had his own bag of coins on him from the Crusade.

Chapter 9

Amis wasn’t going back home to a life of drudgery and misery, so he decided to stay in London. He had many coins left over and could find pest free, lice free accommodation so that he and his pet dog Tiger could live with some modicum of respect. He had a small room to himself and the boy downstairs would bring him a flagon of ale from the tavern and any victuals he needed. He knew the boy helped himself to the ale and provisions on the way up but he didn’t mind as long as he was not too greedy. He would have to find some work so he went down to the quayside and watched the ships and boats come and go. He got sufficient work on and off to pay his bills but he was lacking the adventure he had had on his trip to the Holy Lands. 

“Ahoy there stranger!” shouted a familiar voice, “Buy me a flagon and I’ll tell you your fortune.” Amis turned to confront Oscar his long lost companion. He told the foreman loading the ship that he was off on business and they went off arms around each other as if they might lose each other again. The tavern provided them with good food and best ale.

Amis found that it had been Oscar who had arranged for Amis, with a substantial bribe to the Captain, to be landed at a small fishing village where Oscar paid to have Amis looked after. They had dragged Amis on a piece of sail cloth to an isolated upturned hulk where he had a modicum of shelter. It was fortunate that the villagers had experienced the pox and one of the girls, a survivor, was tasked to look after him. Amis thanked Oscar profusely and told him of his excellent nursing and his terrible experience of crossing the Alps. He somehow omitted the fact that he begat a child and abandoned the mother.

Oscar was working as a sailor on a small ship that journeyed to France and back taking cargoes of wool and returning with barrels of wine. They also transported Crusaders both ways wanting a quick passage. They talked until the early hours of the morning recounting their vast experiences in such a short time and that they missed the excitement of it all. They decided to attempt another Crusade and with their experience to bring back even more booty. Oscar had used his monies wisely in buying a rambling dwelling near the river and letting out the rooms. Amis followed suit but bought two, one outright and the second with a loan from a Jewish money lender. When questioned he answered that the money lender would act as his agent, collecting rents and would be more likely to be scrupulous in the matter of letting and management of the finances. Oscar followed suit and bought the adjoining building with a loan under the same conditions.

 Volunteers to go on a crusade were far and few. Most men were press-ganged by their Lord of the Manor so they had little difficulty in finding a ship and a position as mariners rather than plain seaman. Tiger was left to be looked after by the landlord of a tavern they frequented. However it didn’t take long for Amis to convince a Captain that he should be given the Chief Mariners job with all the experience he had. Oscar too was once again appointed as his second in command.  Now they had to survive the arduous journey especially the dreaded scurvy. On board was Sir Stephan Tiffin with a contingent of his own plus a Bavarian Knight with a mixed band of soldiers. Sir Stephan was impressed with the way Amis trained his mariners and engaged him to train his own soldiers. He also promised to give Amis a position at the head of his troop when they reached the Holy Land.

Captain Howard was an experienced sailor and this was his fourth journey to the Holy Land so that he knew the best ports for provisions and insisted that they purchased fresh vegetables at every opportunity. The Bavarian contingent kept to themselves. They believed that they hade a cure for scurvy and that no German soldier or sailor had ever died on a long voyage. They had kegs of soured cabbage which they protected like gold. One day Amis managed to steal a bowl full and ate it down as fast as he could so as not to be found out. It was horribly salty and he gagged as he tried to force it down. It was only later that he learned that this horrible stuff had to be washed first to remove most of the salt.

   Well that was a turn up for the books! I expected Amis to go home to a dreary life so that I could get some rest but, oh no, he stays in London and then meets up with his old comrade Oscar and they hatch a plan to ship back to the Holy Land for more misery. The hot and dry desert wasn’t to my liking and they might get into battle this time, God forbid. I’m picking up these silly phrases and curses from Amis and his pals. My Proctor says I should note them down and they will be added to a chapter on “Blasphemy.” I shall have to look that up. 

So many soldiers seem to die on the battlefield either directly from their wounds that get infected and another huge number die horribly from disease, malnutrition and deprivation. I questioned my Proctor closely on this matter and he said that the survival gene in the people on this world had developed not to their expectation and caused greed and avarice which led to the powerful exploitation of the weak, leading to full scale battles over land, wealth and religious matters. I was told to research the subject in more detail and report my findings relating to Amis. There goes my leisure time again. I only hope the topic is interesting. From what the Proctor said I understood it was too late to alter this phenomenon but the lab technicians are working on perfecting and ridding this element in the next batch of people destined for another planet. He let slip that a whole department had been demoted for this error.

  

Sir Stephen liked company and a good conversation so many evenings, as they were sailing, he would bring Captain Howard, Amis, Oscar and a couple of other guests to his cabin. Over a flagon of wine they would discuss various matters important to them and their immediate future. Since Amis and Oscar had been out to the Holy Land before they were quizzed mercilessly since they were in their eyes experienced Crusaders. Mumbling his way through, Amis recounted many of his adventures and all listened intently, questioning him on many matters of survival. Scurvy at sea was always on the agenda and Sir Stephen plus many of his guests were afraid more of contracting the disease than either the perilous sea journey or the battles. They consulted the Captain’s charts and maps of the route intended to be taken and eventually Sir Stephen decided to march across an ismuth to circumvent the Iberian Peninsula and meet the ship at a port in so many days time on the coast of the vast Middle Sea. 

They disembarked at the Port of Bordeaux including Amis, Oscar and Sir Stephen with his troop and entourage made up of over a hundred men and twenty horses. Four other men from the Bavarian contingent jumped ship. A swarthy giant of a man, a traveller, a Roma, called Gyp was anxious to get away from his Bavarian task master. Ruffus from Belgia, another big man just wanted to be with his friend Gyp. Vaz a wiry redheaded man from Scotia simply wanted to be off the ship. Turk, a dark huge man who could easily be mistaken for a Saracen, wanted to join Amis’s troop merely for survival since he had witnessed their training on deck. These four plus Oscar became Amis’s closest companions and warriors during this campaign. 

Their long journey started by boating up the River Dordogne and being dragged upstream by horses and men where the river got too narrow and finally marching from dawn to dusk with the horsemen ranging the countryside, foraging for provisions. The citadels in the larger towns on the way were expected in the name of God to accommodate them and feed them. It took them many weeks until they reached their destination port on the Middle Sea as it appeared on the copy of Captain Howard’s chart. They waited for the appointed time to be reunited with their ship and a little more, when they caught sight of it with great cheer.  Amis and Oscar became more acquainted with the four deserters and found that they had even more experience as mercenaries in pitched battles than he or Oscar. The Captain, hugging the coastline from one safe haven to another eventually reached the destined port in the Holy Land and bed them farewell whilst looking for a return cargo of worn men and booty. 

I was somewhat concerned that Amis was associating with four renegades and vagabonds. I investigated their past and they were the worst of mercenaries that one could find, thieves, robbers, murderers and deserters. In the height of battle, particularly if their army was on the losing side, they would be the first to desert and disappear. They generally sold their services to the highest bidder as mercenaries. I didn’t like them and didn’t think they were the right company for my Amis. I was about to intervene when I remembered my Proctor. By some means he already knew about my fiddling with Amis’s embryo. How he knew that I don’t know. I consulted him on this matter voicing my concern but he just told me to let matters flow, observe and report.

Chapter 10

A major army was amassing under the flag of King Richard and there was to be a decisive battle near the town of Asuf. Sir Stephan’s contingent plus the soldiers of some minor Knights comprised a force of some hundred and fifty men who were ordered to protect the left flank. When questioning Sir Stephan as to what “protecting” meant Amis was told that the strategy for this battle was to hold the line and let the Saracen army attack at will to grind them, the enemy, down. Since King Richard was renowned for his strategic acumen no questions were asked, but this was new to Amis and even Sir Stephan had never been in a siege. Turk and Ruffus knew all about this type of defensive position and they discussed at length how they should tackle the issue.

 The first thing they decided was to convert with timber two of their provision carts into high towers with three levels. The top one would be for the lookout’s who would warn of the approaching enemy and would gauge their strength. The lower levels would be for archers and crossbowmen to hide behind in order to fire at will. A deep trench was dug before their position and the mound built up to give some protection to the defenders. Gyp suggested creating what he called “killing fields” where the enemy would be guided to amass on a defile and would be easy targets for the bowmen. Stones were set up on end in large triangular fields with the “V” created of unbroken ground for the enemy to use. Those choosing the rocky road would be hampered terribly and become easy targets. The horsemen choosing the smoother ground not only had the problem of being crowded out in a funnel but Amis had the men dig pitfalls, shallow holes for the horses to stumble into. This would cause additional chaos as the horses fell with their riders causing others to trip over the falling mounts and men.

 Longbow men fired their arrows whilst prominent stones were erected to mark the killing distance, same for the crossbow men with shorter ranges. The men worked hard but could see the benefit of their labour. No one wanted to be at a disadvantage in this forthcoming epic battle. 

King Richard and a troop of Knights came to inspect their left flank and were impressed with Sir Stephen’s imaginative defensive measures. They quickly rode off to inspect further positions with recommendations. This was a disappointment to Amis who had hoped to hear more from his King about the battle and about the Saracen leader Saladin. He was also perturbed about Sir Stephan picking up the glory when he had been just an observer to the defensive line and had not added a jot to the plan.

No one knew when the battle would start and when the Saracens would attack with full force but they were warned that there would be skirmishes with the enemy trying to find weak points in the defences. They must just continue to harry the Crusaders to keep them continually at the ready and exhausted. With his high lookout posts Amis could afford to stand down most of his men and they arranged shelters from the sun and cooking facilities. He arranged his men into four platoons of approximately fifty in each troop and they took four hour shifts to be on guard as on a ship. As night came fires were to be lit outside the perimeter to highlight any sneaking marauders. 

The first attack came in the heat of the day. Fifty or so horsemen rode down on them. Amis ordered his men to allow them to cross the first line of defence and men were stationed with poleaxes to dislodge the riders as they had practised. The galloping warriors were naturally guided by the sharp rock along the killing field and therefore were drawn into a funnel. This would aid the defensive soldiers with their poleaxes at the ready. Those that strayed found themselves thrown to the ground by their horse’s refusal to go forward. These were to be picked off by the bowmen. Some twenty horsemen got tangled in the rocky fields and were easily picked off by the crossbow men. The others were no match, many succumbing to the pitfalls, others being forced into a single line for the poleaxe men to topple them.

 Only ten of the Saracen soldiers survived the trap and were thrust up as prisoners. The defence team cheered and could take heart from surviving the first of many attacks unscathed. The dead were stripped of their weapons, armour and helmets and laid out for the enemy to collect beyond the longbow line. It was only later that Amis found out that Rufus also crept out to strip the dead but also to behead them and stack the heads away from the bodies. This he did to antagonise the Saracens who then were unable to provide the bodies with a decent funeral since their heads were missing.

Attacking foot soldiers were handled in a different way. They were allowed to advance through the killing field until they got to within crossbow range Then a hail of bolts met them in a compacted group. None of these survived. Those that opted for the rocky areas were picked off by the longbow men. Again they were stripped and bodies laid out in the distance. The weapons and armour were divided amongst the defenders who lacked equipment. Amis acquired a steel helmet which he could slide over his boiled leather helm. The lame hoses were put down and the cooks butchered them up. The other captured horses were sent back to the compounds.

At night they lit fires beyond the defensive line and positioned sentries. These were in fact dummies held up by their staffs and poleaxes but their fluttering white shift in the light breeze made them look real. The true sentries lay hidden behind the defences ready with their crossbows. They had war dogs like Tiger with them who detected the approaching enemy crawling up to the standing sentry totally unaware of the dangers. As soon as they rose to attack the sentry then a hail of bolts stopped them in their tracks. Twenty dead attackers were found each morning to be stripped of their weapons and armour and laid out to be collected.

Of nuisance value were the Saracen bowmen who would creep up and shoot a number of arrows and creep away. They were difficult to spot so Amis ordered Sir Stephen to acquire some corsairs who could ride out beyond the lines to route these invaders. They became less common in the next few days before the main battle. The small round shields that the Saracens used were useless to the Crusaders so they were used to adorn the watch towers and the battlements. The short lances were also stuck in the battlements at intervals in batches to bolster the passive defences. Amis was all set for the main battle. King Richard also sent a messenger to be ready that day and also fifty more reinforcements.

On the morning of the battle Amis climbed the tower to watch the Saracen hoard amass, ready for the attack, in the far distance. There seemed thousands of them and he wasn’t sure if his defences would hold out to such a mass. He would certainly run out of arrows and bolts. This would mean hand to hand fighting and for most of his men this would be their first time in such a conflict. Sir Stephan put on his suit of fine armour and was chomping at the bit for a charge but instead trotted up and down the defensive line waving his own banner. 

Amis told his leaders or lieutenants Ruffus, Gyp, Vaz and Turk what plan he had in mind. Oscar and him would be up in the watch towers to organise the defence and the light corsairs on horseback would range the far left flank looking for any outflanking movement. Turk’s team would be the reinforcements, held in reserve and would bolster any breach of the line. He felt as ready as anyone but very nervous if not a little frightened by the massing forces opposite.

The first advance was heralded by ear splitting horns and trumpets as Saladin sent in his cavalry with lances on a number of fronts. This time the plan was to allow the enemy to get close enough for the long bows before they broke formation and started the charge. As they trotted up to the marker and passed it they were met by two hails of deadly arrows which broke their ranks. The enemy had enough and broke into a charge at full gallop much earlier than planned thus exhausting their mounts. Those at the front aimed for the smooth ground and were naturally confined and bunched up in the killing fields. There they were assaulted by well aimed crossbow bolts if they had not already been caught out by the pitfalls. The ones who accidentally hit the rocky areas were slowed down and eventually had to either dismount or turn back. Amis orders were to leave these be and concentrate on the main attacking force. Very few got through and they were dealt with expertly by the poleaxe men. The first attack of many was successfully repulsed.

The screams of wounded men and horses in the battlefield were terrifying and Amis ordered his corsairs to administer the coup de grace to the wounded and to round up the lame and loose horses. Some of these would end up with the butchers. Men were sent out to collect arrows, bolts, weapons, shields and lances. Amis and Oscar reckoned that they had repulsed some five hundred Saracen horsemen and suffered no casualties in the process. Spirits were high but Amis reckoned his men would eventually tire and they would run out of arrows and bolts which were key armaments in their defence. Sir Stephen returned and announced that the first attack had been repulsed all down the line.

The second attack came but now the enemy tried another tactic. They sent their mounted horsemen with bows, scattered across the front line, rode up as close as possible and let loose their arrows. Amis let them approach. Most of their arrows fell short and they quickly learned to ride closer, to their cost, because they came within crossbow range and so were downed. The enemy were getting restless according to Amis and Oscar high on their platforms with a good view of the battle enfolding. They shouted down that there would be constant waves of attack with cavalry and foot soldiers. The deep ditch and the high bank gave the defenders major advantage but to attack the enemy they had to expose themselves to their bowmen. Amis ordered the longbow men to pick off the archers beyond the distance of their puny bows. This they did with great accuracy but they were soon low on arrows and Amis hoped for a lull in the fighting. Thirty of his men were dead or wounded but the enemy lost ten to each one of his own soldiers. In the apparent lull, men scurried out picking up arrows, bolts and weapons. 

King Richard rode up and congratulated Sir Stephen on his excellent defence and reported that the line had held throughout though there were great casualties. On no account were they to advance. Let the Saracens wear themselves out on the sword of the valiant Crusader said King Richard as he rode off to wild cheering. The next onslaught was at the centre of the defensive line so Amis looked on as the heavy cavalry of Knights in resplendent armour and long lances charged at the enemy. They routed the enemy horsemen and immediately turned back to reform. This happened another four times as the Knights repulsed each charge successfully and reformed. The next line of attack was on the two flanks who bore the brunt of foot soldiers in their hoards attacking heedlessly. Amis ordered Sir Stephan to get long bowmen up from the centre field to come and assist which they did to great effect. They sent masses of flights which stopped the enemy in their stride. The battle was won on all fronts and the enemy was fleeing the battlefield in disarray.

King Richard failed to follow up and rout the enemy and march onto and capture Jerusalem which was his objective. He decided that Sultan Saladin had a huge army in reserve and was luring him into a trap. Hindsight would prove him wrong.  Instead he decided to retreat with his army back to the coast, to regroup and reconsider his next assault plan.

Chapter 11

The coastal area was in chaos and turmoil with a shortage of basic provisions. Amis, Oscar and the four rogues plus a war dog named Ruby decided to find a suitable port further up the coast. From the battlefield they had amassed a valuable hoard of rich weapons and couple of dozen fine Arab horses. They hoped to sell this plunder and purchase a passage home. On the way they ravaged the countryside for water and provisions, mainly sacks of dried figs and dates for the journey back home.

They generally found a quiet cemetery to spend the night. No one ventured into these areas at night. This particular night Amis’s war dog Ruby growled to warn them of another presence. Amis and Oscar went to investigate. They could detect four elderly men with lanterns and four men, labourers, carrying heavy boxes from a nearby cart to a large stone tomb. The four labourers pushed a large block of marble aside and revealed an opening with steps leading down to the crypt. Amis sent Oscar back to collect the four and to bring arms whilst he observed the goings on. Four large cases or trunks were carefully manhandled down into the chamber and one of the older men with a lantern was giving orders to the labourers below whilst the other three were trying to push the marble slab back into position.

It was clear what was going on and without a word the six of them crept up and dealt mortally with the four on the surface. Turk set a lantern a couple of paces away from the opening and they waited for the men below to appear. One by one they came up to be met with a heavy blow to the head with the flat of Amis’s axe. The last one was more cautious but when he heard the slab moving he ran out screaming straight into Gyp’s dagger. They went down with the lanterns and inspected the crypt. Sure enough there were four chests neatly stacked. They prized open the other tombs but only found bones, not even the funeral jewellery that they expected. The trunks were carried out and loaded onto the cart. The bodies were then dumped unceremoniously into the crypt and the slab pushed back into place and the area dusted with sand as if no one had been there. 

They unanimously decided to quickly move on in the middle of the night and inspect their spoil in the early light of the morning. The ass and the cart were urged along as fast as possible, their way lit by the stars. In the early morning they split open the cases greedily and found immense treasure inside in the form of gold and silver coins, richly jewel encrusted daggers, various bits of jewellery, plus gold goblets and plates. They were rich beyond their dreams and imagination. This is what they had come for and suddenly by fortune it was theirs.

 The sharing of the spoils was less of a problem than they thought. The coins were counted out and divided. The jewellery was divided into six piles and straws were drawn to mark the order of pick. Other items, goblets, plates, daggers, knives were more of a problem but these were divided into six piles until all agreed. Then the picking was again conducted with straws. Finally they swapped items between themselves until all were satisfied. Their treasure was loaded up into water skins until they could purchase proper saddlebags. The wooden boxes plus the cart were broken up and buried in the sand. The poor donkey was released free since Amis argued that with their riches they didn’t need to feed on horsemeat and ass any more.

A passage was bought on a ship in a separate cabin bound for England. Amis persuaded them, in order to avoid the dreaded scurvy, to disembark at the port of Genoa where he had been before. He persuaded them to take the land crossing but since it was early in the season Amis reckoned they would have no trouble with the snow and deprivation he experienced on this first journey. Unfortunately Oscar succumbed to some form of serious lung infection and was buried at sea with a prayer and farewell. His hoard was equally divided up amongst the five.

What a glorious report I had for my Proctor. I had excelled myself in style and content. Amis’s ingenuity on the battle field was beyond anything I could have imagined. He listened carefully to his four rogues who were the only ones battle hardened and adopted their suggestions adding some of his own. The killing fields and the entrapment of the first charge were of his own design and proved successful. He listened patiently to anyone with ideas and comforted the men who were afraid. His leadership was exemplary. As for Sir Stephen, he couldn’t manage a thing but was more than willing to take the glory

I wasn’t keen on all the killing and will have to question my Proctor about the coup de grace administered to the wounded lying in the field. At least it stopped the terrific screaming and screeching which was more frightening than the battle cries of the Saracens. The four rogues as I called them behaved in a fitting manner and led their contingent by example. They didn’t shirk or run and I’ve mentioned them graciously in my despatches. King Richard made a big mistake when he failed to follow up his victory by routing the Saracens to capture Jerusalem when he had the opportunity, the only opportunity according to my studies.

The treasure haul that they captured worried me. I thought my Proctor would suggest I tinkered with this against their favour but he accepted it as good fortune and let it pass. He must have noticed my sigh of relief. This was the second time I have witnessed Amis actually physically kill people. With his axe he killed one of the rich Arabs and three labourers and without any concern. They weren’t doing him any harm. They could have just stolen the treasure and escaped but they killed them in cold blood. The Proctor smiled at my concern. The share out of the treasure was done fairly and amicably and I didn’t note any undue greed or avarice being displayed by any of them.

Their decision to travel north to another port was sensible. They were able to sell their hoard of weapons and horses to incoming Crusaders and with the proceeds bought a comfortable cabin on a ship. They also had the sense to rid themselves of the poor quality bags of dates and figs and replace these with top quality fruits for the voyage. All their treasures were concealed in extra strong leather saddle bags which they had specially made up for them by a leather artisan. They also affixed more metal armour to their leather jerkins at key places as protection against arrow and sword. They looked more like Knights in armour than ordinary foot soldiers.

 I was sorry for the loss of Oscar who had been such a good friend and companion to Amis. He looked after him like an elder brother, communicated for him to offset Amis’s mumbling speech and fended off any mocking directed at his crippled friend. Not that this was a problem with these men who got to know him or even of him. I wanted to intervene at times but thought better of it.

I was perturbed by Amis’s insistence that they disembark in Genoa and cross over the Alps. He had had horrific experience of this but I knew he was afraid, as many sailors and soldiers on a long sea journey were, of contracting the dreaded scurvy. I also presumed correctly that he would lead and be in charge.

In Genoa, Amis was busy buying horses, provisions and amassing a group of soldiers who volunteered to join him. Each soldier was provisioned with a riding horse plus a pack horse or two carrying their plunder and provisions. He avoided hiring mules having had such problems with them on the previous trip. Each of the twenty soldiers was provided with a large sheepskin cloak for warmth during the high mountain crossing. Amis also ensured that they were well armed and would provide protection as well as company. He spent his own money on supplying this expedition on the basis that at the end of the journey he would sell the horses, skins and recover most of his expenses. Turk thought the idea of a sheepskin absurd and failed to purchase one. He had crossed mountains before he said. The three others followed Amis’s advice.

They set off at a steady pace and came across a party of traders, four plus an armed escort of six well armed soldiers. Since they had crossed the Alps on numerous occasions Amis asked to join them and asked if they could guide his troop along the best route over the high mountains. The traders were glad of the company of regular soldiers displaying Crusader insignia. No band of robbers would now even consider attacking this train of such strength. 

One evening at the camp fire Amis questioned a trader as to what goods he carried. The trader showed him a bolt of the finest silk that Amis had ever seen. It came from far off lands to the East and would be sold to the rich gentry in the big city of Paris. The Trader also showed Amis a box of scraps of wood, bones, old cloth and shrivelled fingers. These he told him secretly were relics of a religious nature and were in great demand by the churches and monasteries. People came in droves on pilgrimages to worship such items and brought with them gifts and alms which kept these establishments rich and famous. Alongside the relics, the trader showed Amis sheets of parchment in which the Pope verified that these were genuine, with a wink in his eye. He confirmed that these relics were worth far more than the all the bolts of silk they carried.

Amis bought two bolts of silk to take to London and then began scheming how he could acquire the rest of the traders’ baggage. At a camp in the foothills he talked to the traders’ guards and questioned them as to whether they knew what immense wealth the traders were carrying. This set an idea in their heads in motion and next morning the four Traders were no more. As Amis expected the Crusaders took umbrage at the guards slaying their masters and in minutes the guards had their throats cut and lay bleeding on the ground like common robbers and thieves. The bolts of silk were divided equally amongst the group but no one wanted the odd box of scraps which Amis acquired thankfully.

As they progressed up the valley and onto the high Alps Amis would purchase provisions for his men and horses. As Amis expected the high Alpine pastures were still occupied in the late summer so provisions were plentiful to purchase. Many of the Crusaders suggested that they should just plunder and steal. Amis however had the idea and prior knowledge that if he paid fairly, the news was quickly passed on up the valley advertising that here was a large troop who actually paid their way. Therefore there was no reason to move flocks away from the tracks, rather they should welcome these strangers with money. Amis also wanted a guide and who better than a local.

On a high alp they found a shepherd and family who were most welcoming when they were given some coins to feed the troop. Amis decided to spend two nights here to give everyone a rest and allow the horses to graze for a full day on the rich pasture. The farm boy of about twelve or maybe older was cornered by Amis who questioned him as to where the wild mountain goats grazed on the cliffs, out of danger. The boy understood and took Amis and two of the soldiers up a steep path. There to behold were a flock of wild goats and mouflons, a wild sheep, seemingly safe and sound, looking down on them from perches high on the rocks. Little did they know that four of them would meet a sticky end, pierced by a longbow arrow, falling down the cliff to the feet of the people they scorned from on high. One got wedged in a crevice but the boy intimated that his father would retrieve it later. The goats and wild sheep were butchered for a welcome meal that night and the farmer showed Amis what he made out of the goat’s and sheep’s horns by boiling them and shaping them into cups. Amis was given one as a souvenir which stayed with him all his life. 

Amis approached the wife, held up a coin and pointed to her comely daughter. The mother understood, grabbed the coin and pointed the girl in the direction of the barn. Amis, Ruffus, Turk, Vaz and Gyp had their way with her. She was a welcome change from the Arab girls who were scrawny and needed a good slap on the head to shut their screaming. The girl went off happily to sell her wares to the other soldiers for a coin or two.

The shepherd assured Amis that his son was more than capable of guiding them with his dog to the other side of the mountains along a well known and well marked path. The dog would find the path even in a snow storm he said. They set off in good spirit with the two dogs racing ahead to wait for them where the path turned. Amis’s war dog now renamed Oscar in memory of his faithful friend was happy to have a companion. 

It took them five days to cross. They had to weather snow, ice and a major snow storm which made them shelter for a whole day in the lee of a cliff. This is where their sheepskin cloaks came into their own for protection. Except for Turk, who suffered badly, all survived. He got severe frost bite in this feet and fingers and later these turned gangrenous and become fatal. Only three of the old warriors were left and Turk’s booty was shared again four ways. 

They were glad to get over the mountains and the boy who had led them got a good send off since he had looked after the troop so well. He got coins, daggers and even a small axe. Instead of stepping out for home, he watched the soldiers climb right down into the valley before he gave the last wave and turned back up the mountain with his dog at his side. All apart from Turk had survived unscathed by the experience and were thankful to Amis for his expert organisation. Without showing some consideration and generosity to the mountain folk things could have turned out differently.

They finally reached the River Seine and Amis was searching the villages for the opportunity to hire three barge like rafts with boatmen to speed them down to the large port at the mouth of the estuary. In the town of Paris Amis made the decision to sell the horses which fetched a good price, the cloaks had already been sold in the lower alpine valley though some held onto them as sleeping bags providing a modicum of comfort. During their stopover Vaz decided to go alone into the city wenching and drinking but didn’t turn up next morning nor the next day. The three decided that he must have been robbed and killed so happily divided his fortune three ways and sailed on.

 With only two rafts they made good headway with the strong river current, the boatmen raising sails whenever the wind was in the right direction. In the large port of Le Havre, Amis chartered a fast sailing ship that would take the party across La Manche to Portsmouth in England. This was no ordinary ship and his companions were suspicious and thought wrongly that Amis had lost his good sense. It was basically a pirate boat which prayed on vessels just off shore. The main crew of eight were, in the best description, scallywags. The Captain first demanded that the soldiers were all disarmed and their weapons were stowed in a secure hold. This should have warned the wary. Amis, his dog Oscar and his now two companions Gyp and Ruffus commandeered a cabin to themselves with their booty stashed securely in three corners. The Captain was anxious to set sail immediately giving the excuse of a good tide.

As they left the sight of Le Havre behind, Amis and his two stalwart companions plus a visible bag of coins demanded a conference with the Captain in his cabin. He was joined by three of his well armed henchmen as they sat opposite each other across a rough table. Amis started the conversation by jangling the bag and asking how much the Captain would charge to sail them directly to the port of London rather than Portsmouth. He spilled the coins with a few jewels on the table. The Captain and the crew were dazzled by the treasures in front of them and made a grab to handle some of this finery which by rights would be theirs anyway. As they leaned over greedily, daggers pierced their eyes to their brains and they expired without much sound. Amis collected up the spilt coins and jewellery and opened the door of the cabin. This was the signal for the soldiers to apprehend the other pirates and crew. The ordinary crewmen quickly volunteered to continue to sail under the command of Captain Amis. The pirates who distinguished themselves by wearing outrageous clothes were given a choice of a quickly cut throat or a walk back to shore. The old crewmen made the decision for them by throwing them overboard with a good riddance.

A course for Portsmouth was set and the sails set for a safe but fast journey across to England. Towards the evening a similar fast ship to theirs was seen changing course to approach them with maximum sail. The original crew quickly recognised this as a pirate ship just like theirs and said that there was no loyalty between pirates. They were on the path to intercept and board. This ship however would be no match for Amis’s seasoned soldiers on board, knowing the strength of the crew. Amis hatched a plan to minimise the danger to the crew and to his soldiers. The helmsman was ordered to veer away even though they lost the wind and appeared to be trying to escape. The soldiers hid themselves away in the main cabin and the forecastle while the minimum of crew sailed the ship.

The pirates soon caught up with grappling irons at the ready. They pulled the two ships together and launched themselves across onto the victim ship shouting, yelling and brandishing their weapons to be met by a wall of silence. Even the short crew had dived for cover. They looked around the deck feeling foolish, stopped their shouting and their Leader shouted for the crew of the ship to show themselves. Suddenly the windows and doors of the Forecastle and Main cabin flew open and a hail of crossbow bolts met them at a fatally short distance. Those that didn’t fall were soon seen to by spears as the forecastle soldiers peeled off and jumped across to take the other ship. The whole battle was over in minutes with most of the pirates dead or badly wounded. There was only one other casualty and that was Gyp who was shot accidentally in the crossfire through the chest. The bolt missed his heart but had punctured his lung and he was coughing up blood.

The manning arrangements on the captured ship were the same as on their first ship, with a band of pirates and a bunch of ill treated crewmen. The pirates left were kindly asked to leave the ship and walk home. A Captain was appointed from one of his soldiers who had been a sea fisherman in his past and half the soldiers transferred to the new ship. They sailed in convoy to Portsmouth with both original crews being treated civilly for once. The soldiers were now doubly thrilled at having two ships to sell and a handsome division of the spoils. That night Amis had no compunction in doing the dastardly deed. Two bodies were quietly slipped over the side, Gyp who had bled to death and Ruffus who was not to be trusted alone. He had a deep dagger wound in his chest. There was now no one to share in the spoils.

Chapter 12

They moored in Portsmouth sound and Amis was rowed ashore to make arrangements. When he came back he called all the soldiers together for a meeting. As leader of this expedition, the agreement was that Amis and his five companions were to share a half of any spoils acquired on the journey. Since he was now on his own he expected their share. He also laid out options that he would personally buy the second ship and share out the proceeds with the twenty soldiers who would have the money immediately if they agreed to his terms. He also added that he would offer a handsome amount for the bolts of silk they had shared earlier in their journey. All agreed that instant money was preferable to waiting for the ships and silk to be sold. They also trusted Amis to give them a fair price. A shipping agent rowed over and made an offer for the ships. This was the price that Amis agreed would be the benchmark for their share out. Most admitted that they never ever had seen so much money and many even asked Amis to look after their wealth.

Amis made arrangements that any of the soldiers who wanted him to look after their money had to accompany Amis to London when he had finished his business in Portsmouth. Ten of the soldiers agreed and two more wanted to accompany Amis to London for their own safety. Most of the others hailed from the West Country and made their own travel arrangements although Amis advised them to buy a suit of armour, a good horse or two and pretend to be Knights returning from the Crusades. No highwayman would dare to rob a Knight, on pain of death. They could sell their armour and horse at a local market when they got home.  Amis appointed two experienced Captains locally, strengthened the original crew and arranged for the ships to be fully fitted out before they sailed to London. That would take at least three weeks to fit out, another week to sail and by this time Amis would have found berths for his ships in the Port of London. 

I must admit I got it all wrong and informed my Proctor who laughed and told me that my dear Amis was far more cunning and devious than I ever imagined and that I should study him more carefully. I must admit I had a good rethink and suddenly traits in Amis’s character appeared that I had never dreamt of. For instance I accepted that Amis’s choice of vessel was simply a mistake of his good judgement displayed in the past but no, it was a devious plan that he would at some early stage capture the ship and overthrow the pirates. It was probably a wrong choice of words there because he did throw them into the sea live or dead. I must have been resting or playing screen games at the time and missed any conference or mention of the plan with his remaining two rogues. They were certainly aware of the plan and so were the soldiers. I hope my Proctor is not aware though he seems to be able to read my thoughts.

Now the matter of gaining all his wealth by ridding himself of his partners in crime. I profusely denied that I had interjected in anyway in that. The first three plus Oscar had succumbed to fate whilst that rascal Ruffus, who I loathed, was sure to dispose of Amis if he hadn’t acted first. I was pleased to report to my Proctor that Amis had dealt so fairly with the share out of the proceeds of the sale of the ships, when he asked me if I knew the true wealth of the silk and the ships. I held my ground and said I would consider that the soldiers would have difficulty disposing of these goods and were more likely to be wronged. For once he agreed and suggested, not ordered, that I should study the matter of Amis’s wealth closely and see how he handled it. I should also observe that of his soldiers who had entrusted him with all their monies and put their lives under Amis’s household. I was at once proud of my task and even promised to stop day dreaming and do my work. I shouldn’t have blurted out so much. At least he smiled rather than admonishing me for my indiscretion. I surmised later that he probably knew.

Horses and carts were bought and these transported his party to London overland rather than by sea. After an uneventful journey they reached the City and Amis found accommodation for them all at a hostelry near the dockland. The soldiers who accompanied him had no real home to return to since most were peasants owned by high and mighty landlords who would want a portion if not all of the wealth they had brought back. They begged Amis to continue looking after their daily needs as he had since they left Genoa. Amis needed men in his plans and agreed to take them all on initially just for their board and lodgings until his plans came to fruition and then he would pay them a wage or some petty cash if they chose Amis to look after their total welfare. Most agreed to the latter.

Amis set about his plan in a business like fashion. Firstly he found a large warehouse on the dockside which he could rent with two berths for his ships attached. He moved his men into the warehouse to live and found a woman and maids to do the cooking. He immediately found an eager buyer for his silk who previously had to travel a dangerous route to Paris to purchase the same. With some of the money he bought his first cargo of fine quality wool from the Downs to ship to France. He then employed two Jewish workers who had experience of money lending and bookkeeping, to lend out his moneys to the rich and powerful.

 His two ships were soon ploughing back and forth across the Channel to France taking wool and important passengers and on the return trip bringing kegs of wine, French carpets and tapestries and occasional paintings. Rich travellers and traders chose his ships because they had a full complement of marines on board to ward off pirates and also they were fast. 

Two of his trusted soldiers, Able and Mark became his assistants whilst the other soldiers looked after the marines and security at the warehouse. His business was expanding and through success more traders and businessmen wanted part of it. The security he provided and surety meant that traders were willing to pay an extra price not to lose their goods on the journey.

 A builder came to Amis with a proposal that he could build him a dock on a small tributary river leading into the Thames but beyond the overcrowded areas of London city. A vast area of swampy land was purchased and the man proposed that he build an enclosed deep dock with the quays stretching out into the river so that ships could dock at the quaysides in deep water for much longer periods than anywhere along the tidal Thames. Timbers and logs were floated down the river from the forests and the long trunks were driven into the soft mud in triple rows with the space behind backfilled from the excavation of the tributary river bed to deepen it. Alongside, large warehouses were rising, many with three floors. Amis was to commandeer the top floor of the largest for his palatial residence.

Labour was cheap and plentiful in London but Amis, riding the streets in his fine enclosed carriage, was distressed by the number of abandoned children, youths and girls roaming the streets, begging and thieving. He decided to do something about this since it was a reminder of his youth. He had a huge building constructed with three floors, providing dormitories for girls on the top floor and boys on the middle. On the lower floor area were kitchens, wash houses and dining areas. For any child, youth, young man or young woman who voluntarily wanted to join this institution he provided a warm roof over their heads, clothing, straw mattress on the floor and three meals a day. For that they would have to work for him during the hours of daylight and be trained up to do skilled work, not just physical labour. 

This provided Amis with a mass of cheap labour to use on his building sites, ships and warehouses. They were promised a life better than they had. They were assigned to a dormitory according to their age and sex and introduced to their companions by a senior boy or girl who was their section leader and slept in the dorm with them to maintain discipline according to the rules laid down by Amis. Tasks were allocated for the following days. Many arrived with sores, bruises, cuts and even breaks. An ex-army physician was employed to help the misfortunate. Every afternoon the boys had to drill with staffs and on some days were taken into the fields for bow practice. These would be the future candidates for Amis’s private army to protect his wealth and do his bidding.

Amis had the swamp lands drained by digging ditches and by building the land up with river mud from the dock excavations. Crops and vegetables were planted and grew well on the fertile river mud to feed his growing flock. Artisans were invited to take up residence in the various workshops that he constructed. Three were blacksmiths to shoe the horses and make iron implements plus locks, nails and hinges for his constructions. A butcher, baker, seamstress made up all their clothes and a leather worker who made strapping and protective garments and two candle makers who were essential to extend the work day particularly in the winters. A little township grew up under the auspices of Amis. A tavern was built to provide accommodation and victuals for the traders and anyone who had a coin to spend on ale although an ample ration was always provided at mealtimes.

Chapter 12

Amis’s fortunes suddenly changed when Sir Rodney Falkirk of Enfield forest estate was involved in a jousting accident and was fatally wounded leaving huge debts behind. Amis knew of him through his Jewish employee who he had lent substantial monies to this fellow at very attractive interest against his estate as surety. Lady Katherine visited him one afternoon and insisted he took off his silver mask which he was now prone to wearing to disguise his disfigurement in public. She also sent away his trusted companion who translated his mumbling speech because of his cleft palate. She was embarrassed by her predicament and wanted some mercy from this rich money lender. The book-keeper had provided him with a list of the assets of the estate and they included a couple of ships that were being built for King Richard as a donation to his war funds.

Over a glass or two of fine claret wine and roasts of fine beef and venison they talked over Katherine’s deep problem. Things were even more desperate now because according to the current inheritance laws, the estate would be divided amongst the male side of the family and she would be left penniless if not totally destitute. Amis in his usual manner was very considerate and sympathetic to her case and hatched a plan. On one particular condition he would agree to sort out her debts with all her creditors and in addition, legally, she would still own the estate. Amis reckoned that all the inheritors would be only too glad to sign off their rights because in fact all they would receive would be huge debts which Amis would inflate. As part of the deal Katherine would be given a mansion in London, with staff, horses and carriage plus a generous allowance. This all seemed too much for the fraught widow who broke into tears that a solution had been reached. Now however she had to meet the last demand. She faced Amis to ask what his conditions would be, even though she had an inkling in her mind of his probable thoughts.

Looking fully into her eyes he asked Lady Katherine to be his mistress. He would give her a day to consider the proposal. Lady Katherine looked around her palatial surroundings and agreed immediately. After all, her former husband had encouraged her to flirt with King John and his Court hoping to curry favour. She agreed on the condition that she could choose her own mansion and staff and that her visitation would be only once a month. The negotiations had begun and Amis with the upper hand dictated the conditions which were that she visited him at least once a week. She agreed with little reluctance or even a shudder that one might expect at the sight of Amis’s face. Amis was delighted and sent her off in his own fine carriage to find a suitable property. She agreed that her first visitation was to be in seven days time and that Amis was to send a palanquin in the middle of the night for her, after her first sleep. 

The inheritors were seen by Amis’s financial assistants who showed them the size of the debt they would own if they took their inheritance. Most declined in the first instance then the rest after some deliberation. The creditors were seen and made a dismal offer of either a few pence on the mark for their outstanding sum or to lose all if the inheritors took over and shared the debts. It would prove difficult to dismantle who owed what to whom. Amis himself held a major proportion of the debt and the other large portion was the ship builder who had half built two war ships and not seen a penny in payment. Amis proposed he pay off the debt for an investment in half the shipyard. Since it was going to fold, the ship builder agreed terms and Amis placed an order with a deposit for two large trading ships and two fast sail ships to the design he had already had. 

 It took Amis and his assistants all of three weeks to complete the transactions plus the purchase of a mansion in a rich part of London. He also had to transfer by many bullock carts the furnishings from the Enfield forest estate. He sent a surveyor to note down the assets and extent of the said estate, plus all who lived on her. The estate was badly managed and run down. He appointed a new bailiff and sent a band of his own men there to plough, harrow and ensure that all the fields were planted with a late crop. His surveyor came back with the good news that the forest was an idyllic private hunting ground. Amis would never be invited to any hunts even though he was one of the richest men in London and now he had the scope not only to ride his hunters but be the one passing out the invitations.   

    

The night arrived when Lady Katherine would visit. A special palanquin was sent for her with four men carriers and four armed guards. A ramp had already been constructed to his floor with a lower section and a drawbridge that could be raised to prevent intrusion. After his first sleep the maids arranged a bath for Amis of heated salt water from barrels filled regularly in mid channel by his Captains. Water from the Thames was far too polluted. The bath was a legacy of the Arab baths in the Holy Lands that he had enjoyed and the bathing he was given at the hands of a fisherman’s daughter when he had the pox. Also the room was perfumed with rosemary twigs and lavender and the fires roared with fragrant apple wood. Fortunately or unfortunately Amis was caught in the middle of his bathing when Lady Katherine arrived and was shown into the room. She thought it hilarious. It broke the ice as Amis stood and a cloak was draped around him. 

They first dined on fine delicacies that Amis had his cooks prepare and then retired to the grand four poster bed with the curtains fully drawn and the staff dismissed. Lady Katherine left before day break by the palanquin with the guards. This became a regular occurrence, the meals more magnificent and the meal time discussions longer and longer. The palanquin left later and later. On some weeks the visitations were more frequent to continue the discussions and implementation of their plans. Lady Katherine was Amis’s introduction to the Lords and Ladies of influence in the land and they were keen to do business. 

I spent all day and night studying accountancy including stuff written in the Arab world and China which was way ahead of anything Amis had dreamt of so I was way ahead of him or so I thought. My Proctor at least praised me for my dedication but suggested again that I should study business practise. When I did, I found Amis far ahead of the primary stuff I had delved into. I would learn more from following Amis more closely than from the primers. He didn’t allow his wealth to linger, but had it working from day one with a great tranche allocated to money lending. Lending with interest I knew was forbidden to the Christians but to the Jews who believed in the same God it was encouraged. God knows why? There I go again blaspheming, I’m picking up these phrases from ear wigging into the conversations of these people.

Amis’s handling of Lady Katherine’s estate was superb. He allowed his men to do the negotiations with the inheritors and creditors and they suggested that the recipients would get a better deal through them than arguing with Amis direct. My business primer has the art of delegation as a top priority and bringing in the big guns only at the last moment.

 I still haven’t got the hang of the sexual desire all these men feel. Amis solved the problem by getting himself a mistress and one of good breeding it would seem but looking into her background, she was quite free with her sexual favours in order to find her first husband. As a Lady in Waiting to the Queen she had the pick of the courtiers and she was no lady. The Queen to spite her, because she was so pretty, would have her bed the ugliest and lowest bred courtiers so being mistress to the most ugly of men was not such a novelty or hardship. The Queen told her to think if England when she sent her on one of her sexual missions.

I’ve been listening in to some of the conversations between Amis and Katherine. I won’t call her a Lady. They are planning some tricks to get back some points on King John’s court and the influential Lords and Barons. Katherine is relishing it so much she has forgotten about Amis’s ugly face and his mumbling speech and I also noticed that she’s quite amorous in bed. The maids listen in to the squeaks, groans and moans coming from the bedchamber and are giggling uncontrollably. I’ve got a primer on this especially on the enjoyment of sex rather than just the physical action of procreation. It’s quite an eye opener. My Proctor suggested I should spend less time on it but it’s a damn sight more interesting than accountancy.

I found it strange that there were apparently two Kings of England at this time. Delving into the matter more deeply I discovered that the true King Richard was abroad most of the time fighting religious battles in Palestine in the Crusades and economic battles in France to maintain his estates. He had appointed his brother John to be King of Ireland and also to oversee England in Richard’s absence. King John didn’t care much for Ireland or the Irish Lords and set up his Royal Court in Windsor Castle until he inherited the title of King of England on his brother’s death which he assumed would be fairly soon in battle.   

One of the characteristics of Amis were his obsessions. Cleanliness was one of them and I have noted these down in detail for my Proctor. His personal cleanliness and general tidiness I have studied with great interest. He washes and bathes daily in a mixture of salty sea water and clear spring water. The sea water has to come from the middle of the Channel, brought in barrels by his ships. The clean fresh water is brought from a chalk spring on the Downs by the brewer who uses it to make ale. I believe it has its origins when he was suffering from the dreaded pox and was being washed down daily by the comely fisher maid. He changes his clothes daily and has the shift worn next to his skin boiled and washed. He burns incense and apple wood plus uses various unguents to make his dwelling smell as sweet as a spring flower. 

Externally he won’t have excrement thrown on the roads and quays. It has to be bucketed into barrels with the horse manure from the stables and roads, taken to his outlying fields and buried in trenches. Apparently he saw the Arabs using these techniques to encourage their plants to grow and has adopted it for his farms. Anyone disregarding his orders is beaten severely by his men who police his township to keep out the beggars and riff-raff. Even his underlings are regularly checked for lice and ticks and treated.

This nicely leads me to another point and that is his benevolence. He is actively taking homeless waifs and strays off the streets of London and providing them with excellent care, food and lodgings. I’m not sure of his motives behind all this though my Proctor reckons he gets cheap and loyal labour to work on his fields, warehousing, shops and ships. I need to observe this more closely.

A strange development has taken place and I’m not sure how I should approach this. At the moment it is with caution. I was suddenly summoned by my Proctor and when I arrived there was a second Proctor with a shadow like me. I have never met another shadow or another Proctor. At first I thought I was either being promoted or demoted but it turned out that this new shadow was observing Lady Katherine and they, in their infinite wisdom have decided that we should cooperate since our subjects were so intertwined, in more ways than one. This should be a novelty. I never even considered that my associated subjects were themselves being closely observed by independent shadows like me.

 I suddenly realised that each human being was being observed and reported on and now, for the first time, I had a colleague who was going to be either my companion or a competitor. I was suspicious and I presumed that he or she was suspicious of me. We were given a whole list of subjects we were to collaborate on and draw up joint reports. This should have allayed my concerns but I felt I was going to be elbowed out and my collaborator was going to get the glory.

“Are you a boy or a girl,” I asked seeing only a pale face and a fuzzy body.

“I don’t know,” she answered shyly but in a high voice, “No one has ever asked me and I’ve never had the need to consider it before.”

“I think you must be a girl. Firstly you have a high voice and secondly you’re looking after a woman so I’m going to call you Katy and you can call me Ralf. Is that OK? I’ve just made these names up.”

“I’ve never had a name before, nor have I helped any other shadow before. I hope you will help me. My Proctor said that you will help and take the lead.”

“OK, I’ll do my best. This is the first time for me too. I presume that you have followed Lady Katherine from the very beginning?” I asked taking charge and being mightily relieved. 

“From a baby but not a lot happened until she was a young woman and worked for that dreadful Queen Isabel who made her do things she didn’t like or want,” she answered in a timid voice that gave me the courage to be more dominant. “I was really frightened when she met up with your Amis. He does look strange. My Proctor would like to know word for word what they are plotting. He told me to report with you to your Proctor until he’s satisfied. What’s yours like? Mine’s ever so frightful.”

“Mine’s fine and fair but if you are willing to follow my lead I will look after you.” I got a perceptible nod from her.  

Chapter 13

                   

King Richard was short of money to fund his campaigns having lost power over many of his Normandy holdings to the French. He raided the Church’s coffers as a form of wealth tax. The Church men were up in arms and since they thought of themselves as paupers they could only hand over the Church’s finery in the form of unused gold chalices, crosses and plates from their storerooms. Amis, through contacts that Lady Katherine had developed, offered to convert these gold objects into gold coins at a reasonable price for the King’s Treasurer. He managed to double his profits by secretly selling these items back to the owners at considerable income to himself having first renovated them to their full glory. If they didn’t want to buy them back there were other churches that did. This introduced him into finding purchases for his Religious relics that he had, plus papers of authentication. He had his jewellers make up expensive looking ebony inlaid boxes to hold these items which were in great demand by both Churches and Abbeys to draw in pilgrims who paid alms to view such treasures. Some were supposed to have healing powers.

The Papal Legate, Berlioni, was visiting Paris to collect dues from the churches and Abbeys of France, plus to line his own pockets as a priority. Amis with a group of his own soldiers as guards travelled to France and paid him a visit with a personal audience paid for with a bag of gold. He had two objectives. One was for the Legate to send a proclamation to the Bishops of Westminster, Canterbury, York and Winchester that Amis was a child of the Devil and had to be protected at all costs otherwise the Devil would send catastrophe down on the English nation and maybe more. This gave Amis immunity and protection against the greed of King John and the jealous Barons.

 Secondly Amis got a signed and wax sealed statement authenticating the provenance and origins of some relics for a second generous bag of gold. The note stated that these relics were being released from the Papal Palaces in the Vatican for all Christians to view and pray over. Amis’s forgers could now make parchment copies for all the items he would have specially manufactured and sold. The favourites of the churchmen were statues of the Virgin that shed tears or of Christ on the cross with his wounds bleeding. The Italian carvers were extremely inventive and ingenious in making such items that were able to bleed or weep on request. They fetched an incredible price. 

 Cardinal Berlioni left Paris with his entourage and wealth spread heavily over eight wagons drawn by mules and a Papal carriage for himself and a pretty maid. A boy carried a large silver cross ahead of this procession to ward off evil followed by six armed soldiers on horseback as guards plus an assortment of cooks, servants and followers at the rear. They were on a procession back to Rome, stopping off at Monasteries and Abbeys enroute to collect more alms for the Pope and of course the Papal Legate. They were invincible, protected by their faith in God. 

Amis sent a contingent of his men who hired a group of mercenaries to intercept this convoy in some lonely forested clearing. The mercenaries were to dispatch the guards and Amis’s soldiers would deal with the rest. The Papal guards were no ornament and as Amis supposed, put up a determined resistance, killing more than half of the mercenaries before they themselves were overpowered and killed. The servants were set the job of digging their own graves and those of the remaining mercenaries plus the party of the Papal Legate.  All the valuables were loaded into saddle bags and carted off with the mules. No sign of the killing was left even the carriages and carts were burned in another forest clearing. The Monasteries were only too happy to be bypassed by the Papal convoy and didn’t raise any alarm. Amis returned home with even more wealth.

Bales of wool plus passengers were being shipped across the Channel to France and in return Amis was importing exquisite furniture, carpets, tapestries, paintings and sculptures. These were all the trappings of the rich and especially in demand by up and coming Lords and Ladies who wanted to show off their wealth and with it their status in society. All such items were on show at Lady Katherine’s mansion where known social climbers were invited to dine and to view the display of wealthy furnishings that they desired and were prepared to pay a King’s ransom for. Trade was brisk.

Of secondary but of equal importance to Amis and Katherine was the provision of trained servants, cooks, butlers and footmen that Katherine trained from the stock of waifs that were picked up in London. They were sent out to mansions in London and the country and their main purpose was to spy on their hosts and report back to Lady Katherine who would use the information to her own advantage and that of Amis. Royal influence could be bought, scandals could be profitable and any adverse plotting against Amis or Lady Katherine could be nipped in the bud.

 A further development in this direction was for Lady Katherine to collect attractive prostitutes from the streets and to train them into lady like courtesans who could be sent to important Barons and Lords at the King’s Court and to the rich clergy and monks. They became the first line of valuable intelligence gathering and could be used to great effect. Amis was the first to know of financial troubles and any jealous Barons or Lords who were plotting against him with the aid of the King and his ministers. Amis was now the richest man in London and maybe the most influential in a secretive way.  He was the main banker to all important people in England and the massive loans he negotiated could be used to garner influence and further intelligence. Many Lords and Ladies were saved from bankruptcy by disposing valuable lands to Amis and his growing estate.

¬“Katy, you know on our joint visit last night when we observed Amis and Lady Katherine bathing together before they went off to the big bed for a noisy round of copulation, what did you make of that¬¬?” asked Ralf pointedly.

“I don’t know what you are getting at there Ralf. It was fairly normal apart from the maid incident. I’ve seen that before when Katherine’s not present and seems to be a regular occurrence usually with Amis copulating, as you call it, with the maid over the back of the table after the bath,” answered Katy with a puzzled look. “Why are you asking? You’ve seen it before when she is washing his back he slides his hand up the inside of her thigh and fondles her genitalia, gets her all excited and she usually starts playing with his member until it gets all erect and then they do it.”

“Yes, but did you see Lady Katherine’s reaction. She gave him the eye and he desisted. I presume Amis did that automatically without thinking as was his regular custom, but she disapproved. What did you make of that? Was she just jealous? As a woman shadow what did you interpret from that? Was it significant and should we report it as an odd or new gesture?”

“I think you’re making too much of it Ralf. My feeling is that she wanted his whole attention. You noticed what she was doing with her toes playing with his member didn’t you. She wanted to excite him personally.”

“I still don’t understand this obsession these people have with copulation and I’m sure it’s not just to do with procreation. Do you understand it Katy?”

“Well I see this preamble is to get both parties excited so that the process continues to a successful end. They seem to enjoy all the kissing, feeling, touching and fondling quite a lot prior to the business at hand.”

“Yes I still don’t quite understand it. Maybe we should try it for ourselves and see what it feels like and would we as shadows get any excitement out of it?”

“Are you suggesting that we should copy what we see? I think we should get direction and permission of our Proctors before we even attempt that.”

“I bet you have an inkling what the Proctors would say? I would go along without consultation and report it as our experiment to get a better understanding of the human mating process. We could start with just kissing and touching and see if there is any reaction in our bodies and if not progress to the next stages as we have witnessed. Come close and let me give you a kiss. There did you feel anything?”

“Yes a tingle but it felt more like I was doing something illicit.”

“OK now you have got over that let me kiss you fully on the mouth and you press hard and see if there is a different reaction?”

“Well that was a new sensation again but again it could be just a reaction to the fact that this is the first time that I have been in contact with any other shadow but I liked it I think. Can we do it again but not so forcefully, gently and with passion as we have observed.”

“How was that? I must admit that this is my first time and I felt quite a strange sensation in my body. Rather pleasant. Can I suggest that we stop now and maybe try another day and see if we repeat the sensation and then we can offer a proper report to our Proctors?”

“I agree but should we go a stage further I wonder? It seems harmless but quite fun.”     

   

“Ralf, my Proctor saw me today and enquired what were we up to?”

“So what did you tell him?” answered Ralf rather crossly.

“I had to tell him so don’t be cross with me. I think he either knew or suspected something. Anyway he was quite intrigued by it and considered that as shadows we didn’t have any feelings that way. He called it sexual feelings. He gave us permission to mimic the people we were observing as long as we were comfortable. So you see, we should have reported our experiment.”

“So do you want to continue or not?”

“I think so as long as you aren’t rough with me.”

Chapter 14

His greatest passion apart from Lady Katherine was his love of riding and especially in a hunt. The Enfield estate provided him with extensive open forests in which to ride with his beloved when hunting stag or wild boar. He ensured that his estate was well stocked and that poaching was kept to the minimum. His open hunts were legendary for their fine wines, fine food and entertainment. He initially invited gentlemen of lower status but high standing Lords, Barons and Courtiers of the King would invite themselves along and enjoy a great day.

 King John heard of this and decided that he too should take part, but for other ulterior motives. He enjoyed hunting but also wanted to pull this commoner down a peg or two. The easiest way to do this had always been to arrive with his huge entourage and to swamp his host with huge costs. This would usually lead to bankruptcy and total indebtedness to the Crown. King John however did not realise that this would not be a problem for Amis, even at such short notice. 

Amis rallied his vast troops and erected huge pavilions to house the Royal party since the manor house was relatively small. He had the best provisions that Normandy could muster shipped over plus an army of best Chefs. He personally had never met the King but extensive business had been done on the King’s behalf in the dispersal and conversion of clerical treasures into gold coins together with the purchase of land Charters which would fill the King’s empty coffers.

The King and Queen arrived with their courtiers to be met and greeted by Lady Katherine and a number of important Barons. The King and Queen were escorted to their own exclusive pavilion to rest before attending the celebratory meal in their honour. The huge pavilion was decorated with expensive tapestries and carpets. Tables were creaking under the weight of gold plate and huge ice sculptures. Charcoal braziers under the table cloths ensured the guests did not catch a chill. Each of the important guests at the head table had a personal waiter in sumptuous livery to look after their well being. Everyone, including the King, who was seated next to Lady Katherine were amazed and duly impressed by the opulence and wealth of their surroundings. A procession of Chefs brought in huge gold salvers of food decorated in wonderful fashion. They were set before the King to admire and accept or bless before they were set out on the table for the guests. Amis didn’t want to upset the sensibilities of his guests and stayed in the background inspecting, checking, encouraging and commanding his army of servants.

As the food was being served by the personal waiters an array of entertainers strolled in front of the tables singing, dancing and playing their instruments. As the meal progressed, some of the younger members seated on the lower tables were getting boisterous having imbibed too much good wine and ale. As Amis peeped in through the spy holes he noticed that the King was actually maliciously encouraging them rather than curbing their crude joviality. The smell of food attracted a pack of hunting dogs to stray into the pavilion and these young gentlemen of the court decided to have sport by throwing a leg of prime mutton into the field for the dogs to fight over. Wagers were then made on the top dog.

 Amis noticed that Lady Katherine was most uncomfortable with this distraction and he ordered a group of his dog handlers to retrieve the dogs with nooses on staffs and to clear the area. This was done smartly and a large trellis was set up with strange hangings dangling from the top. The Maitre D announced that the next act would frighten the dogs and so they were cleared away as clowns with fire brands rushed in and at intervals set alight to the fire crackers which blasted away loudly with spurting flames and coloured smoke. This was completely new in entertainment and the audience were enthralled. Amis had managed to purchase these from traders on the silk roads from the Far East.

In the meantime a number of maidens had enticed the boorish gentlemen out of the pavilion for another form of sport to which they were strongly attracted.  A band of brigands then set upon them and brutally gagged and trusted them up, carrying them away, never to be seen again. Amis traded them eventually as slaves to some Spanish ship. He wasn’t going to have them spoil his party.

The hunt was a splendid affair with the King in on the kill of several huge stags and boar. They had been specially herded and suitably drugged to make the hunt free from the normal dangers that abound. The King was more than satisfied as he rode off to his castle having been first presented with four white stallions and a black enamelled suit of armour encrusted with gold and silver embellishments with the King’s Crest picked out in jewels on the breastplate. Amis had commissioned it especially from German craftsmen. But the gift that pleased King John more was an elaborate gold box, the drawers filled with jewels.

The whole affair cost Amis a pretty penny but he thought it worthwhile since it set Lady Katherine once more within the King’s court where he could do much profitable business with the intelligence gained. Although Amis never appeared during the proceedings, he wasn’t missed as Lady Katherine held court on his behalf and very ably. That night they stayed at the Enfield Manor house and Amis had his bath especially shipped out for the occasion to celebrate the success of the hunt. This had amazed and frightened the Barons by its opulence, since they might be required to repeat or better that performance at great cost, on the next visitation of the King and his Court.

Meanwhile King Richard was still being held and his captors were demanding a huge ransom for his release. King John, who was ruling England on behalf of his brother, was already upsetting his Barons and Lords by demanding more taxes. Now he had the task of raising a ransom. Amis made a large contribution and bought a number of Royal Charters of land and property from the King who was openly selling the family silver to all comers for the money. Through his spies Amis learned that King John had already offered the Austrian King holding Richard a huge sum of money to continue his hold and to dispose of King Richard so that John could access the throne.

 Amis had plenty of money to contribute to the ransom as his wealth was increasing at a pace as his fleet of trading ships plied their trade with the continent. He also invited many artists and craftsmen from abroad to practise their trade in his ever growing township on the edge of London. He commissioned huge works which were eagerly bought by the rich Barons, Lords and even the King. His latest business was the copying of religious bibles and books, carried out by a number of defrocked monks who lived a life of debauchery away from the eyes of the church. This practise started when the King’s Chancellor Longchamps handed over a series of religious books confiscated from the monasteries. Many of them were badly damaged and had to be repaired and many pages rewritten. This was a continuation of a lucrative trade of religious relics and books to the clergy.

“Hey Ralf, wake up and listen to this. I’ve been to see my Proctor.”

“You haven’t told him about our thing have you?”

“He knew already and even asked me if I had any feeling when you entered me when we were doing that experiment on copulation.”

“And what did he say?”

“I said I hadn’t felt a thing though I liked the kissing and cuddling and he said that he would tweak something to give me more sensation.”

“What do you mean ‘tweak’?”

“Well I asked him how and why shadows exist and he told me the whole story. He said that when people on this world that we are observing die, it seemed silly to let all that intelligent computer power in their brains go to waste so they transferred it to their mainframe as an application or miniature programme. He said it was more productive than the artificial intelligence that the computer experts could produce because of the innate reasoning power left within. They stripped out all the memory of course, just left the operating system and some characteristics of the person such as feeling, common sense, logic and experiences they have learned during their lifetime. These had been invaluable in their data collection in that they didn’t have to train the shadows and they got surprisingly better feedback.”

“So what characteristics did they leave with us then?”

“That’s simple, I am timid and the Proctor said you are very lazy.”

“Oh, so that’s how they know all about us, even our thoughts, they just check their data. In fact we don’t even exist. We are just a speck on a mainframe and our being is an out of body experience, a sort of dream. So me touching you is feelings that we had when we were human beings, nothing else. How do we check on our charges then if we are not some kind of hidden form out there?”

“Wow! I hadn’t thought of these things before but my Proctor said we interact with the brain of the person we shadow. You link in with Amis and I with Lady Katherine.”

“So it’s Lady Katherine now is it. Before you though of her as a bitch and whore but if we are linked then why aren’t we with these people all the time?”

“Simple really if you think about it. There would be an overload of information. The Proctors are happy with a random sample which gives them sufficient information to programme the next batch of humans.”

“Where is this next batch going to be released, not on this world?”

“No, my Proctor said this world is a lost cause and a failed experiment but they are learning important elements in behaviour as society changes and develops socially and economically in time.”

“OK, OK! So where does this leave us?”

“Well my Proctor said that I should not worry my pretty head and carry on as before, both of us doing a good job.”

“He said that, ‘doing a good job?’ That’s the first praise I’ve ever had from my Proctor. This revelation is going to change things I’m sure, though I still feel the same as if I had a body and you now look more lady like to me and even pretty as your Proctor said. But that must be all in our imagination.”

Chapter 15

The intelligence gathering machine was working well and Amis through his innumerable sources discovered a plot against him by some minor officials from the King’s treasury. They had somehow discovered that he was connected to money lending businesses and owned a huge estate, North of the City, in Enfield. Since in their eyes he was a nobody, of no standing and no breeding, they decided to divest him of some of his wealth to bolster up the King’s highly depleted coffers. A number of officials backed by six soldiers rode out to his township on the banks of the Thames away from the City and found to their dismay that there was no palatial building or palace as they were expecting but a series of large warehouses built along the quayside and a harbour basin lined with trading ships. They demanded to see this Amis, the owner of these establishments and were told that he was away riding and wouldn’t be back that day.

They weren’t easily put off so demanded to check out his quarters and were taken up to the top floor of a warehouse where they were amazed at the plush surroundings of his apartment. Since they couldn’t personally hand over their warrant they decided to confiscate or plunder the apartment of gold plate, candelabra and any carpets and tapestries they could carry away. Amis’s secretary Morgan, put up a fierce show of opposition to these thefts but was ignored and told that as they were the King’s emissaries on a mission of collecting taxes. They would be back for more.

The party rode off gleefully with their spoils hoping to receive commendation from their superiors. They were in for a surprise. As they rode back into the City they found it particularly busy, causing them to straggle out in line and be separated to get through the busy traffic. Suddenly they were set upon by thieves and vagabonds who robbed them of their spoils, stripped them of their fine clothes, drove off their horses and for good measure covered them in filth off the road.

That night Morgan recounted the tale of the planned incident to Amis and Lady Katherine for their amusement as they dined. All the stolen items had been restored. A messenger would be sent to the treasury to say that such individual inspired attacks on Amis would end up in even worse disasters. The Chief Treasurer and Chancellor Longchamps were equally warned that their personal stipend would be suspended if any further action was taken against Amis or Lady Katherine.

“Ralf! Are you awake? There’s been a serious incident and both our subjects are probably implicated.”

“Don’t worry my pretty Kate, it’s all under control. I recorded the discussions that they were having last night and having heard that some lowly officials in the King’s treasury were attempting to make a name for themselves off their own bat, Amis had planned an appropriate reception for them to warn  off any repeat performance.”

“But wasn’t it a bit drastic and brutal? These poor people were severely beaten and humiliated. It’s the talk in all the taverns all over London that the Tax men were robbed. Won’t there be any repercussions?”

“I doubt that Katy.  Amis has sent messengers and threats to the treasury that he would stop any further bribes. Anyway, Amis supports both King Richard and King John financially in a big way as we know and they wouldn’t want that flow of monies to stop.”

“I suppose not but what do we do and how do we report this incident?”

“Just Amis and Katherine displaying their acumen as usual. I believe that they used the incident to make a strong point to the treasury. Now I’m off to rest or have you any other plans?”      

           “No but I enjoyed our thing together last night.”

“Well I hope you’re not pregnant? Just look at your face! I was only joking. Ask your Proctor if we can multiply his computer applications?”

“Don’t be silly and go to sleep or should I say hibernate.”

Adolfo, an ex monk, was Amis’s right hand man since he kept his extensive accounts. On a pilgrimage to Canterbury he had suffered a hideous attack by some vagabonds who hadn’t deferred to his religious exclusion from such treatment. Although he had nothing of value to steal he had suffered greatly. His left jaw had been broken leaving him blind in the left eye and a disfigured face which instead of receiving due sympathy from his fellow monks meant that he was shunned. Amis’s benevolence saved him. He had twenty young scribes under him, keeping numerous accounts of his various businesses. At the evening banquet he would refresh Amis as to his wealth and suggest areas that needed further guidance, opportunity and control.

Any ship’s Captain in port would be invited to these banquets and asked to recount his contribution to the overall success of the company. Amis was quite open to his key personnel of how the business was faring and they understood that they shared in the bounty. Katherine was a frequent visitor and often input her suggestions for increasing their wealth by providing valuable gossip and information on members of the Royal Court who were on hard times and needed to sell their land to pay off their considerable debts.

 Some days she would stay on for the night and on others return to her mansion having sent for the palanquin after the first sleep. Huge tranches of valuable land were now held by Amis and with his considerable supply of labour he could maximise its productivity. Transporting goods from A to B needed many horses and carts so Amis imported various breeds from Normandy and began an extensive breeding programme producing large draft animals for carts and ploughs, heavy jousting horses for the Knights and fast Arabian Corsairs for the cavalry.

The head of his military establishment was Claudio, a swarthy Spaniard who had spent and survived most of his life as a mercenary, serving any King or Lord who would pay him most handsomely. His knowledge of battle strategy, siege, and ambush made him an ideal candidate to head up Amis’s need for an army to protect his wealth and holdings. Numerous foot soldiers were returning from the Crusades and didn’t want to return to the drudgery of a peon on their Lord’s land. Instead they volunteered their services to Amis who initially had them trained up to be mariners protecting his fleet and as seamen when required. Claudio persuaded Amis that he should raise an army of at least a thousand men strong that could command a high fee to the war faring Kings and Princes in Europe plus the normal profitable bounty in plunder that accompanied such ventures. At first Amis argued against the number of men he needed until Claudio pointed out the extra number of marines and vigilantes he would have to call on. Then the vastness of the numbers paled into insignificance.

 Claudio sent agents to Europe to recruit suitable warriors and soon he could muster a sizeable force that could swing the odds on victory and accompanying profit. Most of his force were already encamped in France helping in the siege of a castle in a fortified town and could be pulled aside for a more profitable venture. Although the paymasters required that the mercenaries take the full brunt of the battles they also wanted the glory of being on the winning front and since mercenaries were renowned for being fickle in battle they were usually used in the secondary lines and less likely to suffer. Claudio ensured that he had a large contingent of English long bow men and crossbow men who could keep the enemy well at bay so hand to hand fighting was avoided. Generally his troops remained unscathed. The soldiers were well armed, supplied and clad in brilliant yellow and blue tunics over their armour.

 To stand out even more they wore tall helmets of leather which made them appear like giants and they all had horns and small bugles that made a horrendous noise. Claudio had also adopted from his experience of battles in the Steppes of the East, where warriors on fast ponies wore feathers attached to short poles on their backs. These gave off a screech, which turned into a terrifying howl sending shivers down the spines of not only the enemy but his own troops as the rode up and down the lines, waving their sabres and thrusting their lances mainly for show. Claudio reckoned that his patrons got their monies worth.

Amis was now spending more and more time with Lady Katherine, inspecting their domain and hunting and breeding fine horses. In Lady Katherine’s presence he no longer had to wear his mask as she accepted him lovingly as he was, even though his township and abode were locally termed Cripple Town and Cripple Palace which over time took on a less hurtful name of Criptown, Cripton and Criphouse.  Her mansion had been doubled in size to accommodate the treasures she wanted to display and sell on but plans were afoot to build her an even larger mansion with rooms big and luxurious enough to hold Royal Banquets to which the Court could be invited. Amis was reluctant and wanted to avoid the petty envy of the Court but Lady Katherine insisted saying that she hadn’t yet got her full revenge on the Courtiers who in the past had despised her and her husband. She was planning their demise by crippling them with enormous debts which would compel them to sell off their family silver just to survive.

“Hey Ralf are you awake? I’ve been to one of Amis’s evening banquets or get-togethers with his key people. I noticed you weren’t there.”

“No I was resting after a hard day following him and Lady Muck around as they were discussing horses and breeding. It seems that the people on this world are more interested in breeding between wealthy, powerful or influential families than improving their own stock. If they took the same care with their copulation as they did with their horses they would have greater overall intelligence and practical ability and could avoid the dross and the weaklings.”

“I agree and I read somewhere that the Greeks in Trojan times used to leave their babies outside all night and only kept them if they survived.”

“Wouldn’t they be eaten by animals?”

“No silly, they put them safely on their flat roofs.”

“Hey less of the cheek! Tell me what you learned at the banquet, please pretty please?”

“There were lots of ship’s captains there plus Lady Katherine who was looking rather glamorous in a new cloak of silk woven with gold thread. That hideous Military Commander Claudio was there. I don’t like him. I wonder why Amis has taken him on for such an important role?”

“Simple really. Amis reckons he is devious and a survivor so he looks after the mercenary army with care, never attempting to get involved in skirmishes unless he is on the winning side thus protecting Amis’s assets.”

“But if he flees then Amis won’t be paid.”

“Ah but Claudio insists on getting a hefty advance which means if he deserts he will still break even financially. I heard Amis encouraging him to negotiate to switch sides if the armies are evenly matched.”

“But I wouldn’t contract him in the first place with that reputation.”

“Yes but Claudio is a great strategist and a highly experienced commander so he chooses the winning side far more often than not. The Kings and Lords that hire him do it not only for the army he brings, but also for his meticulous battle plans.”

“So what was he droning about tonight?”

“Actually it was quite interesting. He was asking Amis for more funds to have a stock of quickly erected siege towers. Much of the time this army is involved in trying to break into a fortified town or castle. Claudio has earned a reputation for completing the siege in record time and that’s owing to good intelligence either from spies in the towns or by building towers higher than the walls. That way, he can look down and ensure the catapults are hitting the right targets without wasting time and effort.”

“So what’s the money for?”

“He said quite convincingly that rather than the laborious task of felling trees, shaping the timbers and erecting towers, with preformed towers that just needed assembly on site, he could reduce the siege time by at least ten weeks.”

“But isn’t the point of a siege to starve the people to death by cutting off their supplies?”

“Yes, but it’s a costly exercise and rather tedious. The men get fed up and become undisciplined.”

“But as far as I know Claudio is usually called in when there is a stalemate and the siege is floundering and siege towers have already been built?”

“That’s true but Claudio brings certain expertise apart from his deviousness. Listen to this. I overheard that during negotiations Claudio let slip that for equal weight in gold and silver, he would secretly send in a cart of food to the besieged gentry.”

“But that’s just a ploy and I wouldn’t trust that.”

“No but if he did that several times and wasn’t too careful about the treasures in return wouldn’t you start to have some faith in him.”

“Where does that lead to? Full bellies for the Lords and Ladies no doubt and nothing  for the rest of the besieged!”

“That’s where greed dulls the senses of the besieged. They want more. They allow the people to share out the oxen drawing the carts. This keeps them happy whilst the Lords dine on venison, wild boar, game and huge loaves of bread. They ask for more carts and they get more carts until one night the carts get stuck under the double portcullis so that they won’t close properly and in slips a contingent of armed intruders who take over the keep and let in an army hoard ripe for rape and pillage. Claudio said it worked at least three times. The winning Lord usually insists on slaying all the inhabitants and the news of the plan doesn’t spread. Even the Lord or King doesn’t know how Claudio managed to seize the keep and let the intruders in.”

“OK but you still haven’t fully explained the need for these high towers.”

“Simple really. They act as observation points and target the catapults accurately. Once they have been calibrated, by night they shoot huge fire balls full of inflammable oils so the fires spread amongst the timber houses which are usually built against the stone walls. The besieged don’t have the water supply to put them out so many die in the fires. It gets so hot that the stone work can splinter and the shards create even more deaths and injury. If the people don’t burn to death they die of smoke inhalation. Once the fires are alight the catapults then fire bundles of wood to keep the blaze going. The survivors usually capitulate and open the gates to escape and the siege is virtually over.”

“Wow, that’s a terrible tactic but the whole idea of war is something I can’t quite understand.”

“Yes and our Proctor has asked us to study this phenomenon in detail so get out of your cot and get on with the research.”

Chapter 16

Intrigued by Claudio’s tales of sieges, Amis took the opportunity of visiting a town in the Low Countries which had failed to pay its substantial dues to the local Prince. He took umbrage and used force to no avail. After months of costly and fruitless attempts he contracted the task to Claudio. The township, upset by the crippling taxes had fortified itself with arms and food in readiness for the battle ahead. It was the first week of the siege by Claudio’s troops so the operation was in its preliminary stages. The Prince had insisted that he didn’t want the town destroyed as it was a source of valuable income. So the use of catapults and fire was not an option. Various ruined siege weapons lay scattered in the surrounding fields as the inmates of the town sent out sorties in the middle of the night to do damage to the Princes’ troops.

The first thing that Amis was shown was a high barricade built at the mouth of each gatehouse to prevent further incursions. The wooden drawbridges had also been burned. Amis surmised that they could be replaced easily after the town had fallen. The carpenters were busy constructing an armadillo, a large strong arched cover that could be moved close to the walls and provide protection for the men beneath. Claudio explained that the main purpose of the armadillo was to allow his men to safely fill in the moat. At a later stage a high siege tower or engine as it was called could be pushed up to the wall and troops could storm over the high drawbridge.

 Climbing up to the top of the observation tower, which was higher than the walls, Amis could see that the town’s folk were building a containment wall inside to hold back the attacking warriors once they had crossed the city walls. Claudio dismissed their attempts as futile since he intended to bomb that area heavily prior to the final attack. The ruined catapults were being repaired and new ones were being brought up for the final assault. A huge powerful crossbow, a Ballista, was set up and was accurately knocking down the crenulations on the defensive wall. Claudio admitted that this was more to show the defenders that he was serious and had the equipment to knock down their walls. He also noticed that a huge battering ram was being constructed but Claudio assured Amis that it was also for show to worry the town’s people and was unlikely to be used.

Claudio then explained that he would fill in the moat at various sites and position tower engines in readiness to confuse the town’s soldiers. In the meantime whilst his men were working he was going to try and negotiate with the town’s Council of Elders in order to come up with a solution or compromise. The quicker the siege was over, the less plunder his soldiers would take. That was the negotiating point. The former commander who had abandoned the project said that frequently the town’s soldiers would rush out of all gates to create a diversion whilst other soldiers came from the rear and did damage to the towers and catapults. He couldn’t explain where these troops came from. With his devious mind Claudio reckoned that the town had employed mercenaries or surrounding villagers to attack from the rear on these occasions.

 To combat this he had built barricades at the gatehouse, burned the drawbridges, rounded up the men folk in the surrounding villages and set them to work as slaves to fill in the moats and cut stone at the local quarry for ammunition for his catapults. Each night two mounted patrols with war dogs would ride continuously around the town to check on any intruders. He also had dogs sniffing the area to find possible hidden tunnel entrances.

Amis was impressed by the thoroughness of Claudio’s preparation and that night they discussed the opportunity of turning tables on the Prince and relieving him of his treasures at his castle. Claudio assured Amis that he would send regular patrols back to the Castle to inform the Prince of their progress and bring back intelligence so that they could hatch a plan to take over both towns with minimum risk. Amis suggested that the first wave of attack should be troops belonging to the Prince. They should have the glory and face the initial danger. This would weaken the forces back at the castle. A devious plan was hatched with little risk to his troops and maximum gain in bounty.

The siege was over in six weeks, the time it took to rebuild the six siege towers and position them in the filled in moats. The Prince and entourage arrived in style at the head of his army. A banquet was laid out prior and then the Prince and his followers were invited to climb the lookout tower to observe the course of the battle. Looking down the Prince could see the town’s soldiers at the ramparts and along the containing wall in readiness for the first onslaught. Claudio’s troops sounded the start of the battle with ear splitting trumpets and drums and the catapults started firing huge stones at the area of the newly built containing walls. Other catapults shot blazing balls of fire into the containment area which, because of the smoke, totally obliterated the area from view. Under cover of the smoke, the drawbridges were lowered at the siege towers and the Prince’s troops stormed over. This took place on six positions along the town wall. The defending troops in town were at the ready having been fully primed by Claudio of the plan. Claudio’s troops followed, held back a while, then instead, attacked the Prince’s troops from the rear under the cover of smoke. It was a total rout with the defending soldiers suffering considerable losses and the Princes troops annihilated. The portcullis of the main gate was raised and gates opened in sign of surrender. The town had capitulated to cheers and much horn blowing by Claudio’s soldiers. 

The Prince and his party on top of the observation tower cheered and threw coins to the soldiers below. Suddenly they found their exit blocked and were trapped, prisoners on the tower with no means of escape. After much heated negotiations a ransom price was set and a messenger was sent to the castle to open the Prince’s vaults and hand over the contents to Claudio’s men. The Town Council also contributed much wealth to settle their side of the bargain. The besieging army quickly dismantled their observation towers, catapults, Ballistas and on many bullock carts, retreated with their ill gotten wealth. 

“Hey Kate, guess where I’ve been? Well you’ll never guess so I’ll tell you. You know Amis went to the Low Countries to see a town under siege, well I stayed on and shadowed Claudio.”

“Why would you do that and how could you?”

“Well I did and it wasn’t too difficult.”

“But what about his own shadow, did you see him or make contact?” 

“I didn’t see him or make contact but I did feel a presence and felt unwanted at first. Now let me tell you. I overheard my Amis and Claudio scheming and recorded every word for my Proctor. It was most intriguing what they were planning so I stayed behind to witness the outcome. It all seemed unscrupulous and I didn’t know how to take it. The plan seemed to be directed at both the Prince and the Town Councillors who felt badly done to with exorbitant taxes. When I looked into the finances of the town they were quite prosperous but were greedy enough to keep the wealth they had earned and thought the Prince wasn’t doing enough for them. The plan that Amis hatched would deplete both the Prince and town of wealth and armed men so they would have to soldier on for ten years or more before the same conflict would raise its ugly head.”

“So how did this all work out and where were Claudio’s men involved?”

“Simple beyond belief! He got the Prince’s men to attack from the siege towers under the cover of smoke and they found themselves attacked by Claudio’s men from the rear. The town’s folk army suffered badly and the Prince’s men were all wiped out so that both armies were thoroughly weakened. The Prince looking down from the tower thought everything was going his own way when suddenly he found himself a prisoner, pleading for his life. Claudio came away laden with huge amounts of treasure and valuables from both sides whilst the others went off licking their own wounds wondering why and who started this silly affray. I expect they will think twice about starting such a conflict again. My research however suggests that these people have short memories and don’t learn from their mistakes but would allow a third party like Amis and Claudio to take advantage. Amis’s coffers are going to be fuller than ever and his army already has another siege to attend to in Gascony if you can believe it?”        

 “What I don’t understand Ralf is why Amis accepts this scoundrel, thief, liar, murderer, rapist, turncoat who is just as likely to rob him.”

 “Well that sums him up nicely, but Claudio knows which side his bread is buttered on. Where would he stash away his ill gotten gains? Amis reinvests them for him in his own ventures and already has doubled Claudio’s holdings. Claudio reckons and boasts that he would prefer Amis to steal his fortune rather than some unknown vagabond. It’s also what my Proctor described as a win-win situation. They feed from each other, a sort of symbiotic relationship. I don’t think Amis fully trusts him and I know he has well paid spies in Claudio’s camp.”

“Have you got any further with your studies of warfare and the reasons for it?”

“My head hurts with the complexity of it all. The only thing that makes any sense are the Crusades where the participants believe they will be absolved of all their sins and end up in their heaven rather than suffer in hell. At least that has a modicum of sense.”

“I agree with you on that but what confuses me more than anything else is that the Lords with their Knights are always so eager to get into the front of the fray and expose themselves to mortal danger, charging with lances, in full armour on huge horses. If I was them I would send in the poor foot soldiers first to take the brunt of the fight. I suspect it’s glory they are after having trained so much at jousting and competitive combat. If they fall off their horse they also hope that their Squire will come to the rescue or else they might be taken prisoner and have to pay a hefty ransom only to do it all over again in the next conflict.”

“But Ralf many of them die or return home with horrible wounds. Where’s the glory in that?”

“I don’t know yet Kate and my Proctor has set me an impossible task to find out. I know they fight for power, land and to achieve an important position in life but it seems so difficult to comprehend why they should take part in such mortal conflicts. It’s the men that lead it.”

“Yes but according to my Lady Katherine it’s the women or ladies that egg the men on. You should see the Ladies screeching and yelling at the tournaments as if their lives depended on it. You have a hard task to unravel there Ralf.”

 

Chapter 17

Lady Katherine was attending an evening banquet where almost all of Amis’s key persons were in attendance. She was eager to impart some information, “I have some interesting news to impart from the Royal Court where I’ve been most of the day. Lady Caroline was there, a distant cousin of that important Baron, the Duke of Devonshire who she’s fallen out with in a big way. She approached me with her entourage of witches whilst I was chatting to a large group of friends ready to attend the Queen and she dared to say, ‘Lady Katherine, you have caused me a grievous problem and I want you to take back all the items you thrust upon me.’ I already knew about her problem. It was buzzing around the court so I said, ‘I’m not sure I can help you with your dire financial problems and I don’t recall giving you or selling you any items.’ The whole place hushed and listened to our confrontation.

 ‘You gave me rich tapestries, Florentine statues and French paintings that you had in your salon.’ She said that with venom and the witches nodded their heads and were baying for blood so I replied, ‘I like to surround myself with beautiful things and I do remember that you visited on frequent occasion, not through my invitation. It is well known that merchants provide me with rich items to display as a show window. They are certainly not mine to give away.’ She replied caustically, ‘You distinctly said I could have the items I liked!’ I replied, ‘I would have said they can be yours if you like them. Not mine to give away. Your Reeve or Purser signed off for them as a purchase when the merchant delivered them to your mansion. Now you’re telling me that you can’t or won’t pay. Or do you want me to pay for them and save you some embarrassment in your financial predicament.’ 

Well she stuttered for the moment whilst most of the crowd started to snigger and laugh behind their fans then she started on another tack, ‘I understand that you are cavorting with that commoner and cripple called Amis?’ so I replied, ‘Yes, I am a frequent visitor since he helped me out in a similar predicament to that in which you find yourself at the moment. I was a poor widow and he helped me out financially and with sound advice. You on the other hand, when I was in need, scorned me and had me banished from the Court as a pauper.’ I rubbed salt into the wounds by saying, ‘Your Uncle, the Duke of Devonshire should help you and save you from a debtor’s prison. If he won’t help you, then you should escape to France. I charter a regular ship to there from Amis and need to see him regularly about the cargoes. I can inquire for you.’

 That put her into her place and by now the audience started to mock her openly. But she hadn’t finished yet. ‘You go riding and hunting with this Amis on your estate.” I replied, ‘So do many other people including Dukes and even King John on one occasion. Even now it isn’t my estate. I lease the land and manage it.’ She retorted, ‘But you have been seen riding together alone.’ ‘But of course,’ I replied, ‘Amis has an expert eye on which horse should breed with another to improve the line. I have to manage my own estate prudently and much of my current wealth comes from the sale of fine steeds.’

This still didn’t satisfy her as the colour rose in her face. ‘You have extended your mansion recently. Where did that wealth come from? We know,’ she said with a sly wink. I smiled and said, ‘I lease the house and it was my landlord’s choosing to extend. I have no need of extra space and I give away my surplus wealth on worthy causes such as donations to King Richard and his Crusades and also to King John who needs capital to govern the Country.’

 “That left her speechless and with the open applause from my friends she turned tail and ran out of the Court with her coven of witches. Even some of them hesitated, I noticed. I have got my revenge on the bully who made my life miserable in my hour of need. When Queen Isabella hears of this she will ban her from court since the Duke of Devonshire won’t help her.”

“Three cheers for Lady Katherine and her quest,” shouted Adolfo and others took up the cheers with much fist thumping on the table. She now had Lady Frances in her sights for the next fall from grace.

“Hey Ralf, I’ve just got back from the Queen Isabella’s court and Lady Caroline confronted our Katherine who stood up to her and in the sweetest way told her that the Queen wouldn’t accept a bankrupt as one of her Ladies in Waiting at Court.”

“Where did all this happen? Was it before the Queen?”

“No, no, it was in the outer chamber whilst the Queen was preening herself ready for her grand entrance. All the Ladies were there and Lady Caroline let rip at Katherine hoping for backing from her so called friends but she failed.”

“What was her reasoning?”

“Well she accused Katherine of giving her paintings and luxury furniture, not selling it and she wanted Katherine to take it all back including the bills of supposed purchase. Well all the Ladies there had purchased items from Katherine and knew the score. They had also heard that Lady Caroline was now penniless. Our Katherine just pointed out that these items were not hers to sell. She was just displaying them in her mansion. Many of the Ladies having witnessed Lady Caroline’s downfall were braying at her and she left to much applause for Kathrine.”

“I heard from Amis that he had sent in all her creditors to demand moneys owing and that the bailiffs were at her door. Do you know that she tried to send away and hide the most expensive items, probably to sell on again but Amis’s bailiffs stopped the carts and beat up the hauliers badly so they won’t now go near her Manor House. All the roads are being watched and one of the jewellers actually stopped her carriage and with a bailiff demanded she handed over the jewels she was wearing plus the ones in her jewel box which she intended hiding somewhere.”

“Lady Caroline was a nasty bit of work. She had wormed herself into the Queen’s grace and treated the other Ladies horribly. Our Katherine would come from court and cry herself to sleep and only attended court on her husband’s insistence.”

“Now who is her next target?”

“Well it’s Caroline’s number two, Lady Mary whose husband is away at the Crusades. He has promised King Richard an army of a thousand men but he hasn’t the men on his estate to do so. So he has to resort to hiring mercenaries at great cost and who should suddenly appear on the scene? Amis’s agent offering not only to provide the fully equipped men but also the transport to the Holy Land?”

“So where is the catch? How will this create Mary’s downfall?”

“The Duke of Craster hasn’t the money to fund such a venture so has gone to money lenders who happen to be Amis’s own. Now having borrowed the money, instead of paying the mercenaries a deposit he’s spent it at the Court of King John. The army is now in revolt and has raided all the tithe barns of grain, selling it off as part payment for their upkeep.”

“But can’t he just borrow more?”

“That’s what he’s done but Amis has now turned off the tap for more funds until the Duke has repaid some interest. To do so he is selling off huge parts of his estate. This is on a downward slope for him because he won’t get the rents or tithes to pay the money lenders. It won’t be long before he has to renege on Richard and announce his own bankruptcy. Then Lady Mary will also be in disgrace. They are now plotting the downfall of other Dukes and Ladies in a similar manner.”

Chapter 18

At a banquet where most of his Sea Captains were present Amis made a surprise announcement, “I want us to start trading with the Netherlands and ship direct to the Rhine delta, where the profits are twice that of Normandy.”

“Yes, but there is twenty times the danger, that’s why we cart overland to Antwerp so as not to lose to the pirates,” said one of the senior Captains. Most of the others nodded in agreement.

“What if we wipe out the danger as we did on the Normandy route?” replied Amis quickly. By now the guests at his evening dinners understood his mumbling speech and no longer tittered. They had learned to take him seriously. Another Captain commented, “Others have tried it before by sending ships in convoy but the pirates just gang up so that there might be up to six of their ships attacking ordinary poorly armed trading ships.”

“I understand,” answered Amis then questioned, “Where are they getting their information from?” A junior Captain broke in.

“The ships usually stop on the Suffolk coast to provision and no doubt some bird flies and informs the pirate fleet. I believe the rumour is that many of their ships are English.”

“Good point there Captain Roberts. What if we send a fleet and bypass the Suffolk coast? And just in case we have spies in our camp here we say that the ships are sailing to Normandy as usual.”

“Good point Amis, Sir but with the extra provisions and water it would be easy for a spy to guess that we are embarking on a different route.”

“Well said Captain Fredrickson! OK any suggestions how we deal with these pirates and eliminate the problem as we have done on our regular route?”

“We could send ships out with additional marines as protection,” suggested Captain Naylor.

“But my understanding from sailors who have escaped the pirates on this route is that they attack in force. At least two ships onto one trader and there will be six or seven ships attacking a convoy,” said Captain Warwick raising his voice in resignation.  

“OK, this is what we do,” broke in Amis. “Firstly we add a forecastle to each of three ships and raise the rear castle. Then we arm these with ballistas, the large frame crossbows. These three ships will sail as a convoy with some cargo of fine wool but the main cabins will be filled with seasoned marines. Secondly we will carry an innocuous pile of timber on deck which will hide a contingent of marines when pirates are spotted. Thirdly our tactic will be to allow the pirates to board before we attack them. A boarding party will swing into action against them. We will also send our own spies along the coast of Suffolk and more on the Normandy coast to check out the pirate ships and report back what effect we are having. Any questions?”

“Yes Amis Sir, what if we are attacked by two ships simultaneously?” asked Captain Jenkins.

“Then we have to develop tactics to deal with that situation. I would suggest that the second ship is held off initially by the ballistas with fire balls and our longbow archers until the first capitulates. We take no prisoners. Understood? Now I shall leave you Captains to draw up the details for my consideration by next week or even earlier. I’ll leave you to it. Would the non Captains leave with me and let them do the planning. Good night all.”

The Captains worked all night making plans and discussing strategies. Most of them, especially the senior Captains were familiar with attacking pirates and seizing ships but plans and a list of actions had to be finalised so that Captain Fredrickson could present them to Amis next day. There was a buzz amongst the Captains and all wanted to volunteer for the task, so straws were drawn for the privilege and the three youngest won the draw.

Amis reviewed the plans thoroughly and although he would have liked to have his more seasoned Captains on the task he agreed to give the novices a chance. He stipulated however that seasoned officers would be in charge of the marines. A date was set three weeks ahead for the convoy of three ships to set sail. 

The cargo was loaded and the ships provisioned for a lengthy sail so any spies could fathom out the destination and forewarn the pirates. In mid estuary of the Thames the ships were met by other ships carrying the additional marines and provisions under the cover of darkness. They followed the traditional route hugging the coast of Suffolk before crossing the sea to the mouth of the Rhine delta. On the third day the pirates were spotted in force. The ships put on maximum sail to attempt to outrun the pirates but the pirates soon caught up. There were seven pirate ships but it was difficult to tell the strength of the boarding parties. It was generally assumed that the traders would give up without much fight being so out numbered.

The traders sailed in close line and prepared by putting up boarding nets which would slow down the boarders. This was the usual tactic that the pirate ships would expect. What they wouldn’t expect was the massive force of marines on board, hidden in cabins and in the false wood piles plus the number of longbow men in the castles aided by ballistas which would shoot balls of fire at the pirate ships.  As the ships closed they were met by a hail of arrows many hitting their mark as the pirates crowded their decks brandishing their weapons and shouting their war cries. The ballistas chose the furthest ship away and sent blazing balls of oil, which set the ships alight and slowed their progress.

The Pirate ships closed as they threw their grappling irons and their boarding parties swung into action, cutting down the netting. To their amazement the boarding nets were loosely strung and collapsed entangling the first party of boarders. The rest of the boarders encouraged by the collapse of the nets swarmed aboard yelling and screaming to be met by a wall of silence. They paused for a moment unsure of what to expect and with the ringing of the ships bell they were met by a hail of crossbow bolts from the cabins and the slots in the pile of timber stacked in the middle of the ship. None of the boarders survived whilst archers in the castles picked off the pirates and sailors left on deck. Suddenly a stream of heavily armed marines swept onto the pirate’s ship and ensured that no one remained alive. Then the marines returned to their ship allowing the pirate on the starboard side to float away whilst they prepared to deal with the second pirate ship on the port side in a similar manner. Two pirate ships managed to escape but five were captured. The wounded men were questioned as to their home port then thrown overboard. The five ships were manned and the convoy of eight sailed into the Port of Antwerp without further incidence. The marines all transferred to the captured ships which anchored offshore and rested, ready to set sail back home with a return cargo.

When the three cargo vessels were loaded they set sail under the cover of darkness and the marines were transferred back in readiness for more pirate attacks. The five captured ships remained at anchor off shore with a small jury crew and eventually would be fully manned by Amis’s sailors to add to his fleet. More pirates attacked the returning convoy off the coast of Suffolk and four more ships were captured. A total of nine pirate ships and crews were removed from this lucrative route and Amis wondered how many pirates remained to be dealt with. His spies from Suffolk reported that a number of their ships had sunk with all men lost in a storm even though local fishermen hadn’t reported any undue weather.

Amis made a decision that on the next trip he would send a convoy of five ships fully laden since the trade was so lucrative, opening up business in the Rhine valley which was a traditional route for goods from the Far East. He set up a permanent trading station in the Port of Antwerp and rented a large warehouse to store goods in transit. All his Captains were given a hefty bonus and word spread around London Docks that Amis had found a safe way to trade with the Low Countries and the Rhine Lands. Business was picking up.

Within nine months over thirty pirate ships were eliminated on this route and trading ships could operate the route with impunity although they had to pay Amis a tax to guarantee their safety. His and associate ships had to fly Amis’s special flag showing three eels. Amis could now bypass the traders in Normandy for goods from the Far East and trade direct.

“Hey Ralph have you been following what Amis has been doing lately?”

“What?”

“Well this business of a new route to the Low Countries.”

“Of course I know about it and have been not only following it but reporting the detail to my Proctor.”

“Well it’s been upsetting my Lady Katherine.”

“Why on earth is she so sensitive these days? What part of this plan is upsetting her? He’s only cleared out the pirates and opened a new trade route.”

“Yes, but not only has he been clearing the pirates but he’s sent his army to burn all the villages along the coast of Suffolk, killing a lot of families and making many homeless.”

“Is that what’s upsetting her, the poor thing. Let me explain that he’s been clearing out nests of pirates and especially the rich men that have been supporting them. He’s even done the same on the Normandy coast, all the way to Antwerp.”

“It all seems rather brutal don’t you think?”

“Brutal it may be but essential to build up the trade across to the Netherlands and even up to Northern England and Scotland. Ships can now sail freely along the North Sea and develop valuable trade.”

“Not freely Ralph, they have to pay dues to Amis’s agents and it’s also upsetting the Royal Court. The Barons are outraged.”

“Well the information you have to get your Dear Lady Katherine to spread about is that the entry to the Thames Estuary from the North was being pirated by patronage of the Duke of Norfolk. He controls most of that area and ships belonging to the lands of the Duke of Northumberland were being sacked by his great friend at Court. I bet that wasn’t known?”

“I shall tell, my Lady Katherine or at least plant that thought in her mind.”

“And tell her that Amis or his agents have struck a deal with the King and a portion of the tax flows into his empty coffers. Woe be tide anyone who upsets that flow. Not only does Amis know how to open and exploit new trade routes, he now has Royal patronage. There are no flies on him. Sorry, I’m picking up local phrases and jargon.”

“I shall ensure I inform my Lady Katherine of what you told me and that may allay her fears.”

“Now how is she getting on with the revenge thing at Court?”

“Well she has managed to oust another two of the Ladies that made her life hell but there are four more to go. Lady Mary is about capitulate on her devious plans. Her husband, the Duke of Craster is selling off his lands as fast as possible but that won’t get him out of the mire with money lenders. They are getting rough and King Richard is expecting a fully equipped troop to be sent out to him for his Crusades.”

“Amis’s agents are buying up his land but giving him ever such low prices. I bet you don’t know what he does with the lands he’s bought all over Southern England?”

“No, but you’re going to tell me.”

“Well Kate, most of the lands are split into strip fields and some come with farmers, some not. What he does or at least his agents are told to do is plough up all the land into one or two big fields and plant them with one crop from edge to edge, no wastage. After all the agents can call on the manpower needed from the pool. The hillier lands he converts to sheep pasture for wool.”

“What does he do with the people that are dispossessed? That must be a hopeless situation for them.”

“Hopeless! Hopeless, where did you get that from? Most of them are half starved. Some stay on the land as caretakers or shepherds and the rest are brought to London and form the pool of labour that Amis needs. They are all better fed, clothed and looked after than before by their minor landlords so there’s nothing hopeless in their situation. Do you know the word has got around about this benefactor in London and lots of families are ignoring the tithes levied by their lords and running off here for a better life?”

“Can Amis accommodate them all?”

“Amis is short of labour with all of his businesses. He even invites people, especially skilled people, from Normandy to come here. The locals are employed as labourers on the docks, sailors or trained as craftsmen. When farming needs hands he supplies them at times of harvesting, seed sowing, ploughing, weeding and so on. The yields from his fields are phenomenal. Do you know his latest venture that even your Lady Katherine is involved with?”

“I presume you mean the horse breeding. I know that they are now breeding these huge Percherons, or what I call carthorses. These are used for ploughing, carting and to carry knights with all their heavy armour. I bet you don’t know this? It was the rogue Claudio put him onto it. He needed these large horses from Normandy to pull his siege guns about the country. Have you seen them? They are huge monsters.”  

“Of course I’ve seen them. In fact I followed Amis and his small band of mercenaries to Normandy to Aliers, a small town that was having a three day horse fair where these Percherons were the star show. I thought he was going to buy some but oh no, Amis and his band stole all the show horses, over four hundred of them, in the middle of the night and drove them off to the coast. No one spotted the theft until early morning. The grooms and guards had been overpowered, tied up and carried off so that they wouldn’t give the game away. In fact the fair organisers suspected the grooms of stealing the horses, not a band of robbers.”

“I presume Amis wanted the best horses for his breeding programme. He’s now got well over nine hundred of them and all the mares are with foal. That reminds me Ralph, do you remember when we talked about copulation and procreation? We haven’t done that thing for quite a while?”

“Well we will have to try again sometime. It was quite nice. Do you remember us talking about the people taking more care in breeding animals than their own paring? Well Amis has started marrying off his young girls to his single men. He gets the single men to sit in the yard, drinking ale and playing dice whilst the girls look them over through slatted shutters and choose themselves a husband.”

“What if the man doesn’t like the girl? What happens then? Do they have a choice?”

“No, the man has to take part in the next selection so misses out. There doesn’t seem any pressure but most accept and they get to live in a small room all to themselves. But there is no special selection of the best breed.”

“Why does he bother to do that?”

“Well it seems that both the men and women desire a wife or a husband and get quite unruly and broody, so this solves the problem. They organise a mass ceremony and have a sort of feast with music and dancing before the bride and grooms go off to their rooms with a bawdy send off. It seems to work and the partners appear to be happy. Also they are all healthy, well fed and shod making them more attractive.”

“Look, I’m getting that urge again so I think we should do it.”

Chapter 19

August was hot and dry so harvesting was brought forward. For Amis this meant sending all of his boys, girls, men, women, mercenary soldiers, sailors, servants and marines into the countryside to scythe the grains, sheave and stook them in readiness for threshing and milling. Since Amis had extensive land holdings, bought for him in other names, he even suspended his sea trade to get the manpower to get the crops in. His lieutenants, who often appeared on the deeds as the owners organised the workers and the movement of the grains. The sheaves were stacked carefully on carts with the grain ears pointing inwards to reduce loss and carted off to his extensive threshing barns situated near his mills. This was all done on an industrial scale unknown at the time. 

Unfortunately a number of unscrupulous local Lords and Knights maintained that they were still entitled to the tithes from their former holdings. They would arrive with a force of armed men and take away a portion of the harvest that they thought fit. This infuriated Amis but little he could do at the time. Many months later these local Lords had a visit from a gang of thieves who not only carted off the contents of their tithe barns but burnt them down and ran off with the Lord’s horses and bullocks. The robbers were never found though Amis’s storage barns had a healthy influx of goods and the horses were sold on in various fairs around the country.

To compensate their huge losses the Lords would have to sell more of their land which Amis and his agents were quite eager to snap up offering a generous sum to ensure purchase. Although his lands were scattered Amis was probably one of the largest landowners in England, close behind the King and his key Barons.

 Lady Katherine was continuing her personal war of vengeance against the Ladies in Waiting at the Court who had bullied her mercilessly and was now winning many battles without her being implicated. Amis was spending most of his time with his horses and training his lieutenants, captains, and marine commanders to become good managers, be responsible and make decisions without constantly referring to him. His little township of Cripton on the North bank of the Thames was constantly expanding and he gave the command of this project to a Knight that had been invalided in the Crusades.  Lord Leominster had lost all of his lands through his father who gambled the estate away with cards and dice whilst his son was away, leaving his family in poverty. After his father had died, Lord Leominster offered his services to Amis who recognised his innate abilities and took him on and eventually promoted him to be in charge of the development and good operation of his township and port.

Lord Leominster had further uses in that he had been a regular member of the Court and could introduce Amis to the important and influential people there. An audience was arranged with the King’s Chancellor, Lord Longchamps who had been appointed by King Richard but also had to serve King John, his brother, whilst he was away on the Crusades.

“Mr. Amis, welcome, I have heard much about you but we have never met. What brings you to my office?”

“I’m grateful that you have the time to see me my Lord in your busy schedule. As you are aware I have supported both King Richard and John with substantial donations of cash and ships to support the Crusades. You may also be aware that I have opened a profitable trading route to the Netherlands leading to the Rhinelands by ridding the seas of pirates. You must have noticed the healthy increase in taxes emanating from that route. I wish to apply for a Royal Charter to expand the trade routes to our Colonies in Ireland,” mumbled Amis with occasional help from Lord Leominster who was used to Amis’s speech.

“There is already healthy trade on that route my dear Amis. What could you do to expand it?”

“I could double if not quadruple the trade with equal amounts in tax for the Royal Treasury, firstly by shipping in more horses and secondly eliminating the pirates which are eating into any profits to be made. Thirdly as a sponsor Your Worship would be able to raise a personal levy which would rise with the number of ships I would operate on this route.”

“Interesting my dear Amis and you reckon you could achieve this? Others have tried and failed. I don’t want to be associated with any failed project.”

“I understand your Lordship. I so believe in the success of the venture that I am prepared to advance you a substantial levy to show my interest and confidence that the venture will be a success for us both financially.”

“I will send a messenger to you later today of King John’s decision. I’m sure it will be favourable.”

“May I present you with this fine box full of jewels that you can present to King John on your behalf and a small advance on the levy,” said Amis handing over a small exquisite box and a hefty bag of coins as Lord Longchamps spilled the jewels across the table and greedily sorted through them.”

“Well, well, the King surely likes his baubles and will agree to anything on the sight of these this afternoon. On another matter, I hear there has been a spate of robberies across the land.”

“Yes your Lordship. I am aware and have had to place guards across my land holdings. The rumour mill suggests that they are associated with incidents where local Lords and Knights have demanded tithes from lands that they had no right to, having sold them on. The current landowners are under scrutiny.”

“My informants tell me that the current landowners are of lowly peasant stock and probably have a rich patron. I hope we don’t have a reoccurrence of such unpleasantness.”

“I’m sure Your Highness will spread the word about the illicit tithes the Knights are demanding and I will deal with these vagabonds as I’ve dealt with the pirates on my trade routes. Many thanks for this audience which I hope will be advantageous to us both.” With that Amis bowed and reversed out of the room followed by Leominster as Longchamps smiled in anticipation of more monies flowing into his personal coffers.

“He seem well informed our greedy Longchamps,” uttered Amis to Leominster as they were leaving the Palace.

“He has spies everywhere and pays well for accurate information. I believe he has spies in our camp. I shall do my utmost to weed them out.”

“Don’t be rid of them. They may be useful to us and pass on misinformation or we may be able to turn them into double agents. In fact let it widely be known that any greedy Lord who takes claim to tithes on land he’s sold off will be punished more severely next time with his manor or castle in flames. Announce that the new landowners of these parcels of land have clubbed together to protect their assets and have the strength and moreover resources to protect themselves.”

“Yes my Lord or should I say Highness or Worship. You know how to appease and flatter our greedy Chancellor. He was certainly preening himself with your inflated addresses. You know that he supports our absent King Richard and is at odds with John. He sent him off to be King of Ireland but he made such a mess of that that Richard had him removed from that position and now he is King without a Kingdom unless our Richard is foolish enough to have his head chopped off in battle.”

“Come on, let’s get home and away from all this political and greedy mess. It costs me a fortune to keep these wolves but at least it keeps them at bay and allows me much freedom. Now how is my beloved Katherine doing in her quest at Court?”

“Very well but she is becoming too bold and may upset the Queen who is not on her side and puts up with her since she provides her with such fabulous gifts of cloth and paintings.”

“Don’t forget the little purses she hands secretly to the Queen. I’ll tell her to lay low for a while over the summer. Now how are you and your dear family doing in the new accommodation that I have provided for you?”

“We are very grateful but Ellen is concerned about the heating in the winter and cleaning such a big place.”

“Don’t worry yourself on that score. Get a couple of maids or young lads to help out and there’s plenty of timber in my forests. You need to send some woodcutters out there so that we have a good supply of seasoned wood for next winter. We are growing fast and don’t forget my supply of fragrant apple wood. I can’t stand the smell of all the horse shit and human excrement in this heat.”

“I’ll get an extra shift on that. Tell me something?”

“What?”

“Where did you get that pretty face of yours, was it in battle? We hear tales of you as a ferocious fighter, cutting people in two with your axe when you were a young lad. I know for my pains that you are a tiger with the staff. No one will take you on even some seasoned fighters like Claudio who isn’t afraid of anybody.”

“Well I was fortunately born with it. I say fortunately since I had to fare for myself and be enterprising from a very young age otherwise I would have been stoned to death by my bullies. My pretty face as you call it frightened off more than would have a go but I always carried a staff and I learned to use it with a vengeance. My only dismay is my cleft palate which I know affects my speech. Even that has its benefits in that people take me for a dullard and try to take advantage.”

“To their cost I’m sure. Even Longchamps thought he could get the better of you but you saw his weakness.”

“All these men of high office are desperately short of money and can be bought for several pieces of silver. They have to put on the full pomp and build huge palaces which eventually are their downfall when the incumbent King takes a liking to them. Just count the fallen heads.”

“Is that why you haven’t bought a position for yourself?”

“I have no need for it and I’m happier looking after my own interests than having to bow and crawl in Court.”

“Yes but those who do further their own interest and get endowments from the King.”

“It’s only a loan and when they fail to pay with interest and their loyalty, the axe man takes it all away.”

“Why haven’t you married your Lady Katherine and have a family to take over when you retire?”

“As you probably know that my good lady is barren with all the abuse she suffered in Court. I have fathered a number of brats with my local wenches that keep my bed warm when the Lady is away. Also if we married she would never be allowed in Court and take her vengeance. What people gossip about is their own affair but again money talks. She is free with it and I give her a large allowance not that she needs it. She makes a fortune from the commissions she gets on the sale of luxurious artefacts to the so called rich and powerful and the social climbers who require to show off their wealth and style.”

“That reminds me Amis, the second wing of her mansion is finished and ready for your inspection.”

“Why my inspection, surely the Lady herself has approved?”

“I hope that I’m not letting the cat out of the bag but I believe the Lady has a surprise for you and would like you to be in awe of the splendour there in.”

“Oh I see. She would like me to go and inspect progress and kick the appropriate ass to get the job finished to my satisfaction.”

“That’s what I’m aware of and I have been tasked with reminding you that an inspection visit from you is overdue and that she hasn’t time with her Courtly duties. I need a date and time so that she can arrange a banquet and invite some of her closest friends to die with envy.”

“If that’s the effect it’s going to have why doesn’t she invite those Ladies in Waiting that she hates so much and do away with them all in one go?”

“I like your jest Amis but promise to be truly impressed. She has worked hard and been an even harder taskmaster on the artisans. I’ve had to build more permanent dwellings for these art specialists from France, Italy, Spain and even Tunis so that they can bring their families over and work for us permanently. They are the best we could muster and they will be in great demand particularly with Lady Katherine’s patronage.”

“Don’t you hanker after you old life as a Knight?”

“No, not any more since I joined you. You took me and my family as paupers without any prejudice and allowed me to work for you. You fed us, clothed us and gave us a roof over our heads when we were really down on our knees and none of our so called friends would help, just disowned us. You were our saviour.”

“Hey don’t go on, it wasn’t for altruistic reasons. I needed and always need labour so I take in any down and out, look after them and they generally serve me well. In your case I was hoping for someone who knew his way around our small world and I could make use of you and here you are, a kind of Lord Mayor of our town.”

“Well we will always be indebted to you and you can count on my loyalty. I had news from Claudio this morning. He is sending over another shipload of pillage and for some reason forty slaves. I have arranged a ship to pick up the goods and will arrange the sale. What do you want me to do with the slaves?”

“I did happen to mention in my last message that we were short of labour so he sends me slaves. Tell him that I’m not paying for slaves but I’ll incorporate this lot with the rest of my folk. Check them out for any special attributes. It’s just as likely he has cleared out an artisan quarter in some besieged town and there may be some skilled artisans amongst them.”

“If that is the case shall I provide them with suitable quarters and get their families to join them?”

“Do that, then they are more likely to stay and work with a will. I’ll get my Lady to get commissions for them. I somehow don’t think Claudio would send me dross. If they were skilled soldiers he would have taken them on himself.”

“How does he pay his mercenaries? He seems to have a growing band.”

“He promises them a daily rate with all found and a portion of the booty they collect. He generally sends the stuff over to me and we dispose of it to the highest bidder.”

“What do you do with the proceeds and how does he disperse it to his troops?”

“I take a portion, Claudio takes a portion and the rest is divided and allocated to the men under his command.”

“Yes but why should they trust him I mean?”

“Every month my accounts send him a summary of the total each soldier has earned. He then has the option of drawing out up to half or leave it in the pot. The other option they have is to invest it, like money lending, then over a year they double their money. Same with Claudio, he invests all of his takings with me and I’ve made him a fortune.”

“What if the soldier is killed or is injured?”

“If he dies his money goes to his family if he has one. Not many do. The injured ones usually ask for their money and we set them up safely somewhere.”

“Sounds very beneficial, is that why they stay with Claudio?”

“They know they get a better deal with Claudio than any other outfit, also with Claudio’s reputation they very rarely get into any intensive battle. If they are on the losing side then Claudio knows when to retreat. Most of his action is with sieges and he knows how to strike a deal where no one suffers too badly. The other thing is that most armies lose most of their soldiers through desertion. Some go off to work on their harvest, others, quite rightly, don’t like the conflict. Claudio prevents most of that by paying regular wages and generally looking after the soldiers. Keep risks low is his motto.”

“I’d like to meet this fellow.”

“Believe me you wouldn’t. He is a rogue of the first order.”

“Why do you work with him then?”

“I ask myself that every day but he brings me riches and I provide him with stability for his wealth and he knows that I will be fair with him. I’m not greedy and he recognises that. I won’t rob him, at least when he’s alive, otherwise I would wake up one morning with all my blood draining into my piss pot.”                 

“Oh!”

Chapter 20

“Katherine, I hear from a good source at the Court that you are raising your head above the parapet. I suggest you keep a low profile for a while and let things simmer down.”

“But I’m on a roll and those horrible wenches are getting their comeuppance at last.”

“Yes but you want to guard your back and avoid being implicated. There are rumours that you are getting above your station. Look my beloved, let me and my contacts deal out the vengeance for a while. I can call in some favours and you my treasure won’t be implicated at all because you will be away from Court for some time.”

“Where will I be then?”

“Your new extension should be near completion soon. I shall have to make time to inspect the work before handover for you to make your final touches but in the meantime I have another project for you. Hold tight, I’m going to tell you. I want you to expand that miniscule manor of yours in Enfield to a grand house suited to a grand Lady.”

“Oh Amis, but why would you want to do that my dear?”

“First of all, my darling, it would please you and secondly we could escape the stench of London during the summer. You can still hold the salons but people would stay over in grand apartments and no doubt would like to copy the same in their humble abodes at great profit to us who can provide the skilled artisans.”

“But how should I go about it my dear Amis? The current house is so ugly.”

“May I suggest that tomorrow we take our chief designer with us and get him to make plans for something not too ostentatious on the outside but inside should knock your brains out. The current buildings and stables can be demolished unless you find a use for them. I also want you to construct a park with roaming deer and a lake we can boat on and keep some fat carp. You will also have to have a splendid chapel where you can pray all night long.”

“Where in Hell’s name have you seen me praying in Heaven’s sake?”

“Now don’t get uppity my dear. Don’t forget our business in church paraphernalia and religious books. You have to have somewhere to display them and what better than a chapel. I also have a couple of artisans who specialise in stained glass and the chapel windows would be their first commission of many. This place will be our secondary show case and we can invite our friends there and your London house can be for entrapping your enemies. What do you say?”

“You’re a devious one Amis and you would like me out of the way for a month or so getting the plans drawn up and the footing dug.”

“Yes, to get you out of Court and out of the lime light although you should let slip some titbits to keep the envy up in Court.”

“I’m so excited. I shall be over tonight but can we have a private dinner this night. I fancy your best roast beef and fresh bread and you will get your just reward after. Don’t forget to have ample supplies of that new wine you get from the Rhinelands, it’s less heavy than the French stuff.”

“Do you want swan or duck to accompany the beef?”

“No I would like some fine carp that your new cook prepares so well. I don’t want to be bloated and disappoint you later.”

“All your wishes will be met my darling. Shall I prepare the bath as usual?”

“Of course dear but don’t forget to pour in plenty of those sweet smelling salts you’ve got from Italy. I want to smell like a rose when we have dinner, in my finest gown.”

“I’d rather you just brought your cloak and dispensed with the gown when I could just study you in your finest.”

“You have been looking at too many of my art works of naked damsels but I will excel tonight have no fear.  I must leave you to prepare. Please send me that designer so that I can brief him otherwise I will have too much to dream about tonight. Bye, please, please, you are crushing me. You can do all that tonight.”

 Early next morning Amis ordered his Chief Architect, Chief Mason and Artist to Enfield Manor to start the design process and for the artist to sketch the results to view the finished article on canvas. A gaggle of servants also departed to set up the house in readiness for Amis and Lady Katherine’s arrival that evening. They rode together in a covered carriage pulled by six of the finest black horses, surrounded by a contingent of well armed soldiers on horseback to protect them.

“Katherine darling, I have a delicate matter to raise with you. I believe you are heavily involved in upsetting our dear Lady Rosalind.”

“Yes and my plans are near fruition. I plan to strike soon and witness her downfall. She deserves everything she gets. Why do you ask dearest? This one I’m going to enjoy the most because she still insists on taking every opportunity to belittle me in Court, especially in front of the Queen.”

“I had a message this morning from Claudio and he was asking about our Lady Rosalind. Apparently they met at a banquet in Rouen in Normandy when she was on some Pilgrimage or other. The interesting thing is that she became his mistress for her duration there. He is asking if I could arrange and fund another Pilgrimage for her?”

“Wow, what juicy gossip I can spread throughout the Court. I will have to plan it carefully not to be implicated. Don’t destroy the message. I may have use for it.”

“I was thinking darling that you hold off your witch hunt and I arrange through my contacts to send our Rosalind off and then I suggest instead, you plant the seed in Court that Sir Romney is being made a cuckold and that will send the Court into a frenzy which you can fuel with some proof of the matter.”

“You are so devious my darling. I am getting excited.”

“Well all you need to do is stir up the gruel and hopefully this will encourage our Sir Romney to take action. I will send a message to our Lady Rosalind as if it came directly from Claudio for her to arrange a passage to Normandy with my agent, for herself and maid. There she will be met and escorted to Reims, where he currently resides, by armed guards. In the meantime Claudio will send a second message, similar to the first but the seal will be broken. Now suppose someone in court took a peek. Wouldn’t the gossip spread like wildfire? And you wouldn’t be implicated because you are busy at your Enfield Manor House.”

“But how are you going to get Claudio to send two messages in such a short time darling?”

“I’m not. I shall have my scripters do that. It’s quite normal to send two messages of importance just in case one gets lost, easy!”

“That is very, very devious my dearest Amis but what will become of our Lady Rosalind?”

“That we will discover when our Sir Romney, her dear husband, finds out and hopefully chases after her to France.”

“Do you think he would do that?”

“Well I would if it was you, making me look ever so foolish. I would have to do something positive like dragging you back by your long tresses and sticking my dagger in the man’s belly.”

“Isn’t this going to be dangerous for our Claudio?”

“Oh, he can look out for himself my dear. Don’t you worry your pretty head but be assured that your dear Lady Rosalind is likely to earn herself a sticky end and you my dear Lady Katherine missed all the gossip in Court. That will be totally amiss of you.”

“I shall get over it. Now have you any thoughts on how we design our new palace?”

“As I said before, it needs to be reasonably plain from the front when the guests arrive so that it doesn’t draw any envy. But inside and where it looks out on the gardens it will be fabulous. It will have two inner courtyards with magnificent staircases and wonderful fountains. This I have seen in Spain and Italy where each room or group of rooms are accessed from the courtyard terraces rather than going from room to room. More private. And I would like you to design and decorate each group or suite of rooms individually.”

“It looks as if you have already completed the design darling and haven’t left much for me.”

“No my dearest but the important elements are in the detail and that’s where you come in with your skills.”

“Why can’t we have it looking fabulous when the guests arrive? Look at all the other grand palaces.”

“Yes and that will draw the envy of the King and his followers and as likely as not he will confiscate it on some pretence. He doesn’t want a dull property so we will be safe. The fact the insides are the best in the country doesn’t count in the eyes of the high and mighty gentry. I have seen and plundered some of the finest houses in Europe and I want to replicate those ideas here in Enfield for you. Our artists and stone masons have built palaces all over Europe and they will design the best my darling have no fear. Your input at every stage will be valuable.” 

“Isn’t it time that you made your usual inspection of the new extension you are having built on my mansion?”

“I suppose it should be near completion? I will have to make time.”

“Yes you must and check that the work is to your satisfaction and the artisans aren’t robbing you. You have a keener eye than I do.”

“Well I thought it was your project and I didn’t want to interfere and upset you.”

“But I can’t tell if it’s been built well and the finish is up to satisfaction. You know all about these things. I know you are busy but we should do the inspection together soon dear before they cover their mistakes.”

“I will, I will Katherine dear, just set a date and I will be there.”

“Hey Kate, have you been following the Rosalind saga?”

“I have, I have and I always wondered why it took our Katherine so long to get her own back on her. She was evil. She used to get the Queen to get Katherine involved with the worst of the Courtiers, awful men they were. She effectively had no say in the matter because her husband would have been thrown out of Court. These men used to what we understand now as raping her, unwilling copulation. The ladies would watch behind screens as she was being ravaged. It was awful and I used to cry for her.”

“How did she take it? Did she fight them off?”

“It was no use. She just lay there as still as possible as the men were encouraged to be as rough as possible with her. She didn’t cry or do anything, just bore the ordeal passively. This seemed the best method and the men tended to get fed up and gave up. The just went limp and couldn’t perform.”

“Why was she chosen? Were any of the other Ladies raped in this way?”

“Well, she was the prettiest of them all and they were extremely jealous of her, especially the Queen and since her husband was a lower rank Courtier they took advantage. They were all bored and I suppose this gave them some excitement.”

“Did they all support this activity or did some object.”

“One of them objected I remember and she was immediately chosen for the next ordeal. No they were all afraid and were thankful that Katherine took the brunt.”

“Well she’s certainly getting her own back. I was following all the plotting.”

“Yes, Rosalind immediately contacted the shipping agent who was primed and arranged passage for her and her maid. Apparently she was so thrilled and excited by the prospect that she told some of the Ladies in secret but there are no secrets in Court so that when the second message arrived after Rosalind had gone, it was passed around the Court openly and eventually the Queen herself ordered that the message should be passed onto Rosalind’s husband out of spite and also to challenge him to do something.”

“We shall find out the outcome when Amis takes our Katherine to Arras to choose carpets and fabrics for her new palace and they are to meet up with Claudio. We will be there. On another matter Kate, I’ve followed our Sir Leominster, you know, Amis’s right hand man these days.”

“How did you manage to switch to shadow another person?”

“It’s quite easy really. I think very hard at the time and the new programme opens allowing me to view the objective in a temporary way.”

“Doesn’t the Shadow complain of this intrusion?”

“They do initially but I explain I am lonely, they are lonely and it’s just a short visit and I will provide them with company. Just think of our position. I just love being in constant contact with you. Before I was always bored and now I have you to talk to. I don’t spend so much time hibernating.”

“I can see that and being with you has raised my confidence ten fold. Now what’s so interesting with our Lord Leominster?”

“I had this uncomfortable feeling about him and my following him has confirmed that. He visits Court freely but also has frequent private audiences with that sneaky Chancellor Longchamps. I wanted to know what he was getting up to. Well he seems to be a spy for Longchamps who pays him well for information on our Amis and Lady Katherine.”

“What will happen if Amis finds out?”

“Well I followed a conversation not long ago where Amis suggested that he may have spies from Court in his camp and since then Leominster has been visiting the Chancellor regularly.”

“Do you think it is at Amis’s promptings or is it at his own accord?”

“I don’t know but I have listened into their conversations and Leominster doesn’t give much of significance away other than things that Amis asks him to spread as gossip. Leominster just confirms or denies it. He also breaks the ground with Longchamps on new ventures. For instance Longchamps knew why Amis requested an audience with him and was prepared rather than being surprised.”

“So you believe that Leominster is a double agent, spying on Amis and also spying in Court for Amis?”

“Difficult to gauge but Leominster gets well paid for it. At this moment I think it’s of mutual benefit but even if I found out I’m not sure I could warn Amis. I mentioned this in my report to our Proctor and got a message that I was doing well and a warning not to intervene. He knew of my crossing over to be Leominster’s shadow and actually praised me for my initiative adding that I was spending less time on my couch. They know everything these Proctors.”

“Well Ralf, since they control the mainframes they must know everything about us. We only give them snippets on the people of this world and how they are going to improve the stock for implanting on another world. Does our Proctor just deal with shadows on this world or does he have contacts elsewhere in the universe?”

“Do you know I’ve never contemplated that? I shall ask at my next interview when he’s in a good mood.”

“Do you think we could just look it up in the data banks?”

“Probably if we knew how and anyway he would know. Since you have been transferred to my Proctor have you noticed any difference?”

“Well your Proctor is as I might say, more human. He talks to me about unimportant matters and lets me speak my mind. My Proctor was frightening and I had to keep to a strict schedule of observance. Yours seem free and easy and gets what he wants from encouraging us, don’t you think?”

“I suppose so. I’ve had the same Proctor since I died of the plague as a Squire to some Knight.”

“I don’t even know I ever existed on this world. I shall ask next time we meet.”

Chapter 21

Lady Katherine was excited about her first trip abroad to Normandy. They took one of the larger trade ships with a sumptuous cabin and on board were a group of maids and servants to look after their needs plus their coach and six black horses to match. They were to visit Arras where beautiful carpets were woven and Katherine was to commission at least a hundred to furnish her mansion and new palace at Enfield. Some would be sold on. On show in the town would be other fine household paraphernalia which she would view choose and commission. Normally this would be done by Amis’s agents but now she had the chance to choose to her liking. As Amis kept repeating to her that even if she made the wrong decision in hindsight, these items would be sold on so that she could be quite free with her purchases and commissions.

Amis was to meet with Claudio where he hoped to receive news about the fate of Lady Rosalind and also discuss Claudio’s new commission for his mercenary army. He had been contracted by the Count of Limoges to fight his battle against the Count of Savoie over a major boundary dispute. Claudio needed to consult Amis on strategy since the Count of Savoie had won decisively the last two major conflicts and Claudio certainly wanted to avoid being on the losing side having been promised a huge purse and pillaging rights if he won and gained back the lost lands. A day was set aside for military planning and at the banquet that night Claudio was to divulge to all a sundry the fate that had befallen Lady Rosalind and her dear husband.

“Now let me tell you a tale of love, passion, treachery and duels to death,” said Claudio keeping his audience in suspense as he stood up at a banquet for over fifty guests, assured of all their attention. “A fine lady I met and bed at a banquet in Rouen who was on a pilgrimage so I confirmed her religious faith the only way I could, in the comfort of my bed chamber. A year later I sent her a message to suggest that she should venture forth on another pilgrimage to view remnants of Christ’s Cross that they had on display in Reims Cathedral. My dear friend Amis arranged all the transport and escorts. She came at once and suggested immediately that the viewing and praying over relicts could wait for another day. She would rather venture into my spacious pavilion and have her way with me.” Claudio paused whilst the audience tittered and allowed some time for translation whilst taking copious gulps of the finest wine that he had pillaged. 

“She continued to abuse my body telling me it was doing her more good than praying over spurious relicts in the Cathedral. I saw no reason to deny her wishes. In the meantime I received a message from my good friend Amis here that her husband had been branded a cuckold back in England was rushing over to Reims to claim his wife and maybe remonstrate with me.” another pause to gulp more wine and let the gossip around the table to subside.

“One bright morning I was woken by a commotion outside my pavilion, grabbed my pantaloons and strode out to quieten the mob outside. Who should I meet in my dishevelled state with my erect manhood on full display but my mistress’s angry husband, Sir Romney, demanding to know where she was hiding? The silly wench, instead of keeping low beneath my sheets, pops up in her skimp nightdress shouting something like this, ‘Hello my darling, what brings you here?’ Well as you can imagine this infuriated this gentlemen who drew his long sword and thrust it through her chest then proceeded to hack her head off hanging onto her long tresses. With a head hanging from one hand and a bloody sword in the other confronts me. I shout at him something like, ‘Hey, why the hell have you just slaughtered my mistress. She was great in bed!’ This obviously infuriates him and he advances on me in my half pulled breeks and I’m about to meet my maker if I stand there with one hand on my pants.”

“Fortunately one of my guards throws me his spear which I grasp in both hands whilst my breeks fall about my ankles. Not a pretty sight I can tell you. I try kicking away my breeks whilst he is still advancing raising his sword and discarding the severed head. My men are watching me with some amusement and waiting for the nod to attack and save me but I’m refraining from that, after all I need to protect my dignity and general prowess in battle. A spear against a sword is unevenly matched in favour of the spear since it is a longer weapon. With a few thrusts and parries he suddenly realised that I was no novice and starts to take things more seriously and took a traditional battle stance. I was still being hampered by my leg of the breeks and my men at the side giggling at my predicament. This was getting serious so I took the initiative and attacked with some vigour but a spear was a better match for a long sword even in poor hands. Fortunately the gentleman had previously removed his helmet and I attacked his head and eventually stuck him in the eye, right through his brain, coming out of the rear of his head. My men cheered whilst his men looked sheepish, some throwing down their weapons in a sign of surrender and I managed finally to pull up my breeks. That’s my tale and I believe that it must please our honoured guest Lady Katherine. Let’s raise our glasses to our Honoured Guests.” 

Having finished his tale to much applause Claudio gave Lady Katherine a hug and whispered that it was one more element in her plans that she could forget. Katherine asked Amis what would happen when the news got out and was told that it would be very little since the Crown would take over Sir Romney’s estate and probably sell it on and the word would be that he died in a duel of passion after killing his wife for treachery. She then asked about Claudio and how he would take the killing of his mistress and was again assured that he was getting tired of Lady Rosalind and was now bedding her fair maid servant who was a bright young thing. He also added that the news would take some time to filter through to England since Sir Romney’s guards had been absorbed in Claudio’s mercenary army. The main thing was that Lady Katherine was not implicated in any way.

Chapter 22

“OK, this Duke or Count of Savoie has fought this same battle a number of times and won so what is his modus operandi?” asked Amis as he sat opposite Claudio and three of his senior officers.

“Shear strength of numbers, that’s why we have been contracted, and a charge of two to three hundred Knights on horse with lances slicing through the field,” answered Claudio stroking his beard thoughtfully and inspecting a rough map laid out on the table.

“Is this where the battle takes place?”

“It has in the last three I believe. It’s the only piece of flat land where horses can be let loose.”

“I presume the Count of Limoges sends his charges against Savoie and they are over run.”

“That’s it in a nutshell, then they send in the light cavalry plus the foot soldiers and the battle is over in a couple of hours and our paymaster loses some more land.”

“What is his current strength and how many Knights? I’m sure you have spies.”

“Two hundred and forty mounted Knights, a hundred or so cavalry and two thousand foot soldiers. On our side with our troops we roughly have the same but only about a hundred mounted lancers but more light cavalry, about three hundred which could be useful.”

“So we have to construct a plan to mitigate the effect of the charge. What’s on the sides of this broad valley?” asked Amis drawing his fingers over the rough map. “Trees, forest?”

“Yes it gets denser as the valley rises but we could hide some troops up there on either side. We will need to just in case Savoie decided on a flanking movement.” replied Claudio.

“What I suggest is that we allow our enemy to easily route our ground troops in the valley. Can we use the Count’s army for a tactical retreat? Are they up for that?”

“No, they are not well trained and we would loose too many. For this tactic we need to use our own mercenaries who would retreat in an orderly fashion as the Knights charge.”

“OK, let’s stick with that and the Count’s army can hide in the forests on either side for the counter attack. We need to disrupt the charge without using our lancers so the usual pitfalls need to be dug, chains stretched across the path and finally sharpened poles set up to herd the charge down the defile and finally to block their way. Can you divert the stream to make the ground that they charge over boggy? The heavy going will slow them down. How many ballistas have you?”

“About a dozen,” replied Claudio.

“I know you like them Claudio so put them to good use. You might be able to shoot three or four steel arrows at the charge with each of you crossbow machines which should down forty or more of the Knights, another fifty will succumb to the pitfalls and some more to the chains. Make sure you have men at the ready to capture any fallen Knights for ransom later. By the time they reach the wall of spikes their horses will be exhausted. Another fifty should impale themselves leaving no more than a hundred for your soldiers to unhorse with their pikes and ropes. If there is a problem at this point get your bowmen to shoot to kill. We need to minimise our losses.”

“OK but what do we do with their cavalry behind the charge, they follow to mop up.”

“Well with the orderly retreat there won’t be any mopping up as you say. You send in our lancers against this light cavalry as a counter attack from the side. They won’t be expecting that. They will be followed by our cavalry hiding in the woods with the foot soldiers who will swoop down after a massive barrage from our bowmen. This way the Count’s troops will take the brunt of the battle and ours will do the mopping up.”

“That’s good plan Amis. I will also have our bowmen shoot flaming arrows at the charging Knights. It will scare the horses at least and more Knights will be thrown.”

“Attach sausages of oil to the arrows to spread the flames. A flaming Knight or horse will always panic. We need to destroy their strength. Also when the charge has passed over the footfall make sure that you put planks over them so that our counter charge is not affected. At least it will mark the danger and the horses will instinctively avoid those areas. I think we have a plan. Get your leaders to flesh out the detail and make sure that apart from the initial charge our troops are not at the forefront of the battle. They can do the sweeping up. Claudio, do you want me to be present?”

“I don’t think there is any need Amis. You have helped us develop an outline plan and we will ensure that the detail is complete. We will also practise our retreat in front of the charge to minimise our casualties. I will also try and get more ballistas so that we can pepper the charge with armour piercing arrows to take the main strength out of them. Where did you get these battle plans from? I heard you were a force in the Crusades.”

“That’s where I picked up on strategy by listening to the tales of King Richard who was a master and also trying my own in pitched battle against the Saracens. I thought that you avoided these pitched battles and stuck to sieges Claudio?”

“I do but the rewards were too welcoming and maybe there is more money and thrills in battles than sitting in my pavilion bedding all the maids they bring me during the stalemate of a siege. Also my troops need more hardening in pitch battle. They are getting soft also the size of my army is getting unwieldy. I may lose a few in this engagement and weed out the weak.” Turning to his three officers who had been listening intently to the discussion he said, “Right, you have heard the outline, now fill in the detail and I want some practice with the chargers and how to avoid them with minimum risk. Get trees felled to make up as many spikes as we may need and some more and any other brainwaves that you may have. Get to it but I don’t want anyone knowing the full plan. I bet Savoie has spies in the Limoges camp. I want training to be as normal as possible. The ballista crews have to practice in secret. I want each to shoot at least six arrows at the charge. Have you got that?” They murmured understanding, touched their forelock and departed taking the map with them.        

“These men are battle hardened and will know how to set up our defence and counter attack which will be totally unexpected. The charge will take the dangerous Knights way beyond the main battlefield and I expect them not to notice that they have been duped and probably at any moment expecting the opposition Knights to oppose them, who instead, will be poised in the flanks ready to do damage in the rear of the main charge. I can feel it in my bones that Count Savoie will be crushed and our spoils will be enormous. I hope Amis you are looking after me back in England?”

“Do not fear, your wealth is safe with me as long as you don’t get yourself impaled on one of your spikes. I don’t yet know how I can transfer it to this Hell where both of us will end up. It would be nice if we could take a portion to bribe the devil. Katherine and I will be spending a few more days in Arras and then back to England with our purchases. I presume you will be back to Reims and onto the battlefield.”

“I will send some of my spies out there immediately to check the lay of the land and troop strengths on both sides. No doubt there will be much posturing before the battle is set but that’s normal. I’m considering sending my horsemen into the Count Savoie’s lands to do some preliminary pillaging to raise the Count’s ire so that he doesn’t pull out of the battle and I lose my purse. Nothing too dangerous but to give my horsemen a training gallop. Have you still got any of those pyrotechnics that you are famous for? I’m still concerned about the charge. A few sparks up their arses may cool their ardour.”

“I’ll see what I can do. The Chinese, they tell me, have these arrows which are self propelled by fire and sparks. They don’t do much damage but surely frighten the horses to hell. I’ll try and get some for you. I’ll send a messenger to Venice where the Far East traders end up. They are costly but worth trying. For my banquets, I use the milder forms which just spout fire into the air or spin in circles. Sends the dogs wild.”

“Talking of dogs, have you any war dogs?”

“My dog is too old to take to battle but I’m sure I can get some for you from the Rhinelands. They train them there. I’ll get you a dozen and handlers too. They’ll pull a rider off a horse with ease. Best to use them on the stragglers. They won’t see what’s coming at them until it’s too late. Might even get myself one as a guard dog. You should get a couple for your pavilion. You never know who might creep in at night.”

“Thanks Amis. Send me message if you have any other thoughts on the matter and I would appreciate as many dogs as you can muster plus plenty of pyrotechnics whatever they cost. I’m off to Reims tomorrow morning. Give my regards to your beloved.”

“Just a thought Claudio, looking back at my battle experience I find that the defensive side tends to have the upper hand. For example King Richard held his line against Suliman and won. We are planning a defensive wall here and my marine tactics always involves the enemy attacking. I don’t want to change your plans a this stage but in future I think you should make better use of your carts. Make them into little fortresses that you can string together and make an impregnable defensive wall against even against charging knights and their lances,” suggested Amis.

“I will give it full consideration Amis and maybe incorporate that idea at the end of our defile. Yes worth thinking through.”

“Hey Kate! Are you listening? I have a proposition for you. I witnessed the meeting between Claudio and my Amis where they were discussing the strategy for the forthcoming battle in the Alpine foothills but Amis doesn’t want to go and I’d like to see the action.”

“Why doesn’t he want to go? I would have thought that would be up his street.”

“I reckon he thinks it’s too insignificant. It’s a land grab issue that’s been going on for decades between two French Counts. One of them has hired Claudio hoping for a decisive win. Anyway, I want to see this battle and check if Claudio has followed Amis’s strategy. My question to you is do you want to come with me and witness the whole affair? I think it will be most exciting.”

“But how are you going to transport me and thee to be Claudio’s shadow and what will our Proctor make of it?”

“Easy, I can now break into anybody’s shadow and I can do that for you too. Our Proctor knows that I can do it and hasn’t stopped me, in fact, I think he applauds my ingenuity. You know he thought of me as a lazy slob, sleeping all day and dreaming. Now I’m more active and I feel that I’m providing him valuable information and so are you Kate.”

“OK, let’s do it but what about Claudio’s shadow? Won’t he object?”

“I’ve already crossed to him and he’s welcoming and wants to meet you. As I’ve said before, a shadows life is quite lonely and can be quite boring although Spectro is quite happy with Claudio.”

“Spectro? Is he called Spectro?”

“Well I’ve called him Spectro. He didn’t have a name, nor did we. I’ve used Claudio’s family name.”

“Has Amis got a family name?”

“I don’t really know. I suspect it will be plain Baker after his dad. OK I will arrange for us to transfer or download in Proctor’s parlance, to Claudio and we will record what happens during and after the battle. Spectro said it might give him a better perspective to write his report to his Proctor.”

“I keep meaning to ask you if you know if our Proctor has a name?”

“Never really thought about it, all I’ve noticed is a card with ‘FILE 3006W’ on it. I don’t think it’s his name, more likely to refer to us. I use file ‘7970T’ to get to Claudio’s shadow.”

“How did you get into that then?”

“Well having seen our file 3006W, I looked it up and there was a list of other files and I just scrawled through them. Then I discovered a quick way of searching for files and I looked up Claudio and got his shadow’s reference. It works, believe me.”

“What’s in these files?”

“Well they contain all our reports appertaining to Amis and your Katherine with comments from our Proctor plus cross references. I checked a few and found they relate to specific subjects about the nature of the humans on this world. Many of the comments are quite damming and strongly recommend that some designers are relieved of their duties plus lots of suggestions for improvements in future stocks. This world appears to have been a disaster for them and they are using it to gather data for future improvements.”

“Do you mean to say you have found all that out by yourself Ralf? What has our Proctor got to say about it?”

“Well I’ve owned up to these activities and all he said was that he hopes that I or we understand the importance of our reports. I felt quite important and that I was being useful in their quest. Because of these activities I feel he’s giving us a free hand to explore further than our main subject that’s why I’m daring to go over to Claudio’s shadow. Right, give me a moment and I’ll switch us over.”

“Hi Spectro, I’ve brought my friend Katy to meet you, I hope we haven’t missed anything?”

“Pleased to meet you Kate. Ralf has told me lots about you so that I can even imagine you appearance. No you haven’t missed anything yet other than lots of preparation. Claudio has scoured the countryside and requisitioned all the carts, horses and bullocks for his own use. He’s also has bought another dozen of these ballista machines and now training the crews. He’s quite brutal with these soldiers until they get expert at reloading and shooting these huge arrows. They fire them as target practise at hay stacks and some of these things penetrate right through.”

“He’s also training up the Knights and their lances. Well not training the Knights as such but his foot soldiers so that they can retreat in an orderly fashion as these Knights charge at them. It’s quite frightening to have a huge horse in full armour charging towards you and the Knight pointing a huge lance at you. There’s been a number of serious injuries of both soldiers and Knights but at least the soldiers have had the baptism of a charge and instead of turning tail they can retreat and force the Knights in another direction. The soldiers also try and unseat the Knights with ropes and staves. Some have got badly hurt falling off their mounts. At least he’s not harming the horses but in the battle they will also bring down the horses and they’ve been practising that in slow motion.”

“Come on, Claudio is going to try his huge war dogs on the Knights. They are ferocious. Even I’m frightened of them and they can’t get to me. Come on this will be an experience.”

They followed Claudio as he galloped across the training field to a group of fully armoured Knights and explained what they had to do and expect. He assured them that they won’t be harmed by the vicious dogs because they were fully clothed in armour but the dogs would try and unseat them from their mounts and they had to brush them off if they could with their shields. In the first few passes the dogs were unsuccessful. They avoided the lance side and went for the shield seeming less dangerous but soon learned that the lance was useless as a weapon at close quarters. After seven knights were knocked off their mounts with one seriously injured, Claudio put a stop to the exercise and discussed tactics with the dog’s trainers. Since the Knights generally held their lances on their right side the dogs would be positioned on the right of the defile and attack the stragglers. The soldiers would then capture the fallen Knights to be held for ransom.

The battle was to take place in two days time and they followed Claudio as he barked out orders and chastised anyone slacking or not pulling their weight. He explained to the Commanders their orders and checked that they understood the signals which would be displayed as coloured flags or banners. Also each Commander would have a number of riders who would pass messages to the command centre reporting the course of the battle. Claudio trusted his own Commanders but the Count’s officers needed training and he even threatened to tear them apart with his dogs if they didn’t follow orders or didn’t stand up to the enemy as required.

On the day before the battle Claudio inspected his army to ensure everyone knew their role and explained to the Count’s troops what their role would be to counter attack rather than just face the onslaught of charging horses crashing over them. They visibly showed relief and cheered Claudio and his guards as they rode off. Each of the Commanders was shown his battle position and a stake with his colours was driven into the ground as markers. Claudio wasn’t going to show his hand and battle formation until the last moment so positions were just marked with stakes and the Commanders drew their own plans.

The battle usually started mid morning so his army would take up their final positions some half an hour before the battle commenced. Count Savoie would advance down the valley with his Knights flanked by his light cavalry and followed by his foot soldiers. The plan was for Amis’s mercenaries to line up in front of their positions to give an appearance of a ragged and undisciplined army.  Stakes marked the route of the counter attacking Knights so that they wouldn’t be subject to the pitfalls and chains that had been set in place. The pitfalls had been cleverly camouflaged with loose earth over branches so that the horses couldn’t instinctively avoid them. A group of soldiers would be stationed nearby to capture the fallen Knights. Every detail of the battle was checked over and stakes in the ground marked all the positions. Each Commander knew the plan and the contingency and trained their own contingents in their role. The whole battle was to be a planned retreat and a massive counterattack that would take Count Savoie’s army by surprise. That was the grand plan.           

               

                    

This is the joint report that Spectro, Katy and Ralph presented to their respective Proctors describing the battle between Counts of Savoie and Limoges. 

The battle field was shrouded with a low cloud which normally cleared by mid morning. This suited Claudio’s purpose in getting all of his troops and equipment into position without being seen. A wall of carts were arranged in a crescent shape across the valley, huge coloured banners were erected on crosses of staves cut from coppiced woods. These partially obscured the wall of carts on which the ballistas were mounted. Before the carts wooden spikes were mounted into the ground, leaning to catch the horses if they charged at them. In the middle of the crescent there was a wide funnel like opening to allow the Knights to charge at the enemy. This defile was again walled with carts and spikes for approximately a mile, ending in a forest of spikes. 

At various intervals high siege and observation towers were erected which were the command posts and communication points which would send prearranged signals and orders to the ground and mounted troops. The top of the towers rose above the eerie mist.

The defending army took up their positions with the mounted Knights hidden behind trees at the side of the valley before the crescent wall. The light cavalry were hidden in the forest either side of the valley. The Count’s foot soldiers and archers were streaming through the forests to take up positions on either side of the valley to be well ahead of the crescent. Claudio’s foot soldiers were all positioned on and around the carts along the crescent and on both sides of the defile. Lots of coloured banners were stuck into the ground giving the impression of a huge army gathered on the field. 

The mist slowly cleared revealing a colourful field of banners with huge watch towers sprouting amongst them. Well behind the carts and off the field of battle were masses of women and children all with drums, bugles and huge church bells which were mounted on stands.

In the distance Count of Savoie’s Knights could be seen approaching slowly with their flags fluttering from their raised lances. They looked splendid in their shiny armour and on huge armoured horses. They were flanked by the lighter cavalry and behind marched the foot soldiers with their spears and bows.

As they approached Claudio’s soldiers descended from their carts along the crescent and in ragged formation started shouting and waving at the advancing army. They didn’t look particularly well disciplined occasionally shooting arrows which was futile with the advancing army being such a distance away.

Suddenly the banner on the command tower changed to red which was an order for the Ballista crews to take positions. A few moments later the banner dropped which was the signal for the ballistas to shoot their first volley of arrows with devastating effect on the advancing Knights. A second volley had similar effect but now the Knights moved into action and lowering their lances started their trot, canter and full gallop towards the crescent. The charge started much further away than normal but they had to mitigate the effect of the ballistas. This was a ploy by Claudio to tire the horses. The ballistas continued to shooting their arrows, bringing down horse after horse and causing some chaos in the charge.

The charging Knights saw the wide opening in the crescent and were expecting the inevitable charge of the opposing Knights and steered their horses into the defile. As they entered they were met by wave and wave of flaming arrows which spilt flaming liquid onto the armour of Knight and horse causing much rearing of the animals and spilling their mounts. The pitfalls, all cleverly camouflaged caused further mounts to stumble. The fallen Knights were quickly dealt with by the soldiers by looping a rope around them and unceremoniously dragging them away with horses or bullocks.

As the charging Knights rode into the defile two other important actions took place. Firstly the drums, bugles and bells started an immensely loud rhythmic beat and the Count of Limoges Knights made their appearance but were now charging at the light cavalry behind not at the Knights as expected. The light cavalry were no match for the heavy Knights with their lances and were quickly routed and turned tail to be met by Claudio’s cavalry streaming out of the forests on either side of the valley.

In the meantime the charging Knights in the constricting defile were now being attacked by sparking arrows which exploded in the air frightening their mounts even more. Many further riders fell and were dragged off the battlefield. Their horses were tiring and no opposition Knights appeared to be charged at. Now wild dogs were dragging riders off to the ground and the number of mounted Knights diminishing rapidly. They finally reached a forest of spikes barring their way and many horses, unable to stop were impaled on them. Soldiers with pikes, ropes, lassoes and hooks brought the remaining Knights tumbling to the ground. Their charge had fizzled out.

The Signal banner changed to Green and the Count Limoges’ Knights formed up in two lines facing the advancing foot soldiers who had already witnessed the annihilation of their cavalry before them. The banner dropped which was the signal for the ground troops hiding in the forests to charge down shooting their arrows from both sides of the valley. At the sight of the Knights lowering their lances ready to charge and the onslaught of arrows from either side the soldiers decided to drop their weapons and flee. Those that stood were soon overwhelmed.

Of the three hundred charging Knights, over half were killed or mortally wounded and the others were captured and held for ransom. During the engagement the Count of Savoie who led the Knights was killed plus two of his sons. The huge horses, Percherons took brunt of the battle and many were slain. Only a hundred survived. The dead and live were stripped of their armour and weapons which were piled high on carts to be shipped off and sold as part of the plunder. The carts along the crescent and defile were already on the move up the valley to pick up more plunder on the way.

As the battle ended Count Limoges and his entourage rode up in their finery to find the battle over in quick time and the enemy fleeing. They met Claudio and his commanders as they descended from their high observation towers who were elated that the battle had been won with little injury to their own troops. The Count’s foot soldiers had borne the brunt of the battle in their counter attack but even their losses were low.

Now Claudio negotiated his deal of reward in the form of gold and plundering rights beyond the lands that the Count was to retain as his. With that Claudio rode off with his empty carts and his cavalry to fill them as spoils of war whilst the foot soldiers retaining the captured Knights would start the negotiations for ransom. This battle proved to be the most profitable venture for Claudio and also for Amis who would have a share in the wealth of plunder.

“What do you think of our report Spectro?”

“I think it is an accurate account of events but is rather low on the horror of it all. I have never seen such slaughter of men and animals. It was so brutal. The noise of the injured and dying frightened me to the core. I could hardly watch. What about you Katy?”

“I think I spent most of the time crying. The noise of the bells, drums and bugles sounding was the most frightening noise I have ever heard.”

“I agree with you both and I think we should all individually write a short report on how we felt emotionally about all the senseless and wasteful killing. Couldn’t they have negotiated rather than going into bloody battle? What’s wrong with the people on this earth? They seem a blood thirsty lot. Maybe we should wait a few days before we forward our individual reports on our thoughts. That might clarify our feelings on the matter.”

“Ralph, can we go back to our Amis and Katherine. I need a rest. Bye Spectro. No doubt we will meet again.”  

Chapter 23

After another month of travelling in Normandy, visiting chateaux, castles and palaces of the French nobility Lady Katherine and Amis were exhausted and returned to London with sketches and notes on exterior and interior design that interested them. Fortunately early in their journey they had come across an accomplished artist who followed them around and sketched on demand. Docking on the Thames, Amis packed Lady Katherine of on a carriage to her apartment whilst he went off to see his senior manger Lord Leominster.

“I’m so glad you are back. You and Lady K need to make some important decisions about the design of your new palace in Enfield.”

“What’s so urgent Leominster? The sod hasn’t yet been cut.”

“That’s where you are wrong Amis. I made the decision to start on excavation the lake for you but want to make good use of the spoil.”

“To what effect?”

“Well there is a mountain of it so I made the decision to have it carted and piled up around the plot of the house so that it can be built on a rise with a good view of its surroundings. Don’t worry, the forest will still hide it well until you approach close. Since you weren’t here the masons have started on the footings. I know, I know you haven’t completed the design but I have started on a huge footprint, building cellars for you beneath the house. The building can be any shape but will rest on a foundation of vaulted cellars or cellarium which will support any structure you build on top.”

“What do I need all these cellars for?”

“Oh you will need them at some point for storage, offices, kitchens, jails and there will be an icehouse there somewhere but they will in any case form a good basis for you eventual design. The masons, artists and architects are at loggerheads over the design. They are more interested in the external aspects of the place than the interior. Look I got one of my clerks, with a good eye and pen to draw something that you may approve of. It’s plain but elegant me thinks. The cellars below are all ventilated by these rows of mullioned windows or slits, set high. The spoil would be built up to the height of the mullions leading to a shallow moat which will surround the building on three sides.”

“The main entrance would be built out and up into a keep with draw bridges on either side so that your coach can drive up one side, over the first draw bridge, into the covered keep to so that Lady K can dismount without the rain spoiling her hair and tresses. The carriage will then descend via the opposite drawbridge and be driven off to the stables away from the house.”

“I like that idea. The frontage is quite plain as you say but quite elegant. You have drawn three floors according to the sketch.”

“Yes, the ground floor will house the public rooms like the ballroom and dining areas. The next floor will be the living apartments all separated as you wished and access from the galleries, like enclosed cloisters, in the two large courtyards. I haven’t sketched out the designs of these but the grandest apartments will face the lake which will be the main frontage of your palace. This will be slightly grander with broad stone terraces leading down to the lake. As you see on the sketch, each window will be inset to form a balcony from which you and your important guests can view your domain.”

“I like the idea and Katherine will approve I’m sure. You have done well.”

“Now I think you will like the next bit. In the far corners of the palace I suggest you build two broad towers with a wide staircase which will allow a small horse drawn carriage to take you and your guests up to your chamber level or you could just ride up on your fine steed. I stole the idea from your own apartment where you have Lady K rides up on her palanquin.”

“What do I need all these designers for when you have accomplished all this? I presume that the top floor may hold the servant quarters. Somewhere in the courtyard we shall have a massive and impressive staircase.”

“I suggest you have this leading up from the huge hall at the entrance. The hall will rise up right to the roof line like in the cathedrals so your eyes are drawn to heaven. This staircase should lead up to the galleries leading to the apartments so that you and your Lady can make a grand entrance down them when the occasion calls.”

“You have shown these sketches to our designers, haven’t you?”

“I have but they just laughed at my attempts. They want something grander.”

“OK, tomorrow Katherine and I with you and your artists will sit down and decide what we want included. We will then present our demands to our so called experts and demand their full cooperation. They can add the detail. Get a scripter in to write our instructions for them to action. Just let them know I can be ruthless if they don’t follow our plan. If they propose changes then they need to agree them with us.”

“Can I propose that you appoint our artist here Alan as chief supervisor? He is quite able and capable of getting your point across, aren’t you Alan?”

“Yes you Lordship. This project needs to have somebody in overall charge to control the costs and pay the wages.”

“Less of the Lordship Alan, just call me Amis. You are appointed and you will have a purser to control the costs, a scripter to copy commands and one of my Senior Lieutenants to control the workforce. Whilst the designers and stonemasons are pondering over the plans I want you to see to the foundations that create the platform for the main edifice. As Leominster here says it can be bigger than the final house. Lady Katherine would like some islands in the lake with ancient Roman or Greek pavilions so that we can go and dine in them in peace.”

“Yes Sir Amis but the workmen on the diggings are saying that the lake is a folly. The ground beneath is porous and all the water will drain out.”

“When I was a boy I used to play with clay. Make mouldings to float on water and basins so that I could wash the fish before baking them. Find out where the nearest clay bands are and we will line the lake with that so the water doesn’t drain."

“Yes Amis, I understand. Me and my sisters used to play with clay like that. We used to make boats which we would push out into the pond and then we would try and sink them with a bombardment of stones. That would work.”

“Right Alan, the first thing you do is ride out there to the digging on one of my finest stallions, to show off your importance and tell the men that they are correct, to appease them, then tell them what the solution will be so they continue working with a will knowing that they will finally create something.”

“But your finest stallion Amis I can’t do that.”

“Not only will you do that but you will clad yourself in the finest cloth like Lord Leominster here to show off your important position. On other occasions you will take my carriage and four to impress them even more. Even Leominster has never borrowed that. Now be off with you to my tailor shop and have a series of clothes made up this instant. I want you smarter than the King, do you understand?”

“Yes Amis.”

“And don’t grovel. Ensure others under your command grovel and kiss your sleeve when they meet you and the workmen touch their forelock or doff their caps.”

“Yes Amis but what do I do when I approach Lady Katherine and you and Lord Leominster.”

“Ah now you are getting the idea. You treat us as equals, you bow, we bow as we meet, Lady Katherine will offer you her hand you will kiss it lightly. No slobbering!”

“But with all this finery I am currently living with my new wife in a single room. Some might query my new lofty station.”

“True Alan. Leominster, have we an answer?”

“Well Alan and his wife can immediately move into the huge loft in the warehouse we have built on the quay and his staff can also be quartered there with a bevy of servants whilst this mansion is under construction.”

“Right be off with you and get organising before I change my mind. I have things to discuss with Lord Leominster here. Don’t forget to bow to us as you leave. Get used to the polite manners. In fact go and see my Lady Katherine and get some lessons in etiquette.” Alan, rather embarrassed, bowed again and quickly departed.

“That’s very clever of you to upgrade our Alan to Barron status. It will give him authority which he will need to carry out your task. I only hope he can cope. I suppose if he can’t then we find someone that can but don’t worry Amis I think our man will pull through.”

“Right, bring me up to date on matters here. What’s this about Alan’s recent marriage?”       

“You missed a grand celebration a week ago when we married off twenty couples.”

“Twenty?”

“Yes twenty. Well we had twenty newly built rooms available so the first twenty girls who chose successfully we allowed to get married.”

“I presume that Alan was one of the lucky ones. Make sure that all get an extra new blanket for the winter as a special gift from me apart from the new gowns and shifts that are customary. Now, on another matter, has the news of Lady Rosalind reached our shores yet?”

“Some snippets have arrived but I confirmed that she had a fateful accident and her husband foolishly engaged in some duelling. I mentioned this to King John so that he could legally claim their lands which are now in the process of being sold off to line the King’s empty coffers. We have successfully bid for a number of parcels and I have appointed Reeves to survey our purchases and advise on potential for what we call the Amis treatment where we double the yield on these lands.”

“Any land issues or problems to report?”

“Only that the people of a hamlet in Lincolnshire are objecting to the system and want to revert to the old tithe method. They are due to harvest soon and have their greedy eyes on the huge yield.”

“OK let us collect the tithe as anticipated but let them do the harvest with no help from our people. Also slow down their provisions that we send them. Oh, I believe that they also are due to supply the Lord of the Manor with able men folk. Arrange to have one man or grown girl from each family to be sent to London. We need to extend the workforce here.”

“That will cripple them Amis.”

“Probably and don’t bother sowing any new crops next season. The land is due for a lay season to improve the soil. Secondly find a purchaser for that plot, it’s too far away for us to control.”

“Will do Amis. I have news for you or at least for Lady K. Lady Charlotte was sent a parcel of gifts which she was pass onto Queen Isobella from your good Lady K.  while she was away. She gifted the Queen with only half the treasures I gave her hoping no doubt to make Lady Katherine look mean. Having secreted more gifts in her bedchamber at the palace I requested an audience with the Queen and apologised for Lady Katherine’s absence but asked if her gifts that she regularly sent had been appreciated. The Queen, quite rightly, fell into a rage and had her guards raid Charlotte’s bedchamber and guess what they found. Lady C is no longer a member of the Court and is a persona non grata.”

“Good, I shall tell Katherine that there is only Lady Florentine to settle with.”

“Ah, you mean St. Florentine, the religious one who prays daily with the Queen. Do you know that we collect a keg of Holy water from some Holy spa in France and deliver it to her at some exorbitant cost? Well, the keg usually leaks and we regularly empty the sour water and replenish it with our own sweet water from the brewer’s spring.”

“I can see where this is leading to. This time, just top it up and we shall see how she survives.”

“I thought you might say that. It is known that the Lady drinks copious cups of it particularly if she is feeling unwell.”

“We shall witness the strength and validity of this water and if she survives in good spirit we may ship some more over for ourselves.”

“I’ll keep that in mind to add to you relic collection. I had a message from Claudio.”

“Yes, you need to send at least four of our largest ships over to collect his bounty. Much of it will be armour taken off the battle fields of Savoie. We need to set up an armoury, a large one to repair and produce new, plus weapons of war. I got the feeling there are to be more conflicts across the Channel and we should be able to supply all their needs at a fair price.”

“I will allocate another piece of land for this outside our township and relocate all the blacksmiths there to reduce chances of fire. I will also invite more armourers from the Rhinelands and France. They are the best. I will action that straight away. We have a ship bound for the Rhinelands and I’ll instruct the Captain to attract more artisans and if that fails to pressgang them if necessary, families and all.”

“Send Captain Pritchard, he has an evil mind and ensure that the whole families come as one.”

“We are having a few problems with petty theft, brawling and bawdiness. Not from our people but from outsiders. I have instigated a few changes in organisation. A group of marines now police our township and ensure law and order. They caught some miscreants recently, beat them up good and proper and locked them in stocks at the entrance as a warning.”

“Has that worked?”

“One of the marines is at hand shouting to all comers that they will be destined on the stocks if they misbehave. I’ve also allowed the peddlers in.”

“I said no peddlers in town!”

“There is a problem with that Amis. Our people have to go into the city to buy little things for their comfort and pleasure that they can’t get here. They stand out being well fed and clad and they are set upon by the beggars and foot pads.”

“I didn’t know that. So what have you implemented?”

“I have set up a weekly fair on some waste ground and the peddlers and faire men set up their stalls and amusements under the guard of our marines. The ladies can now be entertained and buy their coloured ribbons without being molested.”

“Good. Now what information is our dear Chancellor Longchamps demanding of you?”

“The usual, I’m giving him nothing you wouldn’t approve of.”

“Is he paying you well?”

“I keep complaining to him that I need more and he has given me a slight increase.”

“Have we any other spies in our camp other than you?”

“Not that I know of but your Lady K’s most trusted companion was seen leaving Longchamps chambers with a heavy purse. I wonder if she is spying on your good Lady?”

“Yes, I wondered about her. Not long ago she deigned to single me out and talk to me in a flirtatious way. I’m not used to that with my splendid face so she must have been after something. I shall invite her to my apartments and ravage her severely in front of my staff, with my Lady walking in at the latter stages catching us in the act. That should spread the gossip that she has been seen bedding a cripple and keep her out of circulation in society. Do you think any of our waifs and strays are planted on us?”

“My men pick them at random in the city and it’s unlikely though possible that they might just be planted. Most of them are well known and have been in a decrepit state for years, begging and thieving. No I don’t think its likely Amis.”

“But we picked you up in that state.”

“Yes and I’m grateful and pray daily for our good fortune. That reminds me, the locals want to build a church to help with their spiritual wellbeing. I have been asked to broach the subject with you.”

“I’m an agnostic as you know. With what I’ve been through in my life I would spend most of my time in church cursing and swearing at him if I thought he existed. If they want a church let them collect the money together. I will only provide the land let them know. I might relent a little and make sure it’s in keeping with our other buildings but it needs to be plain and functional not like an ice sculpture.”

“I’ll follow your guidelines. Your town is getting too large to manage easily and people like to gripe and be heard so I think we should allow the people to elect their representatives to voice their concerns.”

“Like the Guilds you mean?”

“Yes, sort of but less influential. We don’t want them to hold us to ransom.”

“Yes I agree with that and once a month we shall hold court were the gripes can be voiced. Now for every gripe that will be heard then I need the sponsor to come up with an answer or solution plus a positive point we should adopt. We don’t want to spend all our time hearing complaints. They all have a free choice to go back to their former begging in the City. How many people have we expelled in the last month?”

“Two for stealing and brawling but none the month before. This was a reminder and our people are more careful. I’m having the stir mongerers watched more carefully and warned. If they don’t change their ways they will find themselves in the stocks and chucked out into the streets.”

“What about our more vulnerable womenfolk? Are they being molested or driven by desire?”

“The men go into the city for that relief and the women have a choice of marriage. No problems so far. They enjoy our protection particularly the young girls and don’t need to revert to bad ways.”

“Good, make sure your wardens are strict on these matters.”

“The problem we have is mainly with outsiders but the stocks at the entrance make them think twice and our marines are paid to be vigilant. I dock them wages if there is trouble and it gets out of hand. I have recruited the most devious trouble makers, poachers turned gamekeepers and they can sense trouble and nip it in the bud before it gets too far.”

“I shall need more men for the constructions at Enfield.”

“I have already considered that Amis and sent more teams out into the City to pick up the beggars and soldiers from the Crusades. Once they go through the basics they will be sent out to the site. We have set up and encampment for them there. They will be well looked after and get your job done in quick time. I’m also stocking up on timber so you will have an endless supply for your shipping and the house. Speaking of which, I have arranged with Lady K’s blessing your regular site inspection for her extension wing. I know it’s finished but you must be completely surprised.”

“Thank you, I will.” 

“Hey! Wake up! I’ve just come from my Katherine and she’s just full of it, her new palace project stupid. That’s engulfing her whole life at the moment. Your Amis has appointed Adam to oversee the whole build and do you know what he’s done?”

“I know but don’t let me spoil your telling.”

“Well my Katherine is giving him lessons in etiquette so that he can display his authority and she has also spread a rumour that he is an illegitimate son of one of the Barons at Court. This Adam is more than capable and is a quick learner. He has ridden out with Katherine to Enfield and shown her the basic layout of the palace and grounds. Oh and it’s to be referred to as Katherine’s House or Manor not a Palace. That will please Amis. She has changed the design so that as you approach you see the narrow side which looks quite modest but from the lakeside it is huge and resplendent. The other two sides are quite plain but will be hidden by banks of trees. The designers, architects, artists and stone masons have been let loose to design the interiors. The most impressive will be the huge entrance hall with a magnificent staircase. Huge chandeliers in special coloured glass have been ordered from Venice and artists commissioned to cover all the walls and vaulted ceilings. Even the delicate supporting pillars will be of Italian marble.”

“That surprises me because if the King sees it he will immediately requisition it for his own.”

“You miss the point my dear Ralph. The Nobles will see it by its plain façade and not by its interior grandeur. They like to show off their wealth and power with their grand palaces and estates so that people can arrive or go past and gawp.”

“OK, OK, I get the point. Has Amis mentioned Lady Charlotte’s and Lady Florentine’s fate at Court?”

“No, what’s he done now. They were next in Katherine’s pecking order.”

“Well she will no doubt find out herself in time when she goes to Court.”

“Tell me, please tell me.”

“OK, St. Florentine is going to poison herself slowly on so called Holy water that she imports from France and Lady Charlottes has fallen on her sword by failing to pass on Katherine’s gifts to her Queen.”

“What, are you telling me that Amis has put poison in the water?”

“No silly, he is just letting her have it as it arrives. The Captain usually tips the stagnant water out and refills it with fresh now he just lets it go.”

“Oh, and what about the jewellery and monies?”

“Leominster planted some in her bedchamber which the Queen discovered and had Charlotte thrown out of Court and no one is allowed to associate with her.”

“But won’t our Katherine be implicated?”

“That was discussed but Leominster though it would give your Katherine some kudos in Court and a message of ‘Don’t mess with me!’”

“Well I hope it works. I know Katherine is longing to finish her campaign of vengeance in Court and leave on the excuse of poor health. You know the Queen is obsessed by her own health and won’t have a courtier with a sniffle near her. I wonder who will impart all this knowledge to my Lady.”

“I suspect that she will find out on her next visit to the Court. She’s been away a long time and you know how much they love new gossip there. I’m surprised she hasn’t been ordered there already.”  

“Have you been summoned by our Proctor lately. I’ve only filed my reports and had no response.”

 “Yes, he called me in to congratulate us on our report of the battle in Savoie and in particular our own feelings on war. He even had a copy from Spectro and he liked that most of all. Said that Spectro was devastated by it all especially when we all discussed the significance of it all which I said surprised me since Claudio was a brute. He said that Spectro thought that it was all normal and missed the full implications. He indicated that Spectro was short of a few arrows in his quiver and there was discussion to replace him.”

“Not with either of us I hope?”

“No but we might have to have permanent links with his replacement. He did let on that he was becoming more impressed with you and your reports.”

“What? Impressed! Why doesn’t he tell me personally?”

“He is afraid that you might slip back into your old ways.”

“He said that to you?”

“Not exactly but he said you have a short concentration threshold and that I was good for you.”

“Oh!”     

    

 “What  else have you got for me?”

“I got this from a long conversation between my Amis and Leominster. I’m not sure about the loyalty of our new manager here so I did some research on him.”

“What, you visited his shadow?”

“No found it easier to get information going direct to data and reports to the Proctors.”

“Surely that’s forbidden. Does your Proctor know?”

“I haven’t told him if that’s what you are referring to but I’m sure he knows. Anyway I suspected Leominster was double dealing with Amis and giving Longchamps more information that Amis would allow.”

“But we know and Amis knows that Leominster is a double agent.”

“Yes, but Leominster is seriously plotting against Amis behind his back.”

“But Amis saved him and his family from sheer hell.”

“I know but with his new found wealth he is deeply envious of Amis and I don’t know what to do. I can’t intervene and our Proctor won’t let us, will he?”

“No but I shall approach our Proctor for guidance. The trouble is that Leominster is involving some of his cronies, bringing them in from the city as supposed beggars and then planting them carefully in our community. Some of these are directly on the orders of the Chancellor who bribes him well.”

“What is the purpose of all this, do you think?”

“Well it wouldn’t take much for our devious pair to charge Amis on a trumped up charge of treason and have the King chop his head off and claim all of his wealth.”

“But you told me that his wealth is well hidden behind other people and my Lady Katherine.”

“Yes but Leominster is gradually having his Charters changed to show Amis as the owner so that on his downfall all his estates fall to the Crown and Longchamps will be a major beneficiary. You know how empty King John’s and King Richard’s coffers are.”

“Will Amis ever find out?”

“Well I do know that my Lady is supplying special courtiers to Longchamps and also to Leominster. Can you investigate their reports for me Ralph or teach me how to do it? We might learn more from them.”

“That’s easy. You know when you write your report on the imaginary screen and keyboard? Instead of saying ‘Report Programme’ you say ‘Search Engine’. See, a box comes up and you say the name or type it in.”

“OK, the name is Peggy Smallcroft. Oh I see it comes up as word recognition. Now what do I do?”

“Just say ‘Search’, see it’s started to check out the name. There, you have several options.”

“The third one down is associated with Lady Katherine. That must be my Peggy.”

“Just say ‘Third’, there you are it’s searching and has come up with ‘SH’ for ‘Shadow’ and number ‘556732XTM’ that’s her reference. Now to get the information just say ‘Data’ and there you are, here comes a list of reports she has submitted. OK let’s read them and see what she has been up to.”    

 “Hey Ralf listen to this. She says that Lady Katherine has instructed her to seduce Chancellor Longchamps and find out as much as possible about Amis and Leominster. In a later entry she writes that Longchamps is going to get a big one over Amis with the aid of Leominster. They intend to entrap Amis and try him for High Treason for which there will be a death penalty. Also in the meantime the lands that Amis is purchasing, the Charters are being enscribed to Leominster or Longchamps direct. Peggy has told Lady K of this who has informed Amis. His response was to continue spying on the members of the Court and he will deal with it in his own way. He informed Lady K that Leominster is useful to him at the moment but at some point he will have a tragic accident.”

“You know what this means Katy? We don’t need to find ways of warning Amis that he is being deceived. He obviously knows. What I need to do is find out what Amis is doing about it if anything.”

“I find these intrigues and double dealing fascinating. I shall follow this with your help Ralf and write a report to our Proctor. I’m sure he will be impressed by our discovery. I’m just amazed how deceitful these people can be even though they are supposedly friends. Do you think Leominster was planted on Amis by Longchamps?”

“I wondered about that and checked on Leominster’s shadow who confirmed that they were totally destitute and even lost two children through starvation before the family was rescued by Amis. I think there is some sort of inherent greed and avarice built into these people. I remember my Proctor saying it was a survival instinct which should have faded away by now but it is still dominant.”

“Maybe we should do some research on the genes and chromosomes that are active in this area and why they are so persistent. There should be some mechanism to weaken them when man develops into a social animal. I will search the data banks now I know how to do it. I’m sure that the Proctors are too busy to pick up on all these things and it will help them to develop the prospective for their new people on the next planet to be inhabited. I wonder what model they are working on now?”

“Well I suspect that we are not the first model that they developed and released on this world. My Proctor told me that they have planted a number of variations on this world, some of which have been wiped out and disappeared to be displaced by newer models. I wonder if they will plant some more or have they done enough here and just collecting the data for further improvement of the future stock.”

Chapter 24

“Why the rush to see me Leominster? You know that I’m particularly busy at the moment.”

“Well Lord Chancellor, there have been serious developments on the Amis front and I don’t know how to handle it at this moment.”

“What’s so serious that you can’t handle?”

“Amis has asked me to sell six Charters of land.”

“What’s wrong with that? You do that all the time.”

“Yes I know but amongst those plots are three that have been switched to your name in the deeds and two to mine. Doesn’t seem a coincidence.”

“So you think that Amis has found out about our underhand dealings and handling this in a diplomatic way? The key to this is how has he found out? Have you blurted out to him in some way? We know he uses you to spy on me and my office.”

“Why should I impart my devious dealings to him? I have more to lose than you. He would kick me back to the gutter.”

“So are you accusing me of letting the cat out of the bag? I hope not. This leak hasn’t come from me you can be assured.”

“What about your office that has arranged these transactions? You must have passed on the work. You are too busy as you have just said.”

“I shall investigate, leave it with me. Now I have more important matters to deal with.”

“Thank you Lord Chancellor. I shall comply with Amis’s wishes and sell these parcels but I think we should stop any further transaction until you can plug the leak.”

“Don’t you dare accuse me of that! I shall do my investigations and so will you, now go! Oh, I think it’s time I met this Amis again. Arrange it.”

“Yes Lord Chancellor and may God be with you.”

“What’s God to do with this? Now go before I have you thrown out!”

“Amis, I have three Barons vying to buy these parcels. Any preference to whom you would like to sell?”

“Highest bidder would be the best but why don’t you share them out with a promise of further purchases in the near future.”

“Why are we selling Amis. I thought you were building up a goodly stock of land?”

“I firstly need cash to finance the build in Enfield and secondly the word is out that I have accumulated a fortune in land and this is creating envy and jealousy which might lead to adverse action from the Royalty. Don’t forget we have to appease two Kings plus their hangers on. I’m over exposed on the land front.”

“But you have great riches coming from Claudio and you shipping trade especially from Ireland.”

“But by selling some land I cast a rumour that I’m not as rich as I appear and that I need the money. That’s the appearance I wish to portray.”

“As you wish Amis, I will handle the deals straight away.”

“Yes and whilst you are about it can you get the scripters to give me a full list of my land holdings plus the relevant Charters that go with them so that I can scrutinise them for further sales.”

“Is that necessary Amis? You must be busy. I can do that for you.”

“No you are busy enough yourself. The next batch of lands I sell needs to be chosen with more care not the random choice of the current six. I need to invest more in shipping. Land is a fixed asset of which I can be easily stripped by whichever King sees fit. My ships can be moved to safer havens. In fact I have set up trading posts along the coast of the Channel from Amsterdam all the way to the Gironde in France and trading between them, making lots of profit and these ships are not in English waters to be seized by some unscrupulous Monarch.”

“But isn’t there a danger of losing many to pirates along those dangerous shores?”

“I can deal with pirates and these outposts will give me good intelligence on their activities. Sailors now know to beware of any vessel flying my flag. Yes, I will lose some, mainly on the rocky shores and storms but the trade is good, even better than between England and Normandy.”

“Interesting. I have just returned from Longchamps and he wants another meeting with you.”

“What is he plotting now that he needs my comments or is he after more donations to his personal coffers. Tell him that I am short of cash at the moment having exposed myself on the Irish trade with investing in more ships. Ask him if he would like a plot of land instead of a bag of jewels that he can pass on to John to curry favour. Now Lord Leominster, I need you to assure me that you haven’t forgotten your gratitude and loyalty to me from dragging you out of the gutter. Your friend Longchamps will have no qualms in letting you lie in the mire if you should double cross me. Just remember which side of the fence the grass is greener.”

“Is that a warning? Aren’t you satisfied with my efforts for you?”

“I am truly satisfied at the moment but I question your loyalty. Flesh is weak and attractive propositions may be presented to you in your position in Court that may be difficult to pass. Are you strong enough to take the right decisions or more importantly ones that can demonstrate your loyalty to me?”

“Please be assured of that Amis.”

“At this moment I am not. Please arrange a meeting with the Chancellor and let slip that his office is riddled with spies, my spies and you are not the only one. That will worry him more than the state of his personal finances I’m sure. We need him to be off guard at all times and always looking over his shoulder. Make him paranoid then we have him in our hand. Now go and arrange another audience with him and spill this revelation about spies that will hopefully send him into a tizzy.”

“Why are you here again? I told you, I’m busy.”

“Sorry but this is important. I’ve just spoken to Amis and he does know about our double dealings but the most relevant part is that he tells me your office is riddled with spies other than me. His, those of King Richard, King John, Queen Isabella and some of the more powerful Barons. They pass on intelligence to the highest bidder it seems.”

“I don’t believe him and why hasn’t he cut your throat or sent you back to the gutter.”

“I am useful to him and he has threatened me with just that if I continue to cheat him. He told me he was collating information on you to give to King John from the various spies in your household when the time is right.”

“What do you mean if ‘the time is right’?”

“Well if you decide to take action against him he will use all the information he has accumulated against you.”

“What proof has he? No one will believe a cripple.”

“He will only buy information if it is solidly corroborated by somebody else and told me that if anything drastic happened to himself then this information would be freely broadcast far and wide.”

“Have you any examples? I still don’t believe you.”

“He told me he knew that you were plotting with the Duke of Lancaster for the downfall of King John and has the full transcript of your discussions with the Duke at an inn in Oxford a month ago plus reliable witnesses.”

 “That still doesn’t scare me. Find out what else he knows and how much he wants for this information. I hear he needs the money hence selling land.”

“Where did you hear that? He only told me this morning.”

“You don’t think I only rely on you to provide me with intelligence on the Amis empire? I don’t think I trust your allegiance to me? In fact I’m going to sever my contacts with you hence forth don’t come here again or contact me.”

“Amis, our Lord Chancellor has dumped me. He tells me that he has other spies in your organisation that are more reliable than me.”

“Wise man. I didn’t think our little arrangement would last this long but he did manage to inveigle you into some dubious arrangements. I wonder if he was just testing your allegiance. Well you’re still useful to me in managing my estates and providing access to the Court now that Lady K is busy with other projects. Now avoid our Chancellor at all cost and we will see how good his intelligence gathering is on me. I have ways of finding out. I hear we have got him worried and he is bringing in wholesale changes in his staff. That will keep his mind off other things like plotting the downfall of John and a number of Barons, talking of which I want you to cosy up to some of them and find out what they most desire.”

“I promise to be loyal to you Amis.”

“You did that before and then started plotting against me. Look Leominster, I know you despise me and are envious of my wealth. Now don’t interrupt! I have kept a keen eye on you and you are ambitious, which is not a fault in itself but to have plotted against me is indefensible. I’m not sure I can trust you in the future. Once the house in Enfield is finished to my satisfaction then you either find a position in Court or I give you a Manor with land and you can while away playing at Lords and Ladies with your high and mighty friends. Remember not to cross me again. Your life depends on it. Now what else have you for me?”

“I have made arrangements for you to visit and inspect the extensions Lady Katherine has built to her London mansion and you have to be surprised that it has been finished to such a high standard. This will please Lady Katherine. I will leave you now with my tail between my legs, truly chastised.”

“Hey Ralf, you awake? I’ve been listening to an altercation between Leominster and Longchamps. Are you listening?”

“Of course I am but I’m in the midst of writing a report to our Proctor. Hey, how have you been listening to them when you’re not connected?”

“You showed me how so I jumped over to Leominster as a test and overheard him telling Longchamps that their dirty deeds have been discovered and neatly negated by our Amis. Also he was trying to cast the blame onto the Chancellor by suggesting that his office is rife with spies. That certainly threw our Longchamps into a fury.”

“Well we needn’t have thought of intervention on Amis’s behalf.”

“No, you’re right, he can look after his own interests. I then followed Leominster when he was chastised by Amis directly. He even threatened him with his life.”

“Yes but Amis needs him at this moment but when he finds a suitable replacement then our friend needs to watch his back.”

“Amis allowed him a neat escape if he sees the writing on the wall. What have you been up to?”

“I have been busy you know. I’ve been following one of Amis’s lieutenants known as Rogers of Aintree. He’s been tasked by Amis to extend the business of the scripters to increase their production of illuminated bibles, pray books and catechisms.  They are in great demand and the professionals we have are much superior in artistry to the ones produced by the Monks and are much quicker.”

“What’s happening on the teaching front that was mentioned some time ago?”

“Rogers is also involved in that and has invited scholars from Monasteries in Oxford and Cambridge to come and set up a school in our little township of Cripton.”

“How did he manage to attract their interest?”

“Usual inducements, lots of cash, lots of best wine and as many young girls or boys they can handle.”

“How many takers?”

“Some twenty and they are going to be accommodated initially at the inn until their palatial chambers are constructed. Now listen to this. Their first task is to test all of our young boys and girls and see who is capable to be taught to read and write in the first instance then onto numbers so that some will be trained to work in accounts.”

“Will these candidates volunteer or be press ganged?”

“I believe they are to check all able bodied children. That is to say those who are OK in the head so it may include some of the cripples that we have in great numbers.”

“Do you think our Amis has brought this about especially for our crippled brethren who can’t do physical labour?”

“I must have missed out on these discussions with Rogers but I bet you that he is being tested and trained up to take over from Leominster. Have you checked on his background?”

“No, but you are right, maybe we should and also keep a weather eye on Leominster and see if he sees Rogers as a competitor.”

“OK, you do that Kate and I’ll check on Leominster. Now the big news is about our Lady K. Whilst you have been delving into other people I have been watching our Lady as she was accompanying Amis on his inspection of the new building. He was astonished by what had been achieved. If you haven’t seen the finished article you need to follow your Lady about tomorrow. She is holding a special reception and inviting all of her important clients and many Ladies from Court.”

“It’s probably amiss of me but her current mansion is grand beyond description.”

“Well you are missing out and will have to raise your expectations to a higher artistic level my dear Katy. These rooms are not only grand but sumptuous beyond belief. One passes from one fine chamber to be greeted by another which is more opulent. Let me tell you that this is the first time I have seen Amis with a tear in his eye. Her friends are going to be blown away and her enemies will just dissolve into the thick carpets from envy.”

“Well I won’t miss it in that case. I presume you will be there? Will Amis?”

“I certainly will be there with you Kate. I wouldn’t miss the spectacle for the world. There will be a casual banquet where guests will mingle rather than sit at tables. This is the current fashion in Venice and Rome and guests will pick and chose from the laden tables before them, then they will be led through the new chambers where Lady K will point out the artistic merit of articles that she can provide and also the artisans to create similar decorated chambers in their own palaces. This will become the talk of London. I don’t know about Amis but he doesn’t like to be on show in public with Lady Katherine”

“But surely the Queen will be expected to be invited? This is Amis raising his head above the parapet.”

“The Queen I am reliably informed wouldn’t be seen dead in that part of London. She will no doubt hear from her Lady Companions and may even send some over to purchase some of the items for her.”

“But I’ve never known the Queen to purchase anything. She expects to be presented with any expensive items that catch her fancy.”

“That’s probably what will happen. Katherine will be asked to take some samples to the palace and the Queen will choose. What the Queen chooses the other Ladies will clamour over. It will be like Katherine opening a stall in the palace. She will no doubt tell her buyers that it can’t be exactly the same as the Queen has chosen but similar and just as richly finished.”

“Will she have any left to furnish her new Enfield?”

“Everything she has on show she has ordered in multiples, even Claudio has been ordered to sack some palaces in France and send over their finery. Venice, which is the current terminus for the famous silk road, will be sending mountain of goods to England and Claudio is tasked with its safe passage.”

“I hope he won’t be transporting all this wealth over the Mountains. You remember me telling you about Amis’s adventures there. I think they will follow the coastal routes to Bordeaux and shipping the stuff over from there.”

Chapter 25

The reception was a tremendous success, so much so that more and more of the budding aristocracy wanted an invitation to view the new chambers for ideas and mainly the wares that they could purchase to show off their own wealth and style. Queen Isabella heard about it and ordered Lady Katherine to bring samples to the palace for her to view. As Lady Katherine suspected and to her delight the Queen took a particular liking to many of the objects and furnishings and these she offered to the Queen as presents. This had the desired effect with the Courtiers who started clamouring to purchase similar objects with no expense spared particularly thinking that the Queen might just dismiss the items as beneath her taste, more to spite Katherine whose ascendancy and influence at  Court was concerning her and her closest confidants.

More and more orders were flowing to Paris, Amsterdam and Venice and Amis’s agents were scouring mainland Europe for exquisite furniture, paintings and statues which were readily available since the aristocracy there were on hard times and the sales were a ready source of much needed funds to settle disputes and longer term wars.

The development at Enfield was going a pace with Adam proving a more than competent director of works. He had scheduled the construction so that all the workers were busy all of the time. The vaulted cellars that were to create the main platform for the building were going a pace and the spoil from the lake was being carted and deposited around the base hiding much of the foundations so that the building appeared to be on a hillock. The design of the exterior had been modified to a plain but elegant Italianate façade with six rows of windows of equal size masquerading only two floors. The gatehouse leading to the entrance was being built in similar plain fashion but this lead to the piece de resistance, the magnificent full height entrance hall with a magnificent marble staircase. This was to be adorned with huge marble columns and glass candelabra from Venice. The whole area would be heated by a Roman style hypocaust of underflow vents through which hot air would flow from huge furnaces in the cellars. All these innovations or reinventions were again introduced by the Italian artists, stonemasons and artisans. No more draughty cold halls full of wood smoke. 

An ornate arch and doorway on the left side led to a huge ballroom leading out onto terraces overlooking the lake. On the right was an indoor amphitheatre with tiered seating arranged in a crescent. The actors and musicians would have access to the stage from the courtyard allowing large scenery to be easily moved and erected. In the floor above, accessed by the grand staircase, were a series of chambers where guests could rest, change into their ball gowns or just take refreshments. The staircase led to a gallery which had access to all of the other apartments.

Instead of using the fashionable Bath or Portland stone to face the building the local rough stone would be rendered with a special fine concrete imported from France and lateral and perpendicular groves would be cut to imitate fine stone blocks. Amis wanted to avoid ostentation in the build particularly along the public front. The frontage of the building was already half way in construction and the Lake was already filling. Banks, moats and tree plantings were already completed as Amis inspected the site with Adam and a number of stonemasons. He was happy with the work completed and general progress. He then visited the huge encampment of tents housing the workers and immediately instructed Adam to ensure the pathways were strewn with sand and straw to prevent quagmires occurring during the forthcoming winter. He wanted his workers to be well looked after, so well that freemen labourers would flock to the site. He was anxious to have the building complete in quick time.

“Adam, you are doing a fine job and we are all pleased with you. You have the authority and respect of all the workers on site and progress is good.”

“Thank you Sir for those kind words, I feel a new man with confidence to deal with all a sundry.”

“Now don’t overdo it Adam. Let your foremen get some of the glory. Now I know you are short of labour and that’s why you have to look after them well. Claudio has sent me over two hundred prisoners that have been festering in French goals. They are in a bad state. We are looking after them at my Cripton infirmary. I shall be sending them to you, dozen at a time. Please make sure that they are well served.”

“Are they thieves, vagabonds and murderers?”

“No, they are prisoners of war and their families are either unable or don’t want to pay the ransom demanded. There may even be some Knights amongst them. Don’t give them any quarter but check them all out. There may be some useful artisans amongst them and some of the Knights and Squires may become useful foremen.”

“Thank you for the advice Amis Sir. I would have been totally at sea without Lady Katherine’s and your help and training. It’s even rubbed off on my dear wife who is now displaying all the high and mighty traits. It’s a good job we are not in Cripton. Life would be unbearable with the jibes cast upon me.”

“Now you have a purser to look after the finance and a quartermaster to look after the provisions for the men and women on your site. Make sure you check their work. I don’t want to hear about shortages. This build must be completed in quick time.”

“It will be Amis but I’m glad you raised the matter of provisions. We are often short of flour for bread and the fish we get is often rotten by the time it gets here.”

“If the goods we are regularly sending from Cripton are insufficient then make some local arrangements. I’ll get somebody to check the fish and that reminds me, what is happening to the ice house?”

“That is almost complete, within the outer courtyard with access chutes from the outside down to the deep pit. One of the French engineers is working on the diversion of the stream that feeds the lake and he is planning a number of small, shallow ponds that will quickly freeze in winter. That will provide the house with ice throughout the year. Same for firewood. The trees that have been chopped down in the lake area have been logged and stored in rough thatched covered byres in the forest so that the wood will season well. Also the charcoal burners have been busy and the product will be stored in sacks or boxes in the cellars. I know you don’t like the mess that charcoal can leave if not handled carefully. We still need plenty of good oak beams and the foresters are busy but much further a field. I’m making sure not to deplete your forests and ruin your hunting grounds. We are having problems with poachers but I have set up a series of gallows in the nearby hamlets and crossroads as a deterrent. I’ve stuck up a few dead bodies of workmen who have died on site as an example and that has frightened the locals somewhat.”

“Good. Now next week I shall be visiting with Lady Katherine. Make sure the approaches are clean and tidy and all the workers look busy. She will probably want to meet with the artists to discuss the internal decoration. Make sure they are sober.”

“We now have a brewer on site fulfilling our local needs so no need to send any more barrels from Cripton. I bid you farewell Amis and look forward to showing your Lady Katherine the good progress we are making.”

   

        

    

“Hey Ralph, what do you make of this?”

“Sorry, I’m concentrating on a report for our Proctor. What have you got for me?”

“I’ve been flipping between Adam and his wife Daisy though she has changed it to Daphne to sound more ladylike.”

“What do you mean by flipping?”

“Well I can observe them both either singly or at the same time. I just messed about with what you taught me and now I can quickly access a number of people quickly or even look at them at the same time so that I can follow a conversation and their thoughts not just pick up the nuance of the second person.”

“Wow! That’s clever of you. Do you mean you can enter two subjects at one time like looking at two pages of a book at the same time?”

“Exactly, though I see it as looking through two windows at different scenes without flipping from one to another. I have tried it also on Amis and Katherine and can follow their conversation and their thought patterns even if they’re not together.”

“Do you know, I’ve never delved into their thought patterns just the conversation and their actions? I must have been missing out a lot. I suppose you can tell if they are telling the truth or just being devious.”

“That’s right. That’s why I’ve been following Adam and his wife. She’s been causing chaos in Cripton until Adam took her away to be with him at Enfield. She was lauding over everyone especially her servants in a horrible way thinking she is ten steps above anyone now that her husband has risen meteorically in the ranks. She used to beat her maid something rotten and for no reason. When she went out into the streets, people would throw dung at her because they hated her so much.”

“Did Adam know about this since he was away from home so much?”

“He did and remonstrated with her many times to curb her manners but to no avail. He heard tales from his friends in the tavern that she was the laughing stock of Cripton. That’s why he had her taken to Enfield to be out of the way.”

“Has that cured her?”

“Well she’s in unknown territory and more insecure but let me tell you the more interesting bit. I was shocked. When she got married to Adam she was already pregnant and Adam wasn’t the father. I know that from being inside her mind and checking her thoughts. She’s copulated with a number of men so even she doesn’t know who the real father is.”

“I thought Amis forbade fornication in the township amongst the vulnerable girls.”

“He has but it still goes on surreptitiously, only if both parties consent, otherwise the man is expelled and you know what that means. The marines are very strict. Now let me tell you that when the little baby girl was born, she cried a lot and kept our lady muck awake all night so one night she just smothered the baby to death. Can you believe that?”

“Have you mentioned this to your Proctor yet?”

“No, not yet but I’ve decided to do a study of infanticide amongst the people of the London because there are fewer births in Cripton. What I have found is that it is quite common for the mother or the father to get rid of a child. They do this from poverty, they already have too many, it’s a girl or the child is crippled in some way. That’s why I wonder that Amis didn’t succumb to such treatment as a child.”

“He was the only boy child in the family is the reason I believe. So you manage to just flip about and enter anybodies life you like, is that the way you do it?”

“That’s right and I don’t have to go through the rigmarole of checking the data base that you go through. Going back to the infanticide thing, I’m totally puzzled by it, how a mother can allow her child to be killed off even if it’s healthy. I am making a study of it for our Proctor.”

“Well I’m sure that you have noticed that mothers don’t have any strong maternal feeling for their offspring. I’m sure that if they had an emotional attachment they would be frequently devastated when they die of some disease. I noticed somewhere on the database that over thirty percent of children die before they reach their tenth year.”

“Please let me have that reference and I’ll show you how to flip easily amongst the windows. It’s easy.”

“Thanks, I’m quite excited by that. I always wondered how or what the other party felt or thought in any situation so all of my reports were one sided. Also I tended to follow Amis’s direct actions rather than have an inclination of his thought process. I wonder why I never thought much about it. Our Proctor never suggested it or even pointed to it. Our reports will be much improved from now on with expressions on how these people came to these decisions. For instance, why did Daisy kill off her child?”

“This is the moral dilemma as I see it. She passed it off as a normal course of events whilst I, through her mind process, saw it as a pure killing just because the baby cried at night. Rather sad but gives a different complexion on the matter and questions the morality of it all.”

“I think morality is a distant and expensive commodity to these people who generally think of day to day survival.”

“You’re probably right Ralf as you are on many things. I shall ponder over the question and do some more research.”

“Don’t consider me as a mine of information Katy, you have just opened Pandora’s Box of valuable intelligence that we can collect for our Proctors. I will let you inform our Proctor of your discovery and take the credit.”

“Well thank you kind Sir. I will let you kiss me for that. I wonder if our Proctors are afraid of an overload of information if they allowed each shadow to have these skills at their finger tips?”

“Maybe but my thinking is that they would get better information by having shadows equipped with our skills just flipping from subject to subject and taking a sample rather than us just regurgitating trivia about our own subject in isolation. Trivia is probably a strong word.”

“Hey, you are thinking out of the box as my Proctor said to me some time ago. I didn’t really understand what he meant but I do now. Shall we go and broach this subject to our Proctor together now, this very moment whilst it’s all fresh?”

“I’m all for that but you know this will lead to more further work for us and we all know your attitude to work.”

“I realise I’m lazy but if the subject is interesting then I can work for hours. Anyway, you know we spend hours, particularly at night just hibernating whilst our subjects are asleep so we have plenty of time to do our own thing. I’ve discovered a game on the data base that I caught our Proctor playing. I noted the reference and I’ll show you. It’s an interesting war game but it’s played on another planet with strange people and even more frightening creatures. You will like it. Now let me alert our Proctor that we would like an audience. Katy, be prepared to do all the talking or most of it.”

“Are you afraid that this is all nonsense and I’ll get the blame?”

“No, no, but I want you to get the credit. Remember our Proctor saying that there are lots of duff shadows about, like Spectro with Claudio. We could take over from them.”

“OK, I believe you but you must support me if it gets tough.” 

Chapter 26

  

“How are you Leominster? I haven’t seen you for quite a while.”

“I’m well and have been very busy on your account. You have been away a lot at the new palace you’re building at Enfield Park so I haven’t been able to update you. I notice you are limping dear Amis. What has befallen you?

“Fell off my horse whilst hunting. Lots of bruising and my ribs hurt. To cap it all I seem to have caught a chill. Update me on what’s been happening?”  

   “Well a lot has happened. Your good friend Claudio has sent you some hundred captured prisoners and families.”

“Yes, I told him to gather up as many workers for me as possible. Where are they?”

“Oh, I will show you them shortly. They are in a poor state with their journey and many are in the infirmary receiving treatment. You will be surprised when you see them. They are jet black in colour, much darker than the Saracens. They are part of a group of mercenary soldiers that Claudio freed in Italy. They originate from the upper parts of the great Nile river. They are fierce soldiers and Claudio has retained the single men and sent you the ones with families.”

“Show me, show me. I have heard of these dark people. When they recover, incorporate the men into the marines. They will bolster up my troops there. What else has been happening? Have you seen Longchamps?”

“I’m persona non grata in Longchamps camp and he has even stopped my allowances.”

“Good, since you were the one who handed Longchamps my levies then he can stew for a while. No doubt he will come snivelling back. They are all greedy for money in our Court.”

“Do you still get information from his camp?”

“Don’t you fear, I have many informers in high places who keep me ahead of any trend. Now show me these jet black people.” Leominster walked Amis over to the infirmary where he saw for himself these people and was amazed at their deep colour. Most of the men were being treated by Saracen healers that Amis had brought over from the Holy Land. The men were being treated for wounds that had festered and some of the women from malnutrition. They then walked over to one of the huge new warehouses that had dormitories on the upper floors that housed the new arrivals. They were in a sorry state and Amis ordered extra clothing and good supply of food for them. Next they visited the new church, built by volunteers, on the outskirts of his township. He approved the functional, modest design.

The new harbour that Amis had constructed in the tributary of the Thames had now been extended and Leominster showed him the new quays and the adjoining warehouses, some in early construction stages. The river bed had been dredged and the banks widened so that ships could anchor even at low tide. Amis was pleased with the new development but instructed Leominster to redevelop and widen the mouth of the river where his first quays had been built even though it meant knocking down some of the old buildings and repositioning them elsewhere.

 Amis was pleased with the progress and was then shown the new market place and faire ground. Leominster was proud to show him the new shelters he had commissioned so that the market could function even in bad weather and the hostelry he had built to provide food and accommodation for the peddlers. The market and faire was providing entertainment and a leisure activity for his people and was self financing from dues.

The busy roads and quays were being paved with stone flags to minimise the mud and provide a better surface for his carts and carriages than the muddy streets of the city. Everywhere he saw men busy building, cleaning and carting goods to and fro his warehouses. It pleased him. He excused himself and ordered his carriage to take him to Ladyship’s mansion in the city.

His visit was eagerly awaited as Lady Katherine embraced him and grabbing his arm directed him to an adjoining hall. There awaited a sight for sore eyes as twenty Knights in magnificently rich armour faced him with their fists gripping the pommels of their swords.

“My, my, my, I thought you were leading me into a trap for one moment,” Amis exclaimed in delight. “Where on this good earth did you source these specimens?”

“I thought you might just like them. These are the first twenty or so full suits that have been completed by your armourers. I swore them to secrecy so that I can display them in this way for your admiration.”

“Why my lovely, they are as beautiful as you, well not quite. I didn’t know my armourers were so gifted.”

“Well my dear Amis I have to admit that as yet they are not but soon will be. These are suits that have been fully restored from the ones sent over by Claudio and have been embellished with jewels to my specification. Others are just in the process of being repaired.”

“What do you intend doing with them?”

“I shall display them here initially as a shop window to the world and when our palace is complete in Enfield Park then they will decorate our grand entrance hall. But Amis, you haven’t commented on the rosettes of weapons I have fashioned on the walls behind them?”

“I am amiss in that direction my dear. I have just had my eyes affixed to these King like figures. The array of weapons is most impressive. Have these also been sent over by Claudio?”

“The armourers and blacksmiths are still in the process of sorting them out and repairing the exceptional ones for show. The ordinary ones will be refurbished and sent back to Claudio and some to your own armoury.”

“Good, that will keep our friendly rogue very happy. But the scabbards on show are also of the best.”

“I am very please with these. They have been made by your artisans to my design and are also embellished with the finest jewels. They will also make a fine display in our palace. Now Amis, you will have to source me more of the curved Saracen scimitars and helmets plus their shields so that we can have a display to remind us where all this wealth started.”

“Where have you managed to source all the jewellery? I didn’t know I had so much in my treasure chests.”

“I must admit I did rake through your hoard and picked out the choice pieces. You must admit Amis my dear that they look far better displayed than sulking under your bed?”

“You have done well my dearest and I can only applaud you. Will you be showing this display to your visitors, for sale maybe or a commission?”

“No, they will cause too much envy and if the King finds out he will demand a sample or two for his own palaces. I may have some of the plainer ones for show and will take commissions. I don’t want to relinquish these magnificent Knights. They are going to be my guardian angels.”

“You are very wise. The King and Nobles are getting greedy and this display of wealth will have them conspiring against us. It’s like our new Enfield Palace which from the outside looks quite plain and lacking in any merit. It will not cause any envy unless they venture inside.”

“You don’t look well my dearest Amis. What ails you?”

“I had a bad fall whilst hunting, my leg is stiff, my chest hurts and I have caught a chill but this sight has made me feel much improved in my being. I shall have my physician check me out for broken bones and give me a draught for my chest.”

“Make sure you have your hot bath at the ready when I come tonight. I shall be early and will rub that sweet ointment into your body and make you better my darling.”

“I shall await that with pleasure. What will your request be for supper tonight? I have some fine wine and mead plus a brace of pheasants to your liking.”

“Magnificent and can we have a salmon baked in clay. You haven’t served me that for a while.”

“I can do better for you my dear. My new Italian chef stuffs salmon with fine herbs and cakes it all in a thick crust of salt, much improvement on my clay. I must leave you now and get the preparations under way. Tonight you can also tell me who is plotting against me this week?”

Chapter 27

In the following days Amis stayed indoors, had the fires built up to maximum, bathed twice daily, breathed in heavy infusions made up by his Saracen physician and spent most of the time lying on a tilted plank head down so that he could get rid of the accumulation of phlegm and other noxious substances that might reside in his lungs. He was decidedly not amused by his infirmity. Lady Katherine was a constant companion and endeavoured to bring him good cheer.

As the days and weeks continued Amis was no better and decidedly much weaker in himself. To avoid pondering over his demise he set about setting his house in order by instructing his vast array of accountants and scribes. A message was sent to recall Claudio from his recent siege in Alsace to discuss the future. 

Lady Katherine and Claudio were instructed to attend Amis at his bedside.

“I am now in the process of putting my house in order since I am no longer to endure this world.”

“Please don’t talk like that darling. You will recover, you just need some rest.”

“No darling, I am getting weaker by the day and the physicians are looking graver every day. My time has come so listen to my plan for you both and don’t interrupt,” said Amis as he coughed into a white napkin and showed them the blood.

“When I die everyone will be robbing you of my or our estate so this is the arrangement I have made. I can’t leave it to Lady K since she is a woman and has no right to inheritance. I can’t leave it to you Claudio because you are not a native of this land and a known scoundrel to boot. For protection of the estate I shall bequeath it all to the Church,”

“You can’t do that!” shouted Claudio, “They are equal robbers surpassing even me.”

“Now listen Claudio, if I bequeath it to the Church it will be protected from all even the King wouldn’t be able to touch it. Each of you will have a share but the estate in essence will be administered by the Church. Bishop of Canterbury will be the chief administrator. I have chosen him especially because of his ability. You know he spends most of his time in the City, in the fine palace I provide him. Lady K supplies the serving staff and the lady and men courtesans to his satisfaction. Now initially you will have a third of the estate each and profit from it. The Bishop as administrator will appear to control the lot as far as the outside world will see it so it is untouchable and safe for you."

“That doesn’t seem fair Amis. The Church will take everything and there will be nought left for me and your beloved Lady K,” answered Claudio earnestly as Katherine looked on most concerned.

“Now listen me out. If I don’t make it look that the Church under the Bishop is fully in control there is a great danger you both will lose everything. Now here’s the plan, The Bishop will be remunerated with a generous annual stipend plus three percent of the overall profit as a real incentive to manage the business efficiently. The Church will take a third of the profits, a portion will go to the Pope, some to the King to keep him sweet and the rest will go to the Church in Britain. Hopefully the Bishop will make the synod invest some in the business but that’s unlikely. You Katherine will continue to get commission from the finery you sell and some of it will go into the profit pot. You Claudio will sell your plunder for a nominal sum to the estate and get a third of the profit same as Katherine and the Church. The difference being that you two will reinvest your profit in the estate since you have no need for the money, thus your investments will grow and so will the share of the profit. The Churches investment will reduce overtime unless some bright spark there is sensible to reinvest the majority of their profit. In any case neither of you will lose out.”

“OK Amis I understand all of that but who is going to keep an eye on our Bishop so that he doesn’t bleed us dry or betrays us,” asked Katherine as Claudio nodded strongly in agreement.

“That will be up to Claudio. He will hand over the day to day operations to his second and live here in this palatial home filled with chubby, cheerful cow girls that he desires so much. He will also assign a troop of his best men to guard our Bishop and to ensure they know who he meets, who he does business with, who he sleeps with and when he farts.”

“OK I can do that. I presume that is to preserve our bounty,” answered Claudio being more comfortable as he downed his flagon of beer.

“Correct Claudio and as for you Katherine, you should fane an illness, a weakness and spend more time out of London at our new Palace. Keep away from the court as much as possible. Find a suitable Lady to look after your affairs in London and Claudio will provide you with constant protection.”

“No problem there Amis. I will protect Lady K with my life. Now what about our little Lord Lulu who I hear is back visiting Longchamps again?”

“Firstly we don’t need Longchamps’ patronage anymore. The estate will effectively belong to the Church so it’s up to them to satisfy the King and Longchamps. He is an effective manager of the town but if he continues to seek patronage after you have warned him to desist then do away with him in your customary manner Claudio.”

“I will don’t you fret Amis. Now the Pope is likely to send a Legate to pick up his share. Would you mind if occasionally the Legate’s ship foundered in the channel with all persons lost?”

“I’m sure you could come up with a better plan than that. You don’t want to be implicated so do the dastardly deed nearer to Rome than on home turf.”

“I’m sure you are right there and the pickings will be greater as he nears Rome.”

“OK leave me to rest and do your own planning and come back to discuss anything at anytime. Don’t forget we will be having a banquet here with the Bishop tomorrow evening to sign the deal. Katherine, arrange plenty of pretty courtesans to liven the proceedings. Even Claudio may take a likening to them rather than his comely cowgirls.”              

“Hey Ralf, aren’t you worried about our Amis? His illness is getting worse it seems.”

“I certainly am. I searched the data banks for a diagnosis and it seems he’s got a major lung infection and currently there’s no cure for it. I confirmed this with his Saracen physician. I flipped over to shadow him and learned that he is suffering from consumption and that’s not from over eating. In fact he’s off his food.”

“Well Lady K is very worried about him. She visits daily and has laid on troupes of entertainers to take his mind of his problem.”

“I think he knows it is serious because he is putting his accounts in order. He’s even called Claudio over to discuss matters.”

“Yes I flipped over to shadow Claudio when he arrived and do you know the first thing he did? He called his spies over that are close to Amis, his accountants and Lord Leominster. Did you know he had spies and more over did Amis know?”

“Yes Katy, Amis even suggested to Claudio a long time ago that he should have some of his men or spies a you call them overseeing his assets. I didn’t know he had some close to Leominster.”

“Well Lord Leominster is no longer of this world. I overheard Claudio plotting his demise. It appears that our Lord is going to double cross Amis and snatch all of his wealth. Claudio, in his normal horrid style, is going to bar the doors in the middle of the night and set his manse alight.”

“That sounds like Claudio. I arranged a meeting with our Proctor and he just commented that Amis’s luck has just run out. He said that he is considering a replacement for me when he finally dies.”

“Does that mean we wont be working together anymore Ralph?”

“Well I suggested that I shadow Claudio instead of Spectro. He is going to consider it. I said that I would like to continue working with you Katy.”

“That’s nice, I have enjoyed our time together. The task has been more fulfilling and we seem to have collected more valuable data for our Proctor.”

“What our Proctor did say was that he was going to allocated us with other people to shadow. Since we have been flipping between people our reports have been more valuable because we have linked both sides together. He said that some of the shadows like Spectro haven’t been very efficient.”

“Did he have any insight as to how long Amis will survive and if he will eventually pull through?”

“I did ask and he said he would pass away in a month. It is sad. I will miss him terribly. This has been my best assignment by far even though I initially thought it would be a bore.”

“I’m following Lady Katherine more closely to see how she is planning her future. She too is hoping that he will pull through but in her heart she believes that he is no longer of this world. Do you know she is planning to take Amis to view the developments at the new Enfield Palace? She has arranged a carriage fitted with a brazier to keep our poor Amis warm on the journey.”

“Yes, he will miss Enfield, the luxurious palace and especially the hunting. He will miss Lady Katherine most of all. She has been a wonderful companion for him. His deformity hasn’t been a handicap in her case. I wonder what the future will bring for us all.”   

FIN

                         

 

 

                           

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