Knight of the Empress by Griff Hosker Page A

made a cut across the palm of his hand.  The Swabians, Edward and myself all did the same.  I knew the custom from my father.  Sir Guy nodded and did the same.  We then all clasped hands so that our blood intermingled. Rolf nodded, "Now we are blood brothers and oathsworn. He walked over to a brazier burning in the corner and, taking his knife, plunged it into the flame.  After a few moments he took it out and placed it on the wound.  He repeated it with us all.  "Now we are oathsworn in blood and fire. When the Empress is in danger then we must go to her side; no matter what."
    After we had tended to Star's injury we returned to our quarters.  Guy and Edward took off my surcoat.  "Look at that sir.  There is a dent in the armour."
    I could see that there was a small dent in the armour.  It was where the lance had struck me.  It had not penetrated but the scale would need replacing.  Just then Carl came in holding something in his hand. Gottfried and Rolf were with him
    "I returned to the arena and found the lance the Count used.  I found this in the broken end." He opened his palm and there was a narrow arrow head.  It would have been invisible in the end of the lance. Edward took it and placed it next to the dent in the armour.  It was a perfect match.
    Edward rolled the narrow arrow head in his hand.  "They didn't know you wore lamellar armour Baron.  If you had worn mail then this would have gone right through." He placed it next to his mail and I saw that it would have gone through. "The Count was trying to kill you."
    "Keep that safe Edward. I shall return it to the Count one day." Turning to the Swabians I said, "And you three watch yourselves.  Being associated with me may be dangerous."
    "Do not worry, my English friend, we have learned about treachery the hard way and our comrade paid with his life.  We will watch."
    We parted from the Swabians and, after picking up the surcoats and supplies for the journey we left. It was in direct contrast to our arrival. The streets were empty leading to the gates for people were enjoying the holiday atmosphere in the taverns of the town. We were able to slip out unobserved. The men were satisfied for they had enjoyed their stay in the town for they had had none of the politics to contend with.  They had drunk and wenched.  Some had spent all of their coins and were now eager for action and the prospect of more treasure. The three of us, who rode at the front, had much to think on.  Harold and Alan had been on the periphery of the intrigue but Edward and Guy knew as well as I did that there were plots and intrigues going on here.
    "Guy, you live in the Empire; how does it view France and Normandy?"
    He shrugged, "We are in the provinces and it is hard to judge.  As far as we can tell the Empire supports your King Henry.  After all his daughter is the Empress of the Empire but events in the last few days have made me question that."
    Edward had an annoyed expression on his face.  Since he had discovered the arrow head he had been silently fuming, "My question, Baron Alfraed, is how did those knights get so far into the Empire unless someone was giving them support.  We were almost within sight of Worms when they attacked.  And those two Teutons, Lothar and Konrad, who got them close to the Empress? This is a big conspiracy. No sir. I am glad to be rid of that place.  Not the Empress mind, she is worth fighting for, but she has found herself in a nest of vipers there."
    We rode in silence for a while.  I did not want to think about the Empress Matilda trapped there so far away from home and so vulnerable.  I turned to Edward's squire. "How is the arm, Alan?"
    "It aches a little but the physician we saw in Worms said that Wulfric had set it well.  I am just pleased it was only my shield arm."
    "Good.  I would like to ride hard, Sir Guy, and get to your uncle's castle as soon as possible. I wish to question Lothar and Konrad.  We now have names to put