The Sword of Stone - Sworn Honours

Chapter 13: The Field of Crows

Before evening fall, the dowager forces began to assemble themselves at the foot of an opposing hill, standing against the false barons' forces plainly to see. Archers dug arrows deep into the earth as they prepared for a long, lengthy engagement, whilst other men in lighter regalia strolled about the camp, keeping an eye on the supply wagons. A tent had been hastily strung out by a small scrub, with a stream running through it, from which loud voices could be heard, rising and falling—an argument took place, with Henry's voice being the loudest.

Rolan parted the flap and stepped into the dimly lit tent, where the officers gathered around a table with a map in the centre. Edward was leaning across it, staring at it, long lost in thought, as the others continued to bicker. 

'Give me the vanguard, and I'll lead the men right into the mouth of this beast,' Henry said valiantly. Yet foolish, Rolan noted. 

Rolan thought: the one who held the high ground had the advantage, as he glanced at the wooden chess pieces on the map, showing the opposing forces. A victory of such a disadvantage wasn't unheard of, though it took a different type of man to win such a battle. Seeing this young lord who was far too cocky, Rolan knew this wasn't that type of man.

'Your bravery is noted, my lord, yet I cannot sacrifice lives needlessly. However, your position in the vanguard will be considered,' Edward said not unkindly. 

The lordling was a little disappointed in this but nodded nonetheless. Darrick said, 'Perhaps, my lord, we should consider turning east. Better to live another day. If we avoid this one, we can draw your brother out into smaller pitched battles. Wear him down until we can finally face him head-on on our terms.'

'Foolish,' Rolan interrupted. Everyone looked at him as if they had just noticed him, Darrick glaring. 

'I was unaware you were a part of this council, Paladin. Don't you have witches and goblins to hunt?' he spat. 

'Hold on one moment. We cannot just brush aside a word of a paladin, can we?' Henry said, almost naively, with a nugget of truth. 'Protectors of the realm, the greatest warriors in all the lands west of the divide. We would be foolish to ignore such a thing.'

That was the first thing Henry had said to impress Edward, who nodded in agreement. 'Absolutely, go on, sir Rolan, continue what you were saying.'

Looking around, Rolan realised that he had put himself into it now. 'You all know what I mean. Giving the field now will only allow Simon to retreat to the safety of his castle walls, from which he will have all the time he needs-'

'All the time for what?' Darrick interrupted, frowning at the paladin. Rolan noticed the knowing look in Edward's eye. 

'The paladin is trying to say that my brother will use this time to fabricate any falsehood he pleases to bring upon the duke's justice. The duke will be none the wiser to our cause, believing we to be nothing more than bandits,' Edward said, looking more intensely at the map. 'My brother will see our forces now and realise we stand somewhat of a chance against him. If we give him even a moment, he will take it and use it to crush us.' He looked at everyone's face with a severe eye. 'This is our moment, not his. If we do not take it, all we have done will be for nought.'

Rolan gave a slight nod as everyone else understood that Edward was right. Henry's face seemed pale, and he became quieter then. 

'So what's our plan?' an officer asked.

Edward fell silent for a moment, considering. 'We'll deploy our forces along this hill,' he pointed. 'Darrick, you and the reavers will go along the right flank and scour the woods. Be mindful of giving any of my brother's men a good show, and make sure my brother doesn't feel that his flank is too insecure.'