Hello Old Friend

1

"Alex how far are we?"

Alex looked at their friend and fellow knight before answering. "Not far. Actually, this would make a good stopping point."

An arm went up, to halt the rest of the men. They did so without question. It had been years since Alex had been on this road last. Yet, it was remembered quite well.

The mother of Alex d'Auvergne died almost eight years ago when Alex was sixteen, their father decided they would return to France after the matriarch of the family passed away.

While their father had his reasons for returning to France, Alex d'Auvergne had their own for following their older brother to the battlefield. There were others like him that had no formal training to fight. d'Auvergne proved their usefulness by their healing prowess. Barely more than boys when they met, these knights trusted Alex with their lives. These 21 men learned together, fought together, and survived together. Well, some of them survived at least.

How Alex became their leader, was baffling to d'Auvergne. Each one of the knights knew of Alex's secret. They would die before giving it up. They fought for England. They fought for Christianity. Most importantly, they fought for their beloved King Richard.

King Richard knew the greatest secret held by d'Auvergne. Only their king and the 21 knights were privy to the knowledge. For the service in battle and with their King's blessing, the knights returned to the shores of England. Alex was chasing a rumor of a long ago home. The men stayed with their leader out of both love and respect. There were few people as strong and honorable as d'Auvergne and the knights knew that well.

Having stopped, the knights discussed the half-truth of their journey into Nottingham. To anyone else, they were knights returning home from the battlefield. The lie was there was no home they were returning to. Nottingham was supposedly just a stop overnight for women and wine. The men would have the chance for the women and wine but Alex had no desire. The knight carried a love for the people of Nottingham. Nottingham was their birthplace. That was where their heart resided even 8 years later.

The knights were collectively known as the Hand of Death. They could get in virtually anywhere without detection. Sneaking out of the bedroom as a child was a way of life for Alex. It became a useful skill during the Crusades. While tall, d'Auvergne still had the build of a boy. It was the perfect ruse. When others realized d'Auvergne was far from a child, it was too late. Alex taught others the tricks of silence.

They would not torture, but killed silently and swiftly.

Bribing the guards at the gate, Nottingham was easily entered. Alex considered the men to be nothing more than petty thieves and fools. What had happened to the strong men that held love above all else?

Having made sure that the men had plenty of coin to set themselves up with wine, women, food and a place to sleep. They were told if Alex was not back by the next sunset to leave without him and silently. Alex would make the way back to them, if possible.

The armor was removed and stashed. Alex d'Auvergne wore nothing but the general leathers of a young man and his weapons. Right now, there would be a lot to watch and wait for. Surely staying out of trouble for the day in Nottingham wouldn't be too difficult? Alex saw the one they was searching for, the Man in Black. The Man in Black showed contempt and anger that flowed from his body like a disease, but why? Cursing quietly, they decided there was a need to find out more. Alex could not get a good look at the man's face.

The markets were pitiful. What happened to the crops? Was there not enough rain in the last seasons? The once bustling marketplace was a place of sadness. Soldiers were everywhere. The soldiers had nothing on Alex, thankfully. The knights were seen dragging people through the streets and demanding coin for some perceived slip. Amateurs were these so called knights and d'Auvergne rolled their eyes.