Meulon’s grim insistence on staying on his horse was thwarted when he fell from the saddle, unconscious, several miles along the road. The men fashioned another litter and bore him at the head of the column between Blackstone and Killbere. Meulon’s face was drained of colour by the time they reached the fortified town. Blackstone halted the column half a mile from the gates. ‘Who commands here?’ said Killbere.

‘I don’t know. This territory falls under the Lord of Mayenne, but whoever it is he’s strengthened the town’s defences and it looks as though he was in the fight at Cocherel,’ Blackstone said, pointing to a handful of abandoned supply wagons that stood in the open fields in front of the gates. ‘Those bear de Grailly’s blazon.’

‘Thomas, he might be holding Beyard as a prisoner. Those routiers at the bridge said he had been taken for ransom by some lord or other.’

‘We’ll soon find out. Gilbert, spread the men out. I want those in the watchtowers to see us clearly.’ Blackstone turned in the saddle. ‘John, you will accompany me with Meulon’s litter.’

‘Once they know who you are, Thomas, your life is not worth a cobbler’s boot nail,’ said Killbere.

‘Gilbert, do as I ask. We have to save Meulon – whatever the risk.’

Killbere nodded. He knew as well as the next man that Meulon might not survive another day without help. He and John Jacob wheeled their horses to follow Blackstone’s orders.

Blackstone turned the bastard horse towards the huddled survivors. He pointed to two of the men. ‘You will follow me. Bring the woman and the child on the litter. Everyone else will follow. I’ll speak to the mayor and the council or whoever commands here. I will bargain for your sanctuary and the care of those who need it. You follow behind me. Do not rush the gates. These people might not accept you. Understood?’

There was a murmur of understanding. Villagers raised their voices in thanks for Blackstone’s protection.

Killbere reined in. ‘Thomas, those parapets may be low but they’re bristling with crossbows. It might not be much of a town but what defences they have look to be effective. Enfilade there and there. And I’ll wager they’ll have barricades as a second line of defence.’

Blackstone looked at the men, who stood in plain sight. ‘If John Jacob and I don’t come out by nightfall then choose their weakest place and come at them under cover of darkness. They’ll be vulnerable then.’

‘I will,’ said Killbere, ‘and gladly because you will likely be strung up by your ankles wearing your balls around your neck.’

*

Blackstone led; John Jacob followed, guiding Meulon’s litter; the stragglers came behind. Blackstone stopped fifty paces from the town gates and waited. If the command was given for the crossbowmen to loose they were dead.