De Montfort blinked. His eyes focused on the enemy; his heart thudded with the prospect of his own death. Of course he was scared. Sweat mottled his face beneath his helm.

‘My lord, they raised you as ward of my King. He is the greatest warrior king known to any of us. Draw on his courage and steadfastness. And wet your throat. You must ride along the ranks and lift the men’s hearts.’

‘I... I would not know what to say to them. They are fighting men, Sir Thomas, and I am not yet tested.’ De Montfort met Blackstone’s eyes. Reality faced him. It was no time for false bravado. ‘Ride with me. Let them see you.’

‘My lord, this is your army. You must show them the way to victory.’

‘Then tell me what to say,’ de Montfort said, his voice edged with desperation.

Blackstone placed a hand on the young man’s trembling arm. ‘What you feel is common to us all. I will ride behind you and give you the words – softly – but you must rouse yourself and let every man of our two thousand hear you. Think that you are speaking to the men at the rear ranks. The breeze is at our back and will carry your words. We’ll canter across the front rank, turn and then slow the horses so your voice will carry to everyone. Is that agreeable, my lord?’

‘It is, and I am in your debt.’

‘The only debt is to those men waiting to die for you. Now, give them the courage they need.’

De Montfort took a firm grip on the reins and dug in his heels. His courser lurched forward, eager to run off the bunched tension in its muscles. It was a fine horse, with a steady gait, and made de Montfort look like a man born in the saddle. He raised his arm as he rode past the men, the sense of occasion and Blackstone’s encouragement giving him the appearance of a man ready to lead. Blackstone and the bastard horse with its uneven gait followed close behind. It snorted, fighting the bit, already sensing battle. Blackstone cursed; he needed the beast to behave long enough so he could prompt de Montfort, who turned at the end of the line and then calmed his horse and eased it back to a trot. Blackstone fell in on his blind side so the men would not see him guiding de Montfort’s words.