Chapter Twenty-Two

June 1143

The outskirts of Wareham

A nnora raced her horse, following the knights in front of her as they made their escape from Wareham. Months of planning had given Stephen a new campaign, intended to strengthen his position in the west country. She had followed his army from one castle to the next. Stephen had set his sights on Wareham to lay siege to the castle and gain control of the city. Wareham was a main port controlled by Matilda to maintain communications to her husband in Normandy. But it turned out the city was well-guarded and its defense strong under the leadership of Robert of Gloucester. When Stephen’s scouts returned with news that they were being pursued by Earl Robert’s knights, Stephen and his army headed north to evade capture.

The horses in front of her began to slow and Annora gazed behind her to check for any enemy forces that still pursued them from behind. As far as she could see, the enemy knights had fallen off and were no longer giving chase. This gave their own horses time to rest as the company slowed their steeds into a walk. She turned to the man riding beside Shadow to share with him her concern.

“We could have easily been captured back there,” she said with a frown. “I do not understand Stephen’s need to invade this part of the land where Matilda’s control is so strong.”

Percival nodded leaning an arm on the saddle whilst they continued forward at a slower pace. “The King is a man on a mission as is Matilda. These skirmishes are like a game between them as they hope to gain further land in their name. Both know that the war is reaching its conclusion and wish to have as strong a bargaining position as possible when it comes time to broker the terms of peace.”

“I do not care that I am but a pawn controlled by others,” Annora snapped looking ahead to where the King was commanding they halt. “What do you suppose is going on now?”

Percival gave a shrug and sat tall in his saddle again. “Who is to say? We are at the whim of a king.”

“Ride ahead and see if you can find any news as to where we are headed next,” Annora asked the knight who slapped the reins of his mount and went forward.

Manfred came to take his place next to her. “Do you suppose the King has changed his mind and determined that we might return to London?”

Annora sighed. “I highly doubt it. I have the feeling we will be using the strength of our sword arm before too long. He will have us fighting with our lives just to gain another small bit of land to control.”

“Sometimes I fear we will never see home again,” Manfred complained before he looked around him. “Not that I would leave the King’s army. I am a loyal subject, after all.”

A smirk lit Annora’s face—the first in days. She knew Manfred and Percival’s loyalty actually lay with the Empress much like her own. It seemed that they, too, were subject to the King’s pleasure in order to ensure the protection of their families back home. Aye… the similarities between their situations were all too apparent. Just as they yearned to fly back to the arms of their families, she would also like to do nothing more than lay down her sword and return home to her son. But clearly, that was not to be as yet.

Percival came back. His face gave away his displeasure before he even opened his mouth.

Annora could only imagine the news he would bring her. “I suppose from your frown that your news will not bring us any comfort.”

Percival shook his head whilst his frown remained fierce. “Nay. You will not be pleased.”

“Out with it then. There is no point in putting off the inevitable,” Annora ordered, waiting to learn of where they were headed next.

Percival sighed. “He is determined to sack Salisbury. We are to head to a small abbey in Wilton where we can take refuge. The King will plan his attack from there.

Annora and Manfred both swore, and a troubled glance passed between the three of them. The two men had become trustworthy friends. Stephen had chosen well when he appointed them to guard her… not that she could not look after herself. But in the heat of battle, ’twas always good to have someone watching your back and with Merek still at Meregate, these two men had more than proven their worth in the past several months in the role that had always been his.

“It should not take us long to reach Wilton, then, if that is where we are headed. Hopefully we can get our tents pitched before the night is upon us, otherwise we’ll be spending the night on the ground.”

Percival shrugged. “’Twould not be the first time…”

“…nor the last,” Manfred finished.

“Let us away, men,” Annora answered as the army began to move again.

Bringing up the rear of the company caused her to bring a cloth up to her nose to help her breathe through the dust. With an entire army riding in front of her, a dust cloud had formed that was at times unbearable. But she would continue to stand the torment of bringing up the rear. She actually preferred being out of direct eyesight of Stephen. Whenever she was requested to join him, he seemed to gain great pleasure in tormenting her with the threat of her return to Meregate taking years. Years! She could not bear being away from her son that long. But what could she do but maintain her position as a compliant warrior? But one day… one day she would find an opportunity to flee and return home to take control again.

Inwardly she sighed at the thought of what it would truly take for such a feat to be accomplished. She had no army of her own. No joining forces that would fight on her behalf. There was no one that would be running to her aid with the exception of the two knights who now rode with her. Merek she knew she could depend on but months had passed since they had parted ways, and only God above knew what his fate had been since then. She may have ordered Tashe to follow her commands, but she was not stupid. He probably had her men thrown right back in the dungeon the moment the gate closed behind her. Her situation was grim and there was not much light to brighten her hopes for her unknown future.

The memory of a man with the bluest eyes she had ever beheld flashed briefly in her mind. After all this time, even his parting vow that he would find her seemed like ’twas all only just a dream. And yet, as she laid to find her slumber each night, she offered up a prayer on his behalf. Not that he would come to her rescue but that he would find his own happiness. She could not give herself hope that such a fate would include her but she could not prevent her dreams each night from showing her the future as she wished it. And each morn when she awoke, a sadness filled her heart for what would never be…