Here is a new short story set in medieval England. Enjoy!
William Stanley
ALLIANCE
The spy hid under the cover of darkness. Looking down from his high vantage point, the man was able to see the light from the burning torches and the soldiers guarding the castle walls. The castle belonged to William, the leader of his clan. A powerful lord in an adjoining fiefdom wanted William to form an alliance with him, but his offer had been refused. Now the powerful lord Jacob was coming with a large army to take forcibly what this evil man could not have peacefully.
William knew Jacob was coming, as after his refusal to join this treacherous individual, Jacob had threatened William, declaring he would have what he wanted. He glorified himself in self praise and power, telling William he had made an error in judgement and would pay dearly for his decision. William was not intimidated by this man and the powerful army which stood behind him.
William dispensed spies, instructing them to learn what Jacob’s plans were. They reported back Jacob had amassed a large fighting force of two thousand men and was leading his men to battle riding a large black stallion. His army followed closely behind him, some men on horses, but most on foot. They were accompanied by wagons of supplies, including food and weapons of war, and were following the road to William’s castle. Four catapults and long assault ladders made up the rest of the procession, which moved forward at a slow pace, giving William time to organize his defences.
An advance contingent of twenty of Jacob’s men arrived at William’s castle first. Jacob had sent them to learn about William’s level of readiness for the siege on his castle. William had prepared for this encroaching party and had assembled a fighting force of archers and experienced swordsmen. These brave soldiers ambushed and killed Jacob’s men, suffering only the loss of two of their own knights during the battle. William was pleased no survivors were able to report back to Jacob, but knowing the invading army was close his men returned to the castle, leaving the bodies of Jacob’s slain knights lying on the battlefield. The drawbridge was raised and William’s wife, the fair Lady Ann, was taken to a safe location inside the castle. Her life was guarded by two of William’s best knights, as he knew Lady Ann would be Jacob’s biggest prize if captured alive.
Silence enveloped the castle, as everyone waited. A sentry’s call shattered the calm, as he informed all Jacob’s army was near. Plumes of dust, kicked up by the horses, signaled the men’s approach. Upon Jacob’s arrival, a courier was sent to William to inform him he had one last opportunity to surrender his castle and land. William refused, willing to sacrifice his life for the lives of his clan.
The battle began with a rain of fire over the castle walls. Catapults, hurling objects set afire, started blazes within the castle. Jacob’s army was large and well-trained, making William’s fighting force look weak and unassuming. Jacob’s archers killed most of William’s men guarding the castle walls. Assault ladders were used and soon an overwhelming number of Jacob’s men breached the castle walls. The drawbridge was opened, and Jacob’s army rushed into the castle, slaughtering William and all of his army. Lady Ann was captured and became the personal property of the evil Lord Jacob, a scoundrel Ann wished was dead.
