Page 3 of Lionheart

Inside thefortress, Vanora of Cragdon sat in her father's carved chair, contemplatingCragdon's future. Without her father to direct the castle's defense, she was onher own. However, she considered herself more than capable of managing.Cragdon's defenders had learned just how capable she was during her father'slong absences, and his death six months ago had changed naught. Cragdon stillremained faithful to Llewellyn.

Llewellynand her betrothed, Daffid ap Deverell, had escaped Prince Edward's advancinghorde, and it had been due entirely to the diversion she had created.

Vanoraprided herself on her ability to lead Cragdon's warriors, but some things couldnot be helped. Like the shortage of food, or the fever that was fast spreadingamong the villeins and freemen who had taken refuge inside the keep.

Sir Ren,the captain of the guards, approached, a worried expression marring his craggyfeatures. "My pardon, Vanora, but Lionheart, Edward's principal knight, ispreparing to breach our walls. His men are setting ladders in place as wespeak."

Vanoraleapt to her feet. "God's bones, will this never end? How long can wesurvive with warriors such as Edward and Lionheart threatening our gates? Howlong can Llewellyn stand against such determined men? Llewellyn is our chosenleader and our only hope of remaining free of English oppression."

"Thecastle walls still hold, but the constant battering of stones have weakenedthem."

"Preparethe hot oil."

"Aye,but I doubt even that will stop them. They want Llewellyn. Though he has fledto safety, we must pay the price for his flight," Ren said sourly.

Vanora'sshoulders stiffened. "Father trusted Llewellyn. He came to our assistancewhen we needed him. Prince Edward is but a young lad. He will notprevail."

"Youngthough he may be, he was wise to choose Lionheart to lead his army. Lionheartis a force to be reckoned with," Ren grumbled. "I must go. ShouldLionheart break through our defenses, you must follow Llewellyn and Daffid andleave by way of the secret exit."

"I amnot leaving," Vanora declared. "I will think of a way to foilLionheart. No man is invincible."

Later,from atop the battlements, Vanora directed the archers, who used their longbowswith typical Welsh skill and dexterity. But Vanora knew that skill alone wouldnot win the day. Cragdon did not command the numbers Lionheart had available tohim. The only thing that might save them was a surprise attack.

Closingher ears to the cries of the wounded, Vanora helped push ladders away from thebattlements and watched men fall to their death. The constant thud of thebattering ram below mingling with the cries of the wounded warned Vanora thatshe had deluded herself into thinking Cragdon was impregnable. If she did notdo something soon, her people were doomed.

Had someof Llewellyn’s warriors remained at Cragdon instead of scattering to the winds,the outcome might have been different. Vanora knew Llewellyn was too importantto Wales to risk his life for Cragdon, so Father Caddoc had led him and Daffidto safety while she and her warriors kept Lionheart's men occupied. It did notsit well with her, however, that her betrothed had not remained behind todirect the castle's defense. Though Daffid had professed his concern, he hadleft with Llewellyn.

"Pullthe men from the walls," Vanora ordered Sir Ren. "I want everyavailable man in the outer bailey when the portcullis is breached. We will showLionheart and Prince Edward that Cragdon cannot be taken without a fight."

* * *

"The portcullis cannot hold much longer," Lionheartshouted encouragingly. "Do not let up now. Cragdon and Llewellyn shall beours."

Cheered byLionheart's words, the warriors put their backs to their task. A great cry wentup when the portcullis bent beneath their blows, then gave with a resoundingcrunch. Men on horses and foot soldiers poured through the opening. Lionheart,followed closely by Giles and his squire, galloped past the advancing horde, thenpulled up short, his destrier pawing the air.

"God'snightgown! What is this?" He had expected to find Cragdon's defendersdefeated and submissive, but such was not the case. The White Knight, flankedby Cragdon's warriors, looked anything but defeated.

"Surrenderto me!" Lionheart shouted. "You are outnumbered."

The WhiteKnight said naught as he stared at Lionheart through the narrow eye slit of hisvisor. So volatile was the knight's animosity that Lionheart could almost feelthe heat of it. The only acknowledgment Lionheart received was a slight dippingof the knight's lance.

"Therehas been enough bloodshed," Lionheart continued. "Once you surrenderCragdon and deliverer Llewellyn to me, the killing will cease."

Obviously,the White Knight was not about to surrender, Lionheart thought as he loweredhis visor and prepared for battle. "The White Knight is mine," hegrowled to Giles. "Spread the word."

Then, drawinghis sword, he charged. He slashed and hacked his way toward the arrogant WhiteKnight, grinning at the pleasurable thought of his sword finding a vulnerableplace in the knight's armor. They met in a deafening clash of swords, fighting inquarters so close that their horses had difficulty maneuvering. Lionheart'sstrength was formidable, and he knew the slender knight must soon yield beneathhis brutal onslaught. But even as Lionheart wielded his broadsword with deadlypurpose, his wily opponent skillfully dodged his blows.

The WhiteKnight moved with the speed of lightning. Whenever Lionheart aimed a lethalblow, the knight was not where Lionheart expected him to be, or else the blowwas deflected by the knight's shield. Frustrated, Lionheart increased thesavagery of his thrusts and finally landed a blow that nearly unseated theknight. But the knight recovered quickly and delivered an amazingly agile swordthrust that pierced Lionheart's mail at the shoulder. Blood welled, butLionheart ignored the pain.

Puttingall his strength behind the blow, Lionheart slashed out with his broadsword,and was heartened when he saw the White Knight sway beneath the impact. Thesavage in Lionheart took control as he pressed his advantage, hacking his waypast the knight's defenses.

He istiring, Lionheart thought jubilantly.

"They'refalling back!" Sir Giles called from behind Lionheart.

"Iwill accept no less than total surrender," Lionheart shouted. "Didyou hear that, Sir Knight? Surrender. Your army has been defeated."

A viciousblow to the White Knight's ribcage accompanied Lionheart's words. A grim smilestretched his lips when he saw the knight fall from his destrier and hit theground. Lionheart would have dismounted and delivered a killing blow had nottwo of Cragdon's defenders come up behind him, forcing him to divert hisattention from the knight in order to protect himself. Giles joined in themelee, and Cragdon's men-at-arms were soon subdued. But when Lionheart returnedto the place where the White Knight had fallen, his foe was gone.