CHAPTER XVIII   SQUIRE GEOFFREY

"Welcome, Geoffrey. I bring thee good tidings," exclaimed Oswald, slipping from his saddle and embracing his friend and tried comrade.

It was a month after Geoffrey's home-coming, but during that period much had taken place.

The Lady Bertha had warmly welcomed her son, whom she had almost given up as lost. Concerning Sir Oliver her anxieties were greatly relieved, since she now knew that he had effected his escape from the clutches of the Lord of Malevereux. Sir Raoul d'Aulx, her husband's captor, she also realized to be an upright and gentle knight, in whose hands Sir Oliver would be sure of honourable treatment. The loss of Taillemartel she regarded with equanimity, since the fief was ever a source of anxiety and trouble.

"Taking all things into account, Geoffrey," said the châtelaine, "I have much to be thankful for. Next to thy father's life his liberty is most to be desired, but for the nonce I must rest content. But, another matter: since it is our noble King's pleasure to lead an army into France, it is the duty of his loyal subjects to make sacrifices to that end. Had thy father been here he would gladly have placed himself at the head of his retainers and led them to the rendezvous at Southampton. Since that is impossible, and that our men and archers must go nevertheless, 'tis fitting that, as thy father's heir, thou should'st lead them. Now, art willing to do so? Remember, unless thy heart be in thy work 'tis labour in vain."

"Madame, such is my ardent desire," replied Geoffrey, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"I expected no other answer, my son. Go, and may the saints protect thee. Of the nineteen men-at-arms, fifteen are to join the King's army; of the thirty and seven archers I purpose keeping but five. Thus the quota provided by the Manor of Warblington will number forty-seven men under Oswald and thyself, too few to form an independent company. Therefore I have asked Sir Thomas Carberry to allow our men to muster under his banner. If he be willing—and I have no doubt to the contrary—his reply will be forthcoming ere night, for Oswald hath ridden over to Portchester this morn."

"I crave thy patience on a small yet weighty matter, mother," exclaimed Geoffrey. "What is thy wish concerning Jean?"

"The Norman fisher-lad whom thou hast brought overseas? 'Twould be unseemly to send him back to France with thee. I have already spoken to the lad, and, by St. George, he is no patriot. Doubtless he finds himself well treated here, for with tears in his eyes he besought me to keep him here at Warblington. Therefore 'tis my purpose to place him under the charge of Herbert the falconer, since for a Norman peasant lad he showeth great promise."

"On that score, then, my mind is easy," replied Geoffrey. "And now tell me, when do we set out for Southampton?"

"The King's orders are that the troops assemble on the Feast of St. Christopher, the twenty-sixth day of the present month. That is but four days off, and it would ill-become the retainers of Sir Oliver were they not the foremost of the fore, since the men of Hampshire are ever amongst the first to obey the call to arms. Therefore, by the day after to-morrow thou must bid me farewell."

It was at this juncture that Oswald Steyning came to Warblington with the words, "Welcome, Geoffrey. I bring thee good tidings."

"Ay, Oswald, I have already heard the news. I am to serve my lord the King in the field."

"Then thou hast but heard a moiety. Sir Thomas Carberry sends greeting to the Lady Bertha, and expresses his regard for the courtesy of the Châtelaine of Warblington in entrusting her contingent to his care. Moreover, he offers thee, Geoffrey, the post of second squire to attend upon his person."

"Good news! Good news indeed!" exclaimed Geoffrey. "Thou and I, then, are to be fellow squires as well as companions in arms."

"Save that I am a masterless squire," added Oswald. "I would that Sir Oliver displayed his banner side by side with the crescent and star of Sir Thomas Carberry."

"And Richard Ratclyffe—what of him?"

"He is first squire to Sir Thomas, and will, of a surety, attend on him. But I saw him not, since he hath already journeyed to Southampton to see to the ordering of the Portchester company's camp."

During the remainder of the day, and the day following as well, activity reigned within the walls of Warblington. Though every man had been well equipped, much had to be done ere the little band set out to throw in its lot with the men of Portchester. Horses had to be re-shod, swords, bills, and spearheads required grinding and sharpening, bows had to be overhauled, spare cords waxed, and barrels of arrows prepared. With the men-at-arms and archers twelve sumpter horses with their attendants were to bear the baggage as far as the camp of Southampton, while, by express orders from the King, smiths were at work day and night preparing iron tips for the stakes that were to play so important a part in the forthcoming campaign.

At length the time of departure drew near. Having bade farewell to his mother, the châtelaine, Geoffrey, now accoutred cap-à-pied in bascinet, globular breastplate, steel gorget, greaves and sollerets, took his place at the head of the column, with Oswald, similarly attired, at his right hand.

A spear's length in the rear rode Arnold Gripwell with a grim look of expectancy on his rugged features, as he bore the banner of the turbot and the three stars of Warblington. A close observer would have noticed a wavy black line running athwart the banner from corner to corner, signifying that the knight whose device it was was absent or prevented from taking personal command.

Behind Gripwell rode the fourteen men-at-arms, wearing steel caps and quilted coats, additionally protected by iron plates, while at the side of each hung a two-handled heavy-bladed sword.

The archers were on foot, each man clad in leather jacket, over which was a white surcoat with the cross of St. George, loose hose, and caps of either stiff leather or wicker-work stiffened with bars of iron. They were armed with the world-renowned bows of English yew, a well-filled quiver of arrows hanging from the right-hand side of their belts, while as a supplementary weapon every man carried a short axe or a dagger.

In the rear were the sumpter horses and baggage, attended by a number of the tenantry of Warblington, who were to accompany the troops only as far as the port of embarkation.

The first day's march was an easy one. That night the men of Warblington joined those of Portchester, and quickly the two companies fraternized, since they had much in common and little cause for dissension.

As the combined forces were about to leave the Castle of Portchester, Sir Thomas Carberry turned to his newly-appointed squire.

"It is in my mind," quoth he, "that I should bestow upon the Prior of Southampton this purse of gold for the entertainment of the poor and needy during our absence overseas. Therefore I pray thee take Oswald and ride across the hill to Southwick. Thou knowest the Priory?"

"I have heard of it only, sir."

"'Tis easy to find, though the road thither be rough. Present my compliments to the worthy Prior and give him this. Thence thou canst make thy way through the villages of Wickham and Botley and rejoin us at the camp at Bitterne, hard by the town of Southampton. Have I made mine orders clear?"

"Yea, Sir Thomas."

"Then set forth directly the troops have heard mass. Perchance I shall not see thee again until thou comest to Southampton, but these instructions are complete. Pass the word for the men to fall into their ranks."

A trumpet sounded loud and shrill, and ere its long-drawn note had died away the eager soldiers were pouring from their quarters into the outer bailey. Then, to the accompaniment of a series of hoarse orders shouted by their under-officers, the men ranged themselves in close ranks.

"Passably done," commented Sir Thomas, as, accompanied by his squires, he walked towards the centre of the column, where his standard was proudly displayed. "There was slight confusion in the ordering of the lines, but I'll warrant another fortnight will amend all."

It was indeed a force that any knight of Christendom might well be proud of. Two hundred and forty men, the flower of the yeomen of South Hamptonshire, were drawn up, armed and accoutred for active service.

Some of these were old veterans, skilled in the craft of war, gaunt, sinewy, and stolidly alert; others were middle-aged men, trained by constant practice at the butts in the use of the deadly long-bow; while the majority were lads upon whose unwrinkled faces the down of manhood was beginning to assert itself.

Beyond an occasional brawl, few of the latter had seen a blow struck in deadly earnest, though they were eager for a chance of winning fame against the hereditary enemy of England. Their lack of experience on the field of battle was all but counterbalanced by their enthusiasm, while the stiffening of veterans was calculated to have a good effect upon the morale of the comparatively undisciplined archers of the company.

Having walked between the lines and carefully inspected the men under his command, the Constable of Portchester addressed them in a few rousing words. Then, as the prolonged cheering died away, a tucket sounded, and every man, laying his bow, axe, or sword upon the greensward, marched slowly and soberly into the church of St. Mary, that lies within the castle walls.

Half an hour later the rear of the long column had trailed beneath the land-port tower on its way to the wars, while Geoffrey and Oswald were breasting the steep ascent of Portsdown that lay betwixt the Castle of Portchester and the Priory of Southampton.