Nicholas grew weary of waiting, though in reality only minutes ticked by as he stood watch atop the castle. He was not sure how he had so easily escaped any attention, but the men seemed to accept him as one of their own. Either Bigod had a high turnover of men, or they were the most undisciplined soldiers he had ever encountered. Watching, he kept his eyes on the woods but saw nothing that would give his men away. That was to be expected. They were well trained, unlike the ones Nicholas now accompanied.
The wait was undetermined, so he used his time wisely. He walked around the top and memorized the layout of the outbuildings. Hugh Bigod went in and out of the chapel many times, but he did not talk to his men or see to anything else. Gavin was looking around the bailey, but he seemed to be distracted, not alert for signs of trouble.
Nicholas sighed. Had this been Blackstone, he would have been riding his men day in and day out. This was no way to defend a stronghold, and this was also to his advantage. They were intolerably laid back, especially with a prisoner in the tower. Orders were given to be ready by sunset, yet they acted as if it were just another day.
"Is there someone among the trees?" a voice behind him said. A few men appeared alarmed, but they did not do much. Nicholas glanced out but saw nothing amiss.
"Mayhap we should find out," another said as he walked up and stood right beside Nicholas. "The lord will be spittin' mad if we miss somethin'." It was a half hour past daybreak. His men should be in place by then.
"I will go," Nicholas volunteered. The perfect way to get out to his men had just presented itself to him. "Aye, but I be needing a horse, I do," he said, stumbling on words, trying to speak like the native English rather than the Norman knight he was.
"Where your horse be?" The man studied him.
"Lost. I came on foot nearly a fortnight past. It threw me afore I could get here it did," Nicholas said lamely.
"Ye can take mine," the man said, obviously relieved someone else was going to ride out of the gates to check things out. "Come ta the stables and I show him to ye. He be a nasty beast, but he rides fast and hard."
Nicholas followed the man to the stables and tried to keep an even stride with him, as if he knew where he was going. He pulled his cap lower over his eyes and prayed he did not run into Gavin or Hugh. There was no doubt after his last run in with Hugh the man would know him on the spot.
They made it to the stables, and the man led him to a stall. The stable boy came and deftly fitted the horse with saddle, bridle, and reins. It was a large horse, but it was not the size of his. He could handle this one easily, but he wished for his own destrier, as he had not been in battle without him since he got him three years prior.
The stable boy was staring at him, so he decided to make haste. He had found the perfect way to get out to meet his men, and he had better go before his luck ran out. Alternatively, he wished to run up, grab Gemma from her prison, and be done with it. However, without his sword, his armor, or his own horse, he knew they did not have a chance to get out alive.
He mounted the testy horse and made his way to the gate. Many were staring at him, but the gate rose so he could exit. Offering a nod to those standing there, he took off toward the woods. Kicking his horse into a gallop, he did not look back until he made it to the trees. He glanced over his shoulder to see none followed. Then, he slowed the horse to an easy trot and went around the edge of the woods. Initially, he did not see his men, but he knew they would be well hidden with a few lookouts waiting for his signal.
The lookouts must have been doing their job. When he approached his men, they did not startle. They knew it was him. They remained quiet, but all broke out in grins as their lord approached. All of the men, no matter from where they had come just a few months before, respected Nicholas. He had won their loyalty.
Matthew moved his horse forward. "The lady is well?"
"Aye, she is, but I do not know for how long," he said as he made a mental count of the men hiding in the wood. His squire came quickly, asking if he wanted his armor and his sword.
As his squire and two other men helped him dress in his armor, he continued, "The lord is still Hugh Bigod, but this is not his war. He simply harbors the enemy. The man who holds Gemma is her brother, Gavin."
There were a few gasps within the crowd of men. Oliver, who sat in lead, spoke first.
"Are you sure, milord?" he said. "Young Gavin left many years ago, but did visit occasionally. It has been a while, but surely he had not grown bitter over the years so he would wish to harm his father and sisters."
"I do not know how to explain this to you," he said as he stood in full armor before them, "but I do know 'tis him, and he is indeed a bitter man. He has no intentions of releasing Gemma alive. I do not know why, but I do know how. He had himself blend in with the lot of you, but stayed away from those he may have known. Most of you do not know him on sight."
Oliver tipped his head down as if staring at his saddle. "Surely 'tis not the fault of our men, milord," he said and raised his head again. "I do not know half of the men there, as some came with you and some came from Henry. I do not expect the rest to know."
"Nay," Nicholas shook his head emphatically, "I do not hold the men responsible. 'Twas my duty to know, and I did not. Gavin guarded a tunnel that went under the walls. He came and went that way, and no one thought to question him."
There was silence as the men pondered the traitor who had been in their midst for quite a while.
"'Tis no matter now," Nicholas said, "we will make the necessary changes when this is over. Right now our concern is Gemma. She must be safe, and Gavin must be taken down. Hugh is just as responsible in my eyes, even though he was idle. He harbored the enemy and knew of it. I want him alive, if possible. Gavin may be a fierce fighter as he is not of his right mind, so be wary of him in battle."
A lookout came near and reported there had been no more movement at the gates. Nicholas knew if he did not return soon, those within the walls would be notified a soldier went out and did not return. He had to hope reinforcements were on their way and his wife would be safe.
He and Oliver went over their plan while a few riders were sent off to skirt the backside of the woods to watch the river. Oliver had already given the men the battle plans, but he went over things again, sharing what he had learned about the layout of the castle and where men-at-arms would most likely hide to lie in wait.
When the lookout came back at full gallop, Nicholas knew it was time to go. The signal had been given, and there was no time to waste. They had to move now or all would be lost.
He lifted his sword and his men were ready. They marched out of the woods to face the castle, and he let out a cry so loud no one could mistake his intentions. His men sat in formation behind him, swords ready and shields up. Some of his men behind them were on horseback, and their horses pranced as if knowing battle was upon them. The rest would go on foot, as the march was short and the space was limited.
"Hold back!" he shouted as he saw the archers line the catwalk atop the castle facing them. The horn sounded within the walls, and all would be aware he had appeared. They were planning to ride out at sunset, so he hoped he had caught them somewhat unaware. After what he had seen within the walls, he knew this to be true.
The arrows were let loose, and his men knelt behind shields, just as they had been trained. The arrows fell short, as Nicholas had known they would. They had to advance though, and the best way to achieve that was to let the forces within open the gate to come for them.
"Show yourself, Gavin de Vere! I am Nicholas de Reymes, and I have come to avenge the deaths at Blackstone. You shall turn over Lady Gemma and give yourself up to the mercy of the king," he yelled.
Arrows flew again as more men ran atop the castle wall. It would be a waiting game, as he allowed them to exhaust their supply of arrows. He stood fast and heard the call behind him. Henry's men were riding up behind them. Reinforcements had arrived.