Schism, page 44
part #5 of Crusader Chronicles Series
‘It has no siege engines.’
But the lack of siege engines was the least of Riki’s worries as he oversaw the allocation of quarters for the hundreds of people who had sought refuge in his stronghold. The circular hill fort was the largest in Estonia with a perimeter wall some two thousand feet in extent. The dry moat beyond the wall was thirty feet wide and the whole fort had been built on the north side of a large knoll. There were ninety stone huts inside the fort in addition to a great hall, stables, granaries and armouries, but there was not an inch to spare as the civilians took up residence.
Riki stood in one of the towers watching a fresh batch of people enter the fort via the eastern gates, herding their goats and pigs before them, their meagre belongings heaped on a handcart.
‘It feels wrong abandoning my people, Susi, especially as the enemy army is approaching.’
Conrad, grim faced, nodded. ‘We must hold our nerve, Riki. Varbola is strong and I need you and your warriors at Reval.’
The Harrien leader looked troubled. ‘I cannot empty Varbola of all my warriors, Susi. I cannot abandon my people.’
‘I understand.’
Conrad had hoped that a thousand Harrien warriors would ride to Reval with their lord but in the event only six hundred escorted Riki as he rode from the fort in the company of Conrad two days later. The granaries were full, the armouries were well stocked with weapons and shields and four hundred Harrien warriors stood on its ramparts to defend the scores of women, children and the elderly who had taken refuge within its timber ramparts. Conrad prayed that they could defeat the legate’s army for otherwise Varbola would be starved into submission very quickly.
*****
‘What is this place?’
‘Varbola, your eminence,’ answered Dietrich von Kivel, ‘home of the Duke of Harrien.’
Baldwin stared up at the high timber walls on top of the earth rampart, the gates in the eastern side of the wall having been shut and the drawbridge over the moat raised up. Had the legate been interested he would have discovered that Master Thaddeus had designed the drawbridges spanning the moat on the eastern and western sides of the fort, both of which had the capacity of being raised to deny an enemy a way of crossing the moat.
‘I find it strange that the duke is not here offering hospitality to the Holy Father’s legate, especially as I wrote to him personally alerting him to my coming.’
Kivel glanced at Nordheim who shook his head. The eagle-eyed Baldwin noticed the gesture.
‘You have something to say, commander.’
‘No, your eminence.’
The day was cold and so far dry. The rain had abated the last two days so at least the ground was firming up a little. There was also a sharp northerly wind so there was no mist in which the Marshal of Estonia’s accursed heathens could hide. Baldwin looked up at the walls lined with men wearing helmets and carrying shields, the rays of the sun emerged from behind the moving clouds glinting off whetted spear points.
‘The Duke of Harrien is a friend and ally of the Marshal of Estonia,’ said von Kivel, ‘if he is in the fort he will not be offering us any hospitality.’
‘An assault then,’ said Baldwin casually. ‘The duke will learn the cost of raising his sword against the Holy Father’s legate.’
‘I would advise against that, your eminence,’ urged von Kivel.
Baldwin rounded on him. ‘Would you, indeed.’
‘Varbola is the strongest hill fort in all Estonia,’ said von Kivel, ‘as we have no siege engines we would have to fill the moat in several places to allow assault parties to get close to the walls. That will take time, more so if we have to build siege towers. I would advise leaving a force here to lay siege to Varbola.’
‘That would dilute our army,’ said Baldwin.
‘We have no choice, your eminence,’ stated von Kivel, ‘we cannot leave a stronghold filled with enemy soldiers in our rear, so our choice is to storm it and incur whatever costs and time that entails or leave behind a force to besiege it and move on.’
He pointed at the raised drawbridge. ‘The siege lines should be strongest at the gates so the enemy cannot launch raids from the fort. Keep them penned in so they use up all their food supplies. We defeat the Sword Brothers and Marshal of Estonia and then return here to accept the surrender of the garrison.’
Baldwin was appeased. ‘Well, that sounds like a reasonable strategy. Give the order.’
Dietrich von Kivel may have been a former dog of war but he was no fool when it came to how to conduct a campaign. He allocated two thousand spearmen to lay siege to Varbola, soldiers of variable quality who had been recruited from the poorer sections of the towns and cities of the Papal States. But they were more than adequate for the purpose of establishing siege lines around Varbola. Once he had assigned the captains and stressed that there should not be any assaults against the fort, the rest of the army recommenced its march to Reval.
*****
Tonis reported to Sir Richard as soon as he and his men arrived at Reval. The Duke of Saccalia immediately conveyed the Duke of Fellin’s intelligence to Grand Master Volquin who in turn convened a council of war in the castle. Out of courtesy he invited Gintaras even though the Kur did not speak a word of German. He brought Ringaudas to act as his translator but soon discovered that the masters of the Sword Brother castles along the Dvina – Godfrey, Friedhelm, Arnold, Griswold and Jacob – possessed some knowledge of the Lithuanian language and could understand a few words of the Kur tongue. Gintaras was delighted, the more so when he discovered that all the castellans had been at the Iecava and Kandava Hills, former enemies now allies sharing war stories.
‘Quiet,’ shouted Grand Master Volquin, banging the hilt of his dagger on the table top.
The shuffling feet of novices scurrying around filling tankards with beer and rushing to the buttery to fetch more were the only sounds as the occupants of the hall looked towards the top table where Volquin stood, above him the banner of the Sword Brothers hanging from the wall. Conrad and Sir Richard sat on one side of him, Rudolf and Lukas on the other.
‘First of all I would like to extend the hand of friendship to Lord Gintaras and his Kur warriors who have come to fight at our side.’
Everyone thumped their tankards on tables as Ringaudas translated Volquin’s words for his master. The big Kur smiled, raised his tankard in salute and then downed its contents in one. Rapturous applause.
‘News has reached me that the legate’s army is but twenty miles away,’ continued Volquin when the din had died away, ‘four days’ march.’
The masters and Conrad’s warlords looked unconcerned. They were all hard-bitten veterans and had come to Reval to fight the legate’s army. How it was going to do so was Volquin’s next subject.
‘Legate Baldwin has left a force behind to besiege Varbola but even stripped of those men he still outnumbers us five to one in horsemen and nearly three to one in foot.’
‘Odds are of no consequence, Grand Master,’ shouted Godfrey to more tankards being banged on tables, beer spilling on the wood.
‘Seems fairly straightforward to me,’ said Bertram loudly. ‘We break them with our horsemen and let loose Conrad’s heathen bastards to finish them off.’
Loud laughter greeted this proposal, promoting Conrad to smile. The Army of the Wolf was now led by Christian lords and contained many followers of the Holy Church but to its Sword Brother allies it would always be a force filled with wild, long-haired pagans. It was a term of affection and respect that its warlords cherished. Beer jumped out of tankards as men banged them on wood to signal their approval.
‘For men with arrest warrants hanging over them you seem remarkably cheerful.’
No one had noticed the doors of the hall opening and Bishop Hermann enter. His sarcastic words silenced the revelry and caused the masters to rise to their feet, followed by Conrad’s warlords and, lastly, Gintaras who wanted to see what sort of man could command such respect. He saw a tall, imposing figure in mail armour encasing a solid frame pacing towards the end of the hall where Volquin stood. He stopped before he reached the table, turning to address the hall.
‘It saddens me to see so many men who were loyal to my brother planning to fight the papal legate, a man who speaks and acts for Pope Gregory himself. You cannot win this war you have started.’
‘With respect, lord bishop,’ said Volquin, ‘we did not start this war. The legate landed in Livonia with an army and then demanded that each master of my order surrender himself so he might stand trial. If Conrad’s treatment is anything to go by then every master you see before you would have been executed.’
There were murmurs of agreement in the hall and nodding of heads. Hermann knew well these men who had carved out his brother’s crusader kingdom with their courage and fortitude. He did not approve of their actions but he was unwilling to stand aside while they sacrificed themselves.
‘I come to extend an olive branch to you all,’ said Hermann, ‘and you, my lords.’
He looked at Hillar, Andres, Riki and Tonis sitting together. He turned to look at Sir Richard.
‘And you, your grace, who risks excommunication by taking up arms against His Holiness’ appointed representative.’
‘Better that than abandoning my friends, your excellency.’
Hermann’s stern visage showed the trace of a smile as he walked among those gathered in the hall.
‘We have known each other a long time.’
He stopped when he saw the black-clothed figures of Gintaras and Ringaudas.
‘Well, most of you. In recognition of your bravery and steadfastness in the service of my late brother I am therefore prepared to act as an emissary between you and Legate Baldwin.’
He spun and looked at Volquin.
‘Grand master, will you submit to the authority of the papal legate if he agrees to abandon the prosecution of your castellans?’
‘If he agrees to that and the acquittal of Master Conrad then we will stand down.’
‘He must also remove his army from Estonia, lord bishop,’ said Conrad, ‘and immediately raise his siege of Varbola.’
Hermann kept glancing at the two Kurs, unsure of who they were and why they were present.
‘I will do what I can, Conrad, that I promise,’ said Hermann, ‘but I cannot force the legate to do anything.’
‘Why not?’ asked Volquin. ‘He is not fit to lick your boots.’
Everyone laughed, cheered, emptied their tankards and called for more beer.
‘Lord Bishop,’ said Volquin as the hubbub subsided, ‘where is Walter?’
‘At Dorpat, grand master, attending to his duties as master of its castle and guardian of the city.’
‘He should be here, with us,’ came a voice from the hall.
Hermann smiled. ‘Walter is the most loyal of men, loyal to the Sword Brothers and the Holy Church. While you sit here supping beer you might reflect on the torture you have inflicted upon Walter, a man torn between loyalty to you and loyalty to the church he has dedicated his life to. I forbade him to come here to spare him further torment.’
The hall fell silent as men reflected on his words. Conrad knew that Walter was the best of them and was glad that he was not a part of their fight against the legate.
‘You accept my terms?’ Hermann demanded of them.
They avoided his stare as they nodded.
‘Do you require an escort, lord bishop?’ asked Volquin.
‘I think the sight of any Sword Brothers may make negotiations more difficult than they need be, grand master.’
After the bishop had left the hall in the company of Volquin, Conrad walked over to Riki and sat down beside him.
‘Send some of your men who know this area to shadow the bishop’s party, Riki. Despatch them to the castle’s stables first to acquire swift mounts.’
‘You suspect treachery, Susi?’ asked Andres.
‘The legate would not dare touch Bishop Hermann but he might keep him locked in negotiations while his army continues its march. Either way I would know what the legate’s army is doing.’
‘The time for talking is over,’ said Hillar gruffly.
‘I agree with Hillar,’ said Riki, thoughts of Varbola’s plight clearly on his mind. ‘I am the Duke of Harrien but this Baldwin invades my land with an army and I am supposed to do nothing.’
‘You will have restitution, my friend,’ said Andres.
‘That we promise,’ added Hillar.
Conrad hoped that Bishop Hermann’s mission proved successful otherwise Riki would take matters into his own hands and his other warlords would follow suit. He looked around the hall at his fellow castellans and knew that they too would resort to violence if the bishop’s words fell on deaf ears.
Peace hung on a knife’s edge.
*****
The area around Reval was characterised by high hills, wild forests, lakes, rivers and bogs. In the autumn the tall pine forests were filled with light and the bogs and lakes covered with orchids. Springs and rivers ran with crystal clear, icy cool water among terrain that is rockier then the rest of Harrien. A distinctive feature of the region is sandstone outcrops, some of which are a hundred feet in height. It was on the top of one such outcrop that Baldwin ordered the carroccio to be placed at the end of a day’s march. It was the eve of the twenty-ninth day of September and the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel. Baldwin ordered the army to halt, fast for the day and give thanks to the saint who had led the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. Baldwin’s soldiers were now only a day’s march from Reval, his mounted scouts reconnoitring the terrain near the port. When the legate had finished praying at the carroccio he walked back down the outcrop to his tent, pausing to regard the great expanse of tents, wagons and carts with pride – the will of the Pope made real. He groaned with annoyance when he spotted a party of knights standing outside the pavilion of the Duke of Narva. He recognised the motif on their shields as the coat of arms of Bishop Hermann.
He found the prelate being entertained by Dietrich von Kivel, the duke and his guest seated on stools and both drinking wine.
‘Have you forgotten that this is a day for fasting?’ said Baldwin curtly, ignoring Hermann.
The bishop stood. ‘I am here on urgent business, legate, regarding your altercation with the Sword Brothers.’
Baldwin glared at Kivel as the duke continued to sip at his wine.
‘I have no business with the Sword Brothers. I am here on the Lord’s work.’
Hermann sighed. ‘I am here to tell you that the Sword Brothers will yield to your authority if you withdraw the accusations against the order’s masters, including Master Conrad.’
Von Kivel nearly choked on his wine.
‘Is that all?’ said Baldwin in disbelief. ‘How very reasonable of the Sword Brothers. I can categorically state that the Sword Brothers will be yielding to me very soon when this army defeats them and I arrest those castellans that are still alive after their order’s destruction.
‘As for Master Conrad, it would be better for him if he fell in battle for he will surely face summary justice once he is in my custody. And this time there will be no heathens to rescue him.’
‘End this madness,’ pleaded Hermann, ‘before the lives of thousands of men are sacrificed for nothing. In the name of God I beg you.’
Baldwin became agitated, clenching and unclenching his fists.
‘I am acting in the name of God, bishop. Guards!’
The two men standing sentry outside the pavilion entered.
‘The bishop will be our guest until further notice,’ commanded Baldwin. ‘Ensure he is made comfortable. Dietrich, you will arrest the bishop’s escort and confine them until after the battle.’
‘Have you lost your senses?’ asked Hermann with disbelief.
The two sentries flanked the bishop.
‘I am fully aware of the power of the Buxhoeveden family,’ said Baldwin, ‘and how it uses that power and influence to intimidate and promote its own interests. But earthly wealth and privilege are nothing compared to the divine power that I serve.’
The bishop’s guards were disarmed. The churchman was confined to the spacious pavilion of Manfred Nordheim, who was beginning to have serious doubts concerning the mental health of the legate. But he comforted himself that his army was large and well equipped and had faced no opposition during its march north. But to hedge his bets he lobbied the legate that he should be the guardian of his bishop during his ‘stay’ with the army, a request that was granted. This would allow him to convince Bishop Hermann that he had had no prior knowledge of the legate’s discourtesy towards him.
*****
‘You are sure?’
‘Yes, Susi.’
Conrad looked at Riki and shook his head with disbelief. The party that the Duke of Harrien had sent to shadow Bishop Hermann had returned to Reval with news that the prelate had not left the enemy camp. The Army of the Wolf was camped outside the town walls along with the Kurs, though its ponies and horses had been billeted inside Reval to keep them warm and dry, luxuries denied their masters. That said the erection of windbreaks fashioned from the branches of felled trees and raging campfires, over which cauldrons of food were always cooking, alleviated the worst of the damp and windy conditions.
‘So much for peace,’ spat Riki.
‘Where is the enemy now?’ asked Hans, eating a large chunk of cheese.
‘Ten miles to the south,’ answered one of the scouts.
‘Two days away,’ said Conrad to himself.
‘You got your fight, Riki,’ grinned Leatherface, holding out a hand to Hans for a piece of cheese, who gave him a horrified look.
‘It is our fight,’ said Conrad, ‘for we surely stand or fall together in this.’
A sergeant appeared to present himself to Conrad.
‘Grand Master Volquin sends his compliments, master, and requests your presence at the castle.’
‘Council of war,’ said Leatherface, ‘time to sharpen our sword blades.’
‘Mine is already sharp,’ said Riki curtly.
‘Is your dagger sharp, Brother Hans?’ asked Leatherface.
