Page 1 of Knight of Chaos
Prologue
In the timeknown today as The Anarchy, England was torn between two enemies, each claiming a right to the throne. Some of England’s nobles pledged their allegiance to Stephen and declared him king whilst others cast their fate with Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I. Such unrest placed most of the country into a state of civil war lasting for almost a score of years. Many knights bore the burden of fighting for either side, each determined to win the land for whomever they served.
Amongst such knights were three brothers in search of fame and fortune. They pledged their loyalty to the Empress Matilda, vowing to fight for her rightful claim to England’s crown. The Norwood brothers were close in age. Wymar was the eldest and jumped at the chance to swear his oath of fealty to the Empress, especially after their parents were killed when Stephen laid siege to their home, Brockenhurst Castle. Ousted from the only home they had known six years ago, Wymar plunged his brothers into the middle of war all in the hopes of having the Empress crowned queen. He prayed, in return for their service, she would return to him his lands and title, and name him her champion knight.
Theobald was next and the peacekeeper amongst them. He was used to following his eldest brother no matter that he would prefer to sit in front of a fire to rest his weary feet with a mug of ale in his hand. Reynard, the youngest, was always attempting to prove his worth even when the odds were stacked against him. He was more like his eldest brother than he would ever admit, even to himself.
All three swore to remain together as a family as they had no one else besides themselves. At that time, the land beneath their feet was home. Until they could reclaim their birthright and take ownership once more of Brockenhurst, the brothers had no plans to marry. They had no time to cater to some woman nor was having a wife as a camp follower an ideal situation. They had sworn their allegiance to the Empress Matilda and until she released them, they were committed to her cause to see her placed on the throne.
But sometimes the fate of man is fickle, especially when your life gets turned upside down from unforeseen circumstances outside of your control.
Every tale has a beginning, a middle and an end for the knights of the Anarchy. This is Theobald’s story…
Chapter One
Outside of Oxford, England
July 1141
Theobald Norwood kepthis eyes alert whilst gripping the leather reins of his horse firmly in his hands. The tension was high in the company in which he rode. After her victory the previous month at the Battle of Lincoln, including capturing her enemy, Empress Matilda had ridden into London, confident that she would quickly be crowned Queen of England. Alas, her hopes had been dashed. Theobald ran his gloved hand over the back of his neck. It seemed like ’twas just yester eve that he had sat with his empress to enjoy the evening meal before the bells began to ring out in alarm.
Panic ensued as the city revolted against her. The Empress, and the men sworn to protect her, fled London and traveled to Oxford. Theobald was one of those men, along with his younger brother, Reynard. But then the Empress was informed that a man who had once pledged his loyalty to her had defected. Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester and King Stephen’s younger brother, had taken a force and had laid siege to the royal castle held by the Empress’s Angevins. So now the Empress had a new goal to achieve. She was determined to strike back against the traitor in Winchester.
Time passed swiftly and yet Theobald could only wonder how his eldest brother, Wymar, fared. It seemed like a lifetime ago that they quickly met up in a London tavern before Theobald and Reynard fled the city with the Empress. If the last words spoken with Wymar were true, he would wed soon. Theobald pondered who the Empress would have chosen for his brother’s bride. All he knew for certain was that Wymar would not be pleased with his soon-to-be wife. Not when he had already given his heart to the Lady of Norwich.
While Theobald worried over his brother’s fate, most of his attention was focused on the situation at hand—which meant keeping his head firmly attached to his neck whilst waiting to be ambushed with every turn in the dirt road before him. Thus far, all had been quiet. He did not expect such a state to remain for long.
A horse riding towards the back line of knights caught Theobald’s attention, and he quickly realized ’twas Reynard. He did not look pleased.
“What ails you, brother?” Theobald asked, when Reynard reined in his horse, turned it around to continue forward, keeping pace with Theobald’s steed.
“I am to be sent home,” Reynard complained, a frown forming between his brows. “At least for now.”
“I would think the Empress would wish for the extra strength of your sword for whatever awaits us in Winchester,” Theobald stated. “Did you anger her?”
A low growl left his brother. “Who knows?” he all but shouted before turning his angry grey eyes toward Theobald. “I was not privy to any sort of explanation for her decision. Some lackey informed me of her wishes that I make my way home to witness Wymar’s nuptials… as though I am needed there more than strength is required for her army. I know I am but one of many but still… I asked to speak with her directly and was turned down. Honestly, I do not feel as though my efforts in the past fortnights have been appreciated.”
“You would not be riding with her if she did not see and value you, Reynard,” Theobald said trying to calm his brother’s rising anger. Sometimes his younger brother let his anger rule his head when he should be thinking clearer.
Reynard pushed a lock of his dark brown hair from his forehead before rubbing his neck. Undoubtedly, he was beyond frustrated. “And yet she sends me home like some young stripling lad who cannot help defend her. From my perspective, the Empress does not appreciate her knights—nay, nor even her ordinary citizens. After the Empress acted as though she was superior to her subjects in London and then began taxing them, I am not surprised they revolted against her. I mayhap wonder if we should not be supporting Stephen.”
“Quiet, you fool,” Theobald warned before pulling hard on the reins whilst his horse reared its front hooves. Gaining control of his steed, he watched as the other knights began to go around him even as they cast curious gazes upon the brothers who moved to the side of the road and out of the way.
Reynard appeared as though he’d finally realized that voicing his thoughts aloud could cost him. “Theobald, I—”
“Not yet,” Theobald counseled whilst the Empress’s army continued to move forward. When they had a semblance of privacy, he lashed out at his brother. “What kind of imbecile have you become that you would dare to discuss such a sensitive subject on the open road? Do you not wish to keep your head or are you too stupid to realize you speak treason? ’Tis a punishable offense and could lead to your execution if any but me were to overhear you.”
“I did not think—” Reynard began but Theobald cut off any further protests.
“Nay! You did not,” Theobald fumed before raking his hand through his wavy dark brown hair. “I swear, you will be the death of me, brother. Your carelessness with your words may very well be your downfall one day.”
“I shall endeavor to be more careful in the future,” Reynard replied, looking downcast. He appeared as though his brief bit of anger had stolen all his energy.
“See that you do!God’s Blood!” Theobald swore, more upset with the situation than with the young man before him. At only three and a score years of age, Reynard tended to be hot tempered and needed to keep control of his feelings. “I told Wymar this campaign would become a mess. We vowed to stay together and yet now we will be scattered across the breadth of England. At least the two of you will be reunited.”
A snort left Reynard. “Sent home like a child.”
“At least you will remain alive to fight another day. Mayhap our Empress has other plans for you that she will reveal at a later time. When do you leave?”
