Page 76 of Hers To Command
Ranulf glanced at Cerdic before he answered. “I’m afraid it’s a bit complicated. Cerdic and his men didn’t join the battle after the signal that first day because they couldn’t.”
“Some of Roald’s men met us before we could get to the back of their line,” Cerdic explained. “My men were either killed or captured, all save me. Roald has setthemto digging under the wall.”
Henry felt for both the captured men, and their comrades. If they tried to stop the men from undermining the wall, they would be killing or injuring their friends.
“On the other hand, captured men generally lack commitment,” Ranulf continued. “It will likely take much longer to dig as far as required than if he used his mercenaries.”
Henry thought so, too. “No other attacks?”
“A few more forays against the walls,” Ranulf replied with a shrug. “Nothing to speak off. I suspect de Sayres promised his mercenaries a quick and easy victory and his men are losing heart. The undermining’s a way to avoid casualties until they have a better chance of getting into the castle.”
“Your defense?”
“The same as yours would be. I’ve got men digging from our side, trying to get through before Roald can. If they can get to the other side first, we can fill the hole with rubble before Roald’s men can fire the props.”
“Good. Losses?”
“Half a dozen men, including those among Cerdic’s party.”
That wasn’t bad, considering.
Henry looked at Cerdic, who’d saved him for such life as he must endure. After all, the man had thought he was doing a good thing. “Thank you.”
Cerdic nodded matter-of-factly, one warrior to another.
Henry briefly wondered how Cerdic would feel if their situations were reversed, but defeating Roald and saving Ecclesford, and Mathilde, were more important than his own future. “The provisions?”
“We’ve got plenty of food. Lady Mathilde made sure of that,” Ranulf replied. “I tell you, Henry, that young woman is quite a marvel. She makes Sir Leonard look lazy.”
Henry smiled at that—or tried to, but his face hurt too much and he remembered Giselle’s admonition about disturbing the bones she’d set.
Ranulf looked at Cerdic. “If you don’t mind, my friend, I’d like a few words with Henry alone.”
What did this request herald? Was the situation with Roald worse than Ranulf had implied and he didn’t want to discourage Cerdic and the rest of the men? Was the defense not going as well as Cerdic seemed to think?
Or were his wounds more severe than Giselle had let on? Had she asked his closest friend to tell him some hard truths?
“Take heart, Norman. We will carry the day yet,” Cerdic assured Henry with a grin as he started for the door. “You fight well.”
When Cerdic had closed the door, Ranulf looked at Henry and raised a brow. “God’s blood, I believe you’ve managed to impress him.” He frowned with mock dismay. “I fear I have some way to go yet.”
Henry was definitely in no mood for humor now. “What?”
“You aren’t going to like it,” Ranulf said as he sat on the stool beside the bed.
As impatient as Henry was, he took heart from Ranulf’s expression. What he had to say was serious, to be sure, but Ranulf was not as distressed as he would be if things were truly dire.
“I’ve sent word to your brother about your wounds and I’ve asked him to send us some men, if he can spare a few—and before you get angry, it’s too late to stop me. The messenger left the day after Cerdic brought you back wounded.”
Ranulf must have believed he was on the verge of death to send for Nicholas.
If Nicholas saw him like this, helpless, useless…His brother had always said he was going to wind up poor and miserable if he didn’t mend his ways and act with more wisdom. Now he’d be right.
As difficult as that was, though, Henry wasn’t annoyed with his friend because—and the realization hit him with macelike force—he wouldn’t have wanted to die without seeing his brother one more time, and thanking him for all the care he’d taken of him, and their sister, too. And if Nicholas could help, that was much more important than his pride. “I looked that bad?”
“Terrible. I confess I didn’t quite believe Lady Giselle when she said you’d recover. Thank God you will. That woman’s something of a marvel, too. I’ve never seen anyone tend wounds so successfully. I must ask her about some of her methods and medicines. There’s a salve, for instance…” He fell silent and regarded Henry with concern. “Am I tiring you out? Do you want me to go?”
“Not yet. You asked Nicholas to send some men?”
