Crispin_ At the Edge of the World - Avi [59]
This time, however, knowing that our aim was to unbar the door, he did not advance but stood his ground and began to bellow to his companions, “Give aid! Give aid!”
38
IT WOULD BE, I knew, just moments before others came to help him.
Troth gestured, telling me to advance to the side.
I crept forward as she bid, my heavy sword in both hands, shifting it back and forth.
The soldier, unable to watch the two of us at once, put his eyes solely on me—the sword bearer.
His face glistened with sweat. He was breathing hard. He started to step forward, only to hold back.
Knowing he was waiting for his companions, and feeling the pressure to draw him, I crept closer. Instead of holding the sword with two hands, I used just one so I could extend my reach that much further. It was enough to rub against the soldier’s blade. The rough, grating sound made me clench my teeth.
Grimacing, he advanced, swinging his sword out with all his strength, albeit uncontrollably. Sensing a rash confidence on his part, I yielded a few steps, trying to act as if I were overawed. Tempted, he came forward, moving even farther from the door. When I continued to step back, he came with me like a fish drawn on a line. Now and again, our swords touched—a sharp, teasing ring.
No doubt believing he’d gained the advantage, he began to press me harder, using his sword to force me into a further retreat.
Troth—I could just see—was getting closer to the door.
The soldier pounced, and in so doing, struck my sword with so much force it was all I could do to keep it in my grasp. Sensing my weakness, he waited not at all, but struck again and again, crashing his sword hard against mine.
It was then that Troth dove forward and reached the door. Using both hands, she shoved up on one end of the crossbeam, got it over one of the iron holds, and let it drop. It fell with a crash, but it still barred the door.
The noise alarmed the soldier so, he hesitated in his attack on me. Though he still held his sword out, he darted a look back. At that instant, I gathered all my strength and swung my sword against his. In his moment of distraction, I was able to shake his hold. Desperate, I struck again. That time I hit the side of his arm. He yelped with pain. Blood began to flow. With a clatter, his sword dropped. Scrambling to pick it up, he slipped on his own blood and went down on his knees. Thinking I would surely strike, he lifted his arms over his head.
Instead, I used the moment to leap to the door where Troth was struggling to lift the other end of the crossbeam. With two of us hoisting, it rose up enough so that we could pull it free. It fell with a crash. Even as it did, we pushed against the doors.
They swung open.
Ten armed soldiers—helmeted and in body armor—222poured out of the tower door and came rushing down the length of the church nave toward us.
Side by side, Troth and I ran out of the church.
Dudley’s troops must have seen the church doors swing open. By the time Troth and I burst from the building, they were already rushing toward us. Foremost, Dudley and his two lieutenants were charging on their mounts, their swords up. To my horror, I saw that Bear still had the rope round his neck and was being all but dragged forward by Dudley.
Troth and I leaped to one side just as the soldiers within the church burst out the door. When they saw what was coming at them, most rushed forward to confront the onslaught. Others raced to close the doors.
As I watched, I saw one of the church soldiers lift a crossbow and shoot at one of the advancing horsemen. The bolt struck the man with so much force he spun about and fell to the ground. His beast, in confusion, twisted about, colliding into the other horse, breaking the momentum of Dudley’s attacking troops.
The fighting at the church door was as fierce as it was tangled. Shouts and screams, and the constant clang of metal on metal filled the air. Men fell. The ground was soaked with blood. Even as we searched for Bear, Troth and I tried to keep free of the fierce fighting.