around them. When Ian was in position, Gareth casually walked up to them.

  “Good evening. Beautiful sky tonight, is it not?” As Gareth finished, he nodded his head. Ian grabbed one guard by the neck and with one punch knocked him out. As the other guard turned to help, Gareth slammed his head into the wall. “Quickly Ian, we must carry them back to the kitchen!” Gareth whispered.

  Once back, Gareth instructed two of his knights to take the guards clothes and put them on. The guard Gareth had taken care of started coming around. Sir Douglas took out a knife to finish him.

  “Hold Douglas! We will kill when we have to, but that man is defenseless. Tie and gag him,” Gareth commanded. “Yes my lord, I was not thinking.” “All right. Let us not forget why we are here. Get into those clothes,” Gareth now directed. “I can see what you are planning my lord, but will there be enough time?” “Ian, you have taught me well over the years. I would be foolish not to consider an option. What is on your mind?” Gareth asked. “We use the darkness and go directly to the battlement, two at a time, so as not to raise suspicion,” Ian suggested. “Yes! Once there we can pull up the ladders. Then go about the task of silencing the guards,” Gareth agreed. “Exactly! As the first volley of arrows fall, we will be in perfect position to open the gate!” Douglas added.

  Two by two, they made their way to the battlement. Once all of them climbed up, they lifted the ladders. The guards never stood a chance, Gareth’s men were on them before the alarm could be sounded. The only time there might be a problem, would be when they opened the gates. They would be in the open for almost two long minutes.

  The sky was just turning gray, when shouting could be heard coming from the kitchen! ‘We should have hid them in the tunnel!’ Gareth now thought. But nothing could be done now. They could only hope Geoffrey would hear the shouting and start the attack early.

  “Do you hear that Geoffrey? What do you think is going on?” Katryn asked. “I cannot be sure my lady, but the attack starts now! Archers! Ready! Fire!” The first wave of arrows flew over the battlement! Gareth drew a breath of relief. The screams of the knights in the courtyard awoke the whole manor. Men were running everywhere, scrambling for safety. Gareth could see men trying to reach the battlement. The second wave came. Though not very effective, it did make Richard's men stay under cover. Gareth could hear the third and final wave coming. As soon as the last archer let loose his arrow, Geoffrey charged.

  “Now!” Gareth commanded. Gareth’s men stood and began firing arrows into the courtyard. Gareth and Ian went to the task of pulling the heavy lever that held a locking beam in place.

  “Ian! Geoffrey is on his way!” Gareth shouted. “Yes my lord, I can hear them!” Just then, an arrow hit Ian in the leg! Gareth looked around, “Douglas! Shoot at the upstairs windows! Ian are you all right!?” “Yes! Come we must finish!” With their attention on the windows, Richard’s knights were finally able to assemble. Robert now ran into the courtyard.

  “Grab the ladders! We must stop them from opening the gate!” Robert hollered. Gareth heard Robert’s voice. The hate now swelled up in him! He stepped behind Ian and gave the lever one final pull! The huge wooden beam was loose and the gate began to move!

  “We have done it Ian! Now stay down, you are in no condition! Douglas! Philip! Take care of Ian!” Sir Geoffrey was the first one through the gate. The battle was on!

  Richard could not believe it! He watched in horror, as the knights starting pouring through the gates! He thought he had time to spare! He knew this was Gareth’s fault and headed to another part of the living quarters.

  Gareth could see the battle was going well. They needed to drive Richard's men to the west end of the manor. That would prevent Timlon’s archers from ever becoming involved. He looked over the wall and could see his own archers bringing up the rear. As he looked for a way down, he pulled his father’s sword. “I will make you proud father!” He yelled.

  When Gareth managed to get to the ground, the first face he saw was Anthony. “So! You were part of it!” Gareth shouted. Anthony’s beady eyes showed fear. As Gareth went on the offensive, Anthony stumbled backward. Gareth quickly took advantage and thrust his sword into Anthony’s chest!

  Gareth was immediately attacked from his right as Anthony took his last breath. He managed to dodge the first blow, and brought his shield up just as a second blow was delivered. He now focused on his attacker, and realized he was only a squire. Gareth took full advantage of the size difference and slammed the hilt of his sword into the young man's face, knocking him unconscious. Gareth looked for his next adversary and saw Robert bury his sword in the back of Sir David! The rage boiled over! “Coward!” Gareth shouted over the din. Robert turned to Gareth. “I am not going anywhere!” Robert seethed.

  As the two clashed, the battle around them began to calm. Sir Geoffrey mounted his horse and held a pennon with Lord Thomas’ coat of arms on it.

  “In the name of the High Lord Thomas, lay down your arms!” Geoffrey commanded. One by one, Richard’s men laid down their weapons. The only fighting that remained was between Gareth and Robert. Geoffrey let the fight continue, he understood the need to have a winner in these situations.

  It seemed that Robert’s speed would be a factor, but Gareth’s strength turned the tide. As Robert was pushed back, Geoffrey could see that Gareth would finish Robert any moment and decided to end it.

  “In the name of the High Lord, lower your weapons!” Geoffrey shouted. Gareth stepped back and began to lower his sword. Suddenly he heard Ian’s voice, “Gareth, look out!” Gareth stumbled backward, as Robert’s sword cut through the empty air, where Gareth's head had been a second before. As Robert raised his sword to strike again, an arrow crashed into his forehead! Gareth looked to where he had left Ian. “Thank you old friend!” Gareth yelled, relieved it was over…but over, it was not!

  Nobody had noticed Richard on the balcony. He was holding Melanie by her hair! She was gagged and her hands were tied behind her.

  “So! You would relish the killing of my son!” Richard yelled, getting everybody’s attention. Gareth’s eyes immediately met Melanie’s and his heart sank. “He may not have been much, but he was all I had!” Richard now shouted. “The battle is over Timlon, nothing you do now will accomplish anything!” Geoffrey said, knowing what Timlon was thinking. “Nothing!? I am not so sure!” Timlon said with disdain, “What do you think Gareth?” Gareth tried to speak calmly. As he began, he tried to ease his way to the balcony.

  “My lord, I think there has been enough bloodshed this day. Perhaps we could sit down and…” Timlon did not let Gareth finish. He pulled a knife and buried it in Melanie’s mid-section! He then picked her limp body up, and threw her off the balcony!

  “No!” Gareth screamed. Gareth could feel the sword in his hand and threw it with all his might! The sword slammed into Richard’s chest, killing him instantly! Gareth then ran to Melanie’s side, dropped to his knees and cried.

  Melanie was taken to her bedroom and made comfortable. There was not much that anyone could do. Gareth stayed at her side, hoping she would open her eyes, but she did not. As night fell, Katryn asked Ian to talk with Gareth.

  “My lord, come you must eat,” Ian said softly. “No Ian, if my beloved awakes, I must be here,” Gareth protested. “I do not profess to know everything, but her life is no longer in our hands. I know of your sadness but you must come away,” Ian said, trying to hold back his own tears. Gareth looked at Ian and could see the old warrior was also pained, “I know you are right my friend, give me a moment and I will join you in the drawing room,” Gareth whispered, then sat next to Melanie, “I will return shortly my love.” With that, Gareth gently kissed Melanie’s forehead and turned to leave. Gareth had barely left the room when a lone figure approached the bed.

  Lord Thomas had a commanding presence. At sixty years of age, he still had the strength and skill to fight any warrior. His white flowing hair, shown almost silver. Though his face would be described as cr
aggy, his kind blue eyes were filled with compassion.

  Thomas, with over two hundred men, first visited Chapman manor. He demanded the gates be opened and the immediate surrender of the manor. The small skirmish that followed was quickly put down. Without Chapman, his knights were no match for superior numbers. Thomas then released Landon’s knights, who were imprisoned there after Martin was killed. They were pressed into service and instructed to follow as Thomas rode toward Timlon.

  Sir Jonathan would not give in so easily. He had reached Landon too late to help Richard, and now felt that Timlon was rightfully his.

  “Do you wish to cause your knights slaughter!?” Thomas demanded. “I will protect Timlon with every resource at my disposal! There will be no discussion!” Jonathan yelled, as he motioned to the archers to open fire. But Thomas had come well prepared. His own archers were dispatched to a tree line, at the southwest corner of the manor, the night before. Their orders were specific, fire at the first sign of trouble.

  As the arrows rained down on the battlement from sixty archers, Thomas’ troops stormed the manor. As they reached the walls, ladders were slammed into place and the knights began scurrying up and over the walls. Thomas’ archers ceased firing and