Stephen Lawhead - Scarlet

Hugo took a deep breath and fixed his marshal with a steely gaze. "King Raven, the so-called Phantom, and Bran are one and the same. I'd stake my life on it."

"We should have taken him when we had the chance," remarked Gysburne, still puzzling over the deception played upon them.

"A mistake," spat Hugo, "we will not repeat."

Count Falkes de Braose had been escorted from the yard by knights of the king, to be taken to Lundein and there put on a ship to Normandie. Abbot Hugo and his marshal were left to consider the unexpected rise in their fortunes, and the threats to their rule. Their first thoughts turned to Bran and his followers. They quickly decided that so long as Bran and his men remained at large, they would never enjoy complete control over the people and lands that King William had entrusted to their stewardship.

"I can take him now," said Guy.

"Not here," said Hugo. "Not in sight of the king and his court. That will not do. No, let the upstart and his rabble get down the road a pace, and follow them. They won't get far on foot. Wait until they make camp for the night, and then kill them all."

"There are women and children, and at least one priest," Guy pointed out. "What shall we do with them?"

"Spare no one," the abbot replied.

"But, my lord," objected Guy. He was a knight of the realm, and did not fancy himself a murderer. "We cannot slaughter them like cattle."

"Bran ap Brychan said it himself," countered the abbot. "It is war. His words, not mine, Gysburne. If it is war he wants, this is where it begins."

Before Marshal Guy could argue further, the abbot called his knights and men-at-arms-and as many of the count's men who wished to join his army-to gather in a corner of the yard. "On your knees, men," he said. "Bow your heads."With a clatter of armour, the knights under Guy Gysburne's command drew their swords and knelt in a circle around the abbot. Folding their hands over the hilts of their unsheathed swords, they bowed their heads. Raising his right hand, Hugo made the sign of the cross over the kneeling soldiers.

"Lord of Hosts," he prayed, "I send these men out to do battle in your name. Shield them with your hand, and protect them from the arrows of the enemy. Let their toil be accounted righteousness for your name's sake. Amen."

The soldiers raised their heads as the abbot said, "For any and all acts committed in carrying out the charge laid upon you this day, you are hereby absolved in heaven and on earth. Obey the will of your commander, who serves me even as I serve God Almighty. For the sake of God's anointed, King William, the holy church, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself, show no mercy to those who rebel against their rule, and do so with the full knowledge that all of your deeds will be accounted to your favour on the earth and in heaven, and that you bear no stain of guilt or sin for the shedding of blood this day."

With that, Guy and his men mounted their horses and silently rode from the yard in pursuit of King Raven and his flock.