Autumn 924 MC
Richard awoke with a start. Footsteps echoed outside his door, the sound of armoured men rushing past. Something was up, of that he was sure, and so he opened the door, watching as soldiers passed him by.
“What’s happening?” he called out.
Perkins, a footman, halted before him. “We’ve been ordered out, my lord.”
“What do you mean, ordered out?”
"The baron has called on all the men to form up and march out to battle,” Perkins explained.
“Why? What’s happened?”
“An enemy army is getting close,” the footman explained, “and the baron is going to offer battle.”
“Is he mad?” asked Richard. “Why doesn’t he just withdraw into the Keep?”
“I have no idea,” Perkins answered, “but I must be on my way.”
Richard let him run off, staying only long enough to splash water on his fac
