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blow struck the gate, this one much heavier. The master-at-arms's head came up alertly. Somewhere the men had found a log or a beam that they could use as an improvised ram. He shouted orders to look for any farm carts and roll them in front of the gates. The bailiff, understanding, bade the serfs drag out any building stone available, plus unworked lumps of iron and whatever else was heaviest to fill the carts. |
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A fourth blow struck the gate; the bar groaned. |
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Inside the bedchamber, Walter's sword was in full extension forward, his shield was warding off the wounded manand his back was fully exposed and unprotected. Sir Heribert took three quick steps, his sword rising in his hand as he went, exultation in his heart. Heribert had promised a rich prize to the man who killed Walterto encourage his men to fight hard. The fact that he would not have to pay it would make the pleasure of killing Walter himself all the greater. |
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But Heribert's first stroke at Walter's back went awry. Somehow Walter sensed him and twisted away so that the edge of Heribert's sword did not strike true. And then Walter turned and slashed at Heribert, a blow that numbed Heribert's shield arm, although he had managed to ward it off. A second blow would kill him, he feared, but one of his men thrust past Walter's shield and a second struck him on the light basinet helmet he wore, so that he went down on his knees. |
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Even then Walter was not finished. He lifted his shield to protect his head and swung out low with his sword, catching the man bending to stab at him so hard that his ankle was sheered. The second man leapt into the air to avoid the backstroke, and Heribert lifted his sword again for the coup de grâce, his blow once more aimed at Walter's unprotected back. This time Heribert knew Walter could not dodge because he was on his knees. |
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Sybelle had allowed the four men to precede her into the house, and the moment they opened the door, they heard a clash of metal and a yell of pain. All of them shouted in response. |
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Sir Heribert paused with his sword uplifted and shrieked, "In here! In here!" |
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Heribert was ready now to pay out the prize he had promised. Despite the fact that Walter was nearly finished, when he heard the male voices in the main chamber, Heribert was very |
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