done anything so cowardly!"
"I am sure not," said Aaron, soothingly. "Yet, if he is not here, I cannot deliver the message."
"Let me come back with you," said the young man, suddenly. "Perhaps I can do something to help Jervis. My name is Philip but have we not met before?"
"I am Aaron," said Aaron. "I remember we rode together from Battle to Lewes."
"Aaron!" said Philip, recognition dawning on his face. "Then Jervis is safe indeed!"
Together, they made their way out of the castle and back down the slope. Most of those who had sought shelter had now arrived, and their way was easy, since there were few to pass on the path. They were out through the gates of castle and town in no time, their way lit by the burning houses, some of which were already little more than smoking piles of timber and thatch. The smoke from these was chokingly thick, but had the advantage of hiding their progress, so they clapped their hands over their mouths, and ran through as fast as they could.
At last, they were back in Antioch Street, and Aaron was tapping on the door of Belaset s house again. It opened quickly, and the two men stepped inside. Judith shut it and made sure that the bar was in place, before leading them into the parlour. Philip looked round once, then strode across to Jervis, and wrung his hand fiercely.
"Jervis!" he said, huskily. "I thought you were dead!"
"And I you," said Jervis. "But what are you doing here?"
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"We met in the Castle," said Aaron, from where he stood observing the reunion. Now that he had seen how glad the two were to see each other, any lingering doubts about Philip s claims were banished.
"Aaron approached me and we recognised each other," said Philip. "When he told me that you were safe, I was overjoyed. I had not seen you since the fighting started, and made sure that you were lying dead out there somewhere."
"Well, as you see, I am alive," said Jervis. "But what news of my lord and the others? It seemed that the battle was going our way, before I was knocked out, yet now I see de Montfort s men swaggering everywhere."
"Alas, Jervis, we lost our way," said Philip. "The slope was against us, and de Montfort s men were the better armed and disciplined. Although we were the greater in number, they were the greater in determination, I fear. Earl John fought bravely and he and the others attacked the Londoners fiercely. Prince Edward urged us on, and we put them to flight, chasing them across the river and cutting many of them down. The rest fled for their lives, and were not going to return. So Prince Edward bade us return to the battle and save the town."
"And what prevented you?" said Jervis.
"We had spent too long away, and de Montfort s men had slaughtered many of those that were left. When we arrived, they turned on us, still seeking to kill, and we, tired from our exertions, had not the strength to resist them. We were overwhelmed."
He stopped suddenly.
"So my lord de Warenne and Prince Edward are made prisoners of Simon de Montfort?"
said, Jervis.
"No," said Philip. "Prince Edward managed to fight his way through the crowd and I believe is safe in the Priory walls, with the King and Duke Richard."
He stopped again.
"But my lord de Warenne?" insisted Jervis.
"He fled, with Humphrey de Bohun, Guy de Lusignan and others," said Philip, his voice half-strangled by his emotion. "He fled, Jervis."
There was an awkward silence. No-one dared break it, until Jervis cleared his throat.
"He went for a reason," he said, firmly. "My lord would not desert a battle to save himself. There must be a plan of which we knew nothing. That is the explanation."
"Well," said Philip, uncomfortably.
"Well, nothing," said Belaset, briskly, behind them. "There is no point in continuing to search for him, since he is not to be found here. It is also very dark, and we are all exhausted by the day s alarums. Let us rest and sleep as best we may. Tomorrow you BOSON BOOKS
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may find out more, or, at least, make your way to the Priory and join what remains of the King s side."
Her words made everyone realise how exhausted they were. Within minutes, she had found straw mattresses and bedding for Philip and Jervis, which they put on the floor of the parlour. The others retired to their