Champion: Part I

Iberian Peninsula
City of Toledo
Spring, 1081

"Magnificent, isn't it?"

A group of horsemen sat staring across the Tagus River gorge at the city that glowed in the sun on the opposite side. The speaker, a small Moor, looked at his nearest companions and white teeth flashed as he grinned at their expressions. "I take it this is your first visit to Toledo?"

A tall blonde-haired rider to his left nodded. "We were staying a few miles south of here. Ferret broke camp after we were sent to escort you; we'll meet him in the city. Who built that bridge? It's huge!"

"The Romans. We call it Alcantara. But come, we've a ways to go yet, and no time to waste sitting here with mouths agape! I've a royal patient waiting for me."

Ian Blackthorn looked back at the men Ferret had assigned him to lead. There was Marcus and Timmons, and Big Harold who was his second in command (but more likely sent along by Ferret to make sure the new officer didn't get himself killed.), as well as the rest of the troops. All of them were excited by the prospect of what delights might await them in the Moorish capital. "Alright, men, you heard Master Ibrahim! Let's ride!"

**********

Teo Diaz de Vivar reined his horse in sharply and looked at the men before him. It had been a close thing, but he had beaten them to the middle of the bridge, and now he would do the rest of his duty. "Move aside, there! Make way for milord Ruy Diaz de Vivar, of the Court of King Alfonso of Castile!" He held his banner proudly, waiting for the shabbily dressed group to move to the sided of the bridge.

No one moved.

"I don't think you understand. Don Ruy's banner has reached the center of the bridge first. By custom, you must step to the side and let him through."

The largest man Teo had ever seen walked out in front of the others, holding a huge axe. Then a second man, taller than the first, dismounted to stand beside him. This second man was younger and his clothes were of finer cut. Teo ignored the axeman and looked at the obvious leader. "You look like a reasonable man. Have your men make way, I pray you, before blood is shed."

"Are you this Ruy Diaz?" Blue eyes that looked slightly slanted stared back.

"No, I am his bannerman; Don Ruy is there." He turned, pointing back at the end of the bridge behind him. Green and gold banners snapped in the breeze as a lord and his retinue started riding across towards them.

"Then you may pass. Don Whatever will have to let US pass, for we were here first."

Teo was dumbstruck; he shook his head in disbelief. "Don't you realize who you are dealing with, sirs? Don Ruy"-

"Don Ruy will fall like any other man my axe hits." The first giant whirled the long about in an intricate pattern, the blade making a "whoosh" at it moved. Then he flung it up into the air, and Teo couldn't help but watch as it flashed back down and then was caught at the haft by its owner. "You can ride on, Teo Diaz, or try to make us move, but you will find it hard, riding a legless horse."

"You can't be serious!"

"You must forgive Harold. He took a blow to the head fighting against Harald Hardrada's men at Stamford Bridge. He's terribly stubborn about bridge crossings." The younger man gave a bright smile. "I'd move if I were you."

"Kinsman? Is something the matter?" Teo turned to see his cousin and his men had approached while he'd been distracted by the axeman. Truth be told, he was relieved to let Don Ruy deal with these lunatics. He nodded.
"They will not step aside, milord. I think they are mad."

"Really? Is that so?" Don Ruy Diaz de Vivar looked at the two foremost strangers. "Are you truly mad? If so, by God's charity, Teo, we must not harm them. Much." Dark eyes glinted as his men drew their weapons behind them. He flipped down the visor helmet, then took a firm grip on his shield strap.

"Now, which will it be?
Move, or die?"