Helms Chapter Nineteen Katherine brought her horse to a skidding halt beside Rhys where he stood in his stirrups, his drawn sword to Sir Geoffrey’s neck. Behind them, the castle captain-at-arms charged from the gate tower with his own sword raised high. Gripping the pummel of her saddle, she swung out of the sidesaddle and dropped to the muddy grass of the baily. “Let not Sir Geoffrey steal so much as a single silver spoon from Haughmond,” she called out to him, holding high the royal parchment. “By the king’s command, he is no longer lord here!” She thrust it into the captain’s hands. Since he was unable to read, the king’s wax seal must have been the deciding factor. His dubious frown disappeared from his scored face. He handed it back and with a loud shout, ordered his soldiers into position. On the wallwalk overhead came the sound of running boots as archers amassed and notched their arrows. Out of the gate tower poured soldiers, with their long bows and deadly looking maces.
