The Gold of Byzantium: Revised, Rewritten and Re-Edited

[King Henry V]

There is, but inspiritation ebbs and flows a bit with me.

[Ludens]

There is, but inspiritation ebbs and flows a bit with me.

Good to hear that!

[The Wizard]

Well written, but just a few points, one of which on your writing and the others on history.

In your latest chapter you seem to change perspective all of a sudden in the middle of a chapter/paragraph. What's up with that? It's generally not a very good idea seeing as it's very confusing.

Now, on to history. I, for one, sincerely doubt a line of skutatoi could have in any way withstood a Norman charge in ernest. The only infantry that ever stood up against one was the Varangian Guard itself, at the battle of Dyrrachium in 1081, which nearly lost Robert Guiscard the battle, becuase the Normans were so unused to infantry standing up to them. Simple skutatoi could never have hoped to stop the power of a Norman charge with the couched lance and the destrier.

Then there's the De Hauteville family coat of arms. I'm not entirely sure on this one, but IIRC -- wasn't that white on the left half, and red on the right half, that being it? Or was that the coat of arms of the Duchy of Apulia?

Regardless, well written. Keep on developing your skills! :)

[King Henry V]

I didn't know I changed perspective.
As for the history, I know it probably is a long shot, but I thought a group of knights, which has been tired by chasing somebody across a plain, surprised by this hedge of bristling spears and weakened by a volley of crossbow bolts, could be checked by a group of spearmen. Whilst I know they could probably not defeat the knights on their own, maybe they could hold them long enough for the Varangians to hack them to pieces. Note that they did not have enough time to organise a proper a charge.

[The Wizard]

“What, no thank you?” said a voice.
Edward turned. It was Eadric. In his hand he held a spear, it’s tip dripping with blood. On his face was a large grin.
“I saw that you needed some help, so I guess I just saved your life,” he continued.
Edward laughed nervously
“Thank you. I owe you one there.”
“A cask of your best mead and we’ll call it quits,” Eadric said. He missed the feasts and banquets of England, were warriors would gather in their halls around a fire, eating roasted joints of meat, drinking barrels of ale and mead, singing songs and telling stories of warriors, battles, beasts and bravery.
“Are you alright?” Eadric said, gesturing to my wound.
“No, it’s just a scratch” Edward replied, rising to his feet again.
Branas came over, his sword and clothes bloodied.
“Sir, the enemy has been beaten,” he said eagerly.
“Thank you, I can see that”, I answered. “What’s the butcher’s bill?”
“Eight of our men dead and eleven wounded, sir.”
“Any Varangians?” I enquired.
“Yes, I am afraid so. Erik the One-Eyed was killed. I’m afraid it wasn’t pretty.”
I was saddened by the last piece of news. Though I had not known him long, I found Erik to be a capable soldier and a likeable man.
“Very well. We shall bury our men and then march back to camp. Thank the men for me, Branas, they have fought well this day.”
“Yes, sir, they have,” Branas said and walked away.
Edward turned to Eadric. “By God, I that was close run thing. I was afraid that the spearmen would break any minute. Then we would all be slain. Once again, I thank you, friend.”
“Well at least there are thirty less of those Norman bastards.”
Edward smiled. “All in a day’s fighting.”

This particular part is where you changed perspectives.

[King Henry V]

Oh, sorry, that was a typo. I shall rectify it forthwith.