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horses. We would spread them out.  I expected to lose some but the Empress had nothing else to show for her time as Empress; we would take her treasure home for her.
    We kept out of the town for the next day.  We had nothing we could do there for everyone was busy with the funeral arrangements and I did not wish to aggravate the situation.  We stayed at the estate. The horses had all been well rested and, more importantly, well fed. Sir Guy had sent a rider back to his uncle informing him of the death of the Emperor. I hoped we could still rely on him but, if we could not then we would find another route to take the Empress to safety. There was a grindstone at the hall and all of our edged weapons were sharpened. I had the surcoats for the three women all ready for them.  The hard part would be to get them to safety. I had, with the help of Sir Guy and Edward, conjured a plan which we hoped would allow us to escape.  If it failed, then it would be a bloodbath.

Chapter 4
    We set off for the town before first light. I took only my men at arms.  They looked resplendent in their surcoats with matching shields.  My archers and Aiden had other work ahead of them. Sir Guy and his men at arms entered Worms by a separate gate. I hoped that our enemies would not notice such small numbers. We were admitted for the whole of Worms was filled with mourners there for the funeral of Henry, Holy Roman Emperor. We dismounted and formed a line on the road leading to the cathedral.  As a mark of respect we took off our helmets.  When the body passed us we bowed our heads.  Empress Matilda followed, dressed in black and with head bowed leading a jet black war horse on which the Emperor's sword and helmet hung.  Judith and Margaret were with her and Rolf followed with his knights and men at arms.
    The service took an interminable length of time. I was keenly aware of the passage of time. Many of the people outside drifted off leaving just soldiers standing. That in itself was ominous for we saw the surcoats of Stuttgart, Aachen and Supplinburg. It made our numbers appear even smaller. The soldiers of the three counts outnumbered us by over eight to one. We could not predict when the funeral rites would end but we had to time our departure well or else we might all die. Although I did not think anyone would begin trouble before the Emperor was buried I just did not know.
    The Empress Matilda left the cathedral and she passed amongst the thinned crowd, with her ladies, distributing coins to the needy.  When she passed us she glanced up and gave a half smile. The imperial nobles and the Archbishop followed next and I saw them give us stares. They were not friendly looks. We were now the enemy and, with the Emperor's death, fair game. So far it was all going to plan but it could still go awry. Once the last of the mourners had passed we followed but instead of heading to the palace we went towards the western gate and headed down the road leading to the west and Normandy.  I knew every eye was upon us.  I also knew that our enemies had spies who would be ensuring that we left their city. We rode leisurely down the road.  After five miles we stopped, ostensibly to check our girths but in reality to waste time.
    I had planned everything but I hated this part of the plan.  Sir Guy and the Swabian knights would be escorting the Empress from the palace to her estate. All eyes would be upon them. They had to leave quickly before night fell.  The people of Worms would understand that the Empress needed to be on her own to grieve, away from the sad memories of the palace. If it was after dark I had no doubt that Lothair would try to capture her.  He could not do so with her people waving and watching.
    We waited until Aiden arrived.  He appeared without warning from the trees to the north.  "There are thirty men at arms, lord and they are to the south of you between you and the estate of the Empress. They are keeping pace with you."
    "It