The Dunston Blade (10 page)

John, Gavin, Carac and Sam had finished all their chores and gone to their rooms to change, Sam was doing his best to clean himself up at the pump. There
was a knock at John’s door, when John opened it there was Tania’s maid, she told him to go down to the workroom but she would be back when she had fetched
some water. John hurried down the passage to the workroom, pushed the door open and immediately found himself in the arms of Tania. Their hungry kisses and
embrace created its own heat and urgency, their inexperience and uncertainty of what to do next, however, delayed them long enough for the maid to return.

Flustered they broke the embrace and looked at one another.

“I go back to Lincoln tomorrow with Sir Robert, when shall I see you again?” said a sad Tania.

“I don’t know,” replied John. “We are waiting to see what Sir Cedric is planning, I know Sir Robert is going to Scotland and I think Sir Alfred is joining
him but nothing has been mentioned to me, except Sir Robert offered me a place to go to Scotland, it wouldn’t mean I would be in Lincoln long and I would
rather stay with your father.”

They parted with many reassurances of their love for each other and John returned to his room to find Sam had laid out his best tunic and hose on the bed.
After he had dressed he looked at Sam who had been hovering.

“Where will you eat, Sam?” The young lad explained that all the Pages went to the room next to the kitchen where there were long tables for all the staff
of the Castle.

“Steward Rowan sits at the top table when he is not required upstairs, or the Senior Page takes his place. He makes fun of me, ‘cause I’m small, but now I
am a Page to you he may treat me better.”

John smiled and made a mental note to speak to the Senior Page. The banquet was lavish, every one ate and drank their fill until the early hours. John
tried to catch Tania’s eye when she prepared to leave but she was intent on listening to her father. The morning found John and the other Squires heavy
headed and loth to leave their beds. Sam had brought John bread and ale and said he was going to the stables. John arrived in the Bailey as most of the
guests were leaving, Sir Cedric and Tania came down the steps but to John’s surprise Tania was not dressed for travelling. A Guard came to John saying that
someone wanted him at the Main Gate. Roger was there with a group consisting of the men who had competed in the Tournament, the big wrestler, a young
troubadour and Robert Hud the archer, who reminded John he wanted him to come to Lincoln or Nottingham to compete again. They said their goodbyes and the
group moved off to join Sir Robert. That evening Sir Cedric sent a message for John to join him at table and when he arrived the Earl signalled him to sit
next to him, on his other side sat Tania, they smiled at each other as John took his seat. Sir Cedric congratulated all who taken part in the Tournament
and the success that Wymondham had enjoyed, he was proud of his Squires and announced that there would be an extra financial reward for them.

No mention was made of why Tania was still at home.

John was practicing swordplay with Gavin in the Bailey, when Steward Rowan came to tell him that the Earl wanted to see him in his room, John followed him
into the Castle, a little apprehensively. Sir Cedric was standing by the window, his favourite position, when John entered.

“Sit down John I have something to discuss with you and it is to go no further than this room.”

“ I understand sir and you can rely on me.”

Sir Cedric paced the room and then stopped and turned to John.

“The King is very ill, and Prince Edward is away on the crusade, it will be up to the Barons to hold the country together until he returns. I have to go to
London to meet with them and I want you to accompany me. We shall leave early in the morning, you may take Sam to assist you, but put him on a better
horse. We shall probably be gone for a few weeks or maybe longer. I have a small house not far from the palace where we shall be comfortable. Gavin shall
make sure my wishes are carried out here and Carac has a task to complete and then join us in London.”

“May I see Tania before we go?”asked John.

Sir Cedric walked back to the window and stood in thought. “You may think I am being unfair by keeping you at a distance but I am the only parent she has
to protect and guide her. You both have much to learn about life. You will see her when we leave in the morning. Now go and prepare yourself for the
journey and remember what I said about Sam’s horse, I wish to reach London as quickly as possible.”

With that John was dismissed. On the way back to the stables he was filled with anger at the way the Earl had treated him over Tania, what did he think he
was going to do to his precious daughter. Reaching the Bailey John called out for Sam and told him to select a suitable horse and also to prepare Anvil
while he would deal with the Earl’s mount.

Early next morning all was made ready for the journey, John kept an eye on the main door to see if Tania appeared. He was occupied adjusting Anvil’s girth
when a gentle voice said, “Don't squeeze him too much.” And a smiling Tania stood there. John looked at her.

“I shall not see you for a while, don’t forget me,” he said.

Tania smiled. “We will not be parted for long as I have asked father if I can come to London, I would like to meet some of the dressmakers.”

“But how will you travel, who will guard you?” said a worried John.

“We have plenty of men at arms and when Carac returns he can escort me,” explained Tania.

Although John was concerned he was also happy that he would see Tania in London, at that moment Gavin joined them.

“I will look after her while you are away,” grinned Gavin and John looked at him grimly.

“Don’t worry I am courting the Mayors daughter in Wymondham,” said Gavin.

“She never told me,” said Tania.

Gavin explained he had only just asked her father for permission to court her. John seemed satisfied and smiled as Sir Cedric joined them. The cavalcade
was soon in motion with the Earl, John, and fifty mounted men. Tania went up onto the battlements to wave and John nearly fell off his horse by twisting
round to wave back, Anvil snorted as though to say watch what you are doing. They stayed at various friends of Sir Cedric on the way to London, as they
neared the great city the roads became busier and this slowed their large group. Sir Cedric decided to circle round London to reach his property on the
banks of the River Thames west of the city centre. When they came to his ‘small’ house. John was confronted by a palatial building standing in extensive
grounds that reached down to the river bank. The men at arms retired to a barracks in the grounds. John and Sam stabled their own, and Sir Cedric’s mounts
and walked to the main house. They were met at the door by the Steward, a tall well dressed man.

“Good day sir, may I show you to your room, if you should need anything during your stay please call me, my name is Merek.” With that he turned and led
them upstairs to a pleasant room looking out to the river. After John had changed from his travelling clothes and Sam had gone to find other Pages, he went
down to the first floor. Looking in at each door John found a great hall, two well furnished drawing rooms, and coming to a closed door he knocked, was bid
to enter and found Sir Cedric relaxing in a huge chair.

“Come in John, what do you think of my house?”

“It’s very grand sir, I have never seen so many rooms in a house, it’s more like the castle.”

“Well, here in London we have to show we are important and powerful, it’s all a game really but at the moment I must play it,” replied the Earl. “Tomorrow
I go to Westminster and see how the King fares and present myself to the Queen. You will accompany me.”

John walked in the grounds down to the river and stood watching the fast flowing water rush down to the sea. He was nervous about tomorrow and could not
see why, he felt there would be a happening that would not go well for him.

It was a chilly morning as John, dressed in his best doublet and hose with a new cloak. He walked with Sir Cedric and a tall man, dressed in sombre black,
to the jetty at the end of the garden. They boarded a boat and were rowed down the river to Westminster. On the way the Earl introduced his friend as Henri
Hausman from Bruges. They landed at Westminster and were escorted to the palace where they were led to an antechamber to the King’s bedroom. The room was
crowded with men whispering together in groups and casting their eyes around until they landed on someone, then they stopped and stared. John felt very
uncomfortable in this company and longed to be out in the open air away from the obvious intrigue. A servant appeared at the door and called for Sir
Cedric.

“Come on John and stay close to me. Speak only if you are asked a question and answer truthfully.”

The two of them followed the servant to another room where they were announced.

“Come Cedric, let me see you. A friendly and trustworthy face, I am glad you have made the journey to London.”

Sir Cedric bowed low, with John also bending the knee. John looked up to see a regal lady beautifully clothed sitting in a large winged chair attended by
several other women.

“Your Majesty, I came when I received the news of the King’s failing health and am here to do your bidding, should you need me.”

“This time I fear will be his last illness, his time draws near. Who is this young man with you, I only know of your daughter?” queried the Queen.

“May I present John of Dunston, my first Squire who has accompanied me to London so he may experience our capital city,” answered the Earl. The Queen
extended her arm and John stepped forward, knelt and kissed the ring that adorned the gloved hand. Queen Eleanor smiled briefly and continued talking to
Sir Cedric. “Unfortunately Edward is still on his way back from the crusade so I am left to cope as best I can.” The Queen asked Sir Cedric to sit near her
and they were soon in deep conversation.

John gazed around the room taking in the rich tapestries and beautiful furniture, he also noticed the ladies who had also noticed him. Under their stares
he felt his face beginning to redden so he stared into the large fireplace and tried to hear what was being said.

The Queen finished conversing with Sir Cedric and he and John took their leave and returned to the anteroom. Henri was waiting for them and after a few
words with some of the men there they left and returned to the riverside. On the voyage back to the Earl’s house he and Henri were deep in conversation,
John picked up the occasional word,’cargo weight’ ‘interest rates’ ‘delivery difficulties’ which he assumed related to the wool trade. They arrived back at
the house and John found Sam exercising the horses, John watched him for a moment and recalled Sir Cedric calling him John of Dunston and his ‘first’
Squire, he wondered what ‘first’ meant. On the second day of their visit John and Sam rode into London to see the sights, they found the streets filthy and
crowded compared with their home in the countryside. Anvil did not like the crowds, he snorted and shied, stamped his feet which resulted in him being
pushed and shouted at, this did not improve matters and John guided him into a side alley to calm down. Pushing on through the smaller streets they came to
a short hill atop which was a grand cathedral. John dismounted and told Sam to guard the horses while he visited the cathedral. The building, he found, was
dedicated to St Paul and the inside was gloomy but at the altar end it was lavishly decorated, John knelt in prayer for a moment then returned to Sam. The
two of them continued through the streets and joined a main thoroughfare heading south, soon they could see the tops of the Tower Palace. The Tower of
London Palace was an imposing Castle, workmen were still busy carrying out improvements that the King had ordered. As well as being a Palace the Tower was
also a prison and the gallows outside bore witness to this. John decided not to try and visit the Palace so they turned and rode off keeping to the
shoreline. London was a major port and there were ships from all countries, moored and unloading, or vice versa. They could hear many different languages
being spoken and the whole area was a hive of activity. Soon they left the port and approached Westminster, they heard the boom of a large bell being
tolled.

“That sounds like it’s coming from the Abbey,” said John. Then they heard the cries coming from people who were hurrying towards the Palace.

“The King is dead!”

John spurred Anvil and followed by Sam they cantered off towards Sir Cedric’s house. When they arrived they found the Earl had left for the Palace. Merek
informed John that Henri Hauseman was waiting in a side room. While Sam looked after the horses John joined Henri and asked Merek to bring wine.

“I am sorry your King is dead,” said Henri. “It will cause some difficulties with trade, I think.”

“I am not sure what you mean,” said John. “Prince Edward will soon be home when he gets the news.”

Henri did not answer but carried on the conversation talking about the weather, the price of wool and the forthcoming visit of Tania. “How is the young
lady, it is some time since I saw her?” queried Henri.

“She was well enough when we left and we, also, are looking forward to seeing her here soon,” replied John. “A very attractive lady don’t you think, I
expect she has many suiters.”

John was starting to get irritated by Henri’s manner and was pleased of the interruption when Merek came with the wine.

“I see you wear a broadsword,” continued Henri.

“I apologise for not disarming but I came here before going to my room so as not to delay you, if you were wanting just to leave a message for the Earl,”
explained John.

“That is not a problem,” replied Henri. “It looks a fine weapon, may I see the blade?”

John hesitated and then drew the sword from its sheath.

“It is a fine weapon, crafted by an expert, is it from Toledo?” asked Henri.

John was not sure where Toledo was but answered the question by telling Henri that his father had made the sword for him.