The Dunston Blade (15 page)

“There was an injustice sire, which had to be redressed so that your people could live and work in peace.” The King smiled and then laughed. “I think we
shall be hearing more of this young man in the future, twill be best for him to support us and not be against us I warrant.”

Edward stretched out his hand for John to bow and kiss his ring.

”I shall look forward to seeing him again tomorrow.” Then he turned to speak to others who were waiting to gain his attention. John thought of what the
King had just said and thought of the ceremony that would take place tomorrow. Sir Cedric signalled to John to follow him to the side of the room. Tania
stood by her father smiling at John and the Earl spoke to him.

“You may pay attention to my daughter later but now listen to me. There are many here who do not like my friendship with Edward so keep close council while
you are here. Tonight you are to go with two young men, who I will introduce you to, and spend the night in the Abbey at prayer, they will guard you until
morning when you will be brought to me, do you understand?” John nodded. “I will tell you what is going to happen next when I see you in the morning. Find
Sam now and after the banquet tonight he will take you to a room where you can change.”

John looked at Tania and received a smile in return, what a day this is, so much happening in such a short time! His mind went back to the books he had
studied and he knew his Vigil was imminent.

The banquet was a sumptuous event, course after course washed down with wine or mead. John tried not to overindulge but still felt bloated when the
servants began to clear the tables and the nobles began toasting the King and Queen. John slipped out and found Sam who led him to the Abbey and thence to
a small side room where he changed into a simple white tunic and joined three other young men dressed the same. Accompanied by several other men, some John
recognised as young knights they moved into a side chapel for Vespers followed by Mass.

After the service the three young Squires knelt at the altar rail and their Vigil began. John found it hard to focus his mind at first, then gradually he
started to think of the road he had already travelled and the actions he had taken and the help he was going to need as a Knight. His prayers centred on
his future life and the guidance he would need.

At dawn three very tired young men went back to the side room to dress, Sam was there to assist John and together they returned to the house. John went up
to his room and collapsed on the bed for a couple of hours when Sam roused him to dress and go down to Sir Cedric. The Earl was standing by the front door
resplendent in his court clothes, the sun reflected from the gold chain that hung round his chest.

“Ah, good morning John, though tis nearly afternoon, come we must not keep His Majesty waiting.”

He strode off to the boat waiting to take them down river. John followed with Sam close behind. When they reached the barge they found Tania, her maid and
another lady who was introduced as Lady Elizabeth, a friend. When they reached the Palace and entered the Great Hall John was surprised to see so many
people and then he began to recognise people he knew, his father and mother with Joan, Carac and Gavin, Roger and Laila and even Father Aldred. A Marshall
called everyone to order, trumpets sounded and the King and Queen entered and moved to the thrones. A Herald announced the four young men’s achievements
and that they had fulfilled their obligations toward Knighthood. John was called forward first and knelt in front of the King who raised his sword and
touching him lightly on each shoulder.

“I dub thee Knight, rise Sir John Ivanson of Dunston, Knight of my realm.” Giving the sword to an equerry the King received John’s hands in his. “Do you,
John of Dunston, swear to serve me faithfully and support me when I ask?”

“I do Sire,” answered John.

Edward signalled him to rise and smiling sat back on the throne, the onlookers applauded and John moved to stand beside Sir Cedric. When the other squires
had been invested everyone gathered around tables that had been laid out with food. John found his family and was congratulated by his father, mother and
Joan. Jack asked.

“Where will you live, will you remain at Wymondham or will you settle at Dunston?”

John replied that he was not sure what would happen next until he had spoken to Sir Cedric. John tried to find Tania to introduce her to his family but he
could not see her in the crowd, it was not until the evening that people began to disperse and John was able to take Jack and his family over to Sir Cedric
and Tania. “Good to see you again Jack, I often think of that day when I came upon John by the woods and you and your wife looked after me so well, a great
deal has happened since then. How is Dunston getting along now that de Brehalle has gone?”

“Very well sir, we need someone in the Castle to govern us though as people soon slip back into bad habits,” answered Jack. Sir Cedric looked at John.
“Perhaps we can rectify that soon, meanwhile Carac had better return to Dunston and make sure everything is as it should be.”

Roger had been hovering on the edge of the group and John called him over.

“This is a very good friend of mine sir,” he said to the Earl.

“I know you, do I not. A de Brehalle, brother of the one John sent back to Calais and an enemy of the King.” “Not any more sir, now the Marshal of Stamford
and a King’s man should I be needed.”

Roger drew himself up as he said this.

“And who is this young lady?” queried Sir Cedric.

“My wife Laila,” answered Roger and there was a look from Joan. The Earl invited Jack and his family to return to the house with them and they left the
Palace. That night John sat on his bed trying to remember all that had happened that day, his hand went to the little leather purse at his breast and took
out the ring. Placing it on his finger he was surprised to find it fitted, he looked at the strange letters engraved on it.

The next few days were like a holiday to John, with his family around him and Tania accompanying him, life was good.

Roger and Laila were the first to leave after only a day as Roger’s position meant he was needed back in Stamford. John promised to visit when he could,
this would be sooner than both of them thought.

Jack left for Dunston soon after to tend to his business at the Smithy, John would be visiting Dunston Castle soon he thought, Carac and Gavin decided to
accompany Jack which would offer them protection should they need it. John and Tania were then left alone, apart from her maid, while Sir Cedric went to
and fro from the Palace. They were all seated at dinner one evening when Sir Cedric announced that they would leave for Wymondham the next day, it was time
to get back to the normal running of his estates. As they left the London house the sky was filled with black forbidding clouds, they had not journeyed far
when the rain began to fall and they were forced to shelter under trees in a small wood, the men at arms were used to roughing it but the ladies in the
party grumbled as they tried to pull their cloaks tighter around themselves. The horses too had a hangdog look as they stamped on the earth and started to
turn it into thick mud, a break in the clouds came and the party moved on. Several days journeying brought them in sight of Wymondham and as they entered
the town it was noticeably quieter than usual, a few people were out going about their business but they hardly looked at the travellers as they rode
through even though it was their lord.

Sir Cedric told Gavin to go to the Mayor and ask for a report. The Castle came in sight and as they drew nearer they could see the drawbridge was raised.

“Sound a horn,” said Sir Cedric. “I fear there is something wrong.”

Carac sent a clear call on his horn and they saw the drawbridge lower and a rider came out of the Castle towards them, he rode up to Sir Cedric and spoke
to him. The Earl turned towards them and ordered everyone to make haste to the Castle. When they had dismounted in the bailey Sir Cedric called John.

“There are large bands of armed men roaming the countryside and the scouts report that there is a man trying to get them organised and form a small army
and take the town. You must ride to Dunston with all speed and find out what is happening there. I can only spare you one hundred more men and take Carac
as well, report the position there as soon as you can.”

There was feverish activity as John organised his party while the rest were being gathered to protect the town, he only had a few moments to speak to Tania
and then they were off.

John approached Dunston with a little apprehension and was glad when he came out of the forest and could see the Castle, Carac sounded his horn again and
John was surprised to see a drawbridge lowered.

“Someone has been hard at work in our absence,” said John. “Do you know anything about this Carac?”

“I left instructions when I left for London, it was to be a surprise for you,” replied the young Squire. John was even more amazed to find water in the
moat.

“We found the original spring that keeps it full,” explained Carac. They rode in over the bridge and halted in the Bailey, a troop of men at arms were
lined up and as John dismounted the captain called out.

“Three cheers for Sir John.” An embarrassed John smiled and acknowledged the welcome. Boorman was waiting by the main door and said to John.

“ Welcome home sir, your rooms are ready,” and he led John to the rooms de Brehalle’s had occupied. They were large and well furnished and had double
aspect windows looking out over the Bailey and the countryside. John sat in a chair and thought of the day, Boorman had said, ‘welcome home’ but was this
home? The Castle had been taken in Sir Cedric’s name and was part of his lands, what was the future going to bring to John, he did not want to be an
adventuring knight, that would mean no Tania, in fact little had really changed in his situation. During the following weeks John and Carac toured the
tenant farms, mills and all the businesses that came under the jurisdiction of the Castle. Sir Cedric had confirmed the boundary marks of all the estates
when he was in London and overall the Earl had gained considerable land. Everywhere they went they were told of the fear people had that they would be
attacked by marauding groups of outlaws. John promised regular patrols and he sent out scouts to search for these groups but had no success to date. They
had been back in the Castle for only two days when one of the scouts came in to report that a large body of men were gathering south of Saxlingham and
there was definitely a leader who was organising them. John sent a courier to Sir Cedric with this news and asked for more men to protect the Castle and
villages, he also started training the men for war.

At the evening meal John spoke to Carac and his captains. “We must be ready to repel any attack on the Castle and organise skirmish parties to reduce the
size of the rebel band. Strike and disappear, will be the order until we are ready to take them on in battle.”

Carac nodded. “The Castle is ready and I know we can hold it with the minimum number of men, the moat is full and the walls repaired, we also have improved
the archer slits as you suggested.”

“From the reports I have,” said John, “they do not appear to be well organised and they have no heavy weapons, but I intend to have a look at them myself
tonight.”

Carac was not happy about that, however he agreed that if John was well protected it would be useful for him to see the opposition and judge their
strength. That evening a group of men came from the town to volunteer as soldiers, several had weapons from past campaigns. As the darkness spread over the
countryside, John and seven men rode out of the Castle towards Saxlingham. They stopped at a farm near to where the outlaws had been seen last. The farmer,
one of John’s tenants, hid their horses in the barn, he told them where the outlaws were camped and John and his men started off in that direction. The
camp fires were the first sign of the enemy and John crept stealthily forward. The outlaws were enjoying a supper of roast pig, stolen from the farms, and
were relaxed and taking their ease. In the light from the fires John could see a man talking earnestly to half a dozen better dressed men, he was gesturing
towards Saxlingham and sweeping his hand across his body. John suddenly started, he knew the man, it was Ralf de Brehalle. How had he returned to England
and then here? John crept back to a safe distance and signalled his men to go back to the farm. Once mounted they rode quickly back to the Castle. John
found Carac and told him what they had found.

“It’s obvious he wants to try and take the Castle back,” said John. “I did not see enough men for him to be able to do that but I am wondering who was he
talking to.”

Sir Cedric’s scouts came back to tell him that there was an increase in the outlaws and deserters congregating to the South west of the Castle and town.
They told the Earl that there were approximately 200 in the main group. Sir Cedric called his captains together and decided to use his cavalry to disperse
them and drive them south west if they could, the Kings army was mustering in that direction in preparation to march on Wales.

With his normal garrison and the addition of volunteers from his tenants Sir Cedric mustered over 1000 men, a good 400 were cavalry. Leaving sufficient
numbers to protect the Castle and town he decided to send 300 of his men at arms to Dunston. After several successful sorties against the outlaws they did
break them up with most making for the South. The Earl kept patrols out around the town and countryside to keep the outlaws on the move, they did not
appear to want to stand and fight.

John was pacing the battlements when he noticed movement at the edge of the forest. Approaching towards the Castle he could see a column of men.

“They are ours, I can see a standard and that is Sir Cedric at the head,” said an excited guard.

John descended to the Bailey to welcome the troops who were crossing the drawbridge with the Earl riding Snow.