The Dunston Blade (16 page)

“Thought I would come and see for myself how you are coping,” said Sir Cedric. They went inside to the hall and John explained his strategy. Sir Cedric
listened and made comment.

“I agree that it will the right thing to do to attack first while they are still organising themselves. I am surprised that Ralph is involved, I wonder who
is behind him.”

That night John moved out with 100 skirmishers and crept near to the outlaws camp.

“Carac, take 50 men to the left and on my signal attack, kill as many as you can and withdraw quickly.”

John waited, the clouds hid the light from the moon and all was still. The horn rang out and the night exploded into yelling and shouting. As John drew his
sword he felt his ring hot on his finger, as he went forward his sword felt light in his hand and it seemed to have a life of its own as it lunged and
sliced at the outlaws. As quickly as it had started the fighting finished and the skirmishers came together. As the group hurried back to the Castle Carac
reported he had lost three men and John had two missing, their bodies were carried back. Once they were behind the Castle walls John called them all
together and congratulated them on a job well done. They had succeeded in killing and injuring a good number of the outlaws.

“Get some sleep now as I expect some action in the morning.”

Joining Sir Cedric in the Hall John discussed the night’s activities.

“They will not get caught like that again,” said the Earl. “It will keep them awake tomorrow night, if they are still here.”

John retired to his bed and soon fell into a sound sleep.

As the sun rose the following morning the troops were ready and John gave his orders. They were to march out towards the outlaws camp and form a three
prong attack to sweep the enemy out of the woods. John made it clear that they must take prisoners especially any high ranking persons. The signal was
given to move off with John at the Centre, Carac on the left flank and the guard captain taking the right. As they approached the woods a ragged line of
men stumbled clear of the trees, some leaders trying to get them into some sort of order. John halted and called the archers to draw bows, the first flight
decimated the front line of the outlaws, this caused more confusion. Five mounted men tried to gain control and John guessed one of these would be Ralph,
he put his mounted men to the charge and tried to head off the five, who attempted to retreat into the trees. John’s charge brought them into contact
quickly and he soon found himself facing Ralph yet again. The two men circled their horses and suddenly Hammer decided it was time to attack and jumped
forward slamming into Ralph’s mount and unseating him. John, on Hammer, towered over the fallen man and shouted to him to yield. Ralph got up onto his feet
and in a fit of anger rushed at John, Hammer neatly sidestepped and John slid from his back and drew his sword. The two men faced each other, Ralph full of
anger carelessly rushed at John who parried the thrust and dealt a heavy blow to Ralph’s leg. He stood over the fallen man and again asked him to yield.
Ralph dragged himself up onto his good leg and made a swipe at John but it missed and the momentum made him stagger into another man who quickly turned and
drove his sword through Ralph’s side, piecing his heart. Before the man could withdraw his weapon John had his sword at his throat and the man yielded.

“I thought he was one of your lot,” the outlaw exclaimed. John knelt by Ralph but as he removed his helm he breathed his last. John remounted Hammer and
looked around to find that most of the fighting had ceased and his men were rounding up the outlaws. Carac had four men closely guarded and John rode over
to find they were Frenchmen.

“Take them back to the Castle and put them in the tower until we find out what they are doing here.”

With the death of Ralph the conflict ceased, some outlaws faded away into the woods but most of those who had not been killed were rounded up and marched
back to the Castle.

The prisoners were crowded into the Bailey and John tried to pick out the leaders, those he sent to the dungeons. In fact John knew he could not feed more
than about 100 more men so he decided to march them off to Norwich where they could be put to the ships. Sir Cedric joined John when he questioned the
Frenchmen they found that Ralph had convinced them that there was a rich reward if they helped him to regain Dunston. They were becoming suspicious the
night of John’s attack and had been arguing with Ralph and were talking of returning home with the men they had brought with them.

“Well, your men will be home before you if they are some of the ones sent to Norwich.” said John. The men were sent back to the tower and John and the Earl
discussed sending a message to their families for a ransom to release them.

Eating a breakfast together John and the Earl talked over the previous days happenings.

“This rabble could have been larger and more aggressive had they been led by better men,” commented Sir Cedric. “You adopted the right strategy of surprise
and your men are well trained. I leave this Castle and the surrounding lands to your care, we will sort out the details with the clerks when you are next
in Wymondham and agree the boundaries and the annual tax that I shall expect. How say you John?”

John sat silently for a moment, everything was happening so quickly.

“I am honoured sir and I will do all I can to justify the faith you have put in me.”

“Good,” said Sir Cedric as he rose from the table. “I will go back to Wymondham now and no doubt I will be see you again very soon.” He smiled as he said
this and clasped John’s arm.

After the Earl had left John called Carac to him and they arranged to meet at Dunston Smithy by midday to visit the larger Tenants. John rode out to visit
his father and found him and his lads very busy, the forge was burning brightly and there was a sound of hammers at work on the iron. Jack saw John
approaching and stopped his work to greet his son.

“It is good to see you son, we heard of the trouble at Wymondham and that you had beaten the outlaws. We were worried that some may come this way but we
have seen no one.”

“That eases my mind, father,” he said, as they walked back home. “I see the house is finished, you have made good time in completing it.”

“There are still some finishing touches to make but I wanted to make sure it was complete before winter. The builder is now working in the village helping
with the stronger houses. We have started a village fund so that eventually all will have better houses.”

“A very good idea and when we know more about the Castle finances I will make a contribution, we need to support our villagers so that the work on the
farms does not suffer,” replied John. “Sir Cedric is looking at ideas over at Wymondham to do the same.”

These ideas were new in the countryside and John understood not all land owners agreed with him and the Earl, they said it would make the serfs idle if you
made them too comfortable. Some Lords were indeed too harsh and the land suffered. Carac arrived and he and John, with Sam and a small escort, rode off to
visit the rest of the farmers.

II

Roger was getting restless, the town was quiet and his guards kept control mostly without the need for him to be there. The baby was due very soon and he
was a little nervous that he would become too domesticated and he wasn’t ready for that. He decided to visit John and find out what was happening in
Dunston, he would be back for the birth, he insisted to Laila, who was not pleased with his decision.

“You have a maid now and many lady friends and I shall not be long, but I must find out if there is anything left for me at Dunston,” explained Roger to an
unreceptive Laila.

Roger set off for Dunston early, he enjoyed riding at this time, there were less travellers on the road and air was crisp and invigorating. His horse
sensed his mood and broke into a trot that soon ate up the miles. He was looking forward to meeting John and seeing the Castle again, it had been his home
for many years. His thoughts turned to the future and what he should do when he went back to Laila, if God was kind he would be a father and that brought
extra responsibilities. The life he now led was comfortable enough but it no longer held a challenge, he thought about his soldiering days but they were
gone unless there was another war. In this thoughtful frame of mind he found himself riding through Dunston common. Coming out of the trees he could see
smoke curling up from the houses in the Village as the inhabitants prepared their evening meal. He was ready to eat too as the bread and cheese he had
consumed for his midday meal was long forgotten. He was hoping that he would be in time for supper at the Castle, that is if he was welcome. Past the
Village he saw the welcoming lights from the Castle windows, he also noticed the new drawbridge and moat. The drawbridge was up and he could see a guard on
the battlements so whoever was in the Castle was prepared to keep out unwelcome visitors. Roger cried out to the guard that he was a friend of John’s and
wished to visit him. After a short wait the drawbridge rumbled down and Roger crossed into the Castle. John was there to meet him and the two of them went
to the great hall. Roger’s eyes were opened to the improvements that had been made and he could see that John had definitely taken charge of the Castle. He
noticed one or two of the old servants and felt pleased John had retained them. Then a familiar voice offered him a glass of wine.

”Boorman, how are you, a joy to see you here and looking well,” exclaimed Roger.

“Thank you sir I am very well and happy serving Sir John,”replied the Steward.

John explained that Boorman had been invaluable when he first took the Castle and in a sadder vein he told Roger how his brother had met his death. Roger
was quiet for a moment and then said to John.

“My brother always thought he was bigger than he really was and I knew he would never be able to govern the land like our father, I am sad that he died but
I am glad you did not kill him. As you have been granted the Castle and lands our family has no claim and I accept the situation and wish you every
success.”

John clasped Roger’s hand and smiled at him and said. “Come let’s eat, the cook is still the same and a very good one too.” After they had finished their
meal the two of them walked the battlements, a full moon lit their path and they could see its reflection in the surrounding moat.

“So you are soon to be a father. That will be quite a commitment to bring up a child.”

Roger replied that he was looking forward to the challenge but he knew in his heart that he was not sure that he wanted the responsibility now. The next
day as Roger looked round the Castle he could see the improvements that John had already made and he suddenly felt sad, for his father and Ralph. He
pondered on what had happened to Avice and his mother as he had heard nothing since they went to Norwich. The following day he found John in the stables
told him he was leaving. John wished him well and said to let him know when the baby was born and he would come to the Christening.

II

Over the years activity increased on the land that John governed, sheering was in progress in preparation for the Charter Fair at Wymondham. John was
discussing the finances of the Castle with Boorman and commented that they should have their own Fair if it meant better revenue to the Castle.

“Yes,” replied the Steward. “That certainly would help in many ways. We would attract more traders and we would be able to deal direct with the cloth
merchants from France or Bruges.” John instructed him to find out the way to obtain the Charter.

“It is time we employed a Reeve to look after our lands, see if you can find someone suitable and I will talk to them on my return. I am going to Wymondham
with Carac to talk to the Earl.”

On arriving at Wymondham Castle, John asked a Page the whereabouts of the Lady Tania and he was told she had gone to her workroom. He bounded up the stairs
and knocking on the door he heard a voice bid him enter and there was Tania. John gathered her in his arms and kissed her passionately, the maid squealed.
“Sir, Sir, that is not allowed, the Earl will be cross.”

John released Tania who stood gazing up at him with a smile on her flushed face, he dropped to one knee and said, “Tania, will you be my wife and share the
rest of our lives together?”

“ Oh yes please,” Tania replied and pulled John to his feet so she could kiss him again.

The maid squealed again but this time she clapped her hands in delight.

“I am going to your father now so pray that he will agree to our betrothal.” He left and went to Sir Cedric’s room.

“Come in,” called the Earl, responding to John’s loud knock.

“Excuse me sir, I have something important to ask you,” John said a little breathlessly.

“Your wool is not ready for the Fair?” interrupted Sir Cedric.

“No sir that is fine it’s…”

“You want to give me your ideas for your shield,” said the Earl cutting in again.

“No sir, I want…”

“I know, you want to return my men to me, well that’s good news” said Sir Cedric, interrupting for the third time.

“It’s not that at all sir, I..”

“You want to marry my daughter.” This time the Earl’s voice was softer and John was not expecting this. “No sir ….I mean yes sir that is what I have been
trying to ask you,” said a confused John. The Earl stood smiling at John and clasped his arms .

“I am delighted this day has come at last, John. You have waited very patiently and I give my blessing willingly.” John stood looking at the Earl and heard
himself saying, ‘thank you’ but seemed rooted to the spot. Sir Cedric laughed and said. “You had better go and tell her, don’t you think, and then both of
you come down to see me.”

John hurried back to Tania who hugged and kissed him and they both went down to the Earl. Sir Cedric held his daughter and stretched out his hand to John.

“You have my blessing and I am very happy to see that your love has endured the test of time. If you are agreeable I would like the wedding to be soon and
I hope you will choose the Abbey for the ceremony.” The Earl looked at Tania as he spoke.