The Dunston Blade (17 page)

“I am sure we agree to both points,” she said. They sat down together to discuss the plans and when they had finished John and Tania left to go to the
Abbey and meet with the Abbot. Abbot Filbert was in his garden when they arrived, he stood and stretched his back.

“This is a job for a younger man, my old bones don’t take kindly to this bending. What can I do for you young people?”

“We have come to ask you to marry us,” replied John.

The Abbot smiled and asked them to accompany him to his office where they discussed the service.

“The Earl will want the best for his daughter,” said the Abbot. “We will not disappoint him, or you.”

The day was fixed for three weeks hence and they returned to the Castle with the news.

“It hardly gives me time to get everything done,” said Tania. “There’s the dress and all the arrangements, it’s too soon.”

Sir Cedric calmed her and asked if she would mind being married in her mother’s dress which he had kept all these years. Tania had seen the dress and said
at once that she would love to wear it. The dress was beautiful and had been made for the Earl’s wife in Flanders. They discussed their plans as they sat
down to dinner and the events of the day began to become clear to the young couple, they kept smiling at each other and then at Sir Cedric, who smiled
back. Tania excused herself and went to bed leaving the Earl and John still talking.

“I want Carac to come back here so I can carry on with his training.”said the Earl.

“That fits in with my plans as now Sam is older, and bigger, I would make him my Squire and start his training,” said John.

“Good,” continued Sir Cedric. ”You must manage your own affairs now, especially as you will have a wife, and next a family. The lands you have produce a
good return and your vassals and peasants do not give you much trouble do they?”

“Not yet,” said John. “I intend to improve our relationship with them so that everyone benefits.”

They both became tired and decided to leave further details until later. John wanted to get back to Dunston as quickly as possible to make sure all was
well and to see his family and tell them his news. He wanted to go tomorrow and take Tania with him if the Earl would agree.

John left early in the morning without Tania, she said she could not ride at the moment and did not feel very well. John put Anvil to a fast trot as he was
eager to get back to Dunston. John arrived at Dunston Castle just as the light was failing. He summoned Boorman to bring him up to date with what had been
happening. “I have a man to see you regarding the position of Reeve,” said Boorman. “He has held that position in Leicestershire but wants to come nearer
to his home in Norwich.”

John asked when the man could be seen and Boorman said he would arrange it for tomorrow.

The next morning Boorman brought the new man to John who was sitting in the great hall.

“What is your name?” Asked John. “I have been told you have had the position of Reeve elsewhere.”

“My name is Roderick, my father was a shepherd west of Norwich, he and my mother died of dropsy and my brother now has the flock. I worked as an apprentice
to the Reeve at Leicester but when the Earl was killed we were dismissed. I wish to return to Norfolk sir.”

John looked at him intently and perceived a tall well built man of about 25 years who returned his gaze, but not insolently. John offered him the position
on a trial basis for six months and Roderick accepted. “Tomorrow you will accompany me when I visit the Tenants and we will discuss what I want you to do
after the trip.”

Roderick bowed and left. John called Boorman to stay, and told him of the forthcoming marriage. “Congratulations, my Lord, I will hire some new maids to
serve her Ladyship when she arrives.” “Good”said John. “She will bring her two personal maids with her, they will need accommodation.”

“It shall be done sir.”

John called for Sam to come to the Hall, when he arrived he looked nervous.

“I have groomed your horses sir and they are comfortable in the stables.”

“Thank you Sam but that is not what I want you for. You have served me well as a Page but it is time you moved on.”

Sam looked even more nervous.

“Would you serve me as a Squire?”

Sam grinned and suddenly knelt on one knee and said he would, and faithfully. John stood and grasped Sam’s hand to raise him up.

“Tomorrow I want you to come to me and we will discuss what you need and what the training will entail.” Sam,still grinning, said he would be there and
walked out of the Hall even taller than he had entered. John turned to Boorman.

“That’s cheered him up, now I need a new Page for my personal needs.”

“I have a lad who is the son of one of the cook’s and would be very suitable,” answered Boorman. John agreed he could start as soon as Boorman had
instructed him in his duties.

The next morning John went out to the stable to have Anvil saddled for him to ride to his parents.

Jack and Matilda were delighted to see their son and receive the news of the impending wedding. He spent some time discussing with his father some work he
required carrying out at the Castle, he asked where the Mason was and had he finished in the Village.

“I want to make some alterations to the Castle and also some additions, if he wants the work it will take him over the winter period.”

Jack asked John when would he be at the Castle, as he had a delivery to make. John said he would have time on his return from Wymondham but was puzzled as
he wondered what the delivery could be, perhaps it was something Carac had arranged.

Joan returned from her trip to the church and was excited to hear the news of the wedding. John passed on a message from Tania.

“Tania would like you to be one of her Ladies, if you are willing. If you are, she asks you to come back with me to have the dress made by her seamstress.
Tania likes to design and make her own dresses so I expect she will be involved. What do you say Joan?”

Joan was speechless for a moment and then threw her arms round John and said she would be delighted and honoured.

“You can stay at the Castle, if mother doesn’t mind being on her own. We have plenty of room.”

John arrived back at Dunston Castle to find Roderick with Boorman going over the lists of Tenants and their rents.

“I see there are not too many who are in arrears,” said the Reeve. “Not like in Leicester where the Earl was too lax in collecting what was owed.”

“I find that firm persuasion without actual force brings the best results.”said John. “I explain how it is in their own interest to get the best from their
land, or flocks, and if they are fair with me I will do all I can to help them. After all it ends up helping me.”

Roderick agreed and thought to himself that it was unusual for such a wise head to be these young shoulders. Sam entered and said Anvil was ready to ride
again so the three of them set off to visit the tenants.

Joan arrived the next day with her horse loaded with all her baggage.

“Come to the hall and we will have a meal before we depart,” said John. “I will have your baggage loaded on to our pack horse. This is Sam my Squire.”

Sam bowed and thought to himself that the young lady would make a very agreeable companion on their ride to Wymondham. After their meal John set off with
his party of Joan, Sam and six men-at-arms. The afternoon was warm and John thought how he loved this part of the country, he still found it hard to take
in all that had happened to him over the past years. The sun had set and night had closed in as they neared Wymondham Castle, Sam blew his horn and the
gates were open for them as they arrived.

Tania met them at the door and greeted John with a hug and a kiss, she grasped Joan’s arm and they went off chatting together. They passed Gavin on the way
who turned and stared after Joan.

“Will your sister be staying long?” he asked John.

“At least until the wedding,” replied John, as he went to see Sir Cedric in his room. After reporting to the Earl what he had been doing at Dunston they
fell to discussing the wedding.

Tania and Joan hurried to Tania’s rooms and there Tania brought out her mother’s wedding dress.

“Oh it’s beautiful,” said Joan, “you will look so pretty in it.”

Tania then held Joan’s arm and they went to the sewing room to look at material for the bridesmaids.

John called Sam to him in the morning. “Sam, you need a name that more befits a Squire, what was your father’s name?”

“My real name is Stephen sir, and we are Fletchers.”

“Good then, Stephen Fletcher, follow me.” John led the new Stephen to the library to show him the books but Stephen could not read.

“I will ask Carac to school you in your duties while we are here and I must see the Priest about teaching you to read and write when we return.”

They found some books with pictures and Stephen was enthralled and John could see a light in his eyes that foretold of someone who would learn quickly.

II

Roger arrived back in Stamford in the late evening and after stabling his horse went into the house. He surprised Laila, who was resting. They embraced and
Roger could feel the large mound of her stomach where the baby lay.

“How are you?” queried Roger. “Are you looking after yourself?”

Laila replied that with the maid and her friends she was fine although very tired. Roger told her about his visit to Dunston and how there was nothing
there for him and that John was now the Knight controlling the lands that had belonged to his father. Laila sensed the disappointment that Roger felt.

”Why don’t you go down to the Inn and the barracks, to see your men and friends, I am going to bed to rest?” Roger decided that he would do that and set
off for the Inn. Except for those men on duty, most of his men were relaxing over a jug of ale. They were pleased to see him and the sergeant told him that
the town had been relatively quiet whilst he had been away. After several jugs and ribald chatter the men began to drift away leaving Roger slumped over a
table.

“Have you no home to go to?” said a soft voice and Roger opened his eyes to find a girl leaning over him showing an ample bosom. “You’d best come with me
and rest your head.”

Roger staggered to his feet and followed her. When Roger awoke his head throbbed and his mouth was like a dried parchment, it was a few moments before he
realised where he was. A movement by his side reminded him he was not alone in the bed as the girl who had taken him to her room sat up.

“Time you was gone and leave money on my dresser.”

Roger levered himself upright and when the room had stopped spinning, managed to dress himself and find his purse. He left with the girl giving him a
parting word that she would be happy to see him again.

In the morning air Roger gradually began to take stock of the situation. He walked back to his house and thought what he would say to Laila. Arriving at
the house he was surprised to find the front door open and several women rushing about. Laila’s maid came to him. “Oh sir, your wife is in labour and there
is a problem!” Roger quickly went to the bedroom where he found the midwife trying to calm Laila who was moaning and screaming alternately.

“Come Roger, you should not be in here,” said one of the women, whom Roger knew. “We will tell you when she has delivered.”

Roger moved as though in a dream, and went down to the stables. He could still hear Laila’s screams as he stroked his horse. “Why punish her when it was me
who sinned,” he said. Then all went quiet and he went back into the house just as one of the women came down the stairs.

“Come into the parlour Roger,” she said and Roger followed her into the room.

“How is Laila, can I see her and what of the baby?” The woman turned to him.

“The midwife did all she could but the baby was born too soon and did not survive.”

Roger stood in shocked silence for a moment and then made for the door. He ran upstairs to the bedroom and stopped at the open door. The midwife turned to
him and stood back so he could see Laila laying stiff and white faced, the strain and anguish still showing what she had gone through. Roger dropped to his
knees beside the bed and tears streamed down his face.

”I’m sorry my love, so sorry. I shall never forgive myself for what I have done.”

He turned to the midwife who shook her head and said the strain had been too much for Laila. Roger asked where was the child and she pointed to a wrapped
bundle on the dresser. Roger stood up and walked over to the dresser, the midwife stood in front of him. “You don’t want to see sir, I shall take it away.”

“What was it?” cried Roger.

“A little boy sir, it never drew breath.”

Roger flung himself out of the room and went out of the house. He walked round the town, not seeing anyone or anything, gradually his mind became clearer
and he knew he must go back to that house where his love lay shattered, a love he had broken and now was lost for ever.

On the day of the funeral there were only mourners from Laila’s family and friends and they kept their distance from Roger. Word had spread about what had
happened and even his own men were distant to him.

After Laila’s affairs had been settled, such as they were, Roger went to see the Mayor and resigned his position saying that he could not continue.

“What will you do now?” asked the Mayor.

“Go and visit my sister and mother in Norwich, after that, who knows.”

Roger left Stamford the following morning, riding his stallion and leading a laden packhorse. He passed through the guard house in silence and headed out
into the country, he did not look back, it was a period in his life that he would try to forget.

Roger arrived at the house where his mother and sister were staying to find his mother had also died and Avis was about to get married to a young, but
successful, butcher. He stayed with his sister for the wedding but became listless and decided to travel to Nottingham where he had heard the Sheriff there
was looking for good men. Several days later Roger arrived in Nottingham and made his way to the Castle where he was hoping he could find a position. His
funds were now very low and he needed to find gainful employment, it was not however, to be with the Sheriff. Without sufficient funds to spend long in the
city Roger headed out to the forest. The first night he camped by a stream, caught himself a rabbit and was cooking it over a fire when two armed men
walked into his campsite and demanded to know what he was doing there? Roger stood up.