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Authors: John Daines

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“No matter I will ride over to meet her. Farewell John, I hope to be home again after my training.” So saying Roger cantered off in the direction of the
church.

“I suppose we’ll have a moody Joan about the house now,” said Jack. “But it will give the other boys in the Village a chance.”

“I don’t think so father, she has strong feelings for Roger.” John thought about the lack of a girl to walk and talk with but the village girls did not
interest him. Was it his destiny to become a Smith like his father or was there an adventure waiting to alter his life.

“John, I want you to go to the Castle today and deliver these traps to the steward, I finished them a few days ago but have not had chance to go myself.”

John slipped on his leather jerkin collected up the traps and walked off in the direction of the Castle. It was a bright autumn day and John whistled as he
walked. His life at the moment was comfortable and the sun on his head made him feel more at peace with his lot. As he walked across the common he heard
hoof beats behind him and he turned to find two ladies riding towards him, they were well dressed and rode fine horses. The older lady spoke commanding
John to stand aside and not to frighten the horses. John stepped back and glanced at the younger woman who looked straight ahead and rode past.

John entered the Castle yard and saw the Steward striding towards the stables, catching up with him John gave him the traps.

“Come to my room and I will give you the money I agreed with your father.”

John and the Steward entered the Keep and made their way to the Steward’s quarters. John marvelled at the fine furniture and drapes and picked up a silver
ornament. “A gift from Sir Walter for serving him well,” explained the Steward.

“A generous man?” said John. But not in his view. Sir Walter was hard on the villagers and demanded high taxes. A knock at the door announced a scruffy lad
who brought a message that Sir Walter needed the Steward. Left to his own devices in the Keep John decided to look around. Most of the rooms on this floor
were for staff and the kitchens. A delicious smell came from a door near him and at that moment a large woman appeared, she stopped short at the sight of
John. “I know you, you’re the son of the Smith aren’t you?”

“Yes,” said John quickly. “I’m just going, I had to deliver some traps to the Steward.”

“Don’t worry lad, come in and taste my soup, your father very kindly repaired one of my pots.” She guided John into the warm kitchen where several girls
were busy preparing food.

“Sit down by that table.” The cook soon had one of the girls place a bowl of soup in front of John. He looked at two of them and thought that they were
better looking than the village girls and wondered how he could get to know them better, probably difficult as they lived in the Castle. Returning to the
village John’s thoughts pondered on the difference between the homes in the village and the life in the Castle. The Smithy provided a good income and the
family house was comfortable but many of the villagers were not so lucky and John had spent many hours with his father helping to put, what can only be
described as hovels, back together before winter came.

He thought about the age old problem of the gulf between the poor and the rich, surely there could be improvement in the lives of the poor as it was them
who worked the land and tended the animals. Without them there would be no rich.

Soon the Smithy came into view and John could see the smoke curling from the chimney. His mother would be preparing their evening meal after which Jack and
the family would sit and talk. This was the time that John loved most, he did not envy Roger away from home, with strangers and in a strange city.

II

Mornings were colder now and as Roger awoke he was reluctant to leave the warmth of his bed, even though only a blanket covered him as he lay on a straw
filled sack. Coughs and hawking filled the air as the trainee soldiers woke up.

“Get out of your sack Roger or you will miss what there is for breaking our fast.” Roger’s friend Roland aimed a kick at the recumbent lad. Sluicing water
over their faces they hurried to the kitchens, food was laid out on a long table and it was first come first served. The two of them grabbed hunks of
bread, cheese and a jug of cider.

“What is the first thing today? Not archery I hope as my shoulder has not recovered from the last time,” groaned Roger as he rubbed the sore arm. “I would
only reach two arrow lengths today.”

After they had eaten the two of them walked down to the training ground and discovered that today Elric Fletcher had laid out wooden swords for battle
practice and they were then to move on to practicing with their own swords against a large post, strengthening their wrists and arms.

“Nobody has said what we are preparing for,” grumbled Roland. “Winter will soon be on us and I don’t want to be out on a campaign in the snow.”

Roger agreed and suggested. “Maybe we are going to join the Crusade,” He wasn’t aware that the sixth crusade had failed and the Muslims were in control of
Jerusalem.

“At least it would be warmer,” said Roland.

After a long morning of practice the two lads strolled out into the City. “I need a drink,” stated Roland. “All that exercise makes you dry.” They made
their way to the nearest Inn, pushed their way to a table and ordered a flagon of ale.

“I would still like to know what we are preparing for, everything seems quiet in the City.”

“Maybe the old Earl fancies Nottingham or we could be off to Wales, wherever that is,” responded Roland. “But he will have a fine fighting force at the end
of this training.”

The two friends relaxed in the Inn and it was twilight before they returned to the dormitory, to find the place in a turmoil with all the young men
collecting their belongings together. The hubbub of noise prevented Roger from hearing what was going on, he grabbed one of the men and asked what the
commotion was about. “We are to go to our homes and return here to the Castle in three days with all our weapons and armour, if you have any,” the man
replied. Roger and Roland quickly gathered their belongings and went out into the courtyard where Elric Fletcher was organising them into groups.

“You there, de Brehalle, if you have armour bring it back and join this group, and ask your father if he would send one of his destriers for you to ride.”
Fletcher then dismissed them to go to their homes emphasising they must return in three days.

II

Jack called to his son, “John, I need you to go to the Castle and deliver these pieces of armour I have been repairing. They are for Sir Walter, but you
had better see the Steward first.”

John picked up the sack containing the parts and set off. The Steward was in the courtyard and John went to give him the sack of armour but the Steward
said to him, “You had better see Sir Walter and see what he says about the repairs. Follow me.” They climbed up the back stairs to Sir Walters quarters
where they met a servant who informed them that Sir Walter was in the Great Hall. John’s eyes opened wide when they entered the Hall, the room was the
largest John had ever seen. Sir Walter was standing by one of the windows, he turned as they entered.

“The Smith has sent the repaired parts of armour to you my Lord.”

“Bring them over,lad,” said Sir Walter, moving to a large table. John placed each part on the table and stood back. “Your father has done magnificent work
on these besagues, they were really bent and damaged. I must send a suitable reward,” exclaimed Sir Walter. A door at the far end of the room opened and
two women entered. John recognised the women he had met on the common.

“Ah, Cecily, look what a fine repair the Smith has made on my armour. I must see if Roger’s needs any work.” “Why should you need to prepare our son’s
armour, he is not going into battle?” exclaimed Sir Walter’s wife. “You never know what might happen in these unsettled times my dear,” he retorted.
“Avice, show the young man out and then call your brother Ralph to me.” With his last comment Sir Walter strode out of the room. The young lady came to
John and walked out of the room with him. John attempted conversation but it was clear the girl was shy. When they reached the courtyard John turned and
said, “If ever I can be of service to you, my Lady, just send me a message and I will come.” John hurried out of the Castle and did not see Avice’s eyes
following him and her cheeks glowing a bright pink. As yet there had been no suiters calling at the Castle. John had plenty of time to think of Avice on
his way home and the differences in their situations. As beautiful as she was she was out of his reach, not like Roger and Joan were, Jack and Matilda were
honoured by Rogers attention, the only worry was were his intentions honourable.

II

Roger eased the reins on his horse and let it come to a stop. He had ridden hard when he left Norwich Castle and the animal was blowing, he looked around
and recognised the spot where he had first encountered the poachers. Roger dismounted and led his horse towards the village. He soon saw the Smithy and was
tempted to stop to see Joan but he did not have much time to organise himself for the return trip, however it was not going to be so easy as the cottage
door opened and John stepped out.

“Roger!” exclaimed John in surprise. “What are you doing here have they thrown you out already or have you escaped?”

“No, I am home to prepare myself for a campaign, or something,” and Roger explained what had happened in Norwich.

“It sounds as though they are after something, maybe more land. Will your father let you have the destrier?” “ I doubt it,” answered Roger. “I must go as I
have lots to do before……,”

“Not before you’ve spoken to me,” interrupted a small voice and Joan appeared through the doorway.

“I will meet you on the common at our usual place tomorrow morning,” said Roger. “I cannot linger now as I am dusty and tired from my travel.”

Joan, a little crestfallen, replied, “I shall be going to the church mid morning.”

Roger smiled and nodded to her, “I will walk with you.”

Roger moved off towards the Castle and the two siblings returned to the cottage. As was their custom they went to bed early and John lay awake listening to
the sound of the night animals out hunting. A fox barked not far from the Smithy, then came the sound of the hens, but they had been shut securely in their
coop. John’s thought turned to Rogers information about the forth coming campaign and wondered if it would affect their family. He knew he was now adequate
with a sword but with his father they were too small a group to protect the Smithy. Perhaps Sir Walter would take them into the Castle and perhaps he would
see the young lady again, she had heated his blood and caused feelings he had not known before.

Came the dawn and John was back to his old self and ready to work with his father, he told him of Roger’s information and Jack looked thoughtful.

“We will practice this morning and I want to show you something new,” Jack said as he went out to the Smithy and picked up a long bundle of cloth as well
as his sword.

“Come now John we have a lot to do.” Father and son walked off to the common where they had found a small glade to practice the sword play.

“Today, John, we will train to kill our enemy before he gets within the range of our sword.” Jack unravelled the bundle and produced a beautiful longbow,
over six feet in length it was taller than Jack. “ The first thing to learn is to string the bow, I think your muscles are strong enough.”

They practiced stringing the bow and Jack taught John how to hold the string and bend the bow by putting his weight forward into the bow. They shot a few
arrows and Jack said they must return to the Smithy, but would come again tomorrow.

Roger caught up with Joan on her way to the church. They walked along together for a while and stopped just out of sight of the church.

Roger suddenly drew Joan to him, his embrace was intense and it was not long before his hands began to wander.

“Stop!” said Joan pushing him off. “I am not one of the girls from your City Inn, when I have a husband I shall go to his bed a virgin, and I think it will
not be you. Your father will never allow you to marry a village girl.”

Roger released her and stood back he looked at Joan and said. “Being friendly to a Knight’s son is better than being married to a poor farmer.” With that
repost he mounted his horse and rode away.

Joan held back tears, she had been fond of Roger but her upbringing had made her strong willed. Father Aldred was waiting for her and seeing she was upset
led her into the church where they sat quietly for a few moments. “I have taught you and John most of what I know, you can both read and write and there
are only tales and my experiences to pass on now,if you wish.”

“Yes, Father I would love to hear about your travels.” Joan sat down and the Priest began a story of his time with the Knights on the Crusade.

II

John, walking across the common to meet Joan, saw Roger galloping back to the Castle and he kept looking ahead even when John called out. “I wonder what’s
bitten him?” he thought.

Coming from out of the trees John could see a man approaching riding a huge destrier and leading two other horses one of which was loaded with baggage.

“Ho there, young man, is there a Smith in that village?”

“Yes, sir,” replied John. “He is my father, Jack Ivanson, so I can guide you there if you wish.”

“If you can ride, you may mount my spare horse,” said the man and dropped the lead reign of the saddled horse. John mounted and sat easily in the saddle.
“You have ridden before young man,” observed the stranger.

“I ride horses to and from the Smithy when people want the Smith to look after them,” John explained. “Then tell me what ails the horse you are on?”

“ I think one of his shoes are loose,” answered John dismounting and lifting the leg of the horse. “Yes, this one will need attention now.”

“Well, done lad, let’s get him to the Smith. What is your name?” John told him and also about his family, how they had originated from Denmark, probably
when the Viking farmers settled in the area. He found himself chatting easily to this stranger as they walked the horses to the village. The stranger
dismounted as the village came into sight and they led the animals to the Smithy.

BOOK: The Dunston Blade
11.03Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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