The Dunston Blade (32 page)

“Fouchine, I have you, turn and fight me!”called John.

The Frenchman stopped and turn to face John, he kicked his horse and rode at John with his sword raised. They clashed and John parried the stroke but felt
a shudder up his arm, they whirled and slashed their horses kicking up the dust when suddenly Hammer bit into the neck of the smaller mount of Fouchine.
This gave John the chance to drop low and thrust his sword into his opponents thigh, Fouchine gasped and dropped his guard giving John the opportunity to
deliver a killing blow. The Baron tried to lift his sword to protect himself but the blade suddenly seemed to be too heavy and John’s blow struck home into
Le Corbeau’s
neck and he fell from his horse. John went to him and removed his helm but he could see the man was dying.

“The sword would not hurt you,” murmured Fouchine. “I could not lift it, it served me well until today but it knows to whom it really belongs…” and life
passed from him.

John picked up the sword and felt the familiar balance in his hand, he almost thought the blade glowed but dismissed it as a natural pleasure in retrieving
what was his. He mounted Hammer and rode back to the centre of the village where Peter was rounding up prisoners and ordering his men to search the village
for stragglers.

“Count Fouchine is dead,” said John. “One less French Lord to worry about.”

Peter smiled and raised his hand in salute.

John found Alban and Jacque, who were unscathed, mainly because they had kept out of the way. They went back to the Flemish camp where celebrations were
getting under way with plenty of ale and wine.

The following morning John and his friends said goodbye to Peter and departed, Jacque back home and John and Alban to the coast. John offered Jacque a
position in his household but he said he would stay with his father so returned to Brittany. Alban and John made their way to Bruges where they found a
ship going to Yarmouth and with some negotiation they managed to buy a berth for themselves and their horses. The sea crossing was uneventful save that
Alban was not a good sailor and spent most of the crossing flat on his back. Reaching Yarmouth John made contact with the Mayor who was pleased to see him
and offered rooms at his house. After a generous meal that evening he was eager to learn of events since he had been away, the mayor said that Gavin had
visited him and that he sensed no problems at the Castle. The good news was the Shire was coming together and the farmers were beginning to see the results
of the cooperation. John was eager to get home to his family but he owed the Mayor the courtesy of hearing him out. The sheering must have been successful
as there had been more bales of wool passing through on their way to Flanders, the Mayor reported, but he also said that taxes had been increased. He did
not know much of what was happening in London except there had been more warships than usual putting into Yarmouth for supplies and telling of several
battles at sea against the French. John retired with his mind full of what the Mayor had told him and eager to get home and find out from Sir Cedric what
was going on. His final thoughts before sleep took over was of Tania, French and Flemish girls could warm your bed for a night but there was no comparison
to a wife’s love and affection.

As they sat at breakfast an urgent knocking came at the door and a servant announced that Tristan was asking to see John who rose and welcomed him. Tristan
recounted his uneventful journey through Flanders and across the Channel. They had passed a naval flotilla heading down the Channel towards the French
coast and Lowestoft was full of stories relating to battles against the French. John was concerned that the ships carrying his wool would get through but
Tristan said the action was further south. He said to Tristan that he was leaving for Dunston within the hour, Tristan replied that he was ready to go now.

They rode hard and reached the village just as light was failing, John could see the lights from the Smithy as they pushed on to the Castle. Approaching
home John could see that the drawbridge was up and the Castle secured for the night. Alban blew his horn and heads appeared on the battlements. John cupped
his hands around his mouth and called.

“Open the gate to Sir John Ivanson, your Lord.”

One of the heads disappeared and the drawbridge began to lower, when the gates opened a detachment of men arms appeared led by Gavin. John dismounted and
waited for them to reach him.

“Welcome home Sir” said Gavin.

“I am glad to see you guard the place well Gavin.”

John smiled and grasped his arm. They walked back into the Castle and reaching the Bailey they saw the main door open and a figure came rushing through,
the next moment Tania was in John’s arms. They walked back inside clinging to each other and reached the main Hall where Jack, Matilda, Joan and Stephen
were standing with large smiles on their faces. After the welcomes were over John explained briefly the events that had kept him away from home so long. He
learnt from Gavin that Sir Cedric had waited before replying to the demands for ransom. He said that if he knew John at all he would be trying to escape so
he had sent word to France that he needed proof of John’s capture. Eventually John went to his room to change his travel stained clothes, Tania followed
and stood and watched while he divested himself of his dirty clothes and washed himself, she moved towards him and undid her dress and let her clothes fall
to the floor. John held her in his arms and felt the desire he had for her pound through his blood. They moved to the bed where their love for each other
was expressed in the passionate movements of their bodies and the cries of ecstasy, after which they lay breathless in each others arms.

“Did you really miss me?”

“I did, every night. I missed you and Harold and… what are we naming our second son?” asked John. “Edmond” said Tania, looking up at him. “It means
protector.”

“Good, we will need a good protector. Let’s go and see him.”

They dressed and crept into the next room where the two boys lay sleeping. John felt a swelling of pride rise up through his body and he held on to Tania.
They joined the others and he continued telling of his adventures while a meal was brought.

“Tomorrow I shall go to Wymondham to see the Earl,” said John.

“Gavin will accompany me while Stephen and Tristan bring our men at arms up to fighting fit. From what I learnt in Yarmouth we may be needed.”

They all went to their quarters and the Castle was quiet apart from the occasional calls of the Guards.

John made an early start to meet Sir Cedric, he noticed that his Tenants along the route were already in the fields and some of them waved a hand. I must
visit them soon myself he thought, to keep morale high.

Arriving at Wymondham John was shown up to the Earl’s chambers who greeted him warmly.

“Welcome home John, it is good to see you fit and well. I expect Gavin explained why I delayed the payment of a ransom, and here you are as I hoped.”

“It was a right decision Sir, as the man is now dead.”

He sat and told the Earl all that had happened on his visit to France. Monsieur Trouville had written to Sir Cedric thanking him for giving him the control
of the Chateaux and the way that John had rescued him from Thatcher and his crew. Sir Cedric discussed the recent decisions the King had made regarding the
increase in taxes and that he was taking control of the wool industry, which did not sit well with the Earl but he now had a voice as he had been chosen to
sit on the new Model Parliament. They discussed how they could raise the money for the increase taxes without causing too much distress to their finances.
John said that he now had good connections in Flanders for their wool, but if the King was taking control they would have to be very careful if this was to
continue. The Earl also warned John that Scotland was now a hotbed of unrest and there would be fighting there before long. John asked if Gavin would stay
at Dunston, now that he was married? Sir Cedric said he had been thinking of that and his decision was that he should come back to Wymondham where he
needed him. John thought it would be a wrench for Joan to leave the children but it might be good for her to be away from her mother and father. They
finished their discussion and the Earl said to John.

“Be prepared to receive a call from the King to join him in a march against Scotland.”

John rode home with many thoughts on his mind, he now wanted a peaceful life with his wife and sons, but the country always seemed to be in turmoil. Maybe
he would not be called to go to Scotland, he had heard it was a barbaric place, worse than Wales, he had enough problems at home with the new taxes and the
King’s attempt to control the wool trade. He paused at the edge of the woods and looked at his Castle in the afternoon light. So much had happened over the
years since he had met Sir Cedric and had become a Knight with the responsibilities that went with that title. He had a duty to his King but he felt a
stronger duty to his family, his land and his Tenants. He urged his horse on and continued towards his home, Gavin and his escort had also fallen silent
sensing that their Lord was troubled. Tania was waiting for him in the Bailey and Harold stood looking at his father, John could see he was growing up and
he would have to spend more time with him to mould him into an heir to the Castle. The evening meal that night was quieter than usual as Gavin and Joan
were leaving the next day and John was still concerned about what he had learnt in Wymondham.

Rising early John felt clearer in his mind on the course he should take. Rousing Stephen and Tristan he told them to assemble all of the Castle troops and
then proceed with intensive training after he had inspected them. There were at least three hundred armed men in the Castle, with the family and servants
this grew to a further fifty, all supported by the income from the land and the wool. When required John could call in extra men from his fiefdom and field
an army of at least one thousand men, all these needed training and if they were to be effective they needed weapons and armour. John called Roderick to
meet him in his room. “How did the shearing go, were we up on last year?”

“Yes, Sir, very much so and the quality was improved, our Flemish buyers were impressed and we have new enquiries from Flanders,” answered Roderick.

“Well done there will be extra money for the best Tenants and an increase for yourself. I think the time is right to employ someone to take charge of our
finances, I believe Sir Cedric has a spare abacus,” said John thoughtfully.

“I know of a man Sir, he is the son of our biggest farmer and he has been at the learned school in Cambridge,” said Roderick.

“Send him to me and we will discuss this again.”

With that parting shot John went hunting for Tania, he found her in the kitchens talking to the cook with a young girl holding Edmond’s hand. Harold saw
John and immediately walked to him, John put his arm round his shoulders and Harold lent into him and John felt his heart swell.

“I am going to the fens and I shall be away overnight,” said John.

Tania pouted and twinkled her eyes at him saying.

“I shall have to have a stable lad come to me then.”

John slapped her rear end and laughing went of to prepare for his journey with Harold walking beside him.

John, Stephen and their guard arrived at Aelfraed’s village just as the sun was setting. They were greeted warmly and were soon seated in front of a
roaring fire in Aelfraed’s cottage supping from large pots of ale.

John was brought up to date with what was happening in the Fens and also a report from Aelfraed’s men in Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The main topic was the
state of the wool trade now that the King was interfering, Aelfraed suggested it might be a good idea for John to visit Flanders and set up his own
contacts. John agreed and asked if Aelfraed would be willing to allow the wool to travel through his fens to the coast. If there was a suitable agreement
he said he would protect the shipments until they were on board.

Arriving home John called Tristan and Stephen to him and explained to them what he was intending and he wanted their support, they both agreed they would
follow him whatever he decided.

A young man arrived at the Castle and Roderick introduced him as Edgar of Loddon, son of one of the largest free farmers that owed loyalty to John. He told
John he had finished his studies at Cambridge and would like to work for him as a bookkeeper and secretary. John welcomed him into the Castle family and
Boorman accompanied him to his room. As Boorman left John could see age beginning to tell on the man but he still valued his service. Stephen reported that
the men at arms were now well drilled and he had increased the number of patrols through the fiefdom, they would have plenty of warning if unwanted
strangers came into their area. John realised it was time to go to Flanders and put in place the next part of his plan. Stephen would accompany him and two
other men, he said his goodbyes to Tania and the boys, Harold wanted to go with him and John had to reason with him to stay and guard his mother, they then
departed for Yarmouth. They spent the night with Aelfraed and in the morning Aelfraed took them down to a small quay outside Yarmouth where a sailing barge
was moored. The Captain was a jolly man named Robin Fisher and he welcomed them aboard. There was a small cabin where they were to take cover if the
weather turned inclement. They set sail and the Captain said he was making for a secret cove on the Flanders shore, when they arrived they were to meet
their contact in a tavern. On entering the establishment they were greeted like long lost friends by Peter the Count of Kortrijt. When introductions were
over John and Peter got down to business, Peter was the agent for several cloth makers who wanted to buy John’s wool direct at obviously advantageous
prices, he had large buildings near this village to store the wool and it would become the distribution point. John thought there could be a reciprocal
trade in cloth eventually, both men mentally rubbed their hands.