The Dunston Blade (38 page)

Several months passed before John and Tania made their journey to London. John remarked that the outskirts were becoming as dirty as the centre and he
would be pleased when they returned to the clean country air. Looking through Sir Cedric’s books he found an ancient volume that had an illustration of
some of the Aramaic letters but the one on his ring was not among them. Perhaps it was not an Aramaic letter at all. John returned to Wymondham and put the
puzzle to the back of his mind as there were many things in the county that needed his attention, it was time to visit Norwich again.

John sent a messenger to Edgar at Norwich informing him of his intended visit and to gather together any petitioners so that they could be dealt with
quickly. He would see any of the Barons on the second day.

John again made a special effort to show off his position again and journeyed in full armour, without his helm, and with a large escort. Going through the
villages people came to cheer him and on entering Norwich there were large crowds gathered. The Sheriff was at the Castle to meet him and after changing
out of his armour he sat down to hear what had been going on in the city since his last visit. He learnt that there was still disquiet between the French
quarter and the English, some of the leaders wanted to see him on the morrow.

In the morning John sat and listened to the complaints of both sides. He made the point that Norwich was an English City and would abide by English laws as
would all people in his fiefdom. His policy of all working together for the good of all and all reaping the benefit for all would continue. He said to
them.

“You are all citizens of this fine city, so work together and sort out your problems, if you cannot do this then I will make the decisions for you as I see
fit. You may not like that. This evening we will sit down and eat together.”

The banquet went well and when the evening came to an end there seemed to be less hostility between the groups.

On the Journey back to Wymondham John thought whether it would be better to live in the Castle at Norwich and be at the centre of the Shire or stay at
Wymondham where he felt comfortable and at home, he decided he would discuss it with Tania. His mind also thought about finding more information regarding
his ring. As they neared their home a rider came from the Castle with news that Sir Cedric was seriously ill in London. John hurried back to the Castle and
immediately prepared for Tania and himself to go with all speed to the City.

When they arrived at the London house they were met with the news that the Earl was near death. The Lady Ann was with him and when Tania rushed to her
father’s side she looked at John and shook her head. They stayed with Sir Cedric until he quietly passed away. Later Lady Ann said he had suddenly fallen
ill and the apothecaries could do nothing for him. There were many falling sick in the City and if the Earl had not gone to a Parliament meeting he may not
have caught the sickness. John made the necessary arrangements to fulfil the Earls wishes to be buried in Wymondham next to his wife. Lady Ann accompanied
them on their sorrowful journey. When they arrived at Wymondham many Town’s people and a few Tenants were in the Castle Bailey, as John had sent a courier
to inform the Castle of Sir Cedric’s death. There was a very sombre mood as the coffin was unloaded from the cart and taken in to the Great Hall. The Abbot
was there to receive the Earl and then discussed the funeral arrangements to take place in four days, allowing time for all who wished to attend. Boorman
and his new assistant made arrangements to accommodate as many senior Nobles as possible, the rest would find beds in the Town.

The day of the funeral was overcast with showers of rain.

“Supposed to be a good omen,” said John. “It is not good for me as I shall miss him.”

A tearful Tania nodded her head. All the Nobles came and the Abbey was full, just the family and a few close friends attended the entombment, John had
ordered that Sir Cedric’s wife should also be entombed with him and effigies of them both had been ordered to surmount the tomb which is situated in the
North Transept. Later at the banquet, in his honour, many spoke of his kindness and fairness.

II

One day, after the Castle had retuned to normal, John sat relaxing in the Library, he pulled out an old book that had recorded some of the writings of
Knights who had been on Crusades. Sir Cedric must have gleaned them from his friends. The Earl’s writings were interesting but one parchment, written by a
Sir Gregory of Pulham, whom John had never heard of, mentioned meeting an Arab Sultan on his way through France. John thought this was strange to find such
a man so far from his home. Gregory befriended him and accompanied him back to the Holy Land. The Arab had been searching for items that had been stolen
from him and he had traced the robber to France. He had recovered most of his possessions except a ring that was very important to him. This ring had
disappeared and the Arab had given up the search as being an obvious foreigner and an enemy to some he had decided to return home. The area where the
Knight met the Arab was not far from Chateaux Vent. John considered that a trip there would be better than journeying to the Holy Land, but where would he
start? Maybe it would be better to let things stay as they were, he did not know if the ring would have the same effect on Harold. Now was the time to find
out.

One evening after their meal, John asked Harold to come up to his room and he told him how he thought there might be some connection between the ring and
the sword but only when fighting a genuine opponent, sparing had no effect at all. Harold listened and asked his father if he believed in magic.

“No, I do not but somethings are not magic yet they are hard to explain,” said John. “You will own the sword and the ring someday and I wanted you to be
aware of how it feels.”

The young man looked at him.

“I think it is your skill father not any outside influence.”

John was pleased with his answer and made a decision to let him use his sword at the next opportunity.

John suggested to Tania that now everywhere was settling down it would be pleasant to take a trip abroad perhaps they could visit Chateaux Vent and stay
there for a few days, she agreed and said it would be good for Harold to see the property. John wondered if there would be any chance of some information
about the Arab at the Chateaux. Preparations were made and came the day, John, with the whole family, ladies in waiting and a contingent of twenty men at
arms journeyed to Lowestoft. They would sail from there to St Malo and then proceed to Chateaux Vent. They spent a couple of days in Lowestoft as guests of
the Mayor and finally found a ship that could take them all to the Brittany coast. As they sailed from the port John stood with Tania looking at the
disappearing landscape and drew her to him, would they find the answers he wanted in France?

© John Nelson Daines 2016

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