The Dunston Blade (11 page)

“The weapon is beautiful, will you sell to me? I will offer you a very good price.”

“No,” asserted John “it would never be for sale.”

When Henri said he would be leaving to visit contacts in the city John was relieved.

A few hours later Sir Cedric came back from the Palace, he called John to his room and told him that the King had died and was going to be buried in
Westminster Abbey. After the funeral he and Sam were to return to Wymondham and wait for him. John sat in the Garden thinking of Tania, would she still
come to London, he knew the Earl had sent messengers off to Wymondham but had said nothing to John. Sir Cedric went to Westminster early every day and
Henri had disappeared so John and Sam amused themselves by boating further up river.

II

Roger journeyed most of the way back to Stamford in the company of Robert Hud and his friends, they proved to be excellent company and were in good spirits
when the time came to leave them. Arriving back in the town Roger and Laila opened the door to their little house and Laila soon had a meal prepared and on
the table. In the morning Roger reported to the Mayor and was informed there had been no major incidents whilst he had been away, and he had informed the
guards that Roger was now their Captain. Roger met up with his men and life returned to normal. During the next months Roger began to think of Dunston and
his home, he thought of Avice and the dream he used to have of he and Joan, John and Avice settled in the village, but it was just a dream as Ralf would be
ruling the roost and John was leading a completely different life now. He felt a pang of jealousy when he thought of how their circumstances had changed.
Laila tried to rouse him out of his black moods with not much success.

“Why don’t you go back to Dunston and see your father, he must be wondering what has happened to you?” suggested Laila. Roger pondered the suggestion and
then forgot it as there was an increase of outlaw activity in the area and he and his men were on full alert to spot any undesirables operating in the
town. After the King’s death Roger started to think of Dunston again, would the new King make changes to the nobles who had fought for de Montfort? Would
he look for more devoted subjects in his Shires. Fighting for de Montfort had been a mistake, in hindsight. Roger asked the Mayor for time to visit his
father where he would hope to find out the latest news. He planned to go at the beginning of the next month.

Roger and Laila’s journey to Dunston was uneventful and as they came in sight of the village the sun was just beginning to set behind the trees. Roger
could see there had been little change since he had left, but it did seem more deserted than he remembered. They passed throughout the centre of the
village and moved on towards the Castle, the people that were out soon scuttled into their homes and slammed doors. Arriving at the Castle Roger was
challenged by a man at arms who told him to wait while he fetched someone. Roger demanded immediate entrance but the guard said he did not know him and
there were many robbers abroad. Eventually Boorman the Steward arrived, recognising Roger he bowed and led the way into the Castle. “Where is my father, I
would visit him first?”

“Your father is not here, I will take you to your brother who will explain,” said the Steward.

They entered the Great Hall and found Ralf sitting in front of the fireplace with the dogs laying before him. As soon as the dogs saw Roger they bounded
over and made a fuss of him and Laila. Ralf stood up and stared at Roger.

“So you have come home at last, where have you been?”

“Where is father?” Roger asked.

“He was killed at Evesham, did you not know, were you not fighting there too, or did you turn tail like the rest of the cowards?” growled Ralf.

Roger stepped back and looked at his brother. “I fought the first time but I had enough of killing and I heard nothing from father to suggest he was
raising troops again.”

Ralf explained a messenger had come from Norwich to tell him of his father’s death and that as next in line the title and lands passed to him and to go to
Norwich to be officially instated.

“Who is this you’ve brought with you. I suppose you’ll want bed and board ‘till you leave,” Ralf’s tone implied he was not welcome.

“This is my wife, Laila, we shall only stay long enough to get my possessions and then we will be gone.” Ralf told Boorman to have a room prepared and
bring food and wine to the small anteroom.

“I’m sure you will not mind if I don’t join you as I have estate matters to deal with which won't concern you as you have no claim on it. Take your
personal possessions and you are gifted two horses, not destriers.” said Ralf. “I will not be here in the morning so I bid you and your wife farewell.”
With that Ralf turned back to the fire and sat down.

Roger and Laila followed Boorman up to a small room at the back of the Castle.

“Boorman, what has happened to my brother, he was always a little aggressive but not down right rude to me?”asked Roger.

“My lord has had a hard time adjusting to being without your father. Taking over the estate has not been easy and he has upset many of the tenants. I
expect it will settle down in time,” he said as he left them.

“So I am your wife am I” said Laila. “Is this a proposal?”

Roger took her in his arms and kissed her and said, “Yes it is a proposal, will you marry me, and I should have said it months ago.”

They smiled at each other, kissed again but a knock on the door interrupted their embrace. Laughing they opened the door to a woman bearing bed linen. As
the woman made the bed Roger asked if his sister was at home, he was informed that she was in her room. Roger left Laila and walked to Avice’s room, he
knocked and a small voice asked who was there. As soon as Avice heard her brothers voice she opened the door and flew into his arms before he had even
entered the room. Once seated they both had lots of news to impart, Roger told of his adventures and Avice told a grim tale of the decline of the estate.
Ralf did not know how to look after the estates and the rents were not coming in so there was little money. He put up the rents and sold some land but it
was not enough. Some of the farmers had done reasonably well at the wool markets and the forge was very busy and she had heard Ralf discussing with one of
his friends how they could force more money out of the successful businesses. Roger knew this was a problem countrywide and with the death of the King
there was a kind of limbo. Roger fetched Laila and introduced her to Avice and together they discussed their future. Avice would go to her uncle in Norwich
with her mother, who was in poor health, they would ride there with her maid and two men at arms who were close to her father. Roger decided to collect his
personal effects ready to load in the morning, he also wanted to visit the forge on the way home and see what Jack had to say, he knew he could rely on his
knowledge and find out what they would do if Ralf made a move against them. He could also give Jack news of John and see Joan, if she would see him. The
next morning Roger went down to the stables to claim his horses, the stable hand was the same as when he left and was pleased to see him.

“We miss you sir, it’s not been the same as when you and the lord were here. Are you coming back?”

“No, I am not returning. I have just come down to collect two horses that have been left to me by my father, do you know which they are?”

“Aye sir they be these,” said the man and led out a fine stallion and a mare.

“Are you sure these are the ones?” asked Roger.

“Oh yes sir, I saddled them with your own tack and it fitted like a glove, so they must be yours,” said the stable lad, with a wink. “The two horses you
arrived with I’ve turned into pack horses ready for your journey.”

Roger quickly brought down his baggages and he and Laila were ready to depart before Ralf had risen. Avice came to a window and waved as they rode away
heading towards the village.

They could see the forge was busy as they approached, the glow from the fire lit up the entrance and the sound of hammering drowned the chorus of the
birds. They dismounted and went to the cottage meeting Matilda as she came out bearing bread and ale which she almost dropped.

“Mercy, it’s young Roger,” she cried in amazement. “Go into the house, I’ll be back directly after I’ve given this to Jack and the boys.”

Roger stepped across the threshold and there was Joan sitting at the table writing in a big book.

“Hello Joan,” said Roger. Joan looked at him in amazement and was even more stuck for words as Laila came in and stood next to Roger. Joan rose from her
chair and came to the couple.

“Hello Roger,” she said and turned to Laila.

“This is my wife, Laila, we came down to see what has been happening at the Castle,” explained Roger.

Joan looked at them both and her eyes flicked down to Laila’s left hand, no ring she thought, has Roger been up to his old tricks. They sat down at the
table just as Jack came hurrying in wiping his hands on a piece of rag.

“This is certainly a surprise,” said Jack. “Have you seen John, is he coming this way soon?”

Roger gave them as much news as he could about John and told them how good he was at the Tournament. He told them that John had gone to London with Sir
Cedric and he hoped to see him when he returned. Roger questioned Jack on what was happening to the village under Ralf’s time as lord of the Castle. Jack’s
reply was what Roger feared.

“He has no idea of what the farmers do to maintain their business, whether it is arable or the sheep, he put’s ’taxes’, as he calls them, up so high the
farmers can’t pay. Then he is trying to take their land. He has tried it on with me and I wont have it, he needs a Smith for his own work so he has held
off from pushing me, but I fear it will come to a fight when he tries to get more money from me. His father was tough but fair where Ralf has no idea how
to get the best from people. If it carries on like this there will be trouble as we hear the men at arms are also beginning to leave.”

Roger listened to this with a sinking feeling, all his father had worked for was being thrown away. Roger thought to himself that it would have been better
to have left the estate to him, but he had no experience either, their father had never trained them in how to manage the land. After sharing the midday
meal with Jack and his family, Roger and Laila started their journey back to Stamford.

Jack had not been back to the forge for very long when Ralf and half a dozen men at arms reined in at the front of the cottage.

“Jack Smith come out!” called Ralf.

Jack came and stood in front of Ralf.

“Politeness dictates that you dismount before any conversation, sir,” said Jack looking at Ralf who backed up and still sat on his horse. “I cannot see to
your horse if you are still sitting on him,” continued Jack.

This statement got through to Ralf and he realised that there was no other blacksmith in the area. Ralf dismounted and approached Jack. “Under the present
economic climate I have to increase the rent on the Smithy, the unrest in England has forced this upon me,” he said.

Jack looked him in the eye and replied. “You increased our rent only one month ago and that made it higher than in Norwich, what is this new figure you
propose?”

Ralf quoted a figure and Jack said that was unfair and did he want the Smithy to close.

“I have to pay my lads and have enough to feed my family and to buy wood and charcoal, I might as well pack up and become a soldier again.” Jack said.

Ralf mounted his horse and shouted to Jack that he wanted the increase by quarter day, which was in four days time. Jack called the two lads in from the
forge and they sat round the cottage table with Matilda and Joan to discuss what had just happened.

“I must get word to John, he might be able to get Sir Cedric to help,” said Jack.

“I could go,” volunteered William.

“Or me,” joined in Thomas.

“I think William should go, Thomas and I can manage most of the work at the moment. Go at first light it should not take you long.” said Jack.

II

Sir Cedric called John to his room and told him that the funeral of the King was the next day and immediately it was over he wanted him, with Sam, to ride
as quickly as possible back to Wymondham taking four men at arms with them. There were crowds at the funeral and as soon as the service was over John and
Sam slipped away and joined the men at arms at the house. An hour later they were away making good speed to home.

Arriving at Wymondham John spoke to Gavin and told him of the events in London, he said Sir Cedric would be returning in the next few days. At the evening
meal Tania joined them and it was obvious that she was pleased to see John back, after the meal John sat by her and related the trip to her.

“It was a shame we could not have seen London together, Sam was no substitute, and I think he is trying to grow a beard which would put anyone off.”

There was a general feeling of goodwill that they were all together, apart from the Earl. When the hour was late John suggested that they all retired to
bed, as he said it he wished it was him retiring to Tania’s. John woke in the early hours and paced the room, what would he have to do to prove he was
worthy of a knighthood and able to claim Tania. As daylight pushed night away and birds began their chorus John decided to assume the position Sir Cedric
had given him. If he was senior Squire here he would make sure the Castle was in tip top condition for Sir Cedric’s return. He called Gavin and Carac and
put the proposal to them, they did not seem surprised.

“You know more than us because you study longer and you fight better than us, in most things, and you were here before us so I have no problem, as long as
you don’t start shouting at us,” said Gavin and Carac agreed. So the three of them set about improving the Castle. Cleaning up was an easy task but John
wanted to repair walls and improve security and this required persuading the Castle mason to fall in with their plans. Eventually the Castle was a hive of
activity and one day when Tania was returning from Wymondham she had difficulty in getting in through the second gate.