Chapter 2
It was the next day after returning the goat that I finally reached the valley where the Duke and Duchess made their home. The castle walls jutted out from the earth overlooking the river. From the steps leading down the heights I could barely see the Manor’s roof marked by its striking red color. Atop the wall loomed men at arms with a lighter chainmail version shared by their knight counterparts. As a peasant myself, I could never dream of becoming a knight, but I could imagine myself atop the world fighting alongside Thomas as his man at arms.
Ducking through a barren field not yet ready for planting, but over the shrill winter I made my way up to the gate. The Captain was seated upon a stool in the shade and didn’t bother to even look up as he grunted a greeting and I scurried past him towards the practice areas.
The practice areas were an informal gathering place for arms training and exercises. The training area held a dozen soldiers working through their core forms with a pike or long spear. These men stood guard atop the walls of the castle and were his lord’s first line of defense. These men were those which I aspired to be and protect the Duke from demons or enemies.
They were outfitted metal corsets, tassets and a steel cap. The Pikemen were lined up and practiced movements mimicking fending off a soldier from the battlements of the castle walls. Despite the brisk cool morning breeze these men were sweating from exertion this morning. I sat down alongside the training and watched the practiced movements of the men at arms. A particularly young man seemed to be slow and awkward as he moved the pike out of rhythm with the others.
Sir Stanson was a man long in the tooth, but universally respected by the other men of the castle including the duke. He was letting the young man sort this out for himself as he went up and down the group laying out encouragement with his boisterous sense of humor that was intimidating to a young man like myself. The men began to disperse and go about their normal responsibilities. Each man shared time on the wall even in this time of peace amongst the King’s lords.
“Boyo” I turned expectantly thinking Stanson was calling my name, but to no avail he was engaging the young man who continued to struggle through the basic formation. The young man must have imagined the same because his gaze shifted from me to the Sir Stanson and he shot right into a formal position. He brought his Pike straight into the air and thrust its butt into the dirt underneath. Standing with his head hung high he looked forward into the distance. “You need to relax Tobias, this isn’t going to come to you if you are fighting the flow of the pike.” Sir Stanson brought his own pike from where he held it and ran through the forms with a grace unparalleled by the other men. “This is a weapon of softness.” Most of the men had turned into watching the spectacle. “Get to it now lads or you will be here til noon working with Tobias for his education.” The way he laid the words matter of factly brought every man in the yard to a brisk jog as they left the training area.
I brought my eyes away from the knight and his trainee and noticed that we were now the only ones in the yard. Not caring about being shooed away as had aught happened last summer, I moved a little closer to hear the instruction. “Again” the word hung in the air as the man named Tobias moved into the first of the forms. “Stop” the word brought Tobias to a hualt. He was awkwardly holding the Pole with his weight sandwitched onto his back feet. Even my untrained eye could tell that he was doing something wrong. “What did you do wrong here Tobias?” Stansons eyebrows bobbed as he spoke and Tobias debated whether the question was rhetorical or not.
“I am off balance, but I don’t understand how this happens. I swear I am doing what I have always done.” He whined out the last part and moved his eyes to the ground in embarrassment at his womanly conduct. His shoulder drooped as he stood there and I was embarrassed for having witnessed this moment of weakness from a grown man.
Sir Stanford moved in front of Tobias and lightly shoved him onto his back. From down on the ground Tobias looked on with anger behind is eyes, but remained where he sat wisely. “You have grown larger than any other other men here boy, but do not think that makes you the strongest or smartest and certainly not the best.” Sir Stanson brought himelf around and pointed at me seated on a rock outside the yard yelling “that boy could knock you down how well you balance that goofy body of yours.” Turning back to the man on the ground Sir Stanson pulled up the young man who towered over himself. “This time I want you to go one step at a time. and follow along with me.” One day I would be trained by a great knight like Sir Stanson and learn to defend this very ground. Smiling I watched on with Amusement and wonder.
A shadow suddenly appeared behind me, but before I could turn to prepare myself, the stool disappeared from under my rear and I fell to the ground. “Every Time!.” I still couldn’t focus since I my eyes were closed on the ground. Strong hands were pulling me up to my feet. “Every time my friend.” Thomas’s familiar voice came to me as I looked behing me once I had finally gained a solid footing. “You really should be more careful about sitting on such faulty furniture Nik.” His grin was ear to ear and despite my anger I couldn’t help but return the smile with affection. He would pay for that trick, but it was well struck and I had to admit as much.
Thomas pulled alongside himself a young man about our age. He was not quite as tall as Thomas, but still stood over me just barely. His slightly browned golden hair was similar to my own hair if I didn’t let the monks trim it down to my scalp. Who is this kid? Thomas has replaced me hasn’t he or that awful mother of his!
“Are you okay Nik?” Thomas looked at me suspiciously.“I see you have gotten taller, but you still haven’t learned how to properly speak.” He turned back to the new kid and I followed his gaze, but tried to keep that disdainful look off my face and not show my discomfort.
“Sebastian. I would like you to meet Nik. Nik here is an orphan - from the monastery up yonder.” Both of their heads turned up towards the monastery. It wasn’t visible from here, but they both must have understood its approximate location. “We train together constantly and push each other to be stronger.” My lips turned into a thin line that wasn’t quite polite, but with eyes downcast I did not immediately confirm or deny anything. Thomas’s acquaintance must have been a noble by his dress.
Sebastian looked down at me oddly. He nodded in my direction and I picked up my gaze. “Nik this is his highness the Prince Sebastian.” Immediately I dropped to my knee realizing how ignorant I was of how to respond to this type of a situation. I didn’t really recognize Thomas in the proper way because of our close relationship and the fact that we needed to beat each other during trainings.
“Rise goodman.” His laugh was similar to my own as a smile finally appeared on the Prince’s face. “My cousin tells me that you are a friend and do not fawn after him. Would that I had a companion like yourself.” I was slow to get to my feet in the presence of royalty, not just royalty, but the young man who would one day be king. I couldn’t help but smile at my good fortune of meeting the king on this fine day. Wow! what a day.
“Nik, mother says that you are not needed for the duration of the prince’s stay, but she never explicitly stated you must return to your monks.” Both of our faces turned into a smile and the Prince seemed to catch the double meaning. “Sebastian is going to say he needs a servant for the duration of his stay that can fetch whatever he may need.”
Thomas and I both looked Sebastian in the eye expectantly. My hands were palmy, but my eyes glowed expectantly with excitement at the prospect of staying at the castle for however long. Shifting my weight from foot to foot I turned my eyes away shamefully, allowing Thomas to convey the appropriate look of pleading.
That laugh returned as Thomas slapped me on the back joining in with the young prince. I even hazard a few laughs of my own for good measure. Despite my earlier excitement I had no idea exactly what Thomas had signed me up for today, but I knew that if I made a mist
ake this young prince held my life in his hands. It was all worth an opportunity to spend time with Thomas and be here at the center of everything.
“Young Lords” Sir Stanson’s voice might have posed a questions, but I couldn't see it at the moment. “Each of you have brought your armor for today’s exercise.” His eyes returned to me and his eyebrows shot up his forrehead in such a way I could see them walking right over his head. “Nik, I thought the Duchess told me you were to stay at the monastery till his highness’s departure next month?” The acusing eyebrows were still raised and I started to shift around again looking away.
“Good Sir, Nik shall be my man for the next month.” He said it nonchalantly, but I could hear the authority this young prince wielded like a precise sword strike. His eyes never wavered from the top of my downcast head, but he never raised an issue regarding my participation and grunted acknowledgement.
“In that case Nik go grab his highness a set of armor.” There was a trace of unfamiliar humor in his voice, but not enough for me to let my guard down. I ran off in the direction of the armor with a smile plastered across my face in excitement. This was our first test of this idea and it was a resounding success.
Thomas stood off to the side wearing his armor when I returned. He was working through his forms as Sebastian sat by with interest. The young lord did have his armor with him, but it was more ceremonial than anything and not for use during exercises. The pieces I brought him today were made for a small man so they still didn’t fit him right. Unhitching the metal corsette, I pulled it over his head and fastened it as best as possible. “would you care for some padding my lord?” The question hung in the air, but there was no response. “I could wrap a blanket around your midsection and it would cushion you to Thomas’s blows.” This is what I commonly found myself doing to make the practice longer and less likely to kill me.
He nodded in satisfaction and I pulled over the wool blanket that I and other men used for an assortment of trainings techniques. As I went to wrap it, he shoved it away forcefully and knocked me to the ground. “What a disgusting thing. Does anyone ever wash it!” I didn’t respond to the obvious lack of a question, but instead ignored his tantrum or the offense given to me and helped him into the rest of his gear.
When he was set he left me without a word. Thomas turned to him with his charming smile and brought his sword and shield into a ochs position. This was a standard position from which both of us were taught to anticipate our opponents movements while wearing them down with defensive and counter offensive movements. The prince must have been trained differently because he brought himself into the training area with a low guard. Commonly called the Fool, this position was not one we were taught yet so this should prove interesting.
Thomas’s sword was probably a tad too large for his twelve year old frame, but he handled it admirably and we had trained constantly to hold not just that, but all the positions with ease. Thomas brought his long sword down across the Prince’s shoulder. His footwork had improved considerably this winter. The prince, not to be caught unawares, moved to the left and brought his sword around swiping at Thomas’s head.
The blow glanced over Thomas’s shoulder as Thomas ducked down and protected himself from the opening he was giving the prince. I couldn't help but desire to go out there and defend my friend, but I knew Thomas would come out the winner. He was stronger and faster than the prince and it shown as the danced around after their initial exchange of blows. The knight had worked his way by my side as we watched the two exchange a few glancing blows at each other. “Get your armor together lad. I need you to show them how to take and deliver a blow.”
I turned back away from the fight and got out the armor I had chosen from the armory. It wasn’t as pretty as the others, but it was princely made and could protect me as well as any other in the castle save the Duke’s.
Sir Stanson tapped me on my scullcap and nudged me towards the two combatants. “You young men need to understand that war is not fought in tournament style with rules. As the two most influential men in the kingdom you will be well protected, but must work with your men to handle opponents swiftly.” He brought his sword up into a middle position bringing his sword horizontal to the ground, at his shoulder height. Thomas grunted in suprise and moved to intercept the knight. He period Thomas’s weak, frantic strike and sent him onto his backside with a nudge of his massive arm. The prince to his credit prepared himself with a perfect defensive posture. However, he was on his back in the dirt before long. After dispatching the prince, I still remained there frozen in surprise.
“My prince and young duke, you must not always rely upon your men at arms.” He turned to Nik with disdain. “You must communicate and be one with your defenders. This is why the Duke’s guards train with each other and know each other like brothers in arms.” Eyes still on me, “Nik forgot to protect you much less anything else he has been taught.”
“Your Duke was gallant, but foolish enough to throw his life away on an ill timed attack.” And you foolishly stood your ground against an equal opponent.” All three of us now hung our heads as we took this verbal lashing. I was particularly upset because I wasn’t prepared for the attack.
“Again” he didn’t attack this time, but waited for us to make a move against him or change our position. I moved to stand between the two future lords and my arms were shaking from the shame and embarrassment. Moving to engage the knight, all of my fear and frustration wasted away as I challenged him. His face remained cold and didn’t react to my charge. My feet carried me over to him, but he moved away to my left circling deftly towards the lords. The prince was still, but I saw Thomas’s form cut him off from attacking his highness. Thomas didn’t engage this time, but stayed defensive blocking the prince from any assault.
I circled to where I was opposite Thomas and attacked in collusion with Thomas. We both went from the high guard we favored. He took my blow with his sword and deftly avoided Thomas’s first blow. I was sent to my rear again, but Thomas took the knight with a second less powerful strike to his back. The knight stumbled forward, but did not fall. Before Thomas could follow up with another blow, the knight sent him flying with a swipe of his massive sword. The Corsette might have crumpled from the blow but for the way Thomas rolled away from the attack and nearly regained his footing in time.
The knight was now moving towards the king with a murderous intent and I was on the wrong side of the prince. The prince moved into a high guard prepared to stall while I moved at the knight from behind. Sir Stanson must have realized our intent because he turned on me with his sword and nearly took my head from my shoulders. The attack no man could have escaped, missed my head entirely and I took the knight in a tackle at his waist. With the weight of my armor we went down in a heap. Before I rose to my feet Thomas had a dagger of his, it mirrored my own pride, upon the knights throat.
The gurgling laugh that escaped Sir stanson was the first time I had ever seen this man delighted. He looked into Thomas’s eyes with pride. “Maybe there is hope for this great nation yet young men.” With that he left us to practice forms under the tutelage of the still present Tobias.
The rest of the day was spent out by the watering hole Thomas and I had historically frequented. it was a tad cold for us to go in, but they wanted to escape the castle and I was only too willing to go along with the merriment. “So there I was hawking with father.” He turned to Thomas who nodded in confirmation, “The damn beast went and attacked one of the dogs.” Thomas laughed politely and I followed suit. These stories were without end and I was growing tired of them quickly. Who would have thought that I prefered the companionship of the monks and their silence.
“That bitch and her pack went crazy. I swear I had never seen her so vicious than when the bird came my way.” Thomas abruptly stopped his horse and we both followed suit after his lead. The gates to the castle were bustling with activity. Men on horseback wearing royal crimson and purple rivalr
y came at us ferociously.
“Prince, please be ready to run into those woods at our command should you not know these men personally. We will hazard to slow them down.” Thomas looked at me with a hinge of surprise at the authority in my voice, but nodded his agreement. Neither of us responded to the Prince’s replies as Thomas pulled his sword and I pulled a bow from my back. I had only brought a handful of arrows with me and three of those now lay in the woods uselessly. I had maybe two or three shots anyway the way these men were coming my way.
Thomas moved to intercept the men on horseback while I Took position closer the prince. This gave me room to expand my arrows and draw my knife in time to by the prince a chance to run. Thomas brought his horse up to the other man who looked angry. This was the same man that I had seen walk past me this morning on the way down from the monastery. He war the king’s colors, but was clearly not a knight or man at arms. He didn’t wear any armor and I immediately identified his chest and brought the arrow back aligning his sites. Thomas stayed off to the side as he exchanged introductions with the man. When Thomas put away his sword and gripped the man’s hand I still didn’t lower the bow. The man gestured towards our direction and I looked to see the prince reach over and touch my arm. “There shall be no bloodshed this day Nik, but I will remember your instincts to protect your prince.” The future king didn’t wait for a response, but spurred his horse forward to join the other men.
I took my time joining the three putting my bow across my back and replacing the arrows in the quiver strung along my mare. By the time I rode up to them the man was gone. He had returned to the castle furiously unhappy with the resolution of the conversation.
“Sebastian, we had best return to the castle before my mother or yours seeks retribution for this brief holiday.” Thomas started off towards the gates and we followed. The mirth of the afternoon long forgotten. I imagined that the two young lords must know they would face a strong tongue lashing upon their return. Prior to reaching the gate, which now shown with vigilant royal and Duchal guards anticipating our arrival. I thought to ask for leave to escape to the monastery.
I turned and caught Thomas’s eye and smiled at my plan. “No my friend, our mothers have requested each of our presences this day.” My heart leapt from my chest in fear. I honestly contemplated running for my life. I had a bow, three arrows, a canteen filled with a days worth of water, comfortable clothes and a short, but serviceable hunting knife. The inventory aside, where would I go with this new found freedom. I would not be able to return to the Montertery. She would find me. Looking over at Thomas his eyes saw through my thoughts and he squeezed my shoulder affectionately.
This reminded me of my last beating at the hands of the Duchess. That time I had been bedridden for weeks because my back sores wouldn’t heal properly without me opening them back up. I straightened my shoulders and realized I wasn’t going anywhere and I couldn’t help thinking that the Duchess may just have me killed.
The captain of the Ducal Guard, a Sir lucious, stood beside the Duke as we reentered the grounds. The Duke was a large man much like Sir Sanson. However, the duke probably weighed twice that of the his weapons master. The Duke’s armor made him seem thrice the size of a normal man. He didn’t wear his helmet at the moment, that was reserved for war, but the mirth left his face as we appeared.
“Your highness, if it please you, I beg thee to join my wife and sister in the dining area. I would have a word with these two before you each receive a lecture.” The prince nodded in acquiescence and turned towards the stables. A young man took his horse and he was making his way up towards the castle proper.
“Boys.” was that a statement? For a large man his voice was flat and even and not as heavy as you would assume. He could have been raising his voice, but we would never know because it was always in that authoritative tone that made me jump out of my seat and get to what needed getting. We were both of our horses and standing at attention in front of him. Thomas responded for us with a meagher “Yes father” and I refused to look at him.
“Foolish young men.” This certainly wasn’t a question, but I didn’t want to seem impertinent by ignoring such a great man much less my lord. “We are sorry may’lord. We really never in-in-tended to be out so late.” Thomas cut in before I could barry us further. “Nik was just following along father. He is to be the prince’s man for the duration of the stay.” His father looked at me and I turned my eyes back down to the floor sheepishly. I probably could have balled up into the feedle position, but I stood there under that penetrating glare.
“Like I said, Fools.” Turning away, Thomas grabbed my arm and pulled me forward towards the castle. He smiled like he had won some small victory. The Duke lead us to the main dining hall which lay empty but for the Queen, Duchess, Ducherina and Prince.The Duchess stood and motion for Thomas and I to stand by her. She slowly stood up from her seat and examined her son completely ignoring my presence. “Sit my son” her hand affectionately caressed Thomas’s chin and a smile seemed to squirm its way across her cross look. When Thomas when to make his defense of my actions, his mother shot him a glare that struck him with more force than the greatest physical blow her husband could ever deliver with those massive arms.
I stood there alone while her attention turned to me with a coldness that was palpable to all within the room. The prince stood to intercede where his cousin had failed, but his mother took him by the hand and restrained him with a gentle touch. She walked up to me and stood there ominously without so much as a whisper or a scream. It may have been forever, it may have been a moment, but my pride and willfulness creeped into my mind. It told me to ignore my fear and return that dreadful stare with a straight face and shoulders pulled back in a manly position not like a dog or puppy being scolded. This was perhaps the stupidest choice of my young life. The back of her hand and her jeweled rings took me across the left side of my face cutting into my skin and drawing blood. I didn’t fall, but I was stunned by the strike I was not anticipating.
Blood seeped from the gash in my left cheek, across my nose and up to my hairline. I had seen my share of blood and bruises, but this was another man’s blood on the field of battle. Not delivered from someone with control over life and death for me. Thomas didn’t come to my aid but sat there stunned. “You boy, filth, you bastard child who should have been struck from this earth by the lord’s fury as you fly in the face of this family as a disgrace.” This time the blow was blocked by my arms, but it sent me into the wall. “How dare you raise your arms to your betters.” The shrieking voice stirred me to my bones, but I remained quiet and protected myself as she kicked at my side. My arm moved down to protect my ribs that screamed out in pain. Her next kick took me in the side of the head and everything went blank.
***
The room was similar to the stone of the monastery, but it stunk of human waste and filth. I didn’t start screaming immediately- to my own surprise. It took me a moment to realize that I must have been arrested. Gasping for air I imagined that I was headed for the executioner’s axe, but a striking pain from my ribs brought me back to reality. Wincing I got to my feet and realized that everything wasn’t broken and I was mostly able to move. The pain in my ribs would hopefully ease with time. Now I needed to escape.
Thomas never came to see me before I was escorted to my doom. A short, robust jailer pulled me from my sleep and used a sack over my head to send me into darkness. My feet were guided by the rough hands of the jailer as we traversed the castle. I was shocked to find that my legs were going down and not up. As we went deeper I realized that the sound of water was echoing off of the walls and the poignant odor was now replaced by the smell of the river in the winter.
Hope sprung forth and my steps quickened in anticipation. No longer fighting the man, but I still struggled to keep pace with him. My hands were fastened behind my back so I almost fell several times. I still didn’t dare raise a question. I was never going to question my better again
after the way the Duchess had beaten me senselessly. It was embarrassing, but a part of me felt more embarrassed for Thomas having to sit there while his mother thrashed me. I know that must have been difficult for him considering it was his fault I was in this mess. His and the Prince anyway. Or did they think of me as the fall guy. How long had I been under here in the dungeon? These questions raced through my head as the jailor pulled me to a stop and out of my bottomless imagination. I stood up straight again. Despite the sack I made out what must have been the outside because the sack lightened up considerably and I felt a slight breeze across my skin.
“Is this the boy the Duchess wanted us to take care of Jim?” The question hung there and it took me a moment to internalize it. My body went rigid at Duchess and I realized that this may not be the happy escape I originally intended. A grunt was the only response the new voice received as I was hefted blindly. My feet left me and I felt myself land not on stone, but wood. I could tell it was wood from the feel and the way the splinters slipped into my arm. Too terrified to even respond to the pain now pulsating from my ribs and side. I was dragged by different hands into what I imagine was a boat. The boat eddied to and fro until I was fastened into sitting still by the new man. His hands were considerably larger and covered in coarse hair that terrified me. Okay, of all the reasons to be terrified this might not make sense to you, but there was a legend that a man lived up river of the castle and poached the King’s deer. Legend also said this man like to poach other small game like rabbit, birds and small children.
The scream I gave off should have brought forth the entire castle, but we were still underground along this mysterious body of water. My screaming stopped when another blow to the head sent me unconscious.
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