clear that this was more of a guide for Knights to test their Squires and for what reason? To make him a
Knight! John lay awake that night wondering if this was Sir Cedric’s plan, to take a lowly Blacksmith’s son and turn him into a Knight. With these thoughts
racing through his brain John eventually slept. In the morning of the next day, while John was working out with the guards he was interrupted by the sight
of Tania and her maid watching. John stopped his sword practice and walked over to Tania.
“Good morning John,” greeted Tania. “Will you walk with us I want to talk to you.”
Sheathing his sword John joined them and they made for the Castle gardens. The maid dropped back so that the couple could talk privately.
“My father is sending me to my cousin in Lincoln and I am only to see you with my maid present.”
“He has already told me, I should have gone to him earlier but I went home instead, it made things worse. The question is how will this affect you?”
Tania looked at John, put her hand on his arm and stopped him speaking. “I love you John, I have done since that day in Wymondham, if I have to wait for
you then that is what I shall do.” John felt his heart surge and he longed to take Tania in his arms
“I love you too with all my heart but I have to follow your father as his Squire and abide by his decisions. I do know that if we are patient then we can
be very happy.” They looked into each others eyes and through the tears in Tania’s John saw the love.
“I leave for Lincoln in three days time so we can walk and talk until then.” They walked back to the Bailey and John resumed his practice. That evening he
went back to the Library and looked for books to help him learn the duties of a Squire, he was determined to prove to Sir Cedric that he had made a wise
choice when he offered him the position. During the next few days Tania and John met as often as they could under the watchful eye of Tania’s maid. Sir
Cedric was away but John kept his passion in check and was just pleased to walk with them in the gardens. Soon it was time for Tania to go, on that day
John was away hunting with two other young men who had come back with Sir Cedric. Gavin was the son of a Knight that had been to the Crusades with the
Earl. Carac, a younger man, was the son of a Norfolk nobleman. The three men soon became good friends, studying and relaxing together. John was the master
of the sword even when the other two ganged up against him. Gavin was the better man with the lance and spear while Carac who was smaller, could outride
them both and there was no one who could match him with the short bow on horseback. All in all they were a formidable trio. One morning while they were
caring for their horses Sir Cedric appeared and called them to him.
“The King has sent word that I am to meet Prince Edward and to prepare to crush the Barons once and for all. We are to meet him near Worcester and we leave
early tomorrow morning. Carac, you are to stay here with enough men to defend the Castle and town if need be. John and Gavin prepare our weapons and
horses, pack only what we need, we have a long journey ahead.” With that Sir Cedric went back inside.
II
Roger was settling into his job as Bailiff, he patrolled the town with four guards and the level of theft and armed attacks had lessened. The Mayor was
pleased and Roger now lived in a small house in the better part of town with his extra income he had also hired a maid who would come in daily to clean and
prepare his meals. Life was good for Roger. Early one morning as the group patrolled the poorer part of town they heard carousing coming from an old Inn,
the Fighting Cocks. Roger sent two of his men to investigate, the noise increased and the sound of swords being drawn prompted the rest of the group to
rush in where they found the two guards facing a drunken crowd of ruffians.
“Landlord, show yourself,” bellowed Roger. A fat man
Knight! John lay awake that night wondering if this was Sir Cedric’s plan, to take a lowly Blacksmith’s son and turn him into a Knight. With these thoughts
racing through his brain John eventually slept. In the morning of the next day, while John was working out with the guards he was interrupted by the sight
of Tania and her maid watching. John stopped his sword practice and walked over to Tania.
“Good morning John,” greeted Tania. “Will you walk with us I want to talk to you.”
Sheathing his sword John joined them and they made for the Castle gardens. The maid dropped back so that the couple could talk privately.
“My father is sending me to my cousin in Lincoln and I am only to see you with my maid present.”
“He has already told me, I should have gone to him earlier but I went home instead, it made things worse. The question is how will this affect you?”
Tania looked at John, put her hand on his arm and stopped him speaking. “I love you John, I have done since that day in Wymondham, if I have to wait for
you then that is what I shall do.” John felt his heart surge and he longed to take Tania in his arms
“I love you too with all my heart but I have to follow your father as his Squire and abide by his decisions. I do know that if we are patient then we can
be very happy.” They looked into each others eyes and through the tears in Tania’s John saw the love.
“I leave for Lincoln in three days time so we can walk and talk until then.” They walked back to the Bailey and John resumed his practice. That evening he
went back to the Library and looked for books to help him learn the duties of a Squire, he was determined to prove to Sir Cedric that he had made a wise
choice when he offered him the position. During the next few days Tania and John met as often as they could under the watchful eye of Tania’s maid. Sir
Cedric was away but John kept his passion in check and was just pleased to walk with them in the gardens. Soon it was time for Tania to go, on that day
John was away hunting with two other young men who had come back with Sir Cedric. Gavin was the son of a Knight that had been to the Crusades with the
Earl. Carac, a younger man, was the son of a Norfolk nobleman. The three men soon became good friends, studying and relaxing together. John was the master
of the sword even when the other two ganged up against him. Gavin was the better man with the lance and spear while Carac who was smaller, could outride
them both and there was no one who could match him with the short bow on horseback. All in all they were a formidable trio. One morning while they were
caring for their horses Sir Cedric appeared and called them to him.
“The King has sent word that I am to meet Prince Edward and to prepare to crush the Barons once and for all. We are to meet him near Worcester and we leave
early tomorrow morning. Carac, you are to stay here with enough men to defend the Castle and town if need be. John and Gavin prepare our weapons and
horses, pack only what we need, we have a long journey ahead.” With that Sir Cedric went back inside.
II
Roger was settling into his job as Bailiff, he patrolled the town with four guards and the level of theft and armed attacks had lessened. The Mayor was
pleased and Roger now lived in a small house in the better part of town with his extra income he had also hired a maid who would come in daily to clean and
prepare his meals. Life was good for Roger. Early one morning as the group patrolled the poorer part of town they heard carousing coming from an old Inn,
the Fighting Cocks. Roger sent two of his men to investigate, the noise increased and the sound of swords being drawn prompted the rest of the group to
rush in where they found the two guards facing a drunken crowd of ruffians.
“Landlord, show yourself,” bellowed Roger. A fat man
Similar Books
