The Dunston Blade Read Free

them and thought that they were
    better looking than the village girls and wondered how he could get to know them better, probably difficult as they lived in the Castle. Returning to the
    village John’s thoughts pondered on the difference between the homes in the village and the life in the Castle. The Smithy provided a good income and the
    family house was comfortable but many of the villagers were not so lucky and John had spent many hours with his father helping to put, what can only be
    described as hovels, back together before winter came.
    He thought about the age old problem of the gulf between the poor and the rich, surely there could be improvement in the lives of the poor as it was them
    who worked the land and tended the animals. Without them there would be no rich.
    Soon the Smithy came into view and John could see the smoke curling from the chimney. His mother would be preparing their evening meal after which Jack and
    the family would sit and talk. This was the time that John loved most, he did not envy Roger away from home, with strangers and in a strange city.
    II
    Mornings were colder now and as Roger awoke he was reluctant to leave the warmth of his bed, even though only a blanket covered him as he lay on a straw
    filled sack. Coughs and hawking filled the air as the trainee soldiers woke up.
    “Get out of your sack Roger or you will miss what there is for breaking our fast.” Roger’s friend Roland aimed a kick at the recumbent lad. Sluicing water
    over their faces they hurried to the kitchens, food was laid out on a long table and it was first come first served. The two of them grabbed hunks of
    bread, cheese and a jug of cider.
    “What is the first thing today? Not archery I hope as my shoulder has not recovered from the last time,” groaned Roger as he rubbed the sore arm. “I would
    only reach two arrow lengths today.”
    After they had eaten the two of them walked down to the training ground and discovered that today Elric Fletcher had laid out wooden swords for battle
    practice and they were then to move on to practicing with their own swords against a large post, strengthening their wrists and arms.
    “Nobody has said what we are preparing for,” grumbled Roland. “Winter will soon be on us and I don’t want to be out on a campaign in the snow.”
    Roger agreed and suggested. “Maybe we are going to join the Crusade,” He wasn’t aware that the sixth crusade had failed and the Muslims were in control of
    Jerusalem.
    “At least it would be warmer,” said Roland.
    After a long morning of practice the two lads strolled out into the City. “I need a drink,” stated Roland. “All that exercise makes you dry.” They made
    their way to the nearest Inn, pushed their way to a table and ordered a flagon of ale.
    “I would still like to know what we are preparing for, everything seems quiet in the City.”
    “Maybe the old Earl fancies Nottingham or we could be off to Wales, wherever that is,” responded Roland. “But he will have a fine fighting force at the end
    of this training.”
    The two friends relaxed in the Inn and it was twilight before they returned to the dormitory, to find the place in a turmoil with all the young men
    collecting their belongings together. The hubbub of noise prevented Roger from hearing what was going on, he grabbed one of the men and asked what the
    commotion was about. “We are to go to our homes and return here to the Castle in three days with all our weapons and armour, if you have any,” the man
    replied. Roger and Roland quickly gathered their belongings and went out into the courtyard where Elric Fletcher was organising them into groups.
    “You there, de Brehalle, if you have armour bring it back and join this group, and ask your father if he would send one of his destriers for you to ride.”
    Fletcher then dismissed them to go to their homes emphasising they must return in three days.
    II
    Jack called to his son, “John, I need you to go to the