The Dunston Blade Read Free Page B

shut securely in their
    coop. John’s thought turned to Rogers information about the forth coming campaign and wondered if it would affect their family. He knew he was now adequate
    with a sword but with his father they were too small a group to protect the Smithy. Perhaps Sir Walter would take them into the Castle and perhaps he would
    see the young lady again, she had heated his blood and caused feelings he had not known before.
    Came the dawn and John was back to his old self and ready to work with his father, he told him of Roger’s information and Jack looked thoughtful.
    “We will practice this morning and I want to show you something new,” Jack said as he went out to the Smithy and picked up a long bundle of cloth as well
    as his sword.
    “Come now John we have a lot to do.” Father and son walked off to the common where they had found a small glade to practice the sword play.
    “Today, John, we will train to kill our enemy before he gets within the range of our sword.” Jack unravelled the bundle and produced a beautiful longbow,
    over six feet in length it was taller than Jack. “ The first thing to learn is to string the bow, I think your muscles are strong enough.”
    They practiced stringing the bow and Jack taught John how to hold the string and bend the bow by putting his weight forward into the bow. They shot a few
    arrows and Jack said they must return to the Smithy, but would come again tomorrow.
    Roger caught up with Joan on her way to the church. They walked along together for a while and stopped just out of sight of the church.
    Roger suddenly drew Joan to him, his embrace was intense and it was not long before his hands began to wander.
    “Stop!” said Joan pushing him off. “I am not one of the girls from your City Inn, when I have a husband I shall go to his bed a virgin, and I think it will
    not be you. Your father will never allow you to marry a village girl.”
    Roger released her and stood back he looked at Joan and said. “Being friendly to a Knight’s son is better than being married to a poor farmer.” With that
    repost he mounted his horse and rode away.
    Joan held back tears, she had been fond of Roger but her upbringing had made her strong willed. Father Aldred was waiting for her and seeing she was upset
    led her into the church where they sat quietly for a few moments. “I have taught you and John most of what I know, you can both read and write and there
    are only tales and my experiences to pass on now,if you wish.”
    “Yes, Father I would love to hear about your travels.” Joan sat down and the Priest began a story of his time with the Knights on the Crusade.
    II
    John, walking across the common to meet Joan, saw Roger galloping back to the Castle and he kept looking ahead even when John called out. “I wonder what’s
    bitten him?” he thought.
    Coming from out of the trees John could see a man approaching riding a huge destrier and leading two other horses one of which was loaded with baggage.
    “Ho there, young man, is there a Smith in that village?”
    “Yes, sir,” replied John. “He is my father, Jack Ivanson, so I can guide you there if you wish.”
    “If you can ride, you may mount my spare horse,” said the man and dropped the lead reign of the saddled horse. John mounted and sat easily in the saddle.
    “You have ridden before young man,” observed the stranger.
    “I ride horses to and from the Smithy when people want the Smith to look after them,” John explained. “Then tell me what ails the horse you are on?”
    “ I think one of his shoes are loose,” answered John dismounting and lifting the leg of the horse. “Yes, this one will need attention now.”
    “Well, done lad, let’s get him to the Smith. What is your name?” John told him and also about his family, how they had originated from Denmark, probably
    when the Viking farmers settled in the area. He found himself chatting easily to this stranger as they walked the horses to the