"Your Majesty!" "A mild seizure." "It will pass." "We better return to thy castle sire." "No, Lord Alban." "I'll not spoil the day's sport." "I'll return alone." "But sire..." "Continue the hunt Lord Alban." "His Majesty's seizures come more often." "Is it wise to encourage his hunting?" "It was his own wish." "Should he die, Prince Hal would rule." "Prince Hal would rule his wine bottles and his tailors." "The Council would still rule England." "And the Earl of Alban rules the Council." "Myles, Diccon, be quick now." "The Earl of Alban is riding this way." "Hurry lad, into the hayloft." "Unless you've decided you'd like to become a soldier." "I wouldn't mind soldiering for England, but not for the Earl of Alban." "His Lordship commands you to fetch water for himself and his guests." "At once your Lordship." "Cool water from the well." "After a morning's hunt a flagon of wine would sit better than water." "You'd not stomach the witch's brew my peasants call wine." "I won't say the same for their wenches." "Seems Sir Robert doesn't intend to come up empty handed after all." "Run Meg." "Run!" "So her favors are saved for you." "Peasant clod!" "She's my sister." "You insolent young swine." "Break it down!" "Thanks to Sir Robert there's added zest to the day." "A cask of my best Spanish wine to the man who hunts down the peasant." "Meg!" "Meg!" "Diccon." "They'll kill him." "They'll not catch him." "He'll lost them in the forest and go to Friar Edward." "Get your belongings and Myles." "We best be away before they return." "Good evening." "We found this horse nearby." "We seek the rider." "A peasant boy, dark haired." "At mass today I saw fully 20 peasant boys with dark hair." "Are any about now?" "Mass has been over for many hours." "But should you wish to come in and pray the chapel is open." "We have no time." "Sooner or later he'll return to the cottage." "We'll be waiting." "Let them wait." "We'll make our way north." "We'll find other land to farm." "Your father never intended you to be a farmer Myles." "Nor Meg a farmer's wife." "What we'd planned for a year hence we must do now." "In the morning Diccon will take you to the Earl of Nlackwonh." "This letter was entrusted to me by your father." "It will remind Nlackworth of an old friendship, and ask him to take you both into his service." "Now you know why you were taught the reading, writing and Latin." "You go to the household of a great noble." "If the scum who rode with Alban is a sample of your nobility," "I'd rather stay away from them." "You will find a different breed in Nlackworth Castle." "Was this also left by my father?" "The ring is to remain with me." "Was this my father's?" "That ring has been hidden for many years and it best remain hidden." "You always told us that you served in the wars with my father." "This coat of arms belonged to no common soldier." "Diccon, please tell us now." "Who was our father?" "Diccon was sworn never to tell you, as was I." "It will avail you nothing to question us further." "Leave the ring." "Since it was my father's it is now mine to keep." "If you're seen with that ring it could mean your death." "I promise to hide it well until I learn its meaning." "Meg is weary and we've got a long ride tomorrow." "You said it was a great castle, but oh I had no idea." "It's bigger than our Crispy-Dale." "It will afford you better shelter." "Help me." "Stop him please." "Let me up." "Stay as you are." "Walter." "Let me up you oaf." "My Lady." "Forgive me." "It seems so strange." "I'll lash that peasant skin to ribbons." "Walter no!" "I asked him for help." "He thought he was saving me." "And he did." "You didn't overtake me and you'll pay the wager." "You've won my gratitude, Sir Gallant." "And my favor." "Have you not had your fill of buffoonery?" "Be thankful the Lady Anne finds you amusing, bumpkin." "My chivalrous friend, that is not the way to treat a lady's favor." "It is to be given directly into his Lordship's hands." "What a marvelous, pretty dress she wore." "We bear a letter for the Earl of Nlackwonh." "Give it here." "It is to be given directly into his Lordship's hands." "I'll take the dagger country boy." "You'll get it back when you leave." "Take them to the Household Guard." "Fresh from the farm." "It must be a very good farm to raise anything lovely as that." "Those giggling fools are laughing at us." "I'll knock their silly heads together." "Stop Giles!" "Perhaps you'll tell me the jest?" "Sure tanglefoot." "You've but to see yourself and laugh with the rest of us." "Stop Giles!" "And who are you rescuing now, Sir Gallant?" "His manners need mending." "As do others here." "This ruffian needs a flogging." "I'll do it myself." "Walter." "Walter no!" "Stop." "Let me remind you his Lordship has visitors and also a very bad temper." "He'll not like brawling in the castle." "I'll not incur his displeasure over the likes of this one." "I'll ask your pardon for all and your mercy, lest your head breaking leave our castle undefended." "Take along deep breath hot head." "Now another." "That's better." "They have come to enter into service in this household." "If I can be on greater service, just call on Francis Gascoyne." "I am Diccon Bowman of Crispy-Dale." "This is Myles and his sister Meg." "They have come to enter into service in this household." "Then you're off to a bad start." "The vile tempered individual who just left is Walter Blunt." "Chief of Esquires." "Since we share an opinion of that swaggering fop" "We bring a letter to his Lordship from... of the family." "Stone me Nlackwonh." "The goblet's empty again." "Right in the soup." "I've done it properly." "Let's go back." "Your Highness," "From an old friend." "Oh good." "Good!" "The Prince of Wales is visiting." "You might as well get comfortable." "It sometimes takes a long while to drag Prince Hall away from his wine." "In that case we'll join you, after a glass or two." "Let's go back." "Your Highness," "I have some excellent wine in the library." "Oh good." "Good!" "Would your grace care to join us?" "I have neither your capacity nor appetite for wine your Highness." "In that case we'll join you, after a glass or two." "They have gone your Highness." "Drunkard." "Wastrel." "Fog." "How I tire of this sour game we play." "The fate of England is worthy of a game." "Even to your daughter becoming a pawn?" "When last I saw Alban he spoke to me of an alliance between his house and yours." "I've long known of his desires from the day Walter Blunt, his brother, came to me." "Alban trusts me to encourage this alliance." "So successfully have I played his fool." "What's our move now?" "I must keep my pretence as you must keep yours." "Should once your mask slip," "Alban would recognize England's future king as strong and just." "In that recognition lies your death." "Would that there were a sword to rid us of this pestilence." "Neither yours nor mine is skilled enough." "So I must play AI ban's friend and you his fool." "Your Highness, we should go." "I have asked Master Gascoyne to point out his Lordship to you." "Should the letter reach other hands it would be a serious matter." "Now Myles." "The older one." "What in the name of...?" "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "We are Meg and Myles of Crispy-Dale." "What?" "I know of no such name." "Speak up boy." "What do you want?" "We have a letter here for your Lordship." "Stand up." "Get on your feet." "No need to keep kneeling forever." "exchanged near the Tower of Caesar" "I feel such a bore, knowing how to read." ""By the pledges we ex... exchanged near the Tower of Caesar" "the day we won our spurs..."" "Your Highness it is of no importance." "Sir Charles." "Your Highness." "What a fine cut of damask." "You must send your tailor to me." "I should be delighted to do so." "Someone I knew 20 years ago seeks to saddle me with his children." "I should have to take them for the sake of peace and quiet." "Gascoyne, turn the lass over to Dame Ellen and conduct the lad to Sir James." "Let him be entered as a Squire At Arms." "He's too rough a cub for a page." "It's much shorter if we go through here." "It's his Lordship's library." "You know what a library is?" "A place with books." "You've seen books?" "I can read and write." "Can you?" "Have you ever seen so many books?" "His Lordship has 24." "My name's mentioned in that one." "That is a distant relative's name." "He must have been important to have a book about him." "He's on one page." "This is the book of Heraldry." "It's an index of all the noble families of England." "Coats of Arms, histories, you know." "Myles." "Never let him catch you walking through the library." "It's forbidden." "The penalty is extra drill." "Or much worse, a fine word or two from Sir James." "Get out!" "Yes sir." "You blundering idiot." "I understand Sir James." "Very well then, get out!" "At once." "The old bear's wounds must really be aching." "He sunk his teeth in my flesh and chewed." "Come in." "Sir." "Yes?" "This is Myles of Crispy-Dale." "My Lord bids you enter him upon the roll as Squire At Arms." "So, I'm bid to take another of you." "And this one an oaf by his carriage." "I'll change my rules for no one." "Not for him, not for a better man." "I'll train no man as Squire At Arms until I test whether he be fit to hold such place." "I'll enter his name as unclassified." "Find him a bed." "Procure him a livery." "Yes sir." "What terrible..." "Scullery manners." "Now you listen to me." "I wear it." "They wear it." "And you'll wear it too." "No." "It makes me look like a fish." "I'll teach you." "Dame Ellen." "What is the meaning of this..." "this ridiculous tableau?" "She refuses to wear the proper dress My Lady." "Refuses?" "Such impudence." "She says I look like a shapeless sack." "Oh not you Dame Ellen." "And she said Dame Sybil was an old hag." "Such impudence." "I'll take care of this, Dame Ellen." "Come here girl." "Quickly." "It is really not polite to call them hags." "Even if they might be." "My father surrounds me with those relics." "Now will you put that silly jug away?" "I'll not wear that dress." "You're as full of pepper as your brother." "Oh I am pleased." "mayhap it'll be less dull here." "You come with me." "This one has possibilities." "Here's your home for the next several years." "Those steps lead down the corridor to the courtyard." "Thomas!" "You're losing again." "Here's our water." "We all take turns filling this." "These leads to the exercise field." "Myles." "You don't want to go in there, not of your own free will." "I'll show you how to do that." "Those Sir James is training for knighthood." "This will be yours." "I'm over here." "These have to be kept clean and polished." "I'll show you how to do that." "What is the stench that fills this place?" "Good lads!" "How can you bear it?" "It doesn't even help to hold your nose." "Can it be a dead swine or decaying goat." "It can be but one thing, a peasant." "My head is reeling." "Why even this seems to be losing its strength." "What shall I do?" "My Lord?" "Yes?" "Hold it a little closer." "Stop that!" "They'll be no brawling." "Unless I take part in it." "Back to your places." "Sir James has informed me you're being entered on the roll farm boy." "Well you've begun badly." "Myles did not start it." "Get to bed." "I was also informed that you're from Crispy-Dale." "Any more trouble and you'll wish you were back there." "My brother might find it strange that Nlackworth plucks a peasant off his farms and trains him for a squire." "The Earl of Alban..." "your brother?" "Yes." "Why?" "Nothing." "Cover fire." "The right flank." "The left flank." "Head." "Parry." "Left flank." "Right flank." "Right flank." "Left flank." "How long does this go on?" "Tired?" "So soon?" "This blade is no feather." "Left flank." "Head." "Right flank." "Left flank." "Right flank." "Right cheek." "Left flank." "I think my arm will fall off." "If it does, you'll be allowed to use the other one." "Left flank." "Right flank." "Head." "Left flank." "Right flank." "Right cheek!" "I can see you know little of the subtle art of conquest." "A lady never lets a man know she's interested." "Pretend indifference." "Hardly notice him." "Left flank." "Left flank." "Right flank." "Left flank." "Right cheek." "Right flank." "Head." "Left flank." "Right flank." "Right cheek." "You may watch them but they may not watch you." "Head." "Left flank." "Rig ht flank!" "Get your shield up Myles." "Higher." "Good morning lovely Lady." "And to you Sir James." "We were just coming for you for permission to watch." "You may watch them but they may not watch you." "The first lad who casts his eye in this direction," "I'll have it plucked out and fed to the buzzards." "Head." "Sheathe your swords." "When Sir James gets that look it means trouble." "Rest." "Not you." "Now then." "Strike a blow at me." "Come on strike." "Take your sword out." "What's the matter?" "Are you afraid?" "That's for your impudence, and to teach you the reason for holding your shield high." "Yes Sir James, perhaps Sir, you would act my part that I may learn better." "What?" "Right." "Have at me now." "Sometimes Sir, it is well to keep the shield low." "It is also well never to underestimate the enemy." "Blunt, continue the exercises." "To your places." "Thank you, Sir James." "Giles, call the commands." "Draw swords." "On guard." "Right cheek." "Left cheek." "Right flank." "Left flank." "Head." "Right cheek." "Left cheek." "Right cheek." "Rest." "Put down your shield." "Now hold out your arm." "I'll teach you to obey orders." "Do you find it heavy?" "No." "You will." "Now stand here and keep your arm straight and level." "On guard." "Right cheek." "Left cheek." "Right flank." "Left flank." "Head." "Better?" "Try to raise it." "Blunt must have a stone for a heart." "I'd like to pluck it out and see." "We're supposed to be in bed." "You go." "I'll be in after a while." "Please go." "Who is it?" "Myles." "What are you doing here?" "What's wrong?" "There's no other way I can reach the library without being seen." "I've a mind to look at a book." "Have you lost your wits?" "The Book of Heraldry." "I may learn something about the coat of arms on the ring." "Myles, we promised Diccon." "Promised him not to ask, and we won't." "Meg, why do you think I stay here?" "Our secret is here." "Our father and our birth." "Once I find it, to the devil with Nlackworth Castle." "I'll see if the way is clear." "Meg, watch here." "Lady Anne and Walter Blunt." "Is not my choice to be considered, Walter?" "Well choose then and let it be with a love to match my own." "My brother grows impatient Anne." "He desires the alliance of our houses as I desire you." "Do we speak of desire then, or alliances?" "One word from my brother and King Henry will command our marriage." "I care not for a reluctant wife, rather that you would want me willingly." "Then be patient Walter." "I'm done with patience Anne." "I'll have a talk with your father this night." "I can swear to Sir Hubert's loyalty, but as for the Earl of Devon..." "Nlackwonh, you're a sly one keeping your best wines hidden here." "Oh Lady Anne." "Your Highness." "My apologies your Highness, we thought his Lordship was alone." "There were matters I wish to discuss, but it can wait until tomorrow." "With your permission your Highness." "My Lord." "From blunt's expression the matter must have been of importance." "He was going to ask my hand in marriage." "Lady Anne seems none too happy at the prospect." "I was just reminded that a word from Alban to his Majesty and it would be ordered." "Anne is not a child your Highness." "She is aware of her obligations and not offend the King." "Nor dare we offend Alban." "It's far wiser to please him." "I shall suggest a great wedding at court." "Of course we should have to wait until Blunt is knighted." "But it will be worth the delay." "What a wonderful excuse to gather wine from all over the world." "By your leave your Highness," "I merely wish to bid my father good night." "My dear..." "Anne I pray you understand..." "What manner of mischief brings you to my library?" "Knew you not it was forbidden to you?" "I knew my Lord but my sister did not." "Henceforth keep this girl in your quarters where she belongs." "How came you by this?" "It was with the letter I brought." "Then it should have been given to me." "It is mine." "You insolent young..." "Back to your quarters before I turn you over to my guards." "I thank you for your silence my Lady." "If you're to stay out of trouble I think we best leave this castle." "No." "There are riddles about us that can only be answered here." "In the glorious reign of our sovereign Lord King Henry," "My Lady." "I thought the coat of arms in this ring looked familiar." "Falworth." "In the glorious reign of our sovereign Lord King Henry," "Falworth was not traitor." "By the cross I swear it." "its estates confiscated, its coat of arms struck from heraldry and its every member ordered put to death." "Falworth was not traitor." "By the cross I swear it." "The lives of his two children are in your hands." "I have not seen this." "If Blunt thinks I'll fetch water for him for a month he's daffy." "Could have been worse after what you did." "I served that punishment." "Sir James worked me 10 days on the exercise field." "This is blunt's idea, not his Lordship's." "I'm supposed to carry all the water." "Here." "I'll lend a hand and get you started." "That'll get you into trouble." "I'm supposed to carry all the water." "I need the exercise." "Hurry up." "I have no wish to wait the day for my wash." "By heavens, the sluggard wastes our time." "Empty it dimwit." "You're gonna take a beating." "Shall we help him?" "He doesn't much need it." "Get him." "Get out of the way." "Hold him." "I'll finish him." "I'll take no part in killing him." "Put it down." "What have you to say for yourself, Blunt?" "This filth has caused trouble ever since he came here." "His Lordship ordered me to discipline him." "Brawling and discipline are not the same thing." "It's the only discipline this peasant understands." "Calm yourselves." "Now forget your differences and shake hands." "Did you hear me Walter Blunt?" "Is this the chivalry expected of one soon to be knighted by the king?" "Nobody's knighting me." "I don't have to be chivalrous." "Go about your business Blunt." "And the rest of you." "I don't like your manners." "Change them." "Nor your truculence." "Drop it." "Nor your impudence." "Mask it." "As for your temper, curb it." "If I learn of your brawling just once more," "I'll fling you from the walls of Castle Nlackworth myself." "Lunge." "Back." "Lunge." "Back." "Lunge." "Back." "Lunge." "Back." "If you care at all for Francis Gascoyne avail upon your brother to curb his violence." "Since that night in the library I've only seen him from a distance." "Between Dame Ellen and Sir James." "I'm sure he worries about you." "At least write him a note and let him know your well." "Nlay I?" "Of course." "And should you mention that we're in the garden each day at four, it wouldn't surprise me if Myles finds some way to see you." "Possibly Francis too." "Here it is." "I didn't dream I could hit it that far." "It was behind the hedge." "Dame Ellen, your stroke." "Oh no Lady." "Yes." "Don't you remember?" "You follow Meg and then..." "What was that?" "Probably some clumsy guard in the castle." "It sounded as if..." "You're right." "It is my stroke." "Thank you Meg." "Oh dear!" "Let me help Dame Ellen." "Dame Ellen!" "Oh my!" "Let me help." "Will you ever forgive me?" "I sought merely to help." "Oh how careless of me." "Now I've ruined the game." "You must change quickly, before you take a chill." "Don't fret Dame Ellen, and do hurry back." "And I think you two had better start another game." "I believe we will." "It's not chivalrous to spy on them." "Not very." "Not what a gentleman does." "Far from it." "We ought to leave." "Shall we?" "How can you be so rash?" "You know this place is forbidden." "What is it Myles?" "My ankle." "The bench." "That's better." "If I could just rest here a moment." "But four of us, we'll be seen." "Two would be hidden from the windows." "Francis, you and Meg, could hide in the other arbor." "Is it the same ankle you sprained falling from the windmill?" "No, that was my other..." "How did you know?" "Meg told me many things about her adventurous brother." "I never heard of anyone trying to ride the blade of a windmill." "It seemed like an excellent idea at the time." "I can't be seated in your presence." "No, please." "We'll both Sit." "Until you feel better." "What else did Meg tell you?" "She said that your father and my father were old friends." "So we were told." "But your father has a strange way of showing it." "Why do you say that?" "He's never made me feel that Meg and I are welcome here." "It could be you who's at fault." "L?" "How so my Lady?" "I've heard of your trouble making in the dormitory." "I'm Walter Blunt told only one side of the story." "And I saw what happened in the library." "Did you also see your father's anger when I looked in the book of heraldry?" "The coat of arms you were seeking is not in the book." "Meg described it to me." "Did you look well?" "Are you sure there's nothing resembling a ring?" "Nothing." "But strangely, there was a page torn from the book." "Lady Anne!" "Lady Anne!" "Lady Anne!" "It's you Dame Ellen, your voice sounded so hoarse I hardly recognized it." "Your father wishes you to come." "I'll come at once." "But dear Dame Ellen, do hurry away from that window." "You'll surely take a chill." "You must go quickly." "Nlay I visit you again?" "You know my father forbids it." "Do you?" "Even if I did, anybody foolhardy enough to ride windmills would pay little heed." "Hurry." "We'll be back tomorrow." "His ankle?" "As for De Ramsey, he shows ability with the sword but lacks intelligence." "He takes after his father." "As for Myles of Crispy-Dale..." "What of that bear cub?" "During the weeks he's been here" "I've shown him increased attention." "His progress is as slow as that?" "On the contrary my Lord." "He's alert, fast and courageous." "And since his fight with Blunt the esquires look to him as their leader." "Many a lad shows talent." "Not like this one." "He has the makings of a champion." "Were he of noble blood..." "As it is he will make a fine Man At Arms of the Castle Guard." "As for young Hen slow..." "Sir James." "Yes my Lord." "This Myles of Crispy-Dale, have his roughness smoothed and polished, let him be instructed in the gentler arts." "The gentler arts?" "Do you wish me to discontinue his instruction as a Man At Arms?" "On the contrary Sir James." "I want him worked twice as hard as any of the others." "And if he drops from exhaustion, revive him and work him again and again." "I want to know if his spirit can be broken." "As my Lord commands." "No, no, no!" "You do not pour the wine now." "A late comer." "What may I ask is the reason for your delay?" "At least 20 reasons, Sir George." "First, fetching the water, then, polishing the armor, then, working with at the pels, then cleaning out the stables, then helping the blacksmith," "then currying..." "Enough, enough." "It's a miracle you got here at all." "Where were we?" "Oh yes." "Who can tell me why the wine should not be served now?" "The food scraps should be cleared from the table first." "Excellent Francis." "At table, all should be kept dainty and tidy." "Do it Myles." "There. isn't that better?" "Now, the wine." "It's these little things that distinguish the gentleman from the swineherd." "That will be all." "Try to remember what I taught you, elegance, elegance..." "Elegance." "Dismissed." "I'm sorry." "It was an accident." "Someone jostled my arm." "Idiot!" "I don't fight like a peasant, farm boy." "Myles." "Stop it!" "Stop it I say." "No, Sir James." "Let them fight." "This could be to the death." "I said let them fight." "Get him to the infirmary." "You, come with me." "Go on boy." "Get someone to carry him." "Close the door." "I take it on myself that I let the fight continue." "If AIban's brother dies neither you nor my house will go unpunished." "Then why didn't your Lordship try to stop us?" "I'll tell you why." "Because you were hoping to see me kill." "Why would I hope for such a thing?" "If I knew that I'd have the answer to many riddles." "My father was supposed to have been your friend, but from the day I arrived at Nlackworth Castle" "I've been treated more like the son of an enemy." "I'll take your punishment and go my Lord." "You go nowhere without my permission." "And since you like to fight so much, your punishment shall be that you get your fill of it." "You're leaving the company of esquires to begin training for knighthood." "For knighthood?" "Report to Sir James and quickly before I recall the insolent manner in which you dared address me." "Yes my Lord." "How does it feel?" "Good." "Not too heavy, it weighs 70 pounds." "Walk around." "Light as a feather." "I'm glad, for your sake." "Because you're to wear it every hour of the day except when sleeping." "But why?" "Get to your feet." "Get to your feet." "The armor... it's light as a feather." "You told me so yourself." "Get up I say." "You understand now why you must wear it constantly." "You must grow used to it, as if it were a second skin." "You'll have to ride in it, run in it and fight in it." "Right now I wish I could just stand up." "Pick him up." "At least you look like a knight." "Don't get in any fights and no one will know the difference." "If Lady Anne could see you know..." "She would see a gentleman most fair and valiant." "Myles, it's beautiful." "But can you climb a wall in that?" "Lady Anne!" "Wonder why Nlackworth trains a farm boy for knighthood." "I think I'll ask leave to visit King Henry's court." "I'd like a little talk with my brother." "You think yourself a good horseman?" "I was the best in Crispy-Dale." "Were you now?" "When one has said that of course, one has said everything." "Do you think you could ride in and out between those pels." "Of course." "Put your hands above your shoulders." "Come on." "Both of them." "Keep them there." "Now in and out." "Come back here." "I said between the pels not past them." "But how can I guide my horse without touching the reigns?" "Hasn't it occurred to you that in combat one hand will hold the shield and reigns." "If you should move your shield, you may very well drop these." "Then how will my horse know where to go?" "Unless he has more brains than I?" "A possibility not so remote as you may imagine." "He will know by the pressure of your knees and the sting of your spurs." "Don't you understand that champion of Crispy-Dale?" "Yes sir." "Before your done you'll be able to guide this horse forward, back, right and left." "Come on." "Try again." "Give him the spur man." "Give him the spur." "Forward, back, right or left..." "You didn't say anything about up or down." "Beautifully ridden!" "Fetch me another lance." "We'll see if it was skill or luck that guided his arm." "Sir James intends to cross lances with you a second time." "This is a very great compliment." "Well done." "And then for the first time in all these months" "Sir James actually clapped me on the back." "For Sir James that's an ecstasy of approval, isn't it?" "But then he got a grip on himself and said," ""l may take you with me to the wars in France." "You will make the French laugh themselves to death."" "I hadn't thought of you as going to France." "Would you miss me?" "Very much." "Sir James told me that Walter Blunt had been knighted by the king." "I know." "He boasted before he left that after his knighthood he would return to marry you." "Myles, need we speak of this now?" "I must." "When I first began visiting you here," "I didn't know I was going to fall in love." "Myles." "I know you're the daughter of a peer, while I don't even know who I am." "Perhaps I haven't the right to love you." "You're luckier than I. I haven't the right to love anyone." "What kind of man is your father?" "To gain favor with the Earl of Alban he trades you in marriage." "It is not for us to question my father." "Then I question you." "Do you intend to marry Walter Blunt?" "Don't torture me Myles." "I will go to your father." "No please..." "Don't spoil what happiness there is for us." "Am I always to come to you then like a thief over walls, up the back stairs?" "Is that your idea of love?" "My darling, it is all that is mine to give." "Anne, when I loved you less it was enough but no longer." "Anne!" "I have appointed Giles to replace Blunt as senior esquire." "Good." "He is certainly better liked and the men..." "You there!" "Come here!" "How long has this been going on?" "Your Lordship, I..." "Out with it." "I want the truth." "Nearly every week for the past year." "This time you've gone too far." "I shall give you good reason to regret it." "Sir Alexander, what brings you here?" "I thought you accompanied his Majesty." "King Henry rides a few leagues behind me." "He comes to visit Nlackworth Castle for a few days." "How many ride with him?" "A small party." "The Prince of Wales, Count Vermois, the ambassador from Burgundy" "I know De Vermois." "In joust he has unseated many a good English knight." "The Earl of Alban and his brother are also with the king." "Alban coming here?" "It was he who suggested this visit." "Inform his Majesty all shall be done to make his stay a pleasant one." "Myles." "Go to your quarters." "Remain there until I decide on a punishment." "I may turn this visit into something Alban did not intend." "She's her father's daughter, as unpredictable as the wind." "One minute..." "Give a thought to the punishment." "At least worry a little." "I care not." "Then I'll do the worrying." "There's the thumb screw, the rack." "They may hack off your ears, or even string you up by your..." "Myles!" "I have just left his Lordship." "He commands that you are to joust tomorrow with Count De Vermois." "Against the champion of Burgundy?" "Do I detect a note of reluctance in your voice?" "Are you afraid?" "It's not a question of fear." "If his Lordship wants to punish me that is his privilege but I'll not let him make a fool of me." "Then stop talking like one." "This is not a matter of punishment." "King Henry wishes to see some sport and his Lordship has selected" "you to represent Nlackworth Castle." "Why me?" "It is not for you to question his Lordship's reasons." "Hear me boy." "I've worked harder with you than with any I've ever trained." "Do you think I'd let it go for not in one joust merely to please a whim of his Lordship?" "You think I stand a chance against Vermois?" "I have assured Lord Nlackworth that you can defeat him." "I will do my best Sir James." "Good." "I have one request." "Francis Gascoyne shall serve as my squire." "Yes, yes." "Prepare yourselves quickly." "The King will receive you in the great hall." "So this is your man?" "Yes, your Majesty." "He seems hardly more than a lad." "I assure you, Count de Vermois he will give good account of himself on the morrow." "I hope so my Lord Nlackwonh." "I've had my fill of watching English knights go down before the Count de Vermois." "My brother tells me you're from one of my own villages, Crispy-Dale." "Yes my Lord." "By what name are you known?" "Myles." "Myles what?" "Surely you've another name." "I use but one name, Myles." "You hear that Count de Vermois?" "You face a mysterious knight with but one name" "Sir Myles and nothing more." "I like that." "It intrigues my romantic nature." "With your Majesty's indulgence, it is not Sir Myles." "This person has not been knighted." "Nlackwonh, you can't expect a nobleman to cross lances with one who has not yet earned his spurs." "Nly apologies your Majesty." "My delight in finding so able an opponent caused me to forget it." "You'll have to provide another challenger." "Sire." "I know more about the wines of Burgundy than its knights but it would be excellent sport to see their champion tumbled." "Should it please his Majesty I'll test my lance against the count." "Come now Alban, the laws of chivalry require our host to name his champion." "Choose another Nlackwonh." "I have no other who can hope to take the measure of the Count." "Sire!" "Is it not worthwhile conferring a knighthood to see the Count defeated?" "So be it." "Have the candidate prepared." "I will confer knighthood on him before the joust tomorrow." "Myles." "I must speak with you." "I can speak to no one until morning." "I must spend the night in the chapel standing vigil over my armor." "I ask for only a moment." "Meg and I will go ahead." "I will set your armor before the altar." "Yesterday we did leave each other with cruel words." "I would they had never been spoken." "What does it avail us to regret the words?" "The castle buzzes with the great honor paid the house of Nlackwonh." "The King himself is here to announce your betrothal to" "Walter Blunt." "Once I gave you my favor lightly now wear it in earnest tomorrow when you are knighted." "From this it will be recognized as mine." "I want Walter, the King, my father all to know it is you I love." "He shows your favor on his arm." "He honors me by wearing it." "You that desire to receive the order of knighthood swear now always to be loyal to your King who bestows it upon you." "Swear also to maintain and defend the weak and to shun no adventure of your person in battle." "I swear." "In nomine Patris et Fillii et Spiritu Sancti." "Amen." "Sir Myles," "Sir Myles, since yourjoust is to be a friendly combat it is not amiss that you meet your opponent before crossing lances." "My congratulations Sir Myles." "It is a pity that your moment of glory will be followed so soon by your moment of disaster." "Thank you Sir knight." "Your victory is assured, if your arm is as mighty as your tongue." "LVly Lord Nlackworth" "Sir Myles carries no shield." "Is he to fight under your coat of arms?" "No sire." "Under his own." "Your Majesty!" "That is the black shield and scarlet gryphon of Falworth." "Falworth?" "The name is not entirely strange." "Your Majesty himself had him declared outlaw." "A traitor to the crown." "No man in England was more loyal to you than the Earl of Falworth." "This knight is his son." "Then is he under sentence of death." "As all who bear the name Falworth." "Seize him." "And what of Nlackwonh, your Majesty?" "Harboring traitors is an act of treason." "There was no treason in my heart only a desire for justice." "We will let the high court of chivalry decide." "I shall order it convened at once." "Meanwhile my Lord, you and Sir Myles, will remain under guard in the castle." "I was in France when the charge of treason was brought against him." "Before he could defend himself he was slain by his accuser." "The Earl of Alban." "Alban?" "His reward was your father's property, the castles and estates that rightfully belong to you two." "Why was I not told this before?" "Because like your father, you have the devil's own temper." "One unguarded word would have been our undoing." "So Alban lives and it is you who have denied me the chance to kill him." "I have given you the chance." "Why do you think your training has been so ruthless?" "Why I had Sir James teach you every skill he knows?" "Why we tricked the King into conferring knighthood upon you?" "For when you had to challenge England's most powerful knight." "With the gallows facing us?" "With guards at every door?" "I foresaw this when we revealed your identity." "When they take you before the court it is your right to clear your family name." "As the son of Falworth, you are the one man with cause to challenge Alban to trial by combat." "But what will happen to you and the Lady Anne, my Lord?" "When Myles vindicates the name of Falworth, he vindicates me" "And leaves Anne free to give her heart where she will." "But you make no mention that it may be Myles who is slain." "In all your planning did you think of this?" "Now when there is no turning back you tell him of your intrigue." "Why was he not told while the choice was still his?" "Why was I not told?" "I would have gone away with you Myles." "We could have found happiness somewhere." "And let the name of Falworth stay forgotten." "I have no right to happiness until my father's death is avenged." "Oh I wish you'd never come to Nlackworth Castle." "That you'd remained as you were." "And never learned of your birth." "Then I would not have met you." "I am grateful to you my Lord." "You have given purpose to my life." "A great purpose Sir Myles." "AIban's death will end the ring of evil around King Henry." "The fate of the realm rides on your lance." "You will come with me." "I fancy you'll find the dungeon more to your peasant taste." "Dungeon?" "LVly brother pointed out to King Henry that Sir Myles is already under sentence of death." "There is no reason to try him." "As a knight of the realm he has the right to be heard." "His rights are being observed." "We're already building the gallows." "Those are the facts." "Therefore my lords" "I accuse the Earl of Nlackworth of obstructing the King's justice by helping the family of an adjudged traitor." "Again I deny the Earl of Falworth was guilty of any treason." "But you do not deny harboring his two children knowing they were under sentence of death." "No, that I do not deny." "From his own lips." "Nlackworth stands convicted." "Let him pass." "He is here at the Prince's command." "Your Majesty, my gracious lords." "Who released this man?" "I did, in your name sire." "So that justice might be done." "I do here and now deny that my father was a traitor." "And I proclaim that his accuser Gilbert of Alban is a foul and an attainted liar." "And I offer to prove the truth of what I say in combat." "I hereby cast down my gage, Gilbert of Alban." "Stop." "Once take up the gage Lord Alban and the matter passes from this court." "Let it lie." "Unless your content to let heaven judge the issue in trial by combat." "Fail to take it up my Lord and you'll stand branded not only a liar but a coward." "Your Majesty the ways of heaven are a mystery to me but of my own prowess" "I have no doubt." "So be it." "The issue between you shall be decided in combat and may God defend the right." "With my Men At Arms in Nlackworth Castle sire we need have no further fears for your safety." "LVly son is not the first heir to a throne to plot against his father." "I pray my suspicions are unfounded sire." "He revealed that the fool and the drunkard were a masquerade." "As you said all that has happened here is part of a conspiracy." "Who knows where it will end?" "I leave my safety in your hands." "With my life sire." "LVly Lord, by your Highness' leave" "I have just completed a tour of the sentry posts." "Our guards have been disarmed by order of the King." "AIban's men have taken over every gate." "Tell me again what speech you had with Walter Blunt." "Speak girl!" "Walter came to me with an offer." "He said if I married him, your life would be spared." "He said after tomorrow only his brother could grant you a pardon." "Alban is brash as well as confident." "It is the King's prerogative to grant pardons." "But he spoke as if there were no king, only Alban." "You must leave the castle at once, your Highness." "Alban is ambitious enough to aspire to the throne itself." "Tomorrow, you, the King, the High Court, everyone who stands in his way will be assembled in one group at the mercy of his Men At Arms." "We underrated him." "This we did not foresee." "Sir James, have they also disarmed the squires?" "Of what avail are untried boys against seasoned Men At Arms?" "But they have been trained by Sir James." "They also will be outnumbered by three to one." "We must get word to Sir Hubert and the others." "Your Highness is the only man who can get through that gate." "Even Alban will not dare to stop you." "More important with the heir to the throne away from here it might forestall his treachery." "The saints willing my Lord tomorrow I shall put an end to it forever." "To assist the saints" "I shall return with loyal Men At Arms before you face him." "Whatever happens here" "I would like to know my Anne is safe, and Meg." "Take them with you." "I'll not go." "Nor I." "Francis." "Tell Dame Ellen to bring their traveling cloaks." "And make haste!" "I envy his Highness the pleasure of your company." "Open the gate." "LVly orders are that your Highness is not to leave." "Does the Earl of Alban dare issue orders against a prince of the realm?" "The order is from his Majesty." "You'd best return to your apartments." "Your Highness, what of Sir Hubert?" "AIban's trap is tightly closed." "I shall be with your father." "Dame Ellen, find Sir Walter Blunt." "Tell him to come to me in the garden." "If you have the love for me you claim, prove it." "Why this sudden change of heart my Lady?" "When last I saw you, I offered to intercede for your father and you sent me away." "I was sick with worry, beyond thinking." "Or is it that you expect me to ask mercy for Myles Falworth?" "I ask only for my father's freedom." "Your ardor for the farm boy seems suddenly diminished." "I didn't know he was a traitor and would bring harm to my father." "If it rested with me, the gallows would face him tomorrow." "Instead of an honorable end in combat." "Either way, you'll forget him in time." "It would be easier if I did not have to witness his death." "Help me leave here Walter." "Await me at Alban Castle." "Meanwhile I'll do all I can for your father." "You will find me grateful." "I want more than your gratitude Anne." "Nlay I take Dame Ellen to attend me?" "As you wish." "How soon can you be ready?" "I am ready now." "Dame Ellen," "Yes, my Lady." "Fetch my cape please." "Thank you." "I'll pass you through the gates and arrange for two guards to accompany you for your protection." "We should be nearing Alban Castle." "What place is this?" "It is called Crispy-Dale." "The ride has made me thirsty." "I see a farmhouse ahead." "We shall stop there for water." "I'll fetch you some water." "Help me down." "Guard, you may as well water the horses." "LVly Lady." "Water for the Lady but cool wine for Lord AIban's men." "Quickly!" "And I pray we reach Sir Hubert in time." "If Alban intends treachery, his men are place to advantage." "So are the Squires Sir James." "Young fools." "Without armor they'll be slaughtered." "Had they worn armor they'd be in the dungeon with the Men At Arms." "Alban has chosen lance and axe." "I shall use lance and sword." "We shall soon see whether your time with me has been wasted Sir James." "Nlay God ride with you." "What is your name?" "Why are you here?" "I am Myles Falworth and I am here to defend my challenge upon the body of Gilbert of Alban." "Proclaiming him an unknightly knight and a false and perjured liar!" "Gilbert of Alban you be enterprised this day to discharge sureties before the King and to encounter in your defense Myles Falworth, knight." "Do your endeavor in God's name." "What treachery!" "Not mine sire." "Alban seeks your throne." "I have long awaited this day Sir Hubert." "Lord Falworth is avenged and the honor of his house vindicated." "It shall be proclaimed throughout the realm this day a grateful king has reinstated the name, title and estates of Falworth, together with all rights, honors and prerogatives attached to said quality." "Henceforth, my Lord Falworth wear your father's coat of arms as proudly and honorably as did he." "With your permission sire." "LVly Lord." "With your permission, my Lord." "Sir Francis, since you may be too faint hearted to ask..." "Done by:" "TheKha  Shady"