The Black Shield of Falworth Page #2

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

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