The Black Shield of Falworth Page #4

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 Alban'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,

"I 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.

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