The travellers were weary when they crossed the border of Maine and Normandy. The three horses picked up their ears. Could they know they were nearing home? Their enthusiasm galvanized into action. Without urging they broke into a trot. This was mile consuming. It electrified the riders.

“Qu’est-qui se passe?” questioned Jean.

“What happened? They smell Normandy.”

One more night on the road and they would be home. Thomas had an idea. “Sir Richard, tomorrow we will pass my father’s vineyard. Could I stop for a brief visit? I haven’t seen them since I joined the castle assembly.”

“For some of your father’s wine?”

“That can be arranged, Sir.””

“Done.”

Thomas spent a restless night in the inn in anticipation of a home visit. He was rehearsing his story. What could he tell Mother? What would he tell Father? After a troubled start, he dropped into a sleep so deep it had little to do with conscious state. A subconscious army was before him; an army was behind him. All was confusion. Which way was he going? Then a misshapen creature with a bloody axe was bearing down on him. The beast swung with rippling muscles. Thomas sat bolt upright. He was perspiring profusely in the dark stable. The horses were contentedly chewing Norman timothy. Thomas gasped and realized he had had not a ‘day gelding’ but a nightmare. It was well before dawn when he was almost afraid to sleep again. Thomas began the horse chores long before his companions awakened. All was prepared before dawn. Thomas and horses were caught in a web of excitement. It was difficult to wait for Sir Richard and Jean and breakfast.

Within three hours they approached Trivett Vineyard. They spurred their horses into a canter and rode into the cobbled farm yard with a clatter and a rising of dust. Before Thomas could leap from the saddle his mother threw open the door. Had she anticipated the visit? Father said she had visions. Mother and son raced together. Richard and Jean still astride sat back and smiled in appreciation. Thomas grabbed her and with his muscular arms swung her around and around until she begged dizziness. She kissed her son who manly accepted it without embarrassment. He introduced Sir Richard and Squire Jean.

She explained, “Sir Richard, I know you. William painted a vivid picture of you on our visit to the castle two weeks ago. And Squire Jean, did you not depart as a page? William said a page?”

“Madame, I promoted him for his fine service. Thomas, didn’t tell me he had such a beauty as a dam. If I had known I would have been here to challenge Thomas Sr.”

She blushed, red from the collar up, but was pleased with the compliment from a younger man. Just then Father approached from the vines with a scythe. He heard the frivolous banter and yelled good naturedly at Richard. “En garde, you wife-stealing villain! Dismount friends, dismount.! My Son!” and he showed more emotion over Thomas’ presence than he ever had as he hugged the young giant and clapped him on the back. Thom junior responded.

“Wine Woman! Come, come Men. You must tell me all.” As he shook hands with Richard and Jean. “Come along, Gentlemen.”

“Vintner Trivett, we can only stay for a glass. We must report to the castle before nightfall.”

“Please, Sir Richard? Couldn’t you stay for a meal?”

“Another time Thomas. We have our own families to see.”

“Ah yes. I understand. Come, Woman, wine! Well, how was your trip? Where did you go? What was your purpose? William would tell me nothing. Can you tell me now?”

Thomas looked at Sir Richard.

“I believe we are free to tell you much about our journey. Naturally, we have no idea of Duke William’s purpose as we just follow orders.”

Thomas got the message. Father was not to be privy to secrets of the Duke’s council. The journey was an open affair.

Richard explained. “We three were sent on an expedition to investigate new weapons. The Duke expects his men to be the best equipped in the nation. We had examples of Nimes’ swords and Viking swords, but we had heard of swords of Toledo.”

“Where is that?”

“It’s in Spain, fifteen days to the south- an arduous trip. We located a producer, decided on a weapon and made a purchase. We have examples. Show your father your weapon, Thomas.”

Thomas drew his Crusader and passed it to his father.

“My God, what a weapon! It is yours Son?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Have you used it?”

“No Sir, Sir Richard and Jean are instructing me.”

“Ah the wine! Thank you, My Dear! A votre sante messieurs!”

“Mais qui!”

“Mother look at this. It is Thomas’ sword. What kind?”

“A Crusader.”

“Oh my!”

“And what of the Spaniards? How could you deal with them? Could they speak French?”

“Thomas, picked up a few words, but we had many sessions relying on gestures ,signs and drawings.”

“Are they different from us Normans?”

“No, they are men like us. There are many Moors in Spain with black skin ,but our swordsmiths were like you or me.”

“Black skin?”

“Thomas will explain. Thomas, we must be on our way.”

“Yes Sir. Father, would you get some wine for Sir Richard to take?”

“Certainment! Come with me gentlemen.”

With his answers to Thomas Sr., Sir Richard had set the parameters for the page. Mother caught Thom’s arm.

“I’ll stay with mother, Sir.”

Richard turned with a salute. He pointed to Trouble. Thomas nodded acknowledgment.

“Well ,Son, tell me.”

“Mother, it was a long tedious trip, but full of surprises. Often I didn’t have time to appreciate them. Let me see. On the first day out I got saddle sores. An innkeeper gave us some home-made salve that I liberally applied. After two days with many washings and layers of salve it cleared. I had to use my lined shirt for bandages.

As we approached the border of France we entered the foothills of the Pyrenees. Mother these mountains pierced the clouds. I’m sure they scraped the sky overhead. I feared we would never pass through them. The closer we got the less people spoke French. They were Spaniards and Basques. Sir Richard had to use signs and pictures to make himself understood. High in the mountains we were attacked by robbers, but we drove them off. Jean, badly cut, had to have some stitches in his arm. My salve kept out infection. Then a great snow slide or avalanche roared down our valley. We lost a horse although we escaped the wave of snow.

In one town we saw Moors. Mother these men have black skin. Sir Richard says they come from a hot place, Morocco, which burns their skin black. I think they were born that way.

We met the smiths in the town of Toledo. I couldn’t talk to them with our words but I used Sir Richard’s signs. They were nice men- Roberto and Juan. Roberto gave me this Crusader sword and Juan gave me a gift for William.” He drew the throwing knife from the concealment of his shirt.

“Son, they are murderous weapons.”

“Yes, Mother. They are weapons of war. The Duke is teaching us to be soldiers. We may have to protect him. Oh, I couldn’t pay Roberto or Juan. I promised we Trivetts would send them some fine wine. Roberto’s wife cooked us a Spanish lunch. We had olives. They had a strange taste like nothing I had eaten before. She had pickled them. By the third I grew accustom. There were little balls of fish with a bread coating, a fish soup with clams and crayfish, a rainbow trout and cheese with honey sauce. I had never tasted it before.”

“Did you find out how to cook it?”

“No, Mother.”

“Thomas.”

“I did find out how to make the healing salve.”

“Good.”

He recited the recipe and Mother stored the information.

“Come and meet Trouble.”

“Trouble?”

“My horse, or rather Duke William’s horse. I must tend to the old devil.”

He explained as he walked, “He’s a notorious biter. He crowds you in the stall. He takes big gulps of air so your girth is loose. The first time I saddled him, the saddle ended up on his belly and the packed goods on the ground. But, in the avalanche his perverseness saved us from being buried. Look at his eye, Mother. See the devilment. He knows exactly what I’m saying.”

Old Trouble nuzzled Mary begging for a pat or ear scratch. Thomas watched in surprise. ‘The old devil is just like William. He’s got a way with women.’ He stripped the saddle and bridle after attaching a hobble. Trouble shook himself like a wet dog and followed Mary about.

“He seems loving and gentle to me, Thomas.”

“He would not only bite me; he would make me a liar too.” And he chased Trouble away to crop the spring grass. Thomas Sr. returned from the cellar after supplying his son’s saddle-mates with wine. Mary retired to the kitchen to prepare lunch for Thomas one and Thomas two.

“Now Son, first finish Sir Richard’s story about Toledo.”

“I’ll tell you what I can, Father. I took an oath to the Duke not to reveal any of his business. I didn’t tell Mother all of the story. I didn’t want to upset her.” And he checked to be certain she was indeed in the kitchen. “When we reached the Pyrenee mountains we came across people who spoke Spanish or Basque or mixture of the two with a smattering of French. We could see the mountains from forty miles away. They appeared so formidable, so impassable, Sir Richard looked for a local guide. A local villain responded and offered his services. At the acme of the range he brought down a band of brigands on us. Richard killed our Judas guide; his horse crushed anothers skull. The knight opened a third’s abdomen and knifed another in the chest. Jean skewered one on his sword. Father, I wounded one in the arm with an arrow, then I am sorry to say, I brained one with my stave and killed another with a blow from my axe.” and Thomas began to weep.

“It sounds to me Son, that you had no choice- kill or be killed.” and he hugged Thomas Jr. until he regained his composure.

“Father, Roberto Castille gave me my sword and his brother Juan gave me a throwing knife for William.” He removed the dagger from his shirt to show his father. “Father, I could not pay them , but I promised some of our best wine when the ship goes to pick up the swords.”

“Certainment.”

“I will find out when the ship will sail and you could deliver the wine to the docks.”

“Mais qui.” He replied as he turned the weapon over and over in his hand.

“How did you find William on your visit? I hated to leave him alone in the castle.”

“He was so excited having us there. It was hard to keep him still. He introduced us to Sir Rupert effusively praising him as his teacher. We were taken to the mess to meet the Duke’s garrison. Nice men! Cook fed us in the great kitchen. William called her, ‘My mother away from home’ and she blushed the color orfher hair. She fussed over us. The Duchess spoke with your mother in place of the Duke. Mary wouldn’t reveal what was said. I thought Will was running the castle.”

“Thank goodness. I worried about him. We swore a mutual protection act.”

“Come, my Thomases. Lunch.”

The two put their arms on the others shoulder and obediently left for the kitchen.

The rest of the visit concerned the vineyard and the estimate of this year’s crop. Thomas Jr. did get a promise of a war horse rather than a work horse. He really wanted his father to purchase old Trouble, part of Thomas’ debt to the friend. Thomas gathered a few more clothes, a bag of goodies for him and William and recaptured Trouble with only one playful nip taken. It was likely playful since he was full of sweet spring grass and Father’s spring water. All was loaded and with kisses from both Mother and Father, Thomas departed for the castle. Half a league was swallowed by Trouble even though his stomach was full. Thomas had difficulty keeping the steed below a gallop. They clattered up to the gate and were admitted with a wave. Trouble trumpeted a call to the stable. Suddenly, Thomas caught movement with his peripheral vision. A body was launched at him. He braced for the blow, but the momentum carried both out of the saddle. There was a wild grabbing for support and a insecure grip of the pommel prevented too hard a ‘thump’ on the ground. ‘Whoever, was pummeling him?’ “THOMAS!” It was Will. They regained their feet and embraced one another.

“You damn fool! You nearly broke my back! How did you get so high?”

“I bounced off that box.”

“Come and help me unload. I’ve two things I brought home for you.”

“What? What?”

“Later,”

They led Trouble to Richard’s office armory and took the load of supplies into the storage area. Thomas presented Will with the captured sword taken in the Pyrenees. Will was ecstatic. Then from its hiding place, Thom extracted the throwing knife. Will stared. “How did you get it?”

“The swordsmith gave it to me.”

“For nothing?”

“I asked Father to send him our best wine. He also gave me this.” and he drew the Crusader. William was in awe. “Give me your knife. I must show you.” Thomas took the blade and threw it. A half turn and “thunk” it pierced the door. “It’s a throwing knife.”

“What in hell are you doing to my door?” Sir Richard burst in and removed the dagger. “Where did you get this, Thomas?”

“I bought it for William with some of Father’s wine.

“From Juan?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Richard threw it. Again it pierced the door. “Mother of God! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Fear I suppose, Sir. I was afraid I was doing something wrong.”

“It’s all right, Thomas. I’ll order one with the next boat. Don’t split my door!”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Thank you, Brother. I am in your debt.”

“Not after the brotherly oath to watch each others back”

“Well. Tell me what did you do?”

“While I get old Trouble put away. He saved our lives.” While the horse was unsaddled, watered , fed and brushed, Thomas told the story which continued through the evening mess. Will had a million questions as usual, especially about the highwaymen’s attack. Will drew every detail from Thomas.

“What have you been up to, Will?”

“I’ve been working out with Sir Rupert. We did more grappling. He had more tricks than a minstrel. Then we did a good deal of ‘single stick’ fencing which was a precursor to actual sword play. Two weeks ago he outfitted me with mail and helmet. He’s good. Tim let me ride anything in the stable except Duke William’s arabs. Some of those long-legged beasts clear fences like deer. I’ve done things with those horses I didn’t think possible. I suppose you didn’t have much time for trying any riding tricks. I was still helping Cook in preparation, serving and tending the Duke. The big news is that Sir Rupert is going to ask that I tend him rather than work in the castle. When you went south they took on another couple of brothers. These are just children, sons of some knight. I heard through the grapevine[a suitable place for a vintner] that Duke ‘Willy’ wants me around for my mathematical ability.

Oh, and yes wait ‘til you see what I did in the ‘our cell’. With the two little ones serving I did get some free time.

How were Mother and Father?”

“Good.”

“I really enjoyed their visit. I do miss them. Oh, there’s Sir Rupert. Come, Thom. I want you to meet him.”

They looked to their mess kit and then approached Sir Rupert.

“Good evening, Sir. I’d like to introduce my wayward brother, Thomas.”

“Good evening, Will. Hello Thomas. I’ve heard some good things about you and not from Will. These were stories of your Toledo trip.” They shook hands.

“Nice to meet you, Sir. Will has praised your instruction highly. But, about me, it’s likely exaggerated.”

“No, I think not. By the way, Will, I spoke to the Duke. He agreed to second you to me. You are still the Duke’s man, but you will serve me as long as I am in his service.”

“Thank you, Sir. I’ll do my best for you and the Duke.”

“We’ll shake on that.”

It was the first time Thom had seen William in awe of a human being. Thom recognized that Will was going to be accepted by the castle garrison.

“Tonight,” Rupert continued, “will be your last in the keep. Tomorrow morning, leave your Duke’s monkey suit for the laundry and stow your gear in the barracks with the garrison. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Dismissed.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Thomas wanted to ask about himself although he knew Rupert would not be involved in his future.

“Let’s go to the ‘cell’, Thom.”

Thomas followed patiently. Will wanted to dispose of the monkey suit he knew. Surprise!

Will had made some welcome additions to the room. He had fashioned a rope bed out of rough lumber. Then he had the ticks on top of it. “Try the bed, Thom. Go on . I know it will hold two,” he snickered. Thomas gave him his best disgusted look and sat down. It was strong and might be comfortable so he stretched out. William stripped his page uniform.

“Hey what are those welts?”

“Ah, nothing.”

“Will!”

“Well I had a little problem with Hugh while you were gone. He caught me a few with a birch rod.”

“Merde de cochon! Tonight we will settle a score!”

“Oh, Thom, forget it. I’m going to the barracks tomorrow.”

“Will, I promised that Batard I would open his gut if he bullied you again!”

“Thomas, listen. Let me handle it. Here’s what we’ll do.”

The boys put their heads together.

Will packed the rest of his gear in the Cook’s kitchen boxes and they carried nearly all over to the barracks. Thom applied some of the innkeeper’s salve to the birch welts that remained open.

The full moon bathed the castle yard in light. All was quiet Not a torch flared.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

“What in hell is that?”

Hugh yanked open his door as William was again removing his new throwing knife. One candle sat on the floor of the hall. One Crusader was tip first into Hugh’s hairy belly.

“Good evening, Hugh. We thought you’d like to know I’m leaving the castle keep as Sir Rupert’s page. Thomas wanted to give his Crusader a taste of blood. Yours! I persuaded him that you and I would settle matters like gentlemen. There’s a romantic full moon this evening just perfect for a dance in Sir Richard’s circle. I even brought you a partner.” He produces two staves. “One for you and one for me. I’ll just check you for other weapons while Thomas scratches your belly.” Will patted him down. Come along, Hugh.” Thomas prodded the butler with the Crusader and outside they went.

“Thomas, do not interfere. This is a duel of dancers. Your oath?”

“I swear.”

“Catch Hugh,” and he tossed him his weapon. Hugh was smiling now. This child was five inches taller than he, but the same weight. He expected to lay him open with a couple of blows and then cave in his skull. He rushed Will. Where? Will cracked him on the buttocks from behind. Hugh turned and pressed forward with wild alternating blows. Will’s age, training and agility blocked all but one. It ,a glancing blow, opened a gash on Will’s forehead. When Hugh thought he had him, Will parried, feinted, lunged and performed the fleche driving the butt end of his staff to the butler’s midsection. Hugh grunted and gasped for breath. Will laid another blow to Hugh’s thinly clad behind. He sucked in some air with that hit! His confidence was fading; he was gasping for air from exertion and a violent poke in the solar plexus. Will feinted a lower end blow to the groin. Hugh dropped the guard to counter, but the upper end of Will’s shaft was already descending. It wasn’t a blow to disable, just hard enough to raise a lump on Hugh’s pate. Hugh winced and cried out with the ‘Thwock”. Before he could recover the second rap raised a partner node on the other side of his skull. The butler stunned as he was, recognized that he was in for the welt-raising beating he had given Will. Hugh slid his hands together and unleashed a horizontal clubbing blow. It caught Will on the hip, but he had gone into a front roll with the action. He’d be bruised, but his tumbling prevented anything being broken. Hugh raised the staff over his head to club the rolling William. The Crusader itched in Thom’s hand. It begged a Christening. Will reacted to the surprise of butler and brother. He rolled toward Hugh inside the blow. The descending stave struck the ground behind Will and he followed it up as it was raised again. Will feinted low; he feinted high. Hugh was a little slow in reaction and Will delivered the blow of blows to Hugh’s groin. The lower end of the staff had been drawn back in the upper feint. Rotating his body from his very feet,

he unwound like a spring and lifted Hugh almost off the ground. Hugh groaned. Even Thomas winced. Will smiled and Hugh lost consciousness. Will sat down and Thomas sheathed his sword and patted his brother on the shoulder. Hugh began to recover. Both hands to his groin. Will spoke softly to him.

“Hugh, we are even. I won’t take your beatings again. No one will know about this dance of ours except you, Thom and I. Your wife might suspect something is wrong though. Come, I’ll help you back to your rooms.” Hugh felt ill enough to allow his aid. Thomas said not a word until Hugh was back inside.

“Well done, Will.” He couldn’t believe the maturity of his little brother.

“I think this place will be more like home now.” And Will made for his rope strung bed and a little of Thom’s healing salve.