A Time in Penrith

By J. A. Sperduti

Leland Thomas of Penrith is born a peasant in the realm of Cumbrea, in medieval England. He grows up in the shadow of the nearby castle, home to King Frederick and his family. Leland’s father teaches him archery from an early age, and he gains great skill at the bow.

When he is a teenager, however, his father passes away, leaving him orphaned and alone. Howard, the village blacksmith, takes him in and keeps him safe as he grows to manhood. Leland bears a passion for the hunt, a love of the forest, and a complete disregard for the king’s laws—he poaches game in the king’s woods, sharing his kills with the needy among the villagers. In order to catch the poacher, the king holds an archery tournament. Leland enters in hopes of winning a valuable prize. But this quest sets him on a path to win the gratitude and friendship of a prince—and perhaps the love of a princess.

In this historical novel, set in medieval England, a young peasant boy who is a skilled archer and avid hunter enters the king’s archery tournament to win the right to follow his dreams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532063701

J. A. Sperduti

Born in Cornwall, New York in the early thirties, Joseph was the youngest of a brood of six. The family resided in a valley in The Forest of Dean by the Hudson River. The family relocated to Connecticut in the mid-thirties. In his teens, he often sat listening to his brothers reminiscing of their days of happiness in the old homestead. After serving in the military during the Korean War, he married. A bit later he, his bride and brothers revisited their beloved valley to find a Dam had been built across the valley creating a lake. Thus, the valley is at present under water and exists only in memory. The many adventures experienced by his siblings in that enchanted valley were denied the author. Subsequently it remains one of many disappointments he has harbored over the years. He now lives out those adventures through Leland Thomas and the other characters in the town of Penrith.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was mid-spring in ole England.s Winter’s snow had melted away. The barren trees and grasses had turned from gray to green.

In the village Penrith the widower Master Thomas sat on the steps of his three-room cottage, his man child beside him. The boy looked up at the massive stone structure on the hill in wonderment and inquired of his father what lie within. The man replied.

"Leland, look ye there at the waters flowing down the mountain, past the western wall of the castle, filling the moat then continuing through the forest to join the River Eamont.

Years past, men constructed channels of stone; one to divert the water to the village, another through a small opening in the rear wall of the castle forming a small pool surrounded by a large border of green grass. The overflow from the pool running into a culvert beneath the earthen path, steps and terrace into cisterns ’neath the palace into wells, provides water for those who therein reside, the kitchen and the soldiers’ quarters at the east side of the courtyard. Culverts carry the overflow from the cisterns beneath the courtyard, through the front castle wall, into the moat.

Thy grandsire labored at the site with many other villagers. He spoke of double doors at the rear of the palace oped to a mortared stone terrace with four steps to a wide path leading to the pool. The earthen path branched off into walkways through hedgerows and well-manicured flowerbeds.

The castle constructed this century past be indeed a sprawling structure with three-foot-thick outer walls of mortar and stone. See the four towers one at each corner rising well above the castle walls? Be told by villagers laboring at the castle there be five levels within each tower, the two lowest with stairs to the courtyard. The remaining three bear doors and portals. The portals provide views of the land beyond the castle walls. These towers bear doors to platforms inside the outer castle walls. During an assault, from the portals, archers rain arrows upon the attacking forces.

Access to the castle be gained through the drawbridge o’er the moat at the front and center of the castle wall. The two massive oaken doors upon either side of the drawbridge ope inward permitting passage to the courtyard when the drawbridge be raised at sunset. They bear an opening lined with iron bars, affording the guards a clear view of the landscape outside the castle walls. The doors, drawbridge and ramparts be guarded by armed sentry.

There be billets within the courtyard for the military. The stables, tack room and dungeons art opposite the soldiers’ quarters. Steps beside the dungeons lead to doors ’neath the castle floor into arms rooms, and yet another unto a large dining hall and kitchen for the soldiers."

Leland asked, Father, what purpose might the castle, sentries and the soldiers serve? And who resides within the palace?

His father replied, "Leland, ’tis home to His Majesty King Frederick, Queen Margaret and the prince of four years. There be chambers for officers of the court, visiting dignitaries and ladies-in- waiting as well.

The sentries stand alert to sound the alarm might foe approach with ill intent. The soldiers will then assume their posts upon the ramparts and we villagers will hasten to the protection of the castle."

Leland said, Father, ye speak as one who hath not oft been within the castle walls. Might we one day enter the castle? Haps I might encounter the prince and befriend him. We shall then be mates and frolic together.

Master Thomas chuckling hugged the boy and said, "Leland this will never come to pass, for the prince be of royal blood and be we peasants. As ye grow in years ye will learn the reason why the two do not mingle. Permit me to continue.

Child, hath oft been at the hunt in yon forest to provide meat for our table and when hath we more than needed to fulfill our needs, ’twas given to those in the village who be wanting.

’Tis forbidden to hunt in the King’s forest. Thus, when at the hunt one must be alert for might the soldiers come upon thee would ye be severely punished and thy possessions seized. For that reason, ’tis best not to be known to be of this village by those within the castle. Thus, hath shunned it as would the plague.

Leland, soon ye will be at an age for me to begin tutoring thee in the use of the bow, the art of stalking and how to avoid being detected when at the hunt. I look to the day we be at the hunt together.

Son, must ye vow not to hunt for sport. What ye slay must be consumed. Too, must ye never raise thy bow with intent to slay another lest it be in defense of thyself."

Father, this I pledge to thee; never will I dishonor thee, Leland replied.

The conversation was interrupted by a cavalryman riding at a gallop through the village shouting Queen Margaret had just given birth to a princess.

Little did Leland know at that moment how the birth of this newborn princess was to play a major role in his life in the future, nor did he expect his father to pass and leave him orphaned when yet in his teens. Fortunately Howard, the village blacksmith, would look over him until Leland achieved manhood and was quite proficient with the bow.

Chapter 2

Many years later, the princess, given the name Ashley and now in her late teens, had grown to be a winsome maiden with golden tresses and eyes blue as a clear summer sky. However, pampered since birth she was a bit pompous and quite unforgiving.

Her chambers and those of the prince were adjacent to each other on the second tier of the palace until Prince Frederick reached his nineteenth year. He then chose to make his bed on the fourth tier, in the front right tower, isolating himself from the floor’s occupants. This permitted him to come and go at will away from the eyes of his father and far from the ladies-in-waiting with intensions to engage him in a bit of foppery knowing he would one day be King.

Windows in the chamber gave him a view of the courtyard and the seasonal changes in the forest in which he loved to hunt. Mother Margaret often wondered why he chose to occupy that room when there was a comfortable one for him on the second floor.

Princess Ashley, who had her own thoughts as to why Prince Fredrick had chosen to live in the tower, often teased him about it, thinking it was to allow him to entertain the many winsome ladies-in-waiting undetected. On those occasions, although the princess was far from right in her thinking, the prince would only cast a sideward look at his sister and emit a smile that drove the young princess a bit crazy. It was his way of seeking a small measure of revenge. This teasing by the princess and retaliation by the prince often took place at the evening dinner table. The King would roar in laughter. The queen simply chuckled.

Chapter 3

It was nearly daylight that morning in early Spring when Prince Frederick lay in his bed half-awake in the darkness of his room. A cool breeze entering one of the windows which was slightly open sent a chill to his face. For but a moment he wished to remain nestled beneath the coverings.

This morning he had planned to hunt in the forest to the southeast within walking distance of the castle. Should he linger beyond daybreak, other early risers would engage him in idle chatter and half the morning would be lost. Bolting aright, he groped for the hunting garments that Tom, his servant, a lad of some seventeen years, had neatly placed on the trunk at the foot of the bed. Dressing quickly, returned the prince to sit on the bed and bent to feel for his boots which he donned and laced. By this time a hint of light pierced the east window of the room allowing him to find the quiver and bow hanging on the wall. Slinging the quiver to his back, he grasped the bow firmly in his hand.

The King had often advised Prince Frederick not to go out on the hunt alone, that being one reason had he chosen to occupy the room in the tower. The King still doted over the prince of twenty-two years as a mother hen.

Leaving the room, he crossed the walkway to the castle proper. Hurrying down the three flights of narrow stone steps he peeked through the open door into the kitchen. Mildred, the slightly plump cook was standing at the center table chopping vegetables. Frederick placed a finger to his lips signaling Christy, the cook’s young daughter who had seen the prince in the doorway, to be silent. The prince crept up behind Mildred and grabbed her around the waist. Startled, the woman let out a hoot, dropped her knife, and turned to see the prince standing before her wearing a wide grin. Christy doubled over in laughter as her mother, breathing heavily said, Gad Zeus me Lord, ye hath startled me so hath me wet me britches! What be ye about so early in the morn? Oh, me see be ye garbed for the hunt.

Yea Millie, might good fortune smile upon me will return with a tender stag for ye to prepare and upon which we will feast this night, the prince replied.

Mildred ladled hot water from a large copper pot hanging over the open hearth and poured it into a basin. The prince washed his hands and face then toweled them dry.

Mildred said, Me Lord, will fetch ye some hen fruit, a tart, some fresh berries and a tankard of tea. Will ye need a bit of bread and cheese for thy pouch to eat at midday?

No need, Mildred, he replied.

Frederick sat, removed the quiver from his shoulder and set it with his bow on the stone kitchen floor. As he waited for his breakfast, he chatted jestingly with Christy. Having finished his breakfast, the prince retrieved his quiver and bow from the floor and exited the kitchen through the side door into the courtyard.

Chapter 4

Mildred was no stranger to the castle. In that same kitchen she had been tutored in cooking by her mother at an early age.

When twenty-two, she had been wed to a soldier in service to the King. Three years passed; Tom, now man servant to the prince, was born. Four years later she gave birth to Christy.

Some years later, there had been trouble in the woods by the village Greystoke some four miles to the west. Bandits had been attacking and robbing travelers in coaches on the road through the forest. There was but a handful of soldiers stationed in the small village at the time. The small force scoured the forest for several weeks attempting to roust the bandits.

Frustrated, a messenger was dispatched to the King with a plea for aid. King Frederick summoned Sir Milford, a trusted knight who had served him well in the past. Sir Milford was ordered to assemble a force of men in arms and proceed to the village and resolve the problem at hand.

Sir Milford was as bright as he was brave. Soon he devised a plan to capture the outlaws. As the armed horsemen rode along the road through the forest to Greystoke, at measured intervals soldiers dismounted with provisions for three days and each with a signal arrow. To the arrows had been attached a piece of sackcloth dyed red.

Whoever lay eyes upon the bandits approaching the cart was to launch the signal arrow alerting Sir Milford.

Arriving in the village, word was leaked out and soon spread through Greystoke that a horse drawn cart was to travel the road from Skelton on its way to Penrith carrying an ornately decorated casket containing the remains of a child of noble birth. The casket was being transported for burial. It was falsely rumored the casket contained collected taxes for the King, when in truth the casket contained nothing but stones. The cart was to be accompanied by a coach with a priest and four mourning family members aboard.

Two days was allowed for the hoax to reach the ears of the band of outlaws. Then the horse and cart with the casket, and the coach carrying the mourners, was dispatched. The coachman and passengers were soldiers, all disguised in hoods and robes.

Sir Milford and his men followed the coach at a distance, waiting for the signal arrow to be launched by one of the concealed soldiers. Some of the horsemen held the hidden soldiers’ steeds in tow. As they passed the soldiers hidden along the route, the soldiers remounted their steeds and joined the group. Midway through the forest, the outlaws were spotted, and the signal arrow was launched. The soldiers in disguise pretended to abandon the cart and coach in fear and fled into the heavy underbrush.

Anxious to recover their loot, the outlaws surrounded the cart. Two jumped onto it attempting to pry open the casket’s heavy lid.

While the bandits were distracted, the soldiers lurking in the underbrush shed their robes and hoods and drew swords, waiting for Sir Milford and his men to come into view.

The bandits, seeing the horsemen charging, tried to regroup. It was too late. The soldiers in the underbrush jumped from cover as the horsemen attacked. In the skirmish that ensued, William Collins and two of his mates were slain. Four of the outlaws also lay dead. The remaining outlaws were captured and shackled. The three slain soldiers were laid on their horses. The four dead outlaws were thrown in the cart.

Sir Milford instructed two of his cavalry men to return the coach to Greystoke. The men told the villagers about the battle that had ensued and of the capture of the outlaws. There was much jubilation in Greystoke that day.

The victors returning to Penrith shared mixed emotions, pleased with their success yet saddened by the loss of their comrades.

Arriving at the castle, the prisoners were thrown into the dungeon. They were later tried, convicted of their crimes and hanged. The slain outlaws were then buried in potters’ graves.

Military funerals were held for the fallen comrades. There was no joy in Penrith that day. Many a tear was shed in the village for the fallen and also by Mildred who had been widowed by the event. No tears were shed for the fallen foe.

Chapter 5

Prince Frederick paused outside the kitchen door, returned the quiver to his shoulder then walked across the courtyard to the small guarded door. The sentry bowed reverently, opening the door.

G’ day me Lord. Be ye off to the forest this early morn? asked the sentry.

Aye Robert, might ye wish me good fortune, the prince replied.

The prince knew many of the older guards manning the front entrances by their first names. They had been at their stations since he had learned to walk.

Leaving the courtyard, he heard the door slam shut behind him. He paused once more to look at the earthen road running up the hill from the forest at his right toward the palace to a fork. One lane branched off to the west through the village and beyond, the other ran up to the drawbridge. Frederick’s eyes followed the river flowing from the castle, meandering through the slopes of green before him, and then continuing into the forest. The sun had risen in the east barely clearing the tree tops. The prince watched for a time as its light cast ever changing eerie shadows across the sloping fields below. He looked longingly at the scene that lay before him, emitting a sigh of contentment.

In his mind’s eye he could see his father upon his favorite white stallion Morgan coming up the road to the castle, flanked by four knights in armor and a horseman at the head of the column holding a standard bearing the family crest. Behind his father and knights, a large contingency of cavalry in full array rode six abreast.

Some years past, an ally residing in Scotland had dispatched a message to his father requesting assistance in combatting a foe. The King had complied and ridden off with the cavalry. It had been a worrisome time for the royal family, fearing for the King’s wellbeing until the day he returned victorious.

Chapter 6

Penrith Village was typical of many of the other villages in the realm of Cumbria, populated by affluent craftsmen, shop keepers, the poor and orphaned. On the outskirts there were farms, large and small, and herdsmen.

For one to say that Leland Thomas was as any of the locals would not be so. The handsome man in his mid-twenties, stood over six foot with broad shoulders, hair the color of wheat, with piercing eyes. A quiet soft-spoken fellow, lest he be provoked; then beware. A proud man, good of heart, seen only when bartering with neighbors, craftsmen or when tending his small garden. He lived in a small hut independently at the edge of the village.

In Penrith, Leland was known to be a skilled archer and an avid hunter. Many of the needy residents often found parcels of venison and fowl left on their doorstep, knowing well by whom they had been left.

The archer was not a foolish man. He was somewhat daring with a touch of caution. Had he not born these traits, he would not have been able to avoid being apprehended those many times he had been poaching in the King’s forest.

The sprawling forest by the castle was part of the King’s lands and teemed with game. He was aware hunting in the forest without permission carried a severe penalty. The law did not deter Leland from accessing that game. One might say the man was a bit of a rogue, but in an unselfish manner.

In his earlier days when at the hunt, he had trudged through the thicket and over the forest trails devoting much time looking over his shoulders to avoid detection, and less time stalking prey, with minimal success.

One day while walking the deer run along the river, he paused to look at a familiar huge willow tree. Making his way beneath the strands of hanging willow he saw a branch reachable from the ground and others higher in the tree sturdy enough to support a platform. Leland climbed the willow to find himself completely undetectable from any point of the surrounding forest, yet he could not see through the hanging branches. Were he to build a stand in the willow, the hanging branches blocking his view of the deer run, river bank and clearing across the river would need to be thinned. The green garb he donned when hunting would blend in with his surroundings. The work would need to be done in inclement weather. Leland was certain no one would be hunting in the rain. Thus, the sounds of his labor would not be heard.

Returning to the village, Leland went to the smithy to borrow a hammer, four spikes, and a quantity of nails. He would later compensate the blacksmith with a hind quarter of venison. Retrieving an axe and a rope from his hut, he waited for the sun to set. Under cover of darkness, Leland made his way to the willow and concealed the tools beneath its branches.

It was by far not an easy project for he had to chop four heavy logs, many branches of equal length and raise them and his tools to the building site high in the tree with the rope.

The platform complete, Leland cut a long branch to use as a pole, drove a nail into one end then bent the nail into a hook to snare and trim most of the branches hindering his view, while leaving enough allowing him to remain undetected.

Grasping his bow firmly, Leland retrieved arrows from his quiver, set them to his bow and sent fly the arrows through the remaining hanging branches at measured points along the deer run to the river’s bank and to the clearing beyond the river, with ease. Leland then descended to the ground, gathered the fallen trimmings, toted and tossed them into the river, and then stood watching as the current carried them out of sight. He then went to retrieve the arrows.

Leland’s days of stumbling through the brush and among the trees had come to an end. He could now sit comfortably on his stand and wait. Too, should he bag a deer he need simply drag it beneath the willow, walk through the forest to the road and return to his hut, leaving his bow and quiver on the stand. After dark he would return to fetch the deer and tote it home. The carcass was then skinned, butchered and distributed to the needy, keeping a small portion for himself.

Chapter 7

Prince Frederick, still daydreaming of yesteryear, hurried down the hill into the forest. He walked the trails till the sun was high in the sky. The prince saw a stag at a distance. He tracked it for a while, only to lose sight of it in the heavy thicket.

Sitting on a patch of grass, he retrieved his pouch containing bread and cheese and ate. Laying back into the soft grass, he soon fell asleep.

Leland too had gone to the forest just past midday. Bearing no hunting gear, he strolled down the path nonchalantly toward the willow. Arriving at the willow, he paused to look about. Not seeing anyone, he ducked under the branches and climbed the tree to his stand.

A rustle in a thicket nearby startled Frederick awake, only to see a pheasant take wing and fly away. It was already near midafternoon. He thought to hunt a little longer before returning to the castle. Thinking he might have some luck along the river, he made his way along the deer run to where the animals came to drink. Approaching a slight bend in the trail, he heard a din, sounding like someone beating two sticks together. In measured steps he drew near cautiously. The prince had come upon two stags doing battle over a doe. The doe was barely visible in the thick underbrush beside the clearing.

From his stand, Leland also heard the ruckus but could not see the stags engaged in a fight behind a cluster of pine. He had heard the sound before. It was the sound of antlers beating on antlers.

Prince Frederick fetched an arrow from his quiver, set the arrow to his bow, drew back and aimed. He had chosen the smaller of the bucks as his target, knowing it would make a more tender meal.

Leland saw another archer come around the bend in the trail, but could not see him clearly from the stand. The hunter’s cap covered a portion of his face and the hanging branches he had left for concealment afforded him an intermittent view. Seeing the prince take aim, Leland came to his feet and made his bow at the ready. Not knowing if the stranger was also an intruder to the forest or of royalty, he dared not make the slightest sound.

Prince Frederick let fly his arrow. It ran true, striking the younger buck squarely in it’s breast. The slain animal dropped to the ground. The doe, startled by the sound of the arrow strike, scurried into the forest. Prince Frederick, distracted by the doe’s retreat, took his eyes off the older stag and looked to where the doe had been standing. The old buck looked first at his fallen foe then to the archer, stomped his hoof twice to the ground, lowered his rack and charged. Prince Frederick returned his attention to the stag to see it attacking. Staggering back, a look of fear on his face, his father’s many warnings raced through his mind. Surely this was the end.

The stag broke from behind the pines into the open. Leland drew back the bow string and let fly his arrow, striking the beast in the heart. The stag fell dead with a resounding thud, the momentum of the charge sending it into a slide.

Prince Frederick, with a bewildered look on his face, looked down to see the dead buck’s antlers at his feet. A moment passed, still bewildered, he looked around. There was no one in sight.

Leland, still aright in the stand, upon seeing the look of bewilderment on the strangers face nearly broke out in laughter.

The prince stood shaken. The two dead animals were then the furthest thing from his mind. He turned and retraced his steps on the trail leading to the hill below the castle, wondering from where the arrow had been launched and by whom.

Leland watched the man turn and run around the bend in the trail in the direction he had come. He waited for a time. The sun had not yet set in the west. It was still light, too early to haul a deer to the village, he thought. Descending the tree, he walked to the younger stag, lifted it to his shoulders and carried it beneath the willow, thinking to return for it much later under the cover of darkness. Should the older stag still be there when he returned for the younger, he would come to retrieve it in the morning before the sun had risen.

Making his way through the woods to the road, Leland returned to his hut to sup and wait. It was only then he remembered, in his haste, he had not retrieved his arrow from the fallen deer.

Chapter 8

Prince Frederick arrived at the castle in a somber mood, still mulling over in his mind the many events that had transpired earlier. Who had felled the older buck? Why had his savior not revealed himself? All he really knew was the archer must have been quite skilled having but a moment to aim then launch his arrow so accurately to his target. Crossing the drawbridge, Frederick made his way through the courtyard, hastily taking the four steps to the center doors, two at a time. The two sentries seeing him approach opened the doors facilitating his passage. Inside the palace stood Princess Ashley beside a set of doors outside the throne room chatting with Lady Verna and Lady Victoria. Had Prince Frederick been in a less somber mood he would have stopped to chat. Stepping through the portal, he walked quickly to his right.

Princess Ashley, seeing the prince enter, turned to him with a grin and asked,

Frederick, ye returned empty handed. Will we not dine on venison this night?

The prince did not miss a step in his gait, his head hung low. Scowling he replied, Ashley, must ye not trifle with me for be not in the mood for thy teasing at this moment.

The three ladies stood silent, mouths ajar, watching as the prince continued down the long corridor, climbing the set of stone steps to his room. On entering, he removed the quill from his shoulder, hung it and the bow on the wall, sat on his bed, elbows on his knees, hands clenched with his chin to his breast.

Hearing the prince enter, Tom descended the stairs to the room below.

Leave me, uttered the prince as he lay on the bed, his hands behind his head.

Tom, sensing the mood of the prince, quietly retreated to the room above knowing something was amiss.

Ashley at the outset was angered by the abruptness of Frederick’s reply to her jest. It was not like him to speak to her so rudely, certainly not when others were present. Usually he was quite mellow when returning from the hunt, whether he was successful or not. The three maidens still by the throne room stood silent for a time looking inquisitively at each other.

His Lordship doth seem a bit out of sorts, said Lady Verna.

The princess quickly walked down the corridor and up the three flights of stone steps to her brother’s room.

Chapter 9

Princess Ashley stood outside the door to the tower room thinking of how she should approach the prince. Certainly, something was on his mind to have placed him in such an angry mood. She knew it wasn’t just her remark, but something deeper. Over their years together she learned he was a bit temperamental. Yet in the past might he have had an issue with her, he would have confronted her in the privacy of their chambers, not in the presence of others. Something quite disturbing must have happened in the forest to have him react in such a manner.

Clenching her hands to her breasts she took a deep breath, then a moment to compose herself before tapping softly on the door to wait for permission to enter. Getting no response, she knocked once more and said, Frederick, ’tis Ashley. Might we speak? Haps hath I offended thee. Be me truly saddened should this be so. ’Twas but a jest. Pray forgive me. Grant me permission to enter.

Prince Frederick, still lying on his bed, had gained some composure. Surely it should not have been his sister apologizing to him, but he to her for responding as he had. Coming to his feet, he walked to and opened the door. They stood for a moment looking at each other. Taking her hand, he guided her to the bed where they sat side by side. Still holding her hand, he emitted a heavy sigh and said,

Ashley, ’twas not thy remark the cause of me crude reply. Haps should relate to thee an event which occurred in the forest earlier this day. Must ye pledge to not reveal this to Father. Surely will he chastise me for not heeding his advice to not hunt alone.

It will be as ye request of me. Mercy, Frederick, ye hath set me all atremble! Pray continue, replied the princess."

The prince related to his sister in detail all that had happened, including the fear he felt when the stag had charged.

Know not why the archer on slaying the charging buck, failed to come forth. Surely on saving another’s life one would expect some sign of gratitude, or in the least, come to claim his kill. Lord knows, ’twas his to take. Haps he waited for me to leave to make his claim, said the prince.

The princess sat pensive for a time.

Frederick, haps not knowing who ye might be, trespasser or royalty, the archer dared not reveal himself for fear of reprisal. Ponder on this Frederick, must we expect the archer would lay claim to one of the stags. Nor could a man tote two deer away alone. Thus, should me reasoning be true, one carcass yet remains where it hath fallen, perhaps the elder. We must retrieve the carcass. Haps will it afford thee a clue as to who the mysterious archer might be, she said.

The prince stood aright, walked to the stairs leading to the room above and called out, Tom, come ye hither; hath a task for thee. Know ye the trail beside the River Eamont. Go fetch two lads. Follow the trail, might ye find one or haps two carcasses aside it. Be there one, return with it to the courtyard. Be there two, return with the elder. We will fetch the younger on the ’morrow. Ye must not remove the arrows imbedded in the stags, nor disturb the surroundings any more than needed.

Chapter 10

The sun had begun to set. Tom and his two companions left the castle through the guarded entrance. Tom carried a lantern knowing it would be dark by the time they reached the forest; one of the others, an axe and two lengths of rope. Walking cautiously, they found a deer lying beside the path. Tom looked around for another as the others cut a sturdy limb from a tree nearby. After securing the deer to the pole by its hooves, the two young men hoisted the pole to their shoulders. Lantern in hand, Tom led the way out of the forest to the castle courtyard.

The prince and princess waited in his room chatting aimlessly. Frederick paced impatiently, often stopping to look out the window overlooking the fields below for a sign of the young boys.

Ashley, still sitting on the bed said, Should we identify the archer and he be a poacher, by the King’s law must he not be punished? Were he not, would it not encourage others to ignore the law?

The prince said, Good Lord Ashley, the bloke saved me life! He should be rewarded, not cast into the dungeons. Knowing the penalty for poaching, might he hath done nothing. Doth take a man of courage to do that; be right, setting aside the danger to one’s self, the prince replied.

The princess, steadfast in her interpretation of the law said, Haps he be brave however be yet a scoundrel, dear Brother. What then? Should he be rewarded or chastised?

The prince said, Ashley, we must learn the nature of the man before he be judged. We will then know how to proceed, replied the prince.

An hour and then some passed when at the window, Prince Frederick saw a light swinging to and fro coming from the forest. The two waited for the three servants to reach the top of the knoll before leaving the room, then hurried down the stairs into the courtyard.

The men entered the front gate of the castle carrying the stag, which was the elder. Laying it down, they stood waiting for instructions. Prince Frederick and Princess Ashley looked the deer over carefully. The arrow was still imbedded in the front quarter.

The prince thanked the young men and instructed them to take the animal to be butchered and the meat then taken to the kitchen. The men bowed respectfully, then the two of them lifted the pole to their shoulders and followed Tom to the butchery.

Lanterns hanging on the stone castle walls and doorways lit the courtyard. It was time to sup. There was no time for them to discuss the present situation knowing their parents were already waiting for them in the dining hall. Prince Frederick told the princess he would join the family at the dinner table shortly. They entered the palace together. The prince went to his room in the tower. Princess Ashley went directly to the dining hall.

Chapter 11

As expected, when Frederick entered the dining hall, his father, mother and sister sat chatting, waiting for him to join them. In his mind he was praying Ashley had not said anything about today’s events, as she had promised.

The dining table was large enough to comfortably sit twenty adults. The King was sitting at the head of the table, the queen at the other. Ashley was sitting to the left of the King. Frederick sat opposite his sister. Reaching for a crystal goblet, he brought it to his lips, took a long pull of water, then returned the goblet to the table. The King chuckled and said, "Look ye, me prodigal