Castle in Danger

By Karen Rita Rautenberg

Emma, a pretty and kind girl of nobility, lives with her father, Baron Geoffrey, in a huge castle. She meets a handsome, young peasant, Thomas, who saves her from an accident. They become friends and are thrown into many adventures together. Discover: Can Emma and her friends solve the mysteries of what happened to her cousin and find a little girl whose mean uncle snatched her away? Will Emma be saved from three thieves who are trying to steal her father's silver, gold and jewels from their castle? Can evil Lord Utredus and his knights take over Emma's uncle's castle? Will Emma's dreams come true, and could Thomas get his dream of becoming a knight? Experience witches, ghosts, feasts, games, dancing, hunting, a jousting tournament and town fairs full of surprise on this awesome journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798350939033

Book preview

The clanging of the castle’s great bell awakened everyone at dawn. Ouch, Emma cried as Mabel put her long golden hair into one braid in her chamber. She slipped on a long green tunic and a yellow surcoat.

Emma ran down the winding stairs as Mabel trailed after her. They went into the small kitchen. Turbert, make us a picnic dinner, Emma said.

I will, the cook said. He carefully packed the food inside a big straw basket.

Mabel and Emma left the keep and went over to a laundress in the courtyard.

Good Morrow. We’re taking a ride to Mill Stream, Emma said to her friend.

Have a good time, Brigit smiled, shoving dirty sheets and towels into boiling water in a barrel.

I will see you later, Emma smiled.

Emma lived at Wallsworth Castle on a huge hill in England, A.D. 1311.

Emma and Mabel strolled over to the stables. Good morrow, said the stable boy as he saddled up their horses. Mabel mounted her horse, sitting sidesaddle, with both legs on one side of the horse.

Good day, my Shadowtop, Emma said, mounting her reddish-brown horse, placing one leg on each side of the saddle.

You’re supposed to ride side-saddle, said Mabel, her personal maid.

I’ve seen ladies sometimes ride like a man when they want to gallop fast, Emma replied.

You must have good manners, scolded Mabel.

I also want to have fun, Emma smiled.

Guards raised the portcullis as they rode past the outer gatehouse. They trotted down the drawbridge that crossed the moat. Good morrow, said the gatekeeper as they passed the main gate.

They rode down a long, winding dirt road until they came to Mill Stream. Peasant farmers were gathering wheat and cutting it with sickles in the fields. Load the wheat into the cart and bring it to the watermill, Philip, a peasant, ordered.

Emma and Mabel rode to the mill. They watched the oxen pull the cart over there. Peasants are strong and work hard Emma declared.

Put the wheat into the mill, ordered Arthur, another peasant. As the peasants placed the wheat into the watermill, it started turning. Then the big stone inside began grinding the wheat into flour.

Peasants do all the work on the lord’s fields and give him a share of our crops. All we get is a rented cottage and a strip of land, Philip said angrily.

We’re also bound to the lord’s land unless he permits us to leave. I’m going to escape to a town far away. If I don’t get caught for a year and one day, I can be free, said Felix.

Don’t talk like that or they’ll throw you in the castle dungeon, said Thomas, a good-looking lad, wearing an old short tunic and long hose.

Mabel and Emma overheard the men talking. Peasants are not treated fairly, Emma exclaimed.

It is not your concern, Mabel frowned.

But my father is the baron. He should make things more fair, Emma retorted.

That is not possible. Let us enjoy this lovely, sunny day now, Mabel said.

Hey, I’ll race you down Mill Stream, Emma said, hitting her horse with the reins.

Oh, all right, Mabel frowned, racing behind Emma.

Uh-oh, Emma cried as her horse almost hit a cart and oxen.

Thomas, a peasant, quickly pulled the oxen out of the way. Be careful, he said, frowning.

I’m truly sorry, she called out.

It’s all right, he said with a smile.

The ladies rode along the stream for a long time. Let’s stop, Mabel said. After their horses drank water from the stream, they tied them up to some trees. Then they spread out a big woolen blanket on the grass.

Emma took off her long stockings and boots and put her feet in the water. Ouch, she cried, stepping on a sharp rock. She dug her feet into the soft muddy ground. The water feels so good and refreshing, she thought. As she moved deeper into the water, it went up to her waist.

Emma, be careful, called out Mabel.

Suddenly, the water started swirling around Emma, pushing her downstream.

Oh dear me, I’m going under the water, thought Emma, swallowing some water. Help… help!" she yelled, trying to keep her head up as she paddled with her hands.

Help! Help! Mabel screamed. Then she saw a lad running toward to her.

What is the matter? the lad asked.

That girl is drowning. Hurry … save her, she cried.

I’ll try, he yelled, diving into the freezing water. He swam toward the middle of the stream. He kept swimming under the water, only coming up for air. I found her, he thought, pulling her out of the water. He put his arm around her neck and swam slowly back to shore. He gently laid her on her back on the grass.

Thank God you saved her. But it looks like she’s not breathing. Do something! Mabel cried.

I will, he said. He turned Emma over and started lightly pounding her on her back. She started coughing, and water poured out of her mouth.

Then she opened her eyes and sat up. W-w-what happened? Emma asked as she kept coughing.

Don’t you remember? Mabel asked.

Emma sighed. Umm … let me see.

You went under the water, and I pulled you back to shore, the lad explained.

Emma nodded her head. Aye, now I remember. You saved my life. I thank thee! Who art thou? she asked.

My name is Thomas Cooper. I am a peasant, and I live in this village in one of those cottages down yonder with my mother and father, and my two brothers. Who art thou?

I’m Emma, and this is my maid Mabel. I live at Wallsworth Castle with my father. My mother died when I was eleven.

Are you Baron Humphrey’s daughter? he asked.

Emma nodded her head. It is me.

He bowed. May I be of service to you, My Lady?

Pray, don’t bow or call me My Lady. Just call me Emma.

His big brown eyes lit up. I’d be honored to call you Emma.

How old are you? she asked.

I’m fifteen, he said.

Emma felt her dress. Our clothes are wet, but they will dry in the hot sun.

I’m famished. Would you like to eat now? Mabel asked.

Of course, Emma replied.

Thomas, we want you to join us for our dinner. We thank thee so much, Mabel said. She opened the basket filled with food—cold roast pork, soft white cheese, white bread, apple cider and more.

This is the best food I ever ate! Thomas exclaimed, gobbling it up.

We must get back to our castle before it gets dark, said Mabel. The sun was setting in red and orange clouds streaking the August sky.

Emma took off a gold ring with a blue sapphire from her ring finger. Keep this ring. If you ever need me, come to my castle and show it to the soldiers. Tell them you’re my friend.

Aye, I will. But, I do not think they would believe me. I do not look like a lord or a knight or someone who would know you, he sighed.

Thou art now my friend. They must listen to you, comforted Emma.

How nice of you to say that, Thomas said.

I will try to stop here to see you at times, Emma said with a smile.

That would be very good, he smiled.

You should not be friends with him, Mabel whispered to Emma.

I don’t care, Emma whispered defiantly.

Farewell, Emma and Mabel said together, mounting their horses.

He waved goodbye. They rode down a long path along the stream.

When they got back to the castle, they walked up the stairs and went into the keep. Then they went into the great hall. Large woven tapestries of saints and hunting scenes were hanging on the walls. Lit torches and candles fluttered all around.

Baron Humphrey, the estate steward and the constable were sitting at the high table on the platform.

The bailiff stood near two peasants. Pray tell what is the matter?

It’s my pig, George said angrily.

Nay, it’s my pig, yelled Warin. The pig squealed as he grabbed its collar.

Are there any witnesses? asked the baron.

We’ve seen this pig outside George’s cottage, said the reeve.

The baron looked at the bailiff, Give the pig to George. Send this thief to his village square and put him in the pillory.

It’s my pig, you liars, yelled Warin as soldiers pulled him out of the great hall.

George hugged his pig and pulled it out of the great hall.

Emma came out from hiding in a window seat high above the ground. Father, let me tell you all about my adventures today.

Come sit beside me, the baron said, motioning with his hand.

Emma gave a big sigh. I was wading in Mill Stream, and I got pulled downstream. A peasant named Thomas saved me from drowning. I would like him to be my friend.

"Thank the Lord you are alright. I told you never to go outside the castle without a guard. It’s too dangerous.

I’m sorry, I won’t do that again, Emma promised.

I appreciate that Thomas saved you from drowning, but I still do not want you to be friends with peasants. You know I should have already made an arranged marriage with you and a rich lord’s son as most of our noble girls have. I want you to be married when you are eighteen years old, the baron declared.

But, I want to choose a lad I truly love, she said defiantly.

You have always been such a dreamer. We’ll discuss this at another time, he frowned.

Aye, father, she sighed.

I still want you to live with your aunt and uncle at their castle to continue your training to run a castle, he said firmly.

Oh, father, moaned Emma. I would rather stay here.

Let’s talk about it later. I’ll see you at supper, he said, leaving the great hall.

That night, the baron, Mabel, Emma, her Aunt Edith, Uncle