The Knight Behind the Pillar (34 page)

             
I still had the scabbard.  If it was a plain unremarkable object with a poor finish I would have just tied it to my belt and walked out.  There would be nothing unusual about a squire with a basic undecorated scabbard, with or without a sword.  However, this one was highly decorated, well made and so clearly not something a humble squire would have afforded or been given, even if he was a son of a king.  With water seeping into my boots, no bright ideas came and so I went for the only option.  I pulled up my tunic and shirt at the side from out of my belt.  Carefully I took the scabbard and slid it down the inside of my stocking and against my skin.  Tightening my belt I placed the top of the scabbard under it to ensure it did not fall out.  With the iron against my bare leg, its cold gemstones imprinting and my movements restricted as I could not bend my knee far, it was not comfortable.  On the other hand it was hidden under my clothes and was far more comfortable than being tied to a stake and awaiting the fire to be lit.

             
Listening and checking for anyone outside first I emerged when I thought it was safe and unhurriedly I walked away from the scene of the crime.  With the scabbard where it was, I dared not move fast and could only ask for a favour from fate to not allow me to meet anyone I knew.  

             
As it was guards were too busy talking at the gates and there were just enough people around to appear as one of the crowd.  I looked like I had acquired a leg injury as I limped on, but no one noticed.  By the time I entered the town once more I felt a little more confident and a little less fearful of being caught.  I had helped a friend and that’s what was important.

             
It was now very late when I eventually returned to the hayloft.  It was a chilly night as well and I was glad of the shelter.  The way to bed was by means of an open bay that was void to the rafters and its thatch.  The following three bays had an upper floor inserted, this was my hayloft.  The fourth and last bay had a locked store above you could access by an external stone stair the other side.  This sounded grand, but it was only there because the land behind and to the side of the building was higher at that point.  A simple timber ladder was my humble entrance and the only way into my luxury accommodation that ran across the following three bays.

             
I took a moment to uncover the scabbard from its hiding place as climbing the ladder with it tied to my leg was not going to happen.  I then began my climb and each rung was a countdown to my intended collapse.

             
“Ah there you are my boy.” Clegis announced unexpectedly as I had almost reached the top of the ladder.

             
I jumped out of my skin, but at once I threw the scabbard forward and across the top where it landed on the straw.  “Hmm, ah, evening Clegis.” I stammered.

             
I looked down to him, but thankfully he did not appear to have seen the scabbard and was standing at the entrance.  While thankful he was not the guards, I was disappointed.  Not that such disappointment was aimed at him specifically and even if it were I doubted he would have noticed it.  Clegis was not a man for subtle, unless it was drinkable.  My disappointment was in the fact I had just glimpsed a wonderful vision before me, finally a chance to rest in a bed in its most basic form of hay, straw and old sacks.  Except it had to wait because I knew despite my tiredness I had to speak with him and with effort I climbed down, letting go and dropping to the floor once I had reach halfway.

             
Clegis stood unmoved, arms crossed, waiting for me to land.  “Well past evening I would say, well past.  Been a long day as it?” He said.

             
For Clegis he was sounding a little solemn, normally he was like this once the merriment of drink had ended.  In truth I had held the belief for some time that Clegis had only a few states of drinking and life in general.  There was not holding a drink, which was rare and normally meant he was on route to find one.  Otherwise there was drinking or asleep and yet he was strangely always sober for a deal.  He was the life and sole of just about every dance and feast in the town and the reason for many of my own more embarrassing incidents involving drink, dancing and other matters I wished never to recall.  Unusually I was sure he had not been drinking now and had to wonder why he was not well into the sleep stage of the Clegis life cycle.

             
“You might say that.”  I said with sudden caution.

             
“Well lots of things happening at the moment, changes, lots of them changes.” He continued, but there was an underlying tone.  

             
Now concerned that there was it something wrong or even that he somehow knew what I had done tonight I panicked a little.  “Look Clegis, I thought it was for the best.”  I started to say, not thinking on it much.

             
“Of course my boy and it’s about time I know that.” He answered a little lighter.

             
Then it was clear we were not thinking the same and then I realised what it might be.  “So you know I’m not Aries’ squire anymore?” I said.

             
“I know.” Clegis acknowledged.

             
Tired I continued without truly hearing him “And I’m now squire to Sir Kay instead.”               

“Yes I know my boy.” He said

              Again I was too eager to explain to listen.  “That’s Arthur’s brother, he’s the new,” Then it dawned, “How did you know?”

             
“Yes Florie’s cousin told us, works as a guard up there and he told us he did.” Clegis explained and with the subtleness Clegis was known for added again slowly. “He told us.”

             
Dropping my head with guilt, “Sorry, I meant to say something sooner, before now.” I offered. 

             
It was clear Clegis knew what this all meant and hopefully he believed I was honestly dismayed that he found out from someone else.

             
“Well then, when do you go my boy, soon?” He asked, still sounding stern for him.

             
While his seriousness concerned me I pushed it aside for a moment to answer the question.  “I, er, I don’t know, depends on Sir Kay and what he wishes, or what his brother wants in truth.  I could be here weeks yet or gone tomorrow.”

             
Clegis nodded allowing my words to sink in.  He looked grave, almost upset and gave a deep sigh.  The lost of a stable income I guessed.  My money had been good for him over the years.  I also now remembered I had not even gained any benefit from him renting my home out to others recently, but it was not important.

             
“Good,” He suddenly sniffed and looked away, “Good, and bout time, good.”

             
I was unclear. “Good?” I questioned, “You’re please I’m going.”

             
I had amused him somehow and he gave a low chuckle.  “My boy, Tor, I have known you for some time now.  Must be a few years from the day you arrived.  Ahh, just a boy then you were, lost I think.  Wandering around these parts lookin for something and we met my boy.  And you always wanted one thing from the day I met you, to be a knight.  I’ve never seen the appeal of wanting to be an armoured clad thug myself, never liked armour, not much of a market in it round here.  Now mind you these days I…”

             
“Clegis!  The point?” I interrupted impatiently. 

             
He looked like Clegis, but I had growing doubts of late.  This was a stranger who could not normally string a sentence together without pausing for a sip of ale every second word. 

             
“But, but the point my boy is you seemed determined to do it, worked hard for it.  You must see that Aries will never give you what you want, he’s like me and knows a good deal when he sees one.”

             
“He’s not like you.” I was impelled to state quickly and screwing up my nose.

             
Clegis was amused and taking the compliment grinned.  “What’s important is you might have a chance now and to get what it is you want.  Go for that dream of yours my boy.”  He continued, speaking with enthuse vigour, like a pot of gold had sudden landed before us.  “Go be a proper squire and to the brother of the future king no less, that’s not a bad deal, certainly worth taking.”

             
“I have Clegis, I’m already Kay’s squire.” I corrected him as I realised he had somehow lost track or maybe I had.  Perhaps stinging a sentence together or stricken to the right point of the conversation and being sober was asking a little much of him. 

             
His arms threw themselves into the air.  “Exactly!” He boomed loudly and slapped my shoulder supportively.

             
“And Arthur’s is already king now, there was a Coronation.”  I added ensuring Clegis was with me still. 

             
“Even better, missed it, but who cares.”  He set aside, but with second thoughts asked.  “Was it a good feast?” 

             
I could not now help but smile back at the large excited man before me, my friend in the damp cold part of the world.  It dawned on me Clegis was someone I did not expect to find, I had found someone to miss when I was gone.

             
“I’m sure it will be some time yet before I need to go, there’s a lot to do.”  I said, but my words faded to nothing and I had to look away and his laughter also died away.

             
Clegis was a loud, larger than life and drunken fool, but loved living and everyone seemed to like him as well.  When I arrived and after that first day he welcomed me, allowed me the hayloft, at the right price of course.  I always knew I should have appreciated what he did for me, not just the bed for a night.  He always had a spare seat at the table and a spare drink.  He was the reason for my first real sore head having so much to drink the night before, but I am not sure I should thank him for that.  The man was the reason for some great celebrations in the town and more than I care to remember he was responsible for some truly embarrassing moments as well.  I now realised this, a little late perhaps, just as I decided there was nothing here to think fondly of.

             
“Well, when you do my boy, make sure you see me before you do go, got it!” He insisted.

             
“Yes Clegis, I will.  I promise.” I said sincerely nodding and meant it.

             
In his eyes this moment seemed important and then he reached out and patted my shoulder before deciding that was not enough and he unexpectedly pulled me close and hugged me.  Buried by Clegis I was at a lost to how to react, I settled on reaching out and gently patting the large man’s arm.  It was just long enough to allow a little awkwardness to take root before Clegis felt it was time to free me.  I stood a little stunned, but Clegis seemed pleased.

             
“Well then, best be off with you then, bed my boy.” Clegis instructed gently.

             
Struggling I thought to compose himself he then took a couple of steps back.  It had been a while since anyone ordered me to go to bed, but that about summed up my day. 

             
Thinking too hard I decided I needed to lighten the atmosphere.  “I’m sure you won’t miss my coin that much,” I said with a smile, “You’ll have to see if any other squires want to stay here.”

             
I regretted my words at once seeing his face drop and expression darken and I wished I could have taken them back.  As usual there were too many emotions; I always coped poorly with them and had to find humour instead.  And as usual my mouth had opened and not allowed my head to catch up.

             
“Do you think that’s all this is my boy, that I’d miss your money!” He growled angrily, the change in his disposition and expression was dramatic and sudden.  “You’ll be wanting to remember what we’ve done for you, what Florie has done!  We’ve been there for you when ever we’ve been needed, your highness!  That’s right, we know!”  Clegis declared and my eyes widened in surprise.  “You think we didn’t know your title?  Found that out a couple of years ago, but you made no mention of it and we respected that.”

             
“No Clegis I didn’t mean…..” I attempted to interrupt him as he stepped towards me. 

             
“None of it matters,” Clegis continued loudly over the top of me.  I was backing up as he approached, but I had nowhere to go with the ladder behind me.  “Go, go be a knight my boy and go get yourself killed and think that only your coin will be missed.  Just go!”

             
Clegis appeared to reach a conclusion to his outburst and sharply turned to go.               I was a little panicked now, I needed to stop everything going wrong.  It was late, I was tired and really did not want to deal with this on top of everything, but needed to. 

This time it was my turn to reach out, despite fear of getting hit back.  I gripped his arm to stop him going.
  “No, no please wait!  I was trying to be funny and it wasn’t meant.” I implored wanting him to stop walking and was rewarded by him not pulling away further.  He just stood there like a huge rock, except for deep breathing.  “You know I am, well was, might be that is, a prince?” I asked with care.