by David Skuy
Archie motioned them into the hallway. Deep brown wood paneling covered the walls, and every few paces hung portraits, floor to ceiling in length, the men mostly in armor seated on horses and the women in big, puffy gowns, adorned in gold and jewel-encrusted necklaces and bracelets. Archie stopped at the top of the staircase, pressed a finger to his lips, and pointed to a room on the right.
“My father and Jeffrey are in the study, like I said,” he whispered. “We will sit at the dining table as if we’ve been waiting the whole time.”
Harold took a step down the stairs.
“There’s a faster way,” Archie said. He threw his leg over the banister, double-flicked his eyebrows, and let go. He went flying down and at the last moment pushed off and landed softly on both feet. He waved for the next person to go.
Harold leaned over to Pip and Lucy. “I think Archie is kinda crazy.”
“I think he is too,” Lucy said.
The next moment she was zooming down the banister. She leapt off, landing on both feet, and bowed deeply to Pip and Harold.
“I’m … a little nervous. This looks dangerous. Can’t we just take the stairs?” Harold pleaded.
Pip wanted to slide down more than anything. He could tell Harold was really scared. He didn’t like this kind of thing. Archie waved at them frantically. Pip put a hand on the railing, then took another glance at Harold. If he went, Harold would be alone, and he’d feel silly walking down by himself.
“I don’t want to either,” Pip said. “Let’s just run.”
He took off, with Harold right behind him.
Archie didn’t say anything about them not sliding down the banister. “Sit at the far end of the table and I’ll call my father,” he said instead.
“Call me what?” a deep voice replied.
A huge man flew out from the other side of the stairs. Lucy screamed, and Pip and Harold leapt back. Archie began to laugh, and so did the man.
“This is my father,” Archie managed, as he tried to stop laughing.
Sir Duncan wore a red tunic with a coat of arms of a dove, a sword, and a goat arranged in a triangle. His face was handsome: broad cheekbones, long, thick brownish black hair, and bright blue eyes full of life. He walked over to Archie, his stride powerful and direct.
“I congratulate you on your effort,” Sir Duncan said. He gave his son a hearty hug. “But I noticed you looking out the window this morning — and then I watched you pulling on the lowest limb, no doubt to test it. It wasn’t too hard to figure out the plan after that. Preparation is important, but …”
“I know,” Archie said. “More important is to understand what your opponent expects, and then do the unexpected.”
“Exactly,” Sir Duncan nodded. “Now introduce me to your new friends.”
“This is Pip, Lucy, and Harold,” Archie said.
Sir Duncan looked surprised. “Is your father …?”
“My father is Aldwin Draper of Nottinghamshire,” Pip said.
“Such a wonderful surprise,” Sir Duncan said. “He is one of my oldest and dearest friends. We met when I was a young lad and was visiting Geoffrey Manor with my parents.”
“Do you mean the home of the Baron Geoffrey?” Lucy said.
“He was a young lad too at the time,” Sir Duncan said. “Aldwin came with his own father to help decorate the manor. The Drapers supplied all the carpets. He was there for a couple of weeks, and we became instant friends. Although we have not had a great deal of time to spend together over the years, we’ve remained close. I was ecstatic when I learned he would be attending the fair. I am recently home after some time away. I thought it would be a wonderful way to spend time with Archie and see an old friend, and I am doubly pleased to be able to meet his very own son, the famous Pip, along with his niece and nephew.” He turned to Lucy and Harold, with a bow. “I have also had the honor of meeting your fathers.”
Harold and Lucy bowed back.
“We met at a joust,” Archie said. His dropped his head. “I lost.”
“So did I,” Pip said.
“Ronald cheated,” Harold said.
“He has our money, so it probably doesn’t matter,” Lucy said.
Sir Duncan threw his head back and laughed again. “It is better to lose money in a joust than lose your life.”
Pip couldn’t contain himself. “Did you fight with King Richard?”
“I did,” Sir Duncan said, in a subdued tone. “Before I left England I believed war to be an exciting adventure. It is any-thing but. In the end, I lost a great number of dear friends. I am glad to be back with Archie.”
Pip stared in awe. This man had actually fought on the same battlefield as the true king of England — Richard the Lionheart. He was about to ask about Archie’s mother when a man, equally as tall and strong looking as Sir Duncan, but with a solemn and serious expression on his face, walked out of the dining hall and bowed.
“Are we prepared to dine, or do we need time to play more silly games?”
Sir Duncan shot them a grin. “This is Jeffrey, my squire.”
“Jeffrey fought with my father,” Archie whispered.
“Our friends will be joining us for lunch,” Sir Duncan said.
“I will make arrangements to add three place settings. There is no need to apologize for the short notice,” Jeffrey said. He spun on his heels and left abruptly.
Sir Duncan and Archie laughed.
“Do not mind Jeffrey. We grew up together, and he has rarely left my side since then. He is like my brother, but he insists on this formality. His family have been servants in our household for generations,” Sir Duncan said. “He knows your father as well, Pip.”
Sir Duncan held out his arm to Lucy. She placed her arm on his, and Sir Duncan walked her to the dining table. Jeffrey appeared with two large platters of food, a feast beyond anything Pip had ever seen: roasted meats, like chicken, beef, and venison, plates of fresh and dried fruit, fried and salted fish, a keg of beer and one of apple cider.
While they ate, Sir Duncan and Archie chatted about their day. They talked like old friends, and Pip could tell Archie idolized his father. Pip suddenly felt sad. He used to be like that with his father. They’d go for long walks in the forest, and Aldwin would teach Pip about the different trees and point out which berries were safe to eat. They didn’t seem to spend much time together anymore. Pip had no interest in the price of wool or how many orders had come in from London, and his father didn’t like to talk about Robin Hood or going off on adventures.
Pip looked down at his plate. He still had a bunch of grapes — but if he ate one more thing he’d burst. Harold had also stopped. Lucy was still going strong, munching away on a piece of roasted lamb.
“Archie, perhaps our new friends would enjoy a treat at the market?” Sir Duncan took a drink from his tankard. “My son has been enjoying himself tremendously.”
“Thank you, sir,” Pip said. “That’s very kind of you. I don’t think I could eat another thing.”
“I refuse to accept that young children do not have room for a delicious treat.” Sir Duncan patted his stomach. “I confess that I have a weakness for the cream cakes.”
“Me too,” Harold said, to Sir Duncan’s great amusement.
“Jeffrey?” Sir Duncan said.
Jeffrey pulled out a purse from his coat and gave each of them a silver coin.
“Be careful,” Sir Duncan said. “You would not be the first travelers to be relieved of their money. The Bradford Fair is almost as famous for its thieves as it is for its markets.”
“We really can’t accept this,” Lucy said. She took a bite out of a juicy red apple.
“It’s too late to object,” Sir Duncan said. “I consider you my friends, and I love to give my friends presents. Do not praise me for it. I get such pleasure. So take this small gift and buy some
thing for dessert. I was not aware that Aldwin was bringing his son and his niece and nephew. I am delighted, and it pleases me greatly to see that Archie has met some people his own age. I travel so much, and we are never in one place for too long. I fear it is difficult for Archie to make friends.”
“I don’t mind, Father,” Archie said.
For the first time, Sir Duncan looked serious. “You are a brave lad. Brave indeed. I do regret having to move about — so many difficulties to attend to … in Prince John’s kingdom.” He put his spoon down on the table beside his plate and wiped his face with a napkin. “Unfortunately, I must leave you now to attend to some business matters. We will meet here later for supper. I may be occupied at the mayor’s house after-wards. I have been told the Sheriff of Nottingham and the Baron Geoffrey will be in attendance.” His face darkened momentarily — and then he laughed. “Work is the curse of man, for it spoils his fun. Then again, without work there would be no fun at all. I will have to forego the pleasure of your company until we sup later.”
He shook their hands with great formality, as if they were actually important people, and then left with Jeffrey.
ou’ll be hungry again as soon as you see the treats,” Archie said, the moment his father and Jeffrey left the room. “Trust me.”
“I have a bit of room already,” Lucy said.
They set off. Archie led them to a part of the market Pip hadn’t seen yet.
“Just smell it first,” Lucy gushed.
Once again, Pip had trouble taking it in. Hundreds of different types of breads, biscuits, cookies, and custards were on display.
“It looks too nice to eat,” Harold said. “I don’t know what to choose.”
“Then you’ll have to try one of everything.” Archie laughed.
They joined a line.
“Have you decided?” Lucy asked Archie.
Archie pointed to some delicate little cakes perched on top of a stack of cookies. “Those are the best things ever made,” he stated. “You have to try one.”
“Do you know how much they cost?” Lucy said.
“Two for a penny,” Archie said.
Pip reached for his pouch. He couldn’t make up his mind.
“Excuse me,” a little boy said, brushing up against Pip to get past. Pip felt sorry for the boy. His coat was in a shambles and his face covered in dirt. He ran up the street.
Pip reached inside his shirt frantically.
“Are you okay?” Archie said to Pip.
“My pouch. It’s gone.” The small boy was running away as fast as he could. “That boy took it. After him!”
Pip figured he’d catch him easily, until he had to navigate a series of narrow, twisting side streets and fit between rickety old houses. He ended up in a dead end, surrounded on three sides by buildings. This was obviously where the poorer people lived — a dark and dirty place — and it smelled awful, wet and mouldy. Nottinghamshire didn’t have places like this.
“He must be hiding. Spread out and look,” Pip whispered.
“Over here,” Archie hissed. “See that opening under the wall? He could’ve climbed in there.”
Pip peered down. He couldn’t see much, but it was the only place he could’ve gone. “I’m getting that money back,” he said.
“Agreed,” Lucy said.
Harold and Archie looked equally determined. Pip took a deep breath and climbed into the opening.
He fell.
“Oof.”
He rolled on the floor, the wind knocked out of him a bit. His eyes adjusted quickly, and he could see that he’d fallen into a cellar, fairly large, with big square pillars supporting the building above. A small window against the far wall brought in some light.
“Be careful,” he called up. “It’s a bit of a drop.”
Archie tumbled to the floor. “Thanks for the warning.” He laughed.
Lucy and Harold were more careful, and they lowered themselves onto a pile of rocks and then hopped down.
“He’s not here,” Harold said.
Archie scratched his head. “I didn’t see a way out. How did he get away?”
Pip put a finger to his lips. He closed his eyes and listened. He imagined he was in the forest tracking an animal.
“We know you’re here,” Pip said loudly. “There are four of us. We won’t hurt you. All we want is the money back. Give it and we will go.”
Silence.
Pip moved toward the back of the cellar where it was darkest. “You can’t get away. It’s four against one.”
A shadow emerged from behind a pillar, hair scraggly and matted with dirt and face blackened by mud. Pip blinked a few times to be sure — the thief was a girl.
She fell to her knees, chin to her chest. Two tears rolled down her sunken cheeks. She placed the pouch on the ground.
“Please don’t call the guards. I beg you,” she said, no louder than a whisper.
The girl was tiny, with dark circles under her hungry eyes. She looked even hungrier than Barda.
“We won’t hurt you,” Pip said. “It’s okay. But that money belongs to me.”
“Take it,” she said. “I’m sorry. Take it and leave me alone.”
Pip picked up the pouch.
“Where do you live?” Lucy said gently.
“Here,” she said.
“Where are your mother and father?” Harold said.
“My father … is dead, and my mother … is far from here.”
“You live in this cellar … alone?” Pip said.
She looked up at him. Her bright green eyes shone, even in this dark and terrible place. Oddly, she didn’t look afraid — just very tired and hungry. “Please, just leave.”
Pip had seen so much misery since leaving home.
“What’s your name?” Pip said.
She hesitated. “I’m Arabella,” she said in a clear, strong voice.
“My name’s Pip, and this is Archie, Lucy, and Harold.”
Their faces told him what to do. Pip laid his coin on the ground before her. The others gave her their coins as well.
It was hard to tell, but Pip thought he saw her smile.
“Thank you,” she said. “You are very kind. I do not deserve it. I am …” She gave her head a shake. “I am not a thief. I just need a little money for food. I was wrong to do what I did.”
“Were you born in Bradford?” Pip said. “You sure know your way around. I could barely keep up.”
“No … I was born … in the north. I am …” She looked over at the window. “I will not bother you again. I promise. Goodbye.”
Pip couldn’t stand the thought of this poor girl staying in this cellar, cold, by herself. “We’ll bring you some food tonight, after dinner,” Pip said. “Wait for us once it’s dark.”
She hesitated. “I will be fine. This money is more than enough … especially after what I did.”
Pip admired her courage. “It is nothing. We have more than enough to share.”
“It does seem so long since I have had too much to eat,” she murmured.
“My father is going to the mayor’s house after dinner. Aldwin will probably go too.” Archie flashed a grin. “And we can use the tree to avoid Jeffrey.”
Harold groaned. “Don’t you ever use the front door?”
Lucy crouched next to Arabella. “Are you sure you’ll be okay until tonight?”
“I will be fine,” Arabella said, her head held high.
For a moment, Arabella seemed to transform into one of the rich noble girls he’d seen a few times in Nottingham-shire, all in fancy dresses and with jewels on their arms and around their necks. They’d walk in small steps, so happy and full of life. Strange that image came to mind, considering who she actually was.
Pip climbed up the pile of rocks and hoisted himself out
of the cellar. Soon they were heading back to the fair, each with heavy hearts, deep in thought, and no longer interested in treats.
et’s each save half our supper for Arabella,” Pip said. “Make sure they don’t see you, though.”
“She’s only one little girl.” Lucy laughed. “That would be enough to feed that tiny thing for a month.”
“I wish we could,” Pip said wistfully. “She was so thin — and sad — and alone.”
“She must be scared to live in that terrible place without her parents,” Harold said.
“She said her mother was alive,” Lucy said.
Lucy’s comment reminded Pip of a question. “Is your mother coming to the fair as well?” he asked Archie.
Archie’s face reddened. “My mother died when I was two. I don’t remember her, obviously. All I have is her portrait. She was very beautiful.”
“I am very sorry,” Lucy said.
“Me too,” Harold said.
“I’m sorry for asking,” Pip said. “I just wondered.”
They had that in common — not much else, though.
“Don’t be,” Archie said. “I like talking about her. Makes me remember that I had a mother who loved me.”
“My mother died also, three years ago,” Pip said.
“My father told me. I’m sorry, as well,” Archie said.
They both bowed to each other. Just then a crowd of people rushed past.
“What’s happening?” Archie asked a young passerby.
“Their lordships, the Baron Geoffrey and the Sheriff of Nottingham, are trying some criminals. Perhaps we will have an execution tomorrow. It’s a Bradford Fair tradition,” he said excitedly.
Another large crowd swept by.
“Let’s go watch,” Pip said. He was tired of feeling sad — and Pip wanted desperately to see the sheriff, Robin Hood’s arch-enemy. “We don’t sup for at least two more bells.”
“There’s a lot of people going,” Harold said. “It’ll be really crowded.”
“Don’t be such a mouse,” Pip said. “I want to see the criminals. I wonder what they did. Probably murder!”
