The Knight Behind the Pillar

by John Pateman-Gee

  What was it going to be this time, some other scheme to make extra coin that could not fail? If I was honest Clegis was a daily test of my resolve as he was always trying to persuade me to invest in or do something.

  Quickly he reached me. “Now my boy we need words, I’m disappointed in you.” He said with his voice lowered enough so that only this valley could hear him instead of the entire country.

  For Clegis this was a new approach, an attempt to make me feel guilty before I had even heard of the details of the deal. I was suddenly interested at once.

  “Oh? And how might that have happened?” I asked casually.

  Clegis put his giant arm around my shoulders and I was lead away with my new tunic still wrapped around my crossed arms. This was now the time for the story and my escape was blocked by his arm and rough hand. Around us daily life continued and the people took no notice of us and focus on their tasks. They all had plenty of experience of blocking out the booming voice of Clegis over the years. Buildings ranged from timber or mud huts to grander stone or even old Roman brick that had been recycled from somewhere. Our slow walk took us through a collective mix of the former empire’s golden age and people’s attempts to make do in recent times.

  “Now I’ve been good to you I think,” Clegis began intently with a point to be made, “I don’t expect much my boy, but last night. I think, at least from what I could remember, I think I would have remembered if I had met a king.”

  Clegis this time had caught me off guard. He knew, well I guess everyone knew now, Arthur was going to be a new king and last night I had not told Clegis.

  “Oh, err.” I started, but not sure how to explain I bit my tongue.

  Sensing my awkwardness Clegis cut in again and this time was softer spoken. “But that’s alright, you no doubt had reasons my boy, I understands that. And now you have a fine story to tell I guess, I would love to hear it.” He invited, his thick eye brows raised in eagerness.

  It was the best innocent face or was it attempt at charming that Clegis had available to him and I might had though there was something wrong with him had I not known him better. I hesitated first with suspicion to Clegis’s invitation, but it was appealing to speak openly to someone not above me or otherwise noble.

  “Well, I met him yesterday morning….”

  Clegis interrupted at once to my annoyance. “Not long then.” He said thoughtfully.

  “No not long,” I agreed jadedly, rolling my eyes, “I was ordered to stay with him….”

  Clegis cut me off again. “You’re his servant then,” He proclaimed on the assumption, then abstractedly added with a though out loud looking away, “Well that might work.”

  I stopped walking instantly and it forced him to remove his arm or pull me along unwillingly. He let go, but took a few steps before realising or noticing that this was the end of the journey to Clegis’ new deal for me. I had been this far before, this was no friendly chat, this was Clegis seeking yet another opportunity and it was foolish for me to think otherwise.

  I decided immediately that I was not going to have any involvement as I had done many times before.

  “No, not servant, just a practice tar……I mean, well, I was just helping him practice which will help my own training.” I was serious and firm in my voice hoping to reflect the force that was Clegis when seeking a new venture. I decided it was best to skip the details for now, including ending up in a punching match with the future king only an hour ago. “That’s all it was, nothing more than that and nothing long term.”

  Clegis did not look convinced. “But you were with him last night.” He said, pointing out the fact in pursue.

  “I just had to stay with him for a time, show him the fort and town. That was all and that’s done now.” I answered, maybe in a little higher pitch than normal as admittedly I was not offering the complete truth.

  I willed Clegis to end his line of questioning and cleared my face of any emotion as well as stray strands of my coarse black hair. I tried to look as non-caring and bored about the whole event as possible. Only the portrayal that meeting a future king was a common occurrence was difficult. Made harder still when Arthur was likely on this occasion to soon be the most important living person in existence

  “Well my boy that be a shame. Might have been good for you, you know.” Clegis appeared to conclude with a disappointed shrug.

  He came back and patted my shoulder as he lumbered pass me. Clegis sounded like he given up the scent of opportunity for a moment, but I could not be sure. I needed a change of subject, but as I did not have one I allowed my curiosity to speak.

  “How did you work out I was with our new king last night?” I questioned, “Did you see him again at the fort when King Alain was speaking?”

  I quickly turned my heel and skipped to catch up with him as we headed back around to the hayloft now. No sight of a deal, Clegis had decided there was little point taking me further for a little chat. Not a slow walk this time I noted and I quicken my pace to walk alongside him.

  “No boy had better things to be doing than listen to the likes of him, Florie’s brother saw you having a fight with him though, the new king that is, you know, err, the practice thing you mentioned.”

  “Oh, what did he say?” I asked, my interest ignited again and inquisitiveness shone on my face.

  This was a chance to understand what the bystanders of our training match thought, what affect did the fact neither of us won have on their thoughts of Arthur, or did they see me attempt to lose!

  “Ah, well, he said you were very good, you have lots of potential boy.” Clegis answered back automatically and failing to notice my enthusiasm as we walked on.

  I could have been killed in the match and Clegis would still tell my ghost I was good and had potential. It wasn’t the opinion I wanted, but just a reaction to support your friend and avoid offence.

  So I tried again to get nearer the truth. “Art was good as well, that is, I mean his highness the king, the future king that is was good.” I baited hopefully, but also could have screamed at myself for giving away that I was on first name terms with the king.

  My own pursue was now on and this time he could be seen to think about the answer and hopefully not why I called the king Art.

  “Florie’s brother said,” He paused in thought and glanced down to me for a second, “do you know his name because I can’t remember?”

  Clegis’ muddling added to my frustration. “No.” I said too bluntly and shock my head.

  “Oh, well not important. Now he said, well, that is he simply agrees with you my boy that the young king has something,” said Clegis, then at once halted walking looking a little dazed. Thinking about it, Clegis had been talking a while now without having had a drink, the hangover might be catching up and it was years coming. And then he remembered more and continued onwards as if nothing happened, “Oh yes he said something about blocking with his arm then getting you unexpectedly, he was impressed by that move. Sounds dangerous if you ask me! Don’t you lot have shields or something, no wonder you moan about aches and pains when you get back my boy.”

  I was relieved at once at what Clegis failed to say and tuned out as he continued to express his opinion on my training. Importantly the king was not seen to lose and Arthur was not seen as poor and unskilled. Not that he was a bad swordsman by any means, he was good, better maybe compared to other squires I had duelled. The crowd maybe had not kept score, at least half of them probably could not count and why would they? From their distance they might not have heard Bedivere calling the scores. Both hands jumped to my forehead as I realised why Bedivere had moved us away from earshot and I could have kicked myself for not thinking of that before. He had thought ahead, it was so obvious now, something he had lectured me about. All the crowd saw was display of skills, the more visually fascinating the moves and display the more it pleased them. Yet what of our fight afterwards I wondered? I guessed that could have been seen as further training, but it was
unlikely I would ever find out for certain.

  I had fallen behind and ran to catch Clegis up again. “It was all just a practice.” I commented to avoid any doubt.

  Clegis’ well rounded face froze for a second to think about it. “I do prefer a proper tournament, some coin to be had in such things my boy. Mind you can’t remember the last time we had a local one mores the pity.” Clegis’ eyes grew brighter at the mere thought of extra opportunities for himself as he let his mind wander, but then he finally noticed the red fabric I had been clutching all this time. “New clothes is it, well your current ones are well overdue replacement. Any more holes and you’ll be deemed indecent and in them there stocks my boy.” He exclaimed followed by a deep roar of laughter at his own words.

  I smiled politely. As pleased as I was with the purchase, the guilt and battering of my resolve for this simple luxury had already started to hurt and I was not in the mood to be as light hearted. Besides, would he roar as loud if he realised this simple tunic was no longer potential rent in his pocket.

  “Unavoidable.” I said, but then thinking of my reduced stay and hayloft I asked, “Your guests have gone now and I can have my bed back, yes?”

  Instantly the roar disappeared and he looked very sheepish. “Well, no. I thought I had told you its two nights, I am sure I did?” He replied, looking about urgently and quickly moving ahead again.

  So I had heard right last night much to my disappointment as we appropriately arrived back at the start of our short journey. Back at the hayloft my home, but just not mine right now. I guess there were the fort stables again, that was if they were not now full. Otherwise I would have to find a suitable cold slab or maybe dry dirt floor someplace. Fittingly as a punishment for my lack of resolve, it will be an experience of the future to come once my rent for Clegis’ dry hayloft runs out.

  “And where am I going to go tonight? One night I was lucky to find somewhere and got some sleep, but another?” I complained out loud disappointingly and followed it by a frustrated exhale of breathe.

  “Ah well,” Clegis stammered, “I’m sorry my boy, but I have others in my home as well. And I couldn’t say no, you know,” and adding in a whisper which was unusual and pulling me closer said, “They’re very high nobility, not the likes to say no to, you know.”

  I did know and understood he did not have a choice. If they were paying rather than just taking the room it was a surprising and rare occasion and in either case it was in Clegis’ best interest to shut up and be gracious. I still wanted to answer back and tell him I was a noble too. Once I out ranked any lord, baron and the others and they would move out of my way and need to seek my approval. Instead my resolve had rallied its full strength finally and I said nothing. Clegis would remain no wiser to my heritage. To him I was just a son of a low ranking vessel knight somewhere in Northumberland or however he might pronounce it when drunk. Being a squire should in his eyes still make me a noble, but it was so low ranking and with so many other squires around the place thanks to Aries’s cheap labour approach it made little difference to anyone.

  I just nodded with a soft agreeing smile. “I suppose I had better start looking for a bed then.”

  Clegis took his opportunity to escape. “Oh yes, and I had better go too, lots to do, lots to do.” He said hurrying away as quick as a flash.

  “Bye Clegis.” I added slightly depressed as we parted company and I let me go to search for another opportunity.

  After hiding my remaining coin and treasured items I switched my rages to the linen shirt and threw the tunic over the top. I allowed myself a moment to feel good about it before needing to think where to go next. The day was almost over and darkness had descended. Around me torch lights were beginning to be lit and shadows returned to play against familiar places. People returned from their trades, some nodded greetings to me and I returned the same having know most of them for years, but could bring myself to ask any for a room for the night. The smells of cooking crept around the sides of the huts and I still had no place to go.

  Less than an hour later I could not help thinking that Arthur looked completely and utterly lost and alone in the vastness of the chapel. He stood before the three stone steps leading up to the front altar and chancel beyond. The alter was nothing more than a plain table with candles lit either side of a carved wooden cross that had been placed centrally. On this occasion the table also had on it the old sword from the rocks and a unadorned painted white shield from someone. Arthur wore a white vesture and I knew this was to symbolise purity and with it he wore black hose and shoes, but all these clothes appeared too large on him. Lying discarded on the steps leading up to the altar was a red robe which symbolised nobility and would be later be placed around Arthur’s shoulders in the ceremony to come.

  I knew the traditions of knighthood, all the rituals as I aspired to become one and was why I could bear to be in Caerleon. A small twinge of jealousy hit me as I stared and thought of the honour soon to be bestowed upon Arthur. Quickly I remembered the reality of his other larger problems and reminded myself that perhaps it would not be the same situation I would want to be in myself. Yet I still wondered. Knighted and then to be made high king in one day was a lot to take on, he must be cursing that rusted blade rather than praying towards it.

  Moments before and as my own lodgings remained unavailable I had wandered the grounds of the fort without any intended direction. Then I concluded that Arthur’s plight had cost me a bed for at least another night. Not his fault directly I knew, but I needed to blame someone and it might as well be him. He owed me a room I decided, somewhere warmer than sleeping on the grass outside or on the damp or otherwise just cold stones floor of the fort. It was why I was now here, not because he could get me a room I knew, but I had nowhere else to go and I was still wide awake. My mind was full of the day’s events, especially concerning our earlier fight and the conversation in the river that was still raw.

  I stood by a side door to the vast building just across from the altar and found that Arthur had yet to notice me. The actual main doors were central to the beginning of the long aisle. On opening these doors you would have a clear view through the building up to the steps of the altar at the end of the aisle. Rows of highly decorated highly unusual wooden pews were positioned each side, but they were not wide enough to reach the side walls where there was another wide space around the edges of the room.

  Caerleon was not a wealthy area. The run down armour of its guards was enough to tell you of its importance and place in the world. However, unlike many other villages and towns, those in charge did know what was important to spend what little money there was on. This meant investing in building solid walls for defence and a good chapel. Just in case the walls fell, you had at least ensured you had a good funeral and any god in the afterlife would be pleased by your judgments. The chapel was in fact far larger than it had ever been needed to be, at least until now. Pews, the bracing and to the tie beams holding the building together every exposed timber was carved or painted in decoration. It was a grand building and statement to someone long forgotten and who I wondered had thought of his own legacy rather than who you were there to worship.

  My disparagements on life pushed aside once again I decided to finally draw attention to my presence and falsely coughed.

  Arthur spun around in surprise. “What the, Tor you’re not supposed to be here.” He exclaimed anxiously, looking alert for anyone else.

  “And you’re supposed to be praying.” I stated lightly.

  “I was!” countered Arthur sharply, his defences went up quickly and I first feared for a moment we had not settled our differences from earlier, but then he relented. “Mostly, but it’s a bit hard after a few hours if I’m honest. I keep thinking about tomorrow, my father, my brother, Merlin and the sword, everything, it’s all fighting against each other in my head. It’s difficult to concentrate on anything else”

  He was understandably worried and dreading the day ahead, caught up
in a wind of change and blown off his feet by it. I approached Arthur, my broad smile once again in place to help change the subject.

  “I thought you might want the company, and I also thought there might be a chance for better bed somewhere in here than outside.”

  Both of us spoke in half whispers to avoid the echoes of the chapel capturing our voices.

  “Yours still being let out to others?” Arthur questioned and I nodded. “It’s up to you. Can’t see anywhere where you might get some sleep mind you. And it’s your risk if you get caught, you’ll be in serious trouble then.”

  He did not sound overly welcoming, then again he had other concerns and perhaps he was panicking under his stern face.

  “Ah, but there lies the answer. If.” I said and I looked down to the ceremonial robe near his feet. “Besides you have already provided a blanket for my trouble.”

  “But you can’t have that!” Arthur half cried out, shaking his head as his voice gained a sudden sense of alarm.

  “Why not, you have praying to do so won’t miss it; anyways I doubt you can move now to stop me in those clothes.” I joked calmly.

  Arthur unexpectedly relaxed with a roll of his eyes and surrendering sigh, my quest completed I thought, I would not need to bait him further. His tensions appeared to lift for a moment from his shoulders and as a breakthrough I got a rare smile for a second. “You’re right I look, well I am not short, but these make me look small like a child,” Stated Arthur shaking his arms to show just how long the arms of the vesture were beyond his hands before rolling them back again.

  “No just stupid.” I mocked.

  “Thanks, thanks a lot. You’d think they would be able to find some the right size somewhere.”

  “Especially for a future king!” I added. “Are you going to get something that fits for your coronation tomorrow or is that it?”

  Arthur pulled a face that almost appeared to represent sudden pain and he screwed up his freckled face. “Please let’s not mention that now, just not right now.” He said, attempting to stay light-hearted, but the underlying tone of fear was clear.