The Fate of the Arrow

by Shel Pais

  “Avram, do you hear that?” David whispered.

  “Yes. It’s coming over there by the road.”

  “Follow me and stay down. Let’s see what it is,” David said, taking his bow and the five arrows with him.

  The two boys crept along the forest by the road, as the sounds of voices were becoming louder. Then they saw it. A man who looked like a nobleman was lying on the ground, and three outlaws stood over him. One had a sword pointed at the man’s throat, and the other two held daggers. David tried to hear what they were saying, but it was difficult, since they were keeping their voices down.

  “Avram, they’re going to kill him. I heard one of them say so.”

  “But what can we do about it? There are three of them, and if they see us, they’ll kill us too.”

  David made a decision. “Avram, stay here until I call for you.” He began to crawl a little closer to get a better view of what was happening. Then David heard the outlaw holding the sword say, “Don’t keep questioning me. Just do it.”

  David perched himself on one knee, notched an arrow, aimed, and released it. The arrow hit the outlaw right in his chest. He quickly notched a second arrow and shot at another outlaw, hitting him in his left eye as he looked over to see where the shooter was. He fell over immediately. The third arrow hit the last outlaw in his stomach. David watched as the man fell, and the nobleman quickly got up, took the other outlaw’s sword, and killed him with a thrust through his heart.

  David froze. He began to realize what he had done. I just killed three men. I did it almost without thinking. He started shaking, but then calmed down. The nobleman was calling for him. Should he go? He said he wanted to thank me. David slowly walked out of the brush.

  “My lord, are you all right?” he asked, bowing his head as he stood in front of Henry.

  Henry gazed at the boy standing in front of him, carrying a bow and two arrows.

  “Was it you who saved me?”

  “It was, my lord.”

  “But you’re only a boy. Your shots were perfect. I would have been killed if you hadn’t been there. What’s your name?”

  David did not answer immediately. He could not tell him his real name, or that he was Jewish. He might be in enough trouble anyway, so he decided he would use a different name. “I am called Donald, my lord.”

  “Do you know who I am?”

  “No, my lord, I’m sorry but I don’t.”

  “I am Baron Henry de Percy of York. Donald, I am deeply in your debt. Where did you learn to shoot so well? Come. Tell me all about it while we wait for my lazy escort.”

  “I taught myself, my lord, for the last year or so.”

  “I’m impressed. You apparently were born with the skill. I wish my archers could shoot as well, even after years of practice.”

  Henry then remembered the incident with the dead forester. “Tell me, Donald, where did you get your bow and arrows?”

  David did not know how to answer. He had not thought of any story to cover himself if he was discovered.

  “Don’t worry, Donald. I assume you found them on the dead forester, am I correct, and were afraid to report it?”

  David felt he could not lie. “Yes, my lord. I always wanted to be an archer, and when I stumbled upon the forester, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity. I beg you not to report me.”

  “I won’t. And I suggest we keep that our secret. It’s better you don’t tell anyone else, either. After all, you saved my life. If you hadn’t found them and not been out here at this time, I probably would be dead. I want to reward you. What is your pleasure?”

  Almost without thinking, David answered. “I want to be a knight.”

  Henry laughed. “How old are you?”

  “Fifteen.”

  “Do you know what it takes to become a knight?”

  “I guess I don’t, my lord.”

  “You first must be a squire. Can you come with me to York and train to be one?”

  David could not believe what he had just heard. “Yes, my lord, I can.”

  “What about your family. Where do you live?”

  Now David had to think fast. While he did not want to lie, he had no choice. “I have no family, my lord. They died when I was very young. I’ve been living near here with a poor family who took me in.”

  “So, there would be no problem for you coming with me now?”

  “No, my lord. I have a friend near here who can tell the family. Give me a few minutes, and I will return shortly.”

  “Very well but be quick. I hear my men approaching, and I want to leave.”

  David ran back through the brush. “Avram,” he whispered. “Come here.”

  Avram stepped out from behind a tree. “David, I heard what the baron said. You can’t be serious. You can’t just leave your father, brother and sister like that.”

  “I have no choice. This is my chance. I can’t travel to York by myself. If I don’t go now, I’ll never go.”

  “And what do I tell your father? That you killed three thieves, saved a baron’s life, and now you’re going to York to train as a knight?”

  “Not a knight. A squire. And, no, you can’t tell him anything of what happened.”

  “What happens when they find out you’re a Jew?”

  “They won’t. I’ll keep it a secret.”

  “How can you possibly do that? What do you know about living as a Christian? Even if you can fool them for a while, eventually they’ll find out, or become suspicious. You know you can never let anyone see you naked.”

  “I know. Somehow, I’ll just have to learn how to be a Christian. And you must never tell my father that. Please, Avram, just tell my father I had to leave for a while, but I will be back. I promise.”

  “David, you’re my best friend, and I’ll do what you ask, but I don’t know how. Your father will ask me many questions.”

  “Just do your best. I’ll try to get word to him as soon as I can. Goodbye, Avram. I hope to see you again soon.”

  The boys embraced, and Avram left. David ran to the cave to retrieve the sword. Then he hurried back to where the baron was yelling at his men, berating them for resting and not staying with him.

  “Ah, Donald. I see you have a sword as well. Do you know how to use it?”

  “No, my lord. I don’t.”

  “We’ll teach you. Men, this is Donald. While you were loafing, he saved my life.”

  Henry’s men-at-arms greeted Donald with mutterings, obviously embarrassed a boy had saved their master from certain death. Bryce jumped down from the cart. “I’m Bryce, the baron’s page. Thank you for saving him.” Bryce glared at the men-at-arms while he spoke.

  “Donald, you can ride with Bryce. Everyone else can walk the entire way back to York.”

  David and Bryce climbed into the cart, and Bryce took the reins. “You’ll like living at York castle. Baron Henry sets a fine table, and we eat well.”

  David felt regretful as he thought about what Bryce had said. I have never eaten non-kosher food. I may have to eat pork and who knows what else. I may have to go to church. I cannot celebrate the High Holidays. I will be going against all I have learned and what my family has endured. Then his thoughts changed. If I can learn how to be a warrior, maybe even become a knight, perhaps I can be a champion for my people. Perhaps one day I can avenge my mother’s death. Maybe I can show them Jews can fight given the opportunity. He began to feel a bit better about what at first felt like the worst thing he could do to betray his religion, his people, and his family. God gave me this opportunity, and now it is up to me to make the best of it. And I will.

  “Do you live there?” David asked.

  “Usually. My father is the baron’s blacksmith and chief armorer. I stay at the castle when the baron needs me, but I go home whenever he lets me.”

  Bryce looked at David. “You’re lucky. You don’t have to start your training as a page, like me. Where did you get your bow and arrows?’

  He was
comfortable telling Baron Henry the truth, but not Bryce or anyone else. He decided to ignore Bryce’s question.

  “That’s all right, Donald. I was just curious. I don’t have to know. Be careful of Baron Henry’s men, though. Since it was their fault for leaving him unprotected, they’ll resent you for what you did and will most likely try to find some way to get back at you.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be careful.”

  Avram quickly walked out of the forest, always fearful of the many dangers he always believed were present there. However, he was more nervous about how he was going to tell David’s father his son was not coming home for a while. Knowing what I know, how can I keep David’s secret? Mordecai will most assuredly not let me go with a simple explanation. David, what have you gotten me into?

  As Avram reached the town and got closer to David’s house, he decided he just had to tell him the bare minimum. He would not lie to Mordecai. He just would not tell him the details.

  He finally arrived at David’s house, took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Benjamin answered.

  “Avram. Where’s David? We thought the two of you had gone looking for more plants and herbs.”

  “Is your father home? I must speak to him.”

  Benjamin sensed something was wrong. “Is David all right?”

  “He’s fine. Now, where is your father?”

  Mordecai then appeared. “Avram, is David not with you?”

  Avram took another deep breath. “No, Mordecai, he isn’t. Don’t worry, he’s fine. He wanted me to tell you he had to go away for a while, and he will get word to you as soon as he can.”

  Mordecai was stunned. “Went away? Where? Why?”

  Now Avram had to do his best to honor David’s wishes. If he told Mordecai the truth, Mordecai would most certainly travel to York to get David. That would immediately reveal David’s secret and ruin his opportunity.

  “Mordecai, I’m sorry, but I cannot tell you anything more. Just know he is safe.”

  Mordecai relaxed a bit. While he did not know why David wanted to spend as much time in Salcey as he did, his father always suspected that perhaps it was his son who found the weapons. If so, that may have something to do with this.

  “Avram, you’ve been David’s best friend for a long time. If you’re keeping something from me because David asked you to, I will respect that. I know David always maintained thoughts of leaving West End and our life here. Something must have happened to cause him to do this without any warning. Since he apparently could not tell me himself, it must be something I would not approve of. I’m sure I’ll find out what it is, but I won’t make you betray his confidence.”

  Great relief washed over Avram. He had honored David’s wishes and still maintained a good relationship with Mordecai. “Thank you, Mordecai. That means a lot to me.”

  Mordecai looked at Benjamin and Rachel, who had just entered.

  “Come here, my children. I must talk to you. Your brother David had to go away for a while. I don’t know where or why he has gone, but he is safe, and will get word to us as soon as he can.”

  Rachel began to cry, and Mordecai embraced her. “It will be all right. We all know David wanted a different kind of life. I can only assume he left us for a good reason. When he’s ready, he’ll tell us what that is.”

  “What will we tell people when they ask about him?” Benjamin asked.

  “I don’t know just yet. I’ll think of something.”

  Both children looked at each other, sad and confused about the entire situation. All of a sudden, their brother was gone with no explanation? And he was safe? Something must have happened to him. It made no sense. “I’ll try to find out what happened, Rachel,” Benjamin said as he consoled his still weeping sister. “I must know.”

  DAVID GAZED IN AWE UPON York Castle. It had experienced considerable turmoil since it was built after the Norman Conquest. King Henry III recently had rebuilt it out of stone from the original wood. The keep had a design called a quatrefoil, with an outer bailey wall and gatehouse. David knew about the massacre of Jews that occurred there in 1190, and he tried to hide his sadness about being on the exact spot. It made him angry inside. If my people could have fought back or at least had our own protection, perhaps that horrible event would not have happened, he thought.

  “Well, Donald, isn’t it magnificent?” Baron Henry said. “I’ve petitioned the king to make some additional improvements. You can see we are well-protected.”

  “Yes, my lord. I’ve only seen Northampton Castle from the outside, and it’s nothing like this.”

  “Bryce, come here,” the baron commanded. Bryce was unloading the cart with the baron’s personal items.

  “Yes, my lord?”

  “I want you to take good care of Donald. He can stay in your quarters with you. Tell Carleton to have an extra bed brought in. I think there’s room for two.”

  “Yes, my lord. Come with me, Donald. I’ll show you around.”

  “Who’s Carleton?” David asked.

  “He’s the baron’s seneschal. He runs the castle, making sure there is enough food for Baron Henry, his family, and eventually us,” Bryce answered with a grin.

  David followed Bryce through a side door that led into the kitchen. David saw people preparing what he guessed was the baron’s supper. When he saw a huge pig roasting on a spit, he knew his first test of keeping his identity secret would come quickly. He saw other dishes being prepared that may not have been kosher but were not as blatantly against his religion as the pork. Also, the chickens, ducks, and geese he saw being prepared may not have been ritually slaughtered, but at least they were permissible.

  Bryce showed him the great hall where the baron held his feasts, his court and council. The two boys stepped on the dais where the baron and Lady Eleanor sat. Bryce sat in the baron’s chair.

  “Look, Donald. I’m Baron Bryce.”

  They both laughed, as Donald sat down next to him.

  “Donald, that’s Lady Eleanor’s chair. Maybe I should call you Lady Donald!”

  David immediately stood, and they both laughed again.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Donald. I think we’ll have a good time. Baron Henry said we can train to be squires together.”

  “I hope that doesn’t mean we will have to fight each other. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”

  Bryce appeared offended at David’s remark, then grinned. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he responded back.

  Bryce took David to his room. While small, it was not too far from the baron’s chamber, so his page could be available when the baron needed him.

  “Bryce,” David asked, “when you’re training to be a squire, will you still be a page?”

  “Baron Henry said when I train a new page I can concentrate on my squire training. I wouldn’t want you to get too far ahead of me.”

  Carleton had a bed brought in, and although it was a bit tight, it fit. It was not as nice as the one he had at West End, but it was clean and seemed comfortable.

  “Donald, tonight we’ll attend the baron’s feast to celebrate his return. You may meet some important people there. Be sure to bow and be polite. The baron requires we be courteous at all times. But be wary of Father Zacharias. He always will scold you for not paying attention during Mass or not following any Church law or custom. He watches everyone, especially the boys.”

  David knew this was another area where he had to be careful.

  “Bryce, the poor people who took me in did not go to church very often, and when they did, they usually did not take me.”

  “You were baptized, weren’t you?”

  “I think so. I’m not really sure.”

  “Then you will have to discuss this with Father Zacharias. You may have to be baptized again.”

  David realized he had made a mistake. “No, I’m sure I was baptized, I remember hearing my parents talk of it when I was small.”

  “I hope you can meet my parents soon. They live just outside
the castle walls.” Bryce paused. “Donald, how did your parents die?”

  David answered without hesitation. “They became quite ill. I don’t know much more, as I was too young to understand.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I never knew them very well, so let’s not talk about it again, if you please.”

  “Of course. Come, let’s prepare for the feast.”

  Bryce looked David over. “You’ll need some new clothes. The forest and the journey here made yours quite dirty.”

  In all the excitement of his new life, David had forgotten all he had was what was on his back. He could not have gone home to get anything. Baron Henry never mentioned anything about clothes. “I have no money. How can I buy some?”

  “Don’t worry, Donald. We’ll visit the baron’s seamstress. She can make you a new tunic and breeches. The baron takes care of his own.”

  “Everything happened so quickly. I didn’t have much of anything else anyway.”

  Bryce looked at what David was wearing. His tunic and stockings looked to be of a better quality than someone who said he lived with a poor family. It started to arouse his curiosity, and then he shrugged. “Let’s wash up a bit. You’ll have to try to get as much dirt off your clothes as you can. I don’t think any of my clothes will fit you.”

  While Bryce and David were the same age, David was several inches taller and huskier than Bryce. Using a washbasin, David did his best to remove as much dirt as he could. Luckily, most of it was on the surface, so when they dried, he looked almost clean.

  “Very well done. I think the baron will be pleased. Come. Let’s go down to the great hall.”

  David followed right behind Bryce, feeling more nervous the closer he got to the hall. This could be a very difficult night. He had to be very careful how he answered any question. One slip, just one suspicious person who even thought he was not who he said he was, could mean disaster. As they approached the great hall, he heard loud voices and music. The baron had sent one of his men on ahead with a borrowed horse to announce his return and ensure his welcome back feast would be as well attended as possible on such short notice. David counted eight tables with eight people at each. There were knights and ladies, and several others who looked to be very important, although he had no idea who they were.