The Dunston Blade

by John Daines

  John and Alban moved off as the villagers rounded up more of the trespassers. Entering the Chateau they searched the first floor and found, locked in a room, Monsieur Trouville his wife, son and daughter. They were weak and in poor health, the room had two straw matrices, a table, four chairs and a bucket. When John entered they cowered in a corner, afraid of this man clad in armour. John spoke calmly to them and told them who he was and Madam Trouville broke down in tears, her husband stood in front of John and held out his hand.

  “When you have had something to eat and drink I want to know what has happened here,” said John.

  He went out to where he had left Tristan.

  “Where are they?” said John.

  “We have locked them in one of the store houses,” replied Tristan.

  “They can stay there until we find out what has been taking place here. Where is Gerard?” said John. Gerard was with the villagers who had rounded up the rest of the intruders.

  “There were some who resisted,” Gerard explained. “They will not bother anyone any more. There are no casualties from our men. Two of these prisoners came with the men you know.”

  “Thank you for all your help,” said John. “Let’s find out what has been going on here.”

  They questioned the prisoners and it transpired that the ship had put in at Brest and Thatcher and Carpenter had made good their escape. They were making their way to Caen when they reached Rennes they heard of the English Lord and his vineyard. They had recruited the riffraff and taken over the Chateau. John went back to the Chateau and found the Trouville family much recovered and full of gratitude for their release. Some of the villagers were workers who had been thrown off the estate and immediately began to clean and tidy up the house. John and Tristan change into more comfortable clothing and discussed what their next steps would be. That evening the house had been transformed as servants began to return and most importantly the cook was back in the kitchen. Over a late meal Monsieur Trouville told John that the money from the last grape harvest was hidden and the two villains had not found it. All in all it had been a successful day but John was tired and it was soon obvious as his head kept dropping so excusing himself he went to bed.

  He was rudely awakened by Tristan shaking him.

  “They’ve escaped. One guard killed and another injured!”

  John quickly put on some clothes, grabbed his sword and dagger and followed Tristan to the scene of the escape. There had been a man who had escaped detection when they were rounding up the other men employed by Thatcher. He had returned and killed one jailor and severely injuring the second then helping Thatcher and Carpenter to escape. Chad and Alban had saddled two horses which Tristan and John quickly mounted and set off towards the coast which was the direction the two prisoners had been seen heading. The sun was just coming up when they could see three men making for a wood some distance away. John and Tristan spurred their mounts in that direction hoping to cut off the escapees before they reached the trees.

  They only just made it and the three men on foot slashed at the horses as John and Tristan drew their swords and told the prisoners to give themselves up. John jumped from his horse and before the startled men could do anything his sword had parted Thatcher’s head from his body and was going after Carpenter who tried to run but was pierced through before he had even turned the third man fell to his knees begging to be spared. Tristan had also dismounted and grabbed John’s arm.

  “Stop he is unarmed John,” he shouted.

  John, breathing heavily lowered his weapon. Tristan could feel John’s arm trembling as he fought for control.

  “It has a mind of its own,” said a shaking John. “ I must get rid of it before it lands me in real trouble.”

  He wiped the sword clean and told the third man to bury the bodies, he sat down with his back to a tree. Tristan looked at him and said that he only used the sword in defence or attacking enemy so maybe he should keep it and learn how to control it better. When the burial was done they went back to the Chateau and agreed with the villagers that the prisoners should be taken to the nearest town and handed over to the authorities.

  John spent a fitful night, the actions of the previous day weighing on his mind, did the sword have some fearful power. He rose early and went down to the stables, saddled his horse and rode to Rennes arriving at the Benedictine monastery of Saint-Metaine just as the office of prime was finishing. John found the Abbott and asked if he would hear his confession, after which the Abbott suggested that John place the sword at the foot of the High Altar and pray. As John knelt there he heard someone enter and turning his head he saw Tristan walking up the aisle. The young man knelt beside John and the two of them joined together in prayer. A sudden intake of breath from Tristan made John open his eyes and he saw the sword had a gentle glow around it. Tristan stood and stepped back but John could not move, he was transfixed by the swords glow, he could read what his father had inscribed on the blade clearly ‘DEO JUVANTE’.

  John stood and picked up the sword, sheathed it as the suns rays continued to pour through the upper window like a spot light directly onto the altar where the sword had lain. John smiled and turned to follow Tristan.

  John and Tristan rode slowly back to the Chateau, both deep in thought. It was an experience they would both remember for a long, long time. When John arrived he went straight to his room and considered what had happened, when the sword had been made his father had worked normally, there had been no unusual occurrences. He vowed to learn to control the weapon to his way of fighting. The next morning, after a meeting with the Trouville’s, John walked out to the gardens and found Tristan and Alban practicing with their swords.

  “Come and join us,” called Tristan.

  John thought for a moment and then walked over to them and drew his sword. They practiced for a while, thrusting and cutting and comparing various moves. John relaxed and his expertise began to show without any danger to opponents, especially when he fought both of them and disarmed them both. As Tristan picked up his weapon he called to John.

  “I said it was you and not the sword.”

  They walked back to the Chateau together and after meeting Chad they shared a meal and began discussing when they should return home. Brittany was not the most comfortable place for Englishmen as there was a movement to take it back to France. John called Monsieur Trouville and when the man arrived he said.

  “I have the necessary papers here to permanently lease the Chateau and lands to you. Sir Cedric wishes a Frenchman to legally operate this property, how say you? Is this acceptable to you?”

  Monsieur Trouville said it was most acceptable and this would allow him to expand the vineyard. Having concluded the business John told him they would be leaving in the morning.

  II

  The four adventurers left early to find their way to St Malo hoping to find a ship bound for England. When they arrived at the port they found it very crowded mainly with English people trying to get back to their homeland. Alban found a reasonable Inn that could accommodate them all, including horses, and John with Tristan went to the harbour in search of passage on a ship. No Captain wanted to take the horses and John decided to send them back to the Chateau with Alban, he also included his suit of armour, just keeping a chain mail vest and helmet. Alban agreed that he would stay with the horses and when everything had settled down make his way home. The three of them went from ship to ship but without success, it appeared that everyone was trying to get to England. Eventually they returned to the Inn and ordered a meal, the Innkeeper came to them and said as it was so busy he wanted payment in advance as he didn’t know who they were. Tristan was quite offended and stood up.

  “Do you know who you are talking to?” he said. “This is Sir John Ivanson, a personal friend of Sir Cedric of Wymondham and owner of the Chateaux Vent, so mind your manners.”

  The Innkeeper said how was he to know and now he did know they were most welcome as he purchased wine from the Chateaux.
After a good meal and a few glasses of wine they were ready for their beds, John was soon soundly asleep. Suddenly he was woken by movement outside his door but before he could reach his sword several men burst in and held him down on the bed. A tall thin man looked down on him. “Dress yourself, you are now a prisoner of King Phillip of France.”

  John’s hands were tied and he was led downstairs. At the bottom of the stairs he saw at the body of Chad who had obviously tried to stop the French but had paid with his life. Outside in the yard he was bundled into a cart where Tristan sat also bound hand and foot.

  “Did you see Chad?”said Tristan.

  “Yes,” answered John, “a brave man murdered by these villains.”

  “Quiet,” said the leader of the group, “we had no choice.”

  The cart trundled and bumped out of the yard and in the dim morning light made its way along the coastal road on their route to who knows where.

  As they passed through the towns the cart and its occupants drew many an inquisitive glance.

  John wondered what had happened to his weapons and was not until the third day that he saw his scabbard, sword and bow strapped to the tall man’s horse, if only he could free his hands. They untied him to eat but he was watched closely and when finished immediately tied up again. He managed to talk to Tristan but when he used English they were told to keep to French. John had been trying to find out the leaders name but the other soldiers, for that is what they were, would not tell him. At one stop, at an old Inn near the outskirts of Paris, the landlord spoke to one of the guards and called the leader ‘ Monsieur le Corbeau’ or in English ‘ The Raven’. They trundled through the streets of Paris to an old Castle where John and Tristan were taken to a tower that had two rooms and off the smaller room a garderobe. The larger room had table and chairs and in the smaller a large bed. The window was barred but also high up in the tower. Their guards left and locked the large solid oak door. They were both dog tired after the journey and were soon sharing the large bed sound asleep.

  In the morning they were brought bread and cheese, water and their clothes. They washed and ate and John remarked.

  “They had this planned, they have collected our clothes and weapons from the Inn. It must have been the information we gave to the Captains of the ships we were trying to buy passage from.”

  “But why bring us all the way to Paris?” asked Tristan.

  “I have my suspicions from what Sir Cedric told me,” said John. “The French King needs money so he captures what he thinks are wealthy men or from wealthy families and holds them for ransom.” Tristan moaned, “I shall be here for ever as my family has no money.”

  They sat discussing this when the door was unlocked and le Corbeau entered the room with two guards.

  “Ah my friends I hope you are comfortable and you have everything you need?”

  John replied, “How long do you intend to keep us here. I was not aware that we were at war?”

  “We are always at war with the English,” said le Corbeau. “Until you are driven from all our lands we shall be at war. However that is not why I came. We have sent a message to Sir Cedric stating that we want a certain amount of money for your release, as is customary. Until that reaches us we ask that you assure us you will not try to escape and for that you will be moved to more comfortable surroundings and allowed to walk in the gardens. Do I have that assurance?”

  John looked at him and said, “It is our duty to try and escape to our country and our families, you would do the same. What we will say is that we will not kill any guards or your staff when we do escape.”

  The Frenchman laughed. “Then you will never escape because you would have to kill all of them to leave this Castle. I think I will take the challenge and you will be moved tomorrow.”

  He looked straight into John’s eyes and then swept out of the room.

  They were roused early the next day and escorted to a different tower where they were led to a suite of rooms that were better furnished. They now had a large room to sit and eat with two smaller bedrooms and the usual garderobe. An old woman appeared and brought water to wash and a jug of wine.

  “Not a very appetising bed companion,” said Tristan.

  “That’s the idea,” said John. “You would not be able to get round her to assist you in escaping.”

  That night John lay in his bed thinking of Tania and wondering if she was missing him and if she knew of his plight.

  Several months went by as John and Tristan waited for news. They walked every inch of the garden looking for places to get out without being noticed. The Castle was very near the river and they could hear boats going up and down. There was just one window that looked out over the gardens but it was heavily barred, and the other wall had the guarderobe. All other windows faced inwards to the garden and bailey. John kept thinking and planning but with no success. They did not see much of their captor, the old woman said he had gone north to war. The days began to get shorter and nights longer as winter arrived, fortunately they were kept supplied with wood and there was always a large fire burning. One evening as Tristan was returning from the guarderobe he commented.

  “It’s freezing in there, the wind blows right up your arse. It’s a good job we are up this high over the river or you would get a wash at the same time.”

  John spent a good deal of his time trying to find a way that they could break out of the prison. He noticed that the guards had become more relaxed around them and there seemed to be less in number. Given time an opportunity was sure to arise. To try and break out of the garden was impossible, there were too many guards and it only led to the Bailey. John had looked at the guarderobe as a means of reaching the river but the holes were too small and landing in the filth below was not very appetising. A guarderobe was a small bay built out on the wall of the Castle where the normal functions of emptying your body’s waste went through a hole and straight down the wall. That night he looked at the project again, would it be possible to widen the hole? There were two holes and if they restricted use to just one then they could work on the remaining hole to try and widen it. No one other than themselves ever went in there. The problem was how could they cut through the stone that the Castle was built from, then Lady Luck shined upon them. Some repairs where being done to the battlements near their tower and the builders had to come into their part of the garden. A plan began to take form in John’s mind.

  “Don’t drink all your wine tonight,” said John over their evening meal. “Put it in this bottle.”

  “What’s the idea?” asked Tristan.

  “We need at least three bottles for an idea I have,” answered John.

  When the old woman came with their meal John complained that he was not sleeping well and would she bring an extra bottle of wine to help him. After some grumbling the woman said she could do better than that and went out. When she came back she handed John a little leather purse and told him there was a powder inside that her mother had taught her to make from mushrooms and that a small amount in a glass of wine would make him sleep, but not to overdo the amount or he might sleep forever. John thanked her and pocketed the purse. The next day was one of those early autumn days that was still warm and sunny, they prepared themselves for their usual trip to the gardens but this time taking two bottles of wine, one dosed with a small amount of the powder. They sat on the grass and listened to the builders working on the battlements, The work finished for the day and the builders came down through the garden.

  “Hot work on a day like today,” said John.

  “It certainly is and working up there in the sun makes it hotter,” replied one of the two builders.

  “Sit awhile and join us in a drink,” said Tristan.

  “Now that’s an offer we can’t refuse,” said the second man and they both sat down. Tristan offered the dosed bottle of wine to them and John drank from the other. It did not take long for the drug to work and the two men were soon fast asleep. John opened their bags and fou
nd there were several hammers and chisels, taking one hammer and two chisels he closed the bags. Dusk was falling and John tried to waken the men. One of them gradually came round.

  “That must have been strong wine or we were very tired, we will miss our meal if we don’t hurry. Help me rouse my mate we must go quickly.”

  “We were also asleep I think it was bad wine,” replied John.

  They gathered up their bags and staggered off. Mid morning the next day the builders returned, they were still groggy from the drink the previous evening and blamed the castle servants for sending poor wine. John went back to the guarderobe while Tristan kept an eye on the builders, when they started hammering, so did John hoping nobody would notice any difference in the direction of the noise. His luck was in as a large slab of stone fell almost immediately and there was soon quite a large hole in one side of the guarderobe. As more stone fell so the stench rose from the piles of excrement at the bottom and John had to stop and go outside the room to breath. At last he thought the hole was big enough and went down to the garden to join Tristan.

  “I will drop the hammer and chisels in the grass and they will think they left them there,” said John.

  Sure enough the builders came into the garden and one of them tripped on the hammer and said.

  “I told you I hadn’t dropped it over the side, it’s here, and the chisels. Must have left them last night. Don’t offer us a drink tonight, we’re still suffering from the last one.”

  With that they left and said they would see them tomorrow. John and Tristan went back to the guarderobe and looked down the widened hole.

  “Do you think we can get through there?”asked John.

  “Looks all right, but I don’t fancy it much. It’s where we land worries me, in all that muck, and it’s quite a drop,” replied Tristan.

  “We can dive into the river and get cleaned up, my main concern is that we have no weapons, except our daggers. I wonder what he has done with my sword, I must get it back,” said John. “Let’s have our meal and think it over.”