Falls Ende

Chapter 3

Although not in full armour, the mail and greaves Sir William wore added to his weight and did little to slow his momentum. Still clutching his spear, the lord unsuccessfully attempted to halt his advance by digging it into the soft wet earth. His effort was wasted as the spear snapped when it caught on a buried rock. Sir William plunged into Falls Ende, somewhere just over halfway down.

Just before he vanished over the edge, two more mailed knights appeared from the forest and heard their lord's stricken cry. As one, they dismounted quickly, while Godwin Read, on the other side of the falls, was already moving. He stepped close to the edge and saw Sir William Ainsley bounce from a boulder and come to rest partially submerged in the pool at the bottom. More noblemen began appearing and Godwin, ignoring their questioned pleas, began kicking off his boots and removing his tunic. In mere seconds, he was standing at the edge of the falls in bare feet, looking down. Sir William lay partly across a boulder and was about to slide into the pool - he wasn't moving. The weight of his armour would drag his limp body beneath the surface to drown, just like the sheep.

Odo ran up to stand beside his father just as he leapt. Godwin planned his jump carefully, and as he dropped, he contracted his body as much as possible lest an outstretched limb strike an object on the way down.

He hit the water with a tremendous splash just as the lord disappeared. Odo was relieved to see his father land safely. Godwin quickly found his footing at the pool's edge, reached down into the frigid, silty water, grabbed Sir William's slack arm, and with some difficulty began pulling the spluttering man to safety. The lord was only underwater a few seconds before his head surfaced, and Godwin began checking him for injuries. Thankfully, he still lived.

Above, knights and noblemen peered over the edge and began shouting questions, enquiring after Sir William's condition. Some began removing their armour, preparing to come to Godwin's assistance. Within moments, the familiar face of Edgar the huntsman appeared, and Godwin shouted over the noise of the waterfall for rope to hoist the lord up.

Blood flowed freely from a few lacerations on Sir William's head. The lord was most fortunate; he'd been wearing a cervelliere, a small metal skull cap, which probably saved his life. Now dented in at least two places, it was cast aside. His body armour appeared to have prevented further injury.

Sir William stirred, coughed a few times, and tried to struggle into a sitting position. He was somewhat dazed and confused. Godwin spoke soothingly and respectfully, asking the lord to remain still until he could be pulled to safety.

Concerned knights and noblemen fawned over their injured lord, and, expressed no gratitude or acknowledgement to the man who bravely risked his own life to save him; Godwin was rudely shouldered aside. Shivering uncontrollably, Godwin Read began walking along the path to a bridge about a hundred and fifty yards away so he could return to the other side of the river and resume work. Seeing the state of his father, Odo picked up his tunic and capuchin and began running alongside the river towards the bridge. Far in the distance, the muted and persistent baying of a solitary, disobedient hound could still be heard.

Sitting up, Sir William Ainsley regained his full faculties, and was now being attended to by the huntsman. A few steps behind him, a group of four knights were in discussion, their voices becoming increasingly louder. One young man, Sir William's only son, Sir Wystan, broke away from the group, stepped to his father and crouched at his side.

"Milord, I saw what happened, t'was the boy of the herdsman, he brandished his spade causing yer horse to shy-"

Hearing the exchange, the three knights, all young men, approached the lord. "We saw it as well, Sir William, the boy's actions were wanton," proclaimed one, lending support to the accusation.

The other two murmured in agreement with less conviction.

"I shall have the reeve4-" continued Sir Wystan, only to be interrupted again.

"Ye'll do no such thing!" bellowed the lord. The yelling causing him additional pain. He winced at the vocal exertion.

"The lad was irreverent and offered no respect, milord," Sir Wystan appealed. "It was a deliberate act of insolence that cannot and must not go unpunished."

A supporting chorus of indiscernible mumbling from the three other knights added weight to the assertions.

"A wagon'll be here soon, sire," offered Edgar. "Take yer back to th' manor, it will."

Sir William closed his eyes tightly. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Fetch m' horse, Sir Wystan. I'll not be trussed up in back of a farandman's5 wagon... so long as I live and breathe, I'll ride back."

Unhappy to be tasked with menial duties normally assigned to lessers, Wystan Ainsley prodded Edgar with his foot and inclined his head.

"Aye, milord," Edgar bowed his head and backed away to retrieve the lord's horse.

Sir Wystan's face was dark.

Across the river, Godwin and Odo were hard at work. Steam rose from Godwin's wet breeches as father and son toiled in the cold morning air.