Falls Ende

Chapter 5

It was half-light, neither day nor night, and young Odo already turned the sheep and the cows loose from their overnight shelter. Attached to their home was another structure called a byre; it was used to house cattle and sheep during evenings and inclement weather, it also kept them safe from thieves and other predators. Grabbing a large rake, Odo began mucking out the dirtied straw as Godwin assembled the tools he would need to complete the tasks required of him that day.

"Hail, Herdsman Godwin!" came a voice.

Not used to early morning visitors, Godwin turned in surprise and recognised the outline of a man standing in the doorway. He smiled. "And good morning to yer, Reeve Norman."

The reeve entered the byre and watched young Odo, who suddenly had an extra spring in his step. The appearance of the reeve was always a source of motivation.

Although a few years older, Reeve Norman Bloxham and Godwin grew up together and remained close friends since. Each man suffered the loss of a wife and neither remarried. While Godwin was blessed with one son, Norman was childless. His wife died while giving birth to their first, a stillborn.

"Did yer come about th' leaky trough?"

Norman turned away from studying Odo. "Nay." He sighed. "Godwin, you'll need to come with me. Sir William wants to see yer."

"What fer?" Puzzled, Godwin placed the large mallet he was carrying into the barrow and turned to the reeve. This was highly unusual.

Norman shrugged. "I don't know. Sir William didn't feel the need to share his reasons with me." Norman knew something was going on and felt some concern for his friend.

Godwin scratched his head. "Has anyone complained-?"

"We need to go now, Godwin," interrupted the reeve.

"Let me give Odo some work to do."

"He's to come too, the lord asked for him."

Godwin looked up sharply. "He did?"

Both men came to the same conclusion and gave Odo a hard stare. Obviously the boy had been up to mischief again. It wasn't the first time he'd gotten himself into trouble.

"I'm sorry, Godwin, I have to do the lord's bidding." All traces of Norman's customary jovial self were gone and his customary smile was replaced with a grim and very serious expression.

"But why are we being summoned?" Godwin asked.

"I wish I knew, my friend," Reeve Norman shook his head.

"Odo!" Godwin called his son. "You heard Norman, lad. We must go."

Mellester Hall encompassed one entire wing of the manor house. It was an extensive room with benches and trestle tables strategically positioned along each wall, which left a centre aisle free, except for a huge hearth that sat in the middle of the hall. The principle seat where Lord Mellester adjudicated from was ornate and sturdy, solidly built from fine oak and sat on a dais at the rear of the room. It was padded and comfortable, and when seated, the lord exuded authority over his people and demesne6. Another smaller chair was reserved for the lady who frequently sat with him. On his left side, at a roughly hewn desk, sat a steward who managed the finances of the manor and on the right side, half a dozen knights stood in a group talking quietly. Sir Wystan was amongst them.

Some peasants waited in silence to have the lord settle a dispute, and a priest stood near the steward with hands clasped and head bowed.

A man-at-arms swung open the huge wooden door granting access to the Manor Hall. Reeve Norman entered first, followed by Odo and lastly Godwin, who took a big breath and mumbled a quick prayer before stepping inside.

Odo had never been in the hall before and his head pivoted from side to side at all the unusual sights and accoutrements on display. Colourful pennants and tapestries hung from the walls, including hunting trophies, shields, and a variety of weapons. A suit of armour lay propped up against a thick, wooden post. A couple of serfs scurried around, mainly young girls he recognised from the village, doing various chores.

Norman, Godwin and Odo walked down the centre aisle and around the hearth and stopped ten paces from the dais. The lord, looking fully recovered from his accident of over a week ago, was quietly issuing instructions to the steward.

Norman took a step backwards, leaving father and son to face Lord Mellester and whatever was in store for them.

From behind the dais another figure emerged. Lady Constance walked behind the lord and without speaking took a seat. She turned to the new arrivals and silently assessed them. Godwin couldn't take his eyes off her; she was beautiful and a welcome distraction from the worry he felt. He'd never been in such close proximity to her ladyship and he was immediately taken with her. Despite her age, Lady Constance's face was smooth and free of wrinkles and her figure was stately and proud. She truly was a sight to behold.