Falls Ende

Chapter 6

"Reeve Norman, what have ye fer me?" the lord asked, his voice clear and authoritative.

Norman took a step forward. "I bring with me herdsman Godwin Read and his apprentice son Odo, milord."

Sir William spared father and son a quick glance. "Sir Wystan, attend to me."

Godwin recognised the lord's son as he separated from the group of knights and confidently swaggered over to stand beside his father.

The lord, the lady, and Sir Wystan were now staring at him. Godwin felt very exposed and vulnerable. He raised his head and bravely looked at each in turn, lastly staring at Sir Wystan, who scowled.

"Ye were both in the common one week ago?" asked Lord Mellester.

Godwin nodded. "Yea, milord."

"Come closer, I can't hear ye."

Godwin and Odo each took two steps closer. Godwin cleared his throat. "Yea, milord," he repeated, louder.

"Are these the two ye saw working on the fence?" Lord Mellester asked his son.

"They are, milord," replied Sir Wystan with a slight bow of the head and a smirk.

Lord Mellester turned to his wife and gave her a barely perceptible smile.

It did not go unnoticed. Something just passed between them, thought Godwin.

"As a father, do you feel responsible for the actions of your son?" Lord Mellester suddenly asked, surprising Godwin.

"I do, milord, I am responsible for my son."

"As am I, as am I," slowly repeated Sir William in a barely audible voice. He took a breath and again spoke with authority. "And your son, he is an apprentice herdsman?"

"He is, milord, and a hard worker too."

"Have ye heard the charge against him, of wilfully acting to endanger my life by brandishing a spade in a reckless manner? I believe the word wanton was used?"

Godwin wasn't sure how to answer. He looked down at his feet. This charge is ridiculous, surely it is an error. His mind was racing. He looked up to answer and saw Sir Wystan grinning. "I am not aware of any complaint made against Odo, milord."

Lord Mellester stroked his beard. "Sir Wystan, do ye wish to reconsider your accusations against the herdsman's son?"

The priest was watching the proceedings intently. He took a step towards the steward, bent over and whispered in his ear. Godwin saw the steward shrug his shoulders. What is going on? Even the steward and priest seem puzzled.

The smirk on Sir Wystan's face disappeared. All heads in the hall turned to him and waited for his response. Norman risked a glance at Godwin and silently mouthed his bafflement.

"Sir Wystan?" questioned Lord Mellester with his eyebrows raised.

Lady Mellester's face showed no emotion, although she too was looking intently at her son.

"I, uh, my accusation stands, milord. I have witnesses-"

"Reeve Norman," stated the lord, interrupting Sir Wystan, "What say ye about the work of Herdsman Godwin and his son?"

Norman shuffled a step closer and stood beside Godwin and Odo. "I've never had to take issue with them. The herd prospers, and Godwin and the boy also lend their back willingly to other tasks, milord."

Sir William turned to the priest. "Oswald, what say ye about Herdsman Godwin and the boy? Are their tithes met?"

The priest looked thoughtful and then flicked his eyes towards Godwin and made brief eye contact. He turned back towards Mellester's lord and nodded solemnly. "Milord, the church has no quarrel with Herdsman Godwin, although the church is always in need-"

Lord Mellester waved his hand. He'd heard enough from the priest. "Steward Alard, is Herdsman Godwin in good standing, has he accumulated debt, what say ye?"

Sir Wystan regained his confidence and was again staring at Odo.

"One moment, milord, I need to, uh, find... ah, here it is. Milord, Herdsman Godwin is without debt, and I believe he never has been in debt, sire. He pays his taxes and rent in a timely manner."

Godwin saw another subtle look pass between the lord and lady.

Sir William shifted in his seat, "Herdsman Godwin, have you any words in defence of your son?"

Godwin didn't know how to respond. The lord was there one week ago, he'd seen what happened, Odo had done nothing wrong. Sir William knew this, surely he must. He felt anxiousness in the pit of his stomach. Beside him he felt Norman stir. All eyes were again on him. He looked towards Sir Wystan and saw him sneer. Behind, the group of knights also stood with their eyes firmly fixed on him.

"Herdsman, are ye unable to speak?"

"Milord, it saddens me that I must defend my son when I know he's caused no harm. Last week, we was fix'n th' fence, that's all. We was workin' hard and had no interest in causing mischief. Odo couldn't have done anything, he was busy digging... I don't know what else to say, milord."

Up until now, Odo remained quiet and not spoken or moved, but now he began fidgeting and looking up at his father.

"It looks like your son is eager to speak, herdsman. What have ye to say, boy?"

Unbidden, Odo took two steps forward. Godwin went to haul him back by the ear, but the lord waved him away.

"Milord, my father says a man has his word, even when he has nothing else to give. He says his word is tethered to him like a calf to a cow. I can give you my word that I did no such thing as what ye said I done - that is all I have."

Godwin held his breath.

"Well spoken, lad. Tell me, will ye be a herdsman like your father?"

"I will have me own deierie herd one day, and make the finest milk in England, milord."

"And for this manor, I hope," said Lord Mellester. He didn't smile.

Odo nodded enthusiastically.