Falls Ende

Chapter 7

Others in the hall began laughing. The lord swivelled in his seat. "Silence!" he yelled. "I will not have anyone mock this proceeding. I do not jest, Herdsman Godwin and his son do not jest, and Sir Wystan does not jest." Sir William's eyes blazed. "Enough!"

Godwin pulled the back of Odo's tunic until he stood safely beside him.

"Someone bring me wine!" added the lord. His uncharacteristic anger simmered.

Lady Mellester knew enough of her husband to know the man was agitated. The cause of his foul mood was based on the seriousness of the business at hand and the unpleasantness that would follow. She looked towards her son and saw the dark look on his face as he stared at the boy.

No one spoke. The hall of Mellester Manor was deathly quiet. Even the servants stopped work to listen. Other people, some knights, noblemen and residents had silently entered the hall and now stood riveted, curious to the outcome of the unusual proceedings.

Godwin patted Odo on his back and whispered, "It'll be alright, you'll see."

A servant girl came quickly with a jug of wine and refilled the lord's goblet.

Lord Mellester sat back in his seat and stroked his beard. His eyes scanned the hall, and he studied his knights, his men, and the peasants and serfs. He may not have known them all by name, but he knew who they were and he was acutely aware of his responsibilities towards them. Finally, he settled his gaze on the herdsman and his son. The words of the boy unsettled him and drew attention to his own foibles.

"I have been shamed," began the lord, speaking in a more moderated tone. "It is obvious to me that the real issue is one of honesty. One son is telling the truth to his father, and the other son is telling a lie." Lord Mellester paused a moment, brought the goblet to his mouth and took a hefty swallow. He wiped his mouth and beard with the back of his hand before continuing. "As a knight, Sir Wystan swore an oath; his word should be taken with the solemnity of the weight behind the oath and the status his position affords. What happens if a knight does not possess those desirable qualities that he swore to uphold? After all, a knight holds a position which is elevated above that of common folk, so should we not take his word first and foremost before those of others?" The question was rhetorical, yet he paused and gazed around the hall as if waiting for an answer. "When faced with the decision of determining who has lied to me ... and where I have the word of a knight challenging the word of a herdsman, just a mere boy ... obviously I should honour the knight and without question accept his word."

Heads nodded in supplicant agreement.

Lord Mellester placed his goblet on the armrest of his seat and stood. He pointed to both Godwin and Odo. "Come, stand before me."

Godwin was ready to grab Odo's hand and flee; he'd never been so frightened in his life. He felt rivulets of sweat beginning to trickle down his back. He reached for his son's hand and took another tentative step towards the lord.

"How have ye shown loyalty to your lord, herdsman?" Sir William's voice grew louder through his impassioned oratory.

"I, uh -"

Without waiting for an answer, Lord Mellester turned to his son. "How have you shown loyalty to your lord, Sir Wystan?"

Sir Wystan raised his head proudly. "My oath and fealty, milord."

Sir William turned away from his son to face Godwin and Odo. In doing so he made brief eye contact with his wife, who gave an imperceptible nod of support.

"Steward Alard, Reeve Norman, make note on my judgement. Priest Oswald, see church records are also changed."

"Yea, milord," they replied as one.

"How many acres does the herdsman pay rent on?"

"Fifteen acres in total, milord, which includes Falls Ende," squeaked Reeve Norman. He could hardly speak, such were the state of his nerves.

"Very well. From this day forward, title on the land currently farmed by Herdsman Godwin will be transferred to him in the name of Godwin Read. The land is his!"

In total surprise, people began talking but the lord of the manor wasn't finished yet. "Silence!" he bellowed. "I also owe a debt of gratitude to this man, without whose selfless bravery I wouldn't be here today. He saved my life. Thank you, Herdsman Godwin." Sir William dipped his head in thanks and respect.

Godwin was in shock; he felt his friend Norman clap him on the back.

"Praise God," Norman said quietly to himself. He leaned in to Godwin and whispered, "Congratulations."

"Silence!"

Overwhelmed, Godwin was unable to speak. His heart pounded, it was almost too much to bear. He wiped his eyes and squeezed Odo's hand. He didn't understand why the lord granted him this gift. It made no sense.

Odo looked up at his father with tears running down his face. He saw Reeve Norman blinking rapidly.

"Milord!" appealed Sir Wystan.

"I have a gift for you too, Sir Wystan. Step forward."

Mollified, the knight relaxed a little as he took a step closer.

Sir William looked his son in the eye. "As of this day, I release you of your oath of fealty."

Sir Wystan's mouth fell open.

The hall erupted. Knights, men-at-arms and noblemen were all in shock. Some yelled.

"Silence!" commanded Lord Mellester, raising both his arms. "Quiet!"

He waited until things settled down and lowered his arms. The edge on his voice left no doubt as to his feelings. He stood. "My son spoke falsely. When given the chance to reconsider, he chose not to." Lord Mellester turned to face his son. "I can recall every second of the accident at Falls Ende. I remember the young novice hound leaping in front of my horse after I insisted to you that you keep the animal tethered! Your disobedience nearly cost me my life. Instead of admitting your mistake, you tried to blame an innocent boy. The same boy who spoke to me in this hall and said, 'A man has his word, even when he has nothing else to give.' And he told me that was all he had to give!" Lord Mellester returned to his place, sat down and took another pull of wine. "I cannot have a knight in my service who does not uphold the oath of fealty he gave me - even if he is of my blood and has plenty to give."

Lady Constance's eyes flashed, and the corners of her mouth twitched. It lasted for a brief moment - it was doubtful anyone noticed.

Again, there was an upwelling of noise, and Godwin found his voice. "Does that mean Sir Wystan is no longer heir to the manor?" he quietly asked his friend Norman.

Reeve Norman scratched his head. "I believe he is still heir, just no longer a knight in the service of a lord, he has no master."