Wolf Knight

Chapter 6

Sir John smiled and shook hands with the boy. With a British accent he said, "Well actually yes, I have armor and a sword. I'm a real knight. But, enough about me, this is all about you. I'm glad to meet you. I've already heard a lot about you from the Raven. I've been told you are a hard worker and learn quickly."

The Raven continued, introducing the other man. "This gentleman is the Dragon. He is the principal teacher."

The man shook the boy's hand, "I'm pleased to meet you."

When introductions were over, the Raven dismissed Red to look after the horses.

The Lion indicated for the boy to sit down at the table and the men joined him. The Lion smiled, waved his hand around, and in a proud voice said, "You are probably wondering who we are and what you are doing here."

Caleb thought about it a moment and decided not to challenge the man. He seemed to be trustworthy. "Sir, Red said this is a school."

"Indeed, this is summer school. For the rest of the year, we have a regular school, the Knight Riding School. The Raven is one of my best teachers. He is also one of my liege knights, sworn to serve those who cannot help themselves. Some of my students become knights; others will become ladies, and most go on to higher education. I try to make it so all my students are successful. The Raven feels that you would make a good student. He tells me you are a quick learner."

"But, Sir, I have no money, I can't pay for this."

"I don't expect you to. I have several discretionary scholarships each year, and I'm considering offering you one."

Caleb spread his arms, "Why me? I'm just an orphan. Nobody cares about me." The stress of the last few days hit him and tears started to roll out of his eyes.

The Lion gently clasped the boy's hands in his own and brought them together. "I care about you. I'm offering you the opportunity to attend our school because you listen."

The tears stopped and Caleb gulped, "What?"

The Lion offered a handkerchief to the boy who blew his nose. "You pay attention. You pay attention and learn. I need students who are willing to learn. I need young knights."

The boy's eyes opened up wide, "You want me to be a knight?"

"Maybe; you will eventually have to prove yourself worthy." The Lion let that last statement sink in. "I feel you will learn a lot here, regardless of what you do, and you'll enjoy doing it."

"What if I don't make it? I mean I was in jail. You could easily send me back there."

"You won't go back to jail or Juvenile Hall for that matter. We have a good lawyer. I will personally see that you find a good home. It's going to be your choice, but I urge you to give us a try. At least take some time to explore around and meet some of the other students. Tell me what you think of this school afterward."

Caleb surprised that the man would ask his opinion said, "I think I can do that."

The Lion took a rolled-up paper out of a tube and spread it out on the table. It had been completely handwritten in a florid script.

The Raven spoke up, "What do you want to do? You can leave with the next supply caravan, in about a week. Or you can sign this document in which you agree to stay probationary, for one month, with the option to join the school. It means we are obligated to take care of you for a month." The Raven went on to explain the terms of the document two times, just to make sure the boy understood it completely.

Caleb had already made up his mind; he would give this school a month. In a serious voice as he could muster he said, "I'll sign it."

The Raven pointed to the paper, indicating where to sign. It was marked, 'witnesses'. The boy shivered a second with nervous energy, and then took the offered pen. The boy hesitated for only a second, looking at the three men, and then he signed the paper. He felt relief, he had committed himself.

The three men each in turn also signed the paper. They all stood up and shook the boy's hand again.

A thought came to the boy's mind, "Do I have to use my real name?"

"No, you don't. May I inquire why?" asked the Lion quietly.

"It's just I don't like it. They used to laugh at it."

Sir John smiled and said casually, "I understand a wolf sleeps with you."

"Not because I want it to," replied the boy, somewhat annoyed that the story had spread, apparently by the Raven.

The Lion, taking no notice of the boy's reply said, "Never the less, it accounts for something. You shall be called, 'The Boy Who Sleeps with Wolves', 'Wolf' for short. It is a good strong name and it will serve you well.

The boy huffed, "What if I don't like it?"

The Lion looked kindly down on the boy, "Sometimes we don't have a choice. But, consider this, what can you do to muck up a name like Wolf."

"There is the small matter of guardianship for you," the Lion continued, "you have to have someone responsible for you. The Raven will serve until a more permanent one can be assigned to you. There is nothing for you to sign because you don't have a choice in the matter."

Sir John dismissed Wolf. The Raven took him to the entrance of the tent and stopped the first page to come running by. He instructed the page to outfit and billet Wolf with the other pages and to familiarize him with the camp.

The page who looked younger than Wolf and a couple of inches shorter introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Wart."

"Ca... I guess you can call me Wolf."

Wart offered his hand, "I take it you just arrived in camp?"

Wolf shook it, "Yeah. I came in with the Raven."

"Cool. He is such a cool teacher. He knows everything about the forest and the mountains. I wish I could go out on patrol with him."

Wolf rolled his eyes, "All we did was ride up and down mountains."

"He must have taught you something. Did anything exciting happen?"

That question gave Wolf pause, "Nah, I just meet this queer old woman named Maud."

"Maud! That is so cool. I've heard she's a fortune teller. Not many people see her."

"She seemed friendly enough. She's big and hugs real hard. She makes good cookies."

"Maybe I'll meet her someday. Hey, I'm forgetting my duty."

Wart took Wolf to the large Quartermaster's tent where three page's uniforms and a pair of boots were issued to him along with other supplies. Wart managed to get Wolf assigned to his tent. It was around four-man tent, which Wart called it a 'Yurt'. There were four cots set around the sides and a small table in the center with short logs for chairs.

Wolf deposited his supplies on the empty cot and changed into his page's uniform and boots. It felt good; he hadn't realized how old and nasty his clothes were. Wart then showed him where the boy's latrine stood, and all the other important places in camp. His tour ended at the stables where some of the horses were already billeted.

Wart explained that the stables had to be rebuilt every year, because they were built from dead or found wood, and were torn down every fall for safety. Nobody would remain in the valley to maintain them during the winter. The horses were free to roam the glen, the stables serving as a shelter in rain and as storage for feed and saddles.

They heard three deep loud blasts of a horn, and Wart gleefully announced, "Dinner is served." They ran for their tent to get their mess kits. Wolf found out that running got him a good spot in the serving line.

They went to the sunny side of a small hill to sit down on the grass and enjoy their dinner. He couldn't remember having such a good meal in a long time, better even than Red's spiced rabbit.

After they finished up their stew, they laid back to enjoy the late afternoon warmth. This was the first time Wolf relaxed in several days. He quietly asked Wart, "How long have you been here?"

"This is my second summer here. I just finished up my first year at school."

Wolf' took in a breath and asked his big question, "What's school like?"

Wart sighed and stated, "It's hard. You wake up at five to take care of the horses; you have classes all morning and practice all afternoon. By the time you have supper, you're beat. But, then you get to ride your horse. At night you study until you're ready to go to bed."

Wolf looked down, "Doesn't sound like much fun."

Wart laughed, "Oh, we make up fun all on our own. We're encouraged to be creative in our games." My roommates and I like to play tricks on the squires and instructors. You also get time to ride your horse for fun.

Wolf sighed, "I don't have a horse."

"Don't worry; a horse will be assigned to you."

"What about here? All I've seen anybody do is work."

"Well, we do work a lot, although it isn't that hard for the younger pages like us. We do different things in the afternoon, most of it interesting; you'll see."

He continued, "A lot of us, like me, love it here. It's just too much fun. I'm glad my parents found out about this school. It's better than the academy."

"You're rich?" Wolf asked looking surprised.

Wart looked down, "Yeah. Well, being rich isn't all it's cracked up to be. I've got more friends here than I ever had at home. Besides, it's not like I have a lot of cash. You really don't need it."

They spent the rest of the evening together, with Wart showing Wolf around the camp, and introducing him to the other pages. Most of them were glad to meet Wolf and a lot of handshaking and pats on the back were given.

However, a few of the pages got testy when they found out he wasn't a regular student. One of them, a tall boy, confronted Wolf.

"So, you're a charity case. They shouldn't allow anybody here unless they can pay for it. You won't last long; as soon as they get tired of you, they'll kick you out."

Wolf's face went flush with embarrassment. All of a sudden he was afraid. His hands got clammy. He managed to stutter out, "I-I'm not a charity case!"

The boy stepped right up to Wolf and looked down at him. Two other pages flanked him, "You're nothing; go away, or I'll throw you out myself."

Wart quickly grabbed Wolf by the shoulder and pulled him away from the pages, who started laughing. He sized up the tall page, "So you've set a new record for making another enemy."

"Wart, you should know better than to mess with his kind." The tall page turned and left, his two friends following.

Once they out of earshot of the pages, Wart whispered to Wolf, "That jerk is Wayne. He thinks he's better than everybody else and God's gift to girls. They're rich kids. Some of them don't like it here, and some just hate common kids, like you. Stay away from him," warned Wart. "Wayne is a pain to me. We got in a bad fight. He beat me up pretty bad."

Wolf winced, "What did you do? Did you get in trouble?"

Wart chuckled, "Of course I got in trouble. We both got in trouble. You can't hide a shiner. Listen, this is the most important thing I'm ever going to tell you; don't rat on anyone. Just say you tripped or something like that. You take your punishment without complaint. It's just extra work. You can take self-defense courses and defend yourself the next time. It works out better."

Wolf did not expect what Wart had told him. "Why are you telling me this? You want me to get hurt?"

Wart beamed at him, "Oh heavens no. I want you to beat the snot out of him. If anybody can, you can."

Wolf opened his eyes in surprise, "Me?"

"Yeah, you; he won't suspect it. When you take self-defense from the Wolverine, and you will, you should pay attention. A bully won't pick on someone who can defend himself. You'll learn all about it."

Wolf looked down, "Is everybody going to pick on me?"

"Not if you've got friends.

Wolf kicked some dirt, "I've never had any friends."

Wart, clamped his arm around Wolf's shoulder, "You do now!"

"Thanks," Wolf replied looking at Wart with a broad smile.