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2/17/2009

The Son has his own

Before we get to the story, I thought I would pass along that #1 Son has started his own blog here on Blogger. He doesn't have his profile done and it all looks rather plain, but he has one post up and I don't want to be the first commenter. So stop by and check it out, 'K? Alter Your Perspective is his place. Thanks.


One Knight's Story - Part 5


It was a dream he had had many times before. He was home, with a woman, his wife, and a child, his also. The child lay in her cradle, asleep with the rocking motion imparted by his wife's foot, as she sits on a low stool outside the door of the hovel in which they live, knitting. He walks toward them and reaches a hand down toward the baby, but the hand is suddenly a fist covered in mail, an armoured gauntlet, and as he reaches down, the cradle and child retreat from his grasp further and further and the light grows around him and everything fades away until there is nothing but the light and the heat and the sand and the growing sound of battle and he looks up to see a sword descending upon him and he wakes with a start.

He lay upon the pallet, in his tent, and knew the meaning of the dream. A warning. This life, this path, would see him dead. Give up the armor or give up any chance at home and family. A plain message and simple. He laid awake until the morning came.

He stepped out of the felt tent into the cool of the early morning. The squire had a simple breakfast of local fruits and some sliced lamb ready for him to eat.

"Where is the kahve, Squire?"

"It will be ready in a moment, M'Lord, but one has to wonder what you see in that stuff. It is black and bitter and hot enough, when you drink it, M'Lord, to boil one's tongue."

"It is the nectar of the Gods, Squire. The Arabs have been drinking that stuff for at least two hundred years and in that time, the technique of preparation has been highly refined - the beans, roasted, the water, heated and passed through the ground up beans, filtered by the finest cotton gauze. I have been drinking kahve since living in my father's house; the beans came to us from the men of Mecca and the techniques of preparation were taught to me by the Turks."

"Well, it is not to my liking, M'Lord."

"No, Good Squire, I imagine it is not. It has been my experience that kahve is an acquired taste. But it is more than the taste, Squire, that draws one in. Kahve fires the mind and stimulates the body. The mind becomes clear, the pulse races and the body feels stronger and faster than ever before. It is but a temporary experience, but while one experiences it, it is amazing."

Squire approached with the curious double pot that his master, the Knight, had taught him how to use.

"Here is your kahve, M'Lord. Excuse me, please, M'Lord, while I prepare your arms for the morning exercises."

"No, Squire, I think not today shall I exercise. Perhaps not any day, again."

"What say you, M'Lord? No exercises? What are you playing at?"

"There is no play in what has been spoken here, Squire. Methinks, perhaps, it is time that I put away the sword, and take up the plow; give up the armor and adopt the mantle of husband and father."

The squire could only sputter at what he'd just heard.

"Squire! For the first time ever I do believe you to be speechless. Hah!" He paused. "What is it, Squire? Come. Spit it out!"

"Why, M'Lord? Why give up the armor and sword? This is all we've ever done! What will we do? Where will we go?"

"Those are all good questions, Squire. And each shall be answered in the fullness of time. Suffice it to say, for now, that I have lain awake most all the night, pondering a dream which came to me, and not for the first time have I dreamed that dream. It was a dream in which I had a wife and a child one moment, and found myself facing my death the next. It is time to stop, Squire. I can no longer ignore my doom."

"But what will happen to me, M'Lord? I have come to an age where I can no longer find a young Knight whom I can serve. I have served you well, I think, and together we have gone to many places and seen many things. I am loathe to give that up, and yet, I would not see you harmed. I am confused, M'Lord. I know not my true mind."

"My Good Squire. My one and true friend. Don't worry. The purse is full enough that we both shall live well to the end of our days. I have bought land in the Midlands and we shall retire there to live the life of gentlemen farmers, for there is freehold there for you, Squire, that you may live as well as I."

"You are most generous, M'Lord."

"No, I am not. It is YOU who are generous, Squire; you who has served, and dedicated your life to my service. We will go home, Squire. We will leave this awful place and head home to England. Pray you, then, we get there alive."

"Pray? Pray? Perhaps, M'Lord, you should do those exercises, after all."

"Perhaps, Good Squire, you are right."

Ndinombethe.

16 comments:

Jientje said...

I needed my kahve first, but I enjoyed the story. I wonder where you're taking us next?
And I wonder if your son is as good a writer as you are?

Anonymous said...

Had my Kahve already and enjoyed the story with a great Life :)

Shadow said...

all righty, gonna go say hallo then... very curious i must admit.

moneythoughts said...

You mean your knight is not going to get into the import-export business when he gets back to England? With all his knowledge of the Middle East, their customs, thier culture and his contacts, I can't believe he is going to throw that all away to be a farmer. You must talk some sense into your knight as he could have the farm and import-export business. Unfortunately, he can not deal in banking, as that is forbidden by the church at this time; however, he could bring in a Jew as a silent partner to handle the money exchange for the trading. That's just a thought.

Joyce-Anne said...

I'm very happy that the knight acknowledged the squire's good and faithful service to him. I can't help but think we've turned into a disposable world. With people becoming more and more disposable on a daily basis.

Nan Sheppard said...

What, he's going to give up all the battle stuff? I'm looking forward to hearing more...

Wait. What? said...

And now I am off for more Kahve for myself! It is true indeed - the nector of the gods!

OK - waiting for more now...

Holly said...

An interesting turn of events! I suppose many, but not all, people come to a point when they decide to settle down.

Patsy said...

Went over to visit son's blog. He is as good a writer as his father.

The Knight's story isn't one I've gotten into. I may have to wait until the characters have finished their story and then read it in its entireity.

moneythoughts said...

Joyce-Anne needs to talk with people that have worked for government or politicians. Getting "thrown under the bus" or being asked to "fall on your sword" are very real. I have had both experiences. :)

Anonymous said...

Hey LCeel, good to see your new site design and that you're really expanding in your writing!

I saw your comment on mess2success. VV was suspended and is now canceled because the tanking economy took me down with it! I've been working like crazy just to stay afloat and I'm terribly sad about VV, but I couldn't take care of it when it needed to be. :(

I miss you and everyone else sooooooo much!!!

Velvet Verbosity

Tara R. said...

I'm throughly enjoying this Knight's tale.

Off to say hello to your son.

Sage Ravenwood said...

I think as a father you are not unlike the knight and his choices. I stopped by your son't blog for a visit. (Hugs)Indigo

Momisodes said...

Why does this knight remind me so much of you? Especially in this chapter.
Can't wait to read more.

I've gone to say hello over at your son's place :)

Unknown said...

Jientje: Next? I wnder, as well.

Nicole: Thank you, Nicole.

Shadow: Thank you, Shadow. He is a surprise.

Moneythoughts: And a good thought, at that. I need to get him back to England - and I think he'll go overland. Through Constantinople.

Joyce-Anne: True and loyal service should always be rewarded.

Nan: More is coming. Getting home will not be easy.

Cat: More coming ... soon.

HollyATOM: He's in touch with his feminine side.

Patsy: I am flattered that you would take the time to read it, at all.

VV: email me at lou dot lohman at gmail dot com.

Tara R: Thank you, Tara - on both counts.

Indigo: And you, too, dear Indigo. Thank you.

Momisodes: You see me in the Knight? NOW I'm flattered.

Anonymous said...

This installment is my favorite so far.