Revenge of the Red Knight

by Paul McCusker

  Outside the castle walls, men rode on horseback. They galloped around a patch of land dotted with colorful tents. It looked almost like a circus.

  Patrick pointed and asked, “What’s that?”

  James looked. “That is where we hold the tournaments,” he said.

  James started toward the castle entrance. Patrick and Beth were close behind.

  “What kind of tournaments?” Beth asked.

  “For the jousts and challenges of valor,” James said. “Sir Andrew has defeated many knights on that field.”

  The three neared the castle gate. Beth expected the castle to have a moat. Instead, a drawbridge crossed over a dry rock bed with dead grass.

  A guard stood at the stone entrance to the castle gate. He wore a metal helmet and held a spear. A sword in a sheath hung from his leather belt.

  “What is your business?” the guard asked the children.

  “We are on Sir Andrew’s business,” James said. “I am the knight’s squire.”

  The guard eyed the children. “We want no beggars in the castle,” he said.

  “We are not beggars,” James said.

  “What is in the sack?” the guard asked.

  “This is for Master Albert. Sir Andrew will be angry if you take it,” James said. “Unless you want to fight him …”

  The guard frowned. “Go on through,” he ordered.

  Beth gave the guard a small curtsy. “Thank you,” she said.

  The three children crossed the drawbridge. They came to a large courtyard. It was full of carts and animals and people going about their business. To one side was an area filled with hedges and flowers.

  “This way,” James said. He led them to the hedges. “I do not want Hugh to see us from a window. We will stay behind the hedges. We must crawl to the servant’s door.”

  The three hunched down and crawled behind the hedges to a small metal door. They opened the door and went inside.

  They crept down a hall. The castle floors were covered with rugs. They were in orange, red, yellow, and blue colors. Paintings of faces, Bible scenes, and battles hung on the walls.

  The children went down a steep staircase. They came to a wood door. James knocked hard on it with his fist.

  The door creaked open a moment later.

  A man peered at them. He had long, stringy brown hair and a scraggly beard. There were deep dark circles under his eyes. He was short and hunched over.

  “Ah! James!” the man said. “Come in, come in.”

  James and the cousins entered. The man shut the door and bolted it.

  “Who are your friends?” the man asked.

  James turned to Patrick and Beth. “This is Master Albert,” he said.

  Then James turned to Albert. “This is Patrick, and Beth. They come from John of Whittaker.”

  Albert led them down a short hall to a large room.

  Beth’s mouth fell open. The room was like a giant library and museum all in one. Shelves of books lined the walls. Tables and display cases were filled with small statues, bowls, and vases.

  Albert stopped at a table in the middle of the room. The children sat around the table in wood chairs. Albert remained standing.

  “Now, tell me everything,” Albert said.

  James explained about the treasures. He told Albert about the Imagination Station, Mr. Whittaker, and Sir Andrew.

  Then Beth told Albert about Hugh, the cottage, and the stolen treasures. She put the sack on the table. But Albert didn’t touch it.

  Instead, the tired man kept wringing his hands. He looked very worried. Sometimes he nodded silently. Sometimes he would whisper, “Yes, yes, I see.”

  Then Albert said, “I don’t understand how there can be two Sunstones, two silver cups, and two golden tablets.”

  Beth said, “Patrick and I traveled in the Imagination Station. We went to Greenland, Rome, and China. We found and sent copies of all the missing treasures to you.”

  Beth looked Albert in the eyes. “Where did the treasures come from in the first place?” she asked.

  “Lord Darkthorn is a collector,” Albert said. “He has traveled the world buying treasures. My job is to keep them safe.”

  Master Albert clasped his hands behind his back. He paced around the table. “This is sad,” he said. “Hugh’s family has been loyal to Lord Darkthorn for many years. What is Hugh up to?”

  “What can we do?” Patrick asked.

  “Maybe Mr. Whittaker will send help,” Beth said.

  “Maybe,” Patrick said. “But when? What can we do in the meantime?”

  “We will stay here,” James said. “Sir Andrew will come looking for us.”

  “Are we safe here?” Patrick asked.

  “There is nowhere safer,” Albert said.

  Bam!

  A loud sound echoed from down the hallway.

  “Open this door!” a voice roared.

  “That sounds like Roderick!” James said.

  “Hurry!” Albert said. “You must hide!”

  Caught!

  The children rushed to hide. Beth sneaked behind the long curtains. Patrick crawled underneath a desk. James buried himself in a pile of old rugs.

  “Now, now,” Albert called. He moved down the hallway. “No need for all the noise.”

  Beth peeked through an opening in the curtains. She heard Albert open the door.

  There were shouts. Then Hugh and Roderick rushed into the library. Albert followed them.

  “Where are they?” Hugh asked. “I know the squire and his friend are in here.”

  Hugh nodded to Roderick. “Find them,” Hugh said.

  The henchman began to search the room.

  “Lord Darkthorn will be unhappy to learn that you’ve been hiding thieves,” Hugh said. He pointed a long, thin finger at Albert. “You will rot in the tower!”

  Beth watched as Roderick moved around the room. He was getting close to the bag of treasures on the table. He must not get them, she thought.

  She saw a stick on the windowsill behind her. She guessed that Albert used it to prop up the window. She picked it up and threw it to the other side of the room.

  Hugh turned to look. Roderick spun round. Beth stepped back. The curtains gently moved. She hoped no one saw her.

  Suddenly the red drapes were yanked aside. Roderick stood in front of her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her out.

  Hugh looked shocked. “Who is this?” he asked. He looked at Albert.

  Albert went pale. “She is my servant,” he said.

  Hugh said, “Then she will go to the tower with you!”

  Roderick pulled Beth toward him. “Come!” he said.

  “But I haven’t done anything wrong!” Beth cried.

  Just then Hugh noticed the sack on the table. “What is this?” he asked.

  He picked up the end of the sack. The three treasures spilled out. First, the silver cup. Second, the Sunstone. Third, the golden tablet.

  “What are these doing here?” Hugh shouted.

  Roderick stopped.

  “You stole them!” Beth said. “They belong here!”

  Hugh’s face turned red with rage. “You will suffer for this!” he shouted.

  Patrick rushed into view. “No!” he cried out.

  James pushed himself up from the old rugs. The knife was in his hand. “Let her go, you knave!” he shouted.

  This surprised Hugh, who backed into a bookcase. Roderick stood as if waiting for orders.

  Albert grabbed the sack and began putting the treasures back inside.

  Then Hugh laughed. “You are foolish,” he said. Then he shouted, “Guards!”

  Footsteps thudded down the hallway. Heavy footsteps. Men with spears rushed into the room.

  “I think you are outnumbered,” Hugh said. “And now you will go to the tower.”

  The Tower

  Six castle guards marched Beth, Patrick, Albert, and James out of the castle. Hugh and Roderick followed them.

  “What are
we going to do?” Patrick whispered to Beth.

  “I don’t know,” Beth whispered back.

  They crossed a small field to the tower. The tall stone building looked scarier than ever. Beth shivered in fear.

  They reached the door at the base of the tower. Hugh took out a ring of keys from his belt. He laughed as he slid the key into the lock.

  Suddenly there was a dull, heavy thudding. Was it coming from inside the tower?

  No. The thudding grew louder. It came from behind them. It was the sound of a horse’s hooves.

  They all turned. A horse galloped toward them.

  A knight in armor rode the horse. His silver armor caught the light of the sun. The armor shined brightly.

  The guards grumbled. They stepped a few feet away. One of them lifted his sword.

  Hugh pushed past Patrick to face the oncoming stranger.

  The knight drew the horse to a stop. The horse reared back. It was as if it didn’t like Hugh.

  “What goes on here, Master Hugh?” the knight called. He was talking through the visor on his helmet.

  Hugh put his hands on his hips. “Who asks?” he asked.

  The knight pushed the visor up to show his face. “I am Sir Andrew, as you well know,” the knight said.

  Patrick noticed again how much Sir Andrew looked like Mr. Whittaker. Though Sir Andrew looked pale and sick.

  “This is not your concern,” said Hugh. “I am dealing with these thieves. They are going in the tower.”

  Sir Andrew said, “Only Lord Darkthorn himself may lock people in the tower. Not his steward.”

  “Who are you to say what I may or may not do?” Hugh asked.

  “I am a royal knight of England,” Sir Andrew said. “My life is given to uphold justice. I am also a loyal follower of Lord Darkthorn. Can you say the same?”

  “I defy you!” Hugh shouted.

  Sir Andrew lifted his sword. “Do you challenge me, Master Hugh?” he asked.

  Roderick stepped closer to Hugh. The henchman seemed fearless.

  Hugh was silent, as if making up his mind. He looked at Roderick. Then he said to Sir Andrew, “Yes! I accept your challenge! We will joust on the field of valor! Prepare yourself!”

  “Now?” James asked. He looked worried.

  “Now,” said Sir Andrew. “And let the honorable man be victorious.”

  Hugh nodded to Roderick. Then they turned to leave.

  “What about the thieves?” one of the guards asked.

  “Let Sir Andrew take them,” Hugh said. “They are not to leave the castle grounds. If they escape, he will suffer for it.”

  “And Master Albert?” the guard asked.

  “Take him back to his room,” Hugh said.

  Albert looked sadly at the children. “I’m sorry,” he said.

  Hugh turned on his heel. Roderick, the guards, and Albert followed him to the castle.

  Beth and Patrick rushed toward Sir Andrew.

  “That was a noble thing to do,” Beth said. “Thank you!”

  “It was the right thing to do,” Sir Andrew said. He slumped forward a little in his saddle.

  “Master, you are not well,” James said.

  “Not so,” Sir Andrew said. “I’ve never been more ready to fight.”

  James asked, “But your shoulder is still hurt. How will you hold a lance?”

  “As bravely as I can,” said Sir Andrew. “God will see that justice is done. Hurry! We have work to do!”

  The knight tugged at the reins. His horse turned around, and Sir Andrew rode away.

  Beth watched Sir Andrew sway in the saddle as he rode. She was afraid.

  The Tournament

  Sir Andrew rode off to get his jousting weapons. James took the cousins to the tournament grounds. They would help Sir Andrew prepare for the fight.

  Some men were setting up a large tent. It was at the far end of the field. The tent had a pointed roof. Small, colorful flags were attached to poles.

  “What is that?” Beth asked James.

  “Master Hugh is making camp there,” James said. “The tent is where he will dress.” The tent was placed at the edge of the woods. Swords, axes, clubs, and spears leaned against a rack. Horses were tied to posts in the ground.

  “Where is our tent?” Beth asked.

  “There is no time. We will set up camp here,” James said. He pointed to an old fire pit. It was round and black with soot.

  “Sir Andrew’s shields will be placed on those nails,” James said. He pointed to three trees nearby. Large iron spikes stuck out from the bark.

  Sir Andrew arrived on his horse. The horse pulled a small wagon.

  Sir Andrew wore new armor. It was bright white with blue tassels on the helmet.

  James and Patrick unloaded three large shields from the wagon. They hung them on the spikes in the trees. The blue shields were decorated with white roses.

  “What does the white rose mean?” Beth asked.

  “The white rose means that we are loyal to the House of York,” James said. “The Duke of York should be the rightful king.”

  “Should be? You mean he isn’t?” asked Beth.

  “No,” James said. “Our enemies lie about the king’s claim to the throne. The king is with the House of Lancaster. Their color is red. Their shield symbol is a lion or a red rose.”

  It didn’t make sense to Beth. She was glad America didn’t have kings and queens.

  James and Patrick unloaded three long lances from the wagon.

  Suddenly there was cheering from the other camp. Beth looked up. Master Hugh arrived on a black horse. Roderick walked ahead of it.

  Hugh was dressed in his white shirt and dark tunic. He waved to the people in his camp. Then he turned to Sir Andrew. He scowled.

  Roderick helped Hugh off the horse. They went into the tent together.

  “We must pray!” Sir Andrew called out. He stayed on his horse. The three children knelt.

  Beth clasped her hands and closed her eyes.

  “To the glory of God, the honor of Lord Darkthorn, and the rise of the Duke of York,” Sir Andrew said.

  Beth prayed that Sir Andrew would have the strength to fight.

  The blast of a horn got their attention. A man with a long trumpet blew on the horn three times.

  “Here comes the herald,” said James.

  A second man walked to the center of the field. The herald wore a long smock. He said loudly, “Sir Andrew and Master Hugh will now take their places!”

  The gathering crowd cheered.

  Sir Andrew stretched out his right hand. James gave him a lance. Patrick handed him a shield. Sir Andrew took it with his left hand.

  The knight gave his horse a gentle kick. He rode to the jousting field.

  Hugh came out of his tent a moment later. He wore black and red armor. His visor was down. He looked evil. Beth shivered.

  It took several servants to lift the Red Knight onto his horse. The servants handed him his shield and lance.

  James gasped and said, “Look! His shield is red. It has a lion on it! He is with the House of Lancaster.”

  “The knave is now open about being a traitor,” Sir Andrew said. “He has been stealing the treasures to sell. He means to overthrow Lord Darkthorn and take over the castle.”

  The Red Knight trotted his horse out to the herald. The two knights on horseback faced each other. The herald was between them.

  “I remind you of the rules for this joust of peace,” the herald said to the two knights.

  “What’s a joust of peace?” Patrick asked.

  James said, “A joust of peace is finished when a knight is knocked off his horse. No one should get hurt or trampled.”

  The two knights turned their horses around. They rode to opposite ends of the field.

  They waited. Beth had a sick feeling in her stomach.

  The trumpeter blew his horn.

  The two men spurred their horses forward. With growing speed, they raced toward each other.
They held their lances level.

  Crack!

  The Red Knight’s lance shattered against Sir Andrew’s shield.

  Sir Andrew tilted backward from the hit, but he didn’t fall.

  The crowd cried out. Beth winced. She knew Sir Andrew must be in great pain.

  Sir Andrew rode his horse to the end of the field. Beth thought he slumped a little.

  Could Sir Andrew take another hard hit?

  The Red Knight took up a new lance. He got into position. He sat straight and tall.

  The trumpet blew. The horses took off. The two knights came at each other.

  Crack!

  The two lances slammed against the shields. Both lances shattered.

  The White Knight swayed. He fell forward onto his horse’s neck.

  The Red Knight swayed and leaned sideways. His horse galloped on. The Red Knight tilted to the left. Then he tilted to the right. Then he fell from his horse. He hit the ground.

  “It’s over!” Beth cried. “Sir Andrew won!”

  “Wait,” James said. “Something’s wrong.”

  The Red Knight stood up slowly. He took a few steps to his horse. He pulled a long sword from the saddle. “Now we fight man to man, sword to sword!” he shouted.

  Sir Andrew rode close to the Red Knight. “Follow the code of honor,” Sir Andrew said. “This is a joust of peace.”

  “There is no peace!” the Red Knight shouted. “This is war! Lancaster against York! To the death!”

  The Trick

  The Red Knight swung his sword around. Sir Andrew leaned back and fell off his horse. He hit the ground on his back.

  The Red Knight came forward. He swung his sword down. It hit the side of Sir Andrew’s helmet.

  “Not fair,” James shouted. “He has no weapon!”

  Sir Andrew lay still for a moment. The Red Knight brought his sword up with both hands. The sword pointed down.

  “No!” Beth shouted.

  Just then Sir Andrew’s horse whinnied. It gave the Red Knight a hard kick.

  The Red Knight stumbled to one side. He fell broadside into his own horse. Then it seemed as if he had a new idea. He took the horse’s reins and hurried toward his camp.

  Sir Andrew struggled to his feet. But the effort was too much. He fell to the ground again.