The Fate of the Arrow

by Shel Pais

  “Thank you for telling me. I promise I won’t say anything to anyone.”

  “It’s very important you don’t. Just one mistake could cost David his life.”

  They said goodbye, and Mordecai continued on to the castle. The ill man-at-arms was one of Geoffrey’s men, not Henry’s. Mordecai previously had treated him and was hoping he could at least get a glimpse of David, but when he arrived at the castle, he learned David had accompanied Henry on his hunt with Geoffrey, along with several men-at-arms. David showed his skill at archery in the hunt, where he killed a boar and two ducks. While he had never hunted before, he did not find it difficult. His archery skill was evident in the ease with which he was able to kill the prey, especially the boar. However, the boar had gored one of Henry’s men-at-arms, and he required medical attention. While Mordecai completed his treatment of the first man, two of Geoffrey’s guards brought the wounded man into their quarters, accompanied by David. They looked at each other, neither acknowledging the other. As Mordecai treated the wounded man, David stayed back, out of the way. After Mordecai cleaned the wound and closed it, one of the guards asked David to escort the apothecary out of the castle.

  “David,” Mordecai said in a low voice, “it’s very strange to be walking with you here and you dressed like that.”

  “I’m Donald,” he answered. “Please only call me that here.”

  “Yes, of course. When are you returning to York?”

  “Baron Henry has not said. I imagine soon. Can his man travel?”

  “No. He should be left behind until he has healed.”

  They reached the main gate of the castle. In order not to raise the slightest suspicion, David merely thanked the apothecary for his services, turned and walked back to the guards’ quarters. How strange that was, he thought. My father treating a wounded man-at-arms and me escorting him.

  Baruch had come to see his brother. He was very upset about what had happened that day and wanted his brother’s counsel. Baruch related what Hubert had said.

  Mordecai put his hand on his brother’s hand. “I’m worried, Baruch. This abbot is ruthless if he would even threaten you. Coin clipping is a serious offense. Many have been imprisoned and hanged for it, even when innocent.”

  “I’m aware of that. I may tell the sheriff what he said.”

  “Can you trust the sheriff?”

  “I think so. These days it’s hard to know who you can trust. Tell me, have you heard from David?”

  “Baruch, in confidence, I tell you he’s here in Northampton.” Mordecai related everything that had happened.

  “I’m not surprised,” Baruch said. “I felt all along he was the one who had the weapons, and when he mysteriously went away after the three thieves were killed, it made perfect sense to me. I won’t say anything. If you see him again, please tell him I’m proud of him, and I support what he’s doing.”

  “I will. But I don’t think I will see him again for a while. He’ll be returning to York shortly.”

  “MEN, I HAVE SOME GOOD news,” declared Sir Michael. “Baron Geoffrey has ordered a festival be held in three days, and we’ll stay to enjoy it. The festival will include contests among the knights and men-at-arms. Donald, Baron Henry wants you to win the archery tournament for him.”

  The news excited the men. They were enjoying their stay in Northampton and were hoping to get back to the brothel. David, however, did not like this announcement. To shoot in the archery tournament meant there was a good chance he would be recognized, if not by any Jews in attendance, but by Gentiles who might know him. He did not know if there was any way he could get out of it. He would have to try to stay out of sight as much as possible.

  “Donald,” Michael continued, “Baron Henry wants you to practice as much as you can. Baron Geoffrey wagered his archer will beat you, and Baron Henry hates to lose.”

  “I’ll do my best for the baron.”

  As preparations were being made for the festival, David practiced for several hours each day. He did not worry about his skill, but about his nervousness of being seen in public. While he would be wearing his helmet and man-at-arms clothes, he could not get it out of his head that before the end of the festival he could be in trouble. The night before the tournament, he was resting in bed when Michael came to see him.

  “Donald, are you ready to make us proud? You’re the best archer we have, you know.”

  “Thank you, Michael.”

  “Come. We are all going back to the Swords Point tavern for ale and some female company.”

  David thought quickly. “Michael, tonight I had better stay here and rest. If I drink too much or in any way am not well rested, I won’t be able to shoot well.”

  “Perhaps you’re right. We’ll go back tomorrow night to celebrate your victory.”

  David did not reply. He laid back on the bed as Michael left.

  As news of the baron’s order to hold a festival on such short notice spread, there was excitement in Northampton. Most of the Jews did not plan to attend. They tried not to mix with the Christian population, not wanting to suffer the usual humiliations. While these were primarily verbal and often due to too much drinking, violence often would occur.

  Avram heard the news and went right to Mordecai’s house. “Mordecai, have you heard? Baron Geoffrey is holding a festival with an archery tournament, and Baron Henry’s man Donald is to compete against Geoffrey’s man. Donald is really David, right?”

  “Yes, Avram, I have heard. And, yes, Donald is our David. I’m very worried that someone will recognize him, and he’ll be in trouble.”

  “You will attend, won’t you?”

  “Yes, I feel we must attend, although we must stay as obscure as possible. We cannot let anyone suspect that David is who he is. Please make sure you do the same.”

  “I will, Mordecai.”

  Alwyn had just returned from Northampton with Brother Gabriel. He went right to Hubert’s chamber and knocked. Hubert was taking his afternoon nap.

  “What is it?” he yelled, irritated at being awakened.

  Alwyn entered. “Hubert, I have just returned from Northampton. Baron Geoffrey is holding a festival tomorrow with tournaments and contests.”

  Hubert had not attended any festivals since he arrived. “A festival on such short notice? Why would Geoffrey do that?”

  “Apparently, Baron Henry of York is visiting and has a skilled archer with him. Geoffrey wants everyone to see his own archer defeat him.”

  “Alwyn, I think we and all the brothers should go. They’ve been kept in the priory too long, and it will be good for them. Please make the announcement.”

  The next day turned out to be a beautiful spring one. It was cool in the morning, but warmed nicely as the day wore on, the sun shining in an almost cloudless sky. The festival was held in the meadow just outside the town. Stalls had been set up with vendors selling everything from various foods to pottery and glassware. The crowds were large, as everyone was happy to take a break from their mundane lives. The tournament activities would begin in the afternoon. David reluctantly accompanied the other men-at-arms as they browsed the stalls, always worried he might be recognized. He did see one man he remembered he had fought with a couple of years before, but with David dressed as a man-at-arms, the man merely walked past him without even a glance. David looked around for any Jews he might know but did not see any at all. Maybe they will not attend, he thought, and I won’t have anything to worry about.

  Mordecai, Benjamin, Rachel, and Avram arrived at the festival, staying away from the crowds as much as they could. For the tournament, Mordecai said they should find places in the rear.

  Hubert, Alwyn, and all the monks except Gabriel, who was ill, also arrived. Hubert had instructed the monks to enjoy themselves, but not to do anything to embarrass him or they would be punished. Hubert strolled through the stalls, greeting everyone. Alwyn accompanied him as usual. They occasionally would stop at a stall and buy something to eat. Everyone eagerly wai
ted for the competitions to begin. Hubert and Alwyn then arrived at the tournament field and took seats in the front.

  Avram left Mordecai and his family and strolled through the stalls by himself, ignored for the most part, although several times someone gave him a push, saying, “Out of my way, Jew.” He made his way to the tournament field and decided to sit near the front. He saw two churchmen sitting in front of him but thought nothing of it.

  Benjamin saw Avram sitting up close, and asked Mordecai if he could join him. His father said yes, and Benjamin ran up to Avram, slapping him on the back.

  “Avram, can I sit next to you?”

  “I suppose so. Where are your father and sister?”

  “They’re in the back. Father preferred it that way. I wonder if Uncle Baruch is here. I’m sure he’d want to see David.”

  “Be quiet, Benjamin. We must not say his name.”

  Hubert, who was sitting in front of the two boys, overheard the mention of Baruch’s name, and turned around to see who had said it. He kept silent, trying to hear every word they said.

  After a while, the crowd filled the seats and the grassy areas around the field. Baron Geoffrey, Lady Catherine and Baron Henry arrived and took their seats under the canopy in the center of the stand. Geoffrey called for the events to begin. From one end of the field a parade of knights on horseback, men-at-arms carrying swords and shields, and a group of men with bows and arrows circled the field. When David walked past, Benjamin could not contain his excitement. “Look, Avram. There’s David.”

  Avram again tried to quiet him. “Benjamin, I told you be silent. No one is supposed to know who he is.”

  Hubert heard every word and became very interested in those two, especially Benjamin. What is going on, he wondered? Who is the one he called David, and why would he be on the field? Is David a Jew? If so, how could a Jew be part of the tournament? Hubert realized he might be gaining some very interesting and potentially useful information. He looked at Alwyn, who appeared totally oblivious to it all.

  As the parade circled the field, David tried not to look around but found it hard not to. As he marched past Avram and Benjamin, he nodded slightly, acknowledging them. This was not lost on Hubert, who began studying his every move.

  The group completed their entry march, and the tournament began. First was the joust. David was enthralled with all of it. Only a few years ago he had been here watching such an event with his father. Now he was on the field, soon to be a part of it.

  The first joust was between Sir Paul of Bristol against a visiting Spanish knight, Sir Rodolfo de Madrid. David could not take his eyes off them. They were not using sharp-tipped lances, but blunted ones. As the two knights galloped towards each other, there soon was a clash of lance against shield. Sir Paul’s lance shattered, but he remained on his horse. Rodolfo leaned to the side but also managed to stay upright. David marveled at their warhorses. They were huge, and so well trained they obeyed their knights without hesitation.

  The match was declared a draw, and the two knights waited for the next pair. This went on for a while, until there were only four knights left—Sir Paul, Sir Rodolfo, Sir Keir de Courteney, and Sir Edward of Nottingham. One knight, Sir Eugene de Augustine, was injured and taken away. When it was over, Baron Geoffrey was not happy the Spaniard Rodolfo had won the day, since it made the English knights look bad. The crowd, however, did not care, and cheered for the victor.

  David watched as a group of swordsmen entered the field. Upon the baron’s command, they began to fight. The swords were not wooden, and care was taken not to kill or wound. Normally, many knights would take part in the melee. Due to the festival and tournament being announced only days before, the number of knights participating was smaller than usual.

  The crowd was getting eager for the main event—the archery tournament. After the melee, luckily with only a few minor wounds, the targets were placed and it was time for the archery contest to begin. Everyone listened intently as the Marshal announced the contestants. However, no one listened more closely than Hubert. As each archer’s name was called, he stepped forward. When the one he had heard as being David answered to Donald of Coby Hollow, Hubert’s suspicions grew. He planned to watch this Donald very closely.

  There were ten archers in all, and five targets. Eliminations occurred as the targets were moved further back and there were more center misses. Eventually only two archers remained—David and Baron Geoffrey’s man, Richard de Tal.

  “Well, Geoffrey, it looks like it’s just between our men,” Henry said. “Shall we increase the wager?”

  Geoffrey gulped his wine. “What are we up to, fifty pounds? All right, let’s make it one hundred “

  “Agreed,” Henry said. “One hundred it is.”

  Everyone watched as Richard notched his arrow, aimed, and shot. The target was one hundred paces away. The arrow flew straight and landed in the bottom of the center circle. David then took an arrow, inspected it first to be sure it was true, notched it, aimed, and released. It landed dead center. The crowd cheered. Richard looked over at his opponent. “Nicely done, Donald. You definitely have a talent.”

  “Thank you, Richard. Your fame as an archer is well known. I am honored to compete against you.” Richard had been Geoffrey’s archer for several years. A seasoned warrior, he was almost forty years old, and had won many contests for his master. Today, however, he was worried this young man might defeat him.

  The target was moved back another ten paces. This time David was to shoot first. While his arrow did not hit the exact center, it did hit the center circle. Richard’s second shot also hit near David’s. Again, the target was moved back another ten paces. The crowd was silent as Richard pulled back on his bowstring and released. The arrow missed the center circle and landed slightly below it. David took a deep breath as he stepped up to the firing line. He took an arrow, inspected it, and decided to use another instead. He carefully notched it, pulled back the bowstring, aimed, and released. All he heard was the crowd letting out a tremendous roar. The two men who had been moving the target started carrying it. As they got closer, David saw his arrow had landed perfectly in the center. He had won.

  “Well done again, my young friend,” Richard said, patting David on the back. “You have defeated me, and I must say that doesn’t happen very often.”

  “Many thanks, Richard. I don’t know what to say.”

  Even with the cheering, Hubert could hear the two boys behind him. “He did it, Avram. He did it!” Avram again reminded Benjamin to stifle his excitement, although he was beaming as his best friend, a Jew, had defeated Baron Geoffrey’s famed archer.

  “Well, Geoffrey,” Henry said, “it looks like you owe me one hundred pounds.”

  Geoffrey was in a foul mood, as his drinking coupled with losing the wager did not make him a happy man. “Henry, what a fine archer you have,” Catherine said. “What do you know about him? The Marshal said he’s from Coby Hollow. That’s near here at the edge of Salcey, is it not?”

  Henry was uncomfortable with her questions, as he wanted to keep the secret of David’s finding the weapons. He decided to answer her simply.

  “He lived with a family there after his parents died. He came with me to York after he saved my life. That’s all I know. Let’s eat, shall we? I’m famished.”

  The two barons, Catherine, and the rest of their entourage left the stands and returned to the castle. As the crowd dispersed, Hubert kept a watchful eye on the two boys. He was especially interested when he saw Benjamin approach an older Jew whom he recognized and embrace him. This Donald is a Jew. But how could a Jew become an archer for Baron Henry? He is wearing a crucifix. Is he pretending to be a Christian? If so, I may be able to use this but I must be sure.

  Benjamin could not control his excitement, though he did keep his voice down. “Father, did you see? My brother won the archery tournament. My brother. We have our own champion!”

  “Quiet! We must not let anyone suspect he’s from ou
r family. Let’s return home, and we can talk about it there.” Mordecai, Benjamin, and Rachel left the field, and began to walk back to West End, not noticing the two churchmen walking behind them. Mordecai heard a voice addressing him. “Aren’t you Baruch’s brother?”

  Mordecai stopped and turned around. “Who is asking?”

  “Remember me, Mordecai? Abbot Hubert?”

  “Of course I remember you. Yes, Baruch is my brother. Why?”

  “I’ve done business with Baruch. Has he ever mentioned me to you?”

  “No, he doesn’t discuss his business with me. I also have not seen him for a while.” Mordecai did not want Hubert to know he was aware of Hubert’s threat.

  “Mordecai, do you have any children other than these two?” He did not want to answer.

  “Abbot, you are the one who removed Prior Bartholomew and commanded the monks not to even speak to Jews. You are breaking your own rules. I don’t wish to continue this.” Mordecai turned and with Benjamin and Rachel hurried away from the churchmen.

  “What was that about?” Alwyn asked.

  “Nothing. At least, not yet.”

  Baron Geoffrey recovered from his foul mood and ordered a great feast be held in honor of Baron Henry and Donald for his victory. David returned to his quarters, and the men all cheered him with mugs of ale. They spoke of the upcoming feast, and that Donald could have his pick of any of the girls at the castle. “They’ll all be willing to spread their legs for the champion,” Michael told him. “You’ll be fighting them off, so give us your discards.” They all laughed and David laughed with them, worried again that he could not be put in such a position.

  That night as David entered the great hall, Baron Henry called him over. “My lord. Baron Geoffrey. Lady Catherine,” he said, bowing.

  “Donald, you made me proud today, as well as one hundred pounds richer.” Geoffrey frowned and grunted at Henry’s statement. “I want to reward you.” Henry handed David a purse. “There are twenty pounds in there. My gift to you for today.”