by Shel Pais
“He insulted me.”
“No, Edgar. I made a mistake. He didn’t say that. I made it up. Please don’t hurt him.”
Edgar ignored Alycia’s wishes. They continued to fight, Edgar launching heavy blows, being much stronger than David. But David was quicker, able to hold his own, avoiding blows when he could, and blocking others. David saw out of the corner of his eye Alycia had run off. A small crowd had gathered to watch the knight fight the boy in training who was not even a squire. David was beginning to tire, not only from defending himself, but it had been a long day of training. Then he heard Baron Henry’s voice. “Stop this at once, I command both of you!” David realized Alycia had run to fetch her father. He lowered his sword, but Edgar thrust one more time and the point of his sword slid into David’s left thigh. He dropped his sword and fell to the ground, holding the wound that was bleeding profusely. Alycia screamed.
“Edgar!” Baron Henry exclaimed. “What have you done? I ordered you to halt. Donald did, and you attacked him anyway.”
Edgar showed no remorse. “He insulted me and made Alycia cry. I was only defending my honor as well as hers.”
“You fool. Donald didn’t say anything like that. Alycia told me she made it up and told you too. You also knew Donald is under my protection, and you didn’t question either of them. Go to your quarters. I’ll deal with you later.”
Edgar grunted, turned, and left, muttering under his breath.
Henry called for servants to carry David to an empty chamber, where they placed him on the bed. Oliver had tied a cloth around the wound as a tourniquet, but the wound was deep and required medical attention. Bryce had not witnessed the initial confrontation between David and Edgar but was in the small crowd that had been watching them and accompanied David to the chamber.
“Bryce, run and fetch Nehemiah, the Jewish physician. I believe only he can treat Donald. I don’t want any of those idiot monks to even look at him,” Henry ordered.
Bryce nodded and ran out of the room. It took about an hour until Nehemiah arrived. Meanwhile, David was getting weaker, drifting in and out of consciousness.
“My lord,” Nehemiah said, bowing as usual. “Bryce told me what happened. Let me see the wound.”
“You must make sure he’s completely healed. This lad saved my life, and he is special to me. Do everything you can for him. If you need anything, just ask,” Henry said.
Nehemiah looked at David, who was barely conscious. “What’s your name?” Nehemiah asked. David had lost a lot of blood and was very weak. Nehemiah put his ear to David’s mouth and thought he heard the name David. Bryce then answered for him. “His name is Donald.”
Nehemiah opened his bag and removed a knife. He began to cut David’s breeches and undergarments away to get better access to the wound. In doing so, he was able to see part of David’s genitals. He suppressed his surprise at what he saw, and quickly covered them up. “Everyone must leave. I will take care of this better alone.”
“Are you sure?” Henry asked.
“Yes. There is much less risk of infection if I am alone.”
Henry nodded, ordered the room cleared, and the door closed.
Using the hot water Henry had brought in before Nehemiah arrived, Nehemiah cleansed the wound, prepared some herbs he placed around it, and carefully sewed it closed. It was deep, and if not properly treated, gangrene would set in and David would lose his leg. Nehemiah sat with him for a while, checking for a fever that would indicate an infection. He was happy to see there appeared to be none. Nehemiah heard the door creak open and saw Baron Henry. “How is he, Nehemiah?”
“My lord, I have done what I can for him. However, he is not out of danger. I will stay with him until he is.”
“Very well. Let me know if you need anything at all.” The door closed and they were alone again.
Nehemiah looked hard and long at his patient. He wore a crucifix but was circumcised. Is he a convert? While that was the most likely explanation, he would wait until this boy could speak to him before jumping to any conclusions. Several hours passed, and finally David began to wake up. He saw Nehemiah, who he quickly identified as being Jewish. Without thinking, he said, “Shalom. I am David ben Mordecai. Who are you?”
“I am Nehemiah. A physician. I treated you.”
David began to realize he had broken his masquerade and tried to correct his mistake. “I am Donald, a squire in training.”
Nehemiah leaned over to get closer. “No, you are not. You first told me your name was David, and I know you are circumcised. You are a Jew.”
David realized he could not continue to lie to this man.
“You haven’t reported me?”
“No, why should I? Tell me, why are you pretending to be a Christian, which you are doing, am I correct?”
David nodded. He was still weak but felt he could speak clearly. He quickly told Nehemiah his story.
“So you are the one who saved Henry’s life. Henry is a good man, although if he found out the truth about you, I don’t think he would take kindly to it.”
“You will keep my secret?”
“Not only will I keep it, I will help you with whatever I can. We Jews do need a champion. If I were younger, I would join you in your mission. David, I will come several times to check on you, but not too often as to raise suspicion. In the meantime, I will get you new breeches and undergarments, since we have to make sure your condition, shall we say, never gives you away.”
“Thank you, Nehemiah.”
“I only pray you know what you’re doing.”
“As do I.”
David was resting when Nehemiah opened the door and saw Alycia. “How is he, Nehemiah?”
“He’s resting, and actually doing quite well considering the depth of the wound.”
“I’m glad. I will never forgive Edgar for what he did. I will not marry him, even if my father insists on it. May I see him?”
“Yes, but only for a few minutes.”
Nehemiah waited outside as Alycia entered. David was awake and opened his eyes when he saw her.
“Lady Alycia.”
“Are you all right, Donald? I’m so sorry about what happened.”
“The physician says I should fully recover. But I don’t understand why you lied to Edgar.”
Alycia lowered her eyes. “I can’t forgive myself. Can you forgive me?”
“Perhaps, if you tell me why you did it.”
“I wanted you to defeat him so he would be humiliated.”
“Me, defeat a knight? I’m only in training. He’s a knight who has fought many battles. How could I defeat him? All you did was make him angry, and he could have killed me. Does he know the truth?”
She nodded. “I told him again, and my father spoke to him. Edgar said he didn’t believe either of us, that my father was only covering for me. My father is very angry with me.”
“What do you think will happen?” David asked.
“I hope my father will see Edgar for the savage he is, but I’m sure he’ll still insist the marriage take place, and probably soothe Edgar with a larger dowry. That’s something I’ll have to deal with. Now I’m worried I made you his enemy. Even so, I hope you can forgive me.”
David saw remorse in her eyes. “Of course I forgive you. We all make mistakes.”
“I knew I would find you here, Alycia,” Baron Henry said. “Have you apologized to Donald for your stupidity?”
“Yes, Father, I have. And Donald has forgiven me.”
“Well, he’s a better man than I. If I were him, I would insist on punishing you severely.”
“Father, forcing me to marry Sir Edgar will punish me for the rest of my life.”
“Alycia, you will not be marrying him.”
Her eyes lit up, and David tried to lift his head to better hear the baron. “What did you say?”
“While I don’t approve of what you did, I didn’t know Edgar had such a short temper and would also violate the rules of chivalry a
s quickly as he did. Your mother and I discussed it, and we’re worried he might harm you for some small, insignificant comment or transgression. We’ll find you a better husband that will still provide benefits to us.”
“Oh, Father. Thank you. That’s the best news. But isn’t Donald in danger now?”
Henry put his arm around his daughter. “I don’t think so. I told Edgar again Donald is under my protection, and if he harmed him again in any way he would pay for it. Edgar is smart enough to understand that and gave me his pledge.”
Alycia hugged her father. “Father. I would never be happy being married to Edgar.” She looked at David as she said that, but he pretended not to notice.
“Donald,” Henry said, “I want you to be fully recovered before you return to your training. I want you to regain all your strength and be sure your leg never will affect your fighting ability. A wound that does not heal properly can change one’s life.”
“Yes, my lord. I promise I will not do anything to hurt my recovery.”
Nehemiah, standing outside the door, heard everything. “I believe I’m done here for today. I’ll return tomorrow to see how our patient is doing.” They all thanked him, and he left.
“Come, Alycia, let Donald rest,” Henry said.
David laid back on the bed, thinking about everything that happened. I fought a knight, and while I did not defeat him, he did not defeat me. He cheated and attacked me after I had lowered my sword and the baron ordered him to stop. Should I ever see him again, I must be wary, for I do not believe he will honor his pledge, especially if he ever finds out who I really am. For that matter, if anyone finds out who I really am.
HENRY NOTICED DAVID’S WALKING WAS getting better. He was not limping and seemed able to put all his weight on both legs.
“Donald,” Henry called out one morning. “I see you’re healed. Are you truly ready to train again?”
“Absolutely, my lord. I’m afraid Bryce is well ahead of me now.”
Henry laughed. “Bryce is coming along, but he will never be the warrior you’ll be. Don’t tell him that, although I think he knows it himself. You may resume training tomorrow. I’ll inform James and Oliver.”
“I won’t tell Bryce, my lord. Thank you.”
“Donald, promise me if you feel any pain or weakness you will stop and report it to me. I don’t want to take any chances with you.”
“I promise, Baron Henry.”
David sat on a bench as he watched Henry return to the castle. He closed his eyes, thinking of his father, brother, sister and Avram, wondering what they were doing right now. How I miss them, he thought. Somehow, I have to see them. He then heard the sound of light footsteps.
“Daydreaming about me?”
“Alycia. I didn’t see you coming.”
“My father told me you’re completely healed and will start training again tomorrow. That’s good news.”
“Yes. I’m eager to return. I hope I haven’t lost much of my skills.”
“I doubt it. My father thinks you’ll become a knight faster than you think. He even wants to tell the king about you. Perhaps he’ll soon ask him to knight you.”
Her statement took David aback. “Tell the king? About me? But I’m nowhere near being ready to be knighted. I’m just learning horsemanship and have never jousted or even fought in a battle.”
“You will. My father has great hopes for you.” Alycia sighed. “He also wants to ask the king for help in finding me a suitable husband.”
“Has there been any word about Sir Edgar?”
“Edgar’s father sent a message to my father asking him to reconsider.”
“Did he respond?”
“He wrote back he would not, and he hoped Edgar soon would find a bride better suited for him.”
David, as usual, found it hard not to stare at her. She wore a bright yellow dress under her woolen cloak that was partially open despite the cold, and a matching yellow bonnet. Her eyes were always radiant, and he could see she was beginning to shiver as the wind picked up. “My lady, you should go sit by the fire. You’re freezing.”
“I’m fine. Donald, I need to ask you something.”
David became nervous. He always worried he would let his emotions get the better of him, and it could destroy him. “Yes?”
“Do you remember what you said to me before the incident? That you are not permitted to like me?”
“I do.”
“I’m giving you permission to like me.”
“Alycia, that’s very kind of you, but I believe the kind of like you are referring to, you can’t merely give to me. Perhaps if I were a knight and held lands. However, I am not and do not, and have no reason to believe I will anytime soon.”
“You know my father is extremely fond of you.”
“Yes, and I’m grateful for that.”
Alycia lowered her head, and then raised it. David saw tears streaming down her cheeks. “I love you, Donald. I think I’ve loved you since I first saw you at the banquet. I know you were looking at me, and I am sure Sir Michael and all the men-at-arms told you to stay away and forget about me.”
David knew his shock was evident. Not only was his inexperience with girls obvious, but he did not know how to respond. While he felt a strong desire for her, he knew the reality of the situation.
“Alycia, I am honored by your admission. But I am too young and inexperienced to know what love is. I imagine you are as well. I don’t understand why people are attracted to one another. I do understand that no matter what, you are the baron’s daughter, and we can never be anything other than friends. I pray the man who gets your hand in marriage appreciates who he’s getting and treats you with the love and respect you so richly deserve.”
Alycia’s tears continued.
“Donald, even though I know you’re right, I can’t help my feelings. I believe I do love you. I also resent these rules that prevent two people from finding happiness because of their birth or station. I’d change them if I could.” Alycia suddenly stopped crying and briefly laughed. “I am not permitted to marry you any more than I am a Jew.”
“That is true, Alycia. Very true.”
All preparations for the marriage of Mordecai to Hannah were completed. The ceremony would take place in the West End synagogue, with a celebration party to follow. Rabbi Ezra, Hannah’s brother, would be conducting the wedding ceremony.
Since they met a few months before at Passover, Hannah had decided to stay in Northampton so she and Mordecai could spend more time together. She was very good to Benjamin and Rachel, both who encouraged their father to ask her to marry him. After thinking it over and discussing it with Baruch, he did, and she immediately accepted.
Mordecai noticed Baruch had become somewhat withdrawn the last few months. When questioned, Baruch always would respond nothing was wrong, and only that he had a few things on his mind. Mordecai did not believe him, and repeatedly told him he was available to help him.
The day of the wedding, Mordecai sat dressed in his finest clothes, thinking about his late wife, Sarah, and his son, David. He thought Sarah would approve of Hannah and would have liked her as a friend. Heavy on his heart was that he wished David could be there. Benjamin had stopped asking to go visit him at York, understanding the danger that would have created for them all.
It was time to leave for the Shul. As the three of them made their way through the dusty street, Mordecai wondered about the future. He felt he was making the right decision but regretted the circumstances that led to it. Rabbi Ezra was already there.
“Shalom, Mordecai. Are you ready?”
“Shalom, Rabbi. Yes, I am. Where is Hannah?”
“She’s in my study, waiting for you.”
Members of both families and most of the small Jewish community attended the ceremony. The synagogue was their central focus, and it was customary for everyone to share the happy times as well as the sad. They all managed to squeeze into the small sanctuary. After Mordecai and Hannah both
signed their marriage contract, called the ketubah, it was signed by two witnesses—Baruch and Rabbi Ezra. They then walked together to the chuppah, the marriage canopy, supported by four men holding poles.
Hannah wore a simple, light-colored dress, her face covered by a thin veil she then lifted. The couple stood under the chuppah as Rabbi Ezra chanted the blessings. She then circled Mordecai seven times. Mordecai recited the traditional marriage vow—behold, you are consecrated to me with this ring according to the laws of Moses and Israel. He placed the ring on her finger, and Rabbi Ezra read the ketubah to the assembly. After several additional blessings, a glass was placed on the floor and Mordecai stepped on it, breaking it into dozens of pieces. Everyone cheered mazel tov, and the couple lightly kissed.
The party afterwards consisted of a number of foods the guests had brought—roast chicken, challah bread, various vegetables, some raw and some cooked, and numerous sweets. There was wine as well, and some of the men definitely drank far too much. As was the custom, the men and women not only sat separately, but danced separately as well. The couple also was given the honor of the chirala, where they each sat on a chair held high by several strong men while the three musicians played and everyone sang.
As the celebration wound down and the guests began to return to their homes, Mordecai sat next to Hannah. “Are you happy, Mordecai?”
“Yes, Hannah. I am happy. I’m sure it has been difficult for both of us, losing our loved ones, but I welcome you to our home and family, and promise to give you the best life I can.”
Hannah smiled and took Mordecai’s hand as Baruch sat next to his new sister-in-law. He was holding a cup of wine, and apparently had been drinking quite a bit himself. “L’chaim to the bride and groom,” he said, lifting his cup, and finishing it with one long gulp.
“Mordecai,” Baruch began, “I need to talk to you.” He was slightly slurring his words.
“Now? This is hardly the time, my brother.”
Baruch got up, sat next to his brother, and spoke at a level a little louder than a whisper. “Abbot Hubert knows about David. He forced me to loan him one thousand pounds or he threatened to expose him.”