Raven thought a moment and then answered, “At first, I feared knowing a weapon was coming instead of being surprised because I had time to think about it. But now I understand that to know something is going to happen gives you time to prepare for it. I now have less fear of something I know about.”
“Do you think you could repeat that again now that the fear is gone?”
“No doubt,” Raven replied.
“Then stand again and we will repeat it,” Master Fields instructed. “Only this time, the arrow will have a razor point.”
Raven felt the fear return but began to calm himself. “There is no difference with or without a point,” he told himself.
Master Fields drew his bow and let the arrow sail toward Raven again.
Raven’s eyes and ears once again locked on the arrow as it approached and again he grabbed it short of his chest. Only once again, there was no razor sharp point on the tip.
“I thought you said that this one would have a sharp point on it.”
Master Fields smiled and said, “There is no use undergoing more risk than is necessary. Did not your fear return for a moment when you thought the arrow would have a point on it?”
“Yes, it did, Master Fields,” Raven answered.
“What then did you learn from the second exercise?” Master Fields asked.
“To control my fear and trust my training to see me through,” replied Raven.
“Very good,” Master Fields nodded in approval, “your fear can paralyze all the training you have. You must learn to work around it and allow your training to come to the surface. Now it is time for more sharpening of your senses. Put the blindfold on again and stand next to the wooden throwing backstop.”
Master Fields then began sending weapons past Raven, and he began again to identify them one by one as they passed and thudded into the wooden stop behind him. Raven was feeling more comfortable being blindfolded, and, in fact, felt that if he had a sword or club in his hand he could by the sound knock the weapons out of the air as they passed him. Although he could only hear them, it was as if he could see them with his hearing, first recognizing what they were and then visualizing rotation or spinning as they passed him going by.
Raven asked Master Fields about this after the exercise, “Why, Master Fields, is it I can almost see the weapons as they pass, but I am blind?”
Master Fields thought how to answer this, Should he tell the boy he had a gift no one else possessed? Not yet, he decided and said; “your training heightens your senses and you begin to use more than your eyes. Your mind fills in the mental picture even though you do not actually see.”
To this Master Fields spoke the truth, for it was part of the advanced training and knowledge that had been handed down through the years from weapon’s master to weapon’s master. What he did not tell Raven was although in theory it was true, no one including himself that he knew of had ever achieved it. Now it was time for sword’s play. Raven began only to defend when Master Fields called a halt to the exercise.
“Raven,” he began in the teaching mode of an arms’ instructor, “you defend well, but the best defense does no good unless you can incapacitate or disarm your enemy. If you only defend, eventually he will find a weakness and do you in. From now on we will concentrate on some offensive moves. Let’s see how inventive you are. Now when you defend, block the attack in such a way as to make the motion work for you so you can come inside the enemy’s attack and strike on the offense yourself. Do you understand?”
Raven nodded and Master Fields spoke again, “Do not worry about me. I am wearing my mail and you do not have your special sword, so be serious.”
Again the lesson resumed. Only this time as Master Fields attacked, Raven blocked but with the intention of sending the sword in a direction that would leave the opponent vulnerable to a counter attack. Master Fields started out allowing Raven to move his weapon around, but after a couple of blows to the ribs realized that he was making this too easy for Raven.
By the ancestors, Master Fields thought, this boy learns too fast.
Now he was trying not to get struck by the counter attacks of Raven. Master Fields was deadly serious. He had told the boy not to spare, but he was starting to get bruised up. The harder Master Fields tried, the more Raven turned that energy against him.
Getting desperate he thought, I must disarm him or yield.
So channeling all his energy and concentration, he used a couple of tricks all arms’ masters keep for such purposes. Getting Raven’s sword facing down and out, he quickly spun and twisted the sword out of his hand. And with an upward thrust, it came flying out. But what happened next, Master Fields did not expect. Raven just as quickly grabbed his sword hand while it was pointed up and spun around in a flash with his back toward Master Fields and let his other elbow fly with the spinning motion behind him to catch Master Fields squarely in the chest with such force Master Fields went flying through the air and hit on his back in the middle of the courtyard.
Raven was turning quickly to see what had happened to Master Fields, a little sorry for how hard he hit him with his elbow when he saw Master Fields spring to his feet, impossibly, from a laying position without using his hands. The next thing Raven knew, the sword was pointed at his chest. Raven yielded and Master Fields put away his sword.
“Where did you learn that move?” Master Fields wanted to know.
“I don’t know,” Raven said. “It seemed the thing to do after you tore the sword from my hand.”
Master Fields nodded and then said, “A wonderful move, but you did not capitalize on it the way you should have. You should have picked up your sword while I was down. Instead you stood there.”
“I...I thought you might be hurt,” said Raven.
“Never mind me,” Master Fields said. “Complete your exercise by getting your sword back and then check on me, got it?”
Master Fields did not want Raven to know just how much he had battered him. The boy was wonderful.
“How did you do that?” Raven asked, referring to Master Fields rising so quickly from the ground.
Master Fields rubbed his chin and said, “Tomorrow we shall study the art of falling, rolling and getting up before your enemy. A very good work out, Raven.”
Raven bowed to Master Fields and left to get changed.
Master Fields watched him go and thought, “He is learning so quickly that in a month’s time I will not be able to keep up with him.”
He then turned and picked up the crossbow bolt and headed off to find Smithy to see what he could do to copy it. Smithy was busy at work in the forge when Master Fields arrived.
Smithy looked up and asked, “Aye, Master Fields, what can I do fer you this fine day?” Master Fields did nothing more than carefully hand to Smithy the crossbow bolt. “My, my,” Smithy said as he looked it over, “where did ya get this?”
“I cannot tell you right now,” Master Fields said. “And you have to keep this quiet, do you understand?”
Master Fields knew Smithy was a person who could be trusted to keep his mouth shut, or else he would not have brought the arrow to him. “The question is,” Master Fields went on, “can you make something like it?”
Smithy shook his head in wonderment, “I do not know.” Hefting it, he mumbled, “It’s thee weight twill be hard to duplicate. I can go light but not make it as strong. A hollow metal tube twill do it, and feathers fer veins instead of metal.”
With that Master Fields left instruction for a dozen of the crossbow bolts to be made, wanting them by week’s end. Smithy nodded and went to work as Master Fields left, whistling to himself, content with a new metal working challenge.
Raven returned to his room, washed and dressed, and then went to find Lorriel. She had not come down for breakfast, so he went to her room and knocked. She said to enter and her eyes brightened when she saw Raven.
“How do you feel today?” he asked her.
&nb
sp; “Better,” she replied, “but the hurt is still there in my heart.”
“As it should be,” replied Raven, “or else true love it would not be. The real test is endurance over the next few weeks until we can get this sorted out. Will you be all right?”
Lorriel nodded in the affirmative and then said; “I will be fine. It is Andrew I am worried about. How will this affect him? He is such a man of honor, he will never defy the king.”
“Yes, I know,” said Raven. “Andrew is an honorable man and will abide by the wishes of the king. Do not worry, though, the king has asked me to explain his wishes when Andrew arrives for the summer feast. I am to take him into the garden and there explain your forced separation. But I will tell him more than the king intends, that I am in support of your relationship and I intend to find a way to restore it. But he will have to be patient as it will take some doing.”
Lorriel smiled and spoke, “Oh, little brother, you are so special. How could I live without you?” With that she hugged Raven tightly.
“Still,” Raven went on, “it will be very hard for you at the feast with Andrew there. I do not think I can fix things that quickly, so again, please be patient.”
“I will,” she said. “Do you really think you can change things?”
“I will find a way somehow,” Raven said looking into her eyes. “Now let’s go down and get some breakfast.”
After breakfast, Raven knocked gently on the king’s council chamber door. He was asked to enter and found the king busy with paperwork and preparations for the summer feast. The king looked up from his work as Raven shut the door and waited for what had brought Raven to his chamber.
“Sire,” Raven spoke, “I would know of the information you have concerning the treachery of the Crestlaw dukeship. The curiosity consumes me of late.”
King Mollen thought for a minute and then said, “Now is not the time to reveal this to you. In time, I promise all shall be revealed.”
“But, father, I need to know now.”
“Be patient, my son, for all will be revealed in due time.”
Now where had Raven heard the “Be patient” plea before? He knew his father would not tell him at this time so he bowed and went from his father’s presence.
After he left King Mollen thought about the question Raven had asked. In truth, he had no proof of any conspiracy or rebellion, only suspicion based on the Wickshield spy being present at the last fall feast. He knew something was going on in the northwest dukeship, and that was enough to convince him that Andrew Crestlaw was after the throne, especially after his desire had turned toward Lorriel. How fiendish of this Crestlaw to use his daughter as a pawn. He was sure Andrew did not care for his daughter’s feelings. She was only a tool for him to get what he wanted. He must put an end to this quickly before it got out of hand.
The next day Raven practiced again with Master Fields, learning to fall and rise quickly, using momentum to his advantage even if he was going down.
Master Fields observed Raven with great satisfaction. He was like a cat, oftentimes landing on his feet when he should not have. Something had happened in this young man. Something truly wondrous was transforming him. And it was more than Raven finally deciding to be serious about arms training.
Raven was noticing it, too. He was able to do things he never thought possible. It seemed that his body had a mind of its own lately, and he would do things almost faster than he could think.
Master Fields would explain a move and then show Raven. And when he tried, he found out he could perform all that Master Fields had asked. After they had finished, Raven stayed to watch Edward practice. It seemed to Raven that Edward had slowed down. His motions were still fluid and precise but almost calculated and predictable. Then it dawned on Raven that he had caught up to Edward in his training and might even be able to defeat him in sword’s play. But this he would never do. One thing he had learned from Master Fields was to never let someone know just how good you were. Besides, defeating Edward would be no reward. It would make Edward feel inferior because he believed he was the best in the kingdom.
A few months ago Raven would have delighted in beating his brother and would have bragged all over the kingdom about it. But now it was no longer important to do so. Things had changed in Raven, not just his physical capabilities but also his maturity toward others. Maybe it was the stress of the conspiracies that made him think more of others and the kingdom than of himself. In truth, Raven was maturing and learning the responsibility that came with the fact that his actions affected other people’s lives. He had been lifted out of self focus and had been thrown into a position where other people depended on him, especially Lorriel and Andrew. Being more aware of others and the consequences of his actions, he would never challenge Edward to battle. And if Edward ever challenged him, he would only defend as Master Fields had done with Edward.
After Edward had finished, Raven went down to him and asked; “Are you ready for the dueling competitions at the summer feast?” For the nobles’ sons would place their names voluntarily into a drawing and duel for entertainment to show their prowess and talent for the crowd’s approval. The duels were the great highlight of the feast and everyone looked forward to them. Edward had been competing for some time, and for the last five years had not lost a duel. The king was greatly honored by Edward’s victories and very proud of him. Raven, on the other hand, had never entered his name in the drawing, having not really been interested in the competition or even arms until these last few months.
“I think I will enter my name in the drawing this year, Edward,” Raven said flatly.
Edward narrowed his eyes as he sized up Raven. “Are you sure? These competitions can be pretty tough. I know you have been spending more time with Master Fields lately, but that would hardly prepare you for this kind of competition. Besides you would not want to embarrass father, would you?”
Raven did not take offense at this for this is what he expected to hear from Edward.
“A person has to start somewhere, Edward, and I have put this off too long. By the way, did you win your first duel?”
Now Edward smiled, “No, I did not. In fact, I was defeated quite speedily.” Then he added, “Good luck to you, Raven. Maybe you are growing up after all. Just pray that you don’t get someone who is cruel and wants to make an example out of you. You could be injured.”
“I will take my chances,” Raven replied, and winked at Edward.
A few days later Master Fields went to Smithy and asked about the crossbow bolts. Smithy went back into his shop and came out with the ancients’ arrow and a box. “Tis, the best I could do, Master Fields. It’s not anywhere near that incredible piece o’ work, but, tis the best I could do,” he repeated.
Master Fields looked into the wooden box and whistled. Smithy had really outdone himself this time, “These look great, Smithy. How did you do this?”
“Well,” Smithy said modestly, “nothin like another’s expert craftsmanship to raise yer own a notch. As I mentioned, they are hollow shafts ta get the weights to match close as possible.”
Master Fields thanked him for the fine work and paid him with several gold pieces, much more than was necessary, again to insure the silence about the special arrow. Then off he went to await Raven for arms’ training.
When Raven arrived at arms’ practice, Master Fields was waiting for him with a smile. He handed him the ancient crossbow bolt and showed Raven the others Smithy had made. Master Fields also instructed Raven to take the arrow back where he had gotten it and to bring the crossbow back with him. When Raven returned with the crossbow, Master Fields just shook his head in wonderment at how it was made. He tried to pull on the woven metal string but the bow was too strong.
“How do you cock such a rigid bow?” Master Fields asked.
Raven produced the cocking device, a lever that spread the string, and showed Master Fields how it worked. After the bow was cocked, Raven took one of
Smithy’s bolts and looked at it. He had made the shaft a little smaller and had painted them. They looked quite impressive, nothing like the original, but quite extraordinary nonetheless. Master Fields had set up an archery target in front of the wooden throwing backstop, a new one tightly woven and very firm, so an arrow would hardly penetrate it. Raven went clear across the courtyard as far away as possible, turned around and took aim at the target. He knew that a normal crossbow would drop several feet at this distance, but he also knew this bow was more powerful than anything he had ever seen. So he aimed just above the center of the target and squeezed the trigger. There was a little jolt, but little noise as the bolt flew to its target. When Raven looked, there was no arrow visible at all in the target. He walked back to the target as Master Fields was examining it as well.
“Where did that thing go?” Master Fields asked. “Did you hit the target?”
“I think so,” Raven replied. Examining the target, they found an entry and exit at the top of the yellow center of the target. Their eyes immediately went to the wooden throwing backstop, and there was a hole there as well. On the back side of the backstop lay the metal arrow on the ground, bent with the tip flattened beyond repair.
Master Fields shook his head and said as he picked up the bolt, “This thing will shoot right through armor.”
Master Fields got several more straw archery targets and placed them in a stack behind each other. Raven took a second bolt and repeated the exercise and this time the bolt slowed and stopped in the last target.
He practiced a few more shots and then said to Master Fields, “I want to take this on the hunt during the summer feast. There is a Tor I want to take care of that has been giving the subjects of our kingdom a hard time.”
Master Fields nodded thoughtfully and then said, “That sure would kill a Tor quite easily, but you cannot take the bow on the hunt looking as it does. It will draw too much attention. I have some dyes and paint we can cover it with.”
The King's Folly Page 10