From the shocked look on Master Richards face to the ushering into Sarsda Palace and the long elegantly and richly decorated parlors, it was all a blur to Tims.
That entire morning, he was ushered from one master servant to the next overseeing his clothing. The royal tailor took one look at him and raised hands to her plump round face. “Oh my!” She gasped and pushed him behind the change room divider. After a moment of scrounging about her fabrics and decorated clothing, she pushed a pair of pants behind the wall. “Put these on and let’s see how you look.”
This process was probably the longest ordeal he had to endure. From one pair of pants and shirt to the next, he endured prodding, pinning, more gasping of shock at his attire. Twenty pairs of clothes later, he was finally ushered out the door to an awaiting servant.
The boy was about the same age as Tims, dressed in a red overcoat with two tails down the back. His face was still young but beginning to fill out. His hair was combed neatly to the sides, a bit longer than most his own age. He nodded stiffly as Tims walked out of the Tailor’s chambers, giving a stiff bow. “My name is Perry. I will be your guide for the remainder of this morning, sir.”
Tims struggled to find the words to say. “Uh, ok.” He looked about him. “Do you know what I am to do now?”
Perry nodded sagely. “You will be going to the third tower where you will be instructed by Madam Desue in how to behave at court today.”
Tims nodded. “Lead the way.”
Perry led him through the palace halls, each one decked out in some fine tapestry work, statues, carefully crafted chairs. The walls themselves were richly decorated with carved out designs. In all, the palace felt old but in a good way. It held memories that spanned the ages.
Madame Desue’s chambers consisted of all wood floor with windows in every wall where it let in the bright rays of sunlight. Several chairs and tables were placed to one side whereas the rest of the chamber was an open floor. In one corner, a large oval desk sat.
Getting up from her desk chair, a woman dressed in a white satin dress walked gracefully towards him.
“Tims Caulder, I presume?”
Tims nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
The woman nodded. “My name is Madam Desue. I was instructed at the last minute that you will be attending court today.” She wore a frown on her lips in disproval. “It is my task to shape you in one hours time to be an honest gentleman.” She gave a scoffing laugh. “Lets get on with it, shall we?”
Somehow, Tims got the feeling this was going to be worse than being with the tailor.
“Not that way!” Madam Desue yelled and smacked him on the back with a ruler. “You are bowing all wrong! Get up and do it over again!”
Tims straightened for the hundredth time that hour to the disgusted look in Madam Desue’s face.
A knock on the door and the servant Perry poked his face in. “My apologies, madam. It is time.”
Madam rose her hands in the air. “May the gods have mercy on poor fools.” She waved a hand dismissing him.
Tims all but ran to where Perry stood looking on with a bemused smirk.
Once Tims was out in the hall and out of earshot, Perry said, “This is why I am a lowly servant. You, sir, are brave to endure this. And to be true, you will endure much more after this ceremony.”
Tims let out a breath of air. “Now you tell me.” He had glanced in one of the many mirrors in Madam Desue’s chambers. He was so out of place in these clothes. What was Averin thinking doing this to him?
“Now,” Perry said with a wink, “It’s time for the real show.” He patted Tims on the shoulder. “Good luck.”
“What?” Tims asked suddenly weary. He noted Perry was walking away leaving him alone.
“What do I do next?”
“Tims,” a voice came from behind.
He recognized the voice instantly and spun around.
Princess Averin stood before him in an elegant blue gown with intricate beading that showed off the craftsmanship. Gold fringes lined the hems with leaf-like patterns. Around her neck was a gold necklace that sparkled in the light with her hair braided and fastened with a golden winged broach. Her arms were covered with a sheer cloth with pearl bracelets on her wrists.
Tims blinked stupidly for a second, taking in her appearance. He had never seen her dressed in her royal attire before now. It took everything in him not to goggle. It didn’t help that the top of her dress was cut low showing her cleavage.
“Do you like it?” she grinned and spun around.
Tims tried for words but only a few came. “You are... beautiful.”
Averin practically beamed with pleasure, her eyes lighting up at his words. A second later, she said with a smile, “Your turn.”
“My turn?”
She laughed. “Turn around, silly! I want to look at you.”
A heated flush washed over him as he slowly turned in a circle. When he faced Averin again, he noted a change had come over her face. It was slight, but her stare stirred something he had no name for inside.
“You are...” she blinked, trying to compose herself. “You are very handsome, Tims. You clean up very well.” She took a deep breath trying to cover her awkwardness.
At the sound of boots falling, she turned and gripped his hands. “It’s time, sir squire!” She laughed softly and turned Tims about to face two Black Knights walking towards them.
“Just follow them and you will do fine. The ceremony is short so it won’t be too painful. I promise.”
“Painful?” Tims asked raising his eye brows. “What do you mean, painful?”
But Averin was already hurrying away down a separate corridor.
The two black knights approached him with nods.
The first said, “Follow us, please.” His voice was muffled by the helmet he wore obscuring his identity.
Tims did as told and followed the two knights down several halls, each one increasingly detailed with ornate objects and murals. When they came to the last hall, large pillars held up a tall vaulted ceiling clearly over three stories high. This led to a large lobby with a ceiling holding a painted mural of a long ago battle. To one end of the lobby, two giant oak doors stood with an engraved tree on one and a kneeling King on the other.
The two knights stopped short of the two doors and indicated him to sit on one of the long benches nearby.
There was nobody else in the lobby so it was deafeningly quiet as they waited. The two knights didn’t bother to speak either making it an awkward moment.
The minutes passed and Tims felt his anxiety creep in.
At last, the doors opened slowly with a short stout man walking out. “Tims Caulder,” the short man said in a stately manner.
The two knights beside him motioned for him to stand. With each black knight taking a side, they walked him through the throne room doors.
The first thing he noticed was that the room was enormous. Pillars jutted upward in all directions. A red carpet extended from the double doors to a raised dais at the other end. Men and women of all titles were in attendance and were all staring at him from their lofty seats.
Tims felt the immediate awareness of who he was in the presence of. These were the same people who whispered and looked on him with unveiled judgmental anger when he wasn’t around the princess.
He faltered a step but one of the knights held him in place so fast, nobody noticed his stumble. He walked on, his nerves growing more and more agitated the more he realized how many nobles were in attendance.
Halfway down the red carpet, he noted there were already five others his own age standing in a line in front of the crowd. All faced forward with a sponsoring Lord behind them.
He wondered at this for a moment before he too was made to stand at the end of the line.
Looking forward, he saw Averin sitting in one of the three thrones raised up on a purple carpeted dais overlooking the room. Behind them was a large stained-glass window with the emblem of a crown In the middle.
King Joshua sat in his throne with a crown on his head holding a scepter. Beside him to his right sat Queen Anna in an elegant white gown that complimented her long blonde hair and regal appearance.
With the two knights taking their positions behind Tims, King Joshua at last stood from his throne and tapped the scepter twice with a loud echoing boom.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the court!” he announced in a loud voice. “Today we witness the ascension of squire hood.”
Tims thought the King would say more but instead, he sat back down.
From the opposite end of the line, the Lord behind each of the boys came to stand in front of the soon-to-be squires announcing their lordship and the boy before him. The Lord then made a short speech commending their servant and abilities. With said speech, the Lord would step aside and the squire would turn to his lord and recite, “I swear to serve my lord faithfully, to obey his commands, and to learn the ways of chivalry and courtesy as befits a squire. I promise to keep faith with my master, to defend his honor, and to be true in all things.” With this said vow, the lord would then pin a special brooch on the boy’s shirt officially making him said lord’s squire. A soft clap of hands from the crowd would echo briefly. This went on for each of the five young men.
Tims sweated, realizing somebody had forgotten to tell him he was to recite this vow. He hurriedly went over the words in his head, trying desperately to remember word for word what was said.
As the last Lord pinned on a brooch to his squire, the two knights behind Tims stepped forward, taking off their helmets revealing the faces of Lord Yothin Stingar, the man who had found him in the hay and the Lord Marshall Jennings.
What is this about, he wondered. Nobody else had two knights.
As one, the two knights knelt, swords drawn and held point down to the floor facing the king.
King Joshua once more rose from his throne, this time with Princess Averin and her mother following suit.
Astonished gasps escaped the onlookers as King Joshua slowly descended the dais. Obviously, nobody was told what the King had been planning. Alone, he made his way to stand in front of Tims, his eyes looking over the audience for a time before settling on Tims alone.
From behind, Princess Averin stepped down from the dais and came to stand next to her father. In her eyes was a defiant stare, daring anyone to protest.
Tims forced himself to look on feeling as though the King was staring into his soul, reading every part of him.
For the longest few seconds in Tims’ life, the King stood there just looking on him. Turning to the assembled crowd, he addressed them.
“A few years ago, I was traveling to Vilac to spend time with the Duchess, my sister. On my way home, my carriage was waylaid by assassins intent on killing me and my entourage.” His eyes turned back to Tims. “In the dead of night, a lone boy had the courage of ten men, risking his life for my own. He saved my life that night.” His eyes never wavered from Tims. “I swore to never forget what he did for me and in time, watched closely as I placed him in the company of lowly servants.” He paused before continuing. “He has shown honor to all who encounter him. In the midst of mockery, he endures. In the face of hardship, he continues to show honor above all else. I see greatness where others may see weakness.” He stepped aside.
Tims watched the sudden expression on the princess’s face, realizing she hadn’t told Tims he was to recite a vow.
Sighing, realizing he didn’t memorize the words in time, Tims looked up at his King and said in a fumbling voice, “To you, my King, I will serve diligently. I swear to be the best squire you will ever have. My life is yours. I will honor you in deed and strength with my own life if must be.”
King Joshua couldn’t hold back and broke his stern commanding expression. He gave a soft chuckle at Tims’ display and with a hand, placed it on his shoulder. “I believe you my boy. That’s all that matters to me.”
He glanced behind him and Averin stepped forward, not able to hide a grin on her face as she looked at Tims. She placed the pin she was carrying in the King’s hand.
He turned to the assembled lords and held it high. “In times past, a King had his personal servant who was held in high honor. In the presence of all, I bestow this honor of King’s personal squire to Tims Caulder.” He knelt in front of Tims and pinned the brooch shaped like an eagle against the backdrop of a crown to his shirt. This done, the King returned to his seat with Averin to her own.
There were no sounds of clapping, only the barest concealed looks of anger and disgust on the audience’s faces.
King Joshua raised his hand high from his throne. “Today we celebrate the squire hood of our boys becoming men. This evening, we will have the Squire’s Feast in the Great Hall to honor our young men.” So saying, he let the scepter drop once more to another echoing boom.
Tims felt a strange warmth build the same way it had done with Averin. He wasn’t a fool. He knew the anger this must be causing the courts. And still, King Joshua was placing him in this position.
A smile spread on his face. He was home. He had a family at last.
* * *
With the crowd in the throne room dispersing, Tims was made to wait. He stood to the side a little and watched everyone with keen eyes.
Lord Stingar approached the King casually, patting him on the shoulder. “I hope you know what you’re doing old friend.”
King Joshua gave a slight smile that didn’t go all the way to his eyes. “As do I.” He shrugged and added, “but I said what I said, and I hold to it.”
Lord Stingar returned to where Marshall Jennings stood beside Tims. The two of them patted him on the back. Jennings gave a crooked grin. “Fortune be on you my young squire. Be diligent in what you do and say. It is an honor to serve such a lord as our King. He is just and merciful. We serve an honorable King.”
Lord Stingar gave a rueful smile, adding, “Now for the fun part of your life, the training.”
“I’m not too sure I’d call that fun.” Jennings looked at Stingar with a quizzical eye. “What I remember, and yes, this was long ago, but I still remember,” Jennings held up a finger, “there was a lot of bruising and swearing if I remember correctly.” They both laughed at the shared memory before turning to Tims again. Jennings said, “You’re entering a hard life, friend. But if you are honorable to your Lord, he will be your most trusted ally. You’ve made some powerful enemies the second you made your vows. It’s a harsh world, this thing we call court. Cutthroats, backstabbers, you name it. You’ve been placed in a position we haven’t seen in twenty years. And from one who the nobles already hate.” He gripped Tims shoulder firmly. “Be strong as Joshua seems to think you are. Be faithful and learn all you can. We will do our part, you do yours and watch your King’s back.” The last words seemed ominous as if there were hidden meaning behind it.
With parting words, the two knights left, being the last to leave the throne room.
All that were left was him and the three most powerful people in the country.
He was still grappling with this notion and the words Marshall Jennings spoke when Joshua sighed heavily and removed his crown. He placed it on a cushion at the foot of the dais before sitting down with an even deeper sigh.
Averin approached her father’s chair and smiled lightly. “Is it getting to heavy already? The day’s only begun.”
Joshua chuckled. “You know me, Averin. All this pomp to impress the courts is draining. What I would give for a long ride out into the country.” He eyed her with a crooked grin. “Sort of like you every morning.”
“Well, decree that all things of court won’t start until you’ve got your fill of riding for the morning.” She beamed with a beautiful smile. Turning to where Queen Anna still sat, she said, “Don’t you think so, mother? Maybe you could convince him.”
“Convince your father?” the queen gave a soft laugh. “You don’t know him well, then.”
The King laughed. “If it was that easy, I would have done it years ago.”
Anna finally stood and in a few steps, took Joshua’s hand in her own. “We have a lot of merchant guilds demanding our attention today. I will go and see what can be weeded out for you to not have to see all of them.”
Joshua smiled and kissed her hand softly. “You know my heart.”
“I do.” Anna replied with a sensual tone, and walked to where a side door opened. Her movements were suggestive and Averin groaned, rolling her eyes. “Do you have to do that?”
Joshua just laughed before turning his focus on Tims. All previous mirth ended.
Tims felt his nerves tighten. He had no idea how to act in front of Kings. Averin had been of no help as she hardly acted her role as princess.
“So Tims,” the King eyed him up and down. “How much has my daughter told you about the station you are in now?”
Tims blinked. “I, uh...” he looked at Averin then back at the King. “Not much at all sir. She informed me just this morning what was taking place.” He looked away unsure how to go on.
The King slowly got to his feet and placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. “Boy, I told you before that I saw something in you. I meant that. And because of this, I am willing to train you myself. Before the year is out, you will know more than any other squire how to conduct yourself, what you are to do at any time. You have my word.”
Tims nodded trying not to show what this meant to him.
“Now, first thing to understand is this.” the King said in a commanding voice. He paused. “You are my personal squire alone. You wear a special pendant that all will recognize. This pendant symbolizes that whatever you do is a direct result of my wishes.” He looked hard on Tims. “Do you understand the significance of this?”
Tims nodded slightly. “I believe so, sir.”
“Good,” Joshua said satisfactory. “You wear that pendant for my honor. Whatever you do reflects good or bad on myself. This is serious. I am going to train you harder than the others because I want you to be in a position that I can trust without fail.”
Tims nodded. “It is my honor to serve you, my Lord.” He bowed slightly.
Averin chuckled slightly seeing Tims trying his best to imitate Madam Desue.
“Yes,” the King said with a sigh. “You will have a lot of training this year. So much that you may not see the fields much at all.”
At this, Averin interjected. “Father, don’t be cruel. You know how much this has benefited me.” She paused for a while before saying, “Don’t take this from me, father. Tims has become-” She searched for the right words. “He has become the brother, I never had.”
The King rubbed a hand over his forehead. “A brother, is he?” Joshua looked back at Tims with an unreadable expression. “You boy seem to have gained a sister.” He smiled but it lacked warmth. “I guess I have no choice in the matter, Averin.” He looked at his daughter with loving eyes. “Do as you will.”
Back to Tims, he added sternly. “I expect you to be honorable and keep to all your duties throughout the day. If these are not met, I will take back this freedom my daughter so easily bestows on you.”
Tims nodded and didn’t dare look at the King this time. He couldn’t trust his emotions.
“For now, you will go to Master Bithers and have him tutor you in letters. I cannot have a squire who is ignorant.” He paused, “Afterward, come by my apartments later, and I will draw up your daily schedule as I see fit.” He paused before adding, “Ask Perry to show you where to go.”
Seeing the King had ended his talk, Tims bowed slightly before walking away.
“Umm, we’re forgetting something,” Averin said.
Tims stopped and turned about to face her.
“We have the Squire’s Feast tonight.”
“Ah, yes!” King Joshua smiled and this time there wasn’t a sternness in his voice. He looked on Tims for a moment before nodding. “You’re going to have to go back to the tailor again so we can outfit you for your celebration.”
Tims looked at the floor and muttered, “Do I have to?”
Both King Joshua and Averin said in unison, “Yes!”
* * *
Two days later following Tims’ official squire in training, he was waiting on King Joshua with breakfast. The morning sun sparkled into the royal day room apartments with warmth with several windows looking out towards the Rock River inlet. The queen had already left for an early appointment with a merchant lord.
Still seated at a table near one of the large ornate windows, Joshua put down his utensils. Near him lay a rolled parchment. Taking it, he waved Tims over and placed it in his hand.
“Do you know where the southern tower is?”
Tims recalled the map he had been given the day before. He had memorized it over and over throughout the night. With a nod, he said, “I believe so, sir.”
“Good, good...” Joshua nodded. “Take this letter and deliver it to one by name of Hawkeyes. Understood?”
Tims nodded. “Right now, sir?”
Joshua gave a gruff laugh. “I’ve been without a squire for twenty years, boy. It’s not as if I needed one now.”
Tims was about to turn and leave but his curiosity got the better of him. “My Lord?”
King Joshua paused dunking a biscuit in a cup of broth. “Yes?” He didn’t bother looking up.
“Why is it that you made me your squire? I mean, there are so many others you could have picked from. I did a service for you. Why reward me this way?”
King Joshua was long in responding. At last he shook his head. “The honest truth, boy? I don’t really know. I’ve been without one for all these years.” He looked at Tims then. That unreadable expression was in his face again. “There is something about you. It is something lacking in this palace.” He waved a hand indicating the conversation was over. “Off with you now.”
Tims bowed again. “Thank you, sir. For everything.”
Joshua rose an eyebrow. “Don’t thank me just yet, Tims.” He eyed the rolled parchment in his hand. “Now go.”
* * *
Down several halls and intersecting staircases, Tims made his way from memory to the east wing then south through more halls and connecting intersections and staircases. At last, he found his way to an oval-shaped lobby holding a long staircase going up and down. The stairwell up however didn’t open to the floor above or even the next one.
Sighing heavily, Tims whispered, “So this is the Southern Tower. Who’s bright idea was this?” He grumbled and began climbing the long stairwell.
He hadn’t reached what would have been the third level before having to stop. His legs burned already.
When the top was reached, his legs felt like weights were attached. Breathing in a long sigh of relief, he looked about him.
The tower structure opened onto a lobby but there was no hall which was strange. Each tower always had a third story hall attached to the tower or even a bridge that connected to another area. Not here though. All that was here was a thick oak door.
On the door itself, metal strips were fixed to the frame enhancing the structure. Whatever lay on the other side, someone obviously didn’t want others breaking in.
Hesitating a second, he knocked hard.
Presently, a clicking sound from several locks was heard before the door opened ajar.
Peering out from the crack in the doorway, a man answered. “What do you want, boy?” He sounded groggily as though he had just woken up. He wore peasant clothes complete with rips and patches. His hair was disheveled and wore a half shaved beard. His appearance didn’t fit anything within the palace.
“Uh-” Tims reached into his pockets and produced the parchment the King had given him. “Are you the man called, ‘Hawkeyes?’”
The man frowned at the seal with the King’s insignia.
“Yes.” the man replied evenly and took the parchment from Tims’ hand. Breaking the seal, he read the letter, his eyebrows rising slightly. He would glance between the letter then at Tims and back again. At last, he simply fixed his eyes on Tims, sizing him up and down. Finally, he said, “Do you know what this letter contains, boy?” He opened the door wider.
Tims shook his head. “The King told me to deliver it into your hands. That is all.”
Hawkeyes gave a gruff laugh that turned into a sarcastic grin. “He did, huh?” After a pause, he said, “Come, my boy.” He waved him into the tower chambers. “We have much to discuss, you and I.”
As soon as Tims stepped into the chambers, he realized just how unordinary Hawkeyes was.
The room was decked out with an assortment of knives, swords, arrows, ropes, several chests of strange small sharp things. The chamber was a small armory with the only comforting thing being a bed in a corner. This chamber held an opening to another room furnished with several tables and books.
On one of the table stood several vials of bubbling liquid in strange colors.
“Uh-” Tims said taking all the items in at a glance. He looked back at the man. “I really need to be going. I have errands to run and-”
“Not at the moment, my young pupil.”
Tims blinked several times. “Pupil?”
Hawkeyes smiled again and it didn’t appear that this was a normal thing he did.
“Obviously the King has told you nothing of me. Or what he plans for you.”
“Guess not.” Tims gulped.
Hawkeyes bowed slightly. “My pardon, young sir.” He took the parchment and held it out towards Tims. “I take it you cannot read.”
At Tims’ shake of the head, Hawkeyes closed his eyes for a second. With a deep sigh, he said, “Listen, boy. This letter,” he waved the parchment in Tims’ face, “is a signed document by your King stating that I am to take you under my wing and train you.”
“Train me?” Tims scrunched his eyes together, confused. “What would you train me in?” He looked about the chamber again. “This doesn’t look like a typical armory.”
Hawkeyes gave a weary grin. “That’s because I don’t deal in regular swordplay.” At Tims’ continued look of confusion, Hawkeyes patted Tims on the shoulder. “My boy, I’m a spy. I deal in the tools of the trade. Half weapons,” he tapped his head next, “half mental power.”
“You’re saying... the King wants me to be a spy?”
Hawkeyes turned about and raised his hands taking in the whole of the chamber. “Shall we begin?”
Tims stood there speechless. What had happened to his life?
* * *
Life in Sarsda Palace was anything but normal.
Waking up each morning, Tims would ride out into the pastures with Princess Averin. This time was special to him. The way Averin spoke to him made him feel a little more whole. And if Averin’s words to her father were to believe, he did the same for her.
The life of a squire was much harder than that of a stable hand. First off, he was immediately ushered into Madam Desue’s chambers once every morning for etiquette training.
Then there was the grueling task master Blithers who taught him the fine art of reading and writing letters. Normally, Blithers was accustomed to teaching the nobleman’s children. But at the request of King Joshua, Blithers made a special appointment with Tims tutoring him each day.
Day after day, he painstakingly wrote his name out while piling over books he would have to read.
Many times during this venture, he wanted to give up. He was stuck in a stuffy room studying and racking his brain over numbers and letters and proper noble like etiquette. Once or twice he had muttered under his breath in Madam Desue’s chambers. She had heard him. Needless to say, he would never attempt to say anything like that again in her presence.
Then there was Master Keshner.
Keshner was the weapons master who trained all the squires and anyone else who thought they wanted to become soldiers. He taught weapons and warfare. As squire to the King, Tims was expected to know how to fight. This took a lot of his time in the morning. Pain was fast becoming a familiar feeling. This was doubly so when he would then train under Hawkeyes. This was done in secret of course. Nobody was to ever know his true purpose. Hawkeyes official title was a forester who went on the royal hunts with the King and his trusted council. Unofficially, Hawkeyes was King Joshua’s main informant on all things going on within the council and the city at large. These days, it was extremely important to know the ins and outs of everyone who held a seat on the royal court. The time of peace under Joshua’s father seemed to slowly begin to fade. In its place was a restlessness, an unsettling feeling of doom.
The first days with Hawkeyes was a grueling and painful reminder that Tims was no longer on his own. Expectations were much higher than when in the stables. But what he had thought was a bad decision on the king’s part placing him under Hawkeye’s tutelage was slowly turning into something he grew to enjoy exceedingly. The ordeal was painful at times, so much more demanding than he ever dreamed. But in the process, his mind was working out things, challenging him in ways he thrived in. And to his credit, Master Hawkeyes was impressed a time or two. But this was just the beginning phase. It would take years before he was anything like Hawkeyes.
But he was still young. He had time to grow, to push himself as far as he could. He swore to himself this would be his gift to King Joshua, to be the best at everything he put his mind to.
Little did he know what his future held.