Flight of the Falcon (Noble Heart Book 1) Page 2

  “Dame Talbot?” the king asked. “It is a pleasure to meet you. I was a great admirer of your husband. I cannot tell you how much I miss the pleasure of his company.” King Stephen went on to tell her many of the good things about her husband that he had said to Noble earlier.

  When he was finished, her eyes had filled with tears, but she was smiling. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said. “Your kind words are indeed a blessing to me. I miss Henry, too, but I am very thankful to have Noble here with me. He is a comfort and a great help to me.”

  “I am glad to hear that,” the king said, “for I have come to you about the boy.”

  Noble took a step closer to his grandmother. Fly was still perched on his leather glove, but she made no move as Noble brought her close to the elderly woman.

  “I was glad to meet up with Noble in the fields today. He was hunting with his falcon, here, on my lands.” Noble opened his mouth to say something, but the king quickly silenced him with his uplifted hand. “The falcon was a gift from me to your husband, Dame Talbot, and so was the privilege of hunting on the king’s land.” The king paused for a moment and then went on, “Henry passed both gifts on to his grandson, and I am glad to have it so. Noble, you are free to support yourself and your grandmother from the bounty of my lands, and of course, no one shall take your falcon from you. There is a bond between the two of you that should not be broken, I clearly see. I do not think the falcon herself would tolerate such a change if we attempted to make one. She is yours to keep.”

  Noble breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said, bowing. He looked up just in time to see angry scowls pass between the two falconers.

  Apparently the king had noticed the sullen looks, as well, for he seemed to make up his mind about something, and said loudly for all to hear, “Dame Talbot, I have come to ask of you a favor.”

  “Of course, Sire,” she said. “I shall be happy to do whatever you ask of me.”

  “Do not be so quick to say so, for what I ask is great, and it is hard,” the king warned. “I have come to ask you to allow Noble to come to live at the castle. I want him to be one of my falconers. It is a great opportunity for him, and he will learn much.”

  Noble spoke up quickly before his granny could say a word. “I thank you, King Stephen, for it truly is a great opportunity for me, and I am honored that you would ask. But my granny—er, grandmother—has no one but me to care for her. I promised my grandfather I would do so, and I cannot break that promise.”

  The king smiled. “I would not ask you to abandon your grandmother, Noble. Such a thing surely would not honor the memory of your grandfather, and I could not be so heartless as that. Dame Talbot, you are free to move to the castle as well. I am sure we can find you a small place of your own to call home. Or, if you will not, I will make it possible for Noble to return to your cottage here every Lord’s Day and worship with you. He will bring you food from the king’s kitchen and other provisions, as well, each week. I dare say, you will be living better than you have for a long time. What say ye?”

  Tears had started to flow down the old woman’s face. “Truly, what you ask is hard, Sire. I am happy and grateful for the opportunity you are offering Noble, and my heart tells me that he must take it. What I do not understand is why? There are many others who could serve you well, I am sure. Why, I see two falconers with you already here today.”

  The king shrugged. “True enough, I have no real need of another falconer, but I will be glad to welcome Noble nevertheless. I see something in him that reminds me much of your husband, Dame, and I wish to see him develop into the kind of man that Henry Talbot was. I have much to offer that will help him to grow to be that man.”

  Granny nodded. “Yes, I see it, too. That is why it will be so hard to let him go. I will be losing him, and a little bit of his grandfather, too, all over again. But you are right, Your Majesty. Noble must go with you and make his way in the world. I thank you, Sire, for your offer of providing me with a home at the castle, but I cannot leave this place. Why, Henry built this little cottage for me when we were first married, before your father was even born, Noble. I cannot leave it.”

  She turned to her young grandson. He was as tall as she was now, and in the eyes of the world, almost a grown man. She put her hands on either side of his face and looked into his eyes. “Noble, you must do this,” she said. “I will be fine here, and we will see each other every Lord’s Day. You will not be breaking your promise to your grandfather, for you will be providing for me still, and even more so than before. And you must know, your grandfather would truly want this for you. It would make him very proud to have you follow in his footsteps.”

  Follow in his footsteps. The very words he had said to the king just a short time ago. He would be honored to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Noble bowed his head and silently asked the Lord what he should do.

  It seemed the answer came in a still, small voice. “Your grandfather was a man who followed Me. I want you to follow Me, also.”

  He looked up and threw his arms around his granny. “I will go,” he whispered, “but I will be back faithfully to care for you.” Noble looked at the king and said simply, “Thank you, Sire. I accept your offer with a grateful heart.”

  The king cleared his throat and said gruffly, “Then go get your things and come along. We must leave quickly in order to be back at the castle before dark.”

  No one saw the hard, hateful looks that passed between the royal falconers this time. The two men melted silently back into the throng of knights.

  __________

  CHAPTER FOUR

  __________

  The Knight, the Stable Boy, and the Master of the Mews

  Noble put Fly back in her pen before he went into the cottage to gather together his few possessions. He was back out at the gate within a few minutes. He went to his granny and hugged her. She had dried her tears and was trying bravely to smile at him. He went back to the mews to get Fly. Noble put the hood on her once more and set her on the cadge, or perch, on which he would carry her.

  One of the knights had dismounted from his horse and was waiting for him. He held Fly’s cadge as Noble climbed onto the horse’s back and then handed her up to Noble. The knight mounted the horse again behind Noble and they were ready to go.

  “I thank you, Dame Talbot,” the king said courteously. “We will take good care of Noble, I assure you. I have taken a personal interest in the lad, and no one would dare anger me by harming him.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty,” Granny said as she curtsied once more. “Noble, I have no need to give you instruction on how to behave for you are a fine young man and I know you will make me proud.”

  “Yes, Granny,” Noble said. “I will see you this Lord’s Day, then.”

  “Farewell, Noble! Farewell!” His granny waved goodbye as the royal party left her gate and made their way across the fields toward the castle once more.

  Noble felt lonelier than ever as he rode away from his granny’s cottage. It was hard to leave home, but he, too, knew that this was what his grandfather would want for him. At the same time, he couldn’t help being just a little excited about being on a horse with one of the king’s knights! This would be his dream come true if he could wear the royal armor and ride a fine horse like this one!

  “I am Sir Robert of Knoxley,” the knight said soon after they were on their way. “You have indeed been honored by the king, to be taken in this way, boy.”

  “Nay, Sir, His Highness does honor to the memory of my grandfather, that is all,” Noble replied. “I myself do not deserve such an honor.”

  “You are a humble lad. I think you will find living at the castle more exciting than living with your grandmother, but I must warn you—be careful. All will not be as kind to you as our king, and there may be some who will wish you harm, despite what the king has said.” Sir Robert paused. “Our two falconers, for example. They are not happy that the king has taken up wi
th the grandson of Henry Talbot. Long were they envious of your grandfather, and coveted his position of favor with the king. Now they have his position, but not the king’s favor, and that makes them dangerous to you.”

  Noble was troubled. He was not even at the castle yet, and already it appeared he had made enemies! He hoped it would be as easy to make friends. He had a feeling he would need them.

  Sir Robert seemed to sense what the boy was feeling. He clasped his shoulder. “Fear not, young Noble—all will be well. I, for one, will be your friend, as much as I am able.”

  “Thank you,” Noble said. The knight’s words had reminded him of the word of the Lord, “Fear not, for I am with thee. I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Noble was comforted. It was good to know, as well, that he would have Sir Robert for a friend.

  The ride seemed to pass quickly. Before he knew it, they were crossing over the bridge and into the town within the fortified walls. The hustle and bustle of the small city was always strange to Noble. He had been there before with his grandfather, but it had been a long time. Everywhere he looked there was something different to see, and many of those things were totally new to him. He was used to being in the quiet countryside, but even the little village near his granny’s home could not compare with this.

  The narrow streets were crowded with people. Small stalls lined the streets and merchants called out their wares as people passed by. Vegetables, baked goods, even meat, were out in the open air. The buildings were bigger than those in the village and closer together. Beggars sat against the walls and cried out for alms. Here and there a street musician played, and young people walked by in groups, laughing and joking among themselves.

  The horses picked their way carefully through the crowds. When they saw that the king was leading the party, the people tried to part before him to clear a path, but it wasn’t always possible. They doffed their hats, though, and cheered for good King Stephen.

  Noble felt proud to be riding with the king and his knights. They were good, true men—at least most of them were, he was sure—and he felt like cheering right along with the crowd!

  They wound their way through the streets until, at last, they were crossing over the drawbridge into the castle itself. They entered a courtyard where servants were waiting to take the king’s horse. The knights dismounted and began to lead their own horses away to the stables.

  “Noble!” the king beckoned to him. Noble hurried to the king and bowed. “There are sleeping quarters over the stables, Noble. I think you will find an empty bed there for yourself. This is Jamie,” the king motioned to the stable boy at his side. “He is about your age, and a good lad. He will show you to the stables and help you settle in. He will also show you where the kitchens are, where you will eat your meals. It is my wish that the two of you become friends.” He looked sternly at the boys before him.

  Noble and Jamie looked each other over. In looks they were as different as could be. Where Noble had dark hair and gray eyes, Jamie was a redhead with freckles and eyes as blue as the sky. Noble was tall for his age. Jamie was rather small. Jamie suddenly broke into a grin, though, and said, “By your leave then, m’lord, I’ll show this new friend of mine around. I’ll take good care of him, Sire!”

  “Fly!” Noble exclaimed. “I must take care of her first of all, Your Majesty.”

  “Jamie can show you to the mews, Noble.” King Stephen said.

  “No one would hurt her there, would they?” Noble remembered all too well the ugly looks the two falconers had cast his way.

  “They would not dare!” the king said grimly. “But I will send word to the master of the mews that she must have special care, and that if any harm befalls her, the culprit will pay dearly.”

  “Thank you, Sire,” Noble said sincerely, “for everything. You have been most kind.”

  “Go now, lads, and take care of things. Oh, and Noble—” the king added as the boys bowed and turned to leave, “after you’ve had your supper, I’d like you to come to the queen’s drawing room. I would like my wife to meet you.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Jamie looked at Noble in astonishment. They turned once more to go and he whispered under his breath to Noble, “What’s that all about?”

  Noble shrugged and said quietly, “The king admired my grandfather. I suppose he wants merely to introduce the grandson of Henry Talbot to his wife.”

  They went first to the mews. Jamie was in awe of the beautiful bird Noble held in his possession. “She is a peregrine falcon, is she not?” he asked. “How come you to have her?” Noble explained that Fly had been his grandfather’s first, a gift from the king himself.

  Noble looked around the Royal Mews as they entered the gates.

  The pens were far larger and finer than the simple cage where he kept Fly out in the country. The walkway was lined with many enclosures of different sizes. They were sheltered from the weather, and there were places in each where a bird could hide away in the dark if he chose. Perches of different sizes, shapes and heights were in each mews, many of them occupied by a hawk, eagle, falcon or other bird of prey. He noticed a huge weathering yard at the back of the space—an area where the birds could safely move about outdoors in good weather. Noble’s eyes shone as he looked about. Grandfather had brought him here many years ago, but now as a falconer himself he could appreciate the mews far more than he had as a small child.

  The master of the mews met them just inside the gates. “Noble!” he exclaimed. “News travels quickly here in the castle. When I heard that the grandson of my old friend Henry was coming to stay with us, I was elated. I remember you well as a little boy, Noble, though I doubt that you would remember an old man like me. The king made me master when your grandfather passed away. Everything I know about falconry I owe to your grandfather. He was a great man.”

  Before Noble could say a word, the old man said, ”And this must be Fly, Henry’s falcon. She looks well, Noble. You must be taking good care of her. Come, let us find an empty pen for her. As you can see, we have many birds of prey here of all kinds – the king’s own gyrfalcons, of course, several peregrines, a merlin or two—well, you can see for yourself. Here, this is a good place for Fly. It is close, where I can keep an eye out for her.”

  He lowered his voice, “I do not completely trust everyone here, Noble. I will make well known the king’s orders concerning Fly, but only you and I shall be allowed to touch her or feed her. Does that suit you?”

  Noble spoke for the first time, “Thank you, Master. And yes, I do well remember you! You often let me into the mews to see the king’s birds and talk to them when I was just a little child. I must admit, I had my doubts about leaving Fly here without me, but you have calmed my fears.”

  The master laughed. “You will be here much of the time, young Noble, helping me here in the mews. You and Fly will not have time to miss one another. You will be out in the fields a good part of each day, also, and many times Fly will go with you.”

  Noble put Fly in the pen assigned to her. She looked regal and proud, and not at all concerned to be in a new place with many other birds in their own mews nearby.

  “Come,” Jamie said. “We have cared for your bird and now we must take care of you. It is close to suppertime and Cook will be angry if we are late.”

  Noble quickly fed some raw meat to Fly that the master provided and made sure her cup was filled with water. He turned to leave a bit reluctantly. Fly let out one shrill cry just then and spread her wings wide. It appeared she was not anxious for Noble to leave, either. Noble could hear the still, small voice of the Lord whisper again, “Fear not!”

  __________

  CHAPTER FIVE

  __________

  In the Castle of the King

  Noble thanked the master once more and the two boys took off running. The stables were close by and Jamie showed him to the sleeping quarters where he could leave the rest of his belongings. Noble was glad to hear that Jamie and one or two othe
r boys slept there, as well. Already he was beginning to feel welcomed and that he belonged.

  They did not linger at the stables but hurried on to the kitchen. The place was a beehive of activity. Servants were running to and fro with baskets and platters filled with food. A manservant was at the fireplace giving a roasted boar a few final turns on the spit. A young boy sat in the corner churning butter. Noble could see through a doorway to another kitchen where a woman was pulling loaf after loaf of bread from an oven. The good smells were overwhelming!

  In the center of it all stood the cook, her hands on her wide hips, directing the noisy bustle. She bellowed for more potatoes, and for the boar to be taken from the spit and carved. She called for more wine to be brought from the cellar. Finally she gave permission to the servers to begin serving dinner to the king and his court.

  “We cannot eat until the king has finished,” Jamie explained. “In the meantime, stay out of Cook’s way, or she’ll put us to work!”

  Finally, when things had died down a bit, Jamie led Noble to a table at one end of the kitchen where several other servants were taking their places. Jamie introduced him to them all, and explained that Noble was the king’s new falconer.

  “So young!” a woman named Mary exclaimed. “How can that be?”

  As soon as Noble mentioned his grandfather, several of the older servants nodded and said, “Henry! Yes! Ah, we miss him so! What a good man was he!”

  Mary said, “Yes, now I see the resemblance. And I remember your grandfather used to bring you here now and then when you were just a wee lad, didn’t he? Well, it is good to have you here, young Noble.” She turned and called, “Cook! Look here, it is Henry Talbot’s grandson who has joined us!”

  Noble was thankful for the warm welcome. He realized it was only due to the influence of his grandfather, and for the first time he saw what a precious thing a good reputation is. Henry Talbot was beloved by all who had known him, it seemed.