Now Is The Time

Now Is The Time

Suzanne Marsh

1165

The loud whoop resounded across the squalid hut; now was his time. His Mother told him at the tender age of seven that he was not Jock's son but the bastard son of Richard, Earl of Dundee. Arrangements had been made for John to become a Page in Dundee Castle. Richard, paced his rooms, he had fulfilled his promise to Gwendolyn. He was not exactly sure how he planned to inform his present wife, Anne of the presence of John. He had been young and feel in love with Gwendolyn, she got herself in the family way. She married Jock MacGregor, then told him about John. Jock had agreed to raise John as his son, after the Earl had sought him out. John began to put together his meager belongings. Jock, brought around a beautiful black stallion:

“a gift from the Earl, you take care of him, he will take care of you. Good luck my son.”

John mounted the stallion, galloping, the wind in his face; toward his destiny. A page, the first step to knighthood. It would be some time before he was knighted but it was something to look forward to.

The Earl stood watching for the boy he had never seen. John, rode up on the stallion, reigned

the horse in. He carefully dismounted striding toward the castle entrance. The Earl left his chambers for the first floor. He waited until his man opened the doors, showing John to the library. John, took in his surroundings never dreaming that even for a poor boy wishes came true. The Earl saw the resemblance between he and John. Gwendolyn had not lied to him, this was his son:

“How is your Mother and Jock?”

“Fine Sir.”

“I am sure you have questions, but first you need clothing for you new station in life.”

“Thank you sir.”

“My tailor will be here on the morrow.”

“Angus, take John up to the second floor, get him settled in.”

“As you wish sir.”

Richard, was stunned; the boy had excellent manners. He thought of Gwendolyn once again. She was a winsome beauty, he hoped she was well. His decision was that Sir Malcolm MacDonald would see the boy through to Knighthood. John blossomed under Malcolm MacDonald's tutelage.

Richard, stood proudly as John was knighted. Things were going well for the Earl of Dundee, until John met Richards' niece the fair maiden Anne. Richard soon became withdrawn, he had intended Anne to be his mistress. Richard, knew then that John would have to die, the question was how. John was not a fool. Later one after John knocked on the library door:

“Sir Richard, I hope you won't think I am an ungrateful knave but I feel I must strike out

with the Crusade. It is important to me sire.”

This pleased Richard, now he would not have to have John murdered:

“John, when do you leave?”

“Today, sire”

“I give you my blessing.”

John stood up then, turned and left Sir Richards' castle.

1192

John battled Saracens for more than two years, it was time to return to Dundee Castle. His sire Richard, would be so pleased with the glory that would be bestowed on Dundee. John, and his friend Sir Malcolm headed toward Dundee.

The Earl of Dundee received word that his two wayward knights were on their way to Dundee Castle. Richard had hoped that John would be killed in battle but apparently that was not meant to be. Richard, could not allow John to live, not if he wanted Anne; who was hopelessly in love with John. Things were not going according to Richards' plan. He would have to seek help in this matter. He thought about his many friends, but who could he get to do his dirty work? John, had a sixth sense when something was wrong. He had escaped Richard when he left for the crusade. Now he had to murder John. He actually in his own way loved the boy. Richard thought about poisoning the boy but that was no guarantee that the poison would kill him. No, he needed a better plan. He thought about it for a while then he thought about jousting. Yes, jousting would work, there were ways to sabotage a jousting tournament. It would make things much more exciting. He sent for his man:

“Send out a decree that there is to be a welcome home celebration for Sir John and Sir Malcolm.

There is to be a jousting tournament; we request that the best jousting knights come.”

His man stared at Richard, something was wrong. There had not been a jousting tournament at Dundee Castle for years:

“Sir Richard, why now? We have not had anything of this nature in some time.”

“Let me worry about that. Oh, yes and send twenty of our best men to greet John.

I want them to hunt John down before he arrives, if not I will have him killed

at the tournament. Do not fail me.”

The old man nodded that he understood. He had watched John grow from Page to Knighthood. He hated the thought but when Sir Richard said jump; he did not ask how high.

Sir John rode beside Sir Malcolm through the lush green forest. They had been on the road for over one hundred days. Sir Malcolm heard the horse hooves and motioned John into a large group of trees hiding themselves. Keeping the horses quiet until they knew if it were friend or foe. John recognized Sir Montrose, Richards' Captain of the Guard. John began to move, when Sir Malcolm motioned to stay put, not to make a sound. John, from previous experience knew Malcolm well enough to trust him. The contest was on. Malcolm, knew that Richard did not follow rules, the question was; why was Sir Montrose and twenty men here in the forest, this was not a welcome but a warning. Malcolm wondered what sort of game Richard was capable of playing and why.

They waited as the patrol went by:

“John, we need to find a hiding place, at least until we know Sir Richards' intentions.”

“I get the impression he really is not pleased that I have returned.”

“There is a small lodge near here, a friend of mine owns it. I doubt if he would say anything.”

“Lead the way.”

They galloped off through the woods, coming to a clearing. Malcolm motioned John to remain there until he returned. Malcolm slowing opened the door of the lodge, he heard Sir Richards' voice:

“I don't care how you kill my bastard or his mentor, I want them both dead NOW!”

Malcolm, went back being as stealth as he could; he had no desire to die today. He galloped back to where John was hiding. Malcolm dismounted:

“John, we have got to get out of here now, Sir Richard for whatever perverse reason wants

both of us dead.”

“Malcolm, are you sure?”

“Yes, I heard it with my own ears.”

“Where are we going to hide?”

“We can cross over to the Isle of Skye, take a boat to France. By then I hope Sir Richard

will think we are dead. Then we return to Scotland disguised as two knights which we

are, but English knights not Scot.”

John mounted his horse; galloping through the forest at breakneck speed. The Isle of Skye was a very busy port. They found a French ship leaving; boarding quickly. With all trace of John and Malcolm, the Earl of Dundee felt safe to indulge with Anne. Anne, however spurned his advances. She told Richard that she was saving herself for John.

John and Malcolm reached France safely, the question was how to return to Scotland via England, the countries were at war. France, in all her glory was stunning to the two knights. They called upon King Philip Augustus, at his palace. The King was pleased to meet them, secretly toying with the idea of assassinating King Henry II of England. He would have to approach the two Scots carefully. The Scots listened and declined. A few months later King Henry II died in France, on his own terms.

Their journey continued, in England they became known as the black and white knights. They won jousting tournaments on a regular basis. Their reputation preceded the return to Scotland although no one in England knew their true identity. John and Malcolm headed toward Dundee Castle. They altered their appearance so Sir Richard would have no idea who they were. Word had spread to Scotland about the Black and White knights, and the amount of pounds they were making at jousting tournaments. That was to much for Sir Richard; he would meet them both on the jousting field. John and Malcolm knew the time was right for John to take back his title and his life.

Galloping over the heather into the lush green forests John for the first time felt like he was going home. Over the next rise loomed Dundee Castle. The jousting tournament was the following day; all they need to was to stay out of sight until then.

The following morning, Anne found herself sitting next to Sir Richard, she was to present the winner of the joust a golden goblet and a kiss. The thought of kissing Sir Richard was at best repugnant to her. The Black and White Knight rode into the field. Sir Richard and Sir Angus were there waiting. The jousting lances were laid before the challengers as was the custom. Both knights chose. Sir Richard recognized the Black knight, as he rode in. He had waited patiently for this moment for a very long time. Sir Richard knew that if he did not kill John on the field, he could poison him at the feast. Either way, Sir John Dundee would be dead. He had been sure that the lances were loose from the handles on both lances. That would either disqualify them or kill them.

The joust began, both men at a gallop, lances point outward. The line was a straight one, Sir Richard was a split second ahead of John. John's lance made a loud clanking noise as it fell. Sir Richard, then attempted to kill him with the lance. John, jumped out of his way, swinging his sword at Sir Richard. Sir Richards' steed reared, tossing Sir Richard to the ground. John moved in for the kill. Sir Richard realizing his plight he ran toward his large bay. John's black was on the other side of the field. He knew that Sir Richard would kill him if he caught up with him. Malcolm, saw his chance, he galloped after Sir Richard. Sir Richard, continued galloping toward John. This was not a jousting tournament it was becoming a life and death struggle. Malcolm was quickly closing the gap between John and Sir Richard.. Malcolm, knocked Sir Richard from his horse, Sir Richard stabbed Malcolm in the leg with his dirk. Malcolm continued pursuing Sir Richard staying between Sir Richard and John. John got to the big black just in time to see Malcolm fall from his horse. Sir Richard cunningly waited for John to run toward his friend. John instead turned his full attention to Sir Richard. Both men, were excellent swordsmen; John and Sir Richard rounded each other. Sir Richard lunged toward John; John dodged the thrust. Just as Sir Richard raised his sword, John ran him through with his sword. Sir Richard, gasped for air falling dead on the ground. John then raced toward Malcolm. Malcolm laid completely still.

“MALCOLM” he yelled. He was down on the ground holding Malcolm:

“Malcolm can you hear me? Please you have to live.”

No response, one of the other knights approached:

“Sir John, you are now the Earl of Dundee. You were Sir Richards' only heir. You must

conduct yourself accordingly.”

John stood, placing his sword in the ground above Malcolms' head. The deadly jousting tournament was at last over. John had won, but he lost his best friend Malcolm.