Clearing in the Forest by Jason D'ebre

Author:Jason D'ebre
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jason D'ebre
Published: 2017-08-24T00:00:00+00:00

Campaign

As they approached the city tents could be seen in groups and large numbers of men in encampments this was an army at rest. Lincoln had been in the possession of the rebel barons but it became clear they had deserted the city at the Kings approach with the castle still held by forces loyal to the king the rebels position was untenable.

They pulled into a field close by the army and John started to set up the anvil and a crude forge. Soldiers liked their weapons clean and sharp and he had a fine sandstone wheel which would put a good edge on a sword, he also had some horse shoes but these were big battle horses but he had some shoes for plough horses not much difference in size.

It was here they established a friendly establishment, a herbal brew was always boiling in the big caldron and John had purchased some weapons and metal strips from scavengers who had cleared up after the rebels left the city. Ela could be heard most days telling stories which kept the soldiers amused while John polished and sharpened weapons.

His immense size invariably bought forth challenges each unit seemed to have their own champion. It was not in John’s interest to humiliate anyone but he was seven feet of rock solid muscle. He wrestled with big men and they knew how strong he was and were glad it was only a friendly tussle. Some wished to try staves against him but even without reading their minds he was so agile and balanced that when the occasional blow landed it bounced from his body but when he struck the wind came out of them.

It was with swords where his weakness showed as the skill of individuals overcame his strength and agility, but into the second week of the sojourn even the best swordsmen started to struggle against him. Defensively none were better and initially it was his stamina that won the day but as each day passed so his skill increased. Foot soldiers who wished to develop tried their hands against him but as his reputation increased so the quality of opposition increased squires and mounted swordsmen and always a half penny would come his way for which he showed deference and politeness.

“You there”

“Yes my lord” it was always best to call anyone on a horse my lord at the worst it made them feel superior.

“My horse has thrown a shoe fix it.”

“Immediately my lord” he led the horse to one side and checked each hoof the right quarter was missing, one of the nails had gone in and the horse didn’t like it but it didn’t look infected, he pulled the remaining nails then cleaned it cutting away some loose material, he went to his forge and pumped up the bellows getting some heat in the charcoal.

He took some shoes over to the horse and tried them for size, one looked very good and he started heating it, he brought it over

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