The Knight of Chivalry

Chapter 14

The next morning the lord went to another meeting held by the king and Simon focussed on maintaining their battle equipment just in case they would need it and going over their supplies to make sure they would have enough to eat and drink for the next few days. He also went and looked over the horses again to make sure they were ok and he saw that they were well rested now from the march they had to get here and ready to be ridden again. In the afternoon he went to the training field so that he could keep his combat skills sharp. He sparred with some fellow squires which didn’t give him much trouble but he got a good workout from it and they didn’t mind being beaten unlike the bully squires from the lords’ court who hated him for it. After about an hour on the field and having defeat a fair number of squires in matches a couple knights came over who he didn’t know.

            “You fight pretty good boy” said one knight who was very muscular and bearded.

            “Reckon I could take him though” said another who was shorter in stature but had a sly look in his eyes

            “How about it boy want to fight some men” Said the first.

            “I’ll fight anyone who wants to fight me sire” Simon replied

            “Good, alright ginger you have a crack at him first” said the first one. Ginger was a medium build guy who as his name suggests had ginger hair, he bowed to Simon in respect and draw his sword which was a hand and a half straight edged sword. Simon returned his bow and got his sword and shield ready in front of him. The other knights were laughing and making wagers but Simon hardly heard them as he was totally focused on the opponent in front of him who quickly lunged forwards and followed with a number of other strikes all of which Simon blocked or dodged. He then went on the attack with his own sword but ginger was very able and met all of these with no sweat. They circled each other for a few minutes exchanging blows which never fell onto any body part. Now the knights at the side were shouting encouragement to ginger and this made him more courageous and attack a lot more. Simon just grinned and evaded all of these, he now had the measure of his opponent and could see his weaknesses but he didn’t make us of them for a few more minutes to make the match exciting but he soon had enough of the other knights banter and with a few swings he disarmed ginger and had him on his back. The other knights went and helped him up and then exchanged some gold coins for those that bet on Simon to win.

            “Who wants at him next?” the big knight asked.

            “I’ll take him on” said a short deep voiced knight.

            “Good on you Dwarf” the first knight said. Dwarf took a double bladed axe from his back and gave it a few swings before rushing at Simon. He hit pretty hard but was fairly slow with it, but he was also tricky with his height as he tried to out maneuverer Simon several times with it and to trip him up a couple times too. But Simon wasn’t so easily fooled or caught and after a few more minutes of exchanging blows it was Simon who came out on top using the Dwarfs chosen weapon against him as it got stuck it the ground from one swing, so that the dwarf was in no position to defend himself and then taking his sword to the dwarfs throat.

            “You win again, impressive” The first knight said.

            “Anyone else want to fight me?” Simon asked.

            “We’ll take him out” one knight said who was standing right next to another who looked exactly like him.

            “Ah the twins of course you will” the first knight said.