The Gildemath Squire

Ah the sweet victory, my lord has vanquished all, this glorious sun shiny day. As I wash and wax the armaments of battle, he rests with his lady awaiting the next shire. I have listened well, and practiced much, I can not wait.... for it is to battle I desire. A simple squire today I am. But my dreams are much grander. "Where is that damn sander?” My lord took a hard blow to his shield, almost shattered, I have punched out the dents and now it must be made smoother. Here it is, now let’s see how we can make you sparkle and anew. “Pass me my cheesecloth you witch of fire, and don’t look at me that way, or I’ll take you and quench my desire”. Oh much better his shield now is, of silver and steel it has served him well. All made whole and shined to the hilt, tend to his steed a bit now I will. Now my lords’ stallion is no ordinary breed. He was chased and captured by my very own hand. And when my lord first seen him, in me he was most pleased. For I had harnessed the white horse of Camelot, near the Forest Bri. No easy task it was that day, as the white stallion was one hell of a quary. But my horse was almost just as fast, I thank God my noose was quicker, and held firm to the horn. A way with most animals I have been told. And as the stallion reared and buckled, my hand to his nose rested. Once touched for the first time, this horse with hooves as big as a 100-year-old tree was now putty in my palm to do as I pleased. But for my master this tamed monster will be, and by this gesture I’ll win favor, a happy squire I’ll be. Now the white steed was munching his feed as I laid back and closed my eyes, but all the while listening. I awoke to a fresh morning dew, the sun making the clouds a mystic hue. No wind I felt, and the birds sang a new song this day. The tournament now over, all being packed, my lord still carried his golden victory challis. Money he did not need, so the challis was more a sentimental honor forever to be cherished. As I walked by the friars’ produce I turned the corner down armament alley. And there to my amazement a poster did display: COME ALL YE SQUIRES FOR ONE LAST CHANCE AT GLORY AND A NEW LIFE COME ALL YE SQUIRES FOR A CHANCE TO JOIN THE KNIGHTHOOD OF DREAMS COME ALL YE SQUIRES TO THE BATTLE FIELD THIS DAY, AND YOUR SKILL DISPLAY COME ALL YE SQUIRES FOR A CHANCE TO ENTER AS A SIMPLE SQUIRE AND WIN VICTORY AS A CROWNED KNIGHT…. IN HER MAJESTIES HONOR Oh how my heart swelled and my mind raced, this was a chance of a lifetime, my true dreams desire. I ran and I ran back to the stable, I must get my lords permission before I can battle. Behind the stable, on a bed of cured hay I found my master and asked humbly. “My good squire” he said, “of course you may compete, use any or all of this armament you desire, and bring back us another sweet victory”. Now my master had done well over the years and many armaments he had on display. The rules of this challenge were simple, take your best shot with weapon of choice. So many to choose, which one to take. There were swords with golden hilts, and bows with string of silk, a hammer with handle of bone, and knives of pearl, ivory, and steel. But nothing hit me until in the back, a darkened corner, I found my masters’ battle-ax. It was the only one he had, and in the world not a better ax could be found. A two-headed gray wolf and a shaft of hardened steel with a handle wrapped in dragon hide. The steel was thick and sharpened to a needles point and a razors edge, this was by far my weapon of choice. When notice me my master did his eyebrows raised and a question he asked, “ Why do you choose the Wolf Dragon Ax? To this I responded that it was one of a kind, no sword could stand its’ fury and no shield could it blurry. Perfectly weighted as well for throwing. “A wise choice my good squire” he said, “with much blood that ax was won. You may wield it for the honor of our home….Gildemath Shire”. With this I was much pleased, and I knelt and bowed thanking my lord for his generous gesture. My head he touched, and wished me well, and off I went to do the axes will. This competition was different for as a squire we were not to damage another mans honor. This was not a knight’s battle, it was a squires display. To choose our best weapon at one chance a knights' victory. This contest was not a normal part of the shire tournament, but rather a gesture from the good knights, and wealthy royalty, to reward the finest squire. There were about twenty of us all nervous and jittery. Some with knife, some with bow, another with hammer, but I was the only one with a battle-ax, and of a fine one it was at that. As we waited, to our surprise, out came from the jury tower all the knights and flag bearers in their homeland colors. Not dressed for battle, but rather their honor on display, it was this sight that most inspired me. They circled the battle realm, and came to a pose of attention each one of about thirty in a direct line under the jury. But I was most troubled not to see my master, and steed, where could they possibly be? When from under the jury tower he came, with trumpets a blaring, introducing him as the reigning champion. Now my heart was welled with joy of pride, and my eyes swelled with the tears of glory. For just as he was champion, I was his squire, and shared in that victory. He circled about and came to a pose in front of the gallery. The white stallion knelt to one knee. And my master spoke these words to the whole colorful and silent scenery. “My ladies and lords of Devon Shire, be it known this day and for all to witness that as knights of battle we have fought for our colors and share a common victory. To this day we owe to our Lord, and to this day we will honor His Word. For as has been passed down through the ages, to the victor goes the spoils, but pray the victor in his glory does not leave others to toil. A victors right, a champions creed, to do as he wishes with the seeds of his destiny. So as champion I choose to have a squire’s display and in this way give back and let yet another join the fray. This match is simple, do your best to win. You have chosen your weapon, the scoring traditional. We have 10 swords, 5 bows, 3 knives, 1 hammer, and 1 ax. These twenty men will display their talent in effort to advance to a knightly realm. They have been chosen with great care, not all are worthy, as you can see there are 30 of us, but only 20 of them. Dispense then with the intros for time is wasting, on with the match, honor your homeland spirit and may God protect your souls.” So there we stood, now totally on display. The swords went first, then the hammer and bows. My turn was next and to God I prayed: Give me strength oh Lord Give me sight oh Lord And give me the Spirit To in Your Name give this hour. My task was simple, throw four times. Touch the heart for 5 points, bonus of 1 for a pierce. Spilt the head for 10 points, bonus of 2 if by double hand. The swords, bows, and hammer had all fallen short in score, except for one, and I had only three more challengers, of knives they be. The wind was now gusty, it had already hampered the archers, so I knew my ax was better suited then the flimsy knives they threw. My first throw, single-handed, looked true as it tumbled, but low it was, although dead on center. At first this troubled me, no points I had won. But by judges decree a closer look was needed. My ax had hit low but center to the heart. The blade firmly stuck, the shaft at a 45 degree. The shaft was touching the lower part of the heart and 5 points for a touch I was awarded. A standard ax replaced mine in its place as my ax was brought back to me for the second throw. Again by single hand I let fly, the gray wolves head pierced the right side of the heart as it brushed by the standard ax handle a subtle clink could be heard. 5 more points, plus 1 bonus, I was already ahead of 10 other challengers. So now the range bearer replaced the second, and returned the Wolf Dragon ax back to me. The target getting smaller with already a shaft and a blade I only had the left side of the heart to aim. So I reared back as steady as could be and launched by one hand the third throw on its way. And swiftly and true it tumbled to lay rest on the left side of the heart piercing the board with a thrusting blow, as off in the distance you could hear thunder starting to roll. Six more points and now the crowd gathered. I had 17 points only one other had 22, but I had one more throw. With only three knife throwers to go and the wind picking up even more a gustly blow, I knew I had victory in the palm of my hand. Well not yet anyway, I was still waiting for my damn ax to be returned. The range bearer being an older chap needed help removing Wolf Dragon from the board. Apparently a soft spot I hit, my ax was buried to the second shiny gray blade. So finally after a long wait he brings me back my ax and I think of what to do. Only six points did I need to win, however the ax throw high score amongst squires was 28. Throw for the head (a much smaller target) and capture both, or be safe and go for a touch and pierce. Since the heart was blocked I really had no choice. I needed to split the head by double hand, thereby gaining 12 points and 29 would be my tally. So I grabbed the ax by the dragon hide handle and with two hands and my eyes wide open I let it fly. Tumbling at a furious pace each rotation I watched in an effort to guide it to my target of choice. And tumble it did and with a thunderous clap pierced the head, the board split in two as my ax went all the way through. The board now split from top to bottom, it balanced for a second, then fell to the ground as lightning lit up the now darkening sky. I stood there in amazement, as my adrenaline settled, I looked over my shoulder at the crowd now gathered. No one said a word, as such a show by a squire they had never seen. And the knife throwers relinquished and didn’t even try. So victory was mine in that moment of time. I stood and looked skyward the tears I could not hide. To my knees I fell, and bowed my head, I knew something had just happened much bigger than me. For I like all others will some day pass away. But my ax score of 29 and the story it told would live on as an inspiration to other squires who in the same dreams hold. As I thanked my homeland spirit, and God above, again a familiar hand touched my head. And as I looked up there my master stood, with a smile so bright, in his pride in me I could feel. For just as I shared his victory, he shared mine, teaching me as his squire over time. And he said in a hushed whisper that only I could hear, “ You have done well my good squire, for this display you have won, and not by any fashion but a truly heroic one. Now take with you all this glory for stake you we have, and win honor and charter for our homelands sake. But always remember and never forget that if true to His Word you are, much higher rewards you will get. Take these gifts, and royal charter, take your horse and parchment of knighthood, and as a final gesture Wolf Dragon is yours for you wield it even better than I”. And I was speechless, as no words could I possibly say. For I had just been released from a squire’s duty to a knight’s honor. From that day forward my name was changed. From the First Squire of Gildemath, to the Second Knight of Gildemath. But the crowd had a different idea as the rain now started to fall, they shouted in one chorus: “Wolf Dragon, Second Knight of Gildemath Shire, go forth and conquer your enemies for in common they are our foes. For with your ax you have pierced our hearts and split us in two. Peace to all your travels, and Gods Speed to you”. So off I rode, another day’s destiny to set, and another knights treasure to get. Bryan A. Stross 🪶🐉🪓.   Copyrighted but shareable May 8th 2006

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Repost with Reflections 4/22/2023 10:48 AM EST