Page 32 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“You’re experiencing it, aren’t you?” asked Jonathon, heading for the door. “It might be from inside the forge, but at least you have your foot in the door.”

“What about all the work that needs to be done here?” asked Avery from behind him. “Besides cleaning up this pit, I’ll need to set up shop. It’s only a matter of time before the nobles show up wanting something fixed. Who’s going to do that?”

“I’ve got a job during the day, so it’s up to you for now. Gerold will help you. I’ll pitch in when I can. Once the sun sets.”

“How will you do that?” Avery demanded to know. “You’ll be spending all your blasted free time on that stupid armor now. Father will be short-handed at the shop, now that both of us are gone, so we’ll need to pick up the overflow there as well.”

“Then you’d better hurry up and get going.” Jonathon left the forge, hightailing it over to the practice field, anxious to spar against the knights and nobles. When he got to the practice yard, none of the men would even acknowledge him. Rook and Corbett weren’t there yet, and he felt very uncomfortable.

“Good morning,” he said, trying to start up conversations with several of the men he knew who had commissioned him to do jobs for them in the past. “I’m looking for a partner for some swordplay.” No one volunteered or even looked at him. He figured after yesterday’s announcement that he was going to report them to Corbett or Rook if they badmouthed Raven, they were all on edge being around him. “I assure you, Lords Corbett and Rook invited me here. Plus, most of you know me from my shop in town, or because I’ve hired out my sword to Blake Castle on several occasions now.”

Still nothing. The men practiced with each other, but none of them wanted anything to do with Jonathon.

“I’ll fight you,” he heard from behind him, turning to see Raven standing there with her sword in hand, wearing the clothes of a man again, instead of donning her gown. Her cousin Lark was hovering a little ways behind her in the shadows.

“Lady Raven,” said Jonathon with a slight chuckle. “I thought you’d still be sleeping this early.”

“I’m usually in the practice yard before the sun even rises, so this is normal for me. However, I am surprised to even see you here at all.”

“Your father and brother invited me.”

“I know that. I was speaking of your special job that you need to complete, and in a timely manner. I thought you’d be working on that.”

Raven walked up to Jonathon, gripping her sword. He knew exactly what she meant but was playing dumb. He had her armor to make. If he didn’t start soon, he’d never get it completed by the tournament.

“Don’t worry about my doings,” he said, slowly walking a circle around her. She kept turning, acting like a warrior, never putting her back to anyone she didn’t trust. “Why don’t you head back to the great hall and wait for me there, my lady?” he suggested. “I’ll join you there soon for the meal to break the fast. That is, as soon as I get in a little practice.”

“Isn’t it a little hard to practice when no one will partner with you?” she answered snidely.

“I suppose you’d know about that.” His eyes darted over to the rest of the men who ignored her as much as they had him. “I don’t see anyone beating down the door to practice with you, either. My lady.”

“All the more reason for you to spar with me, then.”

“I’m afraid not,” he answered. “I will not raise a sword to a lady, or any female, for that matter.” As soon as he looked away, she used it to her advantage. She swung her blade at him, bringing it close to his face.

It impressed her how fast Jonathon’s reflexes were. He yanked out his sword and defended himself, lifting his blade, as if it were second nature. His sword clashed with hers as he stopped her blow, even though she wasn’t really intending to hit him. She just decided to urge him on a little, that’s all.

“You are a stubborn wench,” he said through gritted teeth, his sword still crossed with hers.

“And you are now getting the attention of every man here,” she answered. “Congratulations.”

His back was toward the other soldiers, but she knew his pride would make him look. Sure enough, he gave the other men a sideways glance. When he did so, she put her plan to action.

With one fast swipe, she twisted her sword, unarming Jonathon completely. His sword skidded across the ground. She chuckled. “Never be distracted or you’ll regret it,” she told him. “It’s the first rule of being a good warrior.”

“Well, you can tell your father that, since here he comes now.” He nodded, quickly glancing over her shoulder.

She turned to look, not wanting to have to deal with the wrath of her father so early in the day. As soon as she did, Jonathon dove to the ground and sprang back up to a standing position, with his sword in two hands, aimed directly at her. She attacked and he defended. Metal rang out loudly, causing the men in the practice yard to start wandering over in curiosity.

“Don’t tell me how to fight,” Jonathon told her. “Mayhap instead, you should heed your own warning.”

“You are naught but a liar. You played me for a fool. My father isn’t even here. You’ll pay for that, armorer.”

“Please, stop. I don’t want to fight you, my lady,” said Jonathon, but she kept coming at him and he had no choice but to defend himself or get hit. He was fast, she’d give him that. He managed to parry every time she thrust. However, he only defended himself and never attacked like she wanted him to do.

“Fight with me like you mean it. The way you would with a man,” she commanded.

“Nay. I don’t want to hurt you. After all, I’ve been hired to protect you, my lady, so to do so would be breaking my contract with your father.”