Page 67 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“It’s only because he is being modest.”

“He said he has no time to make anything.”

“He doesn’t think he has time to finish, but I assure you after today he’ll have much more time to complete his project for you. Just please give him another chance. I will promise you it won’t be a waste of your time. You’ll see.”

“Well, I don’t know.” The man didn’t seem as if he were going to agree, so she realized she would have to say something even more to change his mind.

“It’s something that you and the others have never seen before.” That wasn’t really a lie, she decided, since no one had seen it before since he hadn’t made it yet.

“Really?”

“It is unique. Plus, Jonathon only does quality work.”

“Like his father,” said Wilkin.

“Yes, just like his father. You won’t be disappointed.”

“That sounds intriguing,” said the man. She had finally got his attention. “What is the piece?”

“The piece? What’s the piece?”

“Aye. I’d like to know what I’ll be coming to judge.”

“I-It’s a surprise. I don’t think Jonathon would want me to tell you. After all, it is not my story to tell,” she said, repeating her mother’s words when she told Raven to tell her father she was in love with Jonathon. “Just give him a chance, please. I’m sure he’ll be finished by the time the tournament starts.”

“Well... all right then, I will. Only because I know what wonderful work Jonathon does, and this mystery piece really intrigues me.”

“Oh, thank you,” she said, feeling elated. Mayhap Jonathon’s dream would come true after all, even if she had to give up hers.

“I will return with the rest of the guild masters to judge his piece. We’ll do it during the tournament, right there at the forge at Blake Castle, since he said he is employed there for now.”

“Yes, that will be fine,” she said with a smile. “I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.”

“We’d better not be,” stated the man. “Please remind Jonathon that his masterpiece needs to be complete upon our arrival. If it isn’t, he will have ruined his chance of becoming a master armorer.”

“Until next year,” she said with a nod. “I understand.”

“Nay, I don’t think you do,” said the man, making a sour face. “Now that the date and place is set, there is no turning back.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“We will arrive to judge his masterpiece. Our trip is far and it will keep us from doing other important things. Therefore, if for some reason he doesn’t have a presentation, or if it isn’t finished, it’s over.”

“What’s over? I don’t understand.”

“If he fails at completing it in time and we travel here and see nothing, then I am afraid he will have ruined his chance of ever becoming a master, because it will never come again. Good day.”

With that, the man turned and rode away, making Raven feel as if perhaps she hadn’t helped Jonathon but instead hurt him more, if that were even possible. When she told the guild master Jonathon had a unique piece, she only made it up to give him more time to make something. All she wanted to do was to give Jonathon another chance at his dream and not have it diminished because he deserved it. She hadn’t realized that in trying to help him, she might have just sealed his fate as a journeyman forever.

Chapter 16

It was only a week before the tournament now, and honestly, Jonathon couldn’t wait for it to be over. More and more knights had arrived in the last few days, and all of them wanted something from the blacksmith.

Some wanted their armor fastenings strengthened, and others wanted new shoes for their horses. They even expected Jonathon to sharpen their swords and polish their armor. It had become too much for him to work only at night. Having no other choice, he called for his brother and Gerold to return to the castle smithy to help him keep up with the orders.

Jonathon pounded out his frustration on a horseshoe, having gotten little sleep. He arose early to get some work in before he had to waste the entire day following Raven around, doing absolutely nothing. She was still sneaking off at every opportunity to practice with her weapons, not wanting to accept the fact she was to be a lady and married to a noble.

That was something else that bothered him. In his dreams he somehow hoped there would be a way for him to marry Raven, even though he knew it was impossible. As an armorer, he made decent money most of the year. He had hoped if he could become a master, mayhap Lord Corbett would see him in a different light. It no longer mattered now, since he had no presentation piece to put before the guild masters anyway. He would have to wait for an entire year to even have a chance again. By then, Raven would be married and will have forgotten all about him.