Chapter Ten

“Now I’m not saying it’s easy living an honorable life. Being a man of virtue and valor. But let me tell you a story. And Lawrence, this should interest a man such as yourself. Janice, you may learn a thing or two. It’ll give you an idea of the kind of man you’ll want to marry.

I was on my way to a tournament in the town of, I believe it was Leavenwool. And I came upon a couple traveling in the opposite direction. It was a beautiful spot by the river, and we mutually agreed to take a respite together. I had an excellent vintage of wine, and I do not allow my entourage to drink when I compete. I need them sharp, you see. So I was quite eager to share a drink with a handsome young couple such as they.

However, upon conversing with them, I quickly learned they were in fact not married. Oh, they intended to be. But the man, a baker’s son of little worth and renown had been denied the hand of his young would-be bride, who herself was the daughter of a prestigious knight in the service of Lord William. Indeed, Lord William!

They had fled Leavenwool with the intent to make a home for themselves elsewhere and eventually marry. What a wonderful story! I am quite the romantic. You should know. And I was fabulously moved by this story of young love that could persevere no matter the odds.

I asked them, ‘How is it you intend to live? With no dowry and no land? Do you have an uncle with land to inherent? Perhaps a distant cousin?’ I was sincere in my curiosity. I dearly expected a tale of daring self-reliance. The kind of pull yourself up by your boot-straps tale that makes our sweet nation great.

But the boy said, ‘No, I only had the few family treasures my father gifted to me. I sold them and intend to use the money for lending. And we shall live off the interest.’

Ohhhhh, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking the same thing I was thinking. Money lending. There is no honor in such a dastardly practice. All these scoundrels denying their station in life. Taking from us hard-working men of honor. Preying on us like scavengers in the night. My father always said never trust a man without land. He’ll only look to take what’s yours by God-given right.

Now many would have simply said good day and moved on from such disreputable company. Perhaps given them a proper tongue lashing. A true taste of their mind. But I told myself, in that moment, ‘No, Alistair, you are a man of honor. You are nothing if you do not uphold your ideals through action.’ Action, that is how men such as us keep this world just and pure. Right, Lawrence?

So I pulled my dagger. I tell you, he was not deserving of my sword. I took the blade of my dagger to his throat and demanded all the funds which he intended to use to pillage and steal from the great people of our cities. And I sent the two of them on their way, penniless and properly put in their place.

When I arrived in Leavenwool, I regaled my fellow knights with the tale and used the money that fiend intended to use for swindle and instead set up a great feast for myself and my honored competitors.

I don’t remember how I fared in that tourney. I do know I won two that year.”

Lawrence did not speak.

Janice did not speak.