The Other Side Of Defeat

During the 13th century, tensions were escalating between Scotland and England over territory. A lone wounded soldier travels back to London on his Royal Steed at a slow walking pace. He must, in hast, report back to King John of England.

Weary and not having anything to eat for more than five days. He is famished and would love nothing better than a hearty meal to fill the emptiness within. But, he must make it back to London. As soon as God’s speed will take him, he knows he needs nourishment to get him there and needs it now.

As the sun was setting, he noticed flickering lights as he rounded a bend in the road and down a shaded hill. A few moments on at the next turn, as if by will his horse follows the path and picks up his pace to a trot. They pass some small homes along the path, knowing he is entering a small village, but where in England is he?

~

At somewhat of a gallop now, he enters the village square. He notices many villagers around a single tree opposite a large Inn type of building. The Bonfires were in a circle the villagers dancing around the tree. One villager dashed away to the large building as Liam pulled up his horse with it rearing up on his hind legs then came to a complete stop. He looked around atop his steed to assess the area. He noticed two people coming out of the building. One was a young boy, the other a beautiful young lady with her arms out and white garments draped across both of her arms.

“Greetings traveller. Have you come for the harvest festival”? She said with a smile.

“Harvest festival, I could do with some food and wine, dear Lady”. Replied Liam.

“Very well, we will be having our feast shortly, dismount and put these on”. Obligingly, he looked over towards the other folk as he dismounted and saw they were all dressed the same as the young lady.

“Welcome, my name is Nova and this is my brother, Ben”. Ben, holding an oil torch in one hand the other waved at Liam. Staring at his blonde hair and his ruggedly handsome face, she knows that he is from very good breeding. A smitten smile stretches across her face. Young Ben grabbed hold of the horse's reins.

“Very nice to meet you both, I am known as Liam of Folkestone”. He starts to take his top off, then pauses and makes a throat-clearing noise. Nova understands and turns around immediately. He continues with his top and takes his pants off. He places both on his saddle, then reaches over her shoulder for the clothing. She gives him the pants first and he slides them on. She turned around and handed him the shirt. He slid the shirt on when Nova noticed his wounds. Nova turns to Ben to say, “take Liam’s horse to the stable and give him the best feed and water. Without saying a word, Ben turns to lead the horse towards the stable.

“Come, Liam, let us join in with the others”. The villagers started chanting as Liam and Nova got closer.

They were holding hands in a circle around the tree, there was a break between a man and a woman, allowing Liam and Nova to join. Liam understood that the tree had a special meaning to the villagers as they continued. “The full moon up high, festivities begin at twilight. The fruits abound, the gains, soon to be parted. Vegetables and fruit, ready for picking. The land has fulfilled its promise, blessing us a good year of crops to harvest”. They all got down on their knees. All together they raised their hands high above them and said in unison. “Thank you, oh tree, blessed be the juice that brings us our passion and good fortune”.

The large bearded man next to Liam starts to speak aloud. “We thank you for bringing us this traveller from afar. The tree we kneel before, laden with fruit. The oldest and greatest Pyrus, in all the land. Keep us safe through this harvest. Keep us well, and away from illness. Grow strong our friend, so we grow strong too”. All still holding hands they started to sing a tuneful long “Oh…” Liam decided then to join in as their pitch was getting louder. “Oh…” Then the villagers all stopped at the same time and all let go of holding hands simultaneously, with Liam still singing “Oh”. The villagers chuckled.

“Welcome, Liam,” said the smiling man that Liam was standing next to, on his right. “How, how did you know my name?” Liam asked the bearded man. “You are the spitting image of your father, Jon of Folkestone, young Liam”. He replied. “I knew you as a boy, I am, Naim the Bold”. Then turned to the villagers and with a roar, he shouted. “Let’s feast”. The villagers cheered and started walking towards the Inn. Liam knows the name, Naim the Bold.

~

Inside the Inn, they were all sitting at a very long table in a room at the front of the Inn. At the head of the table was Naim and on Liam’s left sat Nova. As if in a trance, they all sat with their hands clenched, in front of them, with eyes closed. Liam also clasped his hands and closed his eyes.

Naim began with grace. “We gather here at the harvest feast. We thank the Lord for the food we are about to eat. The Mutton, Chicken and Goat, the greens and vegetables, bread and spuds. We thank you Lord for keeping us safe, we thank you for what we are about to eat, Amen”. “Amen”. Said everyone. Talking started between the gathering. “I’d like to welcome Liam of Folkestone to our feast”. Said Naim their leader. “Welcome Liam of Folkestone”, everyone said. Liam replied with, “thank you”.

The table was adorned with food and with hands going everywhere grabbing food they wanted. Naim said, “Liam, grab what you desire my friend before it’s gone”. Liam commenced grabbing food from the table and soon filled his plate. He grabbed the empty goblet in front of him. One of the servers standing near Liam’s end of the table picked up a canteen of wine and moved toward Liam to fill his goblet with red wine then proceeded around the table filling all goblets.

Liam drank his wine without a pause. He then proceeded to eat the food that was so lovingly prepared for the feast.

The villagers were engaged with talking and laughter and Liam was more interested in eating and drinking. Nova asked him if the meal was pleasing. He replied with “My lady, I have never had food that tasted this good before”.

“Take more food Liam, if you need more,” she said. “Thank you, Nova, I will”. Feeling quite full after his second helping and his third goblet of wine he started to relax. “Liam, what brings you to our little village in Northampton”? Asked Naim.

Liam started to speak as the villagers stopped talking to listen to him. “I’m on my way back to London to report to King John. I am the only survivor from the battle”. “Which battle was that Liam”?

He paused for a second, took a deep breath and continued. “We were ordered by King John to negotiate the border territory. The Scotts were taking our English land and were moving further south, King John had to stop them. We were sent to talk to the Scotts and pay them 3000 Silver Groats to recover the lands that were invaded by the Scotts.

We were 2,500 strong, all soldiers of the King, all willing to give our lives for the better of England and regain lost territory. They must have known we were coming when they ambushed us one night when we were at rest”. Listening intently the villagers let out a ‘gasp’.

There was an eerie silence, waiting for Liam to speak more about the conflict. “It was night, most of us were asleep. Some soldiers were keeping watch when it all started”. He paused in thought again. “First were the arrows, being almost silent they were the first unexpected wave. They penetrated camp from three directions. Thousands of them in quick succession”. He was looking at each villager as though he was talking to each one in person. “We were aware that we may have been met by force, but we weren’t prepared for so many arrows. At a guess, we lost half of our foot soldiers at that point”.

“Not long after, flaming balls from Trebuchet’s rained down upon us. When the fireballs stopped, the arrows began once more. His eyes now a piercing gaze as he turned his head and looked at each of the villagers. “That’s when”...

One by one, the balls of fire that fell around us, started to explode with the piercing boom sound of thunder. It was a massacre, any soldier standing was a target. Even I was wounded by the fireballs. Then I noticed movement on the ridge, it was the Scotts. I managed to get to my feet and several other soldiers were able to stand. We were in a daze or something. The squealing sound in our ears was unbearable. Those of us left alive were gathered into a group and our arms were bound from behind and swords taken. A few hours later those of us that could walk were taken over the ridge”.

“My gracious God, for the first time I saw how many soldiers there were fighting with the Scotts and for King William. And that was just on one side. We were attacked on three sides. Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands. I counted around twenty Trebuchet’s”.

“I was blindfolded and lead to a tent, my arms still bound I was pushed to my knees. I knew I had been taken there for a reason. I feared for my life”. The villagers gasped and murmured to each other. “I felt a hand on my head and heard feet shuffling in front of me. A voice said, now!

~

Fearing a knife blade across my throat, the blindfold hood was pulled off my head. Kneeling there, I was in front of King William of Scotland.

‘King William’, I said and bowed my head down to acknowledge defeat. He was holding my sword. “Well”, he said. “Complete defeat! How will your King feel about that?” “They tell me your name is Liam of Folkestone.” I nodded.

“Well Liam of Folkestone, do this for me. Go back to your king and tell him this land belongs to Scotland and always will. And! Tell him that next time he sends his army we will meet him with a greater force before he gets here. He threw my sword to a guard that plunged it between two rocks and snapped the blade in half. “Take this to your King, he will know the meaning. Dress his wounds, then take him to his horse, unbind him and send him on his way. And now, here I am, sitting with new friends”.

“Good,” said Naim. “Take shelter here tonight and rest. Tomorrow morn you will return to London, with my daughter Nova, my son Russell the Strong and his wife Victoria, to pay our taxes”.

~

The next morning bathed and fed, wounds dressed, Liam was feeling much better.

The journey to London

Outside the Inn, walking towards the stable. Liam walked over to his horse and three others tied to a post and checked the saddle straps. Liam turned towards Naim. “You gave me my first sword when I was seven and taught me how to fight”. “That be me young Liam”. Naim the Bold said.

After saying goodbye’s and mounting their horses. Liam paused a moment, looking at that tree full of fruit.

“Pyrus, a pear tree”!