Chapter 2
Jonathon Armstrong stopped fixing a dent in the helm and looked up as the bells over the door to the blacksmith shop jangled and two men entered the outer room.
“Lords Blake,” he said, surprised to see Lord Corbett Blake and his son, Rook, at his shop, since he’d just repaired their armor recently.
He put down his hammer and the helm, quickly wiping his hands with a rag.
Without removing his leather apron, he hurried away from the forge and over to greet the nobles.
Jonathon’s family’s shop was visited by the nobles often. He not only made and fixed armor, but was a skilled swordsmith, too. Since there was no blacksmith in town, he and his father handled large as well as small and menial jobs.
Jonathon spent years as an apprentice learning the skills of the forge until he worked his way up to journeyman and returned home.
Now, he’d put in his time and all that was keeping him from being a master at his trade was completing one impressive masterpiece that would earn him the respect of the guild.
If so, they would accept him and he’d hopefully gain his title of master, just like his father.
Working so much with weapons also gave Jonathon the opportunity to use them on occasion.
Over the years, he’d taught himself to fight, and was damned good at it.
Many times, Jonathon even hired out his own sword, acting as a mercenary or guard for the nobles when they needed an extra soldier.
Even though Jonathon was naught but a commoner, his services were needed in more ways than one.
The nobles paid well, making Jonathon’s family the highest paid craftsmen in town.
“Good morning, Jonathon,” said Lord Corbett with a quick nod. His eyes scanned the room. Jonathon realized he wanted to talk in private.
“I’m the only one here right now, my lords,” he assured them. “Did you perhaps wish to speak to my father?”
“Nay, it’s you to whom I wish to speak,” answered Corbett.
Normally there was enough work to keep Jonathon, his father, another journeyman, as well as an apprentice busy. However, lately, the work had slowed and their income suffered greatly because of it.
“I hope you weren’t dissatisfied with my latest repair of your armor.”
“Nay. Not at all,” said Rook. “Your work is exquisite as always.”
Hearing this made Jonathon release a breath of relief that he hadn’t even been aware he’d been holding. The lords Blake and their knights brought much work to Jonathon’s family’s little shop. He would hate to lose business over one dissatisfied noble. Thankfully, that didn’t sound to be the case.
“What brings you to town today?” Jonathon asked curiously. “Do you need me to repair one of your weapons? Or fix a link in your chain mail perhaps?” Jonathon was skilled when it came to the forge. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do. He served as blacksmith, swordsmith, and armorer, too.
“Nay, we’re here for another reason altogether,” said Rook, moseying around the shop, picking up a hammer and testing its weight.
“My lords?” asked Jonathon, not understanding what they wanted.
“I have a tournament planned in three weeks’ time,” Corbett informed him. “There will be knights and nobles coming from all over the country.”
“Oh, I see.” Jonathon nodded, thinking he knew what they wanted after all. “I will be ready if any of the competitors need anything, my lord. You know you can count on me.”
“Where is your father?” asked Corbett, looking around the forge.
“He doesn’t work in the forge much anymore since he is getting older, my lord. He usually stays in the rooms above stairs with my mother unless his help is needed.”
“So he’s unable to do the work?”
“Nay, not at all. It’s just that I like to handle the brunt of the work myself. He’s worked hard his whole life, and I’m happy to let him rest and spend more time with my mother.”
“So, you’re the only one working here?” This seemed to bother Corbett.
“Aye, right now I am. We do have another journeyman as well as an apprentice,” he told him. “Since work has been slow lately, I gave them some time off. But I assure you, my lord, I will be ready for the tournament should my services be needed.”
“Aye. That’s good.” Corbett nodded, then looked down and fidgeted with fixing the gloves on his hands.
“Is there something else?” Jonathon knew Corbett well enough to realize there was something he was hesitant about asking. Usually, Corbett wasn’t shy about anything, so whatever it was, Jonathon could tell it bothered him greatly.
“My father will need extra guards during the tournament,” said Rook. “You’ve worked for us in the past and we’d like to hire you again.”
“Really?” Jonathon was taken aback. Usually when he served as guard, or even mercenary, it was in the slow times of winter, and only done to make extra money.
He didn’t usually take this position in springtime, since business would be picking up again soon.
Plus, there was a tournament about to happen.
This would prove to be one of his busiest times yet.
Still, he couldn’t say no to a noble and it was an honor to be asked at all.
“Well, you know I am interested, and thankful that you would even consider me, my lord. However, I must point out that it’ll be a busy time at the forge with everyone arriving for the tournament.
Unless your own blacksmith will be handling the brunt of the work, that is. ”
“Nay, I’m afraid he won’t. You see, my blacksmith died recently, and I’ve yet to replace him,” explained Corbett.
“Then all more reason I should be here to help out with the work the tournament will bring. I mean, I’m not sure it’s a good idea for me to leave.”
“Nay, you don’t understand. I want to hire you now, not for the tournament only,” said Corbett.
“My lord?” Jonathon looked from one man to the next, not understanding at all what they wanted.
Rook put down the hammer and walked over to him. “You know my twin sister, Raven, don’t you?” he asked.
“Aye, of course, my lord,” said Jonathon, remembering the fetching girl.
“I’ve met her once or twice through the years, but I’m not sure she’d remember me since it was only in passing.
” Raven was a beauty who had always caught Jonathon’s eye.
He also remembered that she was the furthest thing from a lady, and known to be very rebellious in nature.
The townsfolk called her a shrew behind her back.
But hell if he’d offer up that information right now.
“Lady Raven is a lovely girl and admired and respected by all,” he lied through his teeth.
Rook chuckled softly. “Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far, but thank you for your vote of confidence.”
Corbett gave him a nasty look. Rook cleared his throat and refrained from saying more.
Corbett continued, “Jonathon, I’d like to hire you on several accounts, actually.”
“My lord?”
“First, I’d like to employ you as my blacksmith until after the tournament, when I’ll have more time to find and hire a new one.”
“You want me as the castle smith?” he asked in confusion. “I am foremost an armorer, my lord. Surely you know that I’ve grown our business here and that I will soon be a master, opening my own shop. Or at least that is what I hope.”
“This will just be temporary, of course,” said Corbett. “Until after the tournament. You will live at the smithy. There is a room in the back that you can occupy during your stay. That way you’ll be closer when your services are needed during the tournament.”
“Of course,” said Jonathon, trying not to be disrespectful, but less than excited about this opportunity. He’d seen the forge at the castle. It was small and lacked much to be desired. “I’d have to bring along my tools, since I’m not sure your blacksmith possesses the supplies I’m used to having.”
“I’ll provide you with whatever you need,” said Corbett. “That’s not a problem.”
“You’ll have enough people to cover the work here in your absence?” asked Rook.
“I believe so, my lord.” Jonathon started feeling anxious.
He had planned on spending this slow time creating his masterpiece to present to the guild masters.
It was a project that would determine if he was good enough to become a master and own his own shop.
Now, this would put him far behind schedule.
The guild masters would be at his door soon.
If he wasn’t ready, they wouldn’t return again until next year.
This was very disheartening. Still, he couldn’t say no to a nobleman, and wasn’t sure what to do.
He supposed he could create his presentation piece at the castle forge, but it would be challenging since it was such a basic shop.
“Then it’s settled,” said Corbett. “You’ll move into the smithy within the castle walls anon. And don’t worry about the pay, I’ll compensate you well. My blacksmith had an apprentice who will be there to help should you need it.”
“Thank you. I don’t mean to sound rude, but I’m used to my own apprentice and journeyman,” he told him.
“Then you are welcome to bring yours over if you’d like. When the tournament starts, things will get busy.” Corbett nodded in finality.
“Thank you, my lord.” Jonathon bowed slightly. “Did you say you wanted to hire me for... another job as well?” he asked, only having heard of the one so far. “Or did you mean you wanted me to act as guard and smith both during the tournament?”
“Well, not exactly,” said Corbett, clearing his throat and glancing over to Rook. “You see, I’d also like to hire you to be my daughter’s guard until the tournament starts. Her personal guard, actually.”
“Pardon me, my lord? Did you say… personal guard?” Jonathon was more confused than ever, and thought mayhap he’d misheard the man.
“The tournament is being held to find a husband for my sister,” explained Rook.