Addewid - William Marshal At St Non's Well

Fractured Paradise - Volume II
The Corruption of Addewid

Fractured Paradise: A Novel In Progress

by Oliver Smith
OliverSmith@CyberPoet.com

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William Marshal at St Non's Well

William looked up at his father as he saddled the charger. John Marshal, as a respected knight and baron who had served in the courts of two kings, knew horses as well as he knew swords, shields and armor. And this proud beast of battle had earned John's respect. Together they had fought battles alongside the knights of Henry II and helped Henry take the crown and protect it. Never before had John riden a horse that could withstand battle after battle and ride straight on into the fray without fear or missing a step. And never before had John see a horse that could instill such fear in the hearts of those being approached. It was as if a clap of thunder had cracked just above their heads. It was for this reason that John called the horse Taranai.

"That's Welsh for 'thunder'", William recalled his father saying, "he comes down on people like a crashing wave upon the rocks below St Non's well. That's why I call him 'Taranai'". Upon saying the name of the horse with emphasis, John genetly swatted the Taranai's neck and lifted another piece of armor drap over the Taranai's neck. "We're going to make the king proud of us today."

Taranai was a gift from Henry II for bravery in the protection of Matilda, his mother, and Eleanor the queen. He was the best horse from the king's stables and William's father appreciated the gesture from his liege.

"He has even helped me save the queen", he was fond of saying. "Eleanore always comes down to the stables when Taranai is close by." John stroked the muzzle of the large beast, then patted his neck. Dust and flies scattered away from skin twitching with the reflexes of a battle ready steed.

"When can I ride him?" asked William, "I've been around him enough. He won't hurt me."

"You can't ride a knight's charger, young William," said his father. "You have years of training to go through before you can pick up and swing a sword, or hold a shield. Until you can fight with full armor and weapons you have no reason to mount a battle charger, especially one as spirited as Taranai."

William was disappointed to hear his father speak so uncompromisingly about Taranai. He had been carrying food and water all summer thinking that his father would allow him to get up on the broad, flexing shoulders of the horse. "But I'm going to twelve this year. Isn't that old enough?"

"Son," said his father, "I was a knight's squire for ten years before I was allowed to climb into the saddle of a battle horse, and that was after five years of practicing with the sword, lance and shield. The tournaments and the protection of the crown is no place for someone is hasn't mastered the skills of a knight."

There was nothing more exciting to William than watching his father prepare for battle. A large oak tree spread over them as the pinched sounds and clatter of leather and steel tickled Williams ears. William could see St Davids cathedral through the branches of the tree as John wrestled the bridle into Taranai's mouth.

A group of horses approached with battle breast plates and knights wearing armor and helmit faceplates lifted above their eyes. The Welsh forces have arrived at Abergwain, John," said one of the knights. "We must be ready to leave immediately."

"Very well," said John, working the breastplate around his arms. "William, help me with this. I need to go now."

William helped his father with the rest of his armor and helped him climb onto Taranai's back. Then he passed the sword and shield to him.

From high on Taranai's back, John looked down at his disappointed son and said, "William, I have talked to William de Tancarville in Normandy and he has agreed to take you on for trainging next year to become a knight. When I return from Abergwain I'll be taking you there. Take care of yourself and your mother."

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