A wet and weary morning, not a day for heroics. The deal is done, coin passed to the absent Duke’s knights so they might let the belligerents through to his castle. But one young knight lingers behind.
‘Why have you stayed?’ asks the leader of the offended party.
‘I’ll not have my honour bought.’
‘Do you mean to kill us all? Why die here, lad? Your Duke does you dishonour by running and hiding.’
‘It is my duty’ says the young knight, drawing his sword.
They trample him under a thousand hooves.
Paddy Dobson
21st February 2024