Taylor left his house at dawn to enter the castle. His three brothers had returned home yesterday after their day with the princess in the market with the news that King James wished to remind Taylor of their conference for the next morning.
The young man brought with him his horse, and the many things he had been sent out to retrieve on his journey for the King. When he rode up the gate he was immediately let in, one of the perks of being so close with the King, everybody knew him even the guards.
The castle was exactly how he had last seen it. He was escorted to the thrown room where the King was seated. Taylor bowed, “you’re Highness.”
“Hello, son!” The King cheerfully exclaimed climbing down off his thrown. The guards left them alone to discuss their business. The King came down the stairs and shook hands with the Knight. “It is so great to see you again!”
Taylor smiled warmly, he was quite at home in the castle having spent the past five years of his life dealing with the King and his family. Taylor looked around, “I see the place hasn’t changed,” he teased as he always did after returning from a long absence, “still huge and made of stone.”
The King chuckled. “I’m sorry to rush you with this, Sir Hanson but I know someone who really missed you and I know she would like to see you as soon as she can.”
“How is she?” Taylor interjected.
The King smiled. “Ann is quite well.” He clapped his hands together. “Let’s get this business stuff over with so you two can catch up on old times. I’m pretty sure you have a thing or two in that bag for her?” He gestured toward the sack Taylor was holding.
The young man nodded. “Yes I have.”
The King grinned. “Good. Did you get the scroll?”
“Yes your Majesty.” Taylor took the paper out of the sack. “It was right where you said it would be.”
The King took it and his excitement almost burst through as he read it. “This is very good,” he said, his voice not too short of an excited shout. “VERY good.” He closed the scroll. “I suppose you had a bit of trouble getting it.” He nodded towards the still full sack.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“How many civilian casualties?”
Taylor’s hand was drawn to the sword he carried on his belt. “Two, your Highness. One guard and the driver.”
“Where was the owner of the scroll?”
“That is the humorous part, your Majesty,” Taylor replied. “He was absent at the time I arrived to get you the scroll. It was not that hard for me to do as you wished.”
“So he is dead?”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“And his family?”
“Home, your Highness. They did not travel with him.” Taylor picked up the bag. “He was taking these treasures home to them, but as you wished they did not make it back to them.”
The King grinned slowly and patted the young Knight’s back. “Yes, my son, they did not make it back to them. Pretty soon we will be calling you Lord Taylor.”
Taylor’s eyes grew in delight when he heard the words. I’m going to be a Lord, he thought to himself, a Lord!