I. To Market
Autumn, 1595
As far back as can I remember, while growing up in the countryside, I have always wanted to be an adventurer: dreaming of new words, new people, new life I had yet to discover. At that time, my straw-colored hair was perhaps a bit longer, though my eyes were just as blue as now. Since turning fifteen earlier that year, I went from being known as "Scrawny Johnny," to "Long John." Despite my lean build, I had a strong set of arms and legs from my years of plowing and chasing after animals on the family farm. Such were the days when my boyhood friend Daniel Graves, who I often referred to as "Danny," would often be fighting with sticks, pretending to be knights, in Mablethorpe off the Lincolnshire shoreline.
"Avast, ye scurvy swab!"
"Never!" My dark-haired, lanky friend managed to knock me on the ground with the stick on my neck. "Alright, Danny, alright." I put up my hands. He lent one hand to help me up, but instead I pulled him down with me.
"Johnny, you cheat!"
"I never actually said, 'I surrender,'" I teased. We both laughed, knowing it was like ourselves to play tricks on each other.
We both relaxed for a moment, our arms behind our heads. "I can't believe you talked me into leaving school early to come here, again."
"Would you have rather stayed in arithmetic, than miss one of the last mild days of the season?"
"Not really," he admitted. "Though I normally strive for perfect attendance."
"Come now, Danny. A few days aren't going to ruin you. I'm surprised anyone can stay in classes for such long periods of time." I was an average student, who knew writing, geography, history, reading and basic arithmetic. However, I never liked "sitting around" anywhere—including the classroom. Admittedly, however, my attendance wasn't as strong as Danny's... .
"Johnny, you're always so restless," he chuckled. Then Danny started getting up. "We should probably be heading toward Alford soon. 'Tis Tuesday, after all."
"Tuesday?!" I had forgotten. "Market Day." Every Tuesday, I helped my father sell produce on Alford's Market Day, the neighboring town of my home village, Willoughby. Occasionally, my younger brothers assisted, but in most cases, it was dad and I. We mounted our horses and headed to Alford as quickly as we could. I could imagine my father was already raging mad, wondering where I was.
"You're late." My brown-haired father, greeted me. His defined features, which I would eventually grow into, and perhaps his stubbornness, were about all we had in common.
"I know, dad, I'm terribly sorry. I hadn't realized the hour."
He sighed, clearly annoyed, as this wasn't the first time. He seemed as if he wanted to say more, but perhaps thought better of it. "Start stocking more of these vegetables for the stand."
While I longed for something else, I knew it was my father's expectation that I would one day take on the family farm. I complied knowing my siblings, Richard, Francis, and Alice, often looked up to me as an example; though Richard once told me, I didn't "act like an older brother," when I tried to abandon my responsibilities when I was younger.
Danny, who was working with his father at a nearby stand, whispered, "Saved you a lecture, did he not?"
"Oh, I'll probably get it later." I was certain of that.
On the promising side, we sold a majority of our harvest. Of course, I was also discounting the price for certain customers... .
"Pardon me, how much for the parsnips and carrots?" A familiar, petite, curly-haired golden blonde, my age, asked me.
Sarah Robinson, I thought. "They're normally a penny a bunch, but in your case, we'll accept a half-penny a bunch."
"No bartering!" Danny joked. I punched him slightly.
"Hmm," she replied thoughtfully. "I'll suppose I'll have to purchase two bunches each, then."
"That's quite an abundance of carrots and parsnips, Miss," I teased.
"Well, perhaps if you pay me a visit, you'll discover what I'm preparing for vittles." She winked.
As she left, Danny whispered. "'Tis so obvious, Johnny. She clearly doesn't come by your stand merely for parsnips, carrots, beets, apples or whatever is in season... ."
"Of course she doesn't." I wasn't a fool. Most young ladies considered me a "pretty boy" of sorts when I was perhaps twelve; but by now, they described me as "handsome." As many interests as I had, Sarah was the most persistent. Admittedly, she was very attractive, and slender, with a face a detailed as a carved doll: fair skin, naturally reddish-pink lips and light blue eyes. As much as we played games with each other, I wasn't looking for a serious relationship at the moment. Nevertheless, all the young ladies strived for it as if it were a means of survival. Perhaps I was one of the few who thought people should marry when ready and by their own choosing, not as a convenience.
"I don't understand you, Johnny. If I had as many admirers as you, I'd certainly take the chance."
"Danny, you're too modest. You've never approached anyone lest I force you."
"I'm surprised she finds any interest in you at all, 'Long John.'" A tall, redheaded, well built young man, our own age, interrupted. It was Adam Brown, the nemesis who nicknamed me such names.
"Don't you have wares to sell?"
"I've sold all our harvest. Made quite a profit, actually. Certainly we'll make it through Spring; though I can't say for certain you'll achieve as much, considering you have less acreage."
"Shut your hole!"
I wanted to lunge toward him, but Danny stopped me. "Don't. He'll make a fool of you and he knows it." He whispered. He was right. Last time I tried to fight with Adam, he gave me a "bog wash." "Clearly Adam," Danny continued, "if you have nothing left to sell, you have no reason to be here.
"You're right," he suddenly agreed. "If you'll excuse me, there's someone I need to see."
After helping my father pack up, I noticed Sarah was still milling around with her friends. Then I saw Adam, talking with her and giving her flowers from his bountiful garden. I scowled, not knowing why I cared. Perhaps I should pay her a visit... .
Before I could say anything, dad smiled slightly with a knowing look. "Go on, I'll meet you at home."
I decided to sneak behind them. She was taken by surprise when I picked her up and carried her off, towards her carriage. "John, put me down, this instant!" I dropped her on top of a pile of straw.
I grinned at her angry expression. "You didn't say 'where,'" I teased. Before she could throw straw at me, I leaned in and kissed her. I eventually broke away, when I could hear her friends 'awing,' as well as Adam grumbling in the background. I took great satisfaction in that. "Pardon me, Miss, but would you mind if I accompanied you home?" I helped her get up.
"I was hoping you'd ask." She grinned, as she began pulling me along towards the items she wanted me to take with her.
After we were halfway there, already chatting about various things, Sarah turned to me. "You know, John, we've toyed around with our feelings towards each other, for quite some time; but despite your interest, you've never... ."
I could tell where this was headed. "Well—"
"Well, what then? You are quite fond of me, are you?"
"Yes."
"Then you do intend to ask...?"
I began to wonder, what did it matter, if I formally asked, anyway? Her parents and others in town already thought we were together. Besides, if I didn't ask, Adam likely would...and I hated losing to him.
After Sarah and I became official, Danny seemed surprised I went through with it. He wasn't as enthused when I began visiting her after school, and when my plans with her interfered with Danny and mine. I hoped in time, he'd become accustomed to the changes.
My father, unfortunately, was less than thrilled, upon receiving a letter from my school, regarding my attendance.
"John Smith! What is all this about—excessive absences...tardiness...dismissing yourself early?!"
"Perhaps I missed one too many history and arithmetic classes," I replied lightheartedly.
My father wasn't laughing. "As your father, it is my responsibility to pay for a decent education, not for you to take it lightly. They're marking you for 'truancy.' By doing so, they're charging me with a penalty, and may even press further charges."
I wasn't joking anymore. "I'm terribly sorry dad. I didn't intend—"
"Is this the example you wish to set for your siblings? John, you're my eldest son. You're nearly sixteen. You ought to be taking your future into consideration."
"I have—"
"Sailing away on a ship doesn't suffice, John. How do you expect to one day marry and support a family with such an unstable position?"
"As if depending on the amount of harvest for profit provides any more stability—"
"That's enough of your smart remarks, young lad!"
But dad, I'm not a 'young lad' anymore! I'm practically a man, now! I wanted to insist on that. But I knew better than to speak that aloud, unless I wanted more yelling from him, or even a lashing.
"Have you considered, what would Mr. Robinson think of you courting his eldest daughter, if he discovered this? No man should consider courting anyone without a proper means of support." His solution was for me to train with Master Thomas Sendall in Lynn, one of the most respected merchants in England: A coveted position by many, but one I wasn't fond of—not that I had any choice in the matter.
Richard, who was ten at the time, was all too thrilled, it seemed. "Since you're leaving soon, can I have your bed now?"
"Francis can have it. He doesn't give me as much trouble as you." I teased.
"I can?" The blond nine-year-old stuck out his tongue at his brown-haired brother, who proceeded to fight with him.
"You can't be leaving." My six-year-old sister sobbed.
"I'm not leaving yet, Alice." I consoled the brunette, kissing her on the forehead, and hugging her. "I still have a few days, and I'll come visit." She calmed down when I swung her around in the air as I always did.
"Mum, must I go?" I pleaded with her to change dad's mind.
My mum, who's hair color and eyes I shared, was usually rational. "John, if 'twere my choice, my first born wouldn't be going anywhere," she smiled, then frowned. "But this was something your father and I went back and forth about for some time. I'm afraid your father has made up his mind." She put her hand on my shoulder. "You just remember what I have always told you."
"No matter what, I'll always be your 'Johnny Boy.'" I recalled.
"You'll find your way." Smiling again, she playfully ruffled my hair, and stood on tiptoe, kissing me on the forehead.
"Mum!" I blushed as I rubbed my forehead, but couldn't help but smile afterward. She always embarrassed me when she did that...but she was mum. She knew of my desire for adventure, and that I'd never stop until I got there.