Chapter 3: Sleeping Quarters
A wooden door in the main house opened and the master of the estate walked out. He glared angrily at the knights and he looked at their travel worn gear and their somber faces. His eyes seemed to bulge out of his head in a toad like manner and he was chunky with a rather large neck. His mustache was thick and his hair was oily and unkempt. The Master, who owned such a wonderfully clean and neat estate, was himself a dirty, unattractive fellow. Then the King re-explained to him what the problem was, for he had already told the villagers, and he waited for his response. He saw his villagers packing up their items as if to leave and he turned on his heel and addressed the King.
"Your Majesty," said the master with a deep bow," If you think that I will pick up everything and run, you are mistaken. No one will attack us and I absolutely refuse to leave! Also, anyone who leaves will not make it past that gate! Mark my words! I will not submit to poorly bred bandits! I will stay here and hold out behind these gates."
The King gave him a stern look of dislike and glanced back at his knights. He gave them a short hand motion and William and two other knights rushed forward. The master just looked at them incredulously. The knights pulled out some thick rope and quickly bound him with it.
"You CANNOT do this to me! I am an honorable member of this kingdom! Untie me this instant!" he roared.
"You will be untied, good sir, but only once you obey what I am telling you. You have been difficult. You could have listened untied, but because of your difficultness, now you must listen while bound. There is a band of murderers loose and they do not care if you are honorable or not. They will take everything you have and kill innocent people. Their whereabouts are unknown, so at this time it would be safer for your village to take refuge behind the walls of the city. It is the only way to guarantee your safety and that of your peoples'. Do you understand me?"
The master let out a sound of great anger.
"I am Master Smith! I have traded in this area for many years and worked hard for my money! My people will protect me! UNTIE ME THIS INSTANT! I DEMAND RESPECT! "
The King glared at him and answered," Master Smith, when, and only when, you abide by what I have said and given my knights sleeping area, then you will be untied. However, if you try to single handedly take on my knights and stop us, you will pay."
Master Smith looked back at the King, defeated, and gave a meek nod. He then looked at the woman standing next to him and yelled at her to ready rooms and prepare a feast. She hurried off to the main house.
"My wife will ready your rooms. Now get these goddamned ropes off of me!"
The knights walked up and untied the knots and put the rope back into their packs. Master Smith Immediately got up and walked into the house. The King gave the knights a grim smile and they took their horses to the stables. They then picked up their bags and followed the King to the front doors of the main house. The wooden doors were engraved with floral patterns and were very intricate. Master Smith's wife came out and looked at all of them and smiled.
"You Majesty, your sleeping quarters are ready. If you need anything, my name is Rhonda Smith. Please come in. There will be a wonderful feast to honor your presence."
She beckoned them inside and the knights followed silently. The doors opened and the scene before them astounded them.