Chapter 5

Posted: March 31, 2007 - 11:24:46 am?

For the next three weeks, John stayed at Foxworth Manor. He liked the place, and with everything growing as it was, there was something new to see almost every day. All the plowing and planting was done. The flower gardens close to the house itself, were starting to bloom with a riot of colors.

John considered some improvements to the house almost on a daily basis. It was impossible for him to do otherwise than to want to improve things as best he could. Some were simple improvements. Others were complicated, and would require a great deal of work.

Still, he did not implement any new construction projects as he was loathe to tear anything up at this time. Also, he was unsure if what he wanted to accomplish was feasible in this time and place.

One thing he did do though, was to study and read the books of magic in his library. He had seen first hand that magic worked in this place, but he was reluctant to try it himself without supervision.

He was also a little reluctant to go to the King's city of Carlston. While he was excited at the prospect of visiting it, he had no one there to help him 'learn the ropes'. He knew he should present himself to the King's court, but his understanding was he should be introduced.

He considered his options, and thought of writing to Count Breverton for help in this matter. However, it was resolved for him. On the morning that began his fourth week at Foxworth, a messenger arrived from the Carlston City, with an invitation to the spring court.

The messenger was from the palace itself, and wore the royal colors of black and silver. The messenger had asked for John by name, and then delivered an envelope directly into his hands.

"I was instructed to give this to you directly, my Lord. Now that I have, I ask your leave," the messenger stated formally.

"My thanks for a job well done. You have my permission to withdraw, your commission is completed," John responded with equal formality.

John was left with an envelope sealed in wax, and wrapped with a blue ribbon. It was a large envelope, very ornate, with a hand drawn griffin on the front. This was the symbol of the King. The royal seal in wax, on the back flap, displayed a different depiction of a griffin.

John went to the main office of his house, and sat behind the great desk. He carefully untied the ribbon, and then gently lifted the wax seal with a warm knife, leaving the seal intact. He withdrew the heavy parchment paper contained within the envelope. Unfolding the parchment he carefully read what was written upon it.

John read and reread the letter, which was a politely worded command to appear at court and also to attend a ball of some sort. This was totally unexpected. He considered his options, and sent for Cal.

"You sent for me my lord?" Cal asked when he arrived in the den.

"Read this, and tell me your thoughts," John said, handing over the invitation.

Cal read the invitation quickly, and returned it to John.

"It is a politely worded command for your appearance at court, and then for you to attend the spring ball that the King throws every year," Cal finally stated.

"Yes, that's what I understood it to say, also. However, I have no idea how to present myself at court, never having done anything like that before. Any suggestions?" John asked curiously.

"If I may suggest, you might try asking one of your neighbors. All have experience at attending court, and most if not all of them have attended the King's gatherings. It will take me only a day, or two at the most, to get you invited to one of the two closest of your neighbors, my Lord," Cal said thoughtfully.

So it was, that John left it to Cal to wangle an invitation to one of the neighbors, in the hope that they would instruct John in the niceties of court etiquette. Cal had also suggested that John might like to take a carriage into the City, and get himself outfitted with appropriate clothing for a court appearance.

In all the time that John had so far lived in this land, he had never really considered wearing anything other than the clothing that he had brought with him. Now, it had become urgent that he make himself look the part of a local Lord.

Foxworth maintained two coaches, one open to the air. The other was enclosed, in case of bad weather. John settled on the closed in coach, as the one he would take to town. He did not feel like parading himself before any who saw him. He was also feeling a bit self-conscious about being looked at in his present attire.

The next day saw him seated inside the bad weather coach, which was pulled by a team of four horses. It took about forty minutes to make the trip into the city of Carlston. John gawked at it as he was driven through town.

Cal had instructed the driver to take John to a specific clothier. Shortly after entering the city, they arrived at his destination.

Two hours later, John left the shop. He knew he would be well outfitted for court, and for the spring affair. He had ordered four sets of court dress, and two sets of clothing just for the ball.

His next stop was the boot makers. This was his first experience at having boots custom made. He ordered three sets of boots, two in the color brown, and one in black, to be made to his measurements. When his day was finished, his purse was lighter by several gold coins. Still, it was cheap at the price.

"Coachman, do you know of an establishment close by, where I can get something decent to eat and drink?" John asked when he returned to the coach.

"Yes, my Lord. There are several close by that serve excellent meals at all times of the day," the coachman responded.

John instructed him to take him to the closest one and they were off. A short time later they pulled into a gated yard in an upscale area of town. They came to a halt beside an ornate door.

"The Golden Arrow, my Lord. One of the best Inns in the city and frequented by the gentry. I figured you would want to be comfortable, and the class of people in here is such that you will have no problems," the coachman said.

"Then I suggest you park the coach, and you and my guard should grab something to eat also. My treat. Will this be enough?" John asked, taking out a gold coin and passing it to the coachman.

"All this, for myself and the two guards? You will have change, my Lord," the coachman declared.

"Split the change between you, as a token of my thanks for the patience shown by all," John said, and went into the Inn.

As he went though the door, he had to wait a moment, for his eyes to adjust to the darker interior.

'Still, it is decently lit, for the time and period, ' John thought.

He looked around as his eyes adjusted and liked what he saw. There were around fifty tables inside, with at least four chairs apiece. There was also a table with bench seating, along one wall. A good three quarters of the tables had at least two people seated at them. The serving girls were flitting everywhere, bringing platters of food and also bearing drinks to tables.

A bar stood at the far end, away from the front door. It took almost the entire width of the room, which was about a hundred feet give or take a few. John was just thinking it might be a mistake to eat here as it might be too busy, when a serving wench came to him and asked how many in his party.

"Just myself, thank you," John responded.

The serving girl, a fresh-faced girl in her early teens, led him to a table across the room and close to the bar. John received several long looks as he passed by tables, but when he returned the stares, the people turned quickly away.

As his eyes adjusted even more to the light inside the Inn, he noticed that there seemed two classes of people represented here. One was definitely the nobility class. The other seemed to be the upper merchant class. At least their clothing told him as much. John, being familiar enough with the clothes of the land, could identify that much.

After John was seated, the girl rattled off a choice of meals to be had. He settled on the stew with the best ale. The girl took his order, and disappeared into the chaos of flitting servers. He took this time to look around.

Again he caught people looking at him.

Well he was dressed strangely, if not well, for this location. He was wearing a pair of dress pants, white shirt, and highly polished dress shoes. His clothing was in good repair if not just strangely cut and looked strange by comparison.

The girl returned with a large tankard of ale, and was off into the swirl of busy servers once again. John picked up the tankard and sipped a little. It was actually quite good. It had a slightly nutty taste, which startled him, but the after-taste was excellent.

As he drank, he looked around and noticed that when someone was finished with, or wanted a refill of their drink, they just held it up. Quicker than he could believe, a girl came by, and took the empty away or returned with it refilled.

Shortly his serving girl was back, and he drained his tankard and handed it to her as she dropped off a platter of bread, and a huge bowl of steaming stew. His stomach growled as he smelled it.

He picked up the spoon, a wooden one of good make, and sampled the stew, cautiously. It was very good indeed! He broke off a chunk of bread and dunked it into the thick stew and ate that piece of bread. His mouth watered as he ate, it was that good!

He looked around some more for his men, but did not see them. Most likely the servants ate in a separate area, perhaps in back or outside of the Inn. He concentrated on eating and drinking. He noticed he was getting a slight buzz from the ale. He decided this would be his last ale 'till he got back to Foxworth. It was a very potent brew.

He asked the girl the name of the ale, and was told it was called 'Summer's Gold'. He was going to have to check to see if he had that in his cellars in any of his homes. It was an extremely good ale, and he liked it. He was determined to find the supplier, and order a few kegs of the ale, if he could. It was that good.

He took the notebook out of his pocket and a pen, and wrote the name down and the quantity he wanted to order. Just before he put the notebook away, he noticed he had almost filled it, and remembered that this was his last notebook. He sighed to himself as he put it away, as well as his pen.

He concentrated on finishing his stew, while taking an occasional sip of his ale. He thought about his upcoming visit to the court. He hoped that by the time he returned to Foxworth, Cal would have gotten him an appointment with one of his neighbors. He had considered visiting his closest neighbors anyway, in a 'get to know you' type of visit.

He was finally finished with his meal and pushed the debris aside and was daydreaming, when someone came up to his table.

"I could not help but notice your clothing marks you as an outlander. Might I ask where you are from?" The man asked.

John got to his feet, and looked the man over carefully but quickly, giving him the once over. The stranger was dressed in the height of fashion for the nobles and carried himself well.

"Please, take a seat," John said, gesturing towards the empty chairs at his table.

"I am Count Valmard Treff. You are?" the Count asked while seating himself.

"I am Baron John Belinty. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, my Lord," John responded.

The others face lit with recognition.

"But I have heard of you, Sir! I had meant to ride out to your home at Foxworth and introduce myself to you. This is a stroke of fortune," the Count said.

John cocked at eye at his guest. He was curious about this Count, all of a sudden.