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"I hear you," growled Jim, licking the blood from his cut lip, "but listen to
me, Brian. I, and nobody else, am going to fight him!"
"James, if you love me " Brian was beginning, as Jim pushed him aside, strode
forward, and reached down to scoop up Sir Hugh's glove. He held it firmly in
his hands and grinned bloodily at Sir Hugh.
"I accept this challenge in my own right, in God's name!' he said, using the
formula that he had learned from Sir Brian months ago.
Chapter Forty-Four
The common folk were delighted. There was going to be a circus after all. Or,
if not a circus, the next thing to it, which was an official combat between
two knights, one of which was their own Lord, Sir James, who stood high in
their affection.
People like themselves ordinarily never had a chance to see any such legal
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combat. This would be something to tell their grandchildren about; even
though, under the circumstances, most of the usual procedure involved in such
a combat would be missing.
The important element remained, that two knights were about to hack in deadly
fashion at each other in front of all spectators; and the winner would be
adjudged to have been chosen by God to have the right on his side.
Two temporary tents had been put up; not so much for preparation of the two
knights to be so engaged, or provisioned for quick surgery, or whatever other
crude medical help could be given either one if they were specially wounded,
but to follow the pattern of such things.
As a result, Brian had Jim by himself for a little bit, and during that time
in the tent was busily giving him instructions on how to fight the battle.
"You were a fool James, to pick up that gauntlet," he said. "But there, let
it be. Clearly it was God's will that you and you alone should fight Sir Hugh
at this time instead ofmyself ."
Brian crossed himself.
"No one has greater faith in the Divine Will thanmyself ," he said, "but you
will need something like a miracle, James, to win this with Sir Hugh. Now,
attend me closely."
Jim's initial fury had calmed down. He still was coldly determined to go out
and do the best he could to chop Sir Hugh into little pieces, but he was now
calm enough to recognize the common sense in what Brian was saying and be
ready to listen.
He was only too aware of his own inadequacies as far as being able to handle
the weapons of the fourteenth century; and he most thoroughly believed Brian,
when the other told him that Sir Hugh would be a very accomplished opponent to
meet.
"Go ahead, Brian," he said, having cleaned his face with a wet cloth. The
tooth was not quite as loose as he thought it might be. Hopefully, it would
grow solidly back into its socket. "I'm ready to hear anything you've got to
tell me. So go ahead. What's the best way for me to fight him?"
"Good, James," said Brian. "Going into such a battle all hot and unthinking
is the worst way to do it. Sir Hugh will certainly not be hotheaded when he
steps out there, and neither should you be. Now, let's look at the situation
as it stands. You are a novice, in spite of a few small bickers like the one
at the relieving of my castle. To all intents and purposes, you should be a
plaything in Hugh's hands. However, he is not without his own faults, which
you may find advantage in."
"For example?" asked Jim,
"I was just about to list them," said Brian. "Let's look first at what we
have. You've little skill with weapons, but you're both young and strong. Sir
Hugh has great skill with weapons, and is also strong, but somewhat older.
Also he is twenty-five to thirty pounds heavier. Much of that will be in
muscle which is a reason for you to avoid his blows as much as possible but
some will be fat. Finally, we have your one main advantage, which is that you
are unusually quick of movement. James, by sheer movement, you may evade most
of his blows, or even draw Sir Hugh into a trap where his sword will be out of
position and you will be in position to strike."
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