ONE LAST BOW

---

So impressed was lord Smythe, that he despatched a rider to the king’s palace that very day, with a letter to the king, begging audience with him at the soonest possible moment.

Duncan was now required to wait.

He wandered about the manor, investigating the expensive treasures it held. There were many to look at, paid for in part by his own taxes to the lord. It was because of this side of things that he felt he had a small right to look at them.

The manor was three-storied, with many rooms unused. It was full of servants, who worked hard to maintain the cleanliness of the place, though hardly anyone, except the lord of the manor, had the pleasure of seeing how well-kept the numerous and remote rooms were.

At all times, a servant was watching Duncan, for was he not still just a ploughman, underneath the silks and fineries, and peasants were not to be trusted?

Two days slipped by, during which time Duncan developed a taste for wine, and he would have liked to sample every variety in the manor, but for the lack of time. Soon enough a rider approached the manor and dismounted quickly. He carried a bag with a royal seal upon it, and went to lord Smythe, in great haste.

"We leave within the hour!" cried lord Smythe not five seconds after the rider began to gallop away, "Prepare the coach!"

Everything was duly set in order, and Duncan joined lord Smythe in a fine carriage, pulled by four black horses. The carriage jiggled and bumped along the fine English road for many hours, until the evening drew on and a change of horses was placed in harness. The journey resumed, until the city of London appeared in the morning mists, and Duncan was shaken awake.

"We shall be there in one hour!" said lord Smythe.

'This be a very great honour!" said Duncan.

"It surely is," said lord Smythe, "And you must not let me down. There is much at stake here!"

"Will the king be angry because I did not go to him first?" asked Duncan.

"I think not," said lord Smythe, "For you went to the Friar, and the king is a church-man. He will forgive you. I am sure."