The Old Tower In The Clearing

THE OLD TOWER IN THE CLEARING

Sir Mulberry Crane raised one gauntleted hand to halt the hunting party behind him.

Odds bodkins! I thought that tower had fallen to wrack and ruin years ago! Why when I was a lad...” he turned to shout back at his comrades. His oldest friend rode up and stared at the crumbling edifice.

“Excuse me my lords, I believe I can see a face in the window,” interrupted the second huntsman.

“Eh what? Let’s have a look. Perhaps they are trapped inside,” Crane suggested.

Hunting had been unexciting, so the party followed him to the tower.

The entire party dismounted and stared up at the small window.

“Shall I hail the tower,” Crane wondered.

Cupping his hands over his mouth, the nobleman shouted.

“Are you in trouble? Do you need help?”

A piece of string began descending from the window. A page brought what dangled on the end of it to Sir Crane. He stared at the jewel in disbelief.

“Annabelle my love! What are you doing in there?” the nobleman roared as he and his friends stormed the door.

With great effort, they forced the blocked door and climbed a rubble pile to get to the window area. Tenderly, Crane helped his new wife down and out of the tower. She was helped onto his horse in front of him and they returned home to the manor as fast as was possible, with four women travelling with them.

The story came out gradually. The women had been coming home from visiting Lady Hashley, when a storm overtook them.

“The tower was the closest shelter, Mulberry, but not safe at all,” his wife sobbed.

“I shall have it torn down, my love!”

“I would rather you repaired it, for other stranded travelers,” she insisted.