The Silver Falcon by Katia Fox

which was an almost certain sign that it would rain soon. The little forest that covered the hill was not far from the falconry, but when the first fat drop of rain fell, Robert feared he would be soaked through in a few steps.
    Cautiously, he slithered down the slope. He had started his climb at a different point, where it was not as steep and stony. Before he reached the path, though, he tripped on a root and fell the last part of the way.
    He landed, heart pounding, against the trunk of a magnificent hornbeam. His sleeve was torn and his elbow was bleeding. Tears burned in his eyes. He did not notice the gash on his face until he wiped the tear away with his sleeve. His father must not see him crying. Logan would not mind a torn sleeve half as much as weeping.
    As he stood up, Robert heard horses approaching. He stayed close to the hornbeam to let the riders pass, since the path was narrow. It was not until they got closer that Robert recognized Odon and the young de Aston. It was already too late to get out of their way. Odon reined in his horse and leaped down.
    “What is it, Odon?” asked de Aston as he, too, came to a halt.
    “Well, if it isn’t our little friend.” Odon pointed at Robert, sneering with malice. “All alone in the woods?”
    Robert knew Odon well enough to know what would happen next. The villagers held their breaths with fear when Sir Ralph’s nephew rode through the streets in the company of his friends. He did not hesitate to humiliate anyone he could, with mockery or even blows. Although this time he was accompanied by only the young de Aston, the most harmless of his friends, Robert guessed that Odon would think up something degrading, and he felt his knees go weak.

    William ran across the meadow toward the little forest. Although he scarcely had the time, he had started running again, and his stamina and form had both improved.
    The clouds building up to the north looked very threatening. Logan had sent him off to find Robert before the storm broke. They had had an argument about the hounds a few days before and had not spoken since, but that did not matter now. William heard the first rumblings of thunder. He had no desire to be struck by lightning. He ran up the slope and took a shortcut over a bank. He heard voices and laughter, and he ducked down. You couldn’t be too careful. All manner of villainy lurked in the woods.
    The voices were coming from the path, so he crept closer. Hidden behind a bush, he could see Odon and another squire. They were walking toward a third whom William could not see because his view was blocked by a horse’s hindquarters. William moved in order to see who was standing between Odon and the other squire. Robert! William was about to show himself and call him, when he saw Odon give Robert a shove.
    “Go on then—show us your little pizzle,” he taunted Robert.
    “Yes, out with it,” cried the other one, laughing.
    Robert, his face flushed, refused.
    “Ah, he doesn’t want to, the poor little fellow.” Odon grabbed a bare branch off the ground. “Do it. Or do you need help?” He poked Robert with the stick and laughed loudly.
    William reached for his belt. Fortunately, he had his slingshot with him. He looked for a suitable stone. It would not be difficult to hit him. Odon was no farther away than the songbirds he brought down almost every day. William found a stone, placed it in the strap fastened between the stubby forks, pulled the strap taut, aimed, and fired.
    Odon collapsed to the ground without a word.
    His rosy-cheeked friend held his sides with laughter when he realized that Odon had been laid out by a simple stone.
    Robert, meanwhile, did not spot William until he emerged from his hiding place, crossed the path, and gave one of the horses a hefty slap on the rump, making it gallop away as if the devil were in pursuit.
    “Hey,” shouted the squire as the second horse panicked and followed hard on the heels of the first. He threw up his