Free The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla Page A

Castle.”
    The wounded man tried to lift himself. “Brother—!” he said. Then he fell back and was still.
    Shan’s father bent over the man and looked into his face. He cried out, “Lionel!” His voice shook with excitement. He said to Shan, “This knight is my brother. I am sure of it. Shan, this is your Uncle Lionel. After these many years, your Uncle Lionel has come home!”

UNCLE LIONEL

2
    Shan had heard many tales of his uncle. Now he wanted to hear more. “Tell me about my Uncle Lionel,” he said to his father.
    â€œWait until he is strong,” said Lord Weldon, “and he will tell you himself.”
    Shan asked his mother, “Will you tell me about my uncle?”
    â€œI never knew him well,” she said. “He sailed from England long before you were born. He was wild when he was a boy. He was never a kind and gentle knight, and he was never as brave as your father.”
    â€œDid he live here at Weldon Castle?” asked Shan.
    â€œNo,” said Lady Marian. “He had a castle of his own, but he sold it and quickly spent the money. Then he went away to France and Spain and other far places.”
    â€œDo you think he will tell me about those far places?” asked Shan.
    â€œHe may,” said his mother, “when he is strong again.”
    Every day Shan sat for a while by Lionel’s bed. Most of the time his uncle slept. When he looked about him, his eyes were bright with fever and he knew no one.
    But one morning, when he woke, the fever was gone from his eyes. He looked at Shan.
    â€œWhy do you sit there?” he asked.
    Shan looked at him in surprise.
    â€œWhy do you sit and look at me?” cried Lionel. “Speak, you young dog!”

    Shan jumped to his feet. “I am no dog. I am the son of Lord Weldon.”
    â€œYou lie! My brother has no son.”
    â€œI do not lie, and you have no right to say so!” Shan turned and walked out of the room.
    On the stairs he met his father.
    â€œI’ll sit with my uncle no more,” he said.
    â€œWhy?” asked Lord Weldon. “What has he done?”
    â€œHe called me a dog,” said Shan. “He said I was no son of yours.”
    â€œHe said those things to you? Then my brother must be better,” said Lord Weldon, and he ran upstairs.
    Shan went outside. He was so angry he felt warm all over. No one had ever talked to him before as his uncle had talked to him just now.
    He went to the stone trough near the castle gate. It was the trough where the horses were watered. He put his head down into it. The water cooled his face.
    He saw Nappus sitting by the wall. He started across the courtyard to sit beside him, but before he got there, someone called his name.
    It was Lord Weldon calling from the window of Lionel’s room. “Come, Shan!”
    Shan did not want to go, but he knew he must obey his father. He walked slowly back toward the castle.
    Inside he found his father and Lionel laughing and talking together.
    â€œThis is a great day for us all,” said Lord Weldon. “Your uncle can sit up. He can talk and laugh again. See how much better he is?”
    â€œYes, Father,” said Shan.
    â€œYou must not be angry at the things he said. That was only a joke.”
    â€œYes,” said Lionel. “It was only a joke. Take my hand.”
    Shan went to the bed and took his uncle’s hand.
    â€œWe must be friends,” said Lionel. “Here, let me look at you. How old are you?”
    â€œEleven, sir,” said Shan.
    â€œAnd what do you wish to be when you are a man?”
    â€œA knight,” said Shan.
    â€œGood!” said Lionel. “I can teach you all the things a knight should know. How to ride, how to use a lance and sword—”
    â€œMy father is teaching me those things,” said Shan.
    â€œI’ll teach you even more,” said Lionel. “We can start today.”
    Lord Weldon spoke