After settling the 10 would-be knights brought by Isabelle, Viscount Darlington's eldest son, Joseph Swift, inquired about Ernest Walton from the army personnel stationed in the castle's inner square. To his surprise, Ernest was now a well-known would-be knight in Viscount Carlisle's army. Precisely, he had been given a special right in the army of Viscount Carlisle: the standard-bearer.

The standard-bearer is usually the bravest, strongest, and battle-tested soldier in the army. The German aristocracy sent their sons into the army from an early age in order to train them to be officers in the army. Because they were born into aristocratic families, they held the position of flag bearers in the army, so they were called "noble sons of flag bearers".

A good example is this: Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, was Sir William Brandon, the standard-bearer of Henry VII, the second but only surviving son of Sir William. Due to his father's special relationship with Henry VII in the army, the Duke of Suffolk was Henry VIII's playmate from an early age.

With his playmate with Henry VIII, the Duke of Suffolk successively served as the Keeper of the Royal Seals, the President of the Privy Council and the Minister of the Interior, and became a very important member of the Royal Council. His only surviving child, Frances Brandon, was the mother of Jane Gray, the future "Queen of the Nine".

It can be seen that the standard-bearer is almost the nobleman's deputy and closest partner in the army. As long as he does not die in battle, the future of this standard-bearer will be a bright one, and he will be rewarded with the power, status, and wealth that ordinary nobles can only dream of.

Ernest's ability to serve as Viscount Carlisle's standard-bearer is of course closely linked to his family background, his father's position and power. But, on the other hand, it shows that he is a brave and excellent would-be knight with a lot of combat experience.

Joseph had to take Ernest Walton's role as the standard-bearer, and he feared that Isabel would be disappointed. However, Isabel's mood that may become bad will affect his mood, and he is extremely reluctant to see his favorite Isabel become sad and sad.

The eldest son of the viscount thought about it, and had to hesitate to come to the main building of Pontefrekett Castle, which was defended alone. He planned to consult his uncle, Viscount Carlyle, before consulting with his uncle's standard-bearer, Ernest. Outside the parlor of the main building, he found the northern nobles, knights, squires, and clergy who had participated in the petition in the parlor.

Standing outside the open door guarded by two armed sergeants, he searched the people in the parlor with his eyes. As he shifted his gaze from that of his father, Viscount Darlington, to that of Viscount Carlisle, he stumbled upon Ernest Walton standing not far behind Viscount. Dressed in quasi-lancer armor and holding the hilt of the Cross Knight's sword at his waist, Ernest looked intently at the people present.

At this moment, a servant of Baron Darcy I quietly came to his side, bowed and whispered, "Sir, Your Excellency Joseph Swift wants to see you. ”

Ernest, who was good-looking, majestic and calm, turned his head and glanced at the servant: "Now?" ”

"Yes, sir, Your Excellency said there was an urgent matter for you."

"Well, where is Your Excellency?"

"Right outside the door."

When Ernest Walton followed the servant to the door of the parlor, he caught a glimpse of Joseph standing across the hallway. He hurriedly stepped forward and saluted and said, "Your Excellency, it is my honor to meet you. ”

When Joseph had let the servants go, he whispered, "Sir, let's talk here." ”

The two of them stood five or six paces away from the meeting room, and Joseph smiled and said, "Sir, I didn't expect you to be Lord Carlisle's standard-bearer at such a young age. I believe that soon you will be canonized as an official knight. ”

Ernest said modestly: "Your Excellency, my ability to serve as a standard-bearer is inseparable from the trust of the lord. ”

"How? Staying in the castle closest to the Highlanders, is there a sense of tension and excitement every day, and the idea of fighting the Highlanders at any time? ”

"Your Excellency, I have the idea of fighting, but I don't always make myself nervous."

"Sir, have you ever thought about your loved ones at home after being away from home for so long?" Joseph slowly brought the conversation to his relatives.

"That's for sure. However, I am a would-be knight loyal to my lord, and guarding the borders of the kingdom is the most important thing in my life. Ernest spoke with great sincerity, and he wanted everyone to think that he was a knight with a chivalrous spirit, even though he was only a would-be knight now.

Joseph had no problem with his reply, but said in an accentuated tone: "Sir, I appreciate everything you have done to defend the kingdom. Suppose at this time, a relative of yours comes to Lord Dassy's castle and wants to see you, would you like to see your relative? ”

As soon as the words fell, the standard-bearer stared at him with wide eyes: "Your Excellency, what you said is true?" Is it my father, or is it ......? ”

In Ernest's mind, probably only his father, Sir Augustine, would have ridden a horse from the manor for hours to visit him. Joseph deliberately frowned and whispered, "Sir, I remember that you are not the only one in your family who can ride a horse. ”

"That's right, and Isabel and Euphemia."

"Sir, if you want to see your loved ones, leave here with me."

The standard-bearer hesitated and whispered, "Your Excellency, however, the lord is in a meeting with the others, and I fear that the lord will not agree to my early departure. ”

Joseph laughed: "It's okay, your lord is my uncle, he will agree." ”

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When Joseph's sister and Ernest's sister Isabel were still walking casually in the detention center, Isabel raised her head and looked up at the two watchtowers on the left and right sides of the south side of the detention center, and asked Caroline: "Carly, are the sergeants on these two watchtowers also in charge of guarding the hostages?" ”

Caroline nodded: "Yes, there is another reason for the fear of hostage abuse. ”

Isabel glanced again at Mrs. Latimer, who was playing with her children in the clearing, and whispered, "Carrie, I am here today to bring you home. Now, would you rather go home or continue to take care of these ladies and children? ”

Caroline smiled and glanced at her, "It seems boring to stay in the manor and castle all day, and you can meet some friends like you here, right?" ”

Isabel said with a serious expression: "But don't you think there is anything wrong with this petition movement launched by Robert with the northern nobles, knights, squires, clergy and many people?" ”

"I also don't think this method of rallying the army and the people to petition is very good. But there doesn't seem to be a better way than that. ”