Note: This piece was written for my sophomore (or just possibly freshman) English class. It’s the work of a young person and is both derivative and sentimental. Tolkien is a strong influence on it (the horn); even stronger is Jane Porter’s The Scottish Chiefs, a book I loved as a young teen with its picture of selfless knighthood. Arthurian legend is obviously an influence as well. Wholly absent is any Internet influence (compare this post-Internet piece from two years later), while obviously present is the earnest Christian faith in which I was reared. (DL, Sept. 19, 2021)

Thomas Somersby was the third son of Lord Peter Somersby, a minor baron with few vassals, and fewer knights. His eldest brother stood to inherit the family property and his second brother was preparing for the priesthood, so at the age of eight Thomas began training for the knighthood.

At fifteen, he was made a page, and sent to the castle of his uncle, Lord Roundhall for further training. At their parting, Lord Peter gave his son a horn and said to him, “Thomas, I give to you the horn of the house of Somersby. I have chosen, as did my fathers before me, the son I felt most worthy of this honor. Wind it only in mortal danger, and never part with it for it is a thing of legend.” On his eighteenth birthday, he received his silver spurs and become the squire of Sir Darren Foebane. Six months later, in a skirmish with Saxon invaders, Thomas Somersby received his baptism of fire.