Page 43 of Chivalry in the Meadow
“Oh, I don’t blame you,” Lilly said. “Yes, keep your equipment locked up. I expect you would need to do that anyway.”
Mia now watching the herald, noted his gaze landed on her briefly, before looking away. His gaze made her uneasy in a queasy sort of way.
“Prepare for the third pass!” the herald announced.
The field grew hushed. Even the banners seemed to still in the wind.
Mia caught her breath. There was something here that she ought to know.
But she was too wound tight. A knowing would only come when she relaxed enough.
The rivalry between Sir Cedric and Sir Alaric was no longer subtle.
Everyone in the crowd could feel it, and the tension built like a bowstring drawn taut.
The trumpet called.
The knights charged. This time there was no flourish, no play for the crowd.
Sir Cedric drove with fierce determination, his lance aimed to unseat his rival.
Sir Alaric lowered his weapon with deadly precision, every line of his body bent toward impact.
The collision rang like a clap of thunder. Splinters flew in a golden spray.
Sir Cedric’s lance shattered against Sir Alaric’s breastplate.
Sir Alaric’s lance struck Sir Cedric’s shield and broke through, driving him sideways in the saddle.
For a breathless instant, it seemed Sir Cedric would fall.
Gasps rippled through the stands. The white knight could not fail. The populace was rooting for him.
Then with a desperate surge, he righted himself, still astride, though barely.
The herald rushed forward, raising his arms. “A draw!” he cried.
The crowd roared approval, though disappointment echoed too. Many had hoped to see a clear victor.
Sir Cedric swept off his helm, tossing his blond hair back with a grin, as if he’d planned it all along. He flashed Mia a wink that sent a ripple of cheers through the stands. It was as if he had singled her out as his lady.
Sir Alaric removed his helm as well, his dark gaze finding hers. There was no grin, no triumph in his expression. Only the steady, unflinching weight of a man who would never play for the crowd, but for the truth.
Mia’s heart thudded painfully in her chest.
Between the knight of gold and the knight of shadow, she couldn’t say which one unsettled her more. And now that she’d been singled out, the strange herald and the crowd were watching her too.
He face heated, uncomfortable with all the attention.
Sir Cedric however was eating it up.
The knights would tilt again and the third Jousting session in early evening. Now they would dismount, remove their armor and care for their horses.
“Ready to go meet them?” Finn asked. “I can see that you both need a nudge in that direction. You’re still wearing your hair ribbons!”
“Why, yes, I am,” Lilly said. “Were you planning to go other there with us?”
“I certainly can,” he said. “I’ve nothing further until it gets dark again. Let us walk.” He gave them both and arm to hold so he could escort them. “Ladies, are you ready?”
