Page 62 of Chivalry in the Meadow
A line had been scrawled across the next page in black ink which covered up the words of the book
The knight you dream of wears a borrowed face.
Mia was finally asleep in the tent when she dreamed again. It began with the sound of hooves in the mist.
Mia stood alone in a moonlit glade. Mist curled around her bare feet. Trees loomed around her, tall and ancient.
An owl landed on a branch before her. Massive and majestic, with eyes like glowing embers.
It spoke in a deep, echoing voice.
“He wears a borrowed face. The gleam on his armor is not his own.”
Mia turned to ask what it meant. But the owl flew away.
In its place stood a knight in shadowed armor, reaching toward her with clawed hands.
She woke with a gasp, tangled in her sleeping bag.
The next morning broke in a blaze of sunlight, the festival already stirring to life. Minstrels tuned lutes in the meadow, their bright notes mingling with the ring of blacksmith hammers, and someone began playing a flute.
The scent of fresh bread drifted from the vendors’ tents as laughter carried on the breeze.
Mia and Lilly headed to the cafeteria to break their fast.
Looking about her, as they neared the food court area, Mia realized the energy was slightly off. Vendors were whispering, several of the knights they passed appeared tense.
“Something is going on,” she said.
“What?” Lilly asked.
“I don’t know, but can’t you feel it? The tension in the air.”
A knowing suddenly hit her.
Something has happened.
They passed two older women and heard the words, “Young woman missing.”
Mia’s eyes widened.
“I’ll ask Finn what’s going on,” Lilly said. “Let’s put our breakfast order in first.”
“Okay,” Mia said, and they got in the pastry and coffee line. “I can wait for it if you want to find him.”
“Thanks.” Lilly walked over to the tavern, the first place to look for him.
After Mia picked up their food and drinks, she turned to glance at the tavern.
Lilly paced near it, arms crossed, impatient. It looked like the tavern wasn’t even open. Finn appeared shortly after, they spoke and then headed toward Mia.
She found a picnic table for them, sat everything down and waited.
“Morning Mia,” Finn said.
“Morning Finn,” she said. “What’s going on?”
“A young woman is missing,” Finn said grimly as he sat down. “Her name was…”
