Page 16 of Chivalry in the Meadow
“Well, yes, but I’m not feeling ready for an adventure just yet,” Mia said. “I’ve taken in a lot, and I haven’t had any rest since I got off work.”
“We’ve only got an hour before Finn’s fire show,” Lilly said. “He’s expecting us to be there. We can always call it a night afterward, if you still want to.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” Mia nodded. As their host, they should go to all his fire shows each night to show their support. “I’m looking forward to his show. I’ve never seen fire breathing. I’ll be ready after a short rest. Just need to gather myself together.”
When they reached Finn’s tent, he was just leaving to go prepare for his fire show.
“Looking for me?” he asked.
“Mia wants to freshen up before we head back out,” Lilly said.
“Oh, right. Porta potties are over there,” he pointed. “And I’ve got a water tub and soap in the tent, and cold-water bottles in the cooler. It’s okay to bring a water bottle to the show. They’re selling food and drink nearby as well, if you want that.”
“Thanks,” Lilly said.
“Here,” he grabbed a map out of his pants pocket and handed it to her.
“I already have a map,” she said. “They gave it to me when we came in.”
“I circled my stage on this one, so you can find it,” he said.
“Perfect,” Lilly said as she looked at the place he’d circled.
“I’ve got to go now,” he said. “See you at the show.”
“See you there!” Lilly said.
They went into his tent and sat down, after Lilly fished two water bottles out of the cooler. “Finn is the best,” she said. “I was getting thirsty.” She handed a water bottle to Mia.
“Me too,” Mia said. “You’re lucky to have such a nice cousin.” She took the bottle and drank down half her water with a thirst she hadn’t realized was so strong.
“Yes, I am,” Lilly said.
Mia put the lid back on her water bottle and laid it down on her cot carefully. She looked up at the tent ceiling, as MissusMcCullers’s reading ran through her mind along with images of the handsome knights on their steeds. Remembering how their gazes felt upon her.
“You’re quiet,” Lilly said. “Feeling all right?”
“Feeling all sorts of things,” Mia said. “Too many to sort out right now.”
“Hmm,” Lilly sat on her cot and pulled out her phone. “Twenty minutes for us to nap. You’ve been on the go since you got home from work. I think we need to pace ourselves. It’s only the first night and we have two more nights to go.”
“You’re right,” Mia said. “I was up early. A nap sounds good.”
“Setting the timer now,” Lilly said. “No more talking.”
Lilly closed her eyes, and taking long slow breaths, hoped to get a nap in. If her mind would slow down enough.
Sounds from the Ren Faire in the distance caught her ears attention, and she listened.
It was quieter here, with Finn’s tent being on the end of the row, the quietest spot.
She must have dozed, for soon, Lilly was shaking her shoulder gently, saying, “Wake up Sleeping Beauty, your handsome knight awaits.”
At that, Mia opened her eyes. “Which one?” she asked.
“Which knight?” Lilly smiled. “Which one do you want? Did you dream of one?”
“Sir Cedric, I think,” Mia said. “Though I didn’t dream of him, or any of the others. I was zonked. Really needed that twenty-minute nap.”
