Page 17 of Chivalry in the Meadow
In her mind’s eye, Sir Cedric seemed the white knight in shining armor on a white horse. The one she was most likely to dream about. Though one could never tell with dreams.
“Heishandsome,” Lilly nodded. “And youdidcatch his attention.”
“Yes,” Mia said. “Their horses are all huge, and the knights seem large and intimidating while riding them. I wonder if they’ll seem different when down on the ground on our level.”
“They’re all quite tall,” Lilly said. “None appear short. And all are fit.”
“Yes,” Mia nodded. “They are.”
“Let’s watch my cousin’s performance, and then see if any of the knights are about, now that we know their horses will be in the barn for the evening. We could ask them about seeing the horses tomorrow. That would be a good conversation starter.”
“Do you suppose they take care of their own horses?” Mia cocked her head to the side. “Or are the horses borrowed, like we’ve borrowed these dresses?”
“That would be a good question to ask,” Lilly said. “I’ll ask about where the horses and about seeing them, and you ask who takes care of them.”
Mia nodded.
“Feeling more rested?” Lilly asked. “Got your second wind?”
“Yes,” Mia said.
“Let’s get going,” Lilly said. “it’s a bit of a walk, and we want to be sure of getting seats.”
Mia drank down the rest of her water bottle and then said, “I’m ready.”
They left the tent and found it much darker outside.
The moon had slipped behind a cloud. Tiki torches lit the merchant areas for the public, but back here, where the entertainers lived, it remained dark, and the tents seemed to be empty.
“It’s too early for people to be going back to their tents,” Lilly said. “They’ll all still be working, or maybe having a pint in the pub. I think I’ll find us a flashlight after the show.”
“That’s a good idea,” Mia said. “Maybe we can ask Finn where we can get one.”
“I’ll ask him,” Lilly said. “He might even have one in his tent. I just didn’t see one.”
When they neared the first Tiki torch at the edge of the public area, Lilly stopped to look at the map again and get her bearings. “This way,” she said, and Mia followed her directions.
The air buzzed with the scent of roasting meat, and the faint tang of woodsmoke as Mia and Lilly wound their way through the crowded fairgrounds.
Music drifted from the nearby minstrel’s stage, but the deeper hum of voices drew them toward a roped-off circle, where a small crowd was gathering.
Dressed in leather breeches, and a loose white shirt rolled at the sleeves, he moved with the sure confidence of someone who owned the space. At his feet lay an assortment of strange tools; long steel rods, capped torches, and a battered brass jug that sloshed when he shifted it.
They sat on a wooden bench nearby.
Finn’s stage was lit by two tall torches on each side, and it appeared he was nearly ready.
“Do you ever wonder if we just... missed the part where our real life started?” Mia asked.
Lilly threw her a sideways glance. “What do you mean?”
“I spend my spare time at home reading about romance, true love, and magic,” Mia said.
“Yes, but what’s wrong with that?” Lilly smiled. “That’s so you.”
“The rest of my time is spent looking at people’s checking accounts, and bill payments.”
“And that part is the real life that isn’t so you,” Lilly said.
