Page 53 of Chivalry in the Meadow
Lilly shivered. “It wasn’t nothing,” she murmured, when the knights were out of earshot. “Whatever it was… it touched me with its tail. Some kind of animal is loose.”
Before Mia could respond, the herald’s horn blew for the next match, and the crowd swept them toward the fence again.
But as she turned, she caught sight of the great horned owl once more, circling above the tents, silent against the blazing blue sky, keeping an eye on the people below.
They headed back to Finn’s tent to prepare for tonight’s masquerade ball and ran into Finn returning from it. “I borrowed a mirror for you,” he said. “And have to have it back to Missus McCullers in the morning. And there are two fresh party gowns for you to wear tonight.”
“How lovely,” Lilly said.
“What a nice surprise,” Mia said. “Thank you, Finn.”
Inside the tent was a wooden mirror on a stand one of the ones from Missus McCullers costume shop. And the new gowns fit perfectly. A yellow one for Lilly and a green one for Mia.
Mia stared at herself in the mirror. She hardly recognized herself.
Her mask, a filigree of black and gold, curled like wings over her green eyes.
The green dress was a becoming shade and highlighted her wavy red hair which spilled down over her shoulders, like a waterfall, catching the lantern’s light.
“Knights, beware,” Lilly said, stepping beside her, wearing the moon mask.
Her yellow dress was the perfect shade for her, with her brown skin and brown eyes,
“Why?” Mia asked.
“We’re dangerous tonight.” Lilly winked which made Mia laugh.
“I don’t feel dangerous,” she said.
“But you are,” Lilly insisted. “And one or more knights is in danger - of losing his heart.”
At that, Mia smiled.
They stepped out of the tent and went toward the fair. On the way they would pass the knights circle.
A fire was already blazing and across from the fire from each other, Sir Cedric and Sir Rowan were already needling each other, their rivalry spilling past the earlier competition in the lists. Sir Rowan’s red and black tunic caught the ladies attention each time he gestured sharply; his voice clipped.
“Some of us win with skill,” Sir Rowan said, “not by charming the judges from a saddle.”
Sir Cedric’s grin sharpened. “Some of us don’t need charm to beat our opponents, though it helps with the company afterward.” He turned to Mia as she and Lilly had drawn closer and winked.
A sudden rustle cut through the laughter. Dry grass shifting just beyond the tree line. The sound was too quick, too deliberate to be the wind.
Sir Rowan rose, scanning the tree line.
“Probably a hedgehog,” he said, though his eyes stayed on the tree line longer than seemed casual.
Sir Alaric didn’t move, but his hand brushed the hilt of the sword lying at his side. “Hedgehogs don’t watch,” he murmured.
Mia glanced toward the sound and caught a glint. Two points of reflected firelight low to the ground.
But when she blinked, they were gone.
“You ladies look lovely,” Sir Cedrick had turned his full attention to them. “I hope to see you at the ball.”
“We will be there, “Lilly said. “After we dine.”
“Excellent,” he replied.
