Page 61 of Chivalry in the Meadow
“You think I’m naïve,” she said, while telling herself that yes, she had been naïve.
“I think you wanted to believe in the illusion,” he said. “Everyone does, once.”
They stood in silence as she took that in and decided he was right.
The masquerade continued, all the people in masks dancing, talking, drinking. She watched them and then said, “You’ve never worn one, have you? A mask? The kind that people show to the world when they are really someone else.”
“No.” He shook his head. “It’s not in my nature to play such games. I am who I am,” he said. “For good or for bad. But I have worn regret.”
He reached around to his side, pulled out a small dagger, flipped its point toward him and reached it out to offer it to her.
“Take this,” he said. “You might need it. Glamours can deceive the eyes, but cold iron cuts through. And there are dangers in the night for ladies who insist on walking alone.”
She looked down at the dagger in her hand. “I’ve never had a knife,” she said. “Other than my kitchen knives. I wouldn’t know what to do with it. And I have nowhere to carry it.”
“Many ladies carry one upon a belt, or in a purse,” he said. “Some hide them about their person in their dress.”
“I can’t keep your knife,” she said.
“It’s but one of many,” he said. “I collect knives. And there is an old wives’ tale which may or may not be true. That you must never give someone a knife, but you can allow them to buy it from you.”
“Sir Alaric, may I bestow my favor on you,” she said, touching the ribbon holding her hair back. “It’s only a ribbon, but I would be honored if you would wear it in the lists.”
“I am most honored Lady Mia,” he bowed down on one knee. “And will wear it to honor you.”
She handed him the knife and then reached back and untied her hair ribbon. Then she held it out to him.
Instead of taking it, he held out his arm for her to tie the ribbon around and waited while he did so before rising.
“I will protect you and your honor from this day forth,” he said and then took her hand. “You are under my protection now, and all here will see this and know it.”
Her heart leaped at his words.
Goodness, she thought.I had no idea the giving of favors would be such a serious thing.
“Thank you, milord,” she said.
It was exciting to have her own knight to protect her.
He rose and offered her the knife again. The seriousness in his face made her wonder why he was worried about her.
She took the knife and then held it in her hand, not sure what else to do with it. “Can you,” she paused. “Can you keep it for me for now and may we dance?”
“Of course,” he said with a smile.
She liked him ever so much more when he smiled.
He took the dagger back, placed it in his belt and held out his hand. “Milady, would you care to dance?”
***
That night, in her tent, Mia removed her mask & stared into her own eyes in the mirror.
She wasn’t sure which unsettled her more: the growing danger...
Or how much she wanted to believe in Sir Alaric.
In her sleeping bag, Mia couldn’t sleep. She opened her book to read. But it had changed.
