by Joyce Lavene
“Let me get your helmet,” I said. “Sorry this is such a rush job. I’ll have your armor shining before the next match.”
“Where are your shoes?” He glanced at my feet.
“I had to ditch the heels and forgot the boots.” I shrugged. “I’ll be fine. It’s just dirt and sand.”
“And heavy hoofs,” he added. “Find something you can wear. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I won’t.” I handed him his gauntlets. “You have to be on the field right now. Let me worry about my feet. Good luck.”
There wasn’t time to ask the other squires if they had any smaller boots they could loan me. I got Chase out of the dressing room and on his horse before I handed him his sword. His lances would be out on the field. I’d give them to him as needed.
He was jousting against Sir Reginald, one of the older knights who was a royal favorite. He was the only knight who lived at the castle besides Chase. In my Village, he’d had a heart attack after jousting with Chase and had gone into semi-retirement, working as a sort of majordomo at the castle. His daughter actually became the first female jouster—a title I had coveted years before but had been denied.
Of course that didn’t seem to be the case now. There sat Sir Reginald beside the grandstand, his squire carrying his standard.
I grabbed Chase’s standard on my way to the field. It held a great lion on a field of green. I pushed it into his station where I would wait for him and his lances were kept.
Our side of the field was full with spectators who shouted Huzzah! loudly as he took the field. He held his broadsword before him and smiled into the sun. He never put on his helm, as Sir Reginald had, until his fans had a chance to see his face.
Chase’s cheerleader was more focused on watching him than leading her spectators to boo his opponent. She was besotted like all the other females, including me. Even Sir Reginald’s cheerleader had accidentally led her people into cheering for Chase.
This wasn’t the King’s or Queen’s Joust, so neither of them was present in the grandstands. I saw Princess Isabelle up there with her court of followers. Her eyes were pinned on me instead of Chase.
I wasn’t wearing the dark-rimmed glasses, but it was still likely that she recognized me from the police station. That meant she would give Chase hell when they saw each other again in private. I was sorry for that, in a way. On the other hand, I planned to steal him from her as I had years before in my Village. Maybe this was a way to let her know I was after him.
Lord Dunstable was still dropping the kerchief to begin the joust from the grandstand. Another older knight, he only performed this function at the King’s Feast in my world, but I understood he’d once done it at every joust in the Village. Strange, the things that were the same and those that were different. How much was affected by my wish for Chase not to be Bailiff?
There was no time to ruminate over the answers. I handed Chase his helm and took the sword from him. I gave him a lance and then stepped back. My feet were killing me on the rough mixture of sand, gravel, and dirt. Even the hay poked into them.
Chase was a strong jouster. Very few knights could stand against him. He’d started jousting right out of college when he’d first come to the Village. At the time, it had been the only thing he wanted to do.
The jousts were partially real in that two men on horses went at each other quickly with pointed objects in their hands. The lances were thin and mostly gave way when they hit an opponent. Sometimes there were injuries, usually from jousters falling from their mounts.
I shuddered in this case to imagine Chase knocking poor Sir Reginald from his horse. He wasn’t exactly elderly, but he wasn’t in great condition like the younger knights. Who’d set this up anyway? Even though this was a different Village, I wondered if this was the time that Sir Reginald would have a heart attack.
How could I watch and let this happen?
Answer—I couldn’t. It wasn’t me.
“Wait! Stop!” I ran between the two men, yelling and screaming like a banshee, waving my arms around. “Don’t joust.”
Sir Reginald’s horse reared up, and he lost his seat. He tumbled to the ground, but wasn’t hurt.
“You must curb your squire, Sir Knight.” His voice was loud enough to make a spectacle of it.
That was the whole point in being here.
People booed and yelled for me to leave the field. Chase stared down at me.
“What are you at, squire? Back to the station with you before I give you a good hiding.”
“Please, good Sir Knight.” I got on my knees and raised my hands to him in supplication. “Do not harm the ancient, frail knight. Allow him to go back to the castle in dignity and peace.”
“What?” Sir Reginald sounded amazed, his voice echoing from behind his helm.
Cheerleaders and spectators laughed like it was the funniest thing they’d ever heard. I didn’t care. Sir Reginald had almost died in my Village, and Chase had felt bad for weeks. There was no reason it should happen here. I could stop it.
“Get that varlet off the field,” the older knight sneered.
His cheerleader took up the chant, encouraging his fans to follow her. “Off the field. Off the field.”
I put my hand on Chase’s knee—that was as high as I could reach with him on horseback. “Please don’t let him joust.”
He raised his visor. His dark eyes were confused and curious. Yet as he was about to speak, a large cloud came up and began raining hard on us. There were deafening thunderclaps and strong winds that blew many of the banners down.
Spectators and Village residents ran to shelter. Sir Reginald’s horse bolted toward the stables. I didn’t move, wondering if this was the work of my fairy godmother. It seemed well-planned to me. Then lightning struck where Sir Reginald had been standing only a moment before. He was much faster getting off the field than I’d anticipated.
“I guess you get your wish,” Chase said. “Come on. Get up here.”
He put his hand down and pulled me on the back of his horse. We rode past his station, and I picked up his sword. I knew how important it was, made just for him.
After that, we got off the field and past the grandstand. The red and green bunting looked bedraggled in the rain. I could feel Isabelle’s eyes boring holes in me. I hoped she’d only continue being threatening without any physical complications until this was over. She had a nasty slap and sharp nails. Kind of like fighting a pretty cat.
We got off the horse in the stable as four or five other knights and jousters were leaving in disgust. Squires ran to take care of their wet animals. I knew Chase would expect the same of me—happily, no doubt, since I’d interrupted the joust.
“Be sure there’s fresh hay for him,” he instructed. “And get back to the dressing room right away. I thought you knew what you were doing out there. Squires don’t interrupt jousts.”
I was about to attempt some kind of explanation. He saved me from my whirling thoughts that made absolutely no sense. “Jessie, your feet are bleeding. I told you to find some shoes.”
“There isn’t exactly a shoe store in your dressing room,” I tartly reminded him. So that was why my feet hurt so much. “I can’t wear your boots. I know my feet probably look big enough, but they aren’t.”
“Whatever,” he growled. “Here, boy!” He called to a young knave sheltering in the barn from the storm. “Dry my horse and I’ll give you ten dollars.”
“Huzzah!” the young man yelled and took the horse’s reins.
I didn’t know why Chase was giving the boy my job. Did that mean he was done with me? I couldn’t believe I’d messed up my advantage being his squire because of Sir Reginald. I’d never even liked him. He was always so pompous and self-important.
“Let’s get back to the dressing room.”
“Chase, I—”
He bent slightly and lifted me in his arms like he’d always done, as though I weighed nothing.
“You can’t walk unti
l we take care of your feet,” he said. “Just be quiet and hang on while I gallantly resist dropping you in the horse trough. What was up with you out there anyway?”
Isabelle was standing in front of us. “You know, Chase, I think the squire is supposed to care for the knight.”
Chapter Eight
“She’s hurt.” Chase turned me so she could see my dirty, bleeding feet.
“I don’t care if she has a sword in her chest.” She glared at me. “She can walk. Put her down.”
“Isabelle, there’s nothing going on between us.” Chase smiled at her. “I’d do the same if she was a boy squire.”
“Well she’s not. People are talking. You know how I hate that.” She pouted prettily. “Let someone else take care of her, please.”
“I’ve already got her. I’m taking her back to my dressing room. You can come with us to chaperone if you like. Nothing is going to happen. Don’t worry so much.”
She glared at both of us and gritted her teeth, snapping at her attendants as a dozen parasols went up to protect her from the rain.
Chase glanced at me and sighed. “She’ll be okay. You know how she is.”
I did know how she was, and I knew this wouldn’t be the end of it. But for the moment, I was in his arms, and I meant to take full advantage of the situation. I slid my arms around his neck and pressed close to him.
“Uh, Jessie, you’re not getting the wrong idea, are you?” he asked as he walked toward the dressing room in the drizzle.
“No. I just don’t want you to drop me. I’m not exactly a lightweight.”
“You’re not a heavyweight either.” He grinned. “Can you open the door?”
I opened the door with a sweet smile. He plunked me down in a chair.
“Don’t move. Let me get my first aid kit. I can’t believe you were out there with your feet like this.”
“I’m your squire.” I made sure our eyes were on the same level. “I’d do anything for you.”
He looked skittish at that and mumbled something about finding boots before he left the dressing room. I sighed and sat back in the chair.
Ten minutes later, he was back. I loved him so much when he pulled up a short stool and first washed the bottom of my feet and then added some kind of liniment. He wouldn’t have had to work so hard—just looking at him made me feel better all over.
“These aren’t exactly regulation Ren wear.” He put white socks on my feet. “But you’ll probably need them with the boots.”
I came out of my Chase-induced love haze and realized I needed to move forward with the plan. “I have the police report about the fairy’s death. And I know they didn’t find anything incriminating when they searched your room at the castle.”
“Thanks. I’m not sure about following through on looking for the killer,” he said as he put on the half-boots that were common for peasants to wear. “If I’m in the clear, I guess it doesn’t matter.”
“But what if you don’t stay in the clear?” Thank goodness I’d brought it up. “Detective Almond is like a dog with a bone when he gets an idea. He isn’t going to stop watching you. We have to fight back, and the only way is to find the killer.”
“You’re very passionate about it,” he said. “How well do you know Detective Almond? I never met him before today. Canyon takes care of all that stuff.”
“I know.” Forgive me one little white lie. “But he thinks you might be guilty too. You read the ME’s description of the killer. It was someone strong enough to strangle the fairy with one hand while he held her underwater.”
“Yeah.” Chase wiped off his hands on a towel. “I guess you’re right. There was also the part about the fairy kicking the armor. That had to be a knight or one of the jousters. It could be me—or about a dozen other people—including Canyon. Maybe that’s why the Bailiff thinks I did it. He wants to throw suspicion off himself.”
He was finally intrigued by the situation. I’d seen it on his face a hundred times as we searched for someone who stole money from the Brotherhood of the Sheaf, an antique teapot from the Honey and Herb Shoppe, or a valuable glass statue from the Glass Gryphon. I could see he was on the trail.
“Let me get the report and you can look through it, just like old times.” Oops. The words were out before I could stop them.
Chase had been unbuckling his breast plate. He paused to stare at me.
“What? We’ve never done anything like this. Is there something about me that reminds you of Canyon?” He laughed so I knew it was okay.
I got the report out of my bag. My feet really felt a lot better. Chase had been a paramedic for a while after college. It was partially that experience that had made Adventure Land hire him as the Bailiff.
After he’d taken off his armor, I handed him a cold ale from the mini-fridge and gave him the police report. As he read it and relaxed, I cleaned his boots and polished his armor. I tidied up the room and finally paused to see how he was taking it.
“She was only twenty.” He shook his head. “If someone who lives in the Village is responsible, you’re right. We have to find him.”
Yes! The plan is in play.
He glanced at his watch. “Are your feet okay?”
“They’re fine. Don’t worry about them.”
“Good. We’ve got a few hours before the next joust. Let’s see what we can find out. Residents who live and work around the Good Luck Fountain are going to be more likely to talk to us instead of the police. That’s our advantage.”
“I’m ready to go.”
He handed me the file. “Just remember to walk a few paces behind me in public and don’t speak unless I speak to you first. We have roles to play.”
Ugh. I’d forgotten that part of being a squire or a servant.
Still it was better to be with Chase than hang around the Village without him. The murder investigation was getting started. I just needed to ramp up my romantic assault.
We walked through the Village with everyone hailing Chase as we passed Frenchy’s Fudge Shoppe and the Pleasant Pheasant, a tavern close to the Dungeon.
Canyon came out as we were going by. I hoped he wouldn’t make a big deal out of me working for Chase, but I didn’t really know him, or his responses, in either Village.
“What ho, Sir Knight,” Canyon greeted Chase but his eyes were on me. “It appears that you have a new squire.”
“Good morrow to you, Sir Bailiff,” Chase returned. “Yes. She is all that I could ask for in a servant.”
Cameras flashed as visitors on the cobblestones began to sense a Renaissance throw-down.
“And a prime bit of flesh she is too, sir.” Canyon put his hand on my butt and squeezed.
Maybe if we had really been lovers, I might have let that go, even though we were in public with pictures likely to end up on the Internet. But we weren’t lovers—not even friends. I barely knew him.
My intentions must have been obvious as I turned to him. Chase put his hand out before I could sink my knee into Canyon’s groin.
“Allow me, fair squire.” He bowed graciously to me, although a knight would never have done such a thing with a servant.
As dozens of residents and visitors watched, Chase slapped Canyon and then dropped one of his gloves on the ground. It was a challenge to a duel if Canyon picked it up.
My imaginary ex didn’t hesitate. He lifted Chase’s glove. “I believe that makes the choice of weapons mine, sir. My second will contact you.”
Both men nodded curtly at each other and set off in opposite directions.
The crowd went wild. Applause and camera flashes followed for at least five minutes until there was something else new and exciting to look at.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I whispered as we walked away. “I could’ve handled it without a duel.”
“Are you speaking to me, squire? I don’t believe I’ve spoken to you.”
“You know, he’s really good with a sword.” I didn’t really know that. I was just try
ing to protect him in case it was true. “That’s the weapon he’ll choose.”
Chase grinned. “That’s what I was hoping for. I’m not so bad with a sword myself.”
He was right, of course. He was very good with a sword. I’d never seen Canyon fight, so I didn’t know how good he was. That made me nervous. Not that they’d be fighting to the death or anything. But there were always accidents. And what if Canyon was really the fairy killer and wanted to get Chase out of the way so he could frame him for the murder?
We continued down the cobblestones to the Village Square. Detective Almond and Officer Grigg were already there. Chase had me wait at one of the benches, away from the fountain. He held out his hand to Detective Almond, already getting to know him.
“You’ve had a busy morning but well-played, my dear.” Starshine appeared on the bench beside me. “I might’ve used him working on your feet a little more to your advantage.” She shrugged and giggled. “But it went very well. He cares for you. That is obvious. He’s even willing to make his girlfriend angry for you. You and Chase are well on your way to a more personal relationship.”
“It might be better if Canyon went away,” I mumbled, hoping she might take that as a wish without me actually wishing it.
“I can’t remove him, dear. You brought him into this whole thing. He’ll remain through it.”
“Is he the killer?”
“How should I know? I’m sure it won’t be long and you and Chase will have figured out the whole thing.”
She vanished abruptly as Chase came near.
“Detective Almond is a hard nut to crack.” He sat on the bench with me. “I thought I might get him to warm up. No luck. At least I have his report. Thanks, Jessie.”
“You’re welcome. What do we do now?”
“Now we strike out on our own. The report says the fairy was killed as the Village was closing. That means most visitors were still here. I’m not sure how we’re going to be able to tell if it was a visitor or a resident that killed her.”
