Page 14 of Chivalry in the Meadow (Hope Runs Deep #2)

Their pass was fierce, and the crowd gasped, as both lances splintered in perfect unison. Yet Mia couldn’t shake the image of shadows sliding, just beyond her sight.

There was some kind of animal out there, she could feel it.

She squinted to try to see better. She could almost see it.

If she looked long enough, maybe she would learn what it was. This felt important. And it was distracting her from the jousting. She was torn between the two.

The knights wheeled their mounts around, saluted one another, and then prepared for another round as fresh lances were handed up to the knights.

Between bouts, the knights rotated opponents, lances replaced with fresh ash poles as they prepared to battle again. Rivalries flared.

By the final rounds, the air was electric.

Shards of broken lances littered the lists. The men were clearly not going easy on each other, which built the excitement, and made the event seem even more real.

Sunlight flashed on steel, and the cries of the crowd rose to fever pitch as they cheered their favorites on.

Mia’s gaze, as she watched the knights, darted between Sir Cedric’s showman’s flair and Sir Alaric’s unshakable focus. At times, Mia could feel both their eyes on her, though neither looked directly her way, still she sensed their attention and awareness of her.

“Are you ladies enjoying yourselves,” Finn asked. He’d slipped next to his cousin and was holding a mug of what was likely beer.

“Yes!” Mia said. “It’s so exciting!”

“I’ve chosen a favorite,” Lilly said. “When do we bestow our favors?”

“Any time you choose,” Finn said. “I thought you might’ve done so, before the jousts.”

“We were running late,” Lilly said. “Mia had some excitement, but I’ll explain later.”

“Okay,” he said.

“I wonder when they’ll ask us for our favors,” Mia said.

Finn shook his head. “Knights do not ask ladies for their favors. That wouldn’t be chivalrous. It’s for the lady to bestow, as she chooses. This is a matter of honor.”

Mia was surprised at how serious Finn was, as he explained this to them. Usually he would joke or tease, not be so serious.

It must be something not to be taken lightly , she thought.

“Has anyone explained to you how the point system works?” Finn asked.

“No,” Lilly said.

Mia shook her head. “No.”

“All right. A touch of the lance,” Finn tapped Mia’s arm with his index finger.

“Is one point. A broken or shattered lance is five points. They aim at those shields for that. Unhorsing is ten points, but he’s got to be unsaddled.

They get five passes and the one with the best total score is the winner.

The knight with the highest score advances to fight again.

If they go tip to tip that pass gets a rerun.

So, each knight’s goal is to stay penalty free and hit on target while having the highest score. ”

“No wonder this sport looks so dangerous,” Mia said.

“Because it is,” he said. “If it goes wrong. These men have been practicing their skills for a long time.”

The trio continued to watch the jousting.

Sir Cedric and Sir Alaric met again, each determined to unseat the other. For there could only be one winner.

With each strike harder than the last, their rivalry escalated to a dangerous edge.

It felt deadly to Mia, and less like an entertainment.

Her pulse raced and she held her breath each time their lances hit true.

When the last lance broke, and the herald declared the victor was Sir Cedric, all cheered.

“Of course, the white knight always wins,” Finn said.

“So, it’s scripted?” Mia said.

“Of course,” Finn said. “This is a Ren Faire. The white knight must always win.”

“It sure looked real to me,” Mia said.

“Which means they did a good job.” Finn winked at her.

The six knights now saluted the crowd in a unified arc of lances. As if now, they were all together, part of a team who had put on a great show.

The roar was deafening.

Mia took a deep breath and let it out.

The danger is over now.

It was a huge relief, as it had felt so real. And the feeling that it was real was strong.

But had it been real? Or just part of the show?

Confused by how she felt drawn to Sir Cedric and Sir Alaric, her emotions had risen.

The knights saluted together one more time. The crowd cheered even louder.

“That was so exciting!” Lilly said, clapping for the knights.

A little too exciting , Mia thought as she clapped with Lilly and the rest of the crowd.

“They all fought bravely,” she said. “This was way more exciting than I’d imagined.”

“I know, right?!” Lilly said.

Mia turned to look at the place she had seen the owl, as she had a sudden feeling of being watched. Now that the herald was done, he’d hurried off the field and was now walking past her.

What a bright and gaudy costume , she thought. Glad we aren’t having to wear something like that.

“A good beginning to a weekend of tournaments,” Lilly said. “Can you believe they do these jousts three times a day, all summer long, except on Sundays?” She turned to look at Mia when she didn’t answer. “Did you hear what I said? You aren’t even watching.”

“They’re done jousting,” Mia said. “I’m looking for that owl.”

“You’re into owls?” Finn asked.

“She’s into bird’s period,” Lilly said with a roll of her eyes. “You’d think she’d be more interested in the handsome knights.”

“I am,” Mia laughed. “I just wanted to see if that owl was sitting where I’d seen him before. Now that the knights are done.”

“Owls,” Finn nodded. “I’ll have to remember that. There is an owl that likes to sit and watch. I’ll let you know if I see him,” he said. “Glad you both enjoyed the show. I’ve got to run now, but I’ll check on you later.”

“Thank you,” Mia said.

“Bye Finn,” Lilly said.

He slipped away through the crowd.

“We need to get to know the knights,” Lilly said. “Let’s go over there now.”

Mia eyed the crowd of women surrounding the knights and said, “I think I’ll wait.”

Sir Cedric’s gaze landed on her then and held.

“Mia, do you see that?” Lilly said. “He’s watching you.” She elbowed Mia.

“But look at all those women falling all over him,” Mia said.

“So?” Lilly shrugged.

“I’d be just another woman in that crowd if we go over there,” Mia said. ‘I won’t do it.”

“You’re right,” Lilly said. “You want to stand out and hold his attention not fight for it.”

“Let’s go back to that tent we passed and look at the candles,” Mia said.

“Sounds good,” Lilly said. “And there’s a crystal shop too.”

“Then we can decide what we want for lunch,” Mia said.

“I’m going to try one of those meat pies I told you about,” Lilly said.

“Oh, yes,” Mia said. “I want to try one too.”

“Perfect. Candles, then lunch.” Lilly nodded.

They turned to walk away from the lists.

The knights remained, now signing autographs,

Lilly said, “There’s a second knight watching you.”

Mia, without turning her head, to let on that she was looking, paused and glanced down.

“Do you want to know who?” Lilly asked.

“Yes.” Mia pretended to brush something from her gown.

“Both Sir Cedric and Sir Alaric have looked your way,” Lilly said. “More than once.”

As Mia glanced up and over at them, she saw both looking at her, in between signing.

Mia pun back around, her cheeks heating as she flushed. “Yes, I see, let’s go.”

But then, just for a heartbeat, Mia caught a shadowed figure beyond the lists.

Felt it watching from under the trees. A flicker of movement.

A hint of something small and quick darting between the tree trunks. Her pulse stuttered.

What was that?

Despite the sun shining down on them, it felt as if something dark watched them.

Goosebumps spread along her body along with the knowing that it was true.

Since her reading from Madame Merlina, she was paying attention, not ignoring it.

She shivered.

“Are you cold?” Lilly asked. “It’s warm out, not cold. I hope you aren’t getting sick.”

“No,” Mia said. “I just don’t like the feeling of being watched.”

“When it’s a handsome man, you should enjoy it,” Lilly said. “Could be your true love.”

A sudden gust whipped across the field, rattling pennants, lifting fine dust into the air.

The scent of it, musty, earthy, made Mia’s stomach tighten.

Lilly wrinkled her nose. “What’s that smell?” Lilly murmured.

Mia’s gaze flickered toward the tree line.

A sudden shiver traced Mia’s spine, as though a cold breath had brushed her ear.

Beyond the list, a great horned owl perched in the oak’s shade, its gaze locked on her. She’d thought that she felt eyes watching her earlier.

The final tilt had ended in a deafening cheer right about that time, so she hadn’t turned to see who it might be.

Mia looked back at the tourney field. The six knights sat on their horses still signing autographs. There was a time when she would have wanted one. But not today.

Mia’s gaze returned to the tree, where the owl had been just a moment ago.

The branch now hung empty.