Author's note: The Faire folk in this story are based on real persons, dear friends of mine whom I work with at our local Renaissance Faire. The names of the characters that they portray have not been changed, as they are actual historical persons, but their real names have, mostly to protect the guilty. Face it, they're my friends...they are not innocent. Much valued, much loved, but definitely not innocent.

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This fic comes with a dictionary for those unfamiliar with certain terms and articles of clothing worn in the 16th Century.

Addle-pated- a few fries short of a Happy Meal

A.P.Q.- Actress Portraying Queen

Attifet- a style of women's head dressing that is heart-shaped and often trimmed with lace.

Bodice- a woman's garment, much like a vest and can either be laced up the front or the back.

Bumroll- a stuffed crescent shaped pad that goes around a woman's waist to help support the weight of the skirts.

Chemise- a unisex long sleeved shirt. There are three major kinds:

A. Noble- open fronted, tied high necked and ruffled at the wrists and neck

B. Common man- less high necked with no ruffles and closed most of the way down the front.

C. Common woman- scoop necked and closed fronted. Often referred to as wench wear.

Certes- certainly

Corset- a woman's garment that is heavily stiffened and boned. It is also called a pair of bodies. This garment is the precursor to the bra and is laced up the back and is used to give support to a woman's back to help carry the weight of the gown.

Doublet- either men's or women's suit jacket

Farthingale- hoop skirt worn under the women's skirts. Along with the bumroll, it helps to support the weight of the skirts.

Overskirt- the top layer of skirt worn.

Partlet- a small, yet highly decorated, covering over the top of a woman's bodice, usually to help keep her warm.

Venetians- Mens' short pants. They are roomy and are gathered in a leg band just below the knee.

Slops- Also known as "pumpkin pants". The are a precursor to modern shorts, often filled with bombast of some kind (Wool and straw were the most common) and can either be plain or panes with decorative contrasting strips of fabric at intervals.

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Joust Murder

Chapter 1

Almost everyone had gone for the night, either home, to a local motel or the Truckers Association, or TA, for a quick shower and a hot meal. The final, frantic rehearsal of the principal players had been over for an hour already. Scott Friedman began his customary nightly rounds just to make sure everything was locked up tight for the night. Tomorrow was Opening Day and he wanted everything to be perfect when the season's first patrons walked through that front gate.

He patrolled the New Market area, stopping only to gaze up at the newly installed Dreadnought, the full scale recreation of an Elizabethan era naval vessel. He let himself have the luxury of imagining himself thrown back in time. He was a seasoned sailor ready to embark upon the high seas to defend the tiny island nation of England against the might of Spain.; to fight for Queen and country the highest honor he could have.

Shaking his head, he brought himself out of his reverie and continued along, crossing the bridge into the thrill ride area, past the Royal Menagerie and onto the High Street area. He stood at the top of the hill and looked down both sides of the wide street, each shop closed up tight for the night. A couple of pale lights glimmered from second floor living quarters above a few shops. Passing Lord Mayor's Forum and into the Sun Garden, Scott saw that peace reigned supreme. He followed into the Faerie Bower and the Celtic encampment. He stopped at the Commons stage and made certain that the Fight Cast's things were all functioning properly and secured for the night. He turned and made for the Dirty Duck Inn and then through the meadow toward the joust field. He was just waving a good-night to a merchant closing the front of his newly constructed shop when he heard the sound of hoof beats on the soft sand of the joust field. He looked over; plumes of dust glowed in the swiftly fading light.

"What the-" Scott muttered as he trotted down the steep hill.

A form, mounted on one of the joust horses, rode the oval. The figure was clad in ill-fitting armor; the colors silver and green. The figure fired a crossbow at a stationary target.

"Hey! Hey Carl! It's getting too dark for this! Pack it in for the night, will ya?" Scott hollered, dumbfounded why Carl would endanger himself and Bo for a couple of minutes extra practice when there wasn't enough light. "You know Dave will have kittens if he finds out. Practice in the morning."

The Knight wheeled his horse around, aimed the bow and fired, the bolt burying itself squarely in Scott's neck; a killing blow.

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"His name is Robert Scott Friedman, 41, Artistic Director of SFRF," Horatio said, rising from the victim and addressing his team. Dawn light had barely begun to pink the sky. "The security Chief found him during morning rounds 45 minutes ago. The murder weapon appears to be a bow of some kind." Although it was a tad too early to need them, he placed his sunglasses on his face anyway. "Looks like it's time to get Medieval."

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"This is a murder investigation, ma'am. You can't open today. My team needs to process the entire scene," Horatio said, hands on hips, pushing back his suit jacket, revealing his badge and firearm.

"Look, Lieutenant, I don't mean to be difficult, but I have no choice. The owners in Kansas City have instructed me to open those gates at ten o'clock, no matter what. If we don't open today, then we won't be able to open at all. Scott wouldn't have wanted that. The only reason that we can open this season is because we were open last season. Nobody opens a Renn. Faire to get rich. It's just enough to stay even. We're season to season. I've instructed my security team to give you whatever help you need, but those gates have to open at ten," the woman said. She was Lisa Peters, the Faire's general manager. "It's beyond comprehension why anyone would want to kill Scott, but my hands are tied. I'm sorry."

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"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we'll have to divide up to interview, get DNA samples and print," Horatio told his team. They had briefly taken up residence in an on site pub called the Pig 'n Whistle. "Natalia, you have Kids' Kingdom, merchants that stayed on site last night and the Town Criers. Mr. Wolfe, you have the Maypole Mayhem, Street Troupe and the Fantasticals; Eric, the Fight Cast, Joust Troupe and Military; Calleigh, Court , Guilde of St. Lawrence, which is at the Dirty Duck Inn and Celtic Connections at the Croft. Frank and I are taking the management staff, grounds crew and security."

Calleigh paged through her file. "I'm not complaining, but my list looks like the white page section of the Miami phone book. How am I supposed to get all these people swabbed, printed and interviewed before 10; that's three hours away."

"Just how many people work here?" Natalia asked, her own list looking suspiciously phone book like.

Horatio checked his numbers on the faire employed list. "Nearly 1,000 people. Ms. Peters suggests that you start with the Court troupe, or Guilde of St. George. They have a call time of 7:45 so you'll have a little time to start the process before the Faire opens. This goes for all of you; concentrate on the ones that are supposed to be here this weekend. We'll deal with the others later. Pop the laptops and get started. Someone decided to play William Tell. He's had his Overture, let's get him before he has a first act."

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Sara Wisdom rubbed her eyes. "S'cuse me?"

"I said I'm Natalia Boa Vista from the Miami Dade Crime Lab. There was a homicide here last night. Robert Scott Friedman was killed. I understand that you and your husband stayed here last night. Did you see or hear anything that might help in the investigation?" Natalia said pleasantly.

"Where are my manners? Please, come upstairs. Outside of going out to eat, Mike and I were here all night." Sara said, ushering Natalia up a narrow stairway to the living quarters above the shop. To Natalia's surprise, it was comfortable and welcoming. There was even furniture that were not your garden variety folding chairs. Sara indicated a plush bean bag chair. "Please have a seat." Sara raised her voice. "Mike, we have company. We'll need more coffee."

"Really, it's not necessary," Natalia said, not wanting to put anyone out.

"It's no trouble at all. Mike and I want to help in any way we can, although it's hard to believe that someone would kill Scott." Sara said as Mike entered carrying three beautiful ceramic mugs. He handed one to Sara, one to Natalia and kept one for himself.

Natalia looked the man over. He was already dressed for the day in a natural color linen chemise with beautiful Celtic embroidery running down both sleeves. Over this he wore a front lacing leather vest in medium brown. He also wore venetians and tights. On his feet were leather shoes that looked properly period for the 16th Century.

"I saw Scott last night as I was closing up the front of the shop. I waved to him. He seemed to be headed down to the joust field," Mike said sipping his own coffee.

"Did you see anything after that, Mr. Wisdom?"

"No, I didn't. Sara and I went to dinner right after that. We took the high road right in back of the shop and it was already dark when we got back. I wish I could be of more help," Mike said, buttering some toast. "I wish I knew more. Scott was a pretty nice guy. He drove plenty of people nuts during rehearsals, but I don't think anyone in the cast killed him.

"Why is that?" Natalia asked, accepting some toast and butter.

Sara shrugged. "Rennies may be a lot of things, but these people are not killers. Everyone is too much of a family."

"Would you care for breakfast, Ms. Boa Vista?" Mike offered cordially.

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By 8:30 a.m. The Crime Lab team had assembled under the first aide tent behind the Globe Stage where the all cast morning meeting would take place in a half an hour.

"I've never met a more co-operative group of people in my life. The Military group offered up fingerprints and information on themselves without my asking for it. It seems that with the exception of the children, every one of them should be in AFIS. They own and operate 16th Century firearms and have to be registered and printed," Eric said, sitting down.

Natalia sat next to him. "Tell me about it. I've had to accept three breakfasts, four offers of tea or coffee and a couple of sweet rolls from the merchants I interviewed. They're falling over themselves to help."

Both Ryan and Calleigh nodded in agreement They each had experienced the same thing. "It's not a put on, either. These people are genuinely upset, " Calleigh said.

Horatio leaned against the first aide trailer, sunglasses covering his eyes. "So we have an eager and co-operative suspect pool that is killing us with kindness and generosity."

Natalia stifled a small burp. "And hospitality; let's not forget that."

"You know, if I didn't need to look on every one of them as a potential killer, I'd believe them all." Ryan offered.

"Well, we'll get to talk to them enmasse at their morning meeting," Horatio informed them. In truth, he had found the same attitude and willingness from everyone he interviewed. For a nearly 1,000 soul organization they lived and breathed as one organism; one soul, if only for the weekend.

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"Good morning, everyone!"

"Good morning, Lisa!" the near 1,000 voice greeting died as surely as the Artistic Director had.

"Alright, by now all of you have heard that Scott was killed last night. Today isn't going to be easy and none of our hearts are in this, but we're going to have to do our best to give our patrons as good a show as we can." Lisa said. She gestured to Horatio. "This is Lt. Horatio Caine from the Miami Dade Crime Lab. He and his team will be investigating the murder. I know I don't have to ask this, but please give Lt. Caine and his team all the co-operation you can. Thanks."

Lisa stepped back and Horatio took a few steps forward. "Good morning everyone-"

"Good morning, Lt. Caine...Nice hair!" they chorused. A few chuckles were heard.

Horatio looked over at Lisa with a raised eyebrow.

She shrugged. "It's just their way of welcoming you. Go with it."

Horatio cleared his throat. "Thank you. My team and I will be fingerprinting, getting DNA samples and interviewing each of you. This is for exclusionary purposes. We are mindful of your performance schedules and will try to disrupt things as little as possible. For now, we'll begin with those scheduled later and work from there. If there is anything that will camouflage us to the patrons, please let us know and we will do our best to comply."

There was silence for a long moment as the reality of what Horatio said sank in to the cast. A lone voice started the chant. " Share it; dress them up!" Soon a dozen, then several dozen, then the entire cast took up the chant. "Share it; dress them up!"

Lisa shrugged. "The people have spoken."

"Vox populi."